Game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing interest in a game by an unprecedented image display method.SOLUTION: Display of a first image is completed and a first predetermined image starts to be displayed when a first image can be displayed and a first condition is fulfilled during display of the first image, a first image continues to be displayed and a second predetermined image that is the same as or different from a first predetermined image starts to be displayed when a second condition is fulfilled during display of the first image, and a degree of advantage pertaining to a privilege is higher when a second condition is fulfilled than when a first condition is fulfilled regarding a privilege, or a privilege can be imparted when a second condition is fulfilled and no privileges are imparted when a first condition is fulfilled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Some gaming machines, such as pachinko machines and slot machines, are equipped with an image display device, and display images in a display area associated with the image display device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-036490 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Nowadays, gaming machines equipped with such image display devices are common, and simply displaying images is not novel and there is room for improvement in terms of increasing the enjoyment of the game.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that can increase the interest in gaming by using an unprecedented image display method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of displaying a first image, and when a first condition is satisfied while the first image is being displayed, the display of the first image is terminated and a first predetermined image can be started; when a second condition is satisfied while the first image is being displayed, the display of the first image continues and a second predetermined image that is the same as or different from the first predetermined image can be started; and with regard to a bonus, when the second condition is satisfied, the degree of advantage related to the bonus is higher than when the first condition is satisfied, or when the second condition is satisfied, the bonus can be granted, and when the first condition is satisfied, the bonus is not granted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a gaming machine is provided that can enhance the enjoyment of gaming by using an unprecedented image display method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons and their surroundings arranged in the area III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a gaming board installed in the gaming machine. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 8]Figure 8(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for determining whether a special symbol is a hit or not, Figure 8(b) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the determination of whether a special symbol is a hit or not related to special symbol 1, Figure 8(c) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a small hit is derived in the determination of whether a special symbol is a hit or not related to special symbol 2, and Figure 8(d) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the determination of whether a special symbol is a hit or not related to special symbol 2. [Figure 9] Figure 9(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 when in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 9(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 when in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. [Figure 10] Figure 10(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state is PB, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state is PB. [Figure 11] Figure 11(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used for pattern variations relating to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in effect, and Figure 11(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined for pattern variations relating to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in effect. [Figure 12] FIG. 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the execution period of the time-saving number acquisition effect. [Figure 14]FIG. 14(a) is a diagram showing a display example of the introductory part of the time-saving number acquisition effect, and FIG. 14(b) is a diagram showing a display example of the number notification image. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of the winning part of the time-saving number winning effect. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect execution process. [Figure 17] Figure 17(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table used for drawing a change pattern for the second display area, and Figure 17(b) is a diagram showing an example of display when the area of ​​the second display area is reduced. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect end process. [Figure 19] 19(a) and 19(b) are diagrams that schematically show lottery tables used for lottery selection of an ending pattern related to the time-saving number acquisition effect ending process. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram specifically showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P1 ending. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect ending according to the ending pattern P1. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing the flow of the process of ending the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P1. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing the flow of the process of ending the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P1. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram specifically showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P2 ending. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P2 ending. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram specifically showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P3 ending. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing the flow of the process of ending the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" refer to the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1. In the following explanation, "advantage (degree of advantage)" refers to an advantage for the player, and further, unless otherwise specified, refers to an advantage in terms of the amount of prize balls (gaming media) obtained (including not only the payout of gaming balls but also the payout of medals), excluding aspects of presentation such as so-called premium images.

[0010] <Features of the present invention> Before describing the details of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment, the features of the invention (present invention) described in this embodiment will be described. In addition, when explaining the features, the configuration in parentheses is an example of the configuration of this embodiment corresponding to the immediately preceding configuration, and the configuration may be described in parentheses for the same purpose in the explanation of the gaming machine 10 that follows this explanation.

[0011] The present invention provides A first image (first notification image hg1) can be displayed, When a first condition (determination of an ending pattern P1 at the end of an acquisition part) is satisfied during the display of the first image, the display of the first image ends, and the display of a first predetermined image (first telop image tg1) may start. When a second condition (determination of an ending pattern P2 at the end of the acquisition part) is satisfied during the display of the first image, the display of the first image continues, and a second predetermined image (second caption image) that is the same as or different from the first predetermined image may be started. Regarding the benefits, When the second condition is satisfied, the advantage regarding the benefit is higher than when the first condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the benefit may be granted when the second condition is met, and the benefit may not be granted when the first condition is met. This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

[0012] According to the present invention, when the degree of advantage related to the above-mentioned benefit is relatively high, it is possible to make it easier to feel a connection between the image displays (the above-mentioned first image and the above-mentioned second specified image), thereby improving the presentation of the image display in such cases.

[0013] In addition, the first condition and the second condition are not limited to the conditions in this embodiment described below, as long as they are conditions that are satisfied at least while the first image is being displayed, and various conditions may be adopted as long as they are conditions that can be satisfied as the game progresses, such as a specified game operation being performed or a game ball entering a prize slot (awarding of a prize ball). Furthermore, the degree of advantage related to the above-mentioned benefit refers to the expectation of the benefit itself being granted, as well as the advantage of the benefit itself being granted and the advantage of the gaming state after the benefit ends, and "the degree of advantage related to the above-mentioned benefit is high" refers to a high advantage (expectation) for at least one of these.

[0014] Furthermore, the gaming machine according to this embodiment, which will be described later, is a pachinko machine that pays out actual gaming balls as prize balls, but the gaming machine according to the present invention may also be a pachinko machine that provides prize balls as electronic data (so-called smart pachinko). Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention may be a conventional slot machine that uses a predetermined number of medals to perform pattern changes that cause multiple reels to spin, and pays out medals based on the results of the pattern changes (the stopping patterns of the multiple reels), or it may be a slot machine (so-called smart slot) that pays out all medals as electronic data. Furthermore, the above-mentioned bonus is not limited to a jackpot game, and in the case of a pachinko machine, it can be any bonus advantageous in terms of acquiring game balls (prize balls), such as a small bonus (especially one that generates a jackpot game) or a regular bonus. Similarly, in the case of a slot machine, the above-mentioned bonus can be any bonus advantageous in terms of acquiring medals, such as a big bonus, a regular bonus, a single bonus, or an AT (assist time) that notifies the operation conditions (operation sequence, operation timing, and combinations thereof) of the stop button that are advantageous in acquiring game media.

[0015] In particular, when applying the present invention to a slot machine, the execution period of the time-saving number acquisition effect in this embodiment described later can be replaced with a period (a so-called specialized zone) in which there is a high expectation of acquiring a numerical value (the so-called number of games or the number of navigations) indicating the duration of the AT. Furthermore, the period may be completed in one game (play) as in this embodiment, or may be executed over multiple consecutive games. In this case, the first image can be associated with, for example, an image that can identify a numerical value indicating the duration of the AT. Similarly, the first predetermined image and the second predetermined image can be associated with an image that suggests an internal winning role during a period when the expectation of obtaining the numerical value is high, and the AT can be associated with the bonus. Note that, as with the application to pachinko machines (this embodiment), the content of the first and second conditions does not matter in this case either, as long as there is a difference in the above-mentioned advantage (related to the bonus).

[0016] The gaming machine 10 having the above-mentioned features will be specifically described based on the following embodiment.

[0017] <Structure of the gaming machine 10> First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, Figure 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device 90 arranged in area II shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in area III shown in Figure 1 and their surroundings, Figure 4 is a diagram showing a gaming board 50 installed within the gaming machine 10, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. 1 to 5 are merely those necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and configurations and functions not shown here may be added to the gaming machine 10. Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the configurations shown here, and some configurations or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0018] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, in which gaming balls are shot into a front area (hereinafter referred to as "gaming area 50a") of a gaming board 50 on which a large number of gaming nails (not shown) are erected, and a prize ball is obtained when the gaming ball enters a prize opening (for example, a big prize opening 55, etc.). In the following description, the entry of a gaming ball into a prize opening may be simply expressed as "entering (a prize opening)."

[0019] The gaming machine 10 comprises a rectangular outer frame 15 that opens at the front and rear, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds a gaming board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 that is configured to cover the front side of the gaming board 50.

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

[0021] The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable around its left end, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)). The front frame 20 also includes a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the play area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the play area 50a and the play board 50 from view. The front frame 20 also includes an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are spaced apart vertically and are integral with the front frame 20. In this embodiment, a full-tank detection sensor (not shown) for detecting when the lower ball tray 29 is full with discharged game balls is provided upstream of the lower discharge port 30 that discharges game balls into the lower ball tray 29. In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

[0022] 1 to 5, the middle frame 17 has a middle frame open door sensor 76 that detects whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the outer frame 15, and a front frame open door sensor 77 that detects whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state relative to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, both of these door open sensors are ON in the open state and OFF in the closed state. However, these door open sensors may also be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state. This allows the gaming machine 10 to detect both the open / closed state of the middle frame 17 relative to the outer frame 15 and the open / closed state of the front frame 20 relative to the middle frame 17.

[0023] 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player is disposed on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. This group of operation buttons includes a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100 (described later), which includes a ball loan button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting a prepaid card return operation. The operation unit electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200 (described later) includes an effect button 37 for accepting a player's operation to switch effects occurring during play or to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, and center cursor button 38e) for instructing operations up, down, left, and right. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the operation, and the connected control board detects the operation of each operation unit by a change in the detection state of the sensor. Furthermore, a movable decorative body 22 that is operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided on the side of the upper ball tray 27.

[0024] A ball ejection mechanism 36 is provided below the lower ball tray 29 to eject the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball ejection mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally through the bottom opening and are ejected. Although not shown in the figure, the upper ball tray 27 is provided with a mechanism that, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, can be operated to move the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29, and by operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, it is possible to discharge the stored balls.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. The upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed with light-transmitting covers, inside which are disposed frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c). The speaker 33 and the frame lamp 35 can emit sounds or turn on or off in conjunction with effects that occur during play, error notifications, and the like.

[0026] The main display unit 81 can display a changing display of a pattern row that is performed in conjunction with the changing display in the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 described below, and can also display various other effects. In the variable display of the symbol rows (decorative symbols) displayed on the main display unit 81, the displayed decorative symbols form three symbol rows. In this embodiment, the variable display direction of each symbol row is downward, but the direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be upward, left / right, depthwise, or a combination of these (diagonal direction). Here, the depth direction refers to the virtual direction perceived by the player in a display mode that uses a method (for example, perspective) that makes the player perceive the pattern row as if it is changing from the back of the main display unit 81 to the front or vice versa, even though it is actually a flat changing display on the display screen of the main display unit 81. In addition, the decorative symbols in this embodiment include a "1 symbol" imitating the number "1," a "2 symbol" imitating the number "2," a "3 symbol" imitating the number "3," a "4 symbol" imitating the number "4," a "5 symbol" imitating the number "5," a "6 symbol" imitating the number "6," a "7 symbol" imitating the number "7," an "8 symbol" imitating the number "8," and a "9 symbol" imitating the number "9," and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following description, the "1 symbol," "3 symbol," "5 symbol," "7 symbol," and "9 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "odd number symbols," and the "2 symbol," "4 symbol," "6 symbol," and "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even number symbols."

[0027] A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and these LEDs form the display area of ​​the pattern display device 90, which displays special patterns and normal patterns. In addition, the symbol display device 90 is disposed in a position that is more difficult for the player to see than the main display unit 81, and the display area of ​​the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of ​​the main display unit 81. In addition, the arrangement and number of LEDs for the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs for the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

[0028] The special symbols are symbols that are stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a special electric device (for example, special electric device 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on second special symbol display device 92. The special design may be abbreviated as "Special Design", the first special design as "Special Design 1", and the second special design as "Special Design 2".

[0029] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a normal electric device (for example, normal electric device 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. In addition, normal patterns are sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu", and normal electric devices are sometimes called "Denchu".

[0030] In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96. The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved normal patterns, and all of them make it possible to identify the number of corresponding pattern variations by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right always lit only = 1, left and right always lit = 2, right flashing + left always lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

[0031] In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the special pattern is displayed in a variable manner on the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 and then the special pattern is displayed in a stationary manner will be referred to as the "pattern change of the special pattern," and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern is displayed in a stationary manner on the normal pattern display device 93 and then the normal pattern is displayed in a variable manner will be referred to as the "pattern change of the normal pattern." In addition, in the following explanation, the display of the change in the pattern sequence (decorative pattern) displayed on the main display unit 81 described above may be referred to as "pattern change of decorative pattern" to distinguish it from "pattern change of special pattern" and "pattern change of normal pattern." In the following explanation, when simply referring to "pattern change," it means the pattern change of the special design unless otherwise specified.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, obstacles such as numerous game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative elements are placed on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the game balls that are shot out roll. Additionally, curved outer rail 51 and inner rail 53 are arranged on the left and upper sides of play area 50a to guide game balls launched by rotating operating handle 31 to the top of play area 50a. Outer rail 51 is located outside inner rail 53 with respect to the center of play area 50a. Here, windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which game balls fall.

