Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving amusement properties.SOLUTION: A game machine equipped with means capable of performing a winning or losing lottery for determining whether or not to bring about a specific result to impart a privilege to a player on the basis of ball entry to ball entry means includes: means capable of determining whether or not a predetermined condition is established when determination is made not to bring about the specific result in the winning or losing lottery; and means capable of setting a special period when the predetermined condition is determined to be established. The predetermined condition includes the fact that the number of times of executions of the winning or losing lottery at least in a specific period is a predetermined number of times. The game machine includes means capable of executing a plurality of winning or losing lotteries in the special period, and means capable of imparting a specific privilege in the case where determination is made to bring about the specific result in the winning or losing lottery during the special period at a higher rate than in the case where determination is made to bring about the specific result during a predetermined period different from the special period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 189

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines such as ball-bouncing gaming machines (also called pachinko machines) and rotary gaming machines (also called pachislot machines).

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional gaming machine, there is known a gaming machine in which a winning lottery is executed when a game ball enters a predetermined starting winning opening and wins, and a privilege is granted according to the lottery result. In such a gaming machine, the interest of the game is improved by devising the granting of privileges.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the interest of conventional gaming machines. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the interest.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The gaming machine of the present invention is a gaming machine equipped with a means capable of executing a win / lose lottery to determine whether or not a specific result will be obtained, in which a bonus will be awarded to a player, based on the ball entering the ball entry means, and is equipped with a means capable of determining whether a predetermined condition is met if it is decided in the win / lose lottery that the specific result will not be obtained, and a means capable of setting a special period if it is determined that the predetermined condition is met, and the predetermined condition includes at least the number of times the win / lose lottery is to be performed in the specific period being a predetermined number, and the gaming machine is equipped with a means capable of executing multiple win / lose lotteries in the special period, and a means capable of awarding a specific bonus at a higher rate if it is determined in the win / lose lottery during the special period that the specific result will be obtained in the win / lose lottery during the special period, than if the specific result is determined during a predetermined period different from the special period. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can improve entertainment value. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] The following shows the basic configurations of various gaming machines to which the above present invention can be applied.

[0009] [Pinball Game Machine] A gaming machine including an operation means (launch handle 41) operated by a player, a ball launching means (pinball launching mechanism 110) that launches a game ball by hitting it based on the operation of the operation means, a ball passage (inner rail 101 and outer rail 102) that guides the launched game ball to a predetermined game area 104, and various game components (general winning opening 82, nails, etc.) arranged in the game area 104.

[0010] [Pinball Game Machine Equipped with Special Display Means and Variable Display Device] A gaming machine including an operation means operated by a player, a ball launching means that launches a game ball by hitting it based on the operation of the operation means, a ball passage that guides the launched game ball to a predetermined game area 104, first and second start openings 84a, 84b, a main display device 98, a variable display unit 86, and a variable winning device 83 arranged in the game area 104. When the entry of a game ball into the first and second start openings 84a, 84b is detected, the display content displayed on the main display device 98 is variably displayed, and when the display content at the stop is a specific display content, the variable winning device 83 is opened in a predetermined manner.

[0011] [Rotary Gaming Machines Such as Slot Machines] A gaming machine is provided with variable display means for variably displaying a symbol sequence composed of a plurality of symbols and then finally stopping and displaying the symbol sequence. The variation of the symbols is started due to the operation of start operation means, and the variation of the symbols is stopped due to the operation of stop operation means or after a predetermined time has elapsed. A gaming state (such as a bonus game) advantageous to the player is generated on the condition that the final stop symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol.

[0012] [Ball-using belt-type gaming machine] A gaming machine is provided with variable display means for variably displaying a symbol sequence composed of a plurality of symbols and then finally stopping and displaying the symbol sequence. The variation of the symbols is started due to the operation of start operation means, and the variation of the symbols is stopped due to the operation of stop operation means or after a predetermined time has elapsed. A gaming state (such as a bonus game) advantageous to the player is generated on the condition that the final stop symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol. Further, the gaming machine is provided with a ball receiving tray and an input device for performing an input process of taking in a game ball from the ball receiving tray, and a payout device for paying out a game ball to the ball receiving tray. The operation of the start operation means is made effective when a game ball is input by the input device.

[0013] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, as the gaming machine, a general pachinko machine will be described as an example. Also, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the directions such as up, down, left, and right are specified based on the front view of the pachinko machine 10. For example, the front side in FIG. 2 is the front side, and the back side is the back side.

[0014] [First Embodiment] <Pachinko machine>

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 has a front door frame 14, and the front door frame 14 opens so as to face the right side (see FIG. 1(a)) or the left side (see FIG. 1(b)) of the upper body of the player U. As shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, the pachinko machine 10) includes a rectangular outer frame 11 forming an outer shell, and a gaming machine body 12 rotatably attached to the front of the outer frame 11.

[0016] The outer frame 11 is a fixed frame formed in a rectangular frame shape that opens front and rear and is installed in a vertical posture on the installation frame base (so-called island equipment) of the game parlor. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the game machine main body 12 includes an inner frame 13 (frame body) rotatably supported by the outer frame 11 toward the front side (player side), a front door frame 14 (frame body) rotatably supported by the inner frame 13 toward the front side (player side), and a back pack unit 15 (box-shaped body) rotatably supported by the inner frame 13 toward the rear side (the side far from the player), and has a configuration that is locked by a locking device 131 (see FIG. 4). Thus, front and rear refer to the directions that are front and rear with respect to the player, and are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the game board 81. Note that a prepaid card type ball lending device (CR unit) (not shown) is provided on the left side of the outer frame 11.

[0017] The inner frame 13 is supported by one of the right side portion or the left side portion of the outer frame 11 with one of the right side portion or the left side portion as the support side. The front door frame 14 is supported by one of the right side portion or the left side portion (the left side portion in FIGS. 3 and 4) of the inner frame 13 with one of the right side portion or the left side portion (the left side portion in FIGS. 3 and 4) as the support side. The back pack unit 15 is supported by one of the right side portion or the left side portion (the left side portion in FIGS. 3 and 4) of the inner frame 13 with one of the right side portion or the left side portion as the support side. The locking device 131 has a cylinder lock 75 provided at the lower part of the right side portion or the left side portion of the game machine main body 12 (the lower right side in FIG. 2), and has a function of making the inner frame 13 unable to be opened with respect to the outer frame 11 and a function of making the front door frame 14 unable to be opened with respect to the inner frame 13. In the pachinko machine 10, when a key is inserted into the cylinder lock 75 (see FIG. 7) and rotated clockwise, the function of making the inner frame 13 unable to be opened with respect to the outer frame 11 is released, and when rotated counterclockwise, the function of making the front door frame 14 unable to be opened with respect to the inner frame 13 is released. The locking device 131 will be described in detail also in FIG. 13.

[0018] The front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the front surface side of the inner frame 13, and has an elliptical window portion 21 that opens in the thickness direction, and a window panel 22 formed of a see-through glass plate, synthetic resin material, or the like fitted into the window portion 21 (see FIG. 3).

[0019] In addition, the front door frame 14 includes a display lamp device 23A as a light-emitting means disposed on the right side of the window portion 21, a display lamp device 23B as a light-emitting means disposed on the left side of the window portion 21, an error display lamp portion 24 provided at the uppermost part of the pachinko machine 10, and speaker portions 26A and 26B as voice output means and navigation means disposed on the upper right side (speaker portion 26A) and the upper left side (speaker portion 26B) of the gaming machine body 12. In this embodiment, the pachinko machine 10 includes two speaker portions 26A and 26B, but it may include one or more speaker portions, for example, three or more speaker portions. The display lamp devices 23A and 23B have a light-emitting body (not shown) such as a light bulb in which a light-emitting element such as an LED (light-emitting diode), a filament, or a discharge element is enclosed in a glass spherical shell, and are turned on or blink in accordance with changes in the gaming state at the time of a big win or a predetermined reach. The error display lamp portion 24 lights up at the time of a predetermined error. Also, the speaker portions 26A and 26B can output voices, sound effects, and the like. Then, in accordance with the symbol variation effect in the symbol display device 91 which is a display device, the display lamp devices 23A and 23B are turned on and off (light-emitting effect), and voices and sound effects are output from the speaker portions 26A and 26B (voice effect), so that the display lamp devices 23A and 23B and the speaker portions 26A and 26B are configured to function as effect execution means.

[0020] Further, the front door frame 14 has an upper bulging portion 31 and a lower bulging portion 32 that bulge forward (towards the player side) below the window portion 21. The upper bulging portion 31 and the lower bulging portion 32 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The upper bulging portion 31 is provided inside so as to open upward and has an upper dish 33 that serves as a tray for storing game balls. Also, the lower bulging portion 32 is provided inside so as to open upward and has a lower dish 34 that serves as a tray for storing game balls. The bottom surface of the upper dish 33 is configured to be gently inclined from left to right and tapered at the right side portion, and has a function of guiding the stored game balls one by one to the game ball launching mechanism 110 (see FIG. 7), which is the game ball launching position. Note that the game ball launching position may be a predetermined position (predetermined first position) where the game ball launching mechanism 110 can launch the game ball.

[0021] When there are surplus game balls in the upper dish 33, the game balls are discharged to the lower dish 34. That is, the lower dish 34 has a function of storing the surplus game balls in the upper dish 33. Also, a lever (not shown) that can slide in the left - right direction is provided in the lower bulging portion 32, and when the player slides the lever, the game balls stored in the lower dish 34 are configured to be discharged from the lower part of the lower dish 34. In this embodiment, the upper bulging portion 31 and the lower bulging portion 32 are integrally molded with the front door frame 14 at the lower position of the front door frame 14, and are configured to open and close in accordance with the opening and closing of the front door frame 14.

[0022] In addition, the pachinko machine 10 is provided with a firing handle 41 as a firing means at the lower right position of the game machine main body 12. The firing handle 41 is biased counterclockwise (leftward), and when the player rotates the firing handle 41 clockwise (rightward), a game ball firing mechanism 110, which is an operating member for moving the game ball, is actuated, and the game balls stored in the upper tray 33 are fired one by one toward the game area 104 of the game board 81 (see FIG. 8). In the present embodiment, the firing operation of the game balls by the game ball firing mechanism 110 is performed at a predetermined cycle (for example, 0.6 sec). Further, in the present embodiment, the number of game balls fired by the game ball firing mechanism 110 is controlled so as not to exceed 100 balls per minute.

[0023] The firing handle 41 is configured such that the hitting force of the game ball by the game ball firing mechanism 110 changes according to the amount of rotation thereof. As the player rotates the firing handle 41 clockwise (rightward), the hitting force of the game ball by the game ball firing mechanism 110 gradually increases, and as the player rotates the firing handle 41 counterclockwise (leftward), the hitting force of the game ball by the game ball firing mechanism 110 gradually decreases. That is, the ball is a moving member that moves on the game board 81, and as the player rotates the firing handle 41 clockwise (rightward), the moving amount of the game ball launched by the game ball firing mechanism 110 on the game board 81 moves from the left side to the right side.

[0024] In addition, the firing handle 41 is provided with a touch sensor 41a for detecting that the player is touching the handle and a firing stop switch 41b for temporarily stopping the firing of the game ball (see FIGS. 2 and 20). The firing of the game ball by the game ball firing mechanism 110 is performed when the firing handle 41 is rotated and the touch sensor 41a is on and the firing stop switch 41b is off. When the touch sensor 41a is off or the firing stop switch 41b is on, the game ball is not fired.

[0025] Also, an operation button 35 as an operation means is provided on the upper surface of the upper bulging portion 31. The operation button 35 is used when selecting the type of effect (effect type). The player can select the type of effect by operating the operation button 35. As shown in Fig. 21, the operation button 35 includes a decision button 35a arranged at the center, a left-direction button 35b arranged on the left side of the decision button 35a, and a right-direction button 35c arranged on the right side of the decision button 35a. When selecting the type of effect, the player can select the type of effect by pressing the left-direction button 35b and the right-direction button 35c, and determine the type of effect by pressing the decision button 35a arranged at the center. Further, on the upper surface of the upper bulging portion 31, a ball lending button (not shown) for instructing the lending of game balls within the range of the remaining value (valuable remaining amount) of the card inserted into the CR unit and a return button (not shown) for instructing the return of the card inserted into the CR unit, buttons (not shown) for setting the volume and light amount of the pachinko machine 10, etc. are arranged.

[0026] As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, a passage forming unit 50 is attached to the back surface of the front door frame 14. The passage forming unit 50 is formed of synthetic resin, and a front door side upper dish passage 51 communicating with the upper dish 33 and a front door side lower dish passage 52 communicating with the lower dish 34 are formed. In the passage forming unit 50, a receiving port 53 protruding rearward and open upward is formed at its upper corner portion. By partitioning the receiving port 53 left and right by a partition wall 54, the entrance portions of the front door side upper dish passage 51 and the front door side lower dish passage 52 are formed. The upstream sides of the front door side upper dish passage 51 and the front door side lower dish passage 52 communicate with the game ball distribution unit 225. The game balls that enter the front door side upper dish passage 51 are guided to the upper dish 33, and the game balls that enter the front door side lower dish passage 52 are guided to the lower dish 34.

[0027] On the back of the front door frame 14 at the rotation base end side (the right side in FIG. 6), projection shafts 61 and 62 are provided at its upper and lower ends. These projection shafts 61 and 62 constitute an assembling mechanism for the inner frame 13. Further, on the back of the front door frame 14 at the rotation tip end side (the left side in FIG. 6), as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of hook fittings 63 extending rearward are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. These hook fittings 63 constitute a locking mechanism for the inner frame 13.

[0028] Next, the inner frame 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 71 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. On the front of the resin base 71 at the rotation base end side (the left side in FIG. 7), support fittings 72 and 73 are attached to its upper and lower ends. Although not shown, shaft holes are formed in the support fittings 72 and 73, and the projection shafts 61 and 62 of the front door frame 14 are inserted into these shaft holes, whereby the front door frame 14 is rotatably supported with respect to the inner frame 13.

[0029] On the front of the resin base 71 at the rotation tip end side (the right side in FIG. 7), insertion holes 74 for inserting the hook fittings 63 provided on the back of the front door frame 14 are respectively provided. In the pachinko machine 10, a locking device for locking the inner frame 13 and the front door frame 14 is configured to be hidden and arranged on the back side of the inner frame 13. Therefore, when the hook fittings 63 are locked to the locking device through the insertion holes 74, the front door frame 14 is locked to the inner frame 13 so that it cannot be opened.

[0030] At the lower right corner of the resin base 71, a cylinder lock 75 for unlocking the locking device is installed. The cylinder lock 75 is integrated with the locking device. When the key inserted into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 75 is turned to the left, the front door frame 14 is unlocked from the inner frame 13. When the key inserted into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 75 is turned to the right, the inner frame 13 is unlocked from the outer frame 11. At the upper right corner of the resin base 71, that is, on the rotation tip side of the front door frame 14, a substantially rectangular opening 71b penetrating in the inner and outer (i.e., front and rear) directions is formed. A first monitoring device 250 for monitoring the opening of the front door frame 14 is provided in this opening 71b.

[0031] A substantially elliptical window hole 76 is formed in the central portion of the resin base 71. A game board 81 is detachably attached to the resin base 71. The game board 81 is made of plywood, and a game area 104 (see FIG. 8) formed on the front surface of the game board 81 is exposed on the front surface side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 76 of the resin base 71.

[0032] <Game board 81> As shown in FIG. 8, the game board 81 is a substantially rectangular plate member formed of a veneer material or a synthetic resin material. The game board 81 has a guide portion 103 (hereinafter also referred to as a guiding rail) composed of two rails (an inner rail 101 and an outer rail 102) that are curved in a substantially circular shape and provided on the front side (the player side). The guiding rail 103 has a function of guiding the game balls launched by the game ball launching mechanism 110 to the upper left portion of the game board 81. The player operates the launch handle 41 to launch the game ball into a substantially circular game area 104 defined by the guiding rail 103 to play the game. Further, at the end of the guiding rail 103, a return portion 103a is provided so that the game ball launched into the game area 104 does not return into the guiding rail 103. The game balls launched into the game area 104 are detected by a detection sensor (not shown) provided in the back pack unit 15 (not shown), and the ball detection signal of the detection sensor is configured to be output to a hall computer (not shown). In the present embodiment, the detection sensor is provided in the back pack unit 15, but it may be provided at other locations, for example, on the game board 81.

[0033] In addition, the game board 81 has a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the plate thickness direction formed at appropriate positions by router processing. Further, a plurality of winning openings and out openings 87 such as a general winning opening 82, a first starting opening 84a, a second starting opening 84b, and a variable winning device 83 are provided at predetermined positions in each opening of the game board 81. Note that the positions and numbers of the openings formed in the game area 104 of the game board 81 can be appropriately changed as needed. Through gates 85 are provided on the left side and the right side of the central portion of the game board 81. A main display device 98 is provided at a position visible to the player of the game board 81. A variable display unit 86 is provided at the central portion of the game board 81. A large number of game pins 89 are provided in the game area 104 of the game board 81, and a rotating guide member 88 (so-called "windmill") is disposed on the right side of the game board 81. The rotating guide member 88 is disposed on the game board 81 so as to freely rotate by contact with the game balls flowing down in the game area 104. Therefore, when the game balls flowing down in the game area 104 come into contact with the game pins 89 or the rotating guide member 88, the flowing-down direction of the game balls changes irregularly (randomly).

[0034] In this embodiment, the entry of a game ball means that the game ball passes through an opening, and includes not only the mode of being discharged from the game area 104 after passing through the opening, but also the mode of continuing to flow down in the game area 104 without being discharged from the game area 104 after passing through the opening. Also, in order to clearly distinguish from the entry of a game ball into the out opening 87, the entry of a game ball into various winning openings is also referred to as a win. Further, the entry into the through gate 85 means continuing to flow down in the game area 104 without being discharged from the game area 104 after passing through the gate provided in the game area 104. The entry into this through gate 85 is also referred to as a win in the same way as the entry into various winning openings. Also, the rolling of a game ball while flowing down in the game area 104 while contacting the game pins 89 and / or the rotating guide member 88, etc. is also referred to as rolling.

[0035] <Starting winning opening> As shown in FIG. 8, the first starting port 84a and the second starting port 84b are arranged in an up-and-down positional relationship, that is, they are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Here, the first starting port 84a located on the upper side is a constantly open type winning port that always opens upward within the game area 104. Further, on both the left and right sides sandwiching the second starting port 84b located on the lower side, there is provided an electric accessory (so-called electric tulip (electric tulip)) composed of a pair of opening and closing members 84b1 configured to be able to open and close the second starting port 84b. An electric accessory drive unit 84b2 is connected to the pair of opening and closing members 84b1, and the pair of opening and closing members 84b1 is configured to be displaced between a closed position where the second starting port 84b is closed and an open position where it is opened as the electric accessory drive unit 84b2 is driven. In the present embodiment, the pair of opening and closing members 84b1 that open and close the second starting port 84b are arranged on the left and right side portions sandwiching the second starting port 84b, and are driven so that the mutual positions of the pair of opening and closing members 84b1 approach and separate as the electric accessory drive unit 84b2 is driven.

[0036] That is, in the present embodiment, the first starting port 84a is configured such that game balls flowing down in the game area 104 can be won with a constant probability at all times, and the second starting port 84b is configured such that the winning probability of game balls becomes variable by driving the electric accessory drive unit 84b2. Here, in a state where the opening and closing members 84b1 provided on both the left and right sides sandwiching the second starting port 84b are displaced to the closed position (hereinafter, the electric accessory closed state), the winning of game balls into the second starting port 84b is blocked, and the probability of game balls winning into the second starting port 84b becomes lower than the probability of game balls winning into the first starting port 84a. Further, in a state where the opening and closing members 84b1 are displaced to the open position (hereinafter, the electric accessory open state), the game balls received by the opening and closing members 84b1 are guided to the second starting port 84b, and the probability of game balls winning into the second starting port 84b becomes higher than the probability of game balls winning into the first starting port 84a.

[0037] Note that the electric accessory may be configured to switch between a state where it is difficult for game balls to win into the second starting port 84b (a state where game balls can enter, unlike the electric accessory closed state) and a state where it is easy for game balls to win into the second starting port 84b, instead of the electric accessory closed state and the electric accessory open state described above.

[0038] <Variable prize device> As shown in FIG. 8, the variable prize device 83 includes an opening / closing door (opening / closing member, opening / closing means) 83b formed in a rectangular plate shape that opens and closes the special prize opening 83a (hereinafter, large prize opening) as special prize means that opens into the game area 104. The opening / closing door 83b is a passive object configured to be in a closed state where it closes and an open state where it opens in accordance with the drive of the variable prize drive unit 83c as an operating member. The variable prize drive unit 83c is configured by, for example, an electromagnetic solenoid or the like. In this embodiment, the opening / closing door 83b is configured to open and close the special prize opening 83a by moving back and forth with respect to the game board 81 along a predetermined movement locus. In FIG. 8, a state where the large prize opening 83a is closed by the opening / closing door 83b is shown.

[0039] In this embodiment, the opening / closing door 83b is set to a closed state, which is a first state where it is located at the closed position in the normal state and the game ball cannot win because it abuts against the opening / closing door 83b. Then, when winning the transition to the opening / closing execution mode in the internal lottery and transitioning to the opening / closing execution mode, the opening / closing door 83b is set to an open state, which is a second state where it is located at the open position and the game ball can win because it does not abut against the opening / closing door 83b. Note that the opening / closing execution mode (specific control state) refers to a mode in which the opening / closing door 83b is set to the open state and game balls can enter the big winning opening 83a. When the opening / closing door 83b is in the closed state or the open state, a non-interference state is achieved where the opening / closing door 83b and the game ball cannot interfere with each other. Also, when the closed state of the opening / closing door 83b and the open state of the opening / closing door 83b alternate in the opening / closing execution mode, an interference state is achieved where the opening / closing door 83b and the game ball can interfere with each other. Thus, the opening / closing door 83b also functions as a contact member that determines the presence or absence of winning depending on whether it contacts the game ball. In this embodiment, in the opening / closing execution mode, after setting the opening / closing door 83b to the open state, the period until it is set to the closed state again is defined as one round of game. However, the number of times the opening / closing door 83b opens and closes in one round of game is arbitrary. For example, the number of times the opening / closing door 83b opens and closes in one round of game may be multiple times (two or more times). In this case, the open state and the closed state of the opening / closing door 83b are set multiple times in one round of game.

[0040] The player can guide the game ball to the variable winning device 83 while avoiding the variable display unit 86 by maximizing the rotation operation amount of the launch handle 41 and shifting the arrival position of the game ball in the upper part of the game area 104 from the side where the exit portion of the guide rail 103 is formed to the opposite side (so-called hitting to the right).

[0041] FIG. 9 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration and operation of the variable winning device 83. Hereinafter, the variable winning device 83 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 9. The variable winning device 83 is provided so as to protrude forward (the player side) of the game board 81 in a visible manner to the player. The variable winning device 83 is surrounded by four sides located in the left-right direction and the front-back direction of the pachinko machine 10, and a bottom side, and an opening is formed at the upper part. And the opening formed at the upper part of this variable winning device 83 becomes the special winning opening 83a. An opening / closing door 83b is provided at the upper part of the variable winning device 83. Usually, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the opening / closing door 83b is maintained in a visible closed state that closes the special winning opening 83a.

