Game machine

Abstract

To suppress occurrences of troubles.SOLUTION: Each of a plurality of tasks of which priorities are set can be performed. Processing means is provided to interrupt a task that is being performed to perform a task having a higher priority, when an interrupt condition for the task having the higher priority than the task that is being performed is met. The tasks include a first task and a second task (a management-target discard task), the first task disabling one of a first operation-enabled state and a second operation-enabled state and enabling the other, the second task having a higher priority than the first task and disabling both of the first operation-enabled state and the second operation-enabled state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 73

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In gaming machines, various effects are executed depending on the progress of the game. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a multitasking control in which priorities are assigned to tasks and a task with a higher priority is executed by interrupting other tasks. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-34506 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if a high-priority task is interrupted and executed at an unexpected time, problems may occur.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can suppress the occurrence of malfunctions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention comprises: a game progress means for controlling the progress of a game; an operation unit that can be operated by a player; a processing means capable of executing a plurality of tasks each having a set priority, and which, when an interrupt condition for a task having a higher priority than a task currently being executed is satisfied, suspends the currently being executed task and executes the task having the higher priority; Equipped with The tasks include: a first task that disables one of the first operation valid state and the second operation valid state and enables the other; a second task having a higher priority than the first task and invalidating both the first valid operation state and the second valid operation state; The present invention is characterized in that it includes:

[0007] In addition, when one of the first operation valid state and the second operation valid state is disabled and the other is enabled, a setting means may be provided for setting a waiting time during which multiple interrupt processes can be executed between the time one is disabled and the time the other is enabled. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an oblique view of the gaming machine showing the door in an open state according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an address map of a memory area used by a main CPU according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a diagram explaining the random number judgment table for determining a jackpot when the probability is low in this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram explaining the random number judgment table for determining a high probability jackpot in this embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating a winning symbol random number determination table according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating a reach group determination random number determination table according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating a reach mode determination random number judgment table according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] A figure explaining a fluctuation pattern random number determination table related to this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a variable time determination table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a special electric accessory activation ram set table according to this embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram illustrating a game status setting table for setting the game status after the end of a big win game according to this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram illustrating a winning determination random number judgment table according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 10A is a diagram illustrating a normal symbol fluctuation time data table according to this embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an opening / closing control pattern table according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a diagram illustrating a gaming machine status flag according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a first flowchart illustrating a CPU initialization process in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a second flowchart illustrating the CPU initialization process in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-command group set process in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a power-off evacuation process in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a timer interrupt process in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart illustrating setting-related processing in a main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a switch management process in the main control board according to the embodiment. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart illustrating gate passage processing in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the first starting port passing process in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the second starting port passing process in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the special pattern random number acquisition process in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the acquisition time performance determination process in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 29] 10 is a diagram illustrating a special game management phase according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 30] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the special game management process in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 31] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the special symbol change waiting process in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 32] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the special symbol winning determination process in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 33] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the special pattern variable number determination process in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 34] This is a flowchart explaining the processing during special pattern fluctuation in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 35] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the special symbol stop symbol display processing in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 36] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a variable state update process in the main control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 37] This is a flowchart explaining the processing before opening the large prize opening on the main control board in this embodiment. [Figure 38] This is a flowchart explaining the large prize opening / closing switching process in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 39] This is a flowchart explaining the large prize opening control process on the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 40] This is a flowchart explaining the large prize opening closure validity processing in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 41] This is a flowchart explaining the large prize opening end wait processing in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 42] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the normal game management phase according to this embodiment. [Figure 43] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the normal game management processing in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 44] This is a flowchart explaining the normal pattern change waiting process in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 45] This is a flowchart explaining the processing during normal pattern fluctuation in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 46] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the normal symbol stop symbol display processing in the main control board according to this embodiment. [Figure 47] This is a flowchart explaining the pre-opening processing of the normal electric device winning slot on the main control board in this embodiment. [Figure 48] This is a flowchart explaining the normal electric role winning opening / closing switching process on the main control board in this embodiment. [Figure 49] This is a flowchart explaining the control process for opening the winning opening of a normal electric device on the main control board in this embodiment. [Figure 50] This is a flowchart explaining the normal electric device winning opening closure validity processing on the main control board in this embodiment. [Figure 51] This is a flowchart explaining the normal electric role winning slot end wait processing in the main control board in this embodiment. [Figure 52] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a custom window according to the embodiment. [Figure 53] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a song selection screen according to the present embodiment. [Figure 54]10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of switching between a window display state and a song selection state according to the present embodiment. [Figure 55] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-CPU initialization process in the sub-control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 56] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-timer interrupt process in the sub-control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 57] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of task priorities according to the embodiment. [Figure 58] 10 is a flowchart illustrating task execution processing in a sub-control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 59] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a management target switching task in a sub-control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 60] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a window display management task in the sub-control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 61] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a music selection management task in the sub-control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 62] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a command reception task in the sub-control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 63] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a management target discarding task in a sub-control board according to the present embodiment. [Figure 64] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a management target switching enabled state, a window display management enabled state, and a music selection management enabled state according to the present embodiment. [Figure 65] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a management target switching task in a sub-control board according to a comparative example. [Figure 66] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a management target discarding task in a sub-control board according to a comparative example. [Figure 67] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a case where an interrupt occurs during execution of a management target discarding task in a sub-control board according to a comparative example. [Figure 68]10 is a flowchart illustrating a case where a management target switching task according to a comparative example is executed by interruption; [Figure 69] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a management target discarding task at the time of restart in a sub-control board according to a comparative example. [Figure 70] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a management target switching enabled state, a window display management enabled state, and a music selection management enabled state according to a comparative example. [Figure 71] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of task priorities according to a modified example. [Figure 72] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a task execution process in a sub-control board according to a modified example. [Figure 73] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a case where an interrupt condition is met during execution of a management target discarding task in a sub-control board according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0011] To facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the mechanical configuration, electrical configuration, and specific processing on each board of the gaming machine according to this embodiment will be described.

[0012] 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment, showing the door in an open state. As shown in the figure, the gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 having four sides arranged in a substantially rectangular shape to form an enclosed space, a middle frame 104 attached to the outer frame 102 by a hinge mechanism so as to be able to open and close freely, and a front frame 106 attached to the middle frame 104 by a hinge mechanism so as to be able to open and close freely.

[0013] The middle frame 104, like the outer frame 102, has four sides arranged in a substantially rectangular shape to form an enclosed space, and a game board 108 is held in this enclosed space. A glass or resin transparent plate 110 is held in the front frame 106. When the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed against the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transparent plate 110 face each other substantially parallel, maintaining a predetermined distance between them, and the game board 108 can be seen through the transparent plate 110 from the front side of the gaming machine 100.

[0014] 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in this figure, an operating handle 112 that protrudes from the front side of the gaming machine 100 is provided at the bottom of the front frame 106. This operating handle 112 is provided so that it can be rotated by a player, and when the player rotates the operating handle 112 to perform a firing operation, a gaming ball is fired by a firing mechanism (not shown) with a strength that corresponds to the rotation angle of the operating handle 112. The gaming ball thus fired rises between rails 114a and 114b provided on the gaming board 108 and is guided to a playing area 116.

[0015] The play area 116 is a space formed between the play board 108 and the transparent plate 110, and is an area where the play balls can flow down or roll. The play board 108 is provided with a large number of nails and windmills, and the play balls guided into the play area 116 collide with the nails and windmills, causing them to flow down or roll in irregular directions.

[0016] The play area 116 includes a first play area 116a and a second play area 116b, which have different degrees of entry of game balls depending on the launch strength of the launch mechanism. The first play area 116a is located on the left side of the play area 116 as seen by a player facing the gaming machine 100, and the second play area 116b is located on the right side of the play area 116 as seen by a player facing the gaming machine 100. Because the rails 114a and 114b are on the left side of the play area 116, game balls launched by the launch mechanism with a launch strength less than a predetermined strength will enter the first play area 116a, and game balls launched with a launch strength equal to or greater than the predetermined strength will enter the second play area 116b.

[0017] The gaming area 116 is also provided with a general prize opening 118, a first start opening 120, and a second start opening 122 through which game balls can enter, and when a game ball enters the general prize opening 118, the first start opening 120, or the second start opening 122, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. The number of prize balls may be any number greater than or equal to one, and the number of prize balls paid out for the general prize opening 118, the first start opening 120, and the second start opening 122 may be different or the same number of prize balls. In this case, it is also possible to set the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the first start opening 120 to be less than the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the second start opening 122.

[0018] As will be described in detail later, a first starting area is provided within the first starting hole 120, and a second starting area is provided within the second starting hole 122. When a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 120 or the second starting hole 122 and enters the first starting area or the second starting area, a lottery is held to determine one of a plurality of pre-defined special symbols. Each special symbol is associated with various gaming benefits, such as whether or not a player can execute a major or minor winning game advantageous to the player, and the type of gaming state the player will be in after that. Therefore, when a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 120 or the second starting hole 122, the player not only acquires a predetermined prize ball, but also has the opportunity to acquire the right to receive various gaming benefits.

[0019] The first starting port 120 is located at the bottom of the game area 116 and is either capable of receiving only game balls flowing down the first game area 116a, or is located at a position where game balls that have entered the first game area 116a can enter more easily than game balls that have entered the second game area 116b.

[0020] The second starting opening 122 is located in the second game area 116b, and is either capable of receiving only game balls flowing down the second game area 116b, or is positioned so that game balls that have entered the second game area 116b can enter more easily than game balls that have entered the first game area 116a. The second starting opening 122 is configured as a variable starting opening (variable starting winning device) having a movable piece 122b, and the ease with which game balls can enter the second starting opening 122 can be varied.

[0021] Specifically, second start opening 122 is provided with a movable piece 122b that can be opened and closed, and when this movable piece 122b is in a closed state, it is impossible or difficult for game balls to enter second start opening 122. Note that the specific configuration of second start opening 122 is not particularly limited, but here, movable piece 122b is recessed into the back side of game board 108 in the closed state, and protrudes into the front side of game board 108 in the open state. In the closed state with movable piece 122b recessed, second start opening 122 is closed, and game balls flow down the front side of second start opening 122.

[0022] In contrast, when a gaming ball passes through gates 124 provided in the first gaming area 116a and the second gaming area 116b, or when a gaming ball enters the normal symbol operating port 125 provided in the second gaming area 116b, it is determined whether or not to execute an auxiliary game in which the second starting port 122 is opened, and if it is determined that an auxiliary game will be executed, the auxiliary game is executed in which the second starting port 122 is controlled to open and close. More specifically, on the condition that a gaming ball has passed through the gate 124 or entered the normal symbol operating port 125, a lottery for a normal symbol, which will be described later, is held, and if a winning symbol is selected in this lottery, the movable piece 122b is controlled to be in an open state for a predetermined time.

[0023] In the open state in which the movable piece 122b protrudes, game balls flowing down the front side of the second starting opening 122 fall onto the movable piece 122b. The game balls that fall onto the movable piece 122b are guided by the movable piece 122b and led to the second starting opening 122. In this way, when the movable piece 122b is in the open state, the movable piece 122b functions as a tray that leads the game balls to the second starting opening 122, making it easier for the game balls to enter the second starting opening 122.

[0024] Furthermore, a first large prize opening 126 and a second large prize opening 128 are provided at the bottom of the gaming area 116. The first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 are positioned so that at least gaming balls flowing down the second gaming area 116b can enter them. An opening / closing door 126b is provided at the first large prize opening 126 so that the opening / closing door 126b can open and close. Normally, the opening / closing door 126b closes the first large prize opening 126, preventing gaming balls from entering the first large prize opening 126. In contrast, when the aforementioned small prize game is executed, the opening / closing door 126b opens and functions as a tray, allowing gaming balls to enter the first large prize opening 126. When a gaming ball enters the first large prize opening 126, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player.

[0025] Furthermore, the second large prize opening 128 is provided with an openable / closable door 128b, and normally the openable / closable door 128b closes the second large prize opening 128, preventing game balls from entering the second large prize opening 128. In contrast, when the aforementioned big prize game is executed, the openable / closable door 128b opens and functions as a tray, allowing game balls to enter the second large prize opening 128. When a game ball enters the second large prize opening 128, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. The first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 are also collectively referred to simply as the large prize openings.

[0026] In addition, at the bottom of the game area 116, there is a discharge outlet 130 that discharges game balls that do not enter any of the general prize opening 118, the first start opening 120, the second start opening 122, the first large prize opening 126, or the second large prize opening 128 from the game area 116 to the back side of the game board 108.

[0027] The gaming machine 100 is equipped with a performance display device 200 consisting of a liquid crystal display device, a performance prop device 202 consisting of a movable device, a performance lighting device 204 consisting of a lamp that can be controlled to various lighting modes and emission colors, an audio output device 206 consisting of a speaker, and a performance button 208 that accepts player operation, as performance devices that perform performances while the game is in progress.

[0028] The effect display device 200 includes a main effect display unit 200a and a sub-effect display unit 201a, each of which is made up of an image display unit that displays images. The main effect display unit 200a is located approximately in the center of the gaming board 108 and is visible from the front side of the gaming machine 100. As shown in the figure, the main effect display unit 200a displays effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c in a variable manner, and a variable effect is executed in which the result of the big role lottery is notified to the player depending on the stop display mode of each of these effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c. The sub-effect display unit 201a is located above the main effect display unit 200a and displays auxiliary effect images during the variable effect.

[0029] The performance device 202 is positioned in front of the main performance display section 200a and is normally retracted to the rear side of the game board 108, but when the above-mentioned performance patterns 210a, 210b, 210c are being displayed in a changing manner, it moves to the front of the main performance display section 200a, giving the player a sense of anticipation of a big win.

[0030] The effect lighting device 204 is provided on the effect gimmick device 202, the game board 108, etc., and is controlled to light up in various ways in accordance with the images displayed on the main effect display section 200a.