[0033] The gaming machine 10 is capable of varying the strength of the game ball's launch depending on the amount of rotation (e.g., rotation angle) of the operating handle 31, and various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a to make the game ball roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left-hand hit), in which a game ball that is launched more weakly rolls, or the second flow path Y (so-called right-hand hit), in which a game ball that is launched more strongly rolls.

[0034] Figure 4 shows the main prize winning openings as the large prize winning opening 55, the first starting opening 57, the second starting opening 59, the gate 63, and the general prize winning opening 67, but the prize winning openings shown are examples, and their number and arrangement may be changed as appropriate.

[0035] The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right corner of the game area 50a. A large prize opening sensor 72 is attached to the large prize opening 55, and a prize ball is determined to have been won in the large prize opening 55 based on the detection result of the large prize opening sensor 72, and the number of prize balls associated with the large prize opening 55 (15 in this embodiment) is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the big prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0036] A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, which makes it easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, which makes it difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66. More specifically, the special electric device 65 is in an open state during a portion of a jackpot game that starts when a jackpot is determined by the special symbol hit determination described below, or during a portion of a small jackpot game that starts when a small jackpot is determined by the special symbol hit determination, and thus entry into the large prize winning slot 55 is permitted. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, entry into the large prize winning slot 55 becomes easier, so it can be said that jackpot games and small jackpot games, in which the chances of winning prize balls are significantly increased, are in an advantageous gaming state. Also, as will be described in detail later, the small jackpot game in this embodiment can give rise to a jackpot game. In a jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round game," and the total number of round games that occur in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have entered the large prize opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state. Furthermore, one open state in a jackpot game also ends when a sufficient time (30 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed for the predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize opening 55. On the other hand, in the small win game, the game ends when the special electric device 65 is in an open state for 1.8 seconds or when 10 game balls enter the large prize opening 55. Therefore, in the small win game, it is more difficult for game balls to enter the large prize opening 55 than in the large win game.

[0037] The first starting hole 57 is located at the bottom center of the game area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70 determines whether a ball has entered the first starting hole 57, and the number of prize balls associated with the first starting hole 57 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a ball has entered the first starting hole 57, the pattern of special image 1 is changed. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[0038] The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71 determines whether a ball has entered the second starting hole 59, and the number of prize balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a winning entry into the second starting port 59 is determined, the pattern of special chart 2 will change. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0039] A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state, which makes it easy for a game ball to enter the second starting port 59, and a closed state, which makes it difficult for the ball to enter, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62. More specifically, the normal electric device 61 opens when the result of the normal winning / losing judgment described later is a normal winning (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a "normal winning"), and thus entry into the second starting hole 59 is permitted. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in the open state, entry into the second starting hole 59 is possible, so that the chances of the special symbol 2 symbol variation being executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls due to the prize balls.

[0040] The gate 63 is located in the right center of the gaming area 50a (particularly on the second flow path Y). A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and a win at the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least some cases where a win at the gate 63 is determined, a normal symbol pattern will be changed.

[0041] The general winning opening 67 is located in the lower left of the game area 50a (particularly, above the first flow path X). A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to the general winning opening 67, and a win at the general winning opening 67 is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded.

[0042] The outlet 69 is located at the bottom of the game area 50a. A game ball that is shot into the game area 50a and does not enter any of the winning holes falls into the outlet 69 and is treated as an out ball. In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 is provided for detecting out balls, which are game balls that enter the winning hole and the out hole 69.

[0043] In addition to the sensors mentioned above, the game board 50 is also provided with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (both not shown) to prevent fraudulent acts such as receiving prize balls illegally.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the back of the game board 50 is equipped with a main control board case 109 housing the main control board 100, a first sub-control board case 209 housing the first sub-control board 200, a second sub-control board case 309 housing the second sub-control board 300, a power supply control board case 509 housing the power supply control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 housing the payout control board 400, and in addition to the back of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an open / close cover 45 covering part of the back of the main control board case 109 is attached in a removable manner. The main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43. The substrate cases and covers that encase each substrate are made of transparent materials, and the corresponding substrates can be seen through each case and cover.

[0045] Additionally, on the back of the gaming board 50, above the opening / closing cover 45, there is disposed a gaming ball tank 46 for storing gaming balls supplied from the ball supply equipment of the gaming island. The gaming ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 leading to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out through the payout passage 49 to the upper ball tray 27.

[0046] So far, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but this is only one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with other configurations.

[0047] <Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may also have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 6.

[0048] The main control board 100 is equipped with a CPU 101 that performs various calculations related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, an I / O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 that operates in a system separate from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers), and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

[0049] The CPU 101 reads out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processing to execute various processes related to the main control of the game. The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power source generated by a backup power circuit 502 (described later). Specifically, the RAM 103 is configured to back up various information that allows the gaming machine 10 to return to the state it was in immediately before the power outage when power is restored (when power is turned on) after a power outage. For example, in addition to data such as a stack pointer and various registers held at the time of the power outage, information related to gameplay, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at the time (game stopped or playable) and the current normal symbol lottery status, is backed up. This information is cleared (initialized) by a RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a new special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA (low normal symbol probability, described later) is set. Furthermore, when a RAM clear process is executed, the symbol string related to the decorative symbol is in a state in which the initial symbol combination is frozen. This state is also maintained if the RAM clear process was not executed when power was turned on and the symbol variation was not in progress at the time of the previous power outage. Furthermore, this initial symbol combination is displayed in a static state only when the power is turned on, and is not displayed in a static state when the symbol variation is performed.

[0050] In this embodiment, at least an area in which such information related to the game is stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related area of ​​RAM 103) is backed up, as well as an area in which the complement of a checksum and a backup flag related to the game-related area of ​​RAM 103 are stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related backup information area of ​​RAM 103). Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 recovers using the various pieces of information stored in the backed-up game-related area of ​​RAM 103 and the game-related backup information area of ​​RAM 103. Note that the specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited in any way. For example, the area of ​​RAM 103 to be backed up may be configured to be able to retain data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage. As another example, within RAM 103, different hardware may be provided for a first memory configured to retain data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10. In this case, the gaming machine 10 may save the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is lost, and then recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

[0051] Furthermore, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first start gate sensor 70, the second start gate sensor 71, the special prize gate sensor 72, the general prize gate sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame open door sensor 76, the front frame open door sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to these sensors, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full tank detection sensor, a magnetic detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104.

[0052] In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern hold lamp 94, the second special pattern hold lamp 95, the normal pattern hold lamp 96, the normal electric role solenoid 62 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I / O port 104. Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and the RAM clear switch 43, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the main operation unit 39.

[0053] The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various performance control commands are sent from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is configured so that data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured so that it cannot request the main control board 100 to transmit data. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

[0054] The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores data such as presentation control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202. The first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the effect button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of these operation units.

[0055] In addition, the first sub-control board 200 generates, through performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, image control commands that instruct the image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, audio control command) is sent from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the audio control board 310, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was successfully received is sent from each control board (second sub-control board 300, audio control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

[0056] The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the frame lamp 35, and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. The frame lamp 35 is configured so that its illumination is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decorative body 22 and transmits movement control data via the I / O port 204. The movable decorative body 22 is configured so that its movement is controlled by the movement control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

[0057] The second sub-control board 300, although not shown in the figure, is equipped with a CPU that performs various arithmetic processing related to image presentation based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM that stores image control programs and various data, etc., a RAM that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and is configured so that the CPU executes main controls related to image presentation in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM (all not shown in the figure). Furthermore, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP that generates image data according to the content of the effect determined by the effect content determination means 225 (described later) based on a control signal received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates sound data according to the content of the effect based on a control signal received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in an image ROM in response to instructions from the CPU, processes the image data, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81, etc. Also connected to this VDP is a high-speed VRAM that is used to expand and process the image data read from the image ROM.

[0058] The audio control board 310 is equipped with a CPU 311 that performs various arithmetic processing related to audio performance based on audio control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores audio control programs, audio data, etc., a RAM 313 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals to and from peripheral boards and each device, and is configured so that the CPU 311 executes main control related to audio performance in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 312. Therefore, the audio control board 310 reads audio data stored in ROM 312 in accordance with audio control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesizes the read audio data, and transmits the final synthesized audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, causing the speaker 33 to output audio.

[0059] The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown). In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be able to communicate in both directions, and performs control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls based on a payout control command from the main control board 100, and also controls the launch of game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launching mechanism based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31.

[0060] The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage). In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the amusement island's power supply equipment, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). In addition, when a power interruption detection circuit 503 detects a power interruption, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400. In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island. In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

[0061] <Functional Configuration of Gaming Machine 10> Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may also have functional configurations that are not shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 8 to 12 will be referenced as necessary.

[0062] As shown in Figure 7, the main control board 100 is equipped with a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special symbol lottery means 130, a normal symbol lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a pattern display control means 145, an electric device control means 150, a game status control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration processing execution means 175, and a power outage processing execution means 180. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using Figure 6.

[0063] First, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in the corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (performance control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160 is transmitted by the command transmission means to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200, which will be described later, after being stored.

[0064] The ball entry determination means 110 determines whether a ball has entered each winning hole based on the detection results of the sensors provided at each winning hole. In addition, when the ball entry determination means 110 determines that a game ball has entered a prize hole using a sensor installed in the prize hole, such as the large prize hole sensor 72, it generates a presentation control command (prize entry command) that includes information that can identify the type of sensor related to the prize, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0065] The main random number generating means 115 can generate multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win is determined to have been made at a winning slot, it acquires (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning slot from the random number circuit 105. More specifically, when it is determined that a prize has been won at the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59, the main random number generating means 115 acquires a random number for determining whether a special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop symbol pattern, and a random number for drawing a special symbol change pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that a prize has been won at gate 63, the main random number generating means 115 stores the random number for determining whether a normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol stop symbol pattern, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol change pattern, which will be described later, in the corresponding storage areas of the main information storage means 160. The random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers it updates are being updated normally, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality is written to a specific storage area of ​​the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can recognize that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

[0066] The main reserve control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern variation of the special chart and the reservation of the pattern variation of the normal chart. Regarding the special chart 1, the random number for determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, the random number for drawing the special chart stop pattern, and the random number for drawing the special chart variation pattern, which are acquired upon winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information for the special chart 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") that is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the lottery by the special chart lottery means 130), and stores the activation hold information in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and controls the remaining activation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter that is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter. In addition, the main hold control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and regular drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the hold counter for special drawing 2 is called the special drawing 2 hold counter, and the upper limit value of the special drawing 2 hold counter in this embodiment is 4. In addition, in the following explanation, "holding of operation hold information" may be expressed as "holding of pattern change" or simply as "holding." In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, when both the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are reserved, a priority variation is performed in which the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 is used preferentially. However, instead of this priority variation, a winning order variation in which the activation pending information is used in the order in which it is reserved, regardless of whether it corresponds to special chart 1 or special chart 2, or a simultaneous variation in which the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are simultaneously used when both the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are reserved may be adopted.

[0067] The advance judgment means 125 executes advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of a special chart is pending at a predetermined advance judgment timing. More specifically, the preliminary judgment means 125 reads out each random number of the operation pending information that has been reserved this time, and performs preliminary judgment for each of the special symbol hit / miss judgment, special symbol stop symbol lottery, and special symbol change pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each preliminary judgment, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each preliminary judgment is used. Therefore, the results of these preliminary judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later. Furthermore, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) including the result of the derived pre-determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. The pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160) at least part of the timing of the predetermined pre-determination, and therefore is transmitted following the above-mentioned hold command. Here, the predetermined timing of the pre-determination is, for example, the timing when the activation hold information of the special pattern is held. In this embodiment, if the activation hold information of special pattern 1 is held during the high probability of the normal pattern described below, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to that pre-determination is also restricted. On the other hand, if the activation hold information of special pattern 2 is held during the low probability of the normal pattern described below, the pre-determination may or may not be restricted.

[0068] The special chart lottery means 130 includes a special chart win / loss determination means 131, a special chart stop pattern lottery means 132, and a special chart change pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of the special chart win / loss determination means 131, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132, and the special chart change pattern derivation means 133. When the special chart change start condition is satisfied, the special chart lottery means 130 reads out the earliest activation pending information among the activation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160. In addition, "the conditions for starting the change of the special chart are satisfied" means, for example, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: the player is not in the middle of a jackpot game, neither Special Chart 1 nor Special Chart 2 is currently changing the pattern (including when the pattern change related to Special Chart 1 or Special Chart 2 is stopped and displayed), and there is pending activation information on at least one of Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2.