[0042] As described above, since the variable winning device 83 is provided so as to protrude forward (the player side) of the game board 81, when the opening / closing door 83b is maintained in the closed state that closes the special winning opening 83a, the game balls flowing down in the game area 104 fall onto the opening / closing door 83b, so that the opening / closing door 83b and the game balls are in a non-interfering state. For example, a state where a game ball is caught between the opening / closing door 83b of the variable winning device 83 cannot occur. Here, the bottom side of the variable winning device 83 is substantially parallel in the horizontal direction, and the right side surface of the pachinko machine 10 has a dimensional relationship that is slightly longer in the height direction than the left side surface. Therefore, the special winning opening 83a is slightly lower on the left side of the pachinko machine 10 than on the right side, and the opening / closing door 83b maintained in the closed state is also inclined so that the left side of the pachinko machine 10 is at a slightly lower position than the right side. For this reason, when the opening / closing door 83b is maintained in the closed state that closes the special winning opening 83a, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 9(a), the game balls roll from right to left on the opening / closing door 83b.

[0043] On the other hand, when winning the transition to the opening / closing execution mode in the internal lottery and transitioning to the opening / closing execution mode, as shown in FIG. 9(b), when the opening / closing door 83b moves parallel (slides) backward (away from the player) to an open state where a game ball can win in the special winning hole 83a, the game balls flowing down in the game area 104 of the game board 81 fall into the special winning hole 83a (win in the special winning hole 83a). Also in this case, a state where the opening / closing door 83b and the game ball can interfere, for example, a state where the game ball is sandwiched between the opening / closing door 83b of the variable winning device 83, cannot occur. Note that when the opening / closing door 83b moves to a position where it is in the open state, a state is reached where a game ball can enter the special winning hole 83a. When a game ball enters the special winning hole 83a, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player by the prize-giving means that gives the prize balls as a privilege. As shown in FIG. 9(c), when the opening / closing door 83b of the variable winning device 83 changes from the open state to the closed state, an interference state such as the game ball being sandwiched between the opening / closing door 83b can occur. Note that since the game ball is spherical, the width by which the opening / closing door 83b opens and closes, that is, the moving width by which the opening / closing door 83b can move, differs depending on the position where it contacts the game ball.

[0044] The pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes detectors S1 and S2 that detect whether the opening / closing door 83b is in the closed state or the open state. When the opening / closing door 83b is in the closed state, both detectors S1 and S2 are in the ON or OFF state. When the opening / closing door 83b is in the open state, both detectors S1 and S2 are in the OFF or ON state. Also, when the opening / closing door 83b is in a state that is neither the closed state nor the open state, for example, in the above-described interference state, either one of the detectors S1 and S2 is in the ON or ON state. The pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment notifies of an abnormality when either one of the detectors S1 and S2 is in the ON or ON state for a predetermined time.

[0045] Also, the variable prize device 83 may be provided on the game board 81 in a state that is not parallel to the main surface of the game board 81 and not parallel in the left - right direction of the pachinko machine 10. In this case, the lengths of the sides 831 and 832 located in the front - rear direction of the variable prize device 83 are different. Specifically, the side 832 located on the left side is slightly shorter than the side 831 located on the right side of the pachinko machine 10 in terms of dimensions. Therefore, the special winning opening 83a and the opening - closing door 83b that closes the special winning opening 83a are also shorter on the right side than on the left side of the pachinko machine 10. Since the opening - closing door 83b that closes the special winning opening 83a and the special winning opening 83a are non - parallel in this way, the width by which the opening - closing door 83b opens and closes, that is, the moving width by which the opening - closing door 83b can move, varies depending on where the game ball is pinched between the opening - closing door 83b.

[0046] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the detectors S1 and S2. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, the configuration of the detectors S1 and S2 will be described. Note that the detectors S1 and S2 have the same configuration. The detectors S1 and S2 are U - shaped sensors composed of a light - emitting element mounting portion 311a to which a light - emitting element (not shown) is attached, a light - receiving element mounting portion 311b to which a light - receiving element (not shown) is attached, and a connecting portion 311c that connects one end of the light - emitting element mounting portion 311a and one end of the light - receiving element mounting portion 311b so that the light - emitting element and the light - receiving element are opposed to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. The light - emitting element mounting portion 311a, the light - receiving element mounting portion 311b, and the connecting portion 311c form a detection groove 311d.

[0047] When there is no insert, such as the opening / closing door 83b, in the detection groove 311d, the light emitted from the light-emitting element attached to the light-emitting element mounting portion 311a is directly received by the light-receiving element attached to the light-receiving element mounting portion 311b. On the other hand, when the opening / closing door 83b is inserted into the detection groove 311d, the light emitted from the light-emitting element attached to the light-emitting element mounting portion 311a is blocked, and the light-receiving element attached to the light-receiving element mounting portion 311b cannot receive the light. The detector S1 outputs an off signal when the light-receiving element receives light and an on signal when it does not receive light. By receiving this signal, the main control device 300 can determine whether or not any insert (opening / closing door 83b) is inserted into the detection groove 311d.

[0048] The detectors S1 and S2 are attached such that when the opening / closing door 83b is inserted into the detection groove 311d, the light emitted from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element is blocked. Therefore, when it is detected in the detector S1 that the light emitted from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element is blocked, by outputting an on signal from the detectors S1 and S2, the voice and light control device 400 can determine that the opening / closing door 83b is in the open state. By outputting an off signal from the detectors S1 and S2, the voice and light control device 400 can determine that the opening / closing door 83b is in the closed state. By outputting an on signal from the detector S1 and an off signal from the detector S2, it can be determined that the opening / closing door 83b is in a state that is neither the closed state nor the open state. Note that it is arbitrary whether to output an off signal when the light-receiving element receives light and an on signal when it does not receive light, or to output an on signal when the light-receiving element receives light and an off signal when it does not receive light, and either configuration may be used.

[0049] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a variable winning device 83 according to another form. The variable winning device 83 illustrated in FIG. 11 differs from the variable winning device 83 described with reference to FIG. 9 in the opening / closing method of the opening / closing door. In the variable winning device 83 illustrated in FIG. 9, the opening / closing door 83b is configured to open and close the special winning opening 83a by swinging in the front-rear direction. However, the variable winning device 83 illustrated in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) is configured to shift from the closed state to the open state by moving the side on the back side of the pachinko machine 10 downward with one side located on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 as the rotation axis. Also, the variable winning device 83 illustrated in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) is configured to shift from the closed state to the open state by moving the side on the back side of the pachinko machine 10 downward with one side located on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 as the rotation axis.

[0050] Similar to the variable winning device 83 shown in FIG. 9, an opening / closing door 83b is provided at the upper part of the variable winning device 83 in the variable winning device 83 illustrated in FIG. 11. Usually, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the opening / closing door 83b is maintained in a closed state that closes the variable winning device 83. Since the variable winning device 83 illustrated in FIG. 11 is provided so as to protrude forward (towards the player side) of the game board 81, when the opening / closing door 83b is maintained in a closed state that closes the special winning opening 83a, the game balls flowing down in the game area 104 fall onto the opening / closing door 83b. Here, the bottom side of the variable winning device 83 is substantially parallel to the horizontal direction, and the right side surface of the pachinko machine 10 has a dimensional relationship where it is slightly longer in the height direction than the left side surface. Therefore, the special winning opening 83a is slightly lower on the left side of the pachinko machine 10 than on the right side, and the opening / closing door 83b maintained in the closed state is also inclined so that the left side of the pachinko machine 10 is at a slightly lower position than the right side. For this reason, when the special winning opening 83a is maintained in a closed state, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 11(a), the game balls roll from right to left on the opening / closing door 83b.

[0051] On the other hand, when winning the transition to the opening / closing execution mode in the internal lottery and transitioning to the opening / closing execution mode, as shown in Fig. 11(b), the opening / closing door 83b rotates about one side located on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 as the rotation axis, and when the opening / closing door 83b is in an open state where one side on the back side of the pachinko machine 10 is moved downward so that the game ball can win the special winning opening 83a, the game ball that has flowed down the game area 104 of the game board 81 falls into the special winning opening 83a (wins the special winning opening 83a). When a game ball enters the special winning opening 83a, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. Note that a plurality of winning openings such as the variable winning device 83, the first starting opening 84a, and the second starting opening 84b are at a predetermined second position where the game ball enters.

[0052] <Detection sensor> The game board 81 is provided with detection sensors 152 to 154b for detecting the entry of the game ball near various winning openings such as the provided general winning opening 82, the first starting opening 84a, the second starting opening 84b, and the large winning opening 83a of the variable winning device 83 (see Fig. 20). Further, these detection sensors 152 to 154b are disposed on the back side of the game board 81. The detection sensor 152 detects the entry of the game ball into the general winning opening 82, the detection sensor 154a detects the entry of the game ball into the first starting opening 84a, the detection sensor 154b detects the entry of the game ball into the second starting opening 84b, and the detection sensor 153 detects the entry of the game ball into the large winning opening 83a of the variable winning device 83. The detection sensors 152 to 154b are connected by wiring to the main control board 301 disposed on the back side of the pachinko machine 10. When the detection sensors 152 to 154b detect the entry of the game ball (winning of the game ball into various winning openings such as the general winning opening 82, the first starting opening 84a, the second starting opening 84b, and the large winning opening 83a of the variable winning device 83), a predetermined number of prize balls (game balls obtained by winning) are paid out. That is, when the detection sensors 152 to 154b detect the winning of the game ball into various winning openings such as the general winning opening 82, the first starting opening 84a, the second starting opening 84b, and the large winning opening 83a of the variable winning device 83, a privilege is given to the player.

[0053] In this embodiment, when the detection sensor 152 detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 82, the pachinko machine 10 pays out 10 prize balls; when the detection sensor 154a detects the entry of a game ball into the first starting opening 84a, it pays out 3 prize balls; when the detection sensor 154b detects the entry of a game ball into the second starting opening 84b, it pays out 2 prize balls; and when the detection sensor 153 detects the entry of a game ball into the large winning opening 83a of the variable winning device 83, it pays out 13 prize balls. Note that the number of prize balls paid out due to the entry of game balls into various winning openings is not limited to these and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the number of prize balls paid out due to the entry of a game ball into the first starting opening 84a and the number of prize balls paid out due to the entry of a game ball into the second starting opening 84b may be the same. Also, a plurality (two or more) of variable winning devices 83 may be provided in the game area 104 of the game board 81, and the number of prize balls paid out for each winning entry into the large winning openings 83a of these plurality of variable winning devices 83 may be made different. For example, when two variable winning devices 83 are provided, the number of prize balls paid out for the winning entry into the large winning opening 83a of each variable winning device 83 may be 13 and 14, respectively.

[0054] The out opening 87 is provided at the lowermost part of the game area 104 of the game board 81, and game balls that do not enter various winning openings and the like are discharged from the game area 104 through this out opening 87. The out opening 87 is disposed on the back side of the game board 81 and includes a detection sensor 156 that detects the entry of game balls (see FIG. 20).

[0055] Also, each through gate 85 is disposed on the back side of the game board 81 and includes a detection sensor 155 that detects the entry of game balls (see FIG. 20). The detection sensors 155 and 156 are connected by wiring to the main control board 301 disposed on the back side of the pachinko machine 10. However, unlike when an entry of a game ball into various winning openings occurs, when an entry of a game ball into the out opening 87 and each through gate 85 occurs, the pachinko machine 10 does not pay out prize balls.

[0056] In addition, each of the detection sensors 152 to 156 only needs to be able to individually detect the entry of the game balls into the various winning openings. For example, an electromagnetic induction sensor, a transmissive photosensor, or the like can be used.

[0057] <Symbol display> The main display device 98 includes a main display unit 93, a device display unit 94, and a round display unit 97, and is configured by arranging a plurality of display devices such as a segment display device in which a plurality of segment light emitting units are arranged in a predetermined manner and a dot display device. The main display device 98 is provided on the game board 81 so as to bulge toward the window panel 22 provided on the front side thereof, and is visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the window panel 22. Further, the distance (gap) between the main display device 98 and the window panel 22 is narrower than the outer diameter of the game ball. Therefore, the flow of the game ball in the gap between the main display device 98 and the window panel 22, that is, in front of the main display device 98, is prevented.

[0058] <Main display unit 93> The main display unit 93 includes a first result display unit 93a for displaying the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning in the first start opening 84a, and a second result display unit 93b for displaying the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning in the second start opening 84b (see FIG. 20).

[0059] <First result display unit 93a> The first result display unit 93a executes a variable display of symbols triggered by winning a prize at the first start port 84a, and as a result of the stop of the variable display, displays the result of an internal lottery conducted based on winning a prize at the first start port 84a. Specifically, triggered by the winning of a game ball at the first start port 84a, a variable display in which the first result display unit 93a sequentially lights up and goes out is performed, and finally, a plurality of types (categories) of special symbols (hereinafter, also referred to as the first special symbol (sometimes simply referred to as the special symbol)) are displayed according to the lighting position (stop result) where the first result display unit 93a finally lights up definitely. When the result of this internal lottery corresponds to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode, the first result display unit 93a displays a predetermined stop result, and then, the pachinko machine 10 transitions to the opening / closing execution mode.

[0060] <The second result display unit 93b> The second result display unit 93b executes a variable display of symbols triggered by winning a prize at the second start port 84b, and as a result of the stop of the variable display, displays the result of an internal lottery conducted based on winning a prize at the second start port 84b. Specifically, triggered by the winning of a game ball at the second start port 84b, a variable display in which the second result display unit 93b sequentially lights up and goes out and fluctuates is performed, and finally, a plurality of types (categories) of special symbols (hereinafter, also referred to as the second special symbol (sometimes simply referred to as the special symbol)) are displayed according to the lighting position (stop result) where the second result display unit 93b finally lights up definitely. When the result of this internal lottery corresponds to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode, the second result display unit 93b displays a predetermined stop result, and then, the pachinko machine 10 transitions to the opening / closing execution mode.

[0061] Here, the special symbol is a notification symbol indicating the result of an internal lottery such as whether it is a jackpot (special game) or not. In the first result display section 93a and the second result display section 93b, multiple types of special symbols can be displayed depending on the lighting position of an LED or the like. Specifically, as the special symbols that can be displayed in the first result display section 93a and the second result display section 93b, multiple types of special symbols as jackpot display results that can recognize a jackpot and one type of special symbol as a non-winning display result that can recognize a non-win are set. Then, one special symbol is determined according to the result of the special symbol lottery, and as the stop result of the variable display, the previously determined special symbol is stopped and displayed on the first result display section 93a or the second result display section 93b.

[0062] In the following description, the variable display performed on the first result display section 93a is referred to as "special symbol 1 variable display", and the special symbol that is finally stopped and displayed on the first result display section 93a as a result of the special symbol 1 variable display is also referred to as special symbol 1. Similarly, the variable display performed on the second result display section 93b is referred to as "second special symbol variable display", and the special symbol that is finally stopped and displayed on the second result display section 93b as a result of the second special symbol variable display is also referred to as special symbol 2.

[0063] <Accessory display section 94> The accessory display section 94 executes a variable display of symbols triggered by winning a prize in each through gate 85, and as a stop result of the variable display, it displays the result of an internal lottery conducted based on winning a prize in each through gate 85. Specifically, triggered by the winning of a game ball in each through gate 85, a variable display in which the accessory display section 94 sequentially lights up and goes out and blinks is performed, and finally, multiple types of normal symbols (hereinafter also referred to as general symbols) are displayed according to the lighting position (stop result) where the accessory display section 94 finally lights up definitely. When the result of the internal lottery is a result corresponding to a transition to the electric accessory release state, the accessory display section 94 displays a predetermined stop result, and then, the pachinko machine 10 transitions to the electric accessory release state. In this electric accessory release state, the opening and closing member 84b1 of the electric accessory provided in the second start port 84b is in an open state.

[0064] <Round display section 97> Also, in the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, when a jackpot determination is won, one jackpot game is determined from among a plurality of types of jackpot games (special games). A plurality of types of these jackpot games with different numbers of rounds are set, and the number of rounds of the won jackpot game is notified by the round display unit 97. In the present embodiment, two types, "15 times" and "2 times", are set as the number of rounds of the jackpot game, and the number of rounds is notified by the lighting pattern of the LEDs provided in the round display unit 97. During the jackpot game, a predetermined effect, for example, a promotion effect, may be performed. In this promotion effect, the MUP402 of the audio-visual control device 400 divides it into an introduction effect including an effect suggesting the start of the promotion effect and a suggestion effect including an effect suggesting the result of the presence or absence of promotion, and within a predetermined period from the start of the introduction effect, when a predetermined condition, for example, an operation by the player cannot be received by the operation button 35, a command to execute a suggestion effect (second suggestion effect) according to the elapse of the predetermined period is transmitted to the display control device 500. Also, when a predetermined condition, for example, an operation by the player is received by the operation button 35 within a predetermined period from the start of the introduction effect, a command to execute a suggestion effect (first suggestion effect) before the elapse of the predetermined period is transmitted to the display control device 500. When the display control device 500 receives a command transmitted from the audio-visual control device 400, it executes the corresponding effect. Specifically, when receiving a command to execute an introduction effect, it executes an introduction effect including an effect suggesting the start, and when receiving a command to execute a suggestion effect, it executes a suggestion effect including an effect suggesting the result. Note that whether it is during the jackpot game, in other words, not during the variable period, is determined by the MPU402 of the audio-visual control device 400. Also, depending on the result, at least one or more effects executed after a predetermined effect or the occurrence frequency of one or more effects may be changed. In the present embodiment, the round display unit 97 includes two LEDs arranged side by side. When the left LED lights up, it is notified that the jackpot game has 15 rounds, and when the right LED lights up, it is notified that the jackpot game has 2 rounds. Also, the first suggestion effect may include, for example, suggestion effect A, and the second suggestion effect may include, for example, suggestion effect B.

[0065] In addition, in the present embodiment, the main display unit 93 and the accessory display unit 94 are configured by arranging a plurality of display devices such as a segment display and a dot display, but are not limited thereto, and may be configured by other types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, and a dot matrix. Further, as the symbols to be variably displayed on the main display unit 93 and the accessory display unit 94, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are variably displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are variably displayed, or a configuration in which a plurality of types of colors are switched and displayed can be adopted. Further, in the present embodiment, the round display unit 97 notifies the number of times of the round game by light emission display using LEDs, but is not limited thereto, and the number of times of the round game may be notified by other types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, and a dot matrix. Note that the display areas of the main display unit 93, the accessory display unit 94, and the round display unit 97 are set to be extremely small compared to the display areas of the notification effects and the like described later executed by the symbol display device 91, and for a player who pays attention to the various effects executed by the symbol display device 91 on which the effects are displayed, it is difficult to easily recognize each piece of information in the lit states of the main display unit 93, the accessory display unit 94, and the round display unit 97.

[0066] Further, the variable display unit 86 includes a symbol display device 91 that variably displays (variable display or switching display) a symbol that is a type of symbol. Further, the variable display unit 86 includes a center frame 92 disposed so as to surround the symbol display device 91. The upper part of this center frame 92 is provided so as to bulge toward the window panel 22 provided on the front side thereof. As a result, the pachinko machine 10 is configured to prevent the game ball from falling in front of the display screen G of the symbol display device 91, and does not cause inconveniences such as a decrease in the visibility of the display screen G due to the fall of the game ball.

[0067] <Symbol display device 91> The symbol display device 91, which is a display device, is configured as a liquid crystal display device equipped with a liquid crystal display. The display screen G of the symbol display device 91 faces the front side (the player side) of the game board 81 and is detachably assembled to the game board 81. This symbol display device 91 starts the variable display of a decorative symbol (hereinafter also referred to as a decoration symbol) for effect when a predetermined condition is satisfied (winning of a game ball in the first start port 84a or the second start port 84b). That is, the symbol display device 91 executes variable display in accordance with it when executing variable display in the first result display section 93a of the main display section 93 and when executing variable display in the second result display section 93b of the main display section 93. Note that the symbol display device 91 is not limited to being a liquid crystal display device, and various conventionally known display devices capable of stopping and variably displaying various symbols such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, a drum-type symbol display device, and a dot matrix-type symbol display device can be adopted.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 12, in the symbol display device 91 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of symbol columns Z1, Z2, Z3 capable of variably displaying decoration symbols are set. When a prize is won in the first start port 84a or the second start port 84b, the decoration symbols start to vary in each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3. In addition, effective stop positions of the decoration symbols are set in each of the symbol columns Z1, Z2, Z3, and a symbol combination of the decoration symbols stopped and displayed on the stop symbol effective lines L1 to L5 obtained by combining the effective stop positions of each of the symbol columns Z1, Z2, Z3 is derived by a symbol variation effect. Effective stop positions of the decoration symbols are set in each of the symbol columns Z1, Z2, Z3, and a symbol combination of the decoration symbols stopped and displayed on the stop symbol effective lines L1 to L5 obtained by combining the effective stop positions of each of the symbol columns Z1, Z2, Z3 is derived by a symbol variation effect. That is, five stop symbol effective lines L1 to L5 are set in the symbol display device 91 of the present embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, five lines, i.e., a left line L1, a middle line L2, a right line L3, an upper right rising line L4, and an upper left rising line L5, are set as effective lines. In the following description, the symbol columns Z1, Z2, Z3 may be referred to in order from the upper side of the drawing.

[0069] In addition, the display area of the decorative diagrams in each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 of the symbol display device 91 is configured to be a larger area compared to the first result display unit 93a and the second result display unit 93b, and the decorative diagrams are displayed much larger compared to the special drawings. For this reason, the player can visually recognize whether the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the stop symbol active lines L1 to L5 of the symbol display device 91 is a big win or a miss.

[0070] The symbol display device 91 is configured to perform variable display such that the decorative diagrams move along a predetermined variable direction (in this embodiment, the horizontal direction from the left side to the right side of FIG. 12 and / or the horizontal direction from the right side to the left side of FIG. 12) along with the start of the symbol variable effect, and the decorative diagrams that are variably displayed are stopped and displayed in a predetermined stop order at the effective stop positions of each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3. Further, the symbol display device 91 temporarily displays the decorative diagrams at the effective stop positions of each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 before the symbol variable effect ends, and the decorative diagrams of each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 are stopped and displayed to end one symbol variable effect. That is, the symbol variable effect (the first special drawing variable display and the second special drawing variable display) is executed once from the start of the variation of the decorative diagrams (the first special drawing and the second special drawing) based on one start hold information to the definite stop.

[0071] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the decorative symbols are displayed in three rows, left, middle, and right, for each of the upper, middle, and lower symbol columns Z1 to Z3 on the display screen G of the symbol display device 91. When a winning occurs in the first start port 84a or the second start port 84b, a variable display of the decorative symbols is performed, and after a certain period of time according to the variable pattern selected by the main control device 300, the variable display stops, and nine decorative symbols arranged vertically in three rows and horizontally in three columns are displayed on the symbol display device 91 as the display result. In the variable display that wins the jackpot lottery, the display control device 500 controls so that three or more identical main symbols (symbols of numbers with characters) are aligned in a horizontal or diagonal straight line among the nine decorative symbols, indicating the occurrence of a jackpot to the player. On the other hand, in the variable display that fails the jackpot lottery, the display control device 500 controls so that three or more identical main symbols are not aligned in either horizontal or diagonal directions among the nine decorative symbols, indicating the occurrence of a miss to the player.

[0072] Here, the decorative symbols displayed on the symbol display device 91 of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment are composed of ten types of main symbols corresponding to the numbers from "0" to "9" (ten types of character symbols such as a turtle, a shark, a dugong, and an angelfish) and one type of sub-symbol formed smaller than the main symbol (in the present embodiment, a shell picture symbol). These main symbols and sub-symbols constitute a symbol column by arranging the main symbols in ascending or descending order of numbers and arranging the sub-symbols between each main symbol. Details will be described later, but each character symbol is associated with a unique sound. That is, in the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, voice data with different voice colors is prepared for each of the main symbols of the decorative symbols (ten types of character symbols corresponding to the numbers from "0" to "9") as the voice.