[0031] The sound output device 206 is provided at the upper position of the front frame 106 or at the lowermost position of the outer frame 102, and outputs various sounds toward the front of the gaming machine 100 in accordance with the images displayed on the main performance display section 200a.

[0032] The effect button 208 is composed of a button that accepts pressing operations by the player, and is located in approximately the center of the width of the gaming machine 100, and below the transparent plate 110. This effect button 208 is activated in accordance with the images displayed on the main effect display unit 200a, and when an operation by the player is accepted within the effective operation time, various effects are executed according to the operation.

[0033] The cross key 209 is composed of four buttons, an up button, a down button, a left button, and a right button, which are pressed by the player, and is provided near the effect button 208. The effect button 208 and the cross key 209 may also be used when making various settings.

[0034] In the figure, reference numeral 132 denotes an upper tray to which prize balls paid out from the gaming machine 100 and game balls dispensed from the game ball dispenser are guided, and when this upper tray 132 is full of game balls, the game balls are guided to a lower tray 134. A ball ejection hole (not shown) is formed in the bottom surface of this lower tray 134 to eject game balls from the lower tray 134. This ball ejection hole is normally closed by an opening / closing plate (not shown), but by pushing in a ball ejection knob 134a, the opening / closing plate slides together with the ball ejection knob 134a, making it possible to eject game balls from the ball ejection hole to below the lower tray 134.

[0035] In addition, the game board 108 is provided with a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol reserved display 164, a second special symbol reserved display 166, a normal symbol display 168, a normal symbol reserved display 170, and a right-hit notification display 172 at positions outside the game area 116 and visible to the player. Each of these displays 160 to 172 is a device for displaying various situations related to the game, and details thereof will be described later.

[0036] (Internal configuration of control means) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the control means for controlling the progress of the game according to this embodiment.

[0037] The main control board 300 controls the basic operations of the game. This main control board 300 is equipped with a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b, and a main RAM 300c. The main CPU 300a reads out programs stored in the main ROM 300b and performs arithmetic processing based on input signals from each detection switch and timer, and also directly controls each device and display, or sends commands to other boards depending on the results of the arithmetic processing. The main RAM 300c functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing by the main CPU 300a.

[0038] The gaming machine 100 of this embodiment is broadly divided into a special game that is started by a gaming ball entering the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, and a normal game that is started by a gaming ball passing through the gate 124 (entering the normal operation port 125). The main ROM 300b of the main control board 300 stores various programs for progressing the special game and the normal game, as well as data and tables required for various games.

[0039] The main control board 300 is connected to a general prize opening detection switch 118s that detects when a game ball enters the general prize opening 118, a first start opening detection switch 120s that detects when a game ball enters the first start opening 120, a second start opening detection switch 122s that detects when a game ball enters the second start opening 122, a gate detection switch 124s that detects when a game ball passes through the gate 124, a general prize opening detection switch 125s that detects when a game ball enters the general prize opening 125, a first large prize opening detection switch 126s that detects when a game ball enters the first large prize opening 126, a second large prize opening detection switch 128s that detects when a game ball enters the second large prize opening 128, and an out ball detection switch 130s that detects when a game ball is ejected from the game area 116, and detection signals are input from each of these detection switches to the main control board 300.

[0040] A junction passage is provided on the back of the game board 108, and game balls that enter the general winning opening 118, the first starting opening 120, the second starting opening 122, the first large winning opening 126, and the second large winning opening 128 and game balls that are guided to the back side from the discharge opening 130 join together in the junction passage and are guided to the equipment of the game parlor. The out ball detection switch 130s is provided in the junction passage, and all game balls that are discharged from the game area 116, in other words, all game balls that are shot into the game area 116, are detected by the out ball detection switch 130s.

[0041] In addition, the main control board 300 is connected to a normal electric role solenoid 122c that operates the movable piece 122b of the second starting opening 122, a first large prize opening solenoid 126c that operates the opening and closing door 126b that opens and closes the first large prize opening 126, and a second large prize opening solenoid 128c that operates the opening and closing door 128b that opens and closes the second large prize opening 128, and the main control board 300 controls the opening and closing of the second starting opening 122, the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128.

[0042] Furthermore, the main control board 300 is connected to a first special pattern display 160, a second special pattern display 162, a first special pattern reserved display 164, a second special pattern reserved display 166, a normal pattern display 168, a normal pattern reserved display 170, and a right-hit notification display 172, and the display of each of these displays is controlled by the main control board 300.

[0043] In addition, the gaming machine 100 is provided with multiple abnormality detection sensors 174 that detect possible abnormalities or fraud, such as a radio wave detection sensor that detects radio waves, a magnetic detection sensor that detects magnetism, and a door open sensor that detects the open state of the middle frame 104 or the front frame 106, and is configured so that an abnormality detection signal is input from each abnormality detection sensor 174 to the main control board 300.

[0044] Furthermore, a setting change switch 180s is provided on the back of the gaming board 108. The setting change switch 180s is configured to be accessible with a dedicated key. When the setting change switch 180s is turned on, it becomes possible to change and check the setting values. As will be described in detail later, in the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment, one of six setting values ​​with different degrees of advantage is stored as a registered setting value in a setting value buffer, and the game progresses according to the stored registered setting value.

[0045] A RAM clear button is provided on the back of the game board 108 so that it can be pressed, and pressing of this RAM clear button is detected by a RAM clear switch 182s. The RAM clear switch 182s is connected to the main control board 300, and a RAM clear operation signal is input from the RAM clear switch 182s to the main control board 300. If a RAM clear operation signal is input from the RAM clear switch 182s when the power is turned on, the main CPU 300a clears the main RAM 300c.

[0046] A performance display monitor 184 is provided on the back of the game board 108. The main control board 300 causes the performance display monitor 184 to display the registered setting values ​​and the base ratio.

[0047] In addition, a dispensing control board 310 and a sub-control board 330 are connected to the main control board 300.

[0048] The payout control board 310 controls the firing of game balls and the payout of prize balls. This payout control board 310 also has a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and is connected to the main control board 300 so that it can communicate bidirectionally. A game information output terminal board 312 is connected to this payout control board 310, and various information on the progress of the game output from the main control board 300 is output to the hall computer of the gaming parlor via the payout control board 310 and the game information output terminal board 312.

[0049] A payout motor 314 is connected to the payout control board 310 to pay out the game balls stored in the storage section to the player as prize balls. The payout control board 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on a payout number designation command sent from the main control board 300 to control the motor 314 to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls to the player. At this time, the number of paid out game balls is detected by a payout ball counting switch 316s, and it is possible to determine whether the prize balls that should have been paid out have been paid out to the player.

[0050] Also connected to the payout control board 310 is a tray full detection switch 318s that detects the full state of the lower tray 134. This tray full detection switch 318s is provided in a passage that leads game balls paid out as prize balls to the lower tray 134, and a game ball detection signal is input to the payout control board 310 every time a game ball passes through the passage.

[0051] Then, when a predetermined amount or more of game balls are accumulated in the lower tray 134 and it reaches a full state, game balls accumulate in the passage leading to the lower tray 134, and game ball detection signals are continuously input from the tray full detection switch 318s to the payout control board 310. When the payout control board 310 receives game ball detection signals continuously for a predetermined period of time, it determines that the lower tray 134 is in a full state, and sends a tray full command to the main control board 300. On the other hand, when the continuous input of game ball detection signals stops after sending the tray full command, it determines that the full state has been released, and sends a tray full release command to the main control board 300.

[0052] A launch control circuit 320 is also connected to the payout control board 310 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. When the launch control circuit 320 receives launch control data from the payout control board 310, it authorizes launch. A touch sensor 112s, which is provided on the operating handle 112 and detects when a player touches the operating handle 112, and an operation volume 112a, which detects the operating angle of the operating handle 112, are connected to the launch control circuit 320. When signals are input from the touch sensor 112s and the operation volume 112a, the launch control circuit 320 controls the energization of a launch solenoid 112c provided on the gaming ball launcher to launch the gaming ball.

[0053] The sub-control board 330 mainly controls various effects during game play, standby, etc. The sub-control board 330 is equipped with a sub-CPU 330a, sub-ROM 330b, sub-RAM 330c, and RTC 330d, and is connected to the main control board 300 so that communication can be performed in one direction from the main control board 300 to the sub-control board 330. The sub-CPU 330a reads out programs stored in the sub-ROM 330b and performs arithmetic processing based on commands transmitted from the main control board 300, input signals from a timer, etc., and also controls the execution of effects. At this time, the sub-RAM 330c functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing by the sub-CPU 330a.

[0054] Specifically, the sub-control board 330 controls image display to display images on the main performance display unit 200a and the sub performance display unit 201a. The sub-ROM 330b stores a large number of various image data to be displayed on the main performance display unit 200a and the sub performance display unit 201a, and the sub-CPU 330a reads the image data from the sub-ROM 330b to a VRAM (not shown) and controls the image display on the main performance display unit 200a and the sub performance display unit 201a.

[0055] The sub-control board 330 also controls the movement of the stage prop device 202 and the lighting of the stage lighting device 204, as well as controls the audio output to output audio from the audio output device 206. Furthermore, when an operation detection signal is input from a stage button detection switch 208s that detects that the stage button 208 has been pressed, and a cross key detection switch 209s that detects that the cross key 209 has been pressed, the sub-control board 330 performs a predetermined process.

[0056] Each board is connected to a power supply board (not shown), and power is supplied to each board from a commercial power source via the power supply board. The power supply board is also provided with a backup power supply consisting of a capacitor. The RTC 330d provided on the sub-control board 330 receives power from the backup power supply and keeps track of the current time.

[0057] Fig. 4 is an address map of the memory area used by the main CPU 300a according to this embodiment. In Fig. 4, addresses are shown in hexadecimal, with "H" indicating a hexadecimal number. As shown in Fig. 4, the memory area used by the main CPU 300a includes a memory area (0000H to 2FFFH) allocated to the main ROM 300b and a memory area (F000H to F3FFH) allocated to the main RAM 300c.

[0058] The memory area of ​​the main ROM 300b is divided into a used area (0000H to 1A7AH) that stores programs and data for controlling the progress of the game, and an unused area (2000H to 2BFFH) that is an area other than the used area and stores programs and data for performing processes for conducting tests specified in the gaming machine regulations and processes for displaying the performance display monitor 184 (including processes for calculating the base ratio to be displayed on the performance display monitor 184).

[0059] The used area of ​​the main ROM 300b includes a program area (0000H-0A89H) for storing programs for controlling the progress of games, an unused area (0A8AH-0FFFH), and a data area (1000H-1A7AH) for storing data other than programs. Note that the used area may not include the unused area (0A8AH-0FFFH).

[0060] The unused area of ​​the main ROM 300b includes a program area (2000H to 27FFH) that stores programs for executing processes for conducting tests stipulated by gaming machine regulations and processes for displaying the performance display monitor 184, and a data area (2800H to 2BFFH) that stores data other than these programs.

[0061] In addition to the used area and unused area, the memory area of ​​the main ROM 300b also includes an unused area (1A7BH to 1DFFH), a ROM comment area (1E00H to 1EFFH) in which arbitrary data such as the program title and version is stored, an unused area (1F00H to 1FFFH), an unused area (2C00H to 2FBFH), and a program management area (2FC0H to 2FFFH) in which information necessary for the main CPU 300a to execute a program is stored.

[0062] The memory area of ​​the main RAM 300c is divided into a used area (F000H to F1FFH) that is temporarily used when a program for controlling the progress of the game is being executed, and an unused area (F210H to F228H) that is an area other than the used area and is temporarily used when a program for performing processing for performing tests specified in the gaming machine regulations or processing for displaying the performance display monitor 184 is being executed.

[0063] The used area of ​​the main RAM 300c includes a work area (F000H-F12AH) that is temporarily used when a program for controlling the progress of a game is being executed, an unused area (F12BH-F1D7H), and a stack area (F1D8H-F1FFH) that temporarily saves data while a program for controlling the progress of a game is being executed. Note that the used area may not include the unused area (F12BH-F1D7H).

[0064] The unused area of ​​the main RAM 300c includes a work area (F210H to F21FH) that is temporarily used when programs for processing tests stipulated in gaming machine regulations and for displaying the performance display monitor 184 are being executed, and a stack area (F220H to F228H) that temporarily stores data when these programs are being executed.

[0065] In addition to the used area and unused area, the memory area of ​​the main RAM 300c also includes an unused area (F200H to F20FH) and an unused area (F229H to F3FFH).

[0066] In this way, the main ROM 300b and the main RAM 300c are provided with separate areas: a used area used to control the progress of the game, and a non-used area used to execute processes for conducting tests stipulated by gaming machine regulations and for controlling the display of the performance display monitor 184.

[0067] In the main RAM 300c, a 16-byte unused area (F200H-F20FH) is provided between the used area and the unused area. This unused area (F200H-F20FH) is set as a boundary area that separates the used area and the unused area, making the boundary between the used area and the unused area clear and preventing the unused area from being used when a program for controlling the progress of a game is being executed, and preventing the used area from being used when a program for performing a test specified by the gaming machine regulations or a program for performing a display control of the performance display monitor 184 is being executed.

[0068] The unused area between the used area and the unused area only needs to be at least 1 byte, and from the viewpoint of preventing fraud, it is preferable that it be 4 bytes or more, and more preferably 16 bytes or more. Furthermore, writing and reading of data into the unused area is prohibited, but from the viewpoint of preventing fraud, it may be cleared at a predetermined timing.

[0069] Next, the game in the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment will be described together with various tables stored in the main ROM 300b.

[0070] As described above, the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment allows two types of games, special games and normal games, to proceed in parallel, and the game state when these two games are proceeding is one of the game states that combines either a low probability game state or a high probability game state with either a non-time-saving game state or a time-saving game state.