[0069] Here, FIGS. 8 to 11 are diagrams that schematically show lottery tables used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description. In a lottery using a lottery table, including other lottery tables, the lottery values ​​stored in the lottery table are sequentially added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one target lottery value, the addition is performed once), and the result corresponding to the lottery value that has generated a carry (overflow) is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery tables, names are given to the lottery tables for convenience of explanation. However, as long as the data, such as the lottery values, contained in the lottery table corresponding to the names are identifiable and stored in each ROM, these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery tables, items listed for convenience of explanation or lottery values ​​such as "-" or "0" are listed, but these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. Furthermore, results with lottery values ​​of "-" or "0" will not result in a win. Furthermore, if the lottery table contains a lottery value identical to the random number range used in the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range), the result will be derived 100%, so a lottery is not necessarily required. Furthermore, if the total value of the lottery values ​​used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur when adding the last lottery value, so the addition does not need to be performed, and in that case the lottery values ​​used in the addition themselves become unnecessary.

[0070] The special symbol hit / miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special symbol hit / miss judgment for each symbol change, and executes a special symbol hit / miss judgment to judge by lottery whether the winning is a big hit, a small hit, or a miss, using the read-out random number and a lottery table for the special symbol hit / miss judgment. Figure 8(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss. The lottery table differs between special drawing 1 and special drawing 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss in special drawing 1, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 320), and any other result is a miss, and no small hit is derived. On the other hand, in determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss in special drawing 2, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 320), and a small hit is derived with a probability of 1820 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 36.0), and any other result is a miss. In this embodiment, as will be described later, a jackpot game can occur via a small jackpot, so the probability of a jackpot being derived in the special chart hit / miss determination is set to the single probability described above.

[0071] When the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit, the special chart stopping pattern lottery means 132 determines the special chart stopping pattern by lottery using a random number for special chart stopping pattern lottery (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a lottery table for special chart stopping pattern lottery. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8(b), which is a diagram that schematically illustrates a lottery table for drawing the stopping patterns used when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit / miss determination related to special pattern 1, when a jackpot is derived in the special pattern hit / miss determination related to special pattern 1, pattern A is determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and each of patterns B to E is determined with a probability of 225 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 4.44). Here, regardless of whether any of symbols A to E is selected, the game will enter a normal high probability state after the jackpot game corresponding to that stopped symbol ends. However, the number of symbol changes during which the normal high probability state continues (hereinafter referred to as the "prescribed number of times related to normal high probability") is 80 times after the jackpot game ends when symbol A is selected, 15 times after the jackpot game ends when symbol B is selected, 20 times after the jackpot game ends when symbol C is selected, 30 times after the jackpot game ends when symbol D is selected, and 35 times after the jackpot game ends when symbol E is selected. Furthermore, the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to symbol A is 10, while the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to symbols B to E is 4. Therefore, it can be said that symbol A is more advantageous than any of symbols B to E in terms of both the number of rounds and the prescribed number of times related to normal high probability. In addition, in the following explanation, the jackpot game that occurs when pattern A is determined may be referred to as a "jackpot game related to pattern A," and the same applies to the jackpot games that occur when patterns B to E are determined.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8(c), which is a diagram that schematically shows the lottery table for drawing the stopping pattern used when a small win is derived in the judgment of whether the special pattern is a hit or miss for special pattern 2, if a small win is derived in the judgment of whether the special pattern is a hit or miss for special pattern 2, pattern a will be determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 700 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.43), and pattern b will be determined with a probability of 300 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 3.33). Here, pattern a is a stopping pattern that causes the number of rounds of jackpot play that occurs in the small jackpot play related to that pattern to be 10, and after the jackpot play ends, the specified number of times for that high normal probability is 80. On the other hand, pattern b is a stopping pattern that causes the number of rounds of jackpot play that occurs in the small jackpot play related to that pattern to be 4, and after the jackpot play ends, the specified number of times for that high normal probability is 80. Therefore, it can be said that pattern a is more advantageous than pattern b in terms of the number of rounds. In addition, when a jackpot game occurs in a small hit game, the number of rounds in that jackpot game is the number calculated by counting that small hit game as one round. Furthermore, in the following explanation, a jackpot game that occurs in a small hit game related to symbol a will be referred to as a "jackpot game related to symbol a," and a jackpot game that occurs in a small hit game related to symbol b will be referred to as a "jackpot game related to symbol b."

[0073] As shown in Figure 8(d), which is a diagram schematically illustrating a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a jackpot is determined in the special symbol hit / miss judgment related to special symbol 2, when a jackpot is determined in the special symbol hit / miss judgment related to special symbol 2, symbol c is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). In particular, symbol c is a stopping symbol for which the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to the stopping symbol is 10, and which becomes a normal symbol with high probability after the jackpot game ends, and the specified number of times for the normal symbol with high probability is 80.

[0074] In addition, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 determines pattern F as the stop pattern when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for special chart 1 is a miss, and determines pattern d as the stop pattern when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for special chart 2 is a miss.

[0075] In this way, in the above-described embodiment, the jackpot game that occurs in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 tends to be more advantageous than the jackpot game that occurs in the pattern variation related to special chart 1. Therefore, the transition from the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA to another special chart variation pattern derivation state, which will be described later, can further increase the interest in the game.

[0076] The special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special pattern variation pattern lottery tables to be referenced when determining the special pattern variation pattern, and selects one special pattern variation pattern lottery table for determining the current special pattern variation pattern based on the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special pattern success / failure judgment, determines one special pattern variation pattern using the selected special pattern variation pattern lottery table and a random number for special pattern variation pattern lottery, and determines the variation time based on the determined special pattern variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from when the pattern variation related to the special pattern (special pattern 1 or special pattern 2) starts to when the pattern variation ends. Details of the transition conditions etc. will be described later, but in this embodiment, there are three special chart variation pattern derivation states: special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special chart variation pattern is adopted for the pattern variation of special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and for the pattern variation of special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. In addition, in the pattern variation related to the other special chart in each special chart variation pattern derivation state, a predetermined special chart variation pattern is determined depending on the result of the special chart success / failure judgment.

[0077] Figure 9(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a special chart variation pattern lottery table used for the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the pattern variation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, special chart variation patterns HNP to ASP-C can be determined. Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP occurs with a probability of 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11), the special chart change pattern HRP occurs with a probability of 52 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 19.2), the special chart change pattern HSP1-A occurs with a probability of 13 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 76.9), and the special chart change pattern HS occurs with a probability of 11 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 90.9). P1-B, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A with a probability of 9 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 111), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B with a probability of 7 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 143), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B with a probability of 3 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 333) are determined, and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A to special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Details will be described later using Figure 9 (b), but when special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined, the special chart fluctuation pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 1 pending counter at the start of this pattern fluctuation. On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to special chart 1 during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, the probability of special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A is 90 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 11.1), the probability of special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B is 110 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 9.09), the probability of special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A is 135 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 7.41), the probability of special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is 165 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6 Special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 1 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 4.56), and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and in such cases, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined. In this way, in this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a rate of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a rate of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Here, in the explanation of the special chart fluctuation pattern of this embodiment, when two special chart fluctuation patterns are described with "~" in between, the description of the special chart fluctuation pattern that exists between the special chart fluctuation pattern described earlier and the special chart fluctuation pattern described later is omitted in accordance with the order described in the drawing related to the special chart fluctuation pattern lottery table for each special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state. Also, in the explanation of the special chart fluctuation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding fluctuation time is described or not, if the names of the special chart fluctuation patterns are different, it means that the different special chart fluctuation patterns are different.

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

[0079] Figure 10(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a special chart variation pattern lottery table used for the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 10(a), in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, the special chart variation pattern HNP to the special chart variation pattern ASP-F can be determined. Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a miss, special chart change pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 960 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.04), special chart change pattern HSP-D with a probability of 20 / 1000 (1 / 50), special chart change pattern HSP-E with a probability of 15 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 66.7), and special chart change pattern HSP-F with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200). In such cases, special chart change pattern ASP-D to special chart change pattern ASP-F are not determined. Details will be described later using Figure 10(b). If special chart change pattern HNP is determined, the special chart change pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 2 pending counter at the start of the current pattern change. The method of determining the special chart change pattern using this special chart 2 pending counter is also the same in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, described later. On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, special chart change pattern ASP-D will be determined with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2), special chart change pattern ASP-E with a probability of 350 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 2.86), and special chart change pattern ASP-F with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67), and in such cases, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-F will not be determined. In this way, in this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F is determined at a rate of 40 / 1000 (1 / 25), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 960 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.04). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F is determined at a rate of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). In the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, the special symbol variation pattern is determined in principle at the ratio explained using Fig. 10(a), but if the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to the special symbol 2 of the first rotation of the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB is a miss, a special symbol variation pattern for a predetermined time (150000 ms in this embodiment) is determined. This is for executing the time-saving number acquisition effect described later.

[0080] Figure 10(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 during special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and the range of the random numbers used in this lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 10(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in Figure 10(b), the special chart fluctuation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern fluctuation related to special chart 2 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB include special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-E with a fluctuation time of 3000 ms and special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-F with a fluctuation time of 15000 ms. Specifically, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 3 at the start of the current pattern change, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 2 at the start of the current pattern change, or if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-E is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1), and in these cases, the special chart change pattern HNP-F is not determined.On the other hand, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-F is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1), and in these cases, the special chart change pattern HNP-E is not determined. In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-E and special chart variation pattern HNP-F are different from both the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA described above, and the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC described below.

[0081] Figure 11(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a special chart variation pattern lottery table used for the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 11(a), in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, special chart variation pattern HNP to special chart variation pattern ASP-I can be determined. Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in the state of miss, special chart change pattern HNP will be determined with a probability of 950 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.05), special chart change pattern HSP-G with a probability of 25 / 1000 (1 / 40), special chart change pattern HSP-H with a probability of 15 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 66.7), and special chart change pattern HSP-I with a probability of 10 / 1000 (1 / 100), and in such cases, special chart change pattern ASP-G to special chart change pattern ASP-I will not be determined. On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a big hit or a small hit, regardless of the number of spins in that special chart change pattern derivation state PC, special chart change pattern ASP-G will be determined with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2), special chart change pattern ASP-H with a probability of 350 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 2.86), and special chart change pattern ASP-I with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67), and in such cases, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-I will not be determined.

[0082] Figure 11(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in, and the range of the random numbers used in this lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 11(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in Figure 11(b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in include special chart variation pattern HNP-G with a variation time of 2000 ms and special chart variation pattern HNP-H with a variation time of 10000 ms. Specifically, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 3 at the start of the current pattern change, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 2 at the start of the current pattern change, or if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-G is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1), and in these cases, the special chart change pattern HNP-H is not determined.On the other hand, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-H is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1), and in these cases, the special chart change pattern HNP-G is not determined. In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-G and special chart variation pattern HNP-H are different from both the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PB.

[0083] In addition, at the start of the pattern change, the special chart change pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (change start command) including the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment, the determined special chart stop pattern, and the determined special chart change pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0084] The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the earliest pending activation information from the pending activation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to perform a regular map validity judgment to determine whether the regular map is valid or invalid, and determines various parameters related to the regular map (regular map change time, regular map stop display time, etc.) based on the result of the regular map validity judgment and information such as the current special map change pattern derivation state. In determining whether a regular drawing is a hit or miss, there are two states where the regular drawing lottery state is a high probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "regular drawing high probability") and a low probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "regular drawing low probability"). An illustration of the lottery table is omitted, but in this embodiment, in a regular drawing high probability state, the probability of a regular drawing being a hit is 65535 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a miss is 1 / 65536, while in a regular drawing low probability state, the probability of a regular drawing being a hit is 1 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a miss is 65535 / 65536. Note that in a regular drawing low probability state, it may be configured so that the regular drawing does not win (65536 / 65536 is a miss).

[0085] At the start of a jackpot game, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (jackpot start command) including information related to the jackpot game (number of rounds and subsequent special chart variation pattern derivation state) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the round game, generates a presentation control command (end demo command) including the demo time related to the end demo of the jackpot game and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. This is also true for jackpot games caused by small jackpot games.

[0086] In addition, the jackpot game control means 140 starts a small jackpot game if the result of the special symbol hit / miss determination is a small jackpot, and if the game ball passes through the V winning area (not shown) provided in the large winning port 55 during the small jackpot game, the jackpot game corresponding to the small jackpot can be started after the small jackpot game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the small jackpot game functions as a trigger for the jackpot game. Note that if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area during the small jackpot game, the jackpot game does not start after the small jackpot game ends.