[0073] As voice data, for example, when a normal reach occurs with the main symbol of "0" as the reach symbol (a jackpot where the win / loss lottery mode results in a low-probability outcome when the symbols match (in this embodiment, a "low-probability outcome")), the 0th symbol normal reach voice data, which is voice data for playing the voice "Reach!" in the voice of the character symbol corresponding to the main symbol of "0" (for example, "Kasago"), is stored in the common ROM 404 of the voice emission control device 400 described later. Also, when a probability-variable reach occurs with the main symbol of "1" as the reach symbol (a jackpot where the win / loss lottery mode results in a high-probability outcome when the symbols match (in this embodiment, an "explicitly few-round high-probability outcome" and a "most advantageous outcome")), the 1st symbol probability-variable reach voice data, which is voice data for playing the voice "Reach!" in the voice of the character symbol corresponding to the main symbol of "1" (for example, "Tako"), is stored in the common ROM 404 of the voice emission control device 400 described later.

[0074] Also, for each of the main symbols from "2" to "9", when a normal reach or a probability-variable reach occurs with that main symbol as the reach symbol, voice data for playing voices such as "Reach!", "Reach!", and "Reach!" in the voice of the character symbol corresponding to that main symbol are stored in the common ROM 404 of the voice emission control device 400 described later as the 2nd symbol normal reach voice data to the 9th symbol probability-variable reach voice data, respectively.

[0075] Note that the voice data of the character symbols corresponding to the main symbols stored in the common ROM 404 of the voice emission control device 400 described later is not limited to only the voice data for playing voices during a reach. Voice data for playing voices at various timings (the various timings will be described later) is prepared for each character symbol corresponding to the main symbol and is stored in the common ROM 404 of the voice emission control device 400 described later.

[0076] Here, various timings include the timing when a decorative figure is stopped and displayed on any one of the stop symbol effective lines L1 to L5, in addition to the time of reach described above. Further, various timings may be during a symbol variation effect in which a decorative figure is stopped and displayed on any one of the stop symbol effective lines L1 to L5 (hereinafter, the symbol variation effect in which a decorative figure is stopped and displayed on any one of the stop symbol effective lines L1 to L5 is also referred to as the corresponding symbol variation effect). Furthermore, various timings may be during the symbol variation effects before and after the symbol variation effect in which a decorative figure is stopped and displayed on any one of the stop symbol effective lines L1 to L5 (for example, during the symbol variation effect one before the corresponding symbol variation effect (hereinafter, the symbol variation effect one before the corresponding symbol variation effect is also referred to as the previous symbol variation effect), or during the symbol variation effect one after the corresponding symbol variation effect (hereinafter, the symbol variation effect one after the corresponding symbol variation effect is also referred to as the subsequent symbol variation effect), etc.).

[0077] Also, the decorative figures displayed in each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 of the symbol display device 91 according to the present embodiment are such that among the symbol columns Z1 to Z3, the upper symbol column and the lower symbol columns Z1, Z3 are formed by arranging 18 symbols vertically in a row. Further, the middle symbol column Z2 is formed by arranging 20 symbols vertically in a row. Each symbol column is variably displayed so as to scroll from right to left periodically simultaneously with the start of variation of the special symbol during normal times, and the variation of all symbol columns stops before the special symbol stops. Also, each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 scrolls from right to left and is variably displayed during normal times. In the symbol column Z1, numbers are arranged in ascending order toward the left, so the numbers of the main symbols appear in ascending order. In the symbol column Z3, numbers are arranged in descending order toward the left, so the numbers of the main symbols appear in descending order.

[0078] Here, "variable display" means a state in which the decorative figures displayed at the effective stop positions in each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 change in a predetermined order. Also, "definite stop" of the decorative figure means a state in which the decorative figure is continuously stopped and displayed at the effective stop position in each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 for a predetermined special figure variation interval time (for example, 600 ms (milliseconds)). Further, "temporary stop" of the decorative figure means a state in which the decorative figure displayed to stay at the effective stop position in each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 does not continuously stop during the special figure variation interval time. That is, the temporary stop of the decorative figure includes a state in which the decorative figure is displayed in a swaying variation state at the effective stop position and a state in which the decorative figure is stopped and displayed for a time shorter than the special figure variation interval time.

[0079] Also, in the first result display section 93a and the symbol display device 91, the first special figure variable display and the symbol variation effect related to the first special figure variable display are started, and the first special figure and the decorative figure are definitely stopped and displayed. Similarly, in the second result display section 93b and the symbol display device 91, the second special figure variable display and the symbol variation effect related to the second special figure variable display are started, and the second special figure and the decorative figure are definitely stopped and displayed. Note that the first result display section 93a and the second result display section 93b do not perform the special figure variable display simultaneously. When the special figure variable display is being performed by either the first result display section 93a or the second result display section 93b, the other special figure variable display is not performed.

[0080] Here, in the symbol display device 91 according to the present embodiment, ten types of numbers from "0" to "9" are set as basic decorative figures for each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3, and the decorative figures are variably displayed in order in each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3. Note that the mode of variable display of symbols in the symbol display device 91 is not limited to this and is arbitrary. For example, the number of symbol columns, the scroll direction of each symbol column, the number of symbols in each symbol column, etc. can be changed as appropriate. Also, the symbols in each symbol column may be in a mode combining pictures and numbers instead of a mode of only numbers, or may be in a mode of only pictures. Further, the decorative figures are classified into a first identification figure that allows the player to definitely recognize that a certain probability variation state (described later) is given after the end of the big win game, and a second identification figure that allows the player to non-definitely recognize that a probability variation state may be given after the end of the big win game.

[0081] Here, as the first identification figure, it may be appropriately set from among the basic decorative figures, or a special decorative figure defined other than the basic decorative figures may be used. For example, odd-numbered figures such as "1", "3", "5", "7", "9" or even-numbered figures such as "0", "2", "4", "6", "8" can be used as the first identification figure, and even-numbered figures such as "0", "2", "4", "6", "8" can be used as the second identification figure. In this way, the player can grasp whether a winning game is given or not based on the decorative figures of each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 that are fixedly stopped and displayed at the effective stop positions (stop symbol effective lines L1 to L5) of each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 in the symbol display device 91. In the present embodiment, as a winning symbol combination, a symbol combination in which the same decorative figure is fixedly stopped and displayed at the effective stop positions of each symbol column (for example, "1·1·1", "2·2·2", etc.) is set.

[0082] The combination of symbols in the decorative pattern that can recognize this big win becomes the win display result, and after the symbol variation effect ends, a big win game advantageous to the player is given. On the other hand, when even one of the symbols in all the columns that are definitely stopped and displayed at the effective stop positions of the symbol display device 91 is of a different type, it can be recognized that it is a "miss" in which a big win game is not given in principle from that symbol combination. The combination of symbols in the decorative pattern that can recognize this miss becomes the miss display result.

[0083] Also, on the symbol display device 91, the combination of symbols in the decorative pattern corresponding to the special symbol displayed as a result of the special symbol variation display on the first result display section 93a and the second result display section 93b is displayed. That is, the special symbols displayed on the first result display section 93a and the second result display section 93b respectively correspond to the combination of symbols in the decorative pattern displayed on the symbol display device 91. When the symbol variation effect ends, the special symbols are definitely stopped on the first result display section 93a and the second result display section 93b, and at the same time, the decorative patterns are definitely stopped and displayed on each symbol column Z1, Z2, Z3 of the symbol display device 91. Note that it is not necessarily required that the combination of symbols in the decorative pattern for the special symbol is one-to-one, and a plurality of combinations of symbols with a plurality of decorative patterns may be made to correspond to one special symbol. Note that the introduction effect constitutes the first effect, and the suggestion effect constitutes the second effect.

[0084] The center frame 92 includes a first hold lamp section 95a provided in the lower left region of the symbol display device 91, a second hold lamp section 95b provided in the lower right region of the symbol display device 91, and a third hold lamp section 96 provided in the upper region of the symbol display device 91.

[0085] <Hold Lamp> The first hold lamp section 95a includes LEDs that display the number of game balls held after winning in the first start port 84a, and the same number of LEDs as the number of game balls held light up. The pachinko machine 10 can hold up to a maximum of 4 game balls. For this reason, the number of LEDs included in the first hold lamp section 95a is also 4, which is the same as the maximum number of game balls that can be held. Also, the first hold lamp section 95a corresponds to the variable display of the first result display section 93a and the symbol display device 91. That is, the number of held balls displayed in the first hold lamp section 95a is incremented by 1 when a game ball wins in the first start port 84a, and decremented by 1 each time the variable display of the first result display section 93a is performed.

[0086] The second hold lamp section 95b includes LEDs that display the number of game balls held after winning in the second start port 84b, and the same number of LEDs as the number of game balls held light up. The pachinko machine 10 can hold up to a maximum of 4 game balls. For this reason, the number of LEDs included in the second hold lamp section 95b is also 4, which is the same as the maximum number of game balls that can be held. Also, the second hold lamp section 95b corresponds to the variable display of the second result display section 93b and the symbol display device 91. That is, the number of held balls displayed in the second hold lamp section 95b is incremented by 1 when a game ball wins in the second start port 84b, and decremented by 1 each time the variable display of the second result display section 93b is performed.

[0087] The third hold lamp section 96 includes LEDs that display the number of game balls held after winning in each through gate 85, and the LEDs light up according to the number of game balls held. In this third hold lamp section 96, the pachinko machine 10 can hold up to a maximum of 4 game balls. For this reason, the number of LEDs included in the third hold lamp section 96 is also 4, which is the same as the maximum number of game balls that can be held. Also, the second hold lamp section 95b corresponds to the variable display of the accessory display section 94. That is, the number of held balls displayed in the third hold lamp section 96 is incremented by 1 when a game ball wins in each through gate 85, and decremented by 1 each time the variable display of the accessory display section 94 is performed.

[0088] The pachinko machine 10 is configured to notify the number of balls on hold by lighting the LEDs of each hold lamp unit 95a, 95b, 96. However, other configurations such as notifying, as an image on the symbol display device 91, the number of balls on hold that have won the first start port 84a, the second start port 84b, and each through gate 85 may also be used. Also, in the pachinko machine 10, the number of LEDs provided in each hold lamp unit 95a to 96 is four corresponding to the maximum number of balls on hold of four. For example, two LEDs may be arranged side by side, and when the number of balls on hold is "1" to "2", the LEDs may be "lit" in order from the left or right, and when the number of balls on hold is "3" to "4", they may be "flashed" in order from the left or right to notify the player of the number of balls on hold.

[0089] The game ball launching mechanism 110 is a mechanism for launching a game ball from a predetermined position to a different predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 7, it is attached below the window hole 76 in the resin base 71. The game ball launching mechanism 110 as an operating member is composed of an electromagnetic solenoid 111, a launch rail 112, and a ball feeding mechanism 113. The output shaft of the solenoid 111 moves in the telescopic direction, and by abutting against the game ball, which is also a contact member placed on the launch rail 112, with the output shaft of the solenoid 111, it is launched toward the game area.

[0090] There is a gap of a predetermined distance between the launch rail 112 and the inner and outer rails 101 and 102 attached to the game board 81. Below this gap, a far ball passage 55 formed in the passage forming unit 50 of the front door frame 14 is disposed (see FIG. 3). Therefore, if the game ball launched from the game ball launching mechanism 110 reversely returns along the guiding rail constituted by the inner and outer rails 101 and 102 without reaching the upper part of the game area, the far ball enters the far ball passage 55. The far ball passage 55 communicates with the front door side lower dish passage 52, and the game ball that has entered the far ball passage 55 is discharged to the lower dish 34. Note that when the game ball launched from the game ball launching mechanism 110 enters the openings of a plurality of winning openings such as the variable winning device 83, the first start port 84a, and the second start port 84b, there can be a first state in which the game ball abuts against the periphery of the opening and enters, and a second state in which the game ball enters without abutting against the periphery of the opening.

[0091] In the resin base 71, a substantially rectangular opening 71c penetrating in the inner and outer (i.e., front - rear direction) directions is formed below the launch rail 112 (see FIG. 5). A second monitoring device 290 for monitoring the opening of the inner frame 13 is fitted into this opening 71c.

[0092] On the left side of the launch rail 112 in the resin base 71, a passage forming portion (see FIG. 3) 121 is provided which penetrates the resin base 71 in the front - rear direction. As shown in FIG. 13, a main body side upper dish passage 122 and a main body side lower dish passage 123 are formed in the passage forming portion 121. The upstream sides of the main body side upper dish passage 122 and the main body side lower dish passage 123 communicate with the game ball distribution portion 225. Further, below the passage forming portion 121, the receiving portion 53 of the passage forming unit 50 attached to the front door frame 14 enters. Below the main body side upper dish passage 122, the front door side upper dish passage 51 is disposed, and below the main body side lower dish passage 123, the front door side upper dish passage 51 is disposed (see FIG. 6).

[0093] In the resin base 71, below the passage forming portion 121, an opening / closing member 124 (see Fig. 13) for opening and closing the main body side upper dish passage 122 and the main body side lower dish passage 123 is attached. The opening / closing member 124 is supported so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction by a support shaft provided at its lower end, and further, a biasing member (not shown) for biasing it to the forward position for closing the main body side upper dish passage 122 and the main body side lower dish passage 123 is provided. Therefore, when the front door frame 14 is open with respect to the inner frame 13, the opening / closing member 124 rises as shown in the figure, closing the main body side upper dish passage 122 and the main body side lower dish passage 123. Thereby, when the front door frame 14 is opened in a state where game balls are stored in the main body side upper dish passage 122 or the main body side lower dish passage 123, inconveniences such as the stored balls spilling can be prevented. On the other hand, when the front door frame 14 is closed, the opening / closing member 124 is pushed open against the biasing force by the receiving portion 53 provided in the passage forming unit 50 of the front door frame 14. In this state, the main body side upper dish passage 122 communicates with the front door side upper dish passage 51, and further, the main body side lower dish passage 123 communicates with the front door side lower dish passage 52.

[0094] Next, the back configuration of the inner frame 13 will be described. Fig. 13 is a rear view of the inner frame 13. On the rotation tip side (the left side in Fig. 13) of the back surface of the resin base 71, a locking device 131 is provided. The locking device 131 interlocks with the key operation of the cylinder lock 75, and the inner frame 13 and the front door frame 14 are unlocked. Also, as shown in Figs. 4 and 13, on the upper left side portion of the back surface of the inner frame 13, a back pack unit opening detector S3 for detecting the opening of the back pack unit 15 is provided.

[0095] On the rotation base end side (the right side in Fig. 13) of the back surface of the resin base 71, a bearing fitting 132 is attached. The bearing fitting 132 is formed with bearing portions 133 spaced apart vertically, and the back pack unit 15 is rotatably attached to the inner frame 13 by these bearing portions 133. Also, on the back surface of the resin base 71, a fastening hole 134 for fastening the back pack unit 15 to the inner frame 13 is provided.

[0096] On the back surface of the resin base 71, a plurality of locking fittings 135 are provided, and the game board 81 is attached to the resin base 71 by these locking fittings 135 as described above. Here, the configuration of the back surface of the game board 81 will be described. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the game board 81 viewed from the rear, and FIG. 15 is a rear view showing a state where the main control device unit 160 is removed from the game board 81.

[0097] A variable display unit 86 disposed at the center of the game board 81 is provided with a synthetic resin frame cover 141 that covers the center frame 92 from behind and protrudes rearward. The symbol display device 91 described above is attached to the frame cover 141 from the rear side, and a display control device for driving the symbol display device is attached (not shown). These symbol display device 91 and display control device are arranged stacked in the front-rear direction (the symbol display device is in the front and the display control device is in the rear), and further, an audio lamp control device unit 142 is mounted behind them. The audio lamp control device unit 142 has a configuration including an audio light emission control device 400 (not shown in FIGS. 13 to 15) and a mounting base 144, and the audio light emission control device 400 is mounted on the mounting base 144.

[0098] The audio light emission control device 400 includes an audio lamp control board that controls audio, lamp display, and the control of the display control device 500 according to instructions from the main control device 300, and the audio lamp control board is housed in a board box 145 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The audio light emission control device 400 mainly controls the effect operations of the game.

[0099] On the back surface of the game board 81, an assembly board unit (not shown) is provided below the variable display unit 86. The assembly board unit is provided with a game ball recovery mechanism for recovering game balls that have won in various winning holes, a winning detection mechanism for detecting the winning of game balls in various winning holes, and the like.

[0100] The gaming ball collection mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the assembly plate unit, a collection passage 151 is formed at one location downstream corresponding to the game board openings of the general winning opening 82, the variable winning device 83, and the operation openings 84 (first and second starting openings 84a, 84b). Therefore, all the gaming balls that have won through the general winning opening 82 or the like are collected below the game board 81 via the collection passage 151. There is a discharge passage below the game board 81, and the gaming balls collected below the game board 81 by the collection passage 151 are led into the discharge passage. Note that the out opening 87 also communicates with the discharge passage, and the gaming balls that have not won through any winning opening are also led into the discharge passage via the out opening 87.

[0101] Similarly, the winning detection mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. 15. In the assembly plate unit, detection sensors 152 are provided at positions corresponding to the respective general winning openings 82 on the front side of the game board 81. Further, a detection sensor 153 is provided at a position corresponding to the variable winning device 83, and detection sensors 154a and 154b are provided at positions corresponding to the first and second starting openings 84a and 84b. The winning of the gaming balls is detected by these detection sensors 152 to 154b. Further, a detection sensor 155 for detecting the gaming balls passing through the through gate 85 is provided on the right side of the variable display unit 86 outside the assembly plate unit. Further, a detection sensor 156 (see FIG. 7) is provided at a position corresponding to the out opening 87.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 14, a main control device unit 160 is mounted on the back surface of the game board 81 so as to cover the assembly plate unit from the rear side. The configuration of the main control device unit 160 will be described with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the main control device unit 160. The main control device unit 160 has a mounting base 161 made of synthetic resin, and a main control device 300 (not shown in FIG. 16) is mounted on the mounting base 161. The main control device 300 includes a main control board having a function (main control circuit) for mainly controlling the basic operations of the game and a function (power failure monitoring circuit) for monitoring the power supply, and the main control board is housed in a board box 163 made of a transparent resin material or the like.

[0103] The substrate box 163 includes a box base (front case body) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a box cover (rear case body) covering the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected in a non-openable manner by a sealing portion 164 as a sealing means, whereby the substrate box 163 is sealed. A plurality of sealing portions 164 are provided on the long side portion of the substrate box 163, and at least one of them is used for the sealing process.

[0104] Any configuration can be applied as long as the sealing portion 164 is configured to non-openably couple the box base and the box cover. However, the box base and the box cover are non-openably coupled by inserting a locking claw into the long hole constituting the sealing portion 164. The sealing process by the sealing portion 164 prevents unauthorized opening after the sealing, and even if unauthorized opening occurs, such a situation can be discovered early and easily. It is possible to perform the sealing process again even after once opening. That is, the sealing process is performed by inserting a locking claw into at least one of the plurality of long holes of the sealing portion 164. When opening the substrate box 163, such as when a defect occurs in the housed main control board or during inspection of the main control board, the connection portion between the sealing portion into which the locking claw is inserted and the other sealing portions is cut. Thereby, the box base and the box cover of the substrate box 163 are separated, and the internal main control board can be taken out. Thereafter, when performing the sealing process again, a locking claw is inserted into the long hole of another sealing portion. If a history of opening the substrate box 163 is left on the substrate box 163, it can be easily discovered that unauthorized opening has been performed by looking at the substrate box 163.

[0105] A plurality of coupling pieces 165 are provided on one short side portion of the substrate box 163 so as to protrude laterally therefrom. These coupling pieces 165 correspond one-to-one with a plurality of coupled pieces 166 formed on the mounting base 161, and a sealing process is performed between the substrate box 163 and the mounting base 161 by the coupling pieces 165 and the coupled pieces 166.

[0106] Next, the back pack unit 15 will be described. FIG. 17 is a front view of the back pack unit 15. The back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 201, and a payout mechanism unit 202, a discharge passage board 203 (see FIG. 4), and a control device assembly unit 204 are attached to the back pack 201. The back pack 201 is formed of a synthetic resin having transparency, and has a base portion 211 to which the payout mechanism unit 202 and the like are attached, and a protective cover portion 212 that protrudes rearward of the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 212 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is open, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display unit 86.

[0107] On the base portion 211, a pair of upper and lower latching pins 214 are provided at the right end as viewed from the rear of the pachinko machine 10. By inserting the latching pins 214 into the bearing portions 133 provided on the inner frame 13, the back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported with respect to the inner frame 13. Further, on the base portion 211, a fastener 215 for fastening to the fastened hole 134 provided on the inner frame 13 is provided. By fitting the fastener 215 into the fastened hole 134, the back pack unit 15 is fixed with respect to the inner frame 13.

[0108] On the base portion 211, the payout mechanism unit 202 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover portion 212. That is, at the uppermost part of the back pack 201, a tank 221 that opens upward is provided, and game balls supplied from the island facilities in the game hall are sequentially replenished in the tank 221. Below the tank 221, a tank rail 222 that gently slopes downward is connected, and a case rail 223 that extends in the vertical direction is connected to the downstream side of the tank rail 222. A payout device 224 is provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 223. The game balls paid out from the payout device 224 are supplied to a game ball distribution portion 225 provided on the base portion 211 of the back pack 201 through a payout passage (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the payout device 224.

[0109] The game ball distribution unit 225 has a function of distributing the game balls paid out from the payout device 224 to any one of the upper tray 33, the lower tray 34, or the discharge passage. The inner opening communicates with the upper tray 33 through the main body side upper tray passage 122 and the front door side upper tray passage 51 described above. The central opening communicates with the lower tray 34 through the main body side lower tray passage 123 and the front door side lower tray passage 52. The outer opening is formed to communicate with the discharge passage.

[0110] A back pack substrate (power receiving unit or external power receiving unit) 229 is installed in the payout mechanism unit 202. For example, a main power supply of 24 volts alternating current is supplied to the back pack substrate 229, and it can be turned on or off by switching the power switch 229a.

[0111] At the lower end of the base portion 211, a discharge passage board 203 (see FIG. 4) and a control device assembly unit 204 are attached so as to sandwich the lower end portion front and back. The discharge passage board 203 has a discharge passage that is open rearward on the surface facing the control device assembly unit 204, and the opening of the discharge passage is blocked by the control device assembly unit 204. The discharge passage is formed to discharge game balls to the island facilities in the game hall etc. The game balls led out from the above-described collection passage 151 etc. to the discharge passage are discharged outside the pachinko machine 10 by passing through the discharge passage.

[0112] The control device assembly unit 204 has a horizontally long mounting base 241, and a payout control device 242 and a power supply and launch control device 243 (hereinafter also referred to as the power supply and launch control device 243) are mounted on the mounting base 241. These payout control device 242 and power supply and launch control device 243 are arranged one on top of the other front and back so that the payout control device 242 is at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

[0113] The payout control device 242 houses a payout control board for controlling the payout device 224 within the substrate box 244. The signal of the payout command from the payout control device 242 to the payout device 224 is relayed by the aforementioned back-pack substrate 229. Further, the payout control device 242 is provided with a state return switch 245. For example, when the state return switch 245 is pressed during the occurrence of a payout error such as a ball jam in the payout device 224, the ball jam is resolved.