[0071] Details of each game state will be described later, but the low probability game state is a game state in which the probability of acquiring the right to play a big role game in which the first large prize slot 126 and the second large prize slot 128 are opened is set low, and the high probability game state is a game state in which the probability of acquiring the right to play a big role game is set high.

[0072] Furthermore, the non-time-shortened gaming state is a gaming state in which the movable piece 122b is less likely to be in the open state and the gaming ball is less likely to enter the second starting opening 122, and the time-shortened gaming state is a gaming state in which the movable piece 122b is more likely to be in the open state than in the non-time-shortened gaming state and the gaming ball is more likely to enter the second starting opening 122. The initial state of the gaming machine 100 is set to the low-probability gaming state and the non-time-shortened gaming state, and this gaming state is referred to as the normal gaming state in this embodiment.

[0073] When a player operates the operating handle 112 to launch a gaming ball into the gaming area 116 and the gaming ball flowing down the gaming area 116 enters the first starting hole 120 or the second starting hole 122, a lottery (hereinafter referred to as a "big prize lottery") is held to determine whether or not the player will receive a gaming profit. If a big prize or a small prize is won in this big prize lottery, the first big prize opening 126 and the second big prize opening 128 are opened, and a big prize game or a small prize game is executed in which gaming balls can enter the first big prize opening 126 and the second big prize opening 128. Furthermore, the gaming state after the big prize game ends is set to one of the gaming states described above. The big prize lottery method will be described below.

[0074] As will be described in more detail later, when a gaming ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, various random number values ​​related to the big role lottery (jackpot determination random number, winning symbol random number, reach group determination random number, reach mode determination random number, and variable pattern random number) are obtained, and these random number values ​​are stored in a special symbol reserve memory area of ​​the main RAM 300c. Hereinafter, the various random numbers stored in the special symbol reserve memory area when a gaming ball enters the first start port 120 will be collectively referred to as special 1 reserve, and the various random numbers stored in the special symbol reserve memory area when a gaming ball enters the second start port 122 will be collectively referred to as special 2 reserve.

[0075] The special symbol reservation memory area of ​​the main RAM 300c includes a first special symbol reservation memory area and a second special symbol reservation memory area. The first special symbol reservation memory area and the second special symbol reservation memory area each have four memory sections (first to fourth memory sections). When a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 120, the special symbol 1 reservation is stored in order from the first memory section of the first special symbol reservation memory area, and when a gaming ball enters the second starting hole 122, the special symbol 2 reservation is stored in order from the first memory section of the second special symbol reservation memory area.

[0076] For example, when a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 120, if no reservation is stored in any of the first to fourth storage sections of the first special chart reservation storage area, a special 1 reservation is stored in the first storage section. Also, for example, when a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 120 in a state where a special 1 reservation is stored in the first to third storage sections, the special 1 reservation is stored in the fourth storage section. Also, when a gaming ball enters the second starting hole 122, similarly to the above, a special 2 reservation is stored in the storage section with the smallest number (ordinal number) among the first to fourth storage sections of the second special chart reservation storage area, in which a special 2 reservation is not stored.

[0077] However, the number of special 1 reserves (X1) and the number of special 2 reserves (X2) that can be stored in the first special chart reserve memory area and the second special chart reserve memory area are each set to four. Therefore, for example, when a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 120, if four special 1 reserves are already stored in the first special chart reserve memory area, no new special 1 reserves will be stored by the entry of the gaming ball into the first starting hole 120. Similarly, when a gaming ball enters the second starting hole 122, if four special 2 reserves are already stored in the second special chart reserve memory area, no new special 2 reserves will be stored by the entry of the gaming ball into the second starting hole 122.

[0078] 5 is a diagram illustrating the low probability jackpot determination random number judgment table according to this embodiment. When a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 120 or the second starting hole 122, one jackpot determination random number is obtained from the range of 0 to 65535. Then, when the big win lottery starts, that is, when the jackpot determination is made, a jackpot determination random number judgment table is selected according to the game state, and the big win lottery is made using the selected jackpot determination random number judgment table and the obtained jackpot determination random number.

[0079] In a low probability game state, when starting a lottery for a special 1 reserve and a special 2 reserve, a low probability jackpot determination random number judgment table is referenced. Here, in this embodiment, six levels of setting values ​​with different degrees of advantage are provided, and a low probability jackpot determination random number judgment table is provided for each setting value. During play, the setting value is set to one of the six levels, and the lottery for a big role is performed by referring to the low probability jackpot determination random number judgment table corresponding to the currently set setting value (registered setting value stored in the setting value buffer).

[0080] When the game is in a low probability game state and the setting value is set to 1 (registered setting value = 1), a lottery for a major role is performed by referring to the low probability jackpot determination random number determination table a shown in Figure 5 (a). According to this low probability jackpot determination random number determination table a, a jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is between 10001 and 10218, a small jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is between 20001 and 21310, and a miss is determined if the jackpot determination random number is any other number. Therefore, in this case, the probability of a jackpot is approximately 1 / 300.6, and the probability of a small jackpot is approximately 1 / 50.

[0081] When the game is in a low probability game state and the setting value is set to 2 (registered setting value = 2), a lottery for a major role is performed by referring to the low probability jackpot determination random number judgment table b shown in Figure 5 (b). According to this low probability jackpot determination random number judgment table b, a jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10225, a small jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is 20001 to 21310, and a miss is determined if the jackpot determination random number is any other number. Therefore, in this case, the jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 291.2, and the small jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 50.

[0082] When the game is in a low probability game state and the setting value is set to 3 (registered setting value = 3), a lottery for a major role is performed by referring to the low probability jackpot determination random number determination table c shown in Figure 5 (c). According to this low probability jackpot determination random number determination table c, a jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10232, a small jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is 20001 to 21310, and a miss is determined if the jackpot determination random number is any other number. Therefore, in this case, the jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 282.4, and the small jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 50.

[0083] When the game is in a low probability game state and the setting value is set to 4 (registered setting value = 4), a lottery for a major role is performed by referring to the low probability jackpot determination random number determination table d shown in Figure 5 (d). According to this low probability jackpot determination random number determination table d, a jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10239, a small jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is 20001 to 21310, and a miss is determined if the jackpot determination random number is any other number. Therefore, in this case, the jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 274.2, and the small jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 50.

[0084] When the game is in a low probability game state and the setting value is set to 5 (registered setting value = 5), a lottery for a major role is performed by referring to the low probability jackpot determination random number determination table e shown in Figure 5 (e). According to this low probability jackpot determination random number determination table e, a jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is between 10001 and 10246, a small jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is between 20001 and 21310, and a miss is determined if the jackpot determination random number is any other number. Therefore, in this case, the jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 266.4, and the small jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 50.

[0085] When the game is in a low probability game state and the setting value is set to 6 (registered setting value = 6), a lottery for a major role is performed by referring to the low probability jackpot determination random number judgment table f shown in Figure 5 (f). According to this low probability jackpot determination random number judgment table f, a jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is between 10001 and 10253, a small jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is between 20001 and 21310, and a miss is determined if the jackpot determination random number is any other number. Therefore, in this case, the jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 259.0, and the small jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 50.

[0086] 6 is a diagram illustrating the high probability jackpot determination random number judgment table according to this embodiment. In a high probability game state, when starting a lottery for special 1 reserve and special 2 reserve, the high probability jackpot determination random number judgment table is referenced. The high probability jackpot determination random number judgment table is also provided for each setting value, just like the low probability jackpot determination random number judgment table.

[0087] When the game is in a high probability game state and the setting value is set to 1 (registered setting value = 1), a lottery for a major role is performed by referring to the high probability jackpot determination random number determination table a shown in Figure 6 (a). According to this high probability jackpot determination random number determination table a, a jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is 10001 to 10620, a small jackpot is determined if the jackpot determination random number is 20001 to 21310, and a miss is determined if the jackpot determination random number is any other number. Therefore, in this case, the probability of a jackpot is approximately 1 / 105.7, and the probability of a small jackpot is approximately 1 / 50.

[0088] Similarly, when the game is in a high probability game state and the setting value is set to 2 to 6 (registered setting value = 2 to 6), the big win lottery is performed by referring to the high probability jackpot determination random number judgment tables b to f shown in Figures 6(b) to (f). According to these high probability jackpot determination random number judgment tables b to f, a jackpot is determined when the jackpot determination random number is the value shown in the table. Therefore, when the setting value is 2 to 6, the jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 102.4 to 1 / 91.0, respectively, and the small jackpot probability is approximately 1 / 50.

[0089] As described above, the big prize lottery is conducted according to the registered setting value. At this time, the probability of winning the big prize differs according to the registered setting value, and when the registered setting value is large, it is easier to win the big prize than when the registered setting value is small. Here, even if the registered setting value differs, the probability of winning the small prize does not change, but the probability of winning the small prize may be different for each registered setting value. Also, a small prize is not required, and only either a big prize or a loss may be determined in the big prize lottery.

[0090] Also, here, the probability of winning a jackpot in both the low-probability gaming state and the high-probability gaming state differs depending on the registered setting value, but it is also possible to make it so that only the probability of winning a jackpot in either the low-probability gaming state or the high-probability gaming state differs depending on the registered setting value.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a winning symbol random number determination table according to this embodiment. When a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 120 or the second starting hole 122, one winning symbol random number is obtained from the range of 0 to 99. When the result of the major role lottery is a "big win" or a "small win," the type of special symbol is determined based on the obtained winning symbol random number and the winning symbol random number determination table. If a "big win" is won by the special 1 reserved symbol, the special 1 winning symbol random number determination table a is selected, as shown in FIG. 7(a). If a "small win" is won by the special 1 reserved symbol, the special 1 winning symbol random number determination table b is selected, as shown in FIG. 7(b). If a "big win" is won by the special 2 reserved symbol, the special 2 winning symbol random number determination table a is selected, as shown in FIG. 7(c). If a "small win" is won by the special 2 reserved symbol, the special 2 winning symbol random number determination table b is selected, as shown in FIG. 7(d). In the following, the special pattern determined by the winning pattern random number, i.e., the special pattern determined when a big win determination result is obtained, will be called the big win pattern, the special pattern determined when a small win determination result is obtained will be called the small win pattern, and the special pattern determined when a loss determination result is obtained will be called the loss pattern.

[0092] According to the special 1 winning symbol random number determination table a shown in Fig. 7(a) and the special 2 winning symbol random number determination table a shown in Fig. 7(c), the type of special symbol (big winning symbol) is determined according to the value of the acquired winning symbol random number, as shown in the figure. Also, according to the special 1 winning symbol random number determination table b shown in Fig. 7(b) and the special 2 winning symbol random number determination table b shown in Fig. 7(d), the type of special symbol (small winning symbol) is determined to be special symbol a, as shown in the figure, regardless of the value of the acquired winning symbol random number.

[0093] On the other hand, when the result of the big role lottery is "miss", if the result of the lottery is derived by special 1 reservation, special pattern X is determined as the losing pattern without drawing a lottery. Also, when the result of the big role lottery is "miss", if the result of the lottery is derived by special 2 reservation, special pattern Y is determined as the losing pattern without drawing a lottery.

[0094] In other words, the winning symbol random number determination table is referenced only when the result of the big role lottery is a "big win" or a "small win," and is not referenced when the result of the big role lottery is a "miss." Here, the same big win symbol is determined in the special 1 winning symbol random number determination table and the special 2 winning symbol random number determination table. However, different big win symbols may be determined in both tables, or the type of special symbol (big win symbol) may be determined by referring to the winning symbol random number determination table 1 regardless of the reserved type.

[0095] Here, the selection ratio of the big win symbol and the small win symbol is common to all setting values, but either one or both of the big win symbol and the small win symbol may be made different for each setting value.

[0096] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a reach group determination random number judgment table according to this embodiment. Multiple reach group determination random number judgment tables are provided, and a preset table is selected depending on the reserved type, reserved number, game status, and variable status associated with the game status. When a game ball enters the first start hole 120 or the second start hole 122, one reach group determination random number is obtained from the range of 0 to 10006. As described above, once the big role lottery result is derived, a process is performed to determine a variable performance pattern to notify the big role lottery result. In this embodiment, when the big role lottery result is a "miss," the group type is first determined based on the reach group determination random number and the reach group determination random number judgment table to determine the variable performance pattern. Note that the variable status specifies which table is referenced to determine the variable performance pattern, and is a concept set separately from the game status.

[0097] For example, when the game state is set to a non-time-saving game state, if a "miss" big role lottery result is derived based on the special 1 reserve, and the number of reserved special 1s (hereinafter simply referred to as the "reserved number") when the big role lottery is performed is 0, then the reach group determination random number judgment table 1 is selected, as shown in FIG. 8(a). Similarly, when the game state is set to a normal game state, if a "miss" big role lottery result is derived based on the special 1 reserve, and the number of reserved special 1s when the big role lottery is performed is 1 to 2, then the reach group determination random number judgment table 2 is selected, as shown in FIG. 8(b), and if the number of reserved special 1s is 3, then the reach group determination random number judgment table 3 is selected, as shown in FIG. 8(c). Note that in FIG. 8, the group x listed in the group type column indicates an arbitrary group number. Therefore, various group numbers are determined as the group type depending on the acquired reach group determination random number and the type of reach group determination random number judgment table referenced.

[0098] Here, we have explained the reach group determination random number judgment table that is referenced when a "miss" major role lottery result is derived based on special 1 reserve in a non-time-saving game state, but the main ROM 300b also stores many other reach group determination random number judgment tables.

[0099] In addition, if the result of the big role lottery is a "big win" or a "small win", the group type is not determined when determining the variable performance pattern. In other words, the reach group determination random number judgment table is referenced only when the result of the big role lottery is a "miss", and is not referenced when the result of the big role lottery is a "big win" or a "small win".