[0087] The pattern display control means 145 causes the first special pattern display device 91 to variably display the special pattern 1 in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined special pattern variation pattern of the special pattern 1, and causes the special pattern 1 to be stopped and displayed with the stop pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variation time has elapsed. Similarly, the second special pattern display device 92 causes the special pattern 2 to variably display in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined special pattern variation pattern of the special pattern 2, and causes the special pattern 2 to be stopped and displayed with the stop pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variation time has elapsed. Here, the stop display time (interval) of the pattern change related to the special chart refers to the time from when the special chart is stopped and displayed until the pattern change of the next special chart can start (if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a miss), or the time from when the pattern change of the special chart ends until the big hit game or small hit game starts (if the result of the normal chart hit / miss judgment is a normal hit), and in this embodiment the stop display time of the pattern change related to the special chart is a uniform 300 ms regardless of the type of special chart or the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment. In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special pattern game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special pattern 1 and special pattern 2, and when the special pattern is stopped for display (at the timing when the value of the special pattern game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting the fixed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Here, the term "confirmed stop display of decorative symbols" refers to the final stop display of decorative symbols in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of decorative symbols that may occur during the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of decorative symbols, for example, the stopped decorative symbols are accompanied by a small up and down swaying motion (so-called swaying fluctuation), while in the confirmed stop display of decorative symbols, the stopped decorative symbols are not accompanied by a swaying fluctuation. Even when the same decorative symbols are stopped and displayed, the stop display mode of the confirmed and provisionally displayed decorative symbols is different. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the stopped display of the decorative symbols is a confirmed stop display or a provisional stop display.

[0088] Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal map to be displayed on the normal pattern display device 93 in a variable manner according to a variable time corresponding to the determined normal map variable pattern, and after the variable time has elapsed, causes the normal map to be displayed in a stopped state with the determined stopping pattern. In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a regular symbol game timer for managing the time related to the regular symbol (regular symbol fluctuation time, regular symbol stop display time, etc.).

[0089] In the above-mentioned big win game or small win game, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66, and opens the special electric device 65 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the special chart.

[0090] The game state control means 155 controls the normal symbol lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal symbol low probability at the start of a jackpot game regardless of the stopped symbol of the special symbol related to the jackpot game, and when a specified condition such as the end of the jackpot game is met, sets the normal symbol high probability until the symbol changes a specified number of times related to the normal symbol high probability, and sets the normal symbol low probability when the symbol changes a specified number of times related to the normal symbol high probability are completed. In particular, in this embodiment, during a small jackpot game, the normal symbol lottery state is maintained for the symbol change that caused the small jackpot game.

[0091] Such a regular drawing state changes in conjunction with the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. The transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state will be explained below with reference to Figures 12(a) and 12(b). Figure 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state. As shown in Figure 12(a), in the special chart variation pattern derivation state, there is a special chart variation pattern derivation state PA as a special chart variation pattern derivation state corresponding to a normal chart low probability, and there are a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC as special chart variation pattern derivation states corresponding to a normal chart high probability, and one of these special chart variation pattern derivation states is set except during a jackpot game. And, there are transition conditions (i) to (v) for the transition conditions between the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.

[0092] Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of the jackpot game related to the symbols B to E, transition condition (ii) is the end of the jackpot game related to the symbol A, and transition condition (iii) is the end of the jackpot game related to the symbol a, symbol b, or symbol c. In addition, transition condition (iv) is the end of the pattern change when the number of pattern changes related to special chart 2 executed without a jackpot game has reached the specified number of times related to the high probability of a normal chart in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB (15 times after the end of a jackpot game related to chart B, 20 times after the end of a jackpot game related to chart C, 30 times after the end of a jackpot game related to chart D, and 35 times after the end of a jackpot game related to chart E), and transition condition (v) is the end of the pattern change when the number of pattern changes related to special chart 2 executed without a jackpot game has reached the specified number of times (80 times) related to the high probability of a normal chart in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC. In addition, if a jackpot game occurs in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, the state transitions to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC again after the jackpot game ends, and the number of pattern variations related to special chart 2 that can be executed up to the specified number of times related to the normal chart high probability in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is reset. Also, although not shown, if a jackpot game does not occur in a small jackpot game that occurred in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and if a jackpot game does not occur in a small jackpot game related to transition condition (iii), the end of the small jackpot game triggers the current special chart variation pattern derivation state to end and transition to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA.

[0093] As shown in Figure 12(b), the average fluctuation time of the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PC decreases in the following order: special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PC. This is due to the length of the fluctuation time for the basic special symbol fluctuation pattern that is most likely to be determined in each special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state. Here, the average fluctuation time refers to the sum of the fluctuation times derived by multiplying the occurrence rate (the probability that an arbitrary symbol fluctuation can occur, derived by multiplying the probability of the result of the special symbol success / failure judgment by the probability of the special symbol fluctuation pattern) for each fluctuation time for the special symbol fluctuation pattern that can be selected in a certain special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state. However, in this embodiment, if there is only one special symbol fluctuation pattern that can be selected in the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state, the fluctuation time for that special symbol fluctuation pattern is treated as the average fluctuation time.

[0094] In addition, when a transition occurs between the normal drawing state and the special drawing pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) including the state after the transition, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, the game state control means 155 counts the number of times that a pattern change related to a transition to another special pattern change pattern derivation state is executed in each special pattern change pattern derivation state, and generates a performance control command including the number of times that the pattern change is counted each time a pattern change is started, and stores the command in a transmission command area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Note that the information included in the performance control command may be included in the above-mentioned change start command.

[0095] As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means and data derived by calculations or the like by each means in the corresponding storage areas.

[0096] The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I / O port 104 and determines whether or not an error has occurred in the gaming machine 10. If it is determined that an error has occurred, it stores a performance control command (error command) including information that can identify the occurrence of the error in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0097] When a performance control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the performance control command to the first sub-control board 200. In principle, each performance control command is transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0098] The power restoration process execution means 175 includes a power restoration state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179 .

[0099] The power restoration state setting means 176 executes a power restoration state setting process to set the power restoration state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of power outage immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The power restoration states set by this process include a game stop state and a game ready state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process). Specifically, if there is an abnormality in RAM 103 when power is restored, a game-stopped state is set regardless of the state of RAM clear switch 43 and the state of middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in RAM 103 when power is restored and RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) when power is restored, RAM clear processing is executed and a playable state is set on the condition that middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear processing is not executed and the playable state is set), and if there is no abnormality in RAM 103 when power is restored and RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear processing is not executed and the playable state is set. Here, the game stop state refers to a power restoration state in which the game cannot proceed because no processing is performed in response to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning port (the detection results of the sensors themselves do not need to be looked at). On the other hand, the playable state is a state in which the game can be continued after power is restored by executing a process according to the detection results of the sensors installed in each winning slot. In particular, if the RAM clear process is not executed when power is restored, the game will return to the playable state it was in at the time of the previous power outage. For example, if a big win game or a small win game was being played at the time of the previous power outage, the game will return to the big win game or small win game that was being played, and if a pattern change was being played at the time of the previous power outage, the game will return to the pattern change that was being played.

[0100] In addition, whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM103 is determined by executing a RAM abnormality check (specifically, a process that determines whether or not a backup flag is stored (whether or not the backup flag is ON) in the backup information area related to the target area, and if the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), derives a checksum of the target area and the complement stored in the backup information area related to the area, and if the calculation result is 0, determines that the target area is normal, and otherwise determines that the target area is abnormal) on the area related to the game in RAM103.

[0101] The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to a playable state when the playable state is set. More specifically, in the process of transitioning to a playable state, if the security signal output is ON, a process of turning the security signal output OFF and initial setting of the device are executed. In addition, during the initial setting of the device, processes such as sending a launch permission command to the payout control board 400 to allow the launch of game balls, setting the state in which balls will be valid when they enter each winning slot, and setting data to activate the random number circuit 105 are performed.

[0102] The power cutoff process execution means 180 executes the power cutoff process based on the reception of the power cutoff signal from the power supply control board 500. Specifically, for the area of ​​RAM 103 related to gaming, the checksum of that area is derived, the complement of that checksum is stored in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to gaming, and a backup flag indicating that power-off processing has been performed on that area is turned ON (the backup flag is stored in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to gaming).

[0103] As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generating means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 6. Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. Also, the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored by the sub-command management means 270 in a received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. In the following explanation, the storage of the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 in the received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply referred to as "receiving a performance control command."

[0104] The sub random number generating means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by the CPU 201 through program processing, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

[0105] The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a pre-reading presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

[0106] When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner that is consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The presentation modes in this embodiment are broadly divided into normal mode, challenge mode, and RUSH mode, with normal mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, challenge mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and RUSH mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.

[0107] When receiving a preliminary determination command, the performance route determination means 222 determines (sets) a performance route corresponding to the currently reserved pattern change based on the result of the preliminary determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special symbol change pattern). Note that if the special symbol change pattern corresponding to the pattern change is the above-mentioned special symbol change pattern HNP, the performance route determination means 222 does not determine a performance route when the preliminary determination command is transmitted, and determines a performance route based on the special symbol change pattern included in the change start command at the start of the pattern change (for example, if the special symbol change pattern derivation state PA, special symbol change pattern HNP-A to special symbol change pattern HNP-D). Here, the presentation route is the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern judgment in the pattern change, and the content of the presentation executed in the pattern change will be determined by the presentation content determination means 225 described later in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

[0108] The presentation route in this embodiment is roughly divided into a miss presentation route that notifies that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a miss (the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is neither a big hit nor a small hit), and a big hit presentation route that notifies that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a big hit or a small hit. Furthermore, the miss presentation route includes a non-development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is not executed, and a development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is executed. Note that, as will be described later, if the big hit presentation route is determined, the development presentation is executed. Here, the development effect is an effect that is executed after the decorative symbols reach a reach state (a state in which all decorative symbols except for one symbol row are displayed stationary and the remaining symbol rows are displayed in a variable manner), and at the end of the effect, it is announced whether the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a big hit or a small hit. Therefore, in the development effect corresponding to the development miss effect route, a series of effects corresponding to the development effect is executed, and at the end of the effect, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is neither a big hit nor a small hit. On the other hand, in the development effect corresponding to the big hit effect route, a series of effects corresponding to the development effect is executed, and at the end of the effect, it is announced that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a big hit or a small hit. In particular, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, each determined special chart variation pattern corresponds to a different presentation route. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may be associated with one special chart variation pattern. In this case, one presentation route may be determined from multiple presentation routes corresponding to the determined special chart variation pattern.

[0109] When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the occurrence of a hold winning), it sets performance data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special chart 1 hold counter and the number of hold images corresponding to the special chart 2 hold counter in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81 based on the information of the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter included in the command. The hold images are images that are the subject of a hold pre-reading performance that changes into various forms that suggest the degree of advantage, such as the expectation of a jackpot game occurring.

[0110] When the pre-reading effect control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the so-called pre-reading effect based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command.

[0111] When the variation start command is received, the performance content determination means 225 determines the content of the performance to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the performance route already determined by the performance route determination means 222.

[0112] When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (determined stopped display) combination of decorative patterns (left pattern, center pattern, right pattern) based on the stopped pattern of the determined special pattern. Specifically, in the pattern variation related to the special symbol 1, a pattern alignment related to the 7 symbol is determined for symbol A, and any of the pattern alignments related to decorative symbols other than the 7 symbol is determined for symbols B to E. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if a pattern alignment related to decorative symbols other than the 7 symbol is stopped and displayed, it is not possible to determine the specified number of times related to the high probability of normal symbols in the subsequent challenge mode (special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB) from the pattern alignment that is stopped and displayed. On the other hand, when a pattern alignment related to the 7 symbol is stopped and displayed, the player can determine that the RUSH mode will be set thereafter. In addition, in the pattern variation related to Special Chart 2, either a pattern matching related to the 7 symbol or a pattern matching related to a decorative symbol other than the 7 symbol is determined for pattern a and pattern c, while either a pattern matching related to a decorative symbol other than the 7 symbol is determined for pattern b (a pattern matching related to the 7 symbol is not determined). Therefore, in this embodiment, when a pattern matching related to a decorative symbol other than the 7 symbol is stopped and displayed, it is not possible to accurately determine the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that pattern matching. On the other hand, when a pattern matching related to the 7 symbol is stopped and displayed, the player can determine that the number of rounds of the jackpot game related to that pattern matching is 10.

[0113] When the jackpot start command is received, the jackpot effect control means 227 determines the content of the effects during the jackpot game based on the information included in the command, etc. The effects during the jackpot game include a round effect that notifies that a round game is in progress and an end demo effect that notifies that the jackpot game has ended.

[0114] The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, it generates image control commands based on that performance data and stores those commands in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, it generates audio control commands related to sound based on that performance data and stores those commands in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the power restoration state upon power restoration becomes a playable state following the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for announcing that the playable state has been achieved following the execution of a RAM clear process, and if the power restoration state upon power restoration becomes a playable state without the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for announcing that the playable state has been achieved without the execution of a RAM clear process. Furthermore, if the power restoration state upon power restoration becomes a game-stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for announcing that the game has been stopped and that it is now necessary to execute a RAM clear process. Details of these notifications are omitted, but it is preferable that they continue to be executed for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) after execution begins, and the presentation device that executes the notification does not matter.