[0114] An external terminal board 213 is provided on the right side of the substrate box 244. The external terminal board 213 is provided with output terminals for outputting various error (warning) information generated in the pachinko machine 10, output terminals for outputting a signal when the inner frame 13 is opened, output terminals for outputting a signal when the front door frame 14 is opened, and the like. And through these output terminals, a signal regarding the state of the frame side is output to the management control device (or hall computer) on the game hall side.

[0115] The power supply and launch control device 243 houses a power supply and launch control board within the substrate box 246. By means of this board, predetermined power required by various control devices and the like is generated and output, and further, the control of launching the game ball accompanying the operation of the launch handle 41 by the player is performed. Also, the power supply and launch control device 243 is provided with a RAM erase switch 247. The pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a function of storing and holding various data, and can maintain the state at the time of a power outage even if a power outage occurs, and can return to the state at the time of the power outage when resuming from the power outage. Therefore, for example, when the power is turned off in the normal procedure as in the case of the end of business in the game hall, the state before the shutdown is stored and held, but when the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 247, the RAM data is initialized.

[0116] As shown in FIGS. 3, 13, etc., a first monitoring device 250 and a second monitoring device 290 are mounted on a resin base 71 of the inner frame 13. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, a back pack unit opening detector S3 for detecting the opening of the back pack unit 15 is provided at the upper left side portion of the back surface of the inner frame 13. The first monitoring device 250 is disposed at the upper part of the opening / closing tip side of the inner frame 13, and the opening of the front door frame 14 is monitored by this first monitoring device 250. On the other hand, the second monitoring device 290 is disposed at the lower part of the inner frame 13. Specifically, it is disposed below the lower edge of the back pack unit 15 in the closed state of the back pack unit 15, and is visible from the rear of the pachinko machine 10 (see FIG. 5). The opening of the inner frame 13 is monitored by this second monitoring device 290. Also, the opening of the back pack unit 15 is detected by the back pack unit opening detector S3.

[0117] As shown in FIGS. 3, 13, etc., the first monitoring device 250 and the second monitoring device 290 are mounted on the resin base 71 of the inner frame 13. The first monitoring device 250 is disposed at the upper part of the opening / closing tip side of the inner frame 13, and the opening of the front door frame 14 is monitored by this first monitoring device 250. On the other hand, the second monitoring device 290 is disposed at the lower part of the inner frame 13. Specifically, the second monitoring device 290 is disposed below the lower edge of the back pack unit 15 in the closed state of the back pack unit 15, and the opening of the gaming machine body 12, in other words, the opening of the inner frame 13 is monitored.

[0118] The first monitoring device 250 and the second monitoring device 290 have the same configuration, and their mounting directions and the configurations provided therewith are different. Therefore, here, only the configuration of the first monitoring device 250 will be described, and the configuration of the second monitoring device 290 will be omitted. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the first monitoring device 250 includes a housing case body 251 and a lid case body 280, and the housing 252 is formed by fixing both case bodies 251 and 280 with fasteners such as screws. The housing 252 (both case bodies 251 and 280) is made of a material such as a transparent synthetic resin material having light transmissivity, and the inside of the housing 252 is visible. Therefore, the inside of the first monitoring device 250 can be easily confirmed, facilitating maintenance and the like. In this way, since it is easy to check the inside of the first monitoring device 250, it is easy to detect illegal acts such as inhibiting the monitoring function of the first monitoring device 250.

[0119] The first monitoring device 250 is disposed at the upper corner of the resin base 71 with the housing case body 251 on the front side and the lid case body 280 on the rear side. In this arranged state, it is fixed to the back surface of the resin base 71 with a fastener such as a bolt. The housing case body 251 has a top plate portion 253, a bottom plate portion 254, a front plate portion 255, a left side plate portion 256, and a right side plate portion 257, and is formed in a box shape that opens the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 when attached to the upper part of the opening and closing tip side of the inner frame 13. The front plate portion 255 is substantially parallel to the back surface of the resin base 71. On the front plate portion 255, an upper extension portion 258 extending upward from the boundary with the top plate portion 253 and a lower extension portion 259 extending downward from the boundary with the bottom plate portion 254 are formed, and both extension portions 258 and 259 are in contact with the back surface of the resin base 71.

[0120] Round holes 258a and 259a into which cylindrical boss portions formed on the resin base 71 are fitted are respectively provided in both extension portions 258 and 259. By fitting the cylindrical boss portions into the round holes 258a and 259a respectively, the positioning of the first monitoring device 250 in the vertical and horizontal directions is achieved.

[0121] In addition, a projecting portion 260 that projects forward in a stepped manner is formed at the lower part of the front plate portion 255, and an opening 71b corresponding to the projecting portion 260 is formed in the resin base 71. The opening 71b is a through hole penetrating in the front-rear direction, and its inner peripheral shape is substantially the same as the outer peripheral shape of the projecting portion 260. When the projecting portion 260 fits into the opening 71b, the boundary portion between the resin base 71 and the first monitoring device 250 has a crank-like configuration. This suppresses inconveniences such as the insertion of unauthorized tools or the like from the boundary portion between the opening 71b and the projecting portion 260. Further, the dimensions of the front surface of the resin base 71 and the front surface of the projecting portion 260 are set so as to be substantially on the same plane, and the projecting portion 260 is configured not to protrude forward from the resin base 71. Therefore, inconveniences such as the displacement of the arrangement position of the first monitoring device 250 due to the catching of the projecting portion 260 during maintenance work or the like are prevented.

[0122] Inside the housing 252 (more specifically, inside the housing body 251), a detection device 265 for detecting the open / closed state of the front door frame 14 and an operating mechanism 275 that continuously operates when power is supplied are installed.

[0123] The detection device 265 is disposed behind the opening 71b of the resin base 71, that is, behind the projecting portion 260. More specifically, it is disposed on the rotation tip side of the front door frame 14 inside the housing body 251. The detection device 265 includes a light-emitting element 266 (photodiode) that emits light, a light-receiving element 267 (phototransistor) that receives the light from the light-emitting element 266, and a housing 268 that houses the light-emitting element 266 and the light-receiving element 267.

[0124] The housing 268 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 269 and protruding portions 269a and 269b that protrude in the left - right direction at the lower part of the main body 269. The housing 268 is arranged such that its front face is parallel to the front plate portion 255. Each of the protruding portions 269a and 269b is formed in a plate shape parallel to the bottom plate portion 254, and the detection device 265 is attached to the housing case body 251 by fitting (inserting) the protruding portions 269a and 269b into the first guide groove 270 formed in the housing case body 251. The first guide groove 270 extends in the front - rear direction while facing each other, and its rear end is open to the rear of the pachinko machine 10. When the protruding portions 269a and 269b are inserted into the first guide groove 270, the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portions 269a and 269b comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first guide groove 270, and the vertical and horizontal movement of the detection device 265 is restricted.

[0125] Also, a contact portion 271 against which the housing 268 abuts is provided at the front part of the first guide groove 270. The contact portion 271 protrudes inward of the housing case body 251 and has an upper contact surface 271a parallel to the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 254 and a rear contact surface 271b parallel to the inner surface of the front plate portion 255. When the detection device 265 is pushed in along the first guide groove 270, the housing 268 abuts against the rear contact surface 271b. Thereby, the forward movement of the detection device 265 is restricted. In a state where the forward movement is restricted in this way, a predetermined gap is secured between the front plate portion 255 of the housing case body 251 and the detection device 265. The housing 268 is fixed to the housing case body 251 by a fastening tool such as a screw in a state where the movement in the front, left - right, and vertical directions is restricted as described above.

[0126] In the main body 269 of the housing 268, through holes 269c and 269d penetrating in the front-rear direction are arranged side by side left and right at a predetermined interval. In each of the through holes 269c and 269d, a light-emitting element 266 and a light-receiving element 267 are fitted with their light-emitting portions and light-receiving portions facing forward. Each of the through holes 269c and 269d is arranged above the upper contact surface 271a (contact portion 271) so that the passage of light between the elements 272 and 273 is not blocked by the contact portion 271. More specifically, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 266 is emitted from the housing case 251 without being blocked by the contact portion 271 and is irradiated toward the back surface of the front door frame 14. Also, the central axes of the through holes 269c and 269d are orthogonal to the front plate portion 255, and the central axes of both elements 266 and 267 are also orthogonal to the front plate portion 255. For this reason, when the light from the light-emitting element 266 enters the front plate portion 255, it is less likely to be refracted or reflected.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 6, in front of the detection device 265, that is, on the back side of the front door frame 14, a light reflection member 274 that reflects the light from the light-emitting element 266 toward the light-receiving element 267 is provided. The light reflection member 274 is fixed to the front door frame 14 by a fastening tool such as a screw while being housed in the housing recess 14a formed in the front door frame 14, and its protrusion from the back surface of the front door frame 14 is suppressed. The light reflection member 274 is composed of a glass prism having light transmissibility. In a state where the front door frame 14 is not opened, in other words, in a state where the front door frame 14 is closed, the light from the light-emitting element 266 is reflected by the light reflection member 274, and the reflected light is received by the light-receiving element 267. On the other hand, in a state where the front door frame 14 is opened, in other words, in a state where the front door frame 14 is not closed, the position of the light reflection member 274 is displaced due to the opening of the front door frame 14. For this reason, the direction in which the light from the light-emitting element 266 is reflected by the light reflection member 274 is displaced, and the reflected light is not received by the light-receiving element 267.

[0128] Next, the operating mechanism 275 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the operating mechanism 275 is disposed laterally of the detection device 265, and its main components include a solenoid 276 provided as a power source for the operating mechanism 275 and an operating shaft 277 inserted through the solenoid 276.

[0129] The solenoid 276 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction, and a mounting portion 278 to the housing case body 251 is provided at its upper part. The mounting portion 278 is formed in a plate shape parallel to the top plate portion 253 of the housing case body 251 and fits into second guide grooves 279 formed in the top plate portion 253 and the left side plate portion 256. These second guide grooves 279 face each other and extend in the front-rear direction, and the rear end thereof is open to the rear of the pachinko machine 10. By inserting the mounting portion 278 from the rear end side of the second guide groove 279 and pushing in the solenoid 276, the operating mechanism 275 is mounted. In this way, when the mounting portion 278 is inserted into the second guide groove 279, the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion 278 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the second guide groove 279. Thereby, the movement of the operating mechanism 275 in the vertical and horizontal directions is restricted. By pushing the operating mechanism 275 along the second guide groove 279, the mounting portion 278 abuts against the front plate portion 255 of the housing case body 251, and the forward movement of the pachinko machine 10 is restricted. The operating mechanism 275 is fixed to the housing case body 251 by a fastening tool such as a screw in a state where its movement in each direction is restricted in this way. In the present embodiment, for the purpose of improving the mounting workability of the operating mechanism 275, the second guide grooves 279 are provided, but they may not be provided.

[0130] The operating shaft 277 has a cylindrical portion 277a made of iron that extends in the vertical direction. Most of the cylindrical portion 277a is housed inside the solenoid 276. The central axis of the cylindrical portion 277a coincides with the central axis of the solenoid 276, and the operating shaft 277 is movable in the central axis direction of the solenoid 276. The lower end portion of the operating shaft 277 protrudes outside the solenoid 276, and a plate-shaped shielding portion 277b and a crank portion 277c that offsets the shielding portion 277b from the operating shaft 277 forward of the pachinko machine 10 are integrally formed at the lower end portion. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 277a, the shielding portion 277b, and the crank portion 277c of the operating shaft 277 are integrally formed, but they can also be formed individually. For example, only the cylindrical portion 277a may be made of iron, and the shielding portion 277b and the crank portion 277c may be made of synthetic resin.

[0131] The shielding portion 277b is formed substantially parallel to the front plate portion 255 and moves parallel to the front plate portion 255 following the vertical movement of the operating shaft 277. Further, the shielding portion 277b is arranged by the crank portion 277c to be on the front side of the detection device 265, and a clearance (operating clearance) for its operation is secured by the space formed between the detection device 265 and the front plate portion 255. The lower end portion of the shielding portion 277b abuts against the upper contact surface 271a at its lower limit position. In such an abutting state, the shielding portion 277b is configured to overlap the light receiving element 267 in a front view of the pachinko machine 10. In other words, it is in a state of covering the front side of the light receiving element 267. On the other hand, in a state where the shielding portion 277b is at the upper limit position, the lower end portion of the shielding portion 277b is set to be above the light receiving element 267. In other words, it is in a state of not covering the front side of the light receiving element 267. A paint that absorbs light (a paint with a low light reflectance) is applied to the shielding portion 277b so that problems such as light from other light sources being reflected by the shielding portion 277b and reaching the light receiving element 267 do not occur. In this embodiment, the shielding portion 277b is configured to overlap only the light receiving element 267, but it may be configured to overlap the light emitting element 266, or may be configured to overlap both the light receiving element 267 and the light emitting element 266.

[0132] In this embodiment, the operating shaft 277 is held at the upper limit position of the operating range, in other words, at a position that does not cover the front surface of the detection device 265 (hereinafter also referred to as the first position) when power is supplied to the solenoid 276. Here, the output of the solenoid 276 is set to be large enough to lift the operating shaft 277 against gravity in the energized state. On the other hand, when the power supply is stopped, the operating shaft 277 descends under its own weight and is held at the lower limit position of the operating range, in other words, at a position that covers the front surface of the detection device 265 (hereinafter also referred to as the second position). More specifically, when the shielding portion 277b abuts against the upper contact surface 271a, the operating shaft 277 is held in the second position. That is, in the operating shaft 277, its holding position changes between the first position and the second position depending on the presence or absence of power supply. In other words, as the position of the operating shaft 277 is switched, the position of the shielding portion 277b switches between the first position and the second position.

[0133] A predetermined gap region is set between the lower end portion of the shielding portion 277b in the first position and the upper end portion of the shielding portion 277b in the second position. In other words, the operating distance dimension of the operating shaft 277 is set to be larger than the axial length dimension of the shielding portion 277b, and an insertion hole 260a that penetrates inside and outside (that is, in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10) is formed in a part of the front plate portion 255 (specifically, the overhanging portion 260) that overlaps with the gap region in the front view of the pachinko machine 10. As shown in FIG. 6, a protrusion 14b that can be inserted into the insertion hole 260a is provided on the back surface of the front door frame 14. The protrusion 14b is integrally formed with the front door frame 14 and extends rearward of the pachinko machine 10. The tip of the protrusion 14b is located slightly rearward of the rear end portion of the shielding portion 277b. Since the protrusion 14b is provided on the front door frame 14 as described above, it moves as the front door frame 14 rotates. That is, the protrusion 14b is inserted into the insertion hole 260a when the front door frame 14 is closed to the inner frame 13, and is not inserted into the insertion hole 260a when the front door frame 14 is opened by a predetermined amount or more.

[0134] In a state where the protrusion 14b is inserted into the insertion hole 260a, that is, when the front door frame 14 is closed, the shielding portion 277b and the protrusion 14b come into contact with each other, thereby restricting the movement of the shielding portion 277b between both the first position and the second position. More specifically, when the protrusion 14b is inserted into the insertion hole 260a with the shielding portion 277b in the first position, the movement of the shielding portion 277b to the second position is restricted. Also, when the protrusion 14b is inserted with the shielding portion 277b in the second position, the movement of the shielding portion 277b to the first position is restricted.

[0135] Note that as described above, the front door frame 14 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the inner frame 13. For this reason, before the hook fitting 63 of the front door frame 14 and the bearing fitting 132 are locked, the relative positions of the protrusion 14b, the shielding portion 277b, and the insertion hole 260a may vary. For this reason, there is a concern that the closing operation of the front door frame 14 may be hindered by these protrusions 14b etc. getting caught, but the protrusion 14b has a predetermined gap with the shielding portion 277b in both positions, and the insertion hole 260a has a tapered shape that widens toward the front of the pachinko machine 10. As a result, the catching during the insertion of the protrusion 14b is suppressed, and the workability when the front door frame 14 is closed is ensured.

[0136] Next, the relative relationship between the protrusion 14b and the shielding portion 277b will be described in detail. In a state where the front door frame 14 is closed, the rear end of the protrusion 14b protrudes slightly rearward from the rear end portion of the shielding portion 277b. For this reason, even if the front-rear position of the front door frame 14 varies slightly, the function of the protrusion 14b is ensured. When opening the front door frame 14, by opening it by a predetermined angle or more, the protrusion 14b moves to a position where it does not overlap with the shielding portion 277b in a plan view of the pachinko machine 10. Thereby, the movement restriction (regulation) of the shielding portion 277b is released.

[0137] Further, an opening flange 13a extending toward the front of the pachinko machine 10, i.e., toward the front door frame 14, is integrally formed at the peripheral edge of the inner frame 13. Due to this opening flange 13a, the peripheral edge of the inner frame 13 and the peripheral edge of the front door frame 14 overlap in the side view and plan view of the pachinko machine 10. By configuring them to overlap in this way, inconveniences such as illegal tools being inserted from the boundary part between the inner frame 13 and the front door frame 14 are suppressed. Note that the overlapping amount between the protrusion 14b and the shielding part 277b is set smaller than the overlapping amount between the opening flange 13a and the front door frame 14. More specifically, the distance dimension in the front-rear direction from the front surface of the shielding part 277b to the rear end part of the protrusion 14b is set smaller than the distance dimension in the front-rear direction from the front edge of the opening flange 13a to the rear edge of the front door frame 14. Therefore, when the front door frame 14 rotates and shifts to a state where the protrusion 14b and the shielding part 277b do not overlap, the boundary part between the inner frame 13 and the front door frame 14 is not exposed by the opening flange 13a. That is, it is configured such that when the front surface of the inner frame 13 is visible from the boundary part between the inner frame 13 and the front door frame 14, the movement restriction of the shielding part 277b by the protrusion 14b is released.

[0138] Next, with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, the main configuration of the lid case body 280 will be described. The lid case body 280 has a top plate part 281, a bottom plate part 282, a back plate part 283, a left side plate part 284, and a right side plate part 285, and has a box shape that is open in front of the pachinko machine 10. The rear end opening edge of the housing case body 251 is accommodated in the open part of the lid case body 280. Inside the lid case body 280, a relay substrate 286 electrically connected to the detection device 265 etc. by a harness (not shown) is arranged. The relay substrate 286 has a substantially plate shape parallel to the back plate part 283 and is fixed to the inner surface of the back plate part 283 by a fastening tool such as a screw.

[0139] Behind the relay board 286, that is, at the portion of the back plate portion 283 facing the relay board 286, a through-hole 287 penetrating inside and outside is formed. A connector 288 is disposed behind the through-hole 287. In other words, the relay board 286 and the connector 288 are provided to face each other with the through-hole 287 therebetween, and the relay board 286 and the connector 288 are electrically connected by a harness or the like (not shown). The connector 288 is fixed to the back surface of the back plate portion 283 by a fastening tool such as a screw with its insertion port facing the rear of the pachinko machine 10. Then, the first monitoring device 250 and the main control device 300 are electrically connected by a harness (not shown) via the connector 288. In the present embodiment, as described above, the lid case body 280 has a light-transmissive configuration, making it easy to check for fraud or the like with respect to the first monitoring device 250. However, the lid case body 280 may also have a configuration that does not have light transmissivity. In this case, the lid case body 280 may be formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material having opacity or a light metal material such as aluminum.

[0140] Next, the detection of the opening of the front door frame 14 in a state where power is supplied to the pachinko machine 10 will be described. In a state where power is supplied to the first monitoring device 250, that is, in a state where the solenoid 276 is energized, the solenoid 276 is excited. As a result, the operating shaft 277 is held in the first position. In such a state, there is no shielding portion 277b in front of the light receiving element 267, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 266 reaches the light receiving element 267 via the light reflecting member 274. When light reaches the light receiving element 267, a light receiving signal is output to the relay board 286. By reading this light receiving signal, it is detected that the front door frame 14 is in a closed state.

[0141] When the front door frame 14 is opened while power is being supplied to the first monitoring device 250, the relative positions of both elements 266, 267 and the light reflecting member 274 change. In this case, the light emitted from the light emitting element 266 does not reach the light reflecting member 274, or even if it reaches the light reflecting member 274, the reflected light is emitted toward a part other than the light receiving element 267. For this reason, the light from the light emitting element 266 does not reach the light receiving element 267. Therefore, a predetermined light receiving signal is not output. And by reading the change in this light receiving signal, it is detected that the front door frame 14 is in the closed state.

[0142] In this way, by making it possible to detect the opening of the front door frame 14 in a state where power is being supplied, it is possible to suppress unauthorized opening of the front door frame 14 during the operation of the hall. As a result, it is possible to contribute to suppressing fraud against the pachinko machine 10.

[0143] Also, when the power supply to the first monitoring device 250 stops due to closing of the store, power outage, etc., the power supply to the solenoid 276 stops, so the excited state is released. In this case, the operating shaft 277 and the shielding portion 277b move downward due to their own weight and contact the protrusion 14b. The shielding portion 277b comes into contact with the protrusion 14b, so that its downward movement is restricted, and the movement to the second position is restricted. If the power supply is started again while in this state, the solenoid 276 becomes excited, and the operating shaft 277 is lifted upward by overcoming the action of its own weight. In this case, since the light from the light emitting element 266 can reach the light receiving element 267, it is possible to detect that the front door frame 14 is in the closed state. In this way, it is detected that the front door frame 14 has not been opened while the power supply is stopped.

[0144] Next, the case where the front door frame 14 is opened and closed while the power supply is stopped will be described. As the protrusion 14b moves away from the first monitoring device 250 with the opening of the front door frame 14, the shielding portion 277b loses support and moves downward (i.e., to the second position) due to its own weight. When the shielding portion 277b moves downward, it abuts against the upper contact surface 271a, and further downward movement is restricted. When the front door frame 14 is closed again in this state, since the protrusion 14b returns to its original position (the state where the protrusion 14b is inserted into the insertion hole 260a), the upward movement of the shielding portion 277b is restricted. In this state, the shielding portion 277b is positioned in front of the light receiving element 267, and its vertical movement is restricted by the protrusion 14b and the upper contact surface 271a. By making the shielding portion 277b immovable from the second position in this way, the fact that the front door frame 14 has been opened is mechanically preserved.

[0145] When the power supply is started with the movement of the shielding portion 277b restricted from the second position, the solenoid 276 is excited and the shielding portion 277b attempts to move upward (i.e., to the first position). However, the shielding portion 277b hits the protrusion 14b, preventing its movement. That is, the state where the light receiving element 267 remains covered by the shielding portion 277b continues. When the power supply is started, the light emitting element 266 starts emitting light. The light emitted from the light emitting element 266 is irradiated toward the light receiving element 267 via the light reflecting member 274. However, the light reaching the light receiving element 267 is blocked by the shielding portion 277b positioned in front of the light receiving element 267. For this reason, the output of the light receiving signal is suppressed, and it is detected that the front door frame 14 is in the open state. Actually, although the front door frame 14 is in the closed state, it is detected that it was opened when the power was cut off.

[0146] As described above, in a state where the opening of the front door frame 14 at the time of power cutoff is detected, by opening the front door frame 14 again, the protrusion 14b moves away from the first monitoring device 250, and the shielding portion 277b moves to the first position. That is, the movement restriction of the shielding portion 277b is released. By operating the front door frame 14 in this way, the unauthorized opening detection state is released and returns to the normal state. Also, with such a configuration, since the unauthorized opening detection state is reset by the opening of the front door frame 14, there is no need to provide a reset switch or the like, contributing to the simplification of the configuration. Further, since the opening of the front door frame 14 is performed by a predetermined operation (locking and unlocking operation), inconveniences such as the unauthorized release detection state being illegally released can be suppressed.