[0100] 9 is a diagram illustrating the reach mode determination random number judgment table according to this embodiment. This reach mode determination random number judgment table is broadly divided into a miss reach mode determination random number judgment table that is selected when the big role lottery result is a "miss," a jackpot reach mode determination random number judgment table that is selected when the big role lottery result is a "jackpot," and a small win reach mode determination random number judgment table that is selected when the big role lottery result is a "small win." The miss reach mode determination random number judgment table is provided for each group type determined as described above, and the jackpot reach mode determination random number judgment table and the small win reach mode determination random number judgment table are provided for each reserve type.

[0101] In addition, each reach mode determination random number judgment table is also provided for each game state and type of symbol. Here, an example of a reach mode determination random number judgment table when a group x loses, which is referenced in a predetermined game state and type of symbol, is shown in Figure 9(a), an example of a reach mode determination random number judgment table when a special 1 jackpot is reached, is shown in Figure 9(b), an example of a reach mode determination random number judgment table when a special 2 jackpot is reached, is shown in Figure 9(c), an example of a reach mode determination random number judgment table when a special 1 small jackpot is reached, is shown in Figure 9(d), and an example of a reach mode determination random number judgment table when a special 2 small jackpot is reached, is shown in Figure 9(e).

[0102] When a game ball enters the first start hole 120 or the second start hole 122, one reach mode determination random number is obtained from the range of 0 to 250. If the result of the big role lottery is a "miss," as shown in Figure 9(a), a reach mode determination random number judgment table at the time of a miss corresponding to the group type determined by the lottery for the group type is selected, and a variation mode number is determined based on the selected reach mode determination random number judgment table at the time of a miss and the reach mode determination random number. If the result of the big role lottery is a "jackpot," as shown in Figures 9(b) and 9(c), a reach mode determination random number judgment table at the time of a jackpot corresponding to the read-out reserve type is selected, and a variation mode number is determined based on the selected reach mode determination random number judgment table at the time of a jackpot and the reach mode determination random number.

[0103] Furthermore, if the result of the above-mentioned big prize lottery is a "small prize," as shown in Figures 9(d) and (e), a random number judgment table for determining the reach mode at the time of a small prize corresponding to the read-out hold type is selected, and a variable mode number is determined based on the selected random number judgment table for determining the reach mode at the time of a small prize and the reach mode determination random number.

[0104] Furthermore, in each reach mode determination random number determination table, the reach mode determination random number is associated with a variation pattern random number determination table, which will be described later, along with a variation mode number; the variation pattern random number determination table is determined at the same time that the variation mode number is determined. In FIG. 9, the table x listed in the variation pattern random number determination table column indicates an arbitrary table number. Therefore, the variation mode number and the table number of the variation pattern random number determination table are determined according to the acquired reach group determination random number and the type of reach mode determination random number determination table being referenced. In this embodiment, the variation mode number and the variation pattern number, which will be described later, are set in hexadecimal. Hereinafter, hexadecimal numbers are indicated by the letter "H," but the notation ○○H in FIGS. 9 to 11 indicates an arbitrary value expressed in hexadecimal.

[0105] As described above, when the result of the big role lottery is a "miss," first, the group type is determined by the reach group determination random number judgment table and reach group determination random number shown in Figure 8. Then, according to the determined group type and the game state, the variation mode number and variation pattern random number judgment table are determined by the reach mode determination random number judgment table when a miss is reached and the reach mode determination random number shown in Figure 9(a).

[0106] On the other hand, if the result of the big prize lottery is a "big win" or a "small win," the reach mode determination random number judgment table shown in Figure 9, which corresponds to the determined big win pattern or small win pattern (type of special pattern), the game state at the time of winning the big win or small win, etc., will be referenced, and the reach mode determination random number will be used to determine the variation mode number and variation pattern random number judgment table.

[0107] 10 is a diagram illustrating the fluctuation pattern random number determination table according to this embodiment. Here, the fluctuation pattern random number determination table x of a predetermined table number x is shown, but in addition, many other fluctuation pattern random number determination tables are provided for each table number.

[0108] When a game ball enters the first starting hole 120 or the second starting hole 122, one fluctuation pattern random number is acquired from the range of 0 to 238. Then, based on the fluctuation pattern random number determination table determined at the same time as the above fluctuation mode number and the acquired fluctuation pattern random number, a fluctuation pattern number is determined as shown in the figure.

[0109] In this way, when the big role lottery is performed, a variation mode number and a variation pattern number are determined according to the big role lottery result, the determined symbol type, the game state, the number of reserved symbols, the reserved symbol type, etc. These variation mode numbers and variation pattern numbers specify the variation performance pattern, and each of them is associated with the mode and time of the variation performance.

[0110] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a fluctuation time determination table according to this embodiment. Once the fluctuation mode number is determined as described above, fluctuation time 1 is determined according to the fluctuation time 1 determination table shown in Fig. 11(a). According to this fluctuation time 1 determination table, fluctuation time 1 is associated with each fluctuation mode number, and the corresponding fluctuation time 1 is determined according to the determined fluctuation mode number.

[0111] Furthermore, as described above, once the fluctuation pattern number is determined, fluctuation time 2 is determined according to the fluctuation time 2 determination table shown in Figure 11 (b). According to this fluctuation time 2 determination table, fluctuation time 2 is associated with each fluctuation pattern number, and the corresponding fluctuation time 2 is determined according to the determined fluctuation pattern number. The total time of the fluctuation times 1 and 2 determined in this way is the time of the fluctuation performance that notifies the result of the big role lottery, that is, the fluctuation time.

[0112] When the variation mode number is determined in the above manner, a variation mode command corresponding to the determined variation mode number is sent to the sub-control board 330, and when the variation pattern number is determined, a variation pattern command corresponding to the determined variation pattern number is sent to the sub-control board 330. The sub-control board 330 determines mainly the first half of the variation performance based on the received variation mode command, and mainly determines the second half of the variation performance based on the received variation pattern command, details of which will be described later. Note that, hereinafter, the variation mode number and variation pattern number will be collectively referred to as variation information, and the variation mode command and variation pattern command will be collectively referred to as variation command.

[0113] 12 is a diagram illustrating a special electric device activation ram set table according to this embodiment. This special electric device activation ram set table stores various data for controlling a big win game or a small win game. During a big win game or a small win game, the first big win opening solenoid 126c and the second big win opening solenoid 128c are energized and controlled by referring to this special electric device activation ram set table. In practice, multiple special electric device activation ram set tables are provided for each type of special symbol (big win symbol and small win symbol), and a corresponding table is set at the start of a big win game or a small win game depending on the type of special symbol determined. However, for the sake of convenience, the control data for all special symbols is shown in one table.

[0114] When the special symbols A, B, C, which are the big win symbols, or the special symbol a, which is the small win symbol, are determined, an opening and closing process is executed to control the opening and closing of the first large winning opening 126 and the second large winning opening 128 in a predetermined opening and closing pattern, with reference to the special electric role activation ram set table, as shown in Figure 12. The big win game is made up of multiple rounds of play in which the second large winning opening 128 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times, and the small win game is made up of only one round of play in which the first large winning opening 126 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times.

[0115] According to this special electric device operation ram set table, the opening time (waiting time until the first round of play starts), the maximum number of times the special electric device operates (the number of rounds of play executed during one major role play or one small win play), the open large prize opening (the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 that are opened in each round of play), the number of times the special electric device opens and closes (the number of times the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 are opened during one round of play), the solenoid energization time (the number of times the first large prize opening solenoid 126c and the second large prize opening solenoid 126d are opened for each number of times the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 are opened), the number of times the solenoid energizes (the number of times the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 are opened for each number of times the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 are opened), the number of times the solenoid energizes (the number of times the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening solenoid 126c and the second large prize opening solenoid 126d are opened for each number of times the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 are opened) and the number of times the solenoid energizes (the number of times the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening solenoid 126c and the second large prize opening solenoid 126d are opened for each number of times the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 are opened) are set. The control data for the big prize game includes the power supply time of the resonoid 128c, i.e., the opening time of the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 in one play), the specified number (the maximum number of wins that can be won in the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 in one round of play), the effective time for closing the large prize opening (the closing time of the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 between rounds of play, i.e., the interval time between rounds), and the ending time (the waiting time from the end of the last round of play until the normal special game is resumed) which are pre-stored as shown in the figure for each type of big prize pattern and small prize pattern as the control data for the big prize game.

[0116] In this embodiment, when the special symbols A and B, which are the jackpot symbols, are determined, a big win game consisting of five rounds of play is executed, and when the special symbol C is determined, a big win game consisting of ten rounds of play is executed. Each round of play ends when a specified number (10) of game balls enter the second big winning opening 128 or when a predetermined time (29.0 seconds in this case) has elapsed since the second big winning opening 128 was opened.

[0117] In addition, when the special symbol a, which is the small win symbol, is determined, a small win game consisting of one round of play is executed. In the small win game executed when the special symbol a is determined, the first large prize opening 126 is opened twice for 0.9 seconds with a predetermined pause between them in the first round of play.

[0118] 13 is a diagram illustrating a game state setting table for setting the game state after the end of the big win game according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, when the big win game is executed, the game state after the end of the big win game is set according to the type of special symbol determined at the time of winning the jackpot.

[0119] According to this game state setting table, if the jackpot symbol is special symbol A, the game state is set to a low-probability game state after the big-win game ends. On the other hand, if the jackpot symbol is special symbol B or C, the game state is set to a high-probability game state after the big-win game ends, and the number of times the high-probability game state continues (hereinafter referred to as the "high-probability number") is set to 10,000. This means that the high-probability game state continues until the big-win lottery result is determined 10,000 times. However, the above-mentioned high-probability number indicates the maximum number of times in the high-probability game state. If a jackpot is won before reaching the above-mentioned number of times, the high-probability number will be set again. Therefore, if the high-probability game state is set after the big-win game ends, and a losing lottery result is derived 10,000 times without a jackpot result being derived in the high-probability game state, the game state will change to a low-probability game state.

[0120] Furthermore, after the big win game ends, the game is set to a time-saving game state, and the number of times the time-saving game state will continue (hereinafter referred to as the "time-saving number of times"). At this time, if the jackpot symbol is special symbol A, the time-saving number of times is set to 100, and if it is special symbol B or C, the time-saving number of times is set to 10,000. This means that the time-saving game state will continue until the big win lottery result is determined to be 100 or 10,000 times. However, the above-mentioned time-saving number of times indicates the maximum number of times that the time-saving game state will continue, and if a jackpot is won before the above-mentioned number of times of continuation is reached, the time-saving number of times will be set again.

[0121] 14 is a diagram illustrating a winning determination random number judgment table according to this embodiment. When a gaming ball flowing down the gaming area 116 passes through the gate 124 (the gaming ball enters the normal symbol operating port 125), a normal symbol judgment process (hereinafter referred to as "normal symbol lottery") is performed, which is associated with whether or not to control the energization of the movable piece 122b of the second starting port 122.

[0122] As will be described in more detail later, when a gaming ball passes through gate 124 (enters normal map operation port 125), one winning determination random number is obtained from the range of 0 to 99, and this random number value is stored in the normal map reserve memory area of ​​main RAM 300c, up to a maximum of four. In other words, the normal map reserve memory area has four memory units for saving winning determination random numbers. Therefore, if a gaming ball passes through gate 124 (enters normal map operation port 125) with winning determination random numbers stored in all four memory units of the normal map reserve memory area, no winning determination random number will be stored based on the passage of the gaming ball. Hereinafter, a winning determination random number stored in the normal map reserve memory area after a gaming ball passes through gate 124 (enters normal map operation port 125) will be referred to as a normal map reserve.

[0123] When the normal symbol lottery is started in the non-time-saving game state, a win determination random number determination table for the non-time-saving game state is referenced, as shown in Figure 14(a). According to this win determination random number determination table for the non-time-saving game state, if the win determination random number is 0, a winning symbol is determined as the type of normal symbol, and if the win determination random number is 1 to 99, a losing symbol is determined as the type of normal symbol. Therefore, the probability of determining a winning symbol in the non-time-saving game state, i.e., the probability of winning, is 1 / 100. As will be described in detail later, if a winning symbol is determined in this normal symbol lottery, the second start opening 122 is controlled to an open state, and if a losing symbol is determined, the second start opening 122 is maintained in a closed state.

[0124] Also, when the normal symbol lottery is started in the time-saving gaming state, a time-saving gaming state winning determination random number determination table is referenced, as shown in Figure 14(b). According to this time-saving gaming state winning determination random number determination table, if the winning determination random number is 0 to 98, a winning symbol is determined as the type of normal symbol, and if the winning determination random number is 99, a losing symbol is determined as the type of normal symbol. Therefore, the probability of determining a winning symbol in the time-saving gaming state, i.e., the probability of winning, is 99 / 100.

[0125] FIG. 15(a) is a diagram illustrating a normal symbol variation time data table according to this embodiment, and FIG. 15(b) is a diagram illustrating an opening / closing control pattern table according to this embodiment. As described above, when a normal symbol lottery is conducted, the normal symbol variation time is determined. The normal symbol variation time data table is referenced when determining the normal symbol variation time when a winning symbol or a losing symbol is determined by the normal symbol lottery. According to this normal symbol variation time data table, when the game state is set to a non-time-saving game state, the variation time is determined to be 10 seconds, and when the game state is set to a time-saving game state, the variation time is determined to be 1 second. Once the variation time is determined in this manner, the normal symbol display 168 displays a variable (blinking) display for the determined time. When a winning symbol is determined, the normal symbol display 168 lights up, and when a losing symbol is determined, the normal symbol display 168 turns off.

[0126] Then, when a winning symbol is determined by the normal symbol lottery and the normal symbol display 168 lights up, the movable piece 122b of the second starting hole 122 is controlled to energize by referring to the opening / closing control pattern table, as shown in Fig. 15(b). Note that, in reality, an opening / closing control pattern table is provided for each game state, and depending on the game state when the normal symbol is determined, the corresponding table is set when energization of the normal electric role solenoid 122c begins, but here, for convenience of explanation, the control data corresponding to each game state is shown in one table.