[0115] When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern and reads out performance data for executing an error notification in accordance with the error notification pattern. The error notification is executed with priority over the variable effect (the effect executed in the pattern variation). Here, the execution of the error notification with priority is not limited to the case where the device involved in the execution of the error notification and the device involved in the execution of the variable effect are the same device, and only the error notification is executed in the device (the execution of the variable effect is restricted by the execution of the error notification), but also includes the case where the error notification is executed in the device in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variable effect. In addition, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether an error has occurred in the gaming machine 10, and if it determines that an error has occurred, read out performance data that executes an error notification.

[0116] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, if the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a lamp, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the performance data and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be executed.

[0117] If the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a movable role, the movable role control means 245 reads movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22 from ROM 202 based on the performance data, transmits the read movement control data to the movable decorative body 22, and controls the movement of the movable decorative body 22.

[0118] As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in corresponding storage areas.

[0119] The sub-command management means 270 receives performance control commands transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received performance commands in a received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, if an audio control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the audio control board 310. Note that these commands are transmitted in the order in which they were stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260, as a general rule.

[0120] As explained above, in the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, if a jackpot game occurs in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB can be set after the jackpot game ends. If a jackpot game occurs in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB after that, the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, which is more advantageous than the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, is set after the jackpot game ends. There are four game states for the specified number of times related to the high probability of a normal symbol in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB: 15 times, 20 times, 30 times, and 35 times. The likelihood of a jackpot game occurring in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB increases in this order. Therefore, players pay attention to the number of times related to the high probability of a normal symbol in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB. In response to this type of playability, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to execute a time-saving number acquisition effect that can identify the specified number of times related to the high probability of normal symbols in the current (current) special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB. In particular, the time-saving number acquisition effect according to this embodiment uses an image displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and a display method including a method for ending the display of the image is devised. Details of the time-saving number acquisition effect will be explained below.

[0121] <About the display content of the time-saving number acquisition effect> First, details of the display content in the time-saving number acquisition effect according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the execution period of the time-saving number acquisition effect. FIG. 14(a) is a diagram showing a display example of the introductory part of the time-saving number acquisition effect, and FIG. 14(b) is a diagram showing a display example of the number notification image. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of the winning part of the time-saving number winning effect.

[0122] As shown in Figure 13, the time-saving number acquisition effect according to this embodiment is executed from the start of the end demo during the jackpot game (the period from the end of the round game during the jackpot game to the end of the jackpot game) to the end of the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 of the first spin after the jackpot game ends. The time-saving number acquisition effect is divided into an introduction part, an acquisition part, and an end part. The acquisition part and the end part are executed regardless of the result of the special chart success / failure judgment in the pattern change related to the special chart 2, and continue for the change time (150,000 ms) related to the special chart change pattern of the first spin in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB. In addition, when the pattern change related to Special Chart 1 is executed for the first time after the end of a jackpot game, the introduction part continues until the end of the pattern change.

[0123] As shown in Figure 14(a), in the introductory part executed in the ending demo that starts after the round of play ends, a first line L1 is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, and a fifth line L5 is displayed in the first display area da1 inside the first line L1. Furthermore, in a fifth display area da5 inside the fifth line L5, a count notification image hg is configured to be visible.

[0124] Here, the number of times notification image hg is an image that can identify the prescribed number of times related to the high probability of the normal pattern in the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, as shown in FIG. 14(b). More specifically, the number notification image hg is composed of a first notification image hg1 corresponding to the numerical portion (the "●●" portion shown in Figure 14(b), which contains the numerical value of the expected number of times related to the normal high probability), and a second notification image hg2 corresponding to the character portion "times." 14(a), the second annunciation image hg2 can be viewed in the fifth display area da5. On the other hand, the first annunciation image hg1 can be viewed in the second display area da2 and the fourth display area da4, which will be described later.

[0125] Returning to Figure 14(a), in the introductory part, an introductory image dg consisting of the words "Hit to the right to earn time-saving numbers!" is displayed in the display area of ​​the main display unit 81 other than the first display area da1. The introduction image dg is not displayed in the acquisition part, which will be described later. Therefore, it can be said that this image is an image that can identify the introduction part.

[0126] Next, as shown from the first scene (the scene at the top left) to the scene before the last in Figure 15, in the acquisition part, the second line L2 can be displayed in the first display area da1 with the fifth line L5 displayed (the fifth display area da5 is maintained), and the first notification image hg1 becomes visible in the second display area da2 inside the second line L2. Furthermore, in the acquisition part, the area of ​​the second display area da2 may change (the conditions for changing the area will be described later), and the change in area is realized by changing the number of second display areas da2 within the first display area da1. In the example shown in Fig. 15, only an example in which the area of ​​the second display area da2 is enlarged is described, but in this embodiment, the area may be reduced (details will be described later).

[0127] Furthermore, in the acquisition part, when the area of ​​the second display area da2 changes, the area of ​​the first annunciation image hg1 visible from that display area also changes, so in that case, it can be said that the display mode of the first annunciation image hg1 changes. In particular, it can be said that this change is a gradual change. Furthermore, in the time-saving number acquisition effect according to this embodiment, the area of ​​the first display area da1 and the area of ​​the fifth display area da5 do not change, but the color of the second annunciation image hg2 visible in the fifth display area da5 changes according to the area of ​​the first annunciation image hg1 visible in the second display area da2. Specifically, the second annunciation image hg2 is entirely white when the number of items in the second display area da2 is 0, but approaches black (becoming gray and becoming darker gray) as the number increases, and turns black when the number reaches a maximum of 10 (both not shown).

[0128] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the fifth line L5 is displayed, the second line L2 is not displayed (the second display area da2 does not exist), but at that time, the second line L2 may be displayed (the second display area da2 may exist), such as in the state of the second scene from the top left of Figure 15.

[0129] 15, at the end of the acquisition part, the third line L3 replaces the first line L1 (first display area da1), the fourth line L4 replaces the second line L2, and the count notification image hg (particularly the first notification image hg1) becomes visible in the fourth display area da4 inside the fourth line L4. At this time, the fifth line L5 (fifth display area da5) remains unchanged. The fourth line L4 is displayed in a third display area da3 inside the third line L3.

[0130] In this way, in the time-saving count acquisition effect in this embodiment, the first line L1 is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81, the second line L2 is displayed in the first display area da1 inside the first line L1, and the count notification image hg (particularly the first notification image hg1) is configured to be visible in the second display area da2 inside the second line L2. Furthermore, the area of ​​the second display area da2 is configured to be changeable, and when the area changes, the first display area da1 does not change. This provides a new image display effect that changes the area of ​​the second display area da2 in which the number of times notification image hg is visible, and also makes it easier to recognize the change in area. Note that, to achieve this effect, the method of changing the area of ​​the second display area da2 is not limited to the method according to this embodiment, i.e., changing the number of second display areas da2 in the first display area da1, but may also be changing the area of ​​the second display area da2 already present in the first display area da1, or a combination of these. In particular, when changing the area of ​​the second display area da2 by changing the number of second display areas da2 in the first display area da1, it is permissible for some or all of the multiple second display areas da2 (second lines L2) to have shapes different from the other second display areas da2. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image visible on the second line L2 is an image (first notification image hg1) that can identify the specified number of times related to the high probability of normal symbol occurrence in the current special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB, but the content of the image visible in the second display area da2 is not important. However, as in this embodiment, it is preferable that the image be an image that can identify the current game state (related to the player's advantage). The same applies to the second notification image hg2 that can be visible in the fifth display area da5. Furthermore, the conditions for changing the area of ​​the second display area da2 are not limited to the conditions according to this embodiment (details will be described later), and various conditions may be adopted.

[0131] In this embodiment, each display area (first display area da1 to fifth display area da5) is preferably an area enclosed by a corresponding line (first line L1 to fifth line L5). However, each display area may have a portion of the line surrounding the display area open, as long as the display area can be defined.

[0132] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first line L1 is a line that is actually displayed, but this is not limiting. That is, as long as the first display area da1 exists within the display area of ​​the main display unit 81, the first line L1 does not have to be a line that is actually displayed, such as the outer edge of the first display area da1. The same applies to the second line L2, third line L3, fourth line L4, and fifth line L5 described above. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lines (first line L1 to fifth line L5) do not overlap one another, but a part of one of these lines may overlap a part of another line.

[0133] From the above, in the gaming machine 10, it is possible to display a first image (first notification image hg1) within the display area of ​​the image display unit (main display unit 81), it is possible to have a first display area (first display area da1) within the display area of ​​the image display unit, it is possible to have a second boundary (second line L2) inside the first boundary (first line L1) which is the outer edge of the first display area, it is possible to have the first image visible in the second display area (second display area da2) which is inside the second boundary, and when certain conditions are met, it is possible to change the area of ​​the second display area without changing the area of ​​the first display area. In addition, the change in area of ​​the first display area is not limited to an expansion or contraction of the area, but also includes an expansion of the area (without a contraction of the area, a so-called monotonic increase) and a contraction of the area (without an expansion of the area, a so-called monotonic decrease). Furthermore, the location where the area change of the first display region occurs, more specifically, the position of the increased portion when the area of ​​the first display region increases, or the position of the decreased portion when the area of ​​the first display region decreases, does not need to be a predetermined position relative to the current area of ​​the first display region as in this embodiment, and these positions may not have any regularity. Furthermore, the amount of change in the area of ​​the first display region per time, more specifically, the amount of increase in the area of ​​the first display region per time, or the amount of decrease in the area of ​​the first display region per time, does not need to be a predetermined amount as in this embodiment described below, and the amount of increase or decrease may not have any regularity.

[0134] Furthermore, the above-mentioned phrase "the first image is viewable in the second display area" preferably means that the first image is viewable only in the second display area, but is not limited to this and also includes that a part of the first image is viewable in a display area outside the second specific area (second boundary). This also applies to a fourth display area and a predetermined display area, which will be described later.

[0135] In particular, in this embodiment, the area of ​​the second display area da2 is changed by changing the number of second display areas da2 within the first display area da1. This makes it easier to recognize the change in the area of ​​the second display area da2.

[0136] Therefore, in other words, when the above-mentioned specific conditions are met in the gaming machine 10, the number of second display areas (second display areas da2) in the first display area (first display area da1) changes, and the area of ​​the second display area can change.

[0137] In this embodiment, a fifth line L5 having a different shape from the second line L2 is displayed in the first display area da1. This makes it possible to make the second display area da2 more easily recognizable. When there are multiple types of shapes of the second lines L2, it is preferable that the fifth lines L5 have a shape different from any of the multiple types of shapes of the second lines L2.

[0138] Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the first display area (first display area da1) can have a predetermined boundary (fifth line L5) whose shape is different from that of the second boundary (second line L2).

[0139] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the area of ​​the second display area da2 changes, the area of ​​the fifth display area da5 inside the fifth line L5 does not change. This makes it easier to recognize the change in the area of ​​the second display area da2.

[0140] Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, when the above-mentioned specific condition is satisfied and the area of ​​the second display area (second display area da2) changes, the area of ​​the specified display area (fifth display area da5) inside the specified boundary (fifth line L5) does not change.

[0141] In this embodiment, the fifth line L5 is displayed at the time when the first line L1 appears (see FIG. 14(a)). This can enhance the effect of making the second display area da2 easier to recognize.

[0142] Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the predetermined boundary (fifth line L5) exists at the time when the first boundary (first line L1) appears.

[0143] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the number of times notification image hg (particularly, the second notification image hg2) is visible in the fifth display area da5 inside the fifth line L5. This can increase the attention given to the count notification image hg.

[0144] Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the second image (second annunciation image hg2) is visible in a predetermined display area that is inside the predetermined boundary (fifth line L5).

[0145] Also, as described above, in this embodiment, at the end of the acquisition part, the third line L3 is displayed in place of the first line L1 (first display area da1), and the fourth line L4 is displayed in place of the second line L2, and the number notification image hg (particularly, the first notification image hg1) becomes visible in the fourth display area da4 inside the fourth line L4. This makes it easier to recognize that the change in the area of ​​the second display area da2 has ended. In order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the display of the first line L1 (first display area da1) and the second line L2 (second display area da2) be terminated, but these displays may not be terminated and may be displayed in parallel with the third line L3 (third display area da3) and the fourth line L4 (fourth display area da4). Furthermore, the image that is visible in the fourth display area da4 does not have to be the number of times notification image hg, and may be an image different from the number of times notification image hg.

[0146] Therefore, in other words, when the termination condition is satisfied in the gaming machine 10, a third display area (third display area da3) may be present within the display area related to the image display unit (main display unit 81), a fourth boundary (fourth line L4) may be present inside the third boundary (third line L3) which is the outer edge of the third display area, and an image which is the same as or different from the first image (first alarm image hg1) may be visible in the fourth display area (fourth display area da4) which is inside the fourth boundary.