[0147] Note that the second monitoring device 290 also includes a housing case body 251, a lid case body 280, a detection device 265, an operating mechanism 275, a relay substrate 286, and a connector 288, similar to the first monitoring device 250, and a protrusion and a light reflecting member corresponding to the second monitoring device 290 are provided on the outer frame 11.

[0148] In the above description, the first monitoring device 250 and the second monitoring device 290 are configured to detect that the front door frame 14 and the inner frame 13 have been opened even when the power is cut off and no power is supplied (specifically, they include an operating mechanism 275). However, the configuration for detecting that the front door frame 14 and the inner frame 13 have been opened when the power is cut off and no power is supplied is not an essential configuration of this embodiment, and it may be configured to detect that the front door frame 14 and the inner frame 13 have been opened when the power is supplied. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first monitoring device 250 and the second monitoring device 290 only need to include a detection device 265 for detecting the open / closed state of the front door frame 14 or the inner frame 13.

[0149] In the above description, the detection device 265 includes a light emitting element 266 and a light receiving element 267. Whether the light emitted by the light emitting element 266 can be reflected by the light reflecting member 274 and received by the light receiving element 267 is used to detect the open / closed state of the front door frame 14 and the inner frame 13. However, in this embodiment, it is only necessary to be able to detect the open / closed state of the front door frame 14 and the inner frame 13. For this reason, for example, the light emitting element 266 and the light receiving element 267 may be provided at opposite positions on the back side of the resin base 71 and the front door frame 14, respectively. When the front door frame 14 is closed, the light emitted by the light emitting element 266 can be received by the light receiving element 267. When the front door frame 14 is opened, the light emitted by the light emitting element 266 cannot be received by the light receiving element 267. Regarding the detection of the opening and closing of the inner frame 13 as well, the light emitting element 266 and the light receiving element 267 may be provided at opposite positions on the front side of the resin base 71 and the inner frame 13, respectively. When the inner frame 13 is closed, the light emitted by the light emitting element 266 can be received by the light receiving element 267. When the inner frame 13 is opened, the light emitted by the light emitting element 266 cannot be received by the light receiving element 267.

[0150] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening and closing of the front door frame 14 and the inner frame 13 are detected by using the optical elements of the light emitting element 266 and the light receiving element 267. However, the opening and closing of the front door frame 14 and the inner frame 13 may be detected by other methods. For example, an ultrasonic oscillator may be provided instead of the light emitting element 266, and an ultrasonic receiver may be provided instead of the light receiving element 267 to detect the opening and closing of the front door frame 14 and the inner frame 13. Furthermore, a magnet may be provided instead of the light emitting element 266, and a magnetic sensor may be provided instead of the light receiving element 267 to detect the opening and closing of the front door frame 14 and the inner frame 13. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, the pachinko machine 10 according to this embodiment is provided with a back pack unit opening detector S3 for detecting the opening of the back pack unit 15. However, various mechanisms for detecting the opening of the back pack unit 15 can be adopted. For example, similar to the first monitoring device 250 and the second monitoring device 290, the optical elements of the light emitting element 266 and the light receiving element 267 may be used to detect the opening and closing of the back pack unit 15, or an ultrasonic oscillator may be provided instead of the light emitting element 266, and an ultrasonic receiver may be provided instead of the light receiving element 267 to detect the opening and closing of the back pack unit 15. Furthermore, a magnet may be provided instead of the light emitting element 266, and a magnetic sensor may be provided instead of the light receiving element 267 to detect the opening and closing of the back pack unit 15, or a mechanical contact sensor may be provided.

[0151] <Electrical Configuration> FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine. As shown in FIG. 20, the pachinko machine 10 includes a main control device 300, a voice and light control device 400, and a display control device 500. These devices are mounted on the back side of the inner frame 13. The pachinko machine 10 also includes a payout control device 242 that executes payout control to cause the payout device 224 described above to pay out game balls, and a power supply and launch control device 243 that supplies necessary power to the pachinko machine 10 and controls the game ball launch mechanism 110. These devices are mounted on the back pack unit 15.

[0152] The main control device 300 includes a main control board 301 that controls the main control (primary control) of the pachinko machine 10, and a power failure monitoring board 303 that monitors the power supply. The main control device 300 includes a board box that houses the main control board 301 and the like. This board box may have a trace structure that leaves a trace when it is opened. Specifically, as the trace means, the board box is configured by combining a plurality of case bodies, and a coupling part (caulking part) that requires the destruction of a predetermined part when the case bodies are separated is provided, or a sealing tape that leaves a trace of being peeled off because the adhesive layer remains on the adhesion target when peeled off is attached so as to straddle the boundary between the plurality of case bodies. A configuration or the like can be adopted. Further, as the trace structure, a configuration in which an adhesive is applied to the boundary between these case bodies can be adopted.

[0153] The main control board 301 includes an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) 302 mounted on the main control board 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 312 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 313 that constitute the MPU 302. The MPU 302 is a semiconductor element in which a CPU, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, and a counter circuit as a random number generator are integrated into one chip, and is so-called a one-chip microcomputer. In this embodiment, the ROM 312 and the RAM 313 are integrated into one chip with respect to the MPU 302, but the ROM 312 and the RAM 313 may be individually chipped. Further, although the ROM 312 and the RAM 313 are physically separate individual memories, they may be one memory that is not physically separated, and regions of the ROM 312 and the RAM 313 may be provided by logical addresses. In this case, for example, a specific area in the RAM may be made write-protected to have the function of the ROM. The same applies to the MPU of other control devices other than the main control device 300.

[0154] The ROM 312 is a memory for storing various control programs and fixed-value data, and is used as the main memory device of the MPU 302. The ROM 312 is a non-volatile memory that does not require external power supply for retaining the stored information (data), and is a semiconductor element that cannot be written to. This ROM 312 has a plurality of areas (regions) logically separated by logical addresses, and stores programs for game control and tables necessary for various games. For example, a win / loss table storage area referred to for jackpot lottery, a distribution table storage area, a stop symbol data storage area referred to when displaying the result of an internal lottery performed based on winning in the first and second start ports 84a, 84b and the through gate 85, a reach table storage area, a variable table storage area, and various other areas. These areas will be described in detail later. Note that the tables listed here are only a part, and a larger number of tables are provided.

[0155] The RAM 313 is a semiconductor memory capable of arbitrarily writing and erasing information. When reading and executing the control program stored in the ROM 312, the RAM 313 is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like, and is a volatile memory that requires external power supply for retaining the stored information. This RAM 313 has a plurality of areas (regions) logically separated by logical addresses, and has various areas such as various counter areas, reserved ball storage areas, power supply reservation areas, stop result storage areas, etc. These areas will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is used as the RAM 313, but a non-volatile memory such as an MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) may be used as the RAM 313. In this embodiment, the RAM 313 is configured such that data is retained by being supplied with data storage retention power from the power supply and emission control board provided in the power supply and emission control device 243 even after the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off.

[0156] The MPU 302 is provided with an input port (not shown) and an output port (not shown). The input port of the MPU 302 is connected to the power failure monitoring board 303 provided in the main control device 300 and a plurality of detection sensors 152 to 156. The output port of the MPU 302 is connected to the power failure monitoring board 303, the payout control device 242, and the audio and light emission control device 400. The audio and light emission control device 400 and the display control device 500 connected to the audio and light emission control device 400 will be described in detail later. Also, the output port of the MPU 302 is connected to the electric accessory drive unit 84b2 that opens and closes the opening and closing member 84b1 of the second start port 84b, the variable prize drive unit 83c that opens and closes the opening and closing door 83b of the variable prize device 83, the main display unit 93, the accessory display unit 94, and the round display unit 97.

[0157] Here, the main control board 301 has a driver circuit (not shown), and the MPU 302 executes drive control of various drive units and the like through this driver circuit. Specifically, in the power-off release state, the MPU 302 executes drive control of the electric accessory drive unit 84b2 to open and close the opening / closing member 84b1. Also, in the opening / closing execution mode, the MPU 302 executes drive control of the variable winning drive unit 83c to open and close the opening / closing door 83b of the variable winning device 83. Further, in each game round, the MPU 302 executes display control of the main display unit 93 to display the result of the internal lottery performed based on winning at each start port 84a, 84b. Furthermore, the MPU 302 executes display control of the accessory display unit 94 to display the result of the internal lottery performed based on winning at each through gate 85.

[0158] The power failure monitoring board 303 relays between the main control board 301 and the power supply / transmission control device 243 having a function of supplying operating power, and monitors the DC stabilized 24-volt voltage output from the power supply / transmission control device 243. The MPU 302 receives and supplies power (DC24V) via the power failure monitoring board 303. Also, the MPU 302 performs winning determination (ball entry determination) for various winning ports 82 to 84b, the out port 87, and each through gate 85 based on the detection results of the detection sensors 152 to 156. The MPU 302 executes an internal lottery based on the winning determination for the first start port 84a or the second start port 84b.

[0159] The payout control device 242 executes payout control to cause the payout device 224 to pay out prize balls (game balls obtained by winning) and loaned balls (game balls loaned to the player) based on a command (control instruction) transmitted from the main control device 300.

[0160] The power supply and emission control device 243 is connected to, for example, a commercial power supply (external power supply) in a pachinko parlor or the like. The power supply and emission control device 243 includes an AC-DC converter that generates the necessary operating power for each of the main control board 301, the payout control device 242, etc. based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, and supplies the generated operating power to each device. Note that the power supply and emission control device 243 includes a power supply unit for power failure such as a backup capacitor. This power supply unit for power failure supplies power for storage retention to the RAM 313 of the main control device 300 when a power failure occurs in which the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off.

[0161] The power supply and emission control device 243 executes emission control to cause the game ball emission mechanism 110 to emit game balls. Here, the game ball emission mechanism 110 includes an emission rail extending toward the guide rail 103 of the game board 81, a ball feeder that supplies the game balls stored in the upper tray 33 onto the emission rail, and a solenoid that is an electric actuator for emitting the game balls supplied onto the emission rail toward the guide rail 103. When the power supply and emission control device 243 and a predetermined emission condition (when the emission handle 41 is rotated, the touch sensor 41a is on, and the emission stop switch 41b is off) are satisfied, a drive signal (emission permission signal) is supplied to this solenoid to emit game balls.

[0162] In this embodiment, the game ball launching mechanism 110 of the pachinko machine 10 adopts a method of launching game balls by the linear expansion and contraction operation of a plunger-type solenoid. However, it may also be a form in which a hitting hammer directly connected to the rotating shaft of a rotary solenoid operates to launch the game balls, or a form in which a hitting hammer supported at a separate position operates to launch the game balls with respect to the rotation of a motor. Specifically, in the method of launching game balls by a motor, the motor and the hitting hammer are supported at separate positions, and the hitting hammer is operated by the rotation of a cam connected to the motor. The hitting hammer operated by the motor (cam) hits the game ball by moving in the reverse direction due to the elasticity of a connected spring or the like, and launches the game ball into the game area 104 of the game board 81. Also, in the method of launching game balls by a rotary solenoid, the game balls are hit by rotating the rotating shaft in response to a pulse from the power supply / launch control device 243, and the game balls are launched into the game area 104 of the game board 81. The hitting hammer directly connected to the rotating shaft of the rotary solenoid rotates to the support position of the game ball to hit the game ball on the launch rail, and the game ball is launched. After hitting the ball, the torque of the rotary solenoid disappears, and the hitting hammer rotates in the reverse direction due to the reaction of hitting the stopper and its own weight, and stops at the position before operation by the stopper. Also, in the method of launching game balls by a plunger-type solenoid, a hitting hammer is directly connected to the movable iron core of the plunger-type solenoid, and the game balls are hit by the linear reciprocating motion of this, and the game balls are launched into the game area 104 of the game board 81. Also, the plunger-type solenoid may be used in either a type that launches the hitting hammer by energizing the solenoid or a type that compresses the spring by retreating the hitting hammer by energization and advances the hitting hammer by the elasticity of the spring to hit the game ball.

[0163] Also, the ball feeding device of the game ball launching mechanism 110 may be either mechanical or magnetic. In the case of the mechanical type, the ball feeding device is operated using the power of the motor that drives the hitting hammer. In the case of the mechanical type, since the driving source of the hitting hammer and the ball feeding device are the same, it has a simple structure and can supply game balls one by one onto the launching rail according to the timing of hitting the ball. Also, in the case of the magnetic type, separately from the operation of the hitting hammer, the ball feeding is operated by an independent solenoid, and game balls are supplied one by one onto the launching rail. The magnetic type is preferably adopted when the game ball launching mechanism 110 launches game balls using a rotary solenoid or a plunger type solenoid.

[0164] The first monitoring device 250, the second monitoring device 290, and the detectors S1 to S3 are connected to the main control board 301 via a built-in relay board (not shown). The first monitoring device 250, the second monitoring device 290, and the detectors S1 to S3 operate by receiving power supply from the main control board 301.

[0165] <Internal lottery> FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the contents of each counter used for internal lottery. "Internal lottery" refers to a lottery as to whether or not to shift to a game state advantageous to the player (for example, jackpot game state) triggered by the winning of a game ball into the start winning openings (the first and second start openings 84a and 84b) provided on the game board. Note that a game state advantageous to the player (for example, jackpot game state) is also referred to as a special game. As shown in FIG. 22, the MPU 302 executes an internal lottery or the like by using the values (information) of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4. Specifically, the MPU 302 uses the jackpot random number counter C1 for the lottery of jackpot occurrence, uses the jackpot type counter C2 for the lottery of the type of the jackpot when the jackpot occurs, and uses the reach random number counter C3 for the lottery as to whether or not to generate a reach display. Further, the MPU 302 uses the random number initial value counter CINI for setting the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1, and uses the variation type counter CS for determining the display duration in the main display unit 93 and the symbol display device 91. Furthermore, the MPU 302 uses the electric accessory release counter C4 for the lottery as to whether or not to open the opening / closing member 84b1 of the second start opening 84b to an open state. Note that the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 are provided in various counter areas (see FIG. 22) of the RAM 313.

[0166] Each of the counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that is incremented by 1 to the previous value each time it is updated, and returns to 0 after reaching a predetermined maximum value. Each counter is updated periodically (for example, every 4 msec). The updated value is stored in a lottery counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 313. Among the values stored in the lottery counter buffer, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in a held ball storage area (see FIG. 22) provided as acquisition information storage means in the RAM 313 at the timing when a game ball wins in the first start opening 84a or the second start opening 84b. Also, among the values stored in the lottery counter buffer, the value of the electric accessory release counter C4 is stored in the electric accessory held area (see FIG. 22) of the RAM 313 at the timing when a game ball wins in each through gate 85.

[0167] The hold area includes a hold area Ra for the first result display unit, a hold area Rb for the second result display unit, and an execution area AE.

[0168] The hold area Ra for the first result display unit provided as the first acquisition information storage means includes four storage areas: a first area Ra1 to a fourth area Ra4. Each of the areas Ra1 to Ra4 is set to a storage capacity capable of storing one set of values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3. The MPU 302 stores the sets of values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 as hold information in the areas Ra1 to Ra4 in time series, that is, sequentially from the values acquired earlier, in accordance with the winning of the game ball into the first start port 84a. Specifically, when the winning of the game ball into the first start port 84a occurs continuously multiple times, the MPU 302 stores the hold information in the order of the first area Ra1 → the second area Ra2 → the third area Ra3 → the fourth area Ra4.

[0169] In the present embodiment, since the hold area Ra for the first result display unit includes four storage areas, the winning of the game ball into the first start port 84a can be held up to a maximum of four. Further, the hold area Ra for the first result display unit is provided with a storage area for writing the number of holds, which is the number of sets of values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 that are held. Note that the number of holds related to the first start port 84a is not limited to four and can be arbitrary, for example, any of 1 to 3, or 5 or more.

[0170] The reserved area Rb for the second result display unit provided as the second acquired information storage means includes four storage areas, namely, the first area Rb1 to the fourth area Rb4. Each of the areas Rb1 to Rb4 is set to a storage capacity capable of storing one set of values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3. The MPU 302 stores the sets of values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 as reserved information in the areas Rb1 to Rb4 in chronological order, that is, sequentially from the previously acquired values, in accordance with the winning of the game ball into the second start port 84b. Specifically, when the winning into the second start port 84b occurs continuously multiple times, the MPU 302 stores the reserved information in chronological order in the order of the first area Rb1 → the second area Rb2 → the third area Rb3 → the fourth area Rb4.

[0171] In the present embodiment, since the reserved area Rb for the second result display unit includes four storage areas, the winning of the game ball into the second start port 84b is reserved up to a maximum of four. Further, the reserved area Rb for the second result display unit is provided with a storage area for writing the number of reserved items, which is the number of sets of values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 that are reserved. Note that the number of reserved items related to the second start port 84b is not limited to four and may be arbitrary, for example, any one of 1 to 3, or 5 or more.

[0172] The execution area AE is an area for moving the reserved information stored in the storage area of the reserved area Ra for the first result display unit or the reserved area Rb for the second result display unit when starting the variable display of each of the result display units 461 and 462.

[0173] Since the electric winning hold area has four memory areas, the winning of a game ball into each through gate 85 is held up to a maximum of four balls. Note that the pachinko machine 10 has two through gates 85. Regardless of which through gate 85 the ball wins into, if the ball wins into one of the through gates 85, the winning of the game ball into the through gate 85 is held in the electric winning hold area. Note that the number of holds related to the second start port 84b is not limited to four and can be arbitrary. For example, it may be any one of 1 to 3, or 5 or more.

[0174] <Explanation of each counter> Next, the details of each counter will be explained. <Electric accessory release counter C4> First, the electric accessory release counter C4 will be explained. The electric accessory release counter C4 is, for example, a loop counter that loops within the range of 0 to 250 by adding 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returning to 0 after reaching the maximum value of 250. The electric accessory release counter C4 is updated periodically (for example, every 4 msec), and the updated value is stored in the electric winning hold area of the RAM 313 via the lottery counter buffer at the timing when a game ball wins into each through gate 85. The MPU 302 performs a lottery (electric accessory release lottery) on whether to open the opening / closing member 84b1 of the second start port 84b based on the value of the electric accessory release counter C4 stored in the electric winning hold area.

[0175] <Support mode> Here, the pachinko machine 10 has a plurality (two or more) of modes (hereinafter referred to as support modes) in which the frequencies of the opening / closing member 84b1 being in the open state, which enables a game ball to win into the second start port 84b, are different from each other. Specifically, the pachinko machine 10 has a low-frequency support mode in which the frequency of setting the opening / closing member 84b1 to the open state is relatively low, and a high-frequency support mode in which the frequency of setting the opening / closing member 84b1 to the open state is relatively high.

[0176] In the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode, in the electric accessory opening lottery, the probability of winning the electric accessory open state is the same (for example, both are 4 / 5). However, compared with the low-frequency support mode, in the high-frequency support mode, when winning the electric accessory open state, the number of times of setting the opening / closing member 84b1 to the open state is larger, and the opening time per time of setting the opening / closing member 84b1 to the open state is also longer. Also, in the high-frequency support mode, during each opening in one electric accessory open state, the closing time of setting the opening / closing member 84b1 to the closed state is shorter than the opening time per time. Furthermore, compared with the low-frequency support mode, the high-frequency support mode has a shorter guaranteed time (the duration of one change display on the accessory display unit 94) that is minimally guaranteed as the waiting time from the end of the electric accessory opening lottery to the next electric accessory opening lottery.

[0177] In the high-frequency support mode, compared with the low-frequency support mode, the game balls are in a state where they are more likely to win the second start port 84b. That is, in the low-frequency support mode, the game balls have a higher probability of winning the first start port 84a than the second start port 84b, and in the high-frequency support mode, the game balls are in a state where they have a higher probability of winning the second start port 84b than the first start port 84a. Also, when the winning of the second start port 84b is detected by the detection sensor 154b, a predetermined number (for example, 2) of prize balls are paid out. Therefore, in the high-frequency support mode, the player can play the game with hardly any reduction in the game balls.

[0178] Note that the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode are not limited to the above. For example, the high-frequency support mode may be configured to increase the probability of winning the electric accessory release state in the electric accessory release lottery as compared with the low-frequency support mode. Also, for example, a plurality of types of guaranteed times may be prepared, and the high-frequency support mode may be configured to be more likely to select a short guaranteed time as compared with the low-frequency support mode, or may be configured to shorten the average of the selected guaranteed times. Further, by combining the conditions of the number of times of setting the opening / closing member 84b1 to the open state, the opening time, and the guaranteed time, the high-frequency support mode may be configured to relatively increase the frequency of setting the opening / closing member 84b1 to the open state as compared with the low-frequency support mode. Also, the number of types of support modes is not limited to two types and is arbitrary, and may be, for example, three or more types.

[0179] <Jackpot random number counter> Next, the jackpot random number counter C1 will be described. The jackpot random number counter C1 is, for example, a loop counter that loops within the range of 0 to 599 by adding 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returning to 0 after reaching the maximum value of 599. Also, the jackpot random number counter C1 reads the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time as the initial value each time it completes one loop. Note that the random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter that loops within the range of 0 to 599 in the same manner as the jackpot random number counter C1.

[0180] That is, the pachinko machine 10 performs jackpot lottery by a plus method that determines the next value (initial value) when the final value of the random number sequence appears by using the jackpot random number counter C1 and the random number initial value counter CINI with a value having randomness. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1 advances the random number from the initial value of 0 when the power is turned on, and when the count advances to the maximum value of 599, the next value does not become 0, and the value obtained from the random number initial value counter CINI becomes the initial value. Here, assuming that 100 is obtained from the random number initial value counter CINI as the initial value, the jackpot random number counter C1 advances the count as 100, 101, 102 and counts up to 599, then returns to 0 and advances the count up to 99, and then obtains the initial value again randomly from the random number initial value counter CINI. That is, in this method, since the initial value is changed every time the jackpot random number counter C1 makes one round, no periodicity appears in the timing when a specific random number appears.

[0181] The jackpot random number counter C1 is updated regularly (for example, every 4 msec), and the updated value is stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 313 via the lottery counter buffer at the timing when a game ball wins the first start port 84a or the second start port 84b. Specifically, the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is stored in the first result display part reserved area Ra of the RAM 313 at the timing when a game ball wins the first start port 84a, and is stored in the second result display part reserved area Rb of the RAM 313 at the timing when a game ball wins the second start port 84b. Then, the MPU 302 executes a jackpot occurrence lottery (win / loss lottery) based on the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the reserved ball storage area.

[0182] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the values of the random numbers that win the jackpot occurrence. Among the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the values of the random numbers that win the jackpot occurrence are stored as a win / loss table (win / loss information group) in the win / loss table storage area of the ROM 312 provided as the win / loss information group storage means, as shown in FIG. 23.

[0183] Here, the pachinko machine 10 has two win / loss lottery modes: a low-probability mode (hereinafter also referred to as a low-probability state) in which it is difficult to win a jackpot, and a high-probability mode (hereinafter also referred to as a high-probability state or a probability-variable state) in which it is easy to win a jackpot. Further, the win / loss table includes a win / loss table for the low-probability mode (win / loss information group for low probability (normal)) shown in FIG. 23(a) and a win / loss table for the high-probability mode (win / loss information group for high probability (probability-variable)) shown in FIG. 23(b). The MPU 302 executes a lottery for the occurrence of a jackpot by comparing these win / loss tables with the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the reserved ball storage area.