[0127] When a winning symbol is determined, the second starting hole 122 is controlled to open and close with reference to the opening and closing control pattern table, as shown in FIG. 15(b). According to this opening / closing control pattern table, the time before normal power is released (waiting time until the second start port 122 begins to open), the maximum number of times the normal electric role device is switched on and off (number of times the second start port 122 is opened), the solenoid power supply time (power supply time of the normal electric role device solenoid 122c for each number of times the second start port 122 is opened, i.e., the opening time of the second start port 122 once), the specified number (the maximum number of winning entries into the second start port 122 while it is fully open), the normal power closing effective time (the closing time between each opening of the second start port 122, i.e., the pause time), the normal power active state time (waiting time from the end of the last opening of the second start port 122), and the normal power end waiting time (waiting time until the variable display of the normal pattern described below is resumed after the normal power active state time has elapsed) are pre-stored as control data for the second start port 122 for each game state, as shown in the figure.

[0128] In this way, the non-time-shortened game state and the time-shortened game state are each associated with an opening / closing control condition for opening and closing the second start port 122 as a game progress condition, and in the time-shortened game state, it is easier for a game ball to enter the second start port 122 than in the non-time-shortened game state. In other words, in the time-shortened game state, as long as a game ball passes through the gate 124 (a game ball enters the normal game operation port 125), normal game lotteries are held one after another and the second start port 122 is frequently in an open state, so that the player can participate in big role lotteries while reducing the consumption of game balls.

[0129] The opening / closing conditions for the second start opening 122 stipulate three elements: the probability of winning a normal symbol, the time for which the normal symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and the opening time of the second start opening 122. In this embodiment, two of these elements are set to be more advantageous for the time-shortened game state than for the non-time-shortened game state, so that a game ball is more likely to enter the second start opening 122 in the time-shortened game state than in the non-time-shortened game state. However, one or three of the above three elements may be set to be more advantageous for the time-shortened game state than the non-time-shortened game state. In any case, by making the time-shortened game state more advantageous than the non-time-shortened game state in at least one element, it is possible to make it easier for a game ball to enter the second start opening 122 in the time-shortened game state than in the non-time-shortened game state overall. In other words, when the game state is set to a non-time-shortened game state, the movable piece 122b is controlled to open and close in accordance with a first condition, and when the game state is set to a time-shortened game state, the movable piece 122b is controlled to open and close in accordance with a second condition that is more likely to be in the open state than the first condition.

[0130] In addition, in this embodiment, a normal map operating port 125 is provided in the second game area 116b, and almost all game balls that flow down to the bottom of the second game area 116b enter the normal map operating port 125. When a game ball enters the normal map operating port 125, one prize ball is paid out. Therefore, even if a game ball is launched into the second game area 116b in a non-time-saving game state, the game balls are hardly reduced. However, the normal map operating port 125 is not a required component, and the board configuration is merely an example. Therefore, a configuration in which the game balls are reduced when a game ball is launched into the second game area 116b in a non-time-saving game state may also be used.

[0131] Next, the main processing of the main control board 300 as the game progresses in the gaming machine 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0132] 16 is a diagram illustrating the gaming machine status flag according to this embodiment. In the main control board 300, the gaming machine status flag controls whether or not a game can be played. One of six flag values ​​from 00H to 05H is set to the gaming machine status flag. A flag value of 00H indicates a playable state, and when the gaming machine status flag is 00H, the game is controlled to proceed, and when the gaming machine status flag is other than 00H, the game is stopped.

[0133] A flag value of 01H for the gaming machine status flag indicates a setting change state, and when the gaming machine status flag is 01H, it is possible to change the registered setting value. A flag value of 02H for the gaming machine status flag indicates a setting confirmation state, and when the gaming machine status flag is 02H, the registered setting value can be confirmed by displaying it on the performance display monitor 184, for example. A flag value of 03H for the gaming machine status flag indicates an abnormal setting state, and when the gaming machine status flag is 03H, the registered setting value is considered abnormal and game play is stopped. A flag value of 04H for the gaming machine status flag indicates an RWM (read write memory) abnormal state, and when the gaming machine status flag is 04H, game play is stopped. A flag value of 05H for the gaming machine status flag indicates a checksum abnormal state, and when the gaming machine status flag is 05H, game play is stopped. When the power is turned on, the gaming machine status flag is set to one of the flag values, and processing according to the gaming machine status flag is performed.

[0134] (CPU initialization process of main control board 300) Figure 17 is a first flowchart explaining the CPU initialization processing in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment, and Figure 18 is a second flowchart explaining the CPU initialization processing in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0135] When power is supplied from the power supply board, a system reset occurs in the main CPU 300a, and the main CPU 300a performs the following CPU initialization process (S100).

[0136] (Step S100-1) When the power is turned on, the main CPU 300a reads a boot program from the main ROM 300b as an initial setting process, and also performs setting processes required to execute various processes.

[0137] (Step S100-3) The main CPU 300a sets a wait processing time in a timer counter.

[0138] (Step S100-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether a power-off warning signal has been detected. The main control board 300 is provided with a power-off detection circuit, which outputs a power-off warning signal when the power supply voltage drops below a predetermined value. If a power-off warning signal has been detected, the process proceeds to step S100-3, and if a power-off warning signal has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S100-7.

[0139] (Step S100-7) The main CPU 300a determines whether the wait time set in step S100-3 has elapsed. If it is determined that the wait time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S100-9. If it is determined that the wait time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S100-5.

[0140] (Step S100-9) The main CPU 300a executes the processing required to permit access to the main RAM 300c.

[0141] (Step S100-11) The main CPU 300a loads the flag value of the gaming machine status flag before the power is turned off into the D register.

[0142] (Step S100-13) The main CPU 300a calculates the checksum and determines whether the calculated checksum matches the checksum saved at the time of power-off (is normal) and whether the backup flag is normal. If the main CPU 300a determines that the backup flag and checksum are normal, it proceeds to step S100-15. If it determines that either or both of them are abnormal, it proceeds to step S100-25.

[0143] (Step S100-15) The main CPU 300a sets an address that does not include a setting value or a gaming machine status flag as the first address to be cleared in the main RAM 300c.

[0144] (Step S100-17) The main CPU 300a determines whether a RAM clear operation signal has been input from the RAM clear switch 182s (whether the RAM clear button has been pressed). If it is determined that a RAM clear operation signal has been input, the main CPU 300a proceeds to step S100-31, and if it is determined that a RAM clear operation signal has not been input, the main CPU 300a proceeds to step S100-19.

[0145] (Step S100-19) The main CPU 300a determines whether the flag value of the gaming machine status flag loaded in step S100-11 is 00H (playable state), the setting change switch 180s is on, and the middle frame 104 is open. If it is determined that all three conditions are met, the process proceeds to step S100-21. If it is determined that any one of the three conditions is not met, the process proceeds to step S100-23.

[0146] (Step S100-21) The main CPU 300a sets the gaming machine status flag to 02H (setting confirmation status). That is, when the power is turned on normally with the middle frame 104 open, the setting change switch 180s on, and the RAM clear button not pressed, the setting confirmation status is entered.

[0147] (Step S100-23) The main CPU 300a executes initialization processing to clear the areas of the main RAM 300c that are to be cleared when the power is restored, which are areas after the start address set in step S100-15, and then proceeds to step S100-49.

[0148] (Step S100-25) The main CPU 300a sets 05H (checksum abnormal state) in the D register.

[0149] (Step S100-27) The main CPU 300a performs an outside area read / write check process that checks and clears the read / write memory in the unused area.

[0150] (Step S100-29) The main CPU 300a sets an address including the set value and the gaming machine status flag as the first address to be cleared in the main RAM 300c.

[0151] (Step S100-31) The main CPU 300a checks and clears the read / write memory of the used area.

[0152] (Step S100-33) The main CPU 300a determines whether the check result of the read / write memory in step S100-31 is normal. If it is determined to be normal, the process proceeds to step S100-37. If it is determined to be abnormal, the process proceeds to step S100-35.

[0153] (Step S100-35) The main CPU 300a sets 04H (RWM abnormal state) in the D register and moves the process to step S100-45.

[0154] (Step S100-37) The main CPU 300a determines whether 02H (setting confirmation state) is set in the D register. If it is determined that 02H is set, the process proceeds to step S100-39. If it is determined that 02H is not set, the process proceeds to step S100-41.

[0155] (Step S100-39) The main CPU 300a sets 00H (playable state) in the D register.

[0156] (Step S100-41) The main CPU 300a determines whether the setting change conditions are met. If it is determined that the setting change conditions are met, the process proceeds to step S100-43. If it is determined that the setting change conditions are not met, the process proceeds to step S100-45. Note that the setting change conditions here include at least the following: the setting change switch 180s is on; the middle frame 104 is open; and a RAM clear operation signal is input from the RAM clear switch 182s.

[0157] (Step S100-43) The main CPU 300a sets 01H (setting changed state) in the D register.

[0158] (Step S100-45) The main CPU 300a saves the value set in the D register in the gaming machine status flag.

[0159] (Step S100-47) The main CPU 300a executes initialization processing to clear the items in the main RAM 300c that are to be cleared when the RAM is cleared, and then proceeds to step S100-49.

[0160] (Step S100-49) The main CPU 300a performs a transmission process (storing the RAM clear command in a transmission buffer) of a dispensing command (RAM clear command) to notify the dispensing control board 310 that the main RAM 300c has been cleared.

[0161] (Step S100-51) The main CPU 300a loads the gaming machine status flag.

[0162] (Step S100-53) The main CPU 300a determines whether the gaming machine status flag loaded in step S100-51 is 00H (playable state). If it is determined that the flag is 00H, the process proceeds to step S110. If it is determined that the flag is not 00H, the process proceeds to step S100-55.

[0163] (Step S110) The main CPU 300a performs a sub-command group set process, which will be described later.

[0164] (Step S100-55) The main CPU 300a performs sub-command set processing to send a predetermined command to the sub-control board 330. Here, a command corresponding to the gaming machine status flag is set. For example, if the gaming machine status flag is 01H, a setting change status designation command is set, and if the gaming machine status flag is 02H, a setting confirmation status designation command is set. In this way, by sending a command corresponding to the gaming machine status flag to the sub-control board 330, the internal status of the main control board 300 can be grasped on the sub-control board 330.

[0165] (Step S100-57) The main CPU 300a sets the timer interrupt period.

[0166] (Step S100-59) The main CPU 300a performs processing to disable interrupts.

[0167] (Step S100-61) The main CPU 300a updates the initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number. The initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number is used to determine the initial value and the end value of the winning symbol random number. In other words, when the winning symbol random number goes through one cycle from the initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number to the initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number - 1 by the update process of the winning symbol random number described later, the winning symbol random number will be updated to the initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number at that time.

[0168] (Step S100-63) The main CPU 300a analyzes the received data (main command) received from the dispensing control board 310, and executes various processes according to the received data.

[0169] (Step S100-65) The main CPU 300 a performs processing to transmit the sub-commands stored in the transmission buffer to the sub-control board 330 .

[0170] (Step S100-67) The main CPU 300a performs processing to permit an interrupt.

[0171] (Step S100-69) The main CPU 300a updates the reach group determination random number, reach mode determination random number, and variation pattern random number, and thereafter repeats the process from step S100-59. Note that, hereinafter, the reach group determination random number, reach mode determination random number, and variation pattern random number for determining the variation presentation pattern are collectively referred to as variation presentation random numbers.

[0172] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the sub-command group setting process (S110) in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0173] (Step S110-1) The main CPU 300a loads the flag value of the gaming machine status flag.

[0174] (Step S110-3) The main CPU 300a performs sub-command set processing for transmitting a predetermined command to the sub-control board 330. Here, for example, if the initialization processing is executed in the above step S100-47, a RAM clear designation command is set.

[0175] (Step S110-5) The main CPU 300a performs a model command setting process to set a model command indicating model information of the gaming machine 100 in a transmission buffer.

[0176] (Step S110-7) The main CPU 300a performs a setting value designation command setting process for setting a setting value designation command indicating a registered setting value in a transmission buffer.

[0177] (Step S110-9) The main CPU 300a performs a special chart 1 reservation designation command setting process that sets a special chart 1 reservation designation command indicating the special chart 1 reservation number in the transmission buffer.

[0178] (Step S110-11) The main CPU 300a performs a special 2 reserve designation command setting process to set a special 2 reserve designation command indicating the special 2 reserve number in the transmission buffer.

[0179] (Step S110-13) The main CPU 300a performs a count command setting process for setting a count command indicating the remaining number of times in the time-shortened gaming state in a transmission buffer.

[0180] (Step S110-15) The main CPU 300a performs a fluctuation pattern selection state designation command setting process for setting a fluctuation pattern selection state designation command indicating a fluctuation pattern selection state in a transmission buffer.

[0181] (Step S110-17) The main CPU 300a performs a special game phase designation command setting process to set a special game phase designation command indicating a special game management phase in a transmission buffer. The special game management phase will be described later.

[0182] (Step S110-19) The main CPU 300a determines whether the special game management phase is in a special symbol change waiting state. If it is determined that the special symbol change waiting state is in effect, the main CPU 300a proceeds to step S110-21, and if it is determined that the special symbol change waiting state is not in effect, the sub-command group set process is terminated.

[0183] (Step S110-21) The main CPU 300a sets the customer waiting designation command in the transmission buffer, and ends the sub-command group setting process.

[0184] Next, a description will be given of interrupt processing in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. Here, a description will be given of a power-off save processing (XINT interrupt processing) and a timer interrupt processing.