[0147] <About the time-saving number acquisition effect execution process> Next, details of the time-saving number acquisition effect execution process that controls the execution of the time-saving number acquisition effect will be described with reference to Figs. 16 and 17 . Figure 16 is a diagram showing the flow of the process for executing the time-saving number acquisition effect, and this process is executed when an end demo command is received for a jackpot game (particularly a jackpot game related to patterns B to E) that has occurred in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA. FIG. 17(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table used for the variation pattern lottery relating to the second display area, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0-999. FIG. 17(b) is a diagram showing a display example when the area of ​​the second display region is reduced.

[0148] 16, in step S202, which is the first step in the time-saving number acquisition effect execution process, effect data relating to the introduction part is set. As a result, the introduction part of the time-saving number acquisition effect is executed. In step S204, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the second starting hole 59, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S206, and if the condition is not met (including the case where a game ball has entered a winning hole other than the second starting hole 59, such as the first starting hole 57), the process proceeds to step S212.

[0149] In step S206, a change pattern lottery relating to the second display area is performed to determine the area change pattern of the second display area da2. Specifically, as shown in Figure 17(a), in the change pattern lottery for the second display area, the change pattern for expanding the second display area is determined with a probability of 400 / 1000 (1 / 2.5), the change pattern for reducing the second display area is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the lottery result is not won with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2).

[0150] In step S208, it is determined whether or not the change pattern lottery for the second display area has been won, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S210, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S212.

[0151] In step S210, effect data relating to the change pattern that is selected in the change pattern lottery relating to the second display area is set. Specifically, when a change pattern for expanding the second display area is determined in the change pattern lottery for the second display area, the area of ​​the second display area da2 expands, as shown in the flow from the second scene to the third scene from the top left of Figure 15. On the other hand, when a change pattern for reducing the second display area is determined in the change pattern lottery for the second display area, the area of ​​the second display area da2 is reduced as shown in FIG. 17(b).

[0152] In step S212, it is determined whether or not the termination condition is met. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S214, and if the condition is not met, the process returns to step S204. Here, the termination condition for step S212 is satisfied when either the area of ​​the second display area da2 reaches a specific size (in this embodiment, a size large enough to see the entire first notification image hg1 (the numerical portion of the number of times notification image hg), as shown in the scene just before the last scene in Figure 15), or a specified time (60,000 ms in this embodiment) has elapsed.

[0153] In step S214, the performance data for the final display (the last scene of Figure 15) is set (this causes the display area for the main display unit 81 to be in the state shown in the last scene of Figure 15), and the time-saving number acquisition performance execution process is terminated. In this embodiment, when the elapsed time from the start of the time-saving number acquisition effect reaches 90,000 ms, the acquisition part ends and the time-saving number acquisition effect end process (details will be described later) that ends the display of the image related to the final display is started. Therefore, in this embodiment, the final display is displayed for a minimum of 30,000 ms.

[0154] In this way, in the time-saving number acquisition effect according to this embodiment, the area of ​​the second display area da2 changes in part when a winning game ball occurs. This can encourage game progress (launch of game balls) during the time-saving number acquisition effect. In order to achieve this effect, the type of winning slot (winning) that can trigger a change in the area of ​​the second display area da2 does not matter. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the event that "the area of ​​the second display area da2 may change in some cases when a game ball enters" is realized by narrowing down the winning slots that trigger a change in the area of ​​the second display area da2 and by using a lottery for change patterns related to the second display area, but the event may also be realized by using any one of these factors, or, for example, the event may be realized by changing the area of ​​the second display area da2 based on the number of times that game balls enter the target winning slot (which may be the total number of winning balls) reaching a threshold value.

[0155] Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the specific condition is satisfied in part when a win occurs.

[0156] Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with, in addition to the second start hole 59, a first start hole 57 and a gate 63, which are provided at positions different from the second start hole 59, but the winning hole that can trigger a change in the area of ​​the second display area da2 is the second start hole 59. As described above, each winning hole is equipped with a detection sensor that detects game balls. According to this, in the time-saving number acquisition performance, it is recommended to shoot the game ball toward the second starting hole 59. In order to achieve this effect, the type of detection sensor that can trigger a change in the area of ​​the second display area da2 does not matter as long as there is a detection sensor that does not trigger a change in the area of ​​the second display area da2. Furthermore, the number of game balls that are awarded when a detection sensor that can trigger a change in the area of ​​the second display area da2 detects game balls does not matter, and game balls do not even have to be awarded as a result of the detection. This also applies to subsequent inventions.

[0157] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, gaming balls can be shot out, and there are detection sensors for detecting the gaming balls, namely, a first detection sensor (a detection sensor attached to the second starting opening 59) and a second detection sensor (a detection sensor attached to the first starting opening 57 or gate 63) that is installed in a different location from the first detection sensor, and in other words, the above-mentioned specific condition is not satisfied when the gaming ball is detected by the first detection sensor, but is satisfied partially when the gaming ball is detected by the second detection sensor.

[0158] In particular, in this embodiment, the launch (launch) direction of the game ball is the first flow path X and the second flow path Y. Furthermore, as described above, in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, it is recommended to launch the game ball toward the first flow path X, and in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB where the time-saving number acquisition performance is performed, it is recommended to launch the game ball toward the second flow path Y. In this embodiment, the winning port that can trigger a change in the area of ​​the second display area da2 in the time-saving number acquisition presentation is the second starting port 59 provided in the direction of the second flow path Y, and the first starting port 57 provided in the direction of the first flow path X does not trigger a change in the area of ​​the second display area da2. This makes it easier to launch the game ball in the recommended launch direction during the time-saving number acquisition effect.

[0159] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, there are a first launch direction (first flow path X) and a second launch direction (second flow path Y) for the gaming ball's launch direction, and there are a predetermined gaming state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA) in which it is recommended to launch the gaming ball in the first launch direction, and a specific gaming state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PB) in which it is recommended to launch the gaming ball in the second launch direction; in other words, in the specific gaming state, a first display area (first display area da1) may exist, the first detection sensor (detection sensor attached to the first starting port 57) is located in the first launch direction, and the second detection sensor (detection sensor attached to the second starting port 59) is located in the second launch direction. In addition, as long as the recommended launch direction is different between the predetermined gaming state and the specific gaming state, the magnitude relationship of the advantageous degrees relating to these gaming states is not limited to that of this embodiment. Furthermore, as long as the first display area exists in the specific gaming state, the case where the first display area exists in another gaming state is permitted.

[0160] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first display area da1 is configured to be displayed from the end demo of the jackpot game immediately before transitioning to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, but the display of the first display area da1 may start before the jackpot game occurs, that is, from the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, so that the first display area da1 may be displayed across the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB. According to this, when transitioning from the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, the game ball can be launched smoothly in the recommended launch direction. In order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary to go through a jackpot game when transitioning from the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB.

[0161] Therefore, in other words, when the gaming machine 10 transitions from a predetermined gaming state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA) to a specific gaming state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PB), a first display area (first display area da1) may exist spanning from the predetermined gaming state to the specific gaming state. <About the end of time-saving number acquisition effect processing> Next, details of the time-saving number acquisition effect end process that controls the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect will be described using Figures 18 and 19. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the flow of the process for ending the effect of acquiring the number of time-saving times. As described above, this process is executed at the timing when the final display of the acquisition part ends. 19(a) and 19(b) are diagrams showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table used for lottery of an ending pattern relating to the time-saving number acquisition effect ending process, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999.

[0162] As shown in Figure 18, in step S302, which is the first step in the process of ending the time-saving number acquisition effect, it is determined whether the specified number of times for the current (current) normal high probability is 20 or less (the specified number of times for the current normal high probability is 15 or 20), and if the condition is met, it proceeds to step S304, and if the condition is not met (the specified number of times for the current normal high probability is 30 or 35), it proceeds to step S306.

[0163] In step S304, the lottery table TA is used to draw a lottery for an ending pattern. Specifically, as shown in Figure 19(a), the lottery refers to the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment for this (first) pattern change (the same applies to lotteries using lottery table TB, which will be described later), and if the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in the lottery is a big hit or a small hit, ending pattern P1 is determined with a probability of 300 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 3.33), ending pattern P2 with a probability of 400 / 1000 (1 / 2.5), and ending pattern P3 with a probability of 300 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 3.33). On the other hand, if the result of the special pattern change judgment in this lottery is a miss, ending pattern P1 will be determined with a probability of 200 / 1000 (1 / 2), ending pattern P2 with a probability of 200 / 1000 (1 / 2), and ending pattern P3 with a probability of 600 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.67). Details regarding the process by which the time-saving number acquisition effect for each ending pattern ends will be described later.

[0164] In step S306, the lottery table TB is used to draw a lottery for an ending pattern. Specifically, as shown in Figure 19(b), if the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment for this pattern change in the lottery is a big hit or a small hit, ending pattern P1 will be determined with a probability of 700 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.43), ending pattern P3 will be determined with a probability of 300 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 3.33), and ending pattern P2 will not be determined in the lottery. On the other hand, if the result of the special pattern judgment for this pattern change in the lottery is a miss, ending pattern P1 will be determined with a probability of 400 / 1000 (1 / 2.5), ending pattern P3 will be determined with a probability of 600 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.67), and ending pattern P2 will not be determined in the lottery.

[0165] 18, in step S308, the effect data relating to the winning end pattern is set, and then the time-saving number acquisition effect is ended. As a result, the time-saving number acquisition effect (final display of the acquisition part) according to the winning end pattern is ended.

[0166] In this way, in this embodiment, the result of the current special chart success / failure judgment is referenced when determining the ending pattern for the time-saving number acquisition performance (final display of the acquisition part). More specifically, if the specified number of times for the current normal high probability is 20 or less (the specified number of times for the current normal high probability is 15 or 20), the expectation that a jackpot game will occur with the current pattern change is high in the order of end pattern P3, end pattern P1, and end pattern P2. Furthermore, if the specified number of times for this high probability of normal play is more than 20 (the specified number of times for this high probability of normal play is 30 or 35), the likelihood of a jackpot game occurring with this pattern change is higher in the order of end pattern P3 and end pattern P1, and in this case end pattern P2 is not determined.

[0167] <Regarding the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P1> Next, the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the end pattern P1, that is, the flow of the end of the final display of the acquisition part, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 20 is a diagram specifically showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P1 ending. 21 to 23 are timing charts showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P1 ending.

[0168] As shown in Fig. 20, at the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P1 (end part), the first annunciation image hg1 and the second annunciation image hg2 that were displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81 in the final display of the acquisition part (see the last scene in Fig. 15) are simultaneously hidden, and the first caption image tg1 containing the word "chance" begins to be displayed. When the current pattern change ends thereafter, the first caption image tg1 is hidden, and a combination of decorative symbols corresponding to the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment of the pattern change is displayed (in this example, the combination of "2 symbols-4 symbols-6 symbols" corresponding to a miss, and the symbols will be aligned if a big hit or small hit is derived in the pattern change).

[0169] Furthermore, as shown in the timing charts in Figs. 21 to 23, the flow in which the time-saving number acquisition effect relating to the ending pattern P1 ends varies depending on the specified number of times relating to the current normal high probability. Specifically, if the specified number of times for the current high probability of winning the normal drawing is 20 or less (the specified number of times for the current high probability of winning the normal drawing is 15 or 20), as shown in Figure 21, at the time when the winning part ends (the time when the elapsed time since the start of the time-saving number winning performance reaches 90,000 ms), the first notification image hg1 and the second notification image hg2 will be hidden and the display of the first caption image tg1 will begin.

[0170] On the other hand, if the specified number of times for the current high probability of winning the normal drawing is more than 20 (if the specified number of times for the current high probability of winning the normal drawing is 30 or 35), as shown in Figures 22 and 23, the first alarm image hg1 and the second alarm image hg2 will be hidden at a time (timing t1, timing t2) after the timing when the winning part ends, and the display of the first caption image tg1 will start after that time. In particular, in this embodiment, when the specified number of times for the current normal high probability is more than 20, there are two cases where the display of the first caption image tg1 starts at the timing (timing t1) when the first annunciation image hg1 and the second annunciation image hg2 are no longer displayed (see FIG. 22), and there are also cases where the display of the first caption image tg1 starts at a timing (timing t2) after the timing (timing t1) when the first annunciation image hg1 and the second annunciation image hg2 are no longer displayed (see FIG. 23). Note that in this embodiment, which of these patterns occurs is determined by equal lottery (each with a 1 / 2 probability of winning), but the method of determination is not important as long as these patterns exist. Furthermore, if the specified number of times for this normal high probability is greater than 20, regardless of when the display of the first caption image tg1 begins, i.e., regardless of whether the display of the first caption image tg1 begins at time t1 or time t2, a support image is displayed between the time when the winning part ends and the time when the display of the first caption image tg1 begins. Although the illustration of the support image is omitted, this image is a caption image containing the text "This symbol variation is..." and is displayed in a display area (a display area different from both the display area for the first annunciation image hg1 (second display area da2) and the display area for the second annunciation image hg2 (fifth display area da5)) that overlaps with the display area in which the subsequently displayed first caption image tg1 is displayed. Furthermore, the support image is an image that is not displayed in either the end part for the end pattern P2 or the end part for the end pattern P3, which will be described later.