[0184] These win / loss tables have a plurality of lottery results (win / loss results) for the occurrence of a jackpot, such as "jackpot win", "special loss result", and "normal loss result". Specifically, in the gaming state (low-probability state) where the win / loss table for the low-probability mode is referred to in the lottery for the occurrence of a jackpot, as shown in FIG. 23(a), the number of random number values for "jackpot win" is two. Also, in the gaming state (probability-variable state) where the win / loss table for the high-probability mode is referred to in the lottery for the occurrence of a jackpot, as shown in FIG. 23(b), the number of random number values for "jackpot win" is 21. Here, the random number values for "jackpot win" stored in the win / loss table for the low-probability mode are included in the random number values for "jackpot win" stored in the win / loss table for the high-probability mode.

[0185] Note that the random number values and the number of them stored in each win / loss table are arbitrary, and the high-probability mode only needs to have a higher probability of "jackpot win" compared to the low-probability mode. Also, the random number values for "jackpot win" stored in the win / loss table for the high-probability mode may not include the random number values for "jackpot win" stored in the win / loss table for the low-probability mode, or may include a part of the random number values for "jackpot win" stored in the win / loss table for the low-probability mode.

[0186] Also, in each win / loss lottery mode, except for the value of the random number that results in a "big win", it will result in a non-winning outcome and a miss. Here, as described above, the pachinko machine 10 has two types of miss outcomes: a "special miss outcome" and a "normal miss outcome". These miss outcomes are common in that neither of them triggers a transition to the win / loss lottery mode or the support mode. However, the "special miss outcome" triggers a transition to the opening / closing execution mode, while the "normal miss outcome" does not trigger a transition to the opening / closing execution mode.

[0187] Next, the big win type counter C2 will be described. The big win type counter C2 is, for example, a loop counter that loops within the range of 0 to 29 by adding 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returning to 0 after reaching the maximum value of 29. The big win type counter C2 is updated periodically (e.g., every 4 msec), and the updated value is stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 313 via the lottery counter buffer at the timing when a game ball wins at the first start port 84a or the second start port 84b. Specifically, the value of the big win type counter C2 is stored in the first result display part reserved area Ra of the RAM 313 at the timing when a game ball wins at the first start port 84a, and is stored in the second result display part reserved area Rb of the RAM 313 at the timing when a game ball wins at the second start port 84b. Then, based on the value of the big win type counter C2 stored in the reserved ball storage area, the MPU 302 executes a lottery (distribution lottery) for the type of the big win when the big win occurs.

[0188] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the values of the random numbers related to the distribution destination of the big win type. As shown in FIG. 24, the values of the random numbers related to the distribution destination of the big win type are stored as a distribution table (distribution information group) in the distribution table storage area (see FIG. 20) of the ROM 312 provided as the distribution information group storage means. The distribution table includes a first distribution table (first distribution information group) shown in FIG. 24(a) and a second distribution table (second distribution information group) shown in FIG. 24(b). The MPU 302 performs a lottery for the type of jackpot by comparing these distribution tables with the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the hold ball storage area.

[0189] The first distribution table is a table that is referred to when performing a lottery for the type of jackpot with respect to the value of the jackpot type counter C2 shifted from the hold area Ra for the first result display unit to the execution area AE, that is, the value of the jackpot type counter C2 based on winning at the first start port 84a. As shown in Fig. 24(a), the first distribution table has a plurality of distribution results of "low probability result (special distribution result corresponding to low probability)", "non-explicit few-round high probability result (latent high probability result corresponding to few rounds)", "explicit few-round high probability result (high probability result corresponding to few rounds)", and "most advantageous result (special distribution result corresponding to high probability)" as the distribution destinations. Specifically, in the first distribution table, among the values "0 to 29" of the jackpot type counter C2, "0 to 9" (probability 1 / 3) are distributed to the "low probability result", "10 to 14" (probability 1 / 6) are distributed to the "non-explicit few-round high probability result", "15 to 19" (probability 1 / 6) are distributed to the "explicit few-round high probability result", and "20 to 29" (probability 1 / 3) are distributed to the "most advantageous result".

[0190] The second distribution table is a table that is referred to when performing a lottery for the type of jackpot with respect to the value of the jackpot type counter C2 shifted from the hold area Rb for the second result display unit to the execution area AE, that is, the value of the jackpot type counter C2 based on winning at the second start port 84b. As shown in Fig. 24(b), the second distribution table has two distribution results of "low probability result" and "most advantageous result" as the distribution destinations. Specifically, in the second distribution table, among the values "0 to 29" of the jackpot type counter C2, "0 to 9" (probability 1 / 3) are distributed to the "low probability result", and "10 to 29" (probability 2 / 3) are distributed to the "most advantageous result".

[0191] Each distribution result has differences in at least any one of the following conditions (1) to (3). (1) The win / loss lottery mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode (2) Support mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode (3) Modes of opening / closing control of the variable prize device 83 in the opening / closing execution mode

[0192] First, the differences in the win / loss lottery mode in (1) will be described. "Low probability result" is the allocation result in which the win / loss lottery mode is set to the low probability mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode regardless of the win / loss lottery mode before the end of the opening / closing execution mode. This low probability mode continues until at least a "big win" is achieved in the win / loss lottery. "Non-explicit few-round high probability result", "explicit few-round high probability result", and "most advantageous result" are the allocation results in which the win / loss lottery mode is set to the high probability mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode regardless of the win / loss lottery mode before the end of the opening / closing execution mode.

[0193] Next, the differences in the support mode in (2) will be described. "Low probability result", "explicit few-round high probability result", and "most advantageous result" are the allocation results in which the support mode is set to the high-frequency support mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode regardless of the support mode before the end of the opening / closing execution mode. In the "explicit few-round high probability result" and "most advantageous result", this high-frequency support mode continues until the next big win in the win / loss lottery. Also, in the "low probability result", when the number of game rounds reaches the end criterion number (specifically, 100 rounds), it shifts to the low-frequency support mode.

[0194] "Non-explicit few-round high probability result" is the allocation result that maintains the support mode before the end of the opening / closing execution mode as it is. Here, if the support mode before the end of the opening / closing execution mode is the high-frequency support mode, the high-frequency support mode is maintained as it is. This high-frequency support mode shifts to the low-frequency support mode when the number of game rounds reaches the end criterion number (specifically, 100 rounds).

[0195] When the distribution result that makes the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 a high probability or the number of rounds of the jackpot game becomes the maximum (for example, 10 times), a suggestion or notification to that effect (that the distribution result that makes the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 a high probability or the number of rounds of the jackpot game becomes the maximum (for example, 10 times)) (for example, when it is a distribution result with a high probability, causing the "odd symbol" to be stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 91, and when the number of rounds is the maximum, causing the "7 symbols" to be stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 91, etc.) is being made, at the timing (the first timing) when the jackpot game is started, a suggestion or notification (for example, "Chance!" (in the case of a high probability), "Great!" (in the case where the number of rounds is the maximum), etc. in the form of sound output from the speaker units 26A and 26B or displayed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 91 (suggestion effect A)) of the distribution result that makes the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 a high probability or the number of rounds of the jackpot game becoming the maximum (for example, 10 times) is made. When there is no such suggestion or notification when the distribution result that makes the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 a high probability or the number of rounds of the jackpot game becomes the maximum (for example, 10 times) after a jackpot, at the timing (the first timing) when the jackpot game is started, no suggestion or notification of the distribution result that makes the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 a high probability or the number of rounds of the jackpot game becoming the maximum (for example, 10 times) is made, and a suggestion or notification (suggestion effect B) of the distribution result that makes the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 a high probability or the number of rounds of the jackpot game becoming the maximum (for example, 10 times) is made during the round game (the second timing) or at the timing after the jackpot game ends (the second timing).

[0196] Regarding the differences in the opening and closing control modes of the variable winning device 83 in the opening and closing execution mode of (3), it will be described in detail later.

[0197] <Reach random number counter> Next, the reach random number counter C3 will be described. The reach random number counter C3 is, for example, a loop counter that loops within the range of 0 to 238 by adding 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returning to 0 after reaching the maximum value of 238. The reach random number counter C3 is updated periodically (for example, every 4 msec), and the updated value is stored in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 313 via the lottery counter buffer at the timing when a game ball wins the first start port 84a or the second start port 84b. Specifically, the value of the reach random number counter C3 is stored in the first result display section reserved area Ra of the RAM 313 at the timing when a game ball wins the first start port 84a, and is stored in the second result display section reserved area Rb of the RAM 313 at the timing when a game ball wins the second start port 84b. Then, the MPU 302 executes a lottery (reach occurrence lottery) to determine whether to generate a reach display based on the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the reserved ball storage area.

[0198] When the MPU 302 results in a "normal miss result" without winning a "big hit" in the win / loss lottery, it compares the reach table with the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the reserved ball storage area to execute a lottery to determine whether to generate a reach display. If it is determined to generate a reach display in this lottery, a reach display is generated. The reach table is information on the value of the random number related to the occurrence of the reach display and is stored in the reach table storage area (see FIG. 20) of the ROM 312.

[0199] Here, when a "big win" occurs in the win / loss lottery and it is allocated to the "most favorable result" in the allocation lottery, the symbol display device 91 stops and displays, as the stop result, a combination of symbols having the same odd number or the same even number on the stop symbol valid lines L1 to L5. Also, when a "big win" occurs in the win / loss lottery and it is allocated to the "low probability result" in the allocation lottery, the symbol display device 91 stops and displays, as the stop result, a combination of symbols having the same even number on the stop symbol valid lines L1 to L5. Further, when a "big win" occurs in the win / loss lottery and it is allocated to the "non-explicit few-round high probability result" or "explicit few-round high probability result" in the allocation lottery, or when a "special loss result" occurs without a "big win" in the win / loss lottery, the symbol display device 91 stops and displays, as the stop result, a special combination of symbols having different numbers from each other that are not selected when a "normal loss result" occurs in the win / loss lottery, on the stop symbol valid lines L1 to L5.

[0200] The reach display occurs regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3 when finally stopping and displaying a combination of symbols having the same number (when a "big win" occurs in the win / loss lottery and it is allocated to the "most favorable result" or "low probability result" in the allocation lottery). Also, the reach display does not occur regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3 when finally stopping and displaying a special combination of symbols (when a "big win" occurs in the win / loss lottery and it is allocated to the "non-explicit few-round high probability result" or "explicit few-round high probability result" in the allocation lottery, or when a "special loss result" occurs without a "big win" in the win / loss lottery).

[0201] The reach display mode is configured such that the player can recognize that a reach state (reach) has occurred by causing a reach display, in which specific symbol columns (in this embodiment, symbol columns Z1 and Z3) among the plurality of symbol columns Z1 to Z3 displayed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 91 are stopped and displayed on the stop symbol valid lines L1 to L5, and the remaining symbol columns (in this embodiment, symbol column Z2) are variably displayed. Specifically, the reach display is a symbol combination in which the same decoration symbols are stopped and displayed in symbol columns Z1 and Z3, for example, "1·↓·1", "2·↓·2" (where "↓" indicates that it is in a variable state), and the like. Further, the symbols in the specific symbol columns (symbol columns Z1 and Z3) that form the reach display are in a temporarily stopped display state, and after the decoration symbols are stopped and displayed (temporarily stopped display) in the remaining symbol columns (symbol column Z2), the decoration symbols in all the symbol columns are fixedly stopped and displayed.

[0202] By generating a reach display, the pachinko machine 10 can make the player expect that, after the variable display is started by the symbol display device 91 and before a predetermined stop result is displayed, the player has won a "big hit" in the win / loss lottery and has been allocated to a "low probability result" or "most advantageous result" in the allocation lottery. Note that the reach display mode is not limited to this, and after stopping and displaying some of the symbol columns and variably displaying the remaining symbol columns, a predetermined character or the like may be displayed as a moving image in the background, or after reducing or hiding each symbol column, a predetermined character or the like may be displayed as a moving image over substantially the entire display screen G.

[0203] In this embodiment, the main control board 301 of the main control device 300 includes a reach random number counter C3, and the MPU 302 compares the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of the ROM 312 with the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the hold ball storage area to execute a lottery on whether to generate a reach display. That is, in this embodiment, the lottery on whether to generate a reach display is executed by the main control device 300, but the lottery on whether to generate this reach display may be configured to be executed by the audio-visual control device 400.

[0204] <Expected performance> In addition, the pachinko machine 10 has an expected performance as a type of variable display on the symbol display device 91. The expected performance refers to an effect that makes the player expect that they may have won a "big win" in the win / loss lottery after the variable display starts on the symbol display device 91 and before the predetermined stop result is displayed. The reach display described above is also an expected performance that occurs when the result is a "normal miss" without winning a "big win" in the win / loss lottery. The pachinko machine 10 has two types of expected performances: the reach display and the notice display described above. Since the reach display has already been explained, the notice display will be described below.

[0205] <Notice display> The notice display is an expected performance that makes it easier for an effect to occur when a "big win" is achieved in the win / loss lottery, or when a "special miss" occurs without winning a "big win" in the win / loss lottery, compared to when a "normal miss" occurs without winning a "big win" in the win / loss lottery. Instead of making it easier for an effect to occur, this notice display may be configured to make it easier to select an effect with a low appearance rate, or a combination of these may be used. In this embodiment, the lottery for whether or not to generate the reach display is executed by the main control device 300, while the lottery for whether or not to generate the notice display is executed by the audio / light control device 400.

[0206] The mode of the preliminary display is to display a predetermined character or the like as a moving image on the display screen G in a situation where all of the plurality of symbol columns Z1 to Z3 displayed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 91 are variably displayed, or a part of the symbol columns (for example, the symbol column Z1) is stopped and displayed on the stop symbol valid lines L1 to L5 and then a plurality of symbol columns (for example, the symbol columns Z2, Z3) are variably displayed. This preliminary display occurs in both cases where a reach display is generated and where a reach display is not generated, but is set to occur more easily in the case where a reach display is generated than in the case where a reach display is not generated. Note that the preliminary display is not limited to this, and for example, the background may be changed for display, or the forms of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 may be changed for display.

[0207] Finally, the variation type counter CS will be described. The variation type counter CS is, for example, a loop counter that loops within the range of 0 to 198 by having 1 added to the previous value each time it is updated and returning to 0 after reaching the maximum value of 198. The variation type counter CS is updated at least once each time normal processing is executed, and each time it is updated, it is stored in the lottery counter buffer. Then, the MPU 302 determines the symbol display duration in the main display unit 93 and the symbol display duration in the symbol display device 91 based on a comparison between the variation table and the value of the variation type counter CS stored in the lottery counter buffer. The variation table is information on the values of random numbers related to the display duration, and is stored in the variation table storage area (see FIG. 20) of the ROM 312 as described above.

[0208] In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, random numbers are generated by counter circuits (counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, C4) which are ICs for random number generation. This enables counting at extremely high speeds compared to program control by software (so-called soft random numbers). Also, in the case of soft random numbers, since they are processed as part of the program control of the gaming machine, they impose a burden on the software under limited memory space. However, in the case of hard random numbers, by generating random numbers in hardware, it is possible to generate random numbers with a count value several times that of soft random numbers without imposing a burden on the software.

[0209] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a variation pattern table that stores the duration of the variable display of the pachinko machine 10. The variation patterns of the first special symbol (first special symbol) in the non-time-shortening (non-frequency support mode) are illustrated in FIG. 25(a). In pattern 1, the duration of the variable display is 4 seconds. In pattern 2, the duration of the variable display is 8 seconds. In pattern 3, the duration of the variable display is 12 seconds. In pattern 4, the duration of the variable display is 40 seconds. In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the long variation of pattern 4 is selected during a big win. Also, in pattern 1, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 0 to 80. In pattern 2, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 81 to 120. In pattern 3, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 121 to 150. In pattern 4, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 151 to 198. That is, when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 0 to 80, pattern 1 is selected; when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 81 to 120, pattern 2 is selected; when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 121 to 150, pattern 3 is selected; and when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 151 to 198, pattern 4 is selected.

[0210] The variation pattern of the first special symbol (the first special figure) in the short-time (high-frequency support mode) is illustrated in Fig. 25(b). In pattern 5, the duration of the variation display is 1 second. In pattern 6, the duration of the variation display is 2 seconds. In pattern 7, the duration of the variation display is 3 seconds. In pattern 8, the duration of the variation display is 10 seconds. Also, in pattern 5, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 0 to 80. In pattern 6, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 81 to 120. In pattern 7, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 121 to 150. In pattern 8, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 151 to 198. That is, when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 0 to 80, pattern 5 is selected; when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 81 to 120, pattern 6 is selected; when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 121 to 150, pattern 7 is selected; and when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 151 to 198, pattern 8 is selected.

[0211] The variation pattern of the second special symbol (the second special figure) is illustrated in Fig. 25(c). In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, for the second special symbol (the second special figure), although there is a common variation pattern table for the non-short-time (non-frequency support mode) and the short-time (high-frequency support mode), similar to the first special symbol (the first special figure), different variation pattern tables may be selected for the non-short-time (non-frequency support mode) and the short-time (high-frequency support mode). In pattern 9, the duration of the variation display is 1 second. In pattern 10, the duration of the variation display is 2 seconds. In pattern 11, the duration of the variation display is 3 seconds. In pattern 12, the duration of the variation display is 10 seconds. Also, in pattern 9, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 0 to 80. In pattern 10, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 81 to 120. In pattern 11, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 121 to 150. In pattern 12, the value of the variation type counter CS is from 151 to 198. That is, when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 0 to 80, pattern 9 is selected; when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 81 to 120, pattern 10 is selected; when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 121 to 150, pattern 11 is selected; and when the value of the variation type counter CS is from 151 to 198, pattern 12 is selected.

[0212] In the normal game state, since it is premised on performing so-called "left hitting", the first special symbol is determined based on the winning in the first start port 84a. At this time, when the result of the special symbol determination is "big win", the variation pattern is selected based on the variation pattern random number. On the other hand, when the result of the special symbol determination is "miss", the variation pattern is determined based on the number of held balls, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number. On the other hand, in the sure change game state, since it is premised on performing "right hitting", the first special symbol determination and the second special symbol determination are performed based on the winning in the first start port 84a and the second start port 84b.

[0213] <Regarding various processes executed by the main control device 300> The MPU 302 of the main control device 300 executes timer interrupt processing and normal processing for advancing the game, and main processing that starts when the power is turned on. Hereinafter, the main processing, timer interrupt processing, and normal processing will be described in order. Note that the MPU 302 executes NMI interrupt processing that starts when a power failure signal is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal) in addition to the main processing, timer interrupt processing, and normal processing, but the description of this processing is omitted.

[0214] <Main processing> FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the main processing. (Step S101) The MPU 302 executes a startup process when power is turned on. This startup process is provided with a waiting time for waiting for the sub-control board (such as the control board of the voice and light control device 400) to become operable. Specifically, after power is turned on, the MPU 302 waits until a predetermined time (for example, about 500 msec) has elapsed.

[0215] (Step S102) The MPU 302 determines whether 1 second, which is a period during which access to the RAM 313 is prohibited (hereinafter referred to as the permission-prohibition period), has elapsed. The MPU 302 repeatedly executes the process of step S102 until it determines in step S102 that 1 second has elapsed. That is, if the MPU 302 does not determine in step S102 that 1 second has elapsed, it repeatedly executes the process of step S102, and if it determines in step S102 that 1 second has elapsed, it executes the processes after step S103.

[0216] In the present embodiment, the MPU 302 determines whether 1 second has elapsed by counting the number of executions of the process of step S102. For example, when the interval at which the process of step S102 is repeatedly executed is 0.1 msec, the MPU 302 counts the number of executions of the process of step S102 and determines that 1 second has elapsed when the count reaches 10,000 times. Note that the configuration for measuring the permission-prohibition period is arbitrary, and for example, a real-time clock (RTC) may be used to measure the permission-prohibition period.

[0217] (Step S103) The MPU 302 permits access to the RAM 313.

[0218] (Step S104) The MPU 302 determines whether or not the RAM erase switch (not shown) provided in the power supply and transmission control device 243 is on. When the MPU 302 determines in step S104 that the RAM erase switch is on (YES), it executes the processes after step S109. Also, when the MPU 302 does not determine in step S104 that the RAM erase switch is on (NO), it executes the process of step S105.

[0219] (Step S105) In step S105, the MPU 302 determines whether or not a power failure flag is set in the power failure flag storage area of the RAM 313. When it does not determine that the power failure flag is set (NO), the MPU 302 executes the processes after step S109. Also, when the MPU 302 determines in step S105 that the power failure flag is set (YES), it executes the process of step S106.

[0220] (Step S106) The MPU 302 calculates a RAM determination value (checksum).

[0221] (Step S107) The MPU 302 confirms the validity of the data stored in the RAM 313 by determining whether or not the RAM determination value calculated in step S106 is normal. Specifically, the MPU 302 compares the RAM determination value (checksum) calculated in step S106 with the RAM determination value (checksum) stored in step S211 (power-off process) of the normal process, and determines that the RAM determination value is normal if they match, and determines that the RAM determination value is abnormal if they do not match.

[0222] When the MPU302 determines in step S107 that the RAM determination value is not normal (NO), that is, when it determines that the checksum values do not match, it executes the processes after step S109. Also, when the MPU302 determines in step S107 that the RAM determination value is normal (YES), that is, when it determines that the checksum values match, it executes the process of step S108.

[0223] (Step S108) The MPU302 clears the power-off flag stored in the power-off flag storage area of the RAM 313.

[0224] In this embodiment, the checksum is used to confirm the validity of the data stored in the RAM 313. However, the validity of the data stored in the RAM 313 may be determined by a method different from the method of confirming the consistency of the checksum values. For example, a keyword may be written to a predetermined area of the RAM 313 during the power-off process, and the validity of the data stored in the RAM 313 may be confirmed by determining in the main process whether this keyword has been written normally. Also, the hash values of CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) or MD5 (Hash Function) may be used to confirm the validity of the data stored in the RAM 313. Note that the calculation method of the checksum is very simple. For example, the lower 1 word of the total of the individual words in the word sequence may be used as the sign value as it is. Therefore, although the validity of data confirmation by the checksum is less reliable compared to other error detection codes, since the algorithm is very simple, it can be calculated without imposing a burden on the MPU302 even under limited memory space.

[0225] When the MPU302 determines in step S104 that the RAM erase switch is on (YES), when it determines in step S105 that the power-off flag is not set (NO), or when it determines in step S107 that the RAM determination value is not normal (NO), it executes the processes after step S109.

[0226] (Step S109) In step S109, the MPU 302 outputs an audio lamp initialization command to the audio light control device 400. Thereby, initialization of the RAM data and abnormalities in the data stored and held based on the RAM determination value are notified.

[0227] (Step S110) In step S110, the MPU 302 outputs a payout initialization command or the like in order to initialize the payout control board or the like which is the control board on the slave side.

[0228] (Step S111) In step S111, the MPU 302 clears the working area of the RAM 313.

[0229] (Step S112) In step S112, the MPU 302 executes initialization (initial setting) of the RAM 313.

[0230] Therefore, for example, the manager of the game arcade can initialize the data stored in the RAM 313 by turning on the power of the pachinko machine 10 while pressing the RAM erase switch at the start of business of the game arcade. Also, the pachinko machine 10 initializes the data stored in the RAM 313 when the power failure monitoring board 303 has not confirmed the occurrence of a power failure or when the RAM determination value is abnormal.

[0231] (Step S113) In step S113, the MPU 302 permits the occurrence of timer interrupt processing. Thereafter, the MPU 302 shifts to the normal processing described with reference to FIG. 27. Thereby, it returns to the state before the power-off.

[0232] <Normal processing> FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a flowchart of normal processing. The normal processing is the main processing for advancing the game. Specifically, the MPU 302 periodically executes steps S201 to S209 at a cycle of 4 msec, repeatedly executes steps S208 to S211 when remaining time occurs, and executes steps S212 and subsequent steps according to the determination result of step S208. Note that the "remaining time" is the remaining time obtained by subtracting the time taken for the processing of steps S201 to S209 from the cycle time (4 msec).