[0185] (Main control board 300 power off evacuation process (XINT interrupt process)) 20 is a flowchart illustrating the power-off save process (XINT interrupt process) in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. The main CPU 300a monitors the power-off detection circuit, and when the power supply voltage drops below a predetermined value, it interrupts the CPU initialization process and executes the power-off save process.

[0186] (Step S300-1) When the power-off warning signal is input, the main CPU 300a saves the registers.

[0187] (Step S300-3) The main CPU 300a checks the power-off warning signal.

[0188] (Step S300-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether a power-off warning signal has been detected. If it is determined that a power-off warning signal has been detected, the process proceeds to step S300-11. If it is determined that a power-off warning signal has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S300-7.

[0189] (Step S300-7) The main CPU 300a restores the register.

[0190] (Step S300-9) The main CPU 300a performs processing to permit an interrupt, and then ends the power-off save processing.

[0191] (Step S300-11) The main CPU 300a executes an output port clear process to stop the output of the output port.

[0192] (Step S300-13) The main CPU 300a executes a checksum setting process that calculates and stores a checksum.

[0193] (Step S300-15) The main CPU 300a executes RAM protection setting processing required to prohibit access to the main RAM 300c.

[0194] (Step S300-17) The main CPU 300a sets the counter value of the loop counter to a predetermined number of times the power interruption detection signal has been detected, in order to set the power interruption occurrence monitoring time.

[0195] (Step S300-19) The main CPU 300a checks the power-off warning signal.

[0196] (Step S300-21) The main CPU 300a determines whether a power-off warning signal has been detected. If it is determined that a power-off warning signal has been detected, the process proceeds to step S300-17. If it is determined that a power-off warning signal has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S300-23.

[0197] (Step S300-23) The main CPU 300a subtracts one from the value of the loop counter set in step S300-17.

[0198] (Step S300-25) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the loop counter is 0. If it is determined that the counter value is not 0, the process proceeds to step S300-19, and if it is determined that the counter value is 0, the process proceeds to the CPU initialization process (step S100) described above.

[0199] In addition, if a power outage actually occurs, the operation of the gaming machine 100 will stop while steps S300-17 to S300-25 are being looped.

[0200] (Timer interrupt processing of main control board 300) 21 is a flowchart illustrating the timer interrupt process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. The main control board 300 is provided with a reset clock pulse generating circuit that generates a clock pulse every predetermined period (4 milliseconds in this embodiment, hereinafter referred to as "4 ms"). When a clock pulse is generated by the reset clock pulse generating circuit, an interrupt occurs in the CPU initialization process (step S100), and the following timer interrupt process is executed.

[0201] (Step S400-1) The main CPU 300a saves the registers.

[0202] (Step S400-3) The main CPU 300a performs processing to permit an interrupt.

[0203] (Step S400-5) The main CPU 300a outputs the common data set in the common output buffer to the output port and executes dynamic port output processing that controls the lighting of the first special pattern display 160, the second special pattern display 162, the first special pattern reserve display 164, the second special pattern reserve display 166, the normal pattern display 168, the normal pattern reserve display 170, the right hit notification display 172, and the performance display monitor 184.

[0204] (Step S400-7) The main CPU 300a reads various types of input port information and executes port input processing to accurately obtain the latest switch status.

[0205] (Step S400-9) The main CPU 300a loads the flag value of the gaming machine status flag.

[0206] (Step S400-11) The main CPU 300a determines whether the flag value loaded in step S400-9 is 00H (playable state). If it is determined that the flag value is 00H, the process proceeds to step S400-15. If it is determined that the flag value is not 00H, the process proceeds to step S400-13.

[0207] (Step S400-13) The main CPU 300a determines whether the flag value loaded in step S400-9 is equal to or greater than 03H (abnormal setting state). If it is determined that the flag value is equal to or greater than 03H, the process proceeds to step S400-27. If it is determined that the flag value is not equal to or greater than 03H, the process proceeds to step S450.

[0208] (Step S450) The main CPU 300a executes the setting-related processing and moves the process to step S400-27, which will be described later.

[0209] (Step S400-15) The main CPU 300a performs a timer update process to update various timer counters. Here, unless otherwise specified, the timer counters are decremented each time the main control board 300 performs a timer interrupt process, and the decrement stops when the timer counter reaches 0.

[0210] (Step S400-17) The main CPU 300a executes the update process of the initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number, similar to the above step S100-61.

[0211] (Step S400-19) The main CPU 300a performs a process to update the winning symbol random number. Specifically, the random number counter is updated by adding 1, and if the result of the addition exceeds the maximum value of the random number range, the random number counter is reset to 0, and if the random number counter has completed one cycle, the random number is updated from the value of the initial value update random number for the winning symbol random number at that time.

[0212] Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, in this embodiment, the jackpot determination random number and the winning determination random number use hardware random numbers updated by a hardware random number generator built into the main control board 300. The hardware random number generator updates both the jackpot determination random number and the winning determination random number according to a set rule, automatically changing the random number sequence every time the random number sequence completes one cycle, and changing the start value every time the system is reset.

[0213] (Step S500) The main CPU 300a executes a switch management process to determine whether or not a signal has been input from the first start hole detection switch 120s, the second start hole detection switch 122s, the gate detection switch 124s, the normal operation hole detection switch 125s, the first large prize hole detection switch 126s, and the second large prize hole detection switch 128s. Details of this switch management process will be described later.

[0214] (Step S600) The main CPU 300a executes a special game management process for controlling the progress of the special game, which will be described in detail later.

[0215] (Step S700) The main CPU 300a executes a normal game management process for controlling the progress of the normal game. Details of this normal game management process will be described later.

[0216] (Step S400-21) The main CPU 300a executes an error management process to determine various errors and make settings according to the error determination results. If it determines that an error has occurred, the main CPU 300a sets an error specification command corresponding to the type of error.

[0217] (Step S400-23) The main CPU 300a checks the general prize opening detection switch 118s, the first start opening detection switch 120s, the second start opening detection switch 122s, the first large prize opening detection switch 126s, and the second large prize opening detection switch 128s, and executes prize opening switch processing to increment the corresponding counters for prize ball control, etc.

[0218] (Step S400-25) The main CPU 300a executes a payout control management process to create and send a payout command based on the counter value of the counter for controlling the winning balls set in step S400-23.

[0219] (Step S400-27) The main CPU 300a executes an external information management process for setting output data for external information to be output from the game information output terminal board 312 to the outside.

[0220] (Step S400-29) The main CPU 300a executes an LED display setting process that sets common data to a common output buffer to control the lighting of various indicators (LEDs) such as the first special pattern indicator 160, the second special pattern indicator 162, the first special pattern reserved indicator 164, the second special pattern reserved indicator 166, the normal pattern indicator 168, the normal pattern reserved indicator 170, and the right-hit notification indicator 172.

[0221] (Step S400-31) The main CPU 300a executes a solenoid output image synthesis process to synthesize the solenoid output images of the normal electric role solenoid 122c, the first large prize opening solenoid 126c, the second large prize opening solenoid 128c and the movable member drive solenoid 142c and store them in an output port buffer.

[0222] (Step S400-33) The main CPU 300a executes a port output process for outputting the values ​​of the common output buffers stored in the respective output port buffers to the output ports.

[0223] (Step S400-35) The main CPU 300a performs processing to disable interrupts.

[0224] (Step S400-37) The main CPU 300a uses the unused area of ​​the main RAM 300c to perform processing for calculating a base ratio to be displayed on the performance display monitor 184, and executes a performance display monitor control processing for setting common data for displaying the calculated base ratio on the performance display monitor 184 in a common output buffer. In the performance display monitor control processing, the base ratio is calculated for each predetermined period. Here, the performance display monitor 184 may alternate between displaying the base ratio for the current period and the base ratio for the previous period at predetermined time intervals. The base ratio displayed on the performance display monitor 184 may also be switched in response to a predetermined operation. Furthermore, here, when the gaming machine status flag is 01H or 02H, the main CPU 300a displays the registered setting value set in the setting value buffer on the performance display monitor 184.

[0225] (Step S400-39) The main CPU 300a restores the register and ends the timer interrupt process.

[0226] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the setting-related processing (S450) according to this embodiment.

[0227] (Step S450-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the flag value of the gaming machine status flag is 01H (setting change status). If it is determined that the flag value is 01H, the process proceeds to step S450-3. If it is determined that the flag value is not 01H, the process proceeds to step S450-15.

[0228] (Step S450-3) The main CPU 300a loads the registered setting values ​​stored in the setting value buffer into a predetermined processing area.

[0229] (Step S450-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether the RAM clear switch 182s is on (whether a RAM clear operation signal has been input). If it is determined that the RAM clear switch 182s is on, the process proceeds to step S450-7, and if it is determined that the RAM clear switch 182s is not on, the process proceeds to step S450-9.

[0230] (Step S450-7) The main CPU 300a adds 1 to the setting value of the processing area.

[0231] (Step S450-9) Main CPU 300a determines whether the setting value of the processing region is in the range of 1 to 6. As a result, if it is determined that the setting value is in the range of 1 to 6, it proceeds to step S450-13, and if it is determined that the setting value is not in the range of 1 to 6, it proceeds to step S450-11.

[0232] (Step S450-11) The main CPU 300a sets the setting value of the processing area to 1.

[0233] (Step S450-13) The main CPU 300a sets the setting value of the processing area in the setting value buffer.

[0234] (Step S450-15) The main CPU 300a determines whether the setting change switch 180s is on. If it is determined that the setting change switch 180s is on, the setting-related processing ends, but if it is determined that the setting change switch 180s is not on, the processing proceeds to step S450-17.

[0235] (Step S450-17) The main CPU 300a sets a setting-related end designation command indicating the end of the setting-related processing in the transmission buffer.

[0236] (Step S110) The main CPU 300a executes the sub-command group set process of Fig. 19. That is, when the setting-related process is executed, at the end of the process, the model command, the setting value designation command, the special chart 1 hold designation command, the special chart 2 hold designation command, the number of times command, the variable pattern selection state designation command, the special chart phase designation command, and the customer waiting designation command are transmitted to the sub-control board 330.

[0237] (Step S450-19) The main CPU 300a sets the gaming machine state flag to 00H (playable state), and ends the setting-related processing.

[0238] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the power is turned on normally with the middle frame 104 open, the setting change switch 180s turned on, and the RAM clear button pressed, the gaming machine status flag is set to 01H (setting change status) in the CPU initialization process (FIG. 17). After that, the timer interrupt process is executed, but because the gaming machine status flag is set to 01H (setting change status), all processes related to the progress of the game (steps S400-15 to S400-25 in FIG. 21) are stopped, and setting-related processes are executed.

[0239] The setting-related process is repeatedly executed while the setting change switch 180s is on, and during this setting-related process, pressing the RAM clear button is accepted as a setting change operation for the registered setting value. That is, during the setting change process (S450-1 to S450-13) that accepts the setting change operation, the registered setting value stored in the setting value buffer is switched to one of multiple stages of setting values ​​in accordance with the setting change operation.

[0240] Then, when the setting change switch 180s is switched off while the gaming machine status flag is set to 01H (setting change status), the setting change process ends and the gaming machine status flag is set to 00H (playable status). This allows the process related to the progress of the game to be executed from the next timer interrupt process.

[0241] Here, in the setting-related processing of this embodiment, after the RAM clear button is pressed, i.e., after the acceptance of the setting change operation of the registered setting value has finished, the setting value designation command corresponding to the registered setting value is sent to the sub-control board 330 in the sub-command group set processing. On the other hand, while the setting change operation is being accepted, the setting value designation command is not sent to the sub-control board 330. In this way, while the setting change operation is being accepted, the setting value designation command is not sent, and when the acceptance of the setting change operation has finished and the state has shifted to one in which game progress can be made, the risk of the registered setting value being obtained fraudulently can be reduced.

[0242] In this embodiment, multiple flag values ​​including at least 01H (setting change state) are switched. When the gaming machine state flag is set to 01H (setting change state), setting-related processing can be executed, and the progress of the game is stopped. In this way, setting-related processing is not executed while the game is in progress, and setting value designation commands are not sent while the game is in progress, reducing the risk of registered setting values ​​being obtained fraudulently.

[0243] Next, among the above-mentioned timer interrupt processing, the switch management processing in step S500, the special game management processing in step S600, and the normal game management processing in step S700 will be described in detail.

[0244] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the switch management process (step S500) in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0245] (Step S500-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the gate detection switch is turned on or the normal operation port detection switch is turned on, that is, whether a gaming ball has passed through the gate 124 and the detection signal from the gate detection switch 124s has been turned on, or whether a gaming ball has entered the normal operation port 125 and the detection signal from the normal operation port detection switch 125s has been turned on. If it is determined that the gate detection switch is turned on or the normal operation port detection switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step S510, and if it is determined that the gate detection switch is not turned on or the normal operation port detection switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S500-3.

[0246] (Step S510) The main CPU 300a executes gate passage processing based on the passage of the gaming ball through the gate 124 (entry of the gaming ball into the normal operation port 125). Details of this gate passage processing will be described later.

[0247] (Step S500-3) The main CPU 300a determines whether the first start hole detection switch is on, that is, whether a game ball has entered the first start hole 120 and a detection signal has been input from the first start hole detection switch 120s. If it is determined that the first start hole detection switch is on, the process proceeds to step S520, and if it is determined that the first start hole detection switch is not on, the process proceeds to step S500-5.

[0248] (Step S520) The main CPU 300a executes first start opening passage processing based on the entry of the gaming ball into the first start opening 120. Details of this first start opening passage processing will be described later.

[0249] (Step S500-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether the second start hole detection switch is on, that is, whether a game ball has entered the second start hole 122 and a detection signal has been input from the second start hole detection switch 122s. If it is determined that the second start hole detection switch is on, the process proceeds to step S530, and if it is determined that the second start hole detection switch is not on, the process proceeds to step S500-7.