[0171] <Regarding the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P2> Next, the details of the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the end pattern P2 will be described with reference to FIG. 24 and FIG. FIG. 24 is a diagram specifically showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P2 ending. FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P2 ending.

[0172] As shown in Figure 24, at the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect for end pattern P2 (end part), of the first and second notification images hg1 and hg2 that were displayed in the display area for main display unit 81 in the final display for the acquisition part, the second notification image hg2 is hidden, and the second caption image (the second caption image tg21 containing the text "Hot!!" or the second caption image tg22 containing the text "Super Hot!!") begins to be displayed, after which the first notification image hg1 is hidden. Furthermore, when this pattern change ends, the second caption image is hidden, and a combination of decorative patterns corresponding to the result of the special pattern judgment for that pattern change is displayed. More specifically, as shown in the timing chart of Figure 25, when the time-saving number acquisition effect related to the end pattern P2 ends, the display of the second notification image hg2 ends and the display of the second caption image begins at the timing when the acquisition part ends, and the display of the first notification image hg1 ends at a timing later than that timing (timing t3).

[0173] As mentioned above, there are two types of display modes for the second caption image: second caption image tg21 and second caption image tg22, and which display mode is adopted is determined by whether or not the area of ​​the first notification image hg1 (the area of ​​the visible part) has expanded from the start of the acquisition part at the end of the acquisition part. Specifically, if the area of ​​the first annunciation image hg1 has expanded at the end of the winning part compared to the start of the winning part (if the display mode of the first annunciation image hg1 has changed at the end of the winning part compared to the start of the winning part), the second telop image tg21 is used as the second telop image, and if the area of ​​the first annunciation image hg1 has not expanded at the end of the winning part compared to the start of the winning part (if the display mode of the first annunciation image hg1 has not changed at the end of the winning part compared to the start of the winning part), the second telop image tg22 is used as the second telop image. Therefore, if the area of ​​the first annunciation image hg1 expands during the winning part and then shrinks to return to the area it had at the start of the winning part by the end of the winning part, the second telop image tg22 is used as the second telop image. Furthermore, such a change in the display mode of the telop image is not adopted for the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P1. In other words, in this embodiment, when the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P1 ends, the display mode of the first telop image tg1 is the same in two cases: when the area of ​​the first annunciation image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has not changed compared to the start of the acquisition part (when the display mode of the first annunciation image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has not changed compared to the start of the acquisition part), and when the area of ​​the first annunciation image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has changed compared to the start of the acquisition part (when the display mode of the first annunciation image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has changed compared to the start of the acquisition part). The same applies to the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P3. Unlike this embodiment, at the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect related to the end pattern P2, the display mode of the first caption image tg1 may be the same in both cases where the display mode of the first notification image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has not changed compared to the start of the acquisition part and where the display mode of the first notification image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has changed compared to the start of the acquisition part.

[0174] <Regarding the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P3> Next, the details of the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect relating to the end pattern P3 will be described with reference to FIG. 26 and FIG. FIG. 26 is a diagram specifically showing the flow of the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P3 ending. FIG. 27 is a timing chart showing the flow of the process of ending the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the ending pattern P3.

[0175] 26, at the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect related to the end pattern P3 (end part), of the first annunciation image hg1 and the second annunciation image hg2 that were displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81 in the final display related to the acquisition part, the first annunciation image hg1 becomes hidden, and then the second annunciation image hg2 becomes hidden, and the display of the third telop image tg3 including the words "Challenge mode entered" begins. Furthermore, when the current pattern change ends, the third telop image tg3 becomes hidden, and a combination of decorative patterns corresponding to the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment of the pattern change is displayed. More specifically, as shown in the timing chart in Figure 27, when the time-saving number acquisition effect related to the end pattern P3 ends, the display of the first notification image hg1 ends at the timing when the acquisition part ends, and at a timing later than that timing (timing t4), the display of the second notification image hg2 ends and the display of the third caption image tg3 begins. The third caption image tg3 is a display that allows the current special chart variation pattern derivation state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PB) to be identified, but the third caption image tg3 is not displayed at the end of either the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P1 or the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P2.

[0176] <Invention relating to the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect> As explained above, in this embodiment, there are three end patterns for the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect: end pattern P1, end pattern P2, and end pattern P3. The details of these end patterns are as described above. Below, the details of the inventions realized by these end patterns will be listed.

[0177] First, in the time-saving number acquisition effect in this embodiment, in a gaming state where the specified number of times for normal high probability is 20 or less (the specified number of times for normal high probability is 15 or 20), a first notification image hg1 whose display mode can change can be displayed. Then, when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends in this gaming state, if end pattern P1 is determined, the display of the first notification image hg1 ends and the display of the first telop image tg1 begins at the end timing of the acquisition part related to the time-saving number acquisition effect (the start timing of the end part). On the other hand, when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends in this gaming state, if end pattern P2 is determined, the display of the first notification image hg1 continues and the display of the second telop image begins at the end timing of the acquisition part related to the time-saving number acquisition effect. Furthermore, in this gaming state, when the end pattern P2 is determined, the expectation of a big win game occurring is higher than when the end pattern P1 is determined. This makes it easier to sense a connection between the image displays (first notification image hg1, second caption image) when there is a relatively high expectation of a jackpot game occurring, thereby improving the presentation of the image displays in such cases. To achieve this effect, the first telop image tg1 and the second telop image may be the same image, as in this embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a jackpot game may occur when the end pattern P1 is determined, but it may also be configured such that a jackpot game does not occur in this case (a loss is confirmed).

[0178] Therefore, the gaming machine 10 has a first gaming state (a gaming state in which the prescribed number of times related to the normal high probability is 20 or less), has a first image (first notification image hg1) whose display mode can be changed, and the first image can be displayed at least in the first gaming state. When a first condition (determination of the end pattern P1 at the end of the winning part) is satisfied during the display of the first image in the first gaming state, the display of the first image ends, and the display of a first predetermined image (first telop image tg1) starts. When the second condition is satisfied in the first gaming state (determination of end pattern P2 at the end), the display of the first image continues, and a second predetermined image (second caption image) that is the same as or different from the first predetermined image begins to be displayed, and with regard to the awarding of a bonus (jackpot game), when the second condition is satisfied in the first gaming state, there is a higher expectation that a bonus will be awarded than when the first condition is satisfied in the first gaming state, or in other words, a bonus can be awarded when the second condition is satisfied in the first gaming state, and no bonus will be awarded when the first condition is satisfied in the first gaming state.

[0179] Furthermore, in the time-saving number acquisition effect in this embodiment, in a gaming state where the specified number of times for normal high probability is 20 or less, a second notification image hg2 whose display mode can change can be displayed. Then, when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends in this gaming state, if end pattern P1 is determined, the display of the second notification image hg2 ends at the timing of the acquisition part related to the time-saving number acquisition effect. Similarly, when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends in this gaming state, if end pattern P2 is determined, the display of the second notification image hg2 ends at the timing of the acquisition part related to the time-saving number acquisition effect. This provides the effect of creating a sense of continuity in the image display described above, while also making it easier for the player to recognize the end of the acquired part.

[0180] Therefore, in other words, the gaming machine 10 has a second image (second notification image hg2) whose display mode can change, and the second image can be displayed at least in the first gaming state (a gaming state in which the specified number of times for a normal high probability is 20 or less), and when a first condition (determination of the ending pattern P1 at the end of the winning part) is satisfied while the first image (first notification image hg1) and the second image are displayed in the first gaming state, the display of both the first image and the second image ends and the display of a first predetermined image (first caption image tg1) begins, and when a second condition (determination of the ending pattern P2 at the end of the winning part) is satisfied while the first image and the second image are displayed in the first gaming state, the display of the first image continues, the display of the second image ends, and the display of a second predetermined image (second caption image) begins.

[0181] In particular, the game state in which the first image can be displayed is not limited to the first game state. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display form of the first image can change, but the display form may not change. The same applies to the second image. The first predetermined image may be a part of the image that starts to be displayed when the first condition is satisfied, and the second predetermined image may be a part of the image that starts to be displayed when the second condition is satisfied. Furthermore, when the second condition is satisfied, the advantage of the bonus itself to be awarded may be increased compared to when the first condition is satisfied, or the advantage of the gaming state after the bonus ends may be increased. In other words, it is sufficient that the advantage of the bonus is increased when the second condition is satisfied compared to when the first condition is satisfied.

[0182] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, a first image can be displayed, and when a first condition is satisfied while the first image is being displayed, the display of the first image can be terminated and a first predetermined image can be started; when a second condition is satisfied while the first image is being displayed, the display of the first image can be continued and a second predetermined image that is the same as or different from the first predetermined image can be started; in other words, when the second condition is satisfied, the advantage regarding the bonus is higher than when the first condition is satisfied, or when the second condition is satisfied, a bonus can be granted, and when the first condition is satisfied, no bonus can be granted.

[0183] Furthermore, in other words, the gaming machine 10 is capable of displaying a second image, and when a first condition is satisfied while the first image and the second image are being displayed, the display of both the first image and the second image can be terminated and the display of a first predetermined image can be started, and when a second condition is satisfied while the first image and the second image are being displayed, the display of the first image can continue, the display of the second image can be terminated and the display of a second predetermined image can be started.

[0184] Furthermore, although different from this embodiment, in the above-described invention, it is possible that the first condition can be satisfied after the second condition is satisfied (in a situation where the second condition is satisfied), and with regard to the benefit, when the second condition is satisfied and then the first condition is satisfied, the advantage related to the benefit will be lower than when the second condition is satisfied and then the first condition is not satisfied, or when the second condition is satisfied and then the first condition is satisfied, no benefit will be granted, and when the second condition is satisfied and then the first condition is not satisfied, a benefit may be granted. This allows attention to be drawn to whether the first condition is satisfied after the second condition is satisfied.

[0185] In addition, the second condition may be configured not to be satisfied after the first condition is satisfied. This allows the user to focus on the situation in which the first condition is satisfied without being distracted by whether or not the second condition is satisfied after the first condition is satisfied, and further increases the level of attention paid to whether or not the first condition is satisfied after the second condition is satisfied.

[0186] Furthermore, in the time-saving number acquisition effect in this embodiment, if end pattern P3 is determined when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends, the third caption image tg3 begins to be displayed when the display of the second notification image hg2 ends, but in either case where end pattern P1 is determined when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends, or where end pattern P2 is determined when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends, the third caption image tg3 is not displayed. This makes it easier for the player to recognize that the ending pattern P1 or the ending pattern P2 has been determined when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends. In order to achieve this effect, in some cases where the end pattern P3 is determined at the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect, the third caption image tg3 does not have to be displayed when the display of the second notification image hg2 ends. Furthermore, as long as the above-mentioned execution conditions are met, the content of the third telop image tg3 does not matter.

[0187] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when the display of the second image (second notification image hg2) ends, the display of the specific image (third caption image tg3) can be started, and in other words, the display of the specific image will not start when the first condition (determination of the ending pattern P1 at the end of the winning part) is satisfied and the display of the second image ends, or when the second condition (determination of the ending pattern P2 at the end of the winning part) is satisfied and the display of the second image ends.

[0188] In addition, in this embodiment, when the end pattern P1 is determined when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends, if the specified number of times for this normal high probability is 20 or less, the display of the first notification image hg1 ends when the acquisition part ends, and the display of the first caption image tg1 begins. On the other hand, when the end pattern P1 is determined when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends, if the specified number of times for this normal high probability is more than 20, the display of the first notification image hg1 will end at a timing after the acquisition part ends, and the display of the first caption image tg1 will begin. According to this, in a relatively advantageous game state (a game state in which the specified number of times for normal high probability is more than 20), by lengthening the display period of the first notification image hg1, it becomes difficult for the player to recognize whether the end pattern P1 or the end pattern P3 has been determined when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends, thereby increasing the player's interest in the game.

[0189] Therefore, in other words, the gaming machine 10 has a second gaming state (a gaming state in which the specified number of times for a normal high probability is more than 20) that is more advantageous than the first gaming state (a gaming state in which the specified number of times for a normal high probability is 20 or less), and when a first condition (determination of the ending pattern P1 at the end of the winning part) is satisfied during the display of a first image (first notification image hg1) in the first gaming state, the display of the first image ends and the display of a first predetermined image (first caption image tg1) begins at the time when the first condition is satisfied, and when a first condition is satisfied during the display of a first image in the second gaming state, the display of the first image ends and the display of the first predetermined image begins at a time later than the time when the first condition is satisfied.

[0190] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the specified number of times for the current normal high probability is greater than 20 times, if the end pattern P1 is determined when the time-saving number acquisition effect ends, the first caption image tg1 may start to be displayed at the time when the first alert image hg1 and the second alert image hg2 are hidden, or the first caption image tg1 may start to be displayed at a time later than the time when the first alert image hg1 and the second alert image hg2 are hidden. This can increase the concentration on the first telop image tg1, making it easier to recognize the first telop image tg1.