[0233] (Step S201) The MPU 302 executes an external output process of transmitting a command set in the timer interrupt process or the previous normal process to each control device on the sub side. For example, the MPU 302 determines whether a prize ball command is set, and when it determines that the prize ball command is set, it transmits the prize ball command to the sound and light control device 400 and the payout control device 242. Further, the MPU 302 determines whether an effect command corresponding to the effect of the game machine or an effect command corresponding to the effect of the opening / closing execution mode is set, and when it determines that the effect command is set, it transmits the effect command to the sound and light control device 400. Further, the MPU 302 determines whether a high probability command indicating that the pachinko machine 10 is in a high probability state, a low probability command indicating that the pachinko machine 10 is in a low probability state, a high frequency support mode command indicating that it is in the high frequency support mode, a low frequency support mode command indicating that it is in the low frequency support mode, an electric accessory opening lottery result command indicating the lottery result of the electric accessory opening lottery, etc. are set, and when it determines that the command is set, it transmits the command to the sound and light control device 400. In addition to the above, when another command is set, the MPU 302 transmits the command to the sound and light control device 400.

[0234] (Step S202) The MPU 302 executes an update of the variation type counter CS. Specifically, the MPU 302 updates by adding 1 to the previous value of the variation type counter CS, and stores the updated value in the lottery counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 313. When the MPU 302 reaches the maximum value when adding 1 to the previous value of the variation type counter CS, the value of the variation type counter CS is reset to 0.

[0235] (Step S203) The MPU 302 executes a game turn control process for advancing the game turn. Specifically, the MPU 302 executes a win / loss lottery and a distribution lottery, and executes determination of information related to the symbol finally stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 91, determination of information related to the symbol finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit 93, etc. The game turn control process in step S203 will be described in detail later.

[0236] (Step S204) The MPU 302 executes a game state transition process for transitioning the game state. Specifically, the MPU 302 executes a transition process to each game state such as an open / close execution mode, a high probability mode, and a high frequency support mode. The game state transition process in step S204 will be described in detail later.

[0237] (Step S205) The MPU 302 executes a demo display execution determination process. Specifically, the MPU 302 determines whether or not a predetermined start waiting period (for example, 3 sec) for starting a demo has elapsed without a new game turn starting after the end of the game turn. When it is determined that the start waiting period has elapsed, a demo command for starting a demo display is transmitted to the audio-visual control device 400. The audio-visual control device 400 starts a demo display execution process based on the demo command transmitted from the MPU 302.

[0238] Here, the MPU 302 determines whether the start waiting period has elapsed by counting the number of executions of the process in step S205. For example, if the start waiting period is 3 seconds and the interval for repeatedly executing the process in step S205 is 0.1 msec, the MPU 302 determines that the start waiting period has elapsed when the number of executions of the process in step S205 reaches 3000 by counting. Note that the configuration for measuring the start waiting period is arbitrary. For example, the start waiting period may be measured using a real-time clock (RTC). Also, when a new game round starts while the MPU 302 is counting the number of executions of the process in step S205, the value of that count is reset.

[0239] (Step S206) The MPU 302 executes a process (hereinafter referred to as the electric role support process) for controlling the opening and closing of the opening and closing member 84b1 provided in the second start port 84b. Specifically, the MPU 302 executes an electric accessory release lottery based on the value of the electric accessory hold counter C4 stored in the electric role hold area of the RAM 313, and when winning the electric accessory release lottery, executes the opening and closing process of the opening and closing member 84b1. Also, the MPU 302 executes display control of the accessory display unit 94 so as to display the result of the electric accessory release lottery.

[0240] (Step S207) The MPU 302 executes game ball launch control processing. Specifically, based on the player's rotational operation to turn the launch handle 41 clockwise (rightward), the MPU 302 causes the power / launch control device 243 to execute launch control for launching a game ball. More specifically, the power / launch control device 243 energizes the solenoid of the game ball launch mechanism 110 at a predetermined cycle (for example, 0.6 sec) to launch a game ball with the game ball launch mechanism 110. Note that the solenoid is energized to launch the game ball with a launch intensity corresponding to the amount of rotational operation of the launch handle 41. Specifically, the greater the amount of rotational operation of the launch handle 41, the stronger the energization, and thus the stronger the launch intensity of the game ball. The power / launch control device 243 outputs a drive signal to the solenoid of the game ball launch mechanism 110 to launch a game ball when predetermined launch conditions (when the launch handle 41 is rotationally operated, the touch sensor 41a is on, and the launch stop switch 41b is off) are met.

[0241] (Step S208) The MPU 302 determines whether a power failure flag is set in the power failure flag storage area (not shown) of the RAM 313. If it is determined that the power failure flag is set (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S212. Also, if it is determined that the power failure flag is not set (NO), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S209. The power failure flag is set in the RAM 313 when a power failure signal is input from the power failure monitoring board 303 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 302. The power failure monitoring board 303 outputs this power failure signal when it confirms the occurrence of a power failure. Note that this power failure flag is cleared when the next main process is executed.

[0242] Here, the pachinko machine 10 sets various flags by substituting 1 into a predetermined area such as the RAM 313, and clears various flags by substituting 0. For example, the pachinko machine 10 sets the power failure flag by substituting 1 into the power failure flag storage area of the RAM 313, and clears the power failure flag by substituting 0 into the power failure flag storage area of the RAM 313.

[0243] (Step S209) The MPU 302 determines whether the timing to execute the next normal process has arrived, that is, whether a predetermined time (for example, 4 msec) has elapsed since the start of the current normal process. When it is determined that 4 msec has elapsed (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S201. Also, when it is not determined that 4 msec has elapsed (NO), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S210.

[0244] (Step S210) When the MPU 302 determines in step S209 that the timing to execute the next normal process has not arrived (NO), that is, when the cycle time of 4 msec has not elapsed and remaining time has occurred, in step S210, the MPU 302 updates the random number initial value counter CINI.

[0245] (Step S211) The MPU 302 updates the variation type counter CS. Note that the MPU 302 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S208 to S211 until it is determined in step S209 that the timing to execute the next normal process has arrived (the cycle time of 4 msec has elapsed).

[0246] (Step S212) The MPU 302 prohibits the occurrence of timer interrupt processing.

[0247] (Step S213) The MPU 302 calculates and stores (saves) the RAM determination value (checksum of RAM 313).

[0248] (Step S214) The MPU 302 prohibits access to RAM 313. Thereafter, the MPU 302 continues an infinite loop until the power is completely cut off and processing can no longer be executed.

[0249] <Timer Interrupt Processing> FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the timer interrupt process. In the timer interrupt process, as shown in FIG. 28, the MPU 302 periodically (for example, at a cycle of 2 msec) executes steps S301 to S306.

[0250] (Step S301) The MPU 302 reads the states (detection states) of the plurality of detection sensors 152 to 156, determines the states, and stores them in the RAM 313 as winning detection information. When the MPU 302 determines that the detection sensors 152 to 154b provided at the respective winning ports of the general winning port 82, the first start port 84a, the second start port 84b, and the big winning port 83a detect the winning of a game ball, the MPU 302 sets a prize ball command for instructing the payout of the prize ball and transmits the set command to the payout control device 242. For example, when the MPU 302 determines that the detection sensor 153 corresponding to the variable winning device 83 detects the winning of a game ball, the MPU 302 transmits a prize ball command for instructing the payout of 13 prize balls to the payout control device 242.

[0251] (Step S302) The MPU 302 updates the random number initial value counter CINI. Specifically, the MPU 302 updates the previous value of the random number initial value counter CINI by adding 1 thereto, and stores the updated value in the lottery counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 313. When the MPU 302 reaches the maximum value when adding 1 to the previous value of the random number initial value counter CINI, the MPU 302 returns the value of the random number initial value counter CINI to 0.

[0252] (Step S303) The MPU 302 updates the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4. Specifically, as described above, the MPU 302 updates by adding 1 to the previous values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 respectively, and stores the updated values in the lottery counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 313. Note that when the maximum value is reached when adding 1 to the previous values of each counter C1 to C4, the values of each counter C1 to C4 are reset to 0. Also, the jackpot random number counter C1 reads the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time as the initial value every time it loops once.

[0253] (Step S304) The MPU 302 executes the winning process for the through. Specifically, when the MPU 302 determines that the detection sensor 155 provided in each through gate 85 has detected the winning of a game ball, the MPU 302 stores the value of the electric accessory release counter C4 updated in step S303 in the electric accessory hold area. Also, the MPU 302 sets a command to execute the variable display of the symbols on the accessory display unit 94, and causes the accessory display unit 94 to display the result of the internal lottery performed based on the winning in each through gate 85. On the accessory display unit 94, based on the command instruction from the MPU 302, a variable display that sequentially lights up and goes out with a blinking variation is performed, and finally the general diagram is displayed according to the lighting position (stop result) where the accessory display unit 94 finally lights up definitely. Also, the MPU 302 sets a command to instruct the lighting of the third hold lamp unit 96, and transmits this set command to the audio-visual control device 400. Note that the audio-visual control device 400 lights up the third hold lamp unit 96 based on the command transmitted from the MPU 302. The maximum number of game balls held for winning in the through gate 85 is 4, and the third hold lamp unit 96 lights up the same number as the number of held balls.

[0254] (Step S305) The MPU 302 executes the winning process for the start port.

[0255] (Step S306) The MPU 302 executes a monitoring process. Details of the monitoring process will be described later.

[0256] <Winning process for the start port executed by the main control device 300> FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the winning process for the start port. (Step S401) Based on whether the detection sensor 154a provided at the first start port 84a detects the entry of a game ball, the MPU 302 determines whether a game ball has won (start winning) at the first start port 84a. When the MPU 302 determines that a game ball has won at the first start port 84a (YES), it executes the process of Step S402. Also, when the MPU 302 does not determine in Step S401 that a game ball has won at the first start port 84a (NO), it executes the process of Step S403.

[0257] (Step S402) The MPU 302 grasps the number of holds stored in the hold area Ra for the first result display unit, and sets that number of holds as the first start hold storage number RaN in a predetermined storage area in the hold area Ra for the first result display unit.

[0258] (Step S403) When the MPU 302 determines in Step S401 that a game ball has not won at the first start port 84a (NO), based on whether the detection sensor 154b provided at the second start port 84b detects the entry of a game ball, the MPU 302 determines whether a game ball has won (start winning) at the second start port 84b. When the MPU 302 does not determine that a game ball has won at the second start port 84b (NO), it ends the winning process for the start port. Also, when the MPU 302 determines that a game ball has won at the second start port 84b (YES), it executes the process of Step S404.

[0259] (Step S404) The MPU 302 grasps the number of stored items stored in the reserved area Rb for the second result display section, and sets the number of stored items as the second start reserved storage number RbN in a predetermined storage area in the reserved area Rb for the second result display section.

[0260] (Step S405) The MPU 302 determines whether the start reserved storage number N (RaN or RbN) set in step S402 or step S404 is less than the upper limit value (in this embodiment, 4). When the MPU 302 determines that the start reserved storage number N is not less than the upper limit value (NO), the winning process for the start port is terminated. Also, when the MPU 302 determines that the start reserved storage number N is less than the upper limit value (YES), the process of step S406 is executed.

[0261] (Step S406) The MPU 302 adds 1 to the value of the start reserved storage number N (RaN or RbN) and updates it.

[0262] (Step S407) The MPU 302 stores, as reserved information, the set of values of the jackpot random number counter C1, jackpot type counter C2, reach random number counter C3, and variation type counter CS updated in step S303 of the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 28) in the first storage area among the free storage areas of the reserved area for the result display section, that is, the storage area corresponding to the start reserved storage number N updated in step S406.

[0263] For example, when the MPU 302 sets the first start hold memory number RaN in step S402, it stores, as hold information, the set of values of the jackpot random number counter C1, jackpot type counter C2, reach random number counter C3, and variation type counter CS updated in step S303 (see FIG. 28) of the timer interrupt process, in the first memory area of the free memory area of the first result display unit hold area Ra, that is, the memory area corresponding to the first start hold memory number RaN updated in step S406. When the MPU 302 sets "3" in the first start hold memory number RaN in step S402, it stores the hold information in the fourth area Ra4, which is the memory area corresponding to "4" of the first start hold memory number RaN updated in step S406.

[0264] Also, for example, when the MPU 302 sets the second start hold memory number RbN in step S404, it stores, as hold information, the set of values of the jackpot random number counter C1, jackpot type counter C2, reach random number counter C3, and variation type counter CS updated in step S303 of the timer interrupt process, in the first memory area of the free memory area of the second result display unit hold area Rb, that is, the memory area corresponding to the second start hold memory number RbN updated in step S406. When the MPU 302 sets "3" in the second start hold memory number RbN in step S404, it stores the hold information in the fourth area Rb4, which is the memory area corresponding to "4" of the second start hold memory number RbN updated in step S406.

[0265] Also, the MPU 302 sets a command for instructing the lighting of the first hold lamp unit 95a or the second hold lamp unit 95b, and transmits the set command to the audio-visual control device 400. The audio-visual control device 400 lights the first hold lamp unit 95a or the second hold lamp unit 95b based on the command transmitted from the MPU 302. Also, in the present embodiment, the maximum number of game balls held when winning at the first start port 84a or the second start port 84b is 4. Also, the first hold lamp unit 95a or the second hold lamp unit 95b lights the same (corresponding) number as the number of held balls.

[0266] (Step S408) The MPU 302 performs a preliminary determination. Specifically, the MPU 302 performs a jackpot determination, a determination of the jackpot type, and a selection of a variation pattern in advance.

[0267] (Step S409) The MPU 302 sets a hold command. The hold command includes information (start port data) for distinguishing whether it is a hold related to the first special figure or a hold related to the second special figure, jackpot type, and information (stop symbol data) of a stop symbol indicating a miss, and result information such as information (variation pattern data) of a variation pattern indicating a variation pattern. In the following description, the hold command related to the first special figure is also referred to as the first hold command. Also, the hold command related to the second special figure is also referred to as the second hold command. Note that the hold command set in Step S409 is output to the audio and light emission control device 400 in the external output process (Step S201 in FIG. 27) of the normal process.

[0268] (Prize winning process of the preliminary determination process executed by the main control device 300) FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the preliminary determination process. Specifically, it is a diagram showing a flowchart of the preliminary determination process in Step S408 of FIG. 29.

[0269] (Step S501) In Step S501, the MPU 302 determines whether the pass / fail lottery mode is the high probability mode. If it is determined that the pass / fail lottery mode is the high probability mode (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of Step S503. If it is not determined that the pass / fail lottery mode is the high probability mode (NO), the MPU 302 executes the process of Step S502.

[0270] (Step S502) The MPU 302 reads out a pass / fail table for the low probability mode (see FIG. 23(a)) from the pass / fail table storage area of the ROM 312.

[0271] (Step S503) The MPU 302 reads a pass / fail table for the high-probability mode (see FIG. 23(b)) from the pass / fail table storage area of the ROM 312.

[0272] (Step S504) After executing the process of step S502 or step S503, the MPU 302 executes a pass / fail determination process in step S504. Specifically, the MPU 302 determines the result of the pass / fail lottery (pass / fail result) by comparing the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the execution area AE with the pass / fail table for the low-probability mode read in step S502 or the pass / fail table for the high-probability mode read in step S503.

[0273] (Step S505) The MPU 302 determines whether or not the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313. If it is determined that the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313 (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S507. If it is not determined that the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313 (NO), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S506.

[0274] (Step S506) If the second result display unit flag is not set in the RAM 313, it indicates starting variable display on the first result display unit 93a based on winning of a game ball at the first start port 84a. Therefore, if it is not determined in step S505 that the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313 (NO), the MPU 302 reads the first payout table (see FIG. 24(a)) from the payout table storage area of the ROM 312.

[0275] (Step S507) When the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313, it indicates that variable display is started on the second result display unit 93b based on the winning of a game ball into the second start port 84b. Therefore, when it is determined in step S505 that the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313 (YES), the MPU 302 reads out the second distribution table (see Fig. 24(b)) from the distribution table storage area of the ROM 312.

[0276] (Step S508) After executing the process of step S506 or step S507, the MPU 302 executes a distribution determination process. In this distribution determination process, the MPU 302 determines the result of the distribution lottery (distribution result) by comparing the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE with the distribution table read out in step S506 or step S507.

[0277] (Step S509) The MPU 302 executes a stop result determination process. In this stop result determination process for the jackpot result, the MPU 302 determines the information (stop symbol data) related to the symbol that is finally stopped and displayed on the first result display unit 93a or the second result display unit 93b of the main display unit 93. Here, the MPU 302 determines the information (stop symbol data) related to the symbol that is finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit 93 by comparing the distribution result determined in step S508 with the stop result table for the jackpot result stored in advance in the ROM 312. This stop result table for the jackpot result defines the mode of the symbol to be stopped and displayed on the main display unit 93 to be different for each distribution result.

[0278] (Step S510) Determine the display duration (variable time). Note that the determination process of the display duration is the same as the process in Fig. 35, so the description is omitted.

[0279] <Continuous winning count process executed by the main control device 300> FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the consecutive winning count process. Specifically, it is a diagram showing the flowchart of the consecutive winning count process in step S905 of FIG. 34.

[0280] (Step S601) The MPU 302 determines whether the result of step S904 in FIG. 34 is a "big hit win". If the result is a "big hit win" (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S602. If the result is not a "big hit win" (NO), the MPU 302 ends the consecutive winning count process.

[0281] (Step S602) The MPU 302 determines whether the pachinko machine 10 is in the high probability mode, in other words, whether the high probability mode flag is set in the RAM 313 (is "ON"). If the pachinko machine 10 is in the high probability mode (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S603. If the pachinko machine 10 is not in the high probability mode (NO), the MPU 302 ends the consecutive winning count process.

[0282] (Step S603) The MPU 302 performs a process of adding "1" to the value of the limit counter C12. In other words, the MPU 302 increments the value of the limit counter C12 by "1".

[0283] (Step S604) The MPU 302 sets a consecutive winning command in various command storage areas of the RAM 313. This consecutive winning command is a command for notifying the value (consecutive winning count) of the limit counter C12. The set command is output to the audio-visual control device 400 in the external output process of the normal process (step S201 in FIG. 27).

[0284] Note that in FIG. 31, the number of consecutive wins is counted based on whether the high-probability mode of the pachinko machine 10 continues, but it may also be configured to count the number of consecutive wins based on whether the high-frequency support mode continues. In this case, in step S602 of FIG. 31, the MPU 302 determines whether the pachinko machine 10 is in the high-frequency support mode, in other words, whether the high-frequency support mode flag is set in the RAM 313 (i.e., whether it is "ON"). When the pachinko machine 10 is in the high-frequency support mode (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S603. When the pachinko machine 10 is not in the high-frequency support mode (NO), the MPU 302 ends the consecutive win count process.

[0285] <Game turn control process> FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the game turn control process. (Step S701) The MPU 302 determines whether it is in the opening / closing execution mode. When the MPU 302 determines in step S701 that it is in the opening / closing execution mode (YES), the game turn control process ends. That is, when it is determined that it is in the opening / closing execution mode, the MPU 302 does not start the progress of the game turn regardless of whether it detects the winning of game balls into each start port 84a, 84b. Also, when the MPU 302 does not determine in step S701 that it is in the opening / closing execution mode (NO), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S702.

[0286] Here, the MPU 302 determines whether it is in the opening / closing execution mode by referring to the flag during opening / closing execution mode stored in the RAM 313. The same applies to the following steps. Also, the MPU 302 sets the flag during opening / closing execution mode when shifting to the opening / closing execution mode, and clears the flag during opening / closing execution mode when the opening / closing execution mode ends.

[0287] (Step S702) The MPU 302 determines whether the main display unit 93 is in variable display, that is, whether the game round is in progress. When the MPU 302 determines that the main display unit 93 is not in variable display (NO), it executes the game round start processing in steps S703 to S705. Also, when the MPU 302 determines that the main display unit 93 is in variable display (YES), it executes the game round progress processing in steps S706 to S710.

[0288] (Step S703) In step S703, the MPU 302 recognizes the number of holds stored in the hold area Ra for the first result display unit and the number of holds stored in the hold area Rb for the second result display unit, and determines whether the total number CRN of these holds is "0" or less. When the MPU 302 determines that the total number CRN is "0" or less (YES), it ends the game round control process. Also, when the MPU 302 determines that the total number CRN is not "0" or less (NO), it executes the process of step S704.

[0289] (Step S704) The MPU 302 executes data setting processing for setting the hold information stored in the hold area Ra for the first result display unit or the hold area Rb for the second result display unit for use in the consumption of the game round. Note that the data setting process of step S704 will be described later with reference to FIG. 33.

[0290] (Step S705) In step S705, the MPU 302 executes variable start processing for starting variable display on the main display unit 93 and the symbol display device 91 to consume the game round, and ends the game round control process. Note that the variable start process of step S705 will be described later with reference to FIG. 34.

[0291] (Step S706) The MPU 302 determines whether the display duration set in step S917 of the variation start process (see FIG. 34) described later has elapsed. Specifically, the MPU 302 determines whether the value set in the display duration counter in the RAM 313 has become "0" or less. Note that the value of this display duration counter is updated by subtracting 1 from the previous value each time the timer interrupt process is executed. If it is determined that the display duration has not elapsed (NO), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S707. Also, if it is determined that the display duration has elapsed (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S708.

[0292] (Step S707) The MPU 302 executes a variation display process. In this variation display process, the MPU 302 updates the display of the main display unit 93 during variation display. Then, the MPU 302 ends the game turn control process.

[0293] (Step S708) The MPU 302 executes a variation end process. In this variation end process, the MPU 302 identifies the information (information related to the symbol to be finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit 93) stored in the RAM 313 in any one of the processes of step S911, step S914, and step S916 of the variation start process (see FIG. 34) described later. Then, when the game turn ends, the MPU 302 executes display control of the main display unit 93 so that the symbol corresponding to this identified information is displayed on the main display unit 93 during variation display.

[0294] Here, the symbol to be finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit 93 differs for each type of game result. Therefore, the manager of the game parlor or the like can confirm the game result by visually observing the main display unit 93 at the end of the game turn. According to this, the manager of the game parlor or the like can easily confirm whether an illegal act is being committed, such as trying to cause the pachinko machine 10 to perform the same behavior as when winning the jackpot lottery.

[0295] The main display unit 93 has a smaller display area compared to the display screen G of the symbol display device 91, and the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the main display unit 93 are less recognizable to the player compared to the symbol sequences Z1 to Z3 to be stopped and displayed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 91. Therefore, when the game round ends, the player determines whether or not they have won a big hit by checking the display screen G of the symbol display device 91 instead of the main display unit 93, so the degree of attention to the display screen G increases.

[0296] (Step S709) The MPU 302 sets a variation end command. In step S201 of the normal process, the MPU 302 transmits the variation end command set in step S709 to the audio-visual control device 400. After that, the MPU 302 ends the game round control process. Note that the audio-visual control device 400 executes a process for ending the effect of that game round based on the variation end command transmitted from the MPU 302. Here, the audio-visual control device 400 may be configured to independently end the effect of the game round without the need to receive the variation end command.

[0297] (Step S710) The MPU 302 performs a process of updating the value of the game round counter provided in each counter area of the RAM 313. Specifically, the MPU 302 determines whether or not the game round counter (see step S1410 in FIG. 39 described later) is set, and if it is set, updates the value of the game round counter to a value obtained by subtracting "1". The MPU 302 sets the updated value as a game round remaining number command in each command storage area of the RAM 313. The set command is output to the audio-visual control device 400 in the external output process (step S201 in FIG. 27) of the normal process.