[0250] (Step S530) The main CPU 300a executes second start opening passage processing based on the entry of the gaming ball into the second start opening 122. Details of this second start opening passage processing will be described later.

[0251] (Step S500-7) The main CPU 300a determines whether it is the time when the special prize opening detection switch is detected as being on, that is, whether a gaming ball has entered the first special prize opening 126 and the second special prize opening 128 and a detection signal has been input from the first special prize opening detection switch 126s and the second special prize opening detection switch 128s. If it is determined as a result that it is the time when the special prize opening detection switch is detected as being on, the process proceeds to step S500-9, and if it is determined that it is not the time when the special prize opening detection switch is detected as being on, the process proceeds to step S500-11.

[0252] (Step S500-9) The main CPU 300a determines whether a big win game or a small win game is currently in progress, and determines whether the game balls have entered the first large win port 126 and the second large win port 128 properly. If it is determined that a big win game or a small win game is not in progress, a predetermined fraud detection process is executed, and if it is determined that a big win game or a small win game is in progress and the game balls have entered the first large win port 126 and the second large win port 128 properly, the main CPU 300a increments the large win port winning ball counter by 1, and sets a large win port winning designation command in the transmission buffer.

[0253] (Step S500-11) The main CPU 300a determines whether the general winning opening detection switch is on, that is, whether a gaming ball has entered the general winning opening 118 and a detection signal has been input from the general winning opening detection switch 118s. As a result, if it is determined that the general winning opening detection switch is on, the process proceeds to step S500-13, and if it is determined that the general winning opening detection switch is not on, the process proceeds to step S500-15.

[0254] (Step S500-13) The main CPU 300a sets the general prize slot winning designation command in the transmission buffer.

[0255] (Step S500-15) The main CPU 300a determines whether the out ball detection switch is on, i.e., whether a detection signal has been input from the out ball detection switch 130s. If it is determined that the out ball detection switch is on, the process proceeds to step S500-17, and if it is determined that the out ball detection switch is not on, the switch management process is terminated.

[0256] (Step S500-17) The main CPU 300a sets the out ball detection designation command in the transmission buffer and ends the switch management process.

[0257] FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the gate passage process (step S510) in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0258] (Step S510-1) The main CPU 300a loads the winning determination random number updated by the hardware random number generator.

[0259] (Step S510-3) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the normal symbol reserved ball counter is equal to or greater than the maximum value, that is, whether the counter value of the normal symbol reserved ball counter is equal to or greater than 4. As a result, if it is determined that the counter value of the normal symbol reserved ball counter is equal to or greater than the maximum value, the gate passing process is terminated, and if it is determined that the normal symbol reserved ball counter is not equal to or greater than the maximum value, the process proceeds to step S510-5.

[0260] (Step S510-5) The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the normal symbol reserved ball number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value.

[0261] (Step S510-7) The main CPU 300a determines which of the four storage units in the general reserve storage area is the target storage unit in which to save the acquired winning determination random number.

[0262] (Step S510-9) The main CPU 300a saves the winning determination random number acquired in the above step S510-1 in the target storage unit calculated in the above step S510-7.

[0263] (Step S510-11) The main CPU 300a sets a general map reservation designation command indicating the number of general map reservations stored in the general map reservation memory area in the transmission buffer, and terminates the gate passing process.

[0264] FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the first start opening passage process (step S520) in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0265] (Step S520-1) The main CPU 300a sets "00H" as the special symbol identification value. The special symbol identification value is used to identify whether the reserved type is special 1 reserved or special 2 reserved, and the special symbol identification value (00H) indicates special 1 reserved, and the special symbol identification value (01H) indicates special 2 reserved.

[0266] (Step S520-3) The main CPU 300a sets the address of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter.

[0267] (Step S535) The main CPU 300a executes the special symbol random number acquisition process and ends the first start gate passing process. Note that this special symbol random number acquisition process is executed using a module common to the second start gate passing process (step S530). Therefore, the details of the special symbol random number acquisition process will be explained after the explanation of the second start gate passing process.

[0268] FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating the second start port passage process (step S530) in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0269] (Step S530-1) The main CPU 300a sets "01H" as the special symbol identification value.

[0270] (Step S530-3) The main CPU 300a sets the address of the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter.

[0271] (Step S535) The main CPU 300a executes a special symbol random number acquisition process, which will be described later.

[0272] (Step S530-5) The main CPU 300a loads the normal game management phase. Note that, as will be described in detail later, the normal game management phase indicates the stage of the execution process of the normal game, i.e., the progress status of the normal game, and is updated according to the stage of the execution process of the normal game.

[0273] (Step S530-7) The main CPU 300a determines whether the normal game management phase loaded in step S530-5 is "04H." The normal game management phase "04H" indicates that the normal electric device prize opening control process is in progress. In this normal electric device prize opening control process, the normal electric device solenoid 122c is energized and the movable piece 122b is controlled to the open state, so here, it is determined whether the second start opening 122 is in a state in which it can be properly opened. If it is determined that the normal game management phase is not "04H," the second start opening passage process is terminated. If it is determined that the normal game management phase is "04H," the process proceeds to step S530-9.

[0274] (Step S530-9) The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the normal electric device winning ball number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value, and ends the second start port passage process.

[0275] 27 is a flowchart illustrating the special symbol random number acquisition process (step S535) in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This special symbol random number acquisition process is executed using a common module in the first start opening passage process (step S520) and the second start opening passage process (step S530) described above.

[0276] (Step S535-1) The main CPU 300a loads the special symbol identification value set in step S520-1 or step S530-1.

[0277] (Step S535-3) The main CPU 300a loads the number of reserved balls for the target special symbol. Here, if the special symbol identification value loaded in the above step S535-1 is "00H", the counter value of the special symbol 1 reserved ball counter, i.e., the special 1 reserved number, is loaded. Also, if the special symbol identification value loaded in the above step S535-1 is "01H", the counter value of the special symbol 2 reserved ball counter, i.e., the special 2 reserved number, is loaded.

[0278] (Step S535-5) The main CPU 300a loads the jackpot determination random number updated by the hardware random number generator.

[0279] (Step S535-7) The main CPU 300a determines whether the number of reserved balls for the target special symbol loaded in step S535-3 is equal to or greater than the upper limit. If it is determined that the number is equal to or greater than the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S535-21. If it is determined that the number is not equal to or greater than the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S535-9.

[0280] (Step S535-9) The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the target special symbol reserved ball number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value.

[0281] (Step S535-11) The main CPU 300a determines which of the eight storage units in the special chart reservation storage area is the target storage unit in which the acquired jackpot determination random number is to be saved.

[0282] (Step S535-13) The main CPU 300a obtains the jackpot determination random number loaded in step S535-5, the winning pattern random number updated in step S400-19, the reach group determination random number updated in step S100-69, the reach mode determination random number, and the variation pattern random number, and stores them in the target memory unit calculated in step S535-11.

[0283] (Step S535-15) The main CPU 300a performs a special symbol reserved ball winning order setting process for updating and storing the winning order of the special 1 reserved and special 2 reserved balls stored in the special symbol reserved storage area.

[0284] (Step S536) The main CPU 300a executes an acquisition time effect determination process to perform a provisional big role lottery, provisionally determine a winning symbol, and provisionally determine variable information based on the various random numbers stored in the target memory unit in step S535-13. In this acquisition time effect determination process, a pre-reading designation command indicating variable information to be determined when a newly stored reserved symbol is read is transmitted to the sub-control board 330. This acquisition time effect determination process will be described later.

[0285] (Step S535-17) The main CPU 300a loads the counter values ​​of the special symbol 1 reserved ball number counter and the special symbol 2 reserved ball number counter.

[0286] (Step S535-19) The main CPU 300a sets the special symbol reservation designation command in the transmission buffer based on the counter value loaded in step S535-17 above. Here, the special symbol 1 reservation designation command is set based on the counter value (special 1 reservation number) of the special symbol 1 reservation ball number counter, and the special symbol 2 reservation designation command is set based on the counter value (special 2 reservation number) of the special symbol 2 reservation ball number counter. As a result, each time a special symbol 1 reservation or special symbol 2 reservation is stored, the special symbol 1 reservation number and the special symbol 2 reservation number are transmitted to the sub-control board 330.

[0287] (Step S535-21) The main CPU 300a loads the normal game management phase.

[0288] (Step S535-23) The main CPU 300a checks the normal game management phase loaded in step S535-21 and determines whether it is below the normal electric device winning opening control state described later. If it is determined that it is below the normal electric device winning opening control state, the process proceeds to step S535-25, and if it is determined that it is not below the normal electric device winning opening control state, the special symbol random number acquisition process is terminated.

[0289] (Step S535-25) The main CPU 300a determines whether or not an abnormal winning has occurred, and if it determines that an abnormal winning has occurred, executes a start port abnormal winning error process to perform a predetermined process, and terminates the special pattern random number acquisition process (step S535).

[0290] FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating the acquisition time performance determination process (step S536) in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0291] (Step S536-1) The main CPU 300a selects a corresponding jackpot determination random number determination table based on the currently set value. Specifically, the main CPU 300a selects a corresponding jackpot determination random number determination table based on the current game state and the currently set value. Then, the main CPU 300a performs a special symbol win provisional determination process to provisionally determine whether a jackpot, a minor win, or a miss is generated based on the selected table and the jackpot determination random number stored in the target memory unit in step S535-13.

[0292] (Step S536-3) The main CPU 300a executes a special symbol provisional determination process for provisionally determining a special symbol. Here, if the result of the provisional big win lottery in step S536-1 (the result derived by the special symbol provisional win determination process) is a big win or a small win, the winning symbol random number, winning type (whether it is a big win or a small win), and reserved type stored in the target memory in step S535-13 are loaded, the corresponding winning symbol random number determination table is selected, special symbol determination data is extracted, and the extracted special symbol determination data (type of big win symbol or small win symbol) is saved. Also, if the result of the provisional big win lottery in step S536-1 is a loss, a predetermined special symbol determination data for a loss (type of loss symbol) is saved.

[0293] (Step S536-5) The main CPU 300a sets in the transmission buffer a look-ahead symbol type designation command (look-ahead designation command) corresponding to the special symbol determination data saved in step S536-3.

[0294] (Step S536-7) The main CPU 300a determines whether the result derived by the special symbol provisional winning determination process in the above step S536-1 is a big win or a small win. If it is determined to be a big win or a small win, the main CPU 300a proceeds to step S536-9, and if it is determined to be neither a big win nor a small win (a miss), the main CPU 300a proceeds to step S536-11.

[0295] (Step S536-9) The main CPU 300a sets the random number judgment table for determining the reach mode at the big win (see FIGS. 9(b) and 9(c)) or the random number judgment table for determining the reach mode at the small win (see FIGS. 9(d) and 9(e)), and moves the process to step S536-19.

[0296] (Step S536-11) The main CPU 300a loads the reach group determination random number stored in the target storage unit in step S535-13.

[0297] (Step S536-13) The main CPU 300a determines whether the reach group determination random number loaded in step S536-11 above is a fixed value (8500 or greater). Here, the group type is determined by referring to a reach group determination random number determination table, and this reach group determination random number determination table is selected according to the stored number of reserved positions. At this time, the reach group determination random number is acquired from a range of 0 to 10006, and if the value of the reach group determination random number is 8500 or greater, the same reach group determination random number determination table is selected regardless of the number of reserved positions, and if the value of the reach group determination random number is less than 8500, a different reach group determination random number determination table is selected depending on the number of reserved positions. Hereinafter, among the reach group determination random numbers, values ​​in the range of 0 to 8499, which select different reach group determination random number determination tables depending on the number of reserved positions, are referred to as indefinite values, and values ​​in the range of 8500 to 10006, which select the same reach group determination random number determination table regardless of the number of reserved positions, are referred to as fixed values. If it is determined that the reach group determination random number loaded in step S536-11 above is a fixed value (8500 or more), processing proceeds to step S536-15, and if it is determined that the reach group determination random number loaded in step S536-11 above is not a fixed value (8500 or more), processing proceeds to step S536-27.

[0298] (Step S536-15) The main CPU 300a sets a reach group determination random number judgment table (see FIG. 8). Note that there are multiple types of reach group determination random number judgment tables provided depending on the number of reserved positions, but here, a table to be used when the number of reserved positions is 0 is selected. Then, a reach group (group type) is provisionally determined based on the set reach group determination random number judgment table and the reach group determination random number stored in the target memory unit in step S535-13 above.

[0299] (Step S536-17) The main CPU 300a sets the reach mode determination random number judgment table (see FIG. 9(a)) when losing, which corresponds to the group type provisionally determined in step S536-15, and moves the process to step S536-19.

[0300] (Step S536-19) The main CPU 300a provisionally determines a variation mode number based on the reach mode determination random number judgment table set in the above step S536-9 or step S536-17 and the reach mode determination random number stored in the target memory unit in the above step S535-13. Here, a variation pattern random number judgment table is provisionally determined together with the variation mode number.

[0301] (Step S536-21) The main CPU 300a sets in the transmission buffer a read-ahead designation variation mode command (read-ahead designation command) corresponding to the variation mode number provisionally determined in step S536-19.

[0302] (Step S536-23) The main CPU 300a provisionally determines a variation pattern number based on the variation pattern random number determination table provisionally determined in the above step S536-19 and the variation pattern random number stored in the target storage unit in the above step S535-13.

[0303] (Step S536-25) The main CPU 300a sets the look-ahead designated variation pattern command (look-ahead designation command) corresponding to the variation pattern number provisionally determined in the above step S536-23 in the transmission buffer, and ends the acquisition time performance determination process.

[0304] (Step S536-27) The main CPU 300a sets in the transmission buffer an indefinite value command (pre-read specified variable mode command and pre-read specified variable pattern command = 7FH) indicating that the group type, i.e., the variable presentation pattern, will change depending on the number of holds when the hold is read out for the hold newly stored in the target memory unit, and terminates the presentation determination process at the time of acquisition.