[0191] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when the first condition (determination of the ending pattern P1 at the end of the winning part) is satisfied during the display of the first image (first caption image tg1) in the second gaming state (a gaming state in which the specified number of times related to the normal high probability is more than 20), it can be said that there is a first time when the display of the first predetermined image begins at the timing when the display of the first image ends, and a second time when the display of the first predetermined image begins at a timing after the timing when the display of the first image ends.

[0192] In particular, in this embodiment, if the specified number of times for the current normal high probability is greater than 20, the support image is displayed at the timing when the winning part ends, regardless of the timing when the display of the first telop image tg1 starts. The support image is displayed in a display area different from the display area where the first annunciation image hg1 is displayed. This makes it easier to feel a connection between the image displays (first notification image hg1, first caption image tg1) in a relatively advantageous gaming state (a gaming state in which the specified number of times for this high probability of winning is more than 20).

[0193] In other words, in the gaming machine 10, in both the first and second cases, when the first condition (determination of the ending pattern P1 at the end of the winning part) is satisfied, a different image (support image) is displayed in a display area different from the display area in which the first image (first notification image hg1) is displayed. In particular, the separate image may be an image that is displayed when the first condition is satisfied, i.e., an image that has started to be displayed before the first condition is satisfied. Therefore, "the first image is displayed when the first condition is satisfied" includes the first image being displayed before the first condition is satisfied.

[0194] In particular, if the specified number of times for this normal high probability is more than 20, the display of the support image will end at the timing when the display of the first caption image tg1 begins, regardless of the timing when the display of the first caption image tg1 begins. This makes it easier to sense the connection between the above-described image displays (first notification image hg1, first telop image tg1), while also making it easier to recognize the first telop image tg1.

[0195] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, at the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect related to the end pattern P1, the display mode of the first caption image tg1 will be the same when the display mode of the first notification image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has not changed compared to the start of the acquisition part, and when the display mode of the first notification image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has changed compared to the start of the acquisition part. Similarly, although different from this embodiment, at the end of the time-saving number acquisition effect related to end pattern P2, the display mode of the second caption image will be the same when the display mode of the first notification image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has not changed compared to the start of the acquisition part, and when the display mode of the first notification image hg1 at the end of the acquisition part has changed compared to the start of the acquisition part. According to these, it is possible to make the telop images (first telop image tg1, second telop image) easily recognizable regardless of whether the display mode of the first alert image hg1 has changed or not. In order to achieve this effect, it is not necessary that the display mode of the telop image is the same when comparing these cases, but it is sufficient that the display mode of the telop image is the same when comparing these cases.

[0196] Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the display mode of the first predetermined image (first caption image tg1) when the display mode of the first image (first notification image hg1) changes while the first image is being displayed and then the first condition (determination of the ending pattern P1 at the end of the winning part) is satisfied can be the same as the display mode of the first predetermined image when the display mode of the first image does not change while the first image is being displayed and the first condition is satisfied.

[0197] Furthermore, in other words, the display mode of the second predetermined image (second caption image) when the display mode of the first image (first notification image hg1) changes during display and then the second condition (determination of the ending pattern P2 at the end of the acquisition part) is satisfied can be the same as the display mode of the second predetermined image when the display mode of the first image does not change during display and the second condition is satisfied.

[0198] <Other variations> Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.

[0199] First, in the above-described embodiment, the first annunciation image hg1, which is an image corresponding to the first image, and the second annunciation image hg2, which is an image corresponding to the second image, constitute an integrated effect (count annunciation image hg), but this is not limited to this. Specifically, if there is a situation in which these images can be displayed in parallel, these images may not constitute an integrated effect, but may be executed individually.

[0200] In this embodiment, the trigger for changing the display mode of the first annunciation image hg1, which is an image corresponding to the first image, and the trigger for changing the display mode of the second annunciation image hg2, which is an image corresponding to the second image, are the entry of a gaming ball into a winning hole (particularly, the second starting hole 59), but this is not limited to this. For example, the entry of the gaming ball may be replaced by a gaming operation such as an operation on the effect button 37. Furthermore, the change in the display mode of the first alert image hg1, which is an image corresponding to the first image, is a change in the area of ​​the image, but is not limited to this as long as it is a visually recognized change. Similarly, the change in the display mode of the second alert image hg2, which is an image corresponding to the second image, is a change in color, but is not limited to this as long as it is a visually recognized change. In other words, the change in the display mode of these images (first alert image hg1, second alert image hg2) may be a change according to this embodiment (a change in area, a change in color), a change in image shape, a change in shade, or a combination of these changes, as long as it is a visually recognized change.

[0201] Also, although this was omitted in the explanation of the time-saving number acquisition effect mentioned above, as long as the display content shown in Figures 14(a), 15, and 17(b) is realized, the method of drawing each image (each line, number notification image hg) in the display area related to the main display unit 81 is not important.

[0202] Furthermore, although the time-saving number acquisition effect according to the present embodiment has been described as being executed using the main display unit 81, this is not limitative. Specifically, the time-saving number acquisition effect may be executed by a device other than the main display unit 81, such as the speaker 33 or the frame lamp 35, in addition to the main display unit 81.

[0203] In addition, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called one-type two-type hybrid machine that can derive both a big hit and a small hit that can result in a big hit game in determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, but it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to adopt one that can derive only a so-called two-type hit.

[0204] In addition, in each special chart variation pattern derivation state, if the special chart variation pattern is determined using the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figures 9 to 11, the special chart variation pattern may be determined using another special chart variation pattern lottery table, or the special chart variation pattern may be determined without using the special chart variation pattern lottery table (without drawing lots). However, in each special chart variation pattern derivation state, it is preferable that the special chart variation pattern is determined using the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figures 9 to 11 for more than half of the period during which the special chart variation pattern derivation state continues.

[0205] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as long as the relationship between the probability, rate, frequency, and number of times is ensured, the smaller value may be 0, and the larger value may be the maximum value. In particular, as long as the phenomenon aspect is ensured, the control for realizing the rate can be any. Furthermore, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.

[0206] In the above explanation, the power recovery state at the time of power recovery is determined by referring to the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power recovery, but it may also be determined by referring to whether the time that the RAM clear switch 43 has been in the ON state since power recovery exceeds a specified time (for example, 3 seconds). In this way, it is possible to further prevent erroneous RAM clear processing from occurring.

[0207] In addition, in the above explanation, the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 (the open / closed state of the middle frame 17) was referenced when determining the power restoration state when power was restored, but the power restoration state may be set without reference to this state. In this case, the power restoration state when power was restored may be uniformly set according to the case when the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON (the middle frame 17 is open).

[0208] The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

[0209] <Additional Notes> The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea. (1) A first image is displayable; When a first condition is satisfied during the display of the first image, the display of the first image may be ended and a first predetermined image may be started, When a second condition is satisfied during the display of the first image, the display of the first image may continue, and a display of a second predetermined image that is the same as or different from the first predetermined image may be started, Regarding the benefits, When the second condition is satisfied, the advantage relating to the benefit is higher than when the first condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the benefit may be granted when the second condition is met, and the benefit is not granted when the first condition is met. A gaming machine characterized by: (2) The gaming machine described in (1) above, A second image is displayable; When the first condition is satisfied during the display of the first image and the second image, the display of both the first image and the second image may be terminated and the display of the first predetermined image may be started, When the second condition is satisfied during the display of the first image and the second image, the display of the first image may continue, the display of the second image may end, and the display of the second predetermined image may start. A gaming machine characterized by: (a) A first gaming state is provided, a first image whose display state can be changed; The first image may be displayed at least in the first gaming state; When a first condition is satisfied during the display of the first image in the first gaming state, the display of the first image ends and the display of a first predetermined image begins; When a second condition is satisfied during the display of the first image in the first gaming state, the display of the first image continues, and a display of a second predetermined image that is the same as or different from the first predetermined image is started; Regarding the granting of benefits, When the second condition is satisfied in the first gaming state, the expectation of the award of the benefit is higher than when the first condition is satisfied in the first gaming state. Alternatively, the bonus may be awarded when the second condition is satisfied in the first gaming state, and the bonus is not awarded when the first condition is satisfied in the first gaming state. A gaming machine characterized by: (b) a second image whose display state can be changed; The second image may be displayed at least in the first gaming state; When the first condition is satisfied during the display of the first image and the second image in the first gaming state, the display of both the first image and the second image ends, and the display of the first predetermined image begins; When the second condition is satisfied during the display of the first image and the second image in the first gaming state, the display of the first image continues, the display of the second image ends, and the display of the second predetermined image starts. A gaming machine characterized by: (c) When the display of the second image ends, the display of the specific image may begin, the display of the specific image does not start both when the first condition is satisfied and the display of the second image is terminated and when the second condition is satisfied and the display of the second image is terminated; A gaming machine characterized by: (d) a second gaming state that is more advantageous than the first gaming state; When the first condition is satisfied during the display of the first image in the first gaming state, the display of the first image ends and the display of the first predetermined image starts at the timing when the first condition is satisfied; When the first condition is satisfied during the display of the first image in the second gaming state, the display of the first image ends and the display of the first predetermined image starts at a timing after the timing at which the first condition is satisfied. A gaming machine characterized by: (e) When the first condition is satisfied during the display of the first image in the second gaming state, there are a first time when the display of the first predetermined image starts at the timing when the display of the first image ends, and a second time when the display of the first predetermined image starts at a timing after the timing when the display of the first image ends. A gaming machine characterized by: (f) In both the first and second cases, when the first condition is satisfied, another image is displayed in a display area different from the display area in which the first image is displayed. A gaming machine characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0210] 10 Gaming machines 15 Outer Frame 17 Middle Frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable decorative body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent materials 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 30 Lower outlet 31 Operating handle 32 Upper frame part 33(33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame parts 35(35a, 35b, 35c) Frame Lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Production button 38 Cursor Button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation section 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening and closing cover 46 Game Ball Tank 47 Tank rail 48 Dispensing Unit 49 Dispensing aisle 50 Game Board 50a Gaming area 51 outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 55 Grand Prize Winner 57 First starting point 59 Second starting point 61 Normal electric device 62 Ordinary electric accessory solenoid Gate 63 65 Special Electric Devices 66 Special electric accessory solenoid 67 General Prize Winning Entrance 69 Outlet 70 First starting port sensor 71 Second starting port sensor 72 Large prize entrance sensor 73 General prize entry sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame door open sensor 77 Front frame door open sensor 81 Main display 90 Pattern display device 91 First special pattern display device 92 Second special pattern display device 93 Ordinary pattern display device 94 1st special pattern reserved lamp 95 2nd special pattern reserved lamp 96 Normal pattern hold lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 I / O ports 105 Random Number Circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entrance determination method 115 Main random number generator 120 Main Hold Control Means 125 Preliminary Judgment Measures 130 Special drawing lottery method 131 Special drawing validity determination means 132 Special stop pattern lottery means 133 Special chart variation pattern derivation means 135 General lottery method 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electrical equipment control means 155 Game status control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main Error Control Measures 170 Main Command Management Method 175 Power restoration processing execution means 176 Power recovery state setting means 179 Means for transitioning to playable state 180 Power cut processing execution means 200 1st sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 I / O ports 209 1st sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generator 220 Normal performance control means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Production Route Determination Method 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Predictive performance control means 225 Means for determining production content 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Jackpot performance control means 230 Sub-error Control Measures 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable equipment control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Subcommand Management Method 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Voice control board 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 314 I / O ports 400 Dispensing control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power Control Board 501 Normal power circuit 502 Backup power circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path L1 First Line L2 Second Line L3 Third Line L4 4th line L5 5th line da1 1st display area da2 2nd display area da3 3rd display area da4 4th display area da5 5th display area hg Number of times notification image hg1 First report image hg2 Second report image dg introduction image tg1 First caption image tg21 2nd caption image tg22 2nd caption image tg3 3rd caption image

Claims

1. A first image is displayable; When a first condition is satisfied during the display of the first image, the display of the first image may be ended and a first predetermined image may be started, When a second condition is satisfied during the display of the first image, the display of the first image may continue, and a display of a second predetermined image that is the same as or different from the first predetermined image may be started, Regarding the benefits, When the second condition is satisfied, the advantage relating to the benefit is higher than when the first condition is satisfied. Alternatively, the benefit may be granted when the second condition is met, and the benefit is not granted when the first condition is met. A gaming machine characterized by:

2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, A second image can be displayed; When the first condition is satisfied during the display of the first image and the second image, the display of both the first image and the second image may be terminated and the display of the first predetermined image may be started, When the second condition is satisfied during the display of the first image and the second image, the display of the first image may continue, the display of the second image may end, and the display of the second predetermined image may start. A gaming machine characterized by:

Images