[0298] <Data setting process> FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the data setting process. FIG. 33(a) is the data setting process due to winning a prize at the first start port 84a, and FIG. 33(b) is the data setting process due to winning a prize at the second start port 84b.

[0299] First, with reference to FIG. 33(a), the data setting process for the first result display will be described. (Step S801) The MPU 302 subtracts 1 from the value of the first start hold memory number RaN in the first result display unit hold area Ra, and updates the value of the first start hold memory number RaN stored in the first result display unit hold area Ra.

[0300] (Step S802) The MPU 302 moves the hold information stored in the first area Ra1 of the first result display unit hold area Ra to the execution area AE.

[0301] (Step S803) The MPU 302 executes a data shift process for shifting the hold information stored in the storage area of the first result display unit hold area Ra. This data shift process is a process of shifting the hold information stored in each of the areas Ra1 to Ra4 to the first area Ra1 side in order. Specifically, the MPU 302 shifts the hold information of the second area Ra2 to the first area Ra1, shifts the hold information of the third area Ra3 to the second area Ra2, and shifts the hold information of the fourth area Ra4 to the third area Ra3. That is, in steps S802 and S803, the shift process of the data stored in the first result display unit hold area Ra is executed by the FIFO (First In, First Out) method.

[0302] (Step S804) The MPU 302 clears the second result display unit flag stored in the RAM 313. This second result display unit flag is a flag for specifying which of the first result display unit 93a and the second result display unit 93b starts the variable display when the game turns are completed. In this step S805, since the MPU 302 clears the second result display unit flag, it indicates that when the game turns are completed, the variable display is started on the first result display unit 93a based on the winning of the game ball in the first start port 84a.

[0303] (Step S805) The MPU 302 sets a shift command for causing recognition of execution of the shift of the held information, transmits the set shift command to the audio-visual control device 400, and ends the data setting process. This shift command includes information for causing the audio-visual control device 400 to recognize that the shift of the held information has been executed for the held information stored in the held information area Ra for the first result display unit based on the winning of a game ball in the first start port 84a.

[0304] Note that the audio-visual control device 400 changes the lighting state of the first held lamp unit 95a based on the shift command transmitted from the MPU 302. Specifically, the audio-visual control device 400 decreases the number of lit lamps in the first held lamp unit 95a as the number of held game balls winning in the first start port 84a decreases, that is, as the value of the first start held memory number RaN stored in the held information area Ra for the first result display unit decreases.

[0305] Next, with reference to FIG. 33(b), the data setting process for the second result display will be described. (Step S811) The MPU 302 subtracts 1 from the value of the second start held memory number RbN in the held information area Rb for the second result display unit, and updates the value of the second start held memory number RbN stored in the held information area Rb for the second result display unit.

[0306] (Step S812) The MPU 302 moves the held information stored in the second area Rb2 of the held information area Rb for the second result display unit to the execution area AE.

[0307] (Step S813) The MPU 302 executes a data shift process for shifting the hold information stored in the storage area of the hold area Rb for the second result display section. This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting the hold information stored in each of the areas Rb1 to Rb4 toward the first area Rb1. Specifically, the MPU 302 shifts the hold information of the second area Rb2 to the first area Rb1, shifts the hold information of the third area Rb3 to the second area Rb2, and shifts the hold information of the fourth area Rb4 to the third area Rb3. That is, in steps S812 and S813, a shift process of the data stored in the hold area Rb for the second result display section is executed by the FIFO (First In, First Out) method.

[0308] (Step S814) The MPU 302 sets the second result display section flag in the RAM 313. In this step S814, since the MPU 302 sets the second result display section flag, it indicates that when the game rounds are completed, variable display is started on the second result display section 93b based on the winning of a game ball in the second start port 84b.

[0309] (Step S815) The MPU 302 sets a shift command for recognizing that the shift of the hold information has been executed, transmits the set shift command to the audio and light emission control device 400, and ends the data setting process. This shift command includes information for causing the audio and light emission control device 400 to recognize that the shift of the hold information has been executed for the hold information stored in the hold area Rb for the second result display section based on the winning of a game ball in the second start port 84b. Note that the audio and light emission control device 400 changes the lighting state of the second hold lamp section 95b based on the shift command transmitted from the MPU 302. Specifically, the audio and light emission control device 400 decreases the number of lit lamps in the second hold lamp section 95b as the number of held game balls winning in the second start port 84b decreases, that is, as the second start hold storage number RbN stored in the hold area Rb for the second result display section decreases.

[0310] As described above, in the data setting process shown in FIG. 33, the data setting process (S801 to S805) for the first result display section (for the first start port 84a) that sets the reservation information stored in the reservation area Ra for the first result display section for use in the progress of the game, and the data setting process (S811 to S815) for the second result display section (for the second start port 84b) that sets the reservation information stored in the reservation area Rb for the second result display section for use in the progress of the game are provided.

[0311] <Variable disclosure process> FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the variable start process. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 34, the variable start process in step S705 of FIG. 32 will be described in detail.

[0312] (Step S901) The MPU 302 determines whether or not the pass / fail lottery mode is the high probability mode. If it is determined in step S901 that the pass / fail lottery mode is not the high probability mode (NO), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S902. Also, if it is determined in step S901 that the pass / fail lottery mode is the high probability mode (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S903.

[0313] (Step S902) The MPU 302 reads out the pass / fail table for the low probability mode (see FIG. 23(a)) from the pass / fail table storage area of the ROM 312.

[0314] (Step S903) The MPU 302 reads out the pass / fail table for the high probability mode (see FIG. 23(b)) from the pass / fail table storage area of the ROM 312.

[0315] (Step S904) After executing the process of step S902 or step S903, the MPU 302 executes a pass / fail determination process in step S904. Specifically, the MPU 302 determines the result of a pass / fail lottery (pass / fail result) by comparing the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the execution area AE with the pass / fail table for the low probability mode read in step S902 or the pass / fail table for the high probability mode read in step S903. Note that the pass / fail result is one of "jackpot win", "special loss result", and "normal loss result", and the pass / fail result is one of "jackpot win", "special loss result", and "normal loss result" regardless of whether it is the low probability mode or the high probability mode.

[0316] (Step S905) The MPU 302 executes a consecutive win count process (see FIG. 31).

[0317] (Step S906) In step S906, the MPU 302 determines whether or not the pass / fail result determined in step S904 is "jackpot win". When the MPU 302 determines in step S906 that the pass / fail result is "jackpot win" (YES), it executes the processes after step S907, and when it does not determine in step S906 that the pass / fail result is "jackpot win" (NO), it executes the processes after step S913.

[0318] (Step S907) When the MPU 302 determines in step S906 that the pass / fail result is "jackpot win" (YES), in step S907, it determines whether or not the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313. When it does not determine that the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313 (NO), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S908. Also, when it determines that the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313 (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S909.

[0319] (Step S908) When the second result display section flag is not set in the RAM 313, it indicates that variable display is started on the first result display section 93a based on the winning of a game ball in the first start port 84a. Therefore, when the MPU 302 determines in step S907 that the second result display section flag is not set in the RAM 313 (NO), in step S908, it reads out the first distribution table (see FIG. 24(a)) from the distribution table storage area of the ROM 312.

[0320] (Step S909) When the second result display section flag is set in the RAM 313, it indicates that variable display is started on the second result display section 93b based on the winning of a game ball in the second start port 84b. Therefore, when the MPU 302 determines in step S907 that the second result display section flag is set in the RAM 313 (YES), in step S909, it reads out the second distribution table (see FIG. 24(b)) from the distribution table storage area of the ROM 312.

[0321] (Step S910) After executing the process of step S908 or step S909, the MPU 302 executes a distribution determination process in step S910. In this distribution determination process, the MPU 302 determines the result of the distribution lottery (distribution result) by comparing the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE with the distribution table read out in step S908 or step S909.

[0322] (Step S911) The MPU 302 executes stop result setting processing for jackpot results. In this stop result setting processing for jackpot results, the MPU 302 determines information related to the symbol that will ultimately be stopped and displayed on the first result display section 93a or the second result display section 93b of the main display section 93, and stores the determined information, that is, the information related to the symbol to be stopped and displayed, in the RAM 313. Here, the MPU 302 determines the information related to the symbol that will ultimately be stopped and displayed on the main display section 93 by comparing the distribution result determined in step S910 with the stop result table for jackpot results stored in advance in the ROM 312. This stop result table for jackpot results defines the modes of the symbols to be stopped and displayed on the main display section 93 to be different for each distribution result.

[0323] (Step S912) The MPU 302 sets a flag corresponding to the distribution result determined in step S910 in the RAM 313. Specifically, when the MPU 302 identifies that the distribution result is a "low probability result", it sets the low probability result flag, when it identifies that the result is a "non-explicit few-round high probability result", it sets the non-explicit few-round high probability result flag, when it identifies that the result is an "explicit few-round high probability result", it sets the explicit few-round high probability result flag, and when it identifies that the result is the "most advantageous result", it sets the most advantageous result flag. Thereafter, the MPU 302 executes the processing after step S917. In the processing of each of the following steps, the MPU 302 determines the distribution result with reference to the presence or absence of the flag set in the RAM 313.

[0324] (Step S913) When the MPU 302 determines in step S906 that the win / loss result is not a "jackpot win" (NO), in step S913, it determines whether the win / loss result determined in step S904 is a "special loss result". When the MPU 302 determines in step S913 that the win / loss result is a "special loss result" (YES), it executes the processing after step S914, and when the MPU 302 determines in step S913 that the win / loss result is not a "special loss result" (NO), it executes the processing after step S916.

[0325] (Step S914) In step S914, the MPU 302 executes a stop result setting process for a special out result. In this stop result setting process for a special out result, the MPU 302 determines information related to a symbol that will ultimately be stopped and displayed on the first result display section 93a or the second result display section 93b of the main display section 93, and stores the determined information, that is, the information related to the symbol to be stopped and displayed, in the RAM 313. Here, the MPU 302 determines the information related to the symbol that will ultimately be stopped and displayed on the main display section 93 by referring to a stop result table for a special out result pre-stored in the ROM 312. The symbol pattern set in this stop result table for a special out result is different from the symbol pattern set in the stop result table for a jackpot result.

[0326] (Step S915) In step S915, the MPU 302 sets a special out flag in the RAM 313. In each of the following processes, the MPU 302 refers to the presence or absence of the special out flag set in the RAM 313 to determine whether the pass / fail result is a "special out result".

[0327] (Step S916) In step S916, the MPU 302 executes a stop result setting process for a normal out result. In this stop result setting process for a normal out result, the MPU 302 determines information related to a symbol that will ultimately be stopped and displayed on the first result display section 93a or the second result display section 93b of the main display section 93, and stores the determined information in the RAM 313. Here, the MPU 302 determines the information related to the symbol that will ultimately be stopped and displayed on the main display section 93 by referring to a stop result table for a normal out result pre-stored in the ROM 312. Note that the symbol pattern set in the stop result table for a normal out result is different from the symbol patterns set in the stop result table for a jackpot result and the stop result table for a special out result.

[0328] (Step S917) After executing any one of the processes in step S912, step S915, and step S916, the MPU 302 executes a setting process for the display duration (display continuation period) in step S917. The setting process for the display duration (display continuation period) will be described in detail later.

[0329] (Step S918) In step S918, the MPU 302 sets a variation start command (command for variation) and a type command. In step S201 of the normal process (see FIG. 27) described above, the MPU 302 transmits the variation start command and the type command set in step S918 to the audio-visual control device 400. The audio-visual control device 400 executes a predetermined process based on the variation start command and the type command transmitted from the MPU 302. This process will be described in detail later.

[0330] Note that the variation start command includes information related to the display duration, but does not include information on whether a reach display occurs. Also, the type command includes information related to the success / failure result and the distribution result. More specifically, the type command includes, as information related to the success / failure result, information related to "big win", "special loss result", and "normal loss result". Also, the type command includes, as information related to the distribution result, information related to "low probability result", "non-explicit few-round high probability result", "explicit few-round high probability result", and "most advantageous result". In the following description, the success / failure result and the distribution result are collectively referred to as the game result. That is, the type command includes information related to the game result.

[0331] (Step S919) In step S919, the MPU 302 determines whether or not the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313, and based on the determination result, starts the variable display on the main display unit 93. Here, when the second result display unit flag is not set in the RAM 313, it indicates that when digesting the game rounds, the variable display is started on the first result display unit 93a based on the winning of the game ball into the first start port 84a.

[0332] Therefore, when the MPU 302 determines that the second result display unit flag is not set in the RAM 313, in step S919, the MPU 302 starts the variable display on the first result display unit 93a. Also, when the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313, it indicates that when digesting the game rounds, the variable display is started on the second result display unit 93b based on the winning of the game ball into the second start port 84b. Therefore, when the MPU 302 determines that the second result display unit flag is set in the RAM 313, the MPU 302 starts the variable display on the second result display unit 93b in step S919.

[0333] <Setting process of display duration> FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the setting process of the display duration.

[0334] (Step S1001) The MPU 302 determines whether or not the high-frequency support mode is ON. When it is determined that the high-frequency support mode is not ON (NO), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S1002. When it is determined that the high-frequency support mode is ON (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S1003.

[0335] (Step S1002) The MPU 302 reads out the variable pattern table for non-time shortening as the display duration. Specifically, when based on the winning into the first start port 84a, the variable pattern table of FIG. 25(a) is read out, and when based on the winning into the second start port 84b, the variable pattern table of FIG. 25(c) (common for non-time shortening and time shortening) is read out.

[0336] (Step S1003) The MPU 302 reads out a variable pattern table for short-time and normal use as the display duration. Specifically, when based on winning at the first start port 84a, it reads out the variable pattern table in Fig. 25(b), and when based on winning at the second start port 84b, it reads out the variable pattern table (common for non-short-time and short-time) in Fig. 25(c).

[0337] (Step S1004) The MPU 302 obtains the value of the variation type counter CS stored in the variation type counter buffer for the lottery counter buffer in the RAM 313.

[0338] (Step S1005) The MPU 302 determines the display duration. Specifically, the MPU 302 determines the display duration corresponding to the value of the variation type counter CS obtained from the variation type counter buffer based on the variable pattern table of the display duration of the variable display read out in Step S1002 or Step S1003. Also, the MPU 302 sets the determined display duration in the display duration counter provided in each counter area of the RAM 313. Note that the data of the display duration set in the RAM 313, together with data such as jackpot win / loss result data, jackpot type data, and stop symbol data, is output to the audio and light emission control device 400 in the external output process of normal processing (Step S201 in Fig. 27) as variable pattern data.

[0339] Note that the MPU 302 stores a variation pattern table for when a reach occurs and a variation pattern table for when a reach does not occur in the ROM 312, and compares the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of the ROM 312 with the value of the reach random number counter C3 stored in the hold ball storage area, and accordingly, depending on whether to generate a reach display, it may be configured to refer to either the variation pattern table for when a reach occurs or the variation pattern table for when a reach does not occur. Also, it may be configured such that the lottery for whether to generate a reach display is executed by the audio-visual control device 400.

[0340] Further, the variation pattern may be set such that the display duration becomes shorter as the number of holds increases. That is, the display duration when digesting the hold information related to the first start port 84a may be set to become shorter as the number of holds related to the first start port 84a increases. Also, the display duration when digesting the hold information related to the second start port 84b may be set to become shorter as the number of holds related to the second start port 84b increases. When winning at the first start port 84a or the second start port 84b exceeding the maximum value (4) of the number of holds, a prize ball payout can be received but a jackpot lottery cannot be received. However, as in this embodiment, by shortening the display duration as the number of holds increases and accelerating the digestion of the game rounds, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a state where winning exceeds the maximum value of the number of holds (a state where a prize ball payout can be received but a jackpot lottery cannot be received), and it is possible to provide a game state advantageous to the player.

[0341] Incidentally, in the variable pattern table for non-occurrence of reach described above, the display duration becomes shorter as the number of holds increases. However, it may be set in a relationship opposite to that of the present embodiment, such that the display duration becomes longer as the number of holds increases, or it may be configured such that the display duration does not vary (change) according to the number of holds or the support mode. Further, as in the present embodiment, the variable pattern table for occurrence of reach and the variable pattern table for non-occurrence of reach may be the same. In this case, regardless of the occurrence of reach, with reference to the same variable pattern table, the display duration corresponding to the value of the variable type counter CS acquired from the buffer for the movement type counter is determined and set in the display duration counter provided in each counter area of the RAM 313. Furthermore, a display duration table may be set individually for each of the success / failure result and the distribution result.

[0342] <Game state transition process> FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the game state transition process. (Step S1101) The MPU 302 determines whether it is in the opening / closing execution mode. If the MPU 302 determines that it is not in the opening / closing execution mode (NO), the process of step S1102 is executed. If the MPU 302 determines that it is in the opening / closing execution mode (YES), the process of step S1111 is executed.

[0343] (Step S1102) The MPU 302 determines whether the variable display on the main display unit 93 has ended. If the MPU 302 determines that the variable display on the main display unit 93 has not ended (NO), the MPU 302 ends the game state transition process. If the MPU 302 determines that the variable display on the main display unit 93 has ended (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S1103.

[0344] (Step S1103) Also, the MPU 302 determines whether the win / loss result corresponds to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode. Specifically, the MPU 302 determines whether the win / loss result is a "big win" or a "special loss result". If it is determined that the win / loss result does not correspond to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode (NO), that is, if it is determined that the win / loss result is a "normal loss result", the MPU 302 ends the game state transition process. Also, if it is determined that the win / loss result corresponds to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S1104.

[0345] (Step S1104) After setting the opening / closing execution mode flag in the RAM 313, the MPU 302 determines whether the win / loss result is a "special loss result". If it is determined that the win / loss result is a "special loss result" (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S1105. Also, if it is determined that the win / loss result is not a "special loss result" (NO), that is, if it is determined that the win / loss result is a "big win", the MPU 302 executes the process of step S1106.

[0346] (Step S1105) The MPU 302 sets "2" in the opening / closing counter SOC provided in each counter area of the RAM 313. This opening / closing counter SOC is a counter for the MPU 302 to specify the total number of times the big winning port 83a of the variable winning device 83 is opened / closed when transitioning to the opening / closing execution mode.

[0347] (Step S1106) The MPU 302 determines whether the allocation result is a few-round high-probability result ("non-explicit few-round high-probability result" or "explicit few-round high-probability result"). If it is determined that the allocation result is a few-round high-probability result (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process of step S1107. Also, if it is determined that the allocation result is not a few-round high-probability result (NO), that is, if it is determined that the allocation result is a "low-probability result" or a "most advantageous result", the MPU 302 executes the process of step S1108.

[0348] (Step S1107) The MPU 302 sets "2" in the round counter RC provided in each counter area of the RAM 313.

[0349] (Step S1108) The MPU 302 sets "15" in the round counter RC. This round counter RC is a counter for the MPU 302 to specify the number of times of the round game when shifting to the opening / closing execution mode.

[0350] In the present embodiment, the pachinko machine 10 has a plurality of opening / closing execution modes with mutually different end conditions. Specifically, the pachinko machine 10 has, as the opening / closing execution modes, a round number regulation mode that shifts when the win / loss result is "big win", and an opening / closing number regulation mode that shifts when the win / loss result is "special loss result".

[0351] The round number regulation mode ends on the condition that a predetermined number of times of round games have been executed. Here, the number of times of the round game corresponds to the value set in the round counter RC. The opening / closing number regulation mode ends on the condition that the opening / closing of the big winning opening 83a has been executed a predetermined total number of times, or a predetermined number of game balls have won in the big winning opening 83a. Here, the total number of times of opening / closing of the big winning opening 83a corresponds to the value set in the opening / closing counter SOC. This opening / closing number regulation mode does not end on the condition of the number of times of execution of the round game.

[0352] Note that in the present embodiment, the pachinko machine 10 executes the opening / closing of the big winning opening 83a once for each round game. Also, one round game continues until one of the following two conditions (1) and (2) is satisfied. That is, the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment sets the opening / closing door 83b to the open state, and then sets the opening / closing door 83b to the closed state again by satisfying one of the following two conditions (1) and (2). (1) The elapse of a predetermined upper limit continuous time (upper limit continuous period). (2) The total number of winning game balls entering the big winning opening 83a reaches a predetermined upper limit number.

[0353] (Step S1109) After the MPU302 executes any one of the processes in Step S1105, Step S1107, or Step S1108, in Step S1109, "1000" is set as the waiting time (waiting period) for opening in the timer counter T provided in each counter area of the RAM313. The value set in this timer counter T is updated by subtracting 1 from the previous value each time the timer interrupt process is executed. Here, the timer interrupt process is performed at a 2 msec cycle. Therefore, the waiting time for opening is 2 sec. Note that the waiting time for opening is not limited to this and can be arbitrarily determined according to the game state and the combination of winning patterns (special patterns).

[0354] In this way, when the MPU302 determines in Step S1103 that the pass / fail result corresponds to the transition to the opening execution mode, it sets the waiting time for opening in the timer counter T regardless of the type of game result. In other words, the waiting time for opening is the same regardless of the type of game result. Note that the waiting time for opening is not limited to this and may be configured, for example, to be slightly different according to the type of game result to the extent that it is recognized as the same by the player. Also, for example, the waiting time for opening may be configured to be significantly different according to the type of game result, such as being significantly different between the case of a "low probability result" or "most advantageous result" game result and the case of other game results.

[0355] (Step S1110) The MPU 302 sets an opening command. Thereafter, the MPU 302 ends the game state transition process. Here, the opening command includes information on the game result that triggered the transition to the opening / closing execution mode. In step S201 of the normal process (see FIG. 27) described above, the MPU 302 transmits the opening command set in step S1110 to the audio / light emission control device 400. Note that the audio / light emission control device 400 recognizes the transition to the opening / closing execution mode based on the opening command transmitted from the MPU 302 and executes a predetermined process. This process will be described in detail later.

[0356] (Step S1111) The MPU 302 executes the big winning opening / closing process. Note that the big winning opening / closing process in step S1111 will be described in detail later.

[0357] (Step S1112) After the MPU 302 executes the big winning opening / closing process in step S1111, it determines whether the value of the opening / closing counter SOC is "0" or less and whether the value of the round counter RC is "0" or less. If it is determined that at least one of the value of the opening / closing counter SOC and the value of the round counter RC is not "0" or less (NO), the MPU 302 ends the game state transition process. Also, if it is determined that at least one of the value of the opening / closing counter SOC and the value of the round counter RC is "0" or less (YES), the MPU 302 executes the process in step S1113.

[0358] (Step S1113) The MPU 302 determines whether the value of the timer counter T is "0" or less. If it is determined that the value of the timer counter T is not "0" or less (NO), the MPU 302 ends the game state transition process. Also, if it is determined that the value of the timer counter T is "0" or less (YES), the MPU 302 executes the proce...

Claims

【Claim 1】 In a gaming machine comprising means capable of executing a winning or losing lottery for determining whether to give a privilege to a player based on the ball entry into the ball entry means, means capable of determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied when it is determined not to be the specific result in the winning or losing lottery; means capable of setting a special period when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined condition includes that the number of executions of the winning or losing lottery in at least a specific period is a predetermined number determined in advance, the gaming machine means capable of executing a plurality of the winning or losing lotteries during the special period, means capable of giving a specific privilege at a higher rate than when it is determined to be the specific result during a predetermined period different from the special period when it is determined to be the specific result in the winning or losing lottery during the special period, A gaming machine characterized by comprising the above.

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