[0305] 29 is a diagram illustrating the special game management phase according to this embodiment. As already explained, in this embodiment, a special game triggered by a game ball entering the first start gate 120 or the second start gate 122 and a normal game triggered by a game ball passing through the gate 124 (entry of the game ball into the normal operation gate 125) proceed simultaneously in parallel. The processing related to the special game is executed stepwise and repeatedly, and the main control board 300 manages each processing related to such special games by the special game management phase.

[0306] As shown in FIG. 29, the main ROM 300b stores a plurality of special game control modules for controlling the execution of special games, and each of these special game control modules is associated with a special game management phase. Specifically, when the special game management phase is "00H", a module for executing "special symbol change waiting processing" is called, when the special game management phase is "01H", a module for executing "special symbol change in progress processing" is called, when the special game management phase is "02H", a module for executing "special symbol stop symbol display processing" is called, when the special game management phase is "03H" or "07H", a module for executing "large prize opening pre-processing" is called, when the special game management phase is "04H" or "08H", a module for executing "large prize opening opening control processing" is called, when the special game management phase is "05H" or "09H", a module for executing "large prize opening closure valid processing" is called, and when the special game management phase is "06H" or "0AH", a module for executing "large prize opening end wait processing" is called.

[0307] FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating the special game management process (step S600) in the main control board 300.

[0308] (Step S600-1) The main CPU 300a loads the special game management phase.

[0309] (Step S600-3) The main CPU 300a selects the special game control module corresponding to the special game management phase loaded in step S600-1.

[0310] (Step S600-5) The main CPU 300a calls the special game control module selected in step S600-3 and starts processing.

[0311] (Step S600-7) The main CPU 300a loads a special game timer that manages the control time of the special game, and ends the special game management process.

[0312] 31 is a flowchart illustrating the special symbol change waiting process in the main control board 300. This special symbol change waiting process is executed when the special game management phase is "00H".

[0313] (Step S610-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special symbol 2 reserved ball counter, that is, the special 2 reserved number (X2) is "1" or more. As a result, if it is determined that the special 2 reserved number (X2) is "1" or more, it moves the process to step S610-7, and if it is determined that the special 2 reserved number (X2) is not "1" or more, it moves the process to step S610-3.

[0314] (Step S610-3) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special symbol 1 reserved ball counter, that is, the special 1 reserved number (X1), is greater than or equal to 1. As a result, if it is determined that the special 1 reserved number (X1) is greater than or equal to 1, the process proceeds to step S610-7, and if it is determined that the special 1 reserved number (X1) is not greater than or equal to 1, the process proceeds to step S610-5.

[0315] (Step S610-5) The main CPU 300a sets the customer waiting designation command in the transmission buffer, executes customer waiting setting processing for setting the state to customer waiting, and ends the special symbol change waiting processing.

[0316] (Step S610-7) The main CPU300a transfers the special 2 reserve stored in the first to fourth storage units of the second special symbol reserve storage area, or the special 1 reserve stored in the first to fourth storage units of the first special symbol reserve storage area, to a storage unit with a smaller ordinal number by one. Specifically, in the above step S610-1, when it is determined that the number of special symbol 2 reserved balls is "1" or more, the special 2 reserve stored in the second to fourth storage units of the second special symbol reserve storage area is transferred to the first to third storage units. In addition, the main RAM300c is provided with a 0th storage unit to be processed, and the special 2 reserve stored in the 1st storage unit is block-transferred to the 0th storage unit. Also, in the above step S610-3, if it is determined that the number of reserved balls for special symbol 1 is "1" or more, the special symbol 1 reserved balls stored in the second to fourth memory units of the first special symbol reserved memory area are transferred to the first to third memory units, and the special symbol 1 reserved balls stored in the first memory unit are block-transferred to the 0th memory unit. In addition, in this special symbol memory area shift process, the counter value of the target special symbol reserved ball number counter corresponding to the reserved type transferred to the 0th memory unit is subtracted by "1", and a reserved reduction designation command indicating that the special symbol 1 reserved or special symbol 2 reserved has been subtracted by "1" is set in the transmission buffer.

[0317] (Step S611) The main CPU 300a executes a special symbol winning determination process for performing a lottery for a major role. This special symbol winning determination process will be described later.

[0318] (Step S610-11) The main CPU 300a executes a special symbol determination process to determine a special symbol. Here, if the determination information (the result of the major role lottery) stored in step S611 is a big win or a small win, the win type (whether it is a big win or a small win) and the reserve type are loaded, and the corresponding winning symbol random number determination table is set. Then, the set winning symbol random number determination table is referenced, and special symbol determination data is extracted using the winning symbol random number transferred to the 0th storage unit, and the extracted special symbol determination data (type of big win symbol or small win symbol) is saved. On the other hand, if the result of the major role lottery stored in step S611 is a loss, if the reserve type is special 1 reserve, special symbol X is saved as a losing symbol, and if the reserve type is special 2 reserve, special symbol Y is saved as a losing symbol. Here, a symbol type designation command corresponding to the saved special symbol determination data is set in the transmission buffer.

[0319] (Step S610-13) The main CPU 300a saves the special symbol stop symbol number corresponding to the special symbol determination data extracted in step S610-11. Note that the first special symbol display 160 and the second special symbol display 162 are each composed of 7 segments, and each segment constituting the 7 segments is associated with a number (counter value). The special symbol stop symbol number determined here indicates the number (counter value) of the segment that will ultimately light up.

[0320] (Step S612) The main CPU 300a executes a special symbol variable number determination process for determining a variable mode number and a variable pattern number. The details of this special symbol variable number determination process will be described later.

[0321] (Step S610-15) The main CPU 300a loads the fluctuation mode number and fluctuation pattern number determined in step S612, and refers to the fluctuation time determination table to determine fluctuation time 1 and fluctuation time 2. Then, the total time of the determined fluctuation times 1 and 2 is set in the special symbol fluctuation timer.

[0322] (Step S610-17) The main CPU 300a performs a reserve area setting process for storing the game status when the big role lottery is executed in a game status buffer, etc. In addition, in this reserve area setting process, when the result of the big role lottery is a big win, game status information to be set after the big role game, the type of big win symbol (special symbol determination data), etc. are stored in the reserve area of ​​the main RAM 300c.

[0323] (Step S610-19) The main CPU 300a executes a process of setting a special symbol display symbol counter in order to start the variable display of special symbols in the first special symbol display device 160 or the second special symbol display device 162. A counter value is associated with each of the 7-segment segments constituting the first special symbol display device 160 and the second special symbol display device 162, and the segments corresponding to the counter value set in the special symbol display symbol counter are controlled to light up. Here, the counter value corresponding to the segment to be lit when the variable display of the special symbol starts is set in the special symbol display symbol counter. Note that the special symbol display symbol counter is provided separately as a special symbol 1 display symbol counter corresponding to the first special symbol display device 160 and a special symbol 2 display symbol counter corresponding to the second special symbol display device 162, and here, a counter value is set in the counter corresponding to the hold type.

[0324] (Step S610-21) The main CPU 300a loads the counter values ​​of the special symbol 1 reserved ball counter and the special symbol 2 reserved ball counter and sets a special symbol reserved command in the transmission buffer. Here, the special symbol 1 reserved command is set based on the counter value of the special symbol 1 reserved ball counter (special symbol 1 reserved number), and the special symbol 2 reserved command is set based on the counter value of the special symbol 2 reserved ball counter (special symbol 2 reserved number). Also, here, the special symbol winning order command corresponding to the winning order of the special symbol 1 reserved and special symbol 2 reserved stored in step S610-7 above is set in the transmission buffer. As a result, each time the special symbol 1 reserved or special symbol 2 reserved is consumed, the number of special symbol 1 reserved and special symbol 2 reserved, as well as the winning order of each reserved symbol, are transmitted to the sub-control board 330.

[0325] (Step S610-23) The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "01H" and ends the special symbol change waiting process.

[0326] FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating the special symbol winning determination process (S611) according to this embodiment.

[0327] (Step S611-1) The main CPU 300a loads the special symbol probability state flag.

[0328] (Step S611-3) The main CPU 300a loads the registered setting values ​​in the setting value buffer.

[0329] (Step S611-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether the registered setting value loaded in step S611-3 is within the normal range. If it is determined that the value is within the normal range, the process proceeds to step S611-11. If it is determined that the value is not within the normal range, the process proceeds to step S611-7.

[0330] (Step S611-7) The main CPU 300a sets the gaming machine status flag to 03H (setting abnormal status).

[0331] (Step S611-9) The main CPU 300a sets the setting abnormality state command (sub-command) in the transmission buffer and ends the special symbol winning determination process. When this setting abnormality state command is sent to the sub-control board 330, a notification that a setting abnormality has occurred is issued.

[0332] (Step S611-11) The main CPU 300a refers to the big win determination random number judgment table corresponding to the information loaded in steps S611-1 and S611-3, and sets the lower and upper limits for determining a big win or a small win.

[0333] (Step S611-13) The main CPU 300a compares the big win determination random number transferred to the 0th storage unit with the above-mentioned lower limit value and upper limit value, and performs a determination process (big win lottery) to determine whether a big win or a small win has been won.

[0334] (Step S611-15) The main CPU 300a sets the result of the determination process in step S611-13 as determination information, and ends the special symbol winning determination process.

[0335] FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating the special symbol variable number determination process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0336] (Step S612-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the fluctuation pattern selection status flag is 01H or greater. If it is determined that the fluctuation pattern selection status flag is 01H or greater, the process proceeds to step S612-3. If it is determined that the fluctuation pattern selection status flag is not 01H or greater, the process proceeds to step S612-5.

[0337] Here, there are five types of fluctuation pattern selection state flags: 00H, 01H, 02H, 03H, and 04H. Each fluctuation pattern selection state flag indicates a fluctuation state, with 00H corresponding to the normal fluctuation state, 01H corresponding to the first fluctuation state, 02H corresponding to the second fluctuation state, 03H corresponding to the third fluctuation state, and 04H corresponding to the fourth fluctuation state. The fluctuation state determines which table (reach group determination random number determination table, reach mode determination random number determination table, or fluctuation pattern random number determination table) is selected.

[0338] In the first to fourth variation states, it is specified which table to select for each number of times (number of variations) of the pattern variation display in each variation state. Therefore, when the variation pattern selection state flag is 01H or more, the main CPU 300a selects a preset table based on both the variation pattern selection state flag and the number of variations, and determines the variation information by referring to the selected table. On the other hand, in the normal variation state, regardless of the number of variations, it determines the variation information by referring to the table corresponding to the game state being set.

[0339] (Step S612-3) The main CPU 300a increments the fluctuation counter, which counts the number of fluctuations in the current fluctuation state.

[0340] (Step S612-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether the result of the major role lottery in step S611 is a big win or a small win. If it is determined to be a big win or a small win, the process proceeds to step S612-7, and if it is determined to be neither a big win nor a small win (a miss), the process proceeds to step S612-11.

[0341] (Step S612-7) The main CPU 300a loads the variation pattern selection state flag.

[0342] (Step S612-9) When the variation pattern selection status flag loaded in the above step S612-7 is 01H or more, the main CPU300a sets a reach mode determination random number judgment table based on the variation pattern selection status flag and the counter value of the variation number counter. Also, when the variation pattern selection status flag loaded in the above step S612-7 is 00H, the main CPU300a sets a reach mode determination random number judgment table corresponding to the current game status and reserved type.

[0343] (Step S612-11) If the hold type of the read hold is special 2 hold, the main CPU 300a checks the counter value of the special pattern 2 hold ball count counter, and if the hold type of the read hold is special 1 hold, the main CPU 300a checks the counter value of the special pattern 1 hold ball count counter.

[0344] (Step S612-13) The main CPU 300a loads the variation pattern selection state flag.

[0345] (Step S612-15) If the variation pattern selection status flag loaded in step S612-13 is 01H or higher, the main CPU 300a sets a reach group determination random number judgment table based on the variation pattern selection status flag, the counter value of the variation count counter, the hold type, and the number of holds confirmed in step S612-11. On the other hand, if the variation pattern selection status flag loaded in step S612-13 is 00H, the main CPU 300a sets a corresponding reach group determination random number judgment table based on the current game state, the number of holds confirmed in step S612-11, and the hold type. Then, the reach group (group type) is determined based on the set reach group determination random number judgment table and the reach group determination random number transferred to the 0th memory unit in step S610-7.

[0346] (Step S612-17) The main CPU 300a sets a random number judgment table for determining a reach mode when losing, which corresponds to the group type determined in step S612-15.

[0347] (Step S612-19) The main CPU 300a determines a variation mode number based on the reach mode determination random number judgment table set in the above step S612-9 or the above step S612-17 and the reach mode determination random number transferred to the 0th storage unit in the above step S610-7. Here, a variation pattern random number judgment table is determined together with the variation mode number.

[0348] (Step S612-21) The main CPU 300a sets the fluctuation mode command corresponding to the fluctuation mode number determined in step S612-19 in the transmission buffer.

[0349] (Step S612-23) The main CPU 300a determines a variation pattern number based on the variation pattern random number determination table determined in step S612-19 above and the variation pattern random number transferred to the 0th storage unit in step S610-7 above.

[0350] (Step S612-25) The main CPU 300a sets the variation pattern command corresponding to the variation pattern number determined in the above step S612-23 in the transmission buffer, and ends the special symbol variation number determination process.

[0351] 34 is a flowchart illustrating the special symbol variation process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This special symbol variation process is executed when the special game management phase is "01H".

[0352] (Step S620-1) The main CPU 300a executes a process to update the special symbol variation base counter. The counter value of the special symbol variation base counter is set so that it completes one cycle in a predetermined cycle (for example, 100 ms). Specifically, if the counter value of the special symbol variation base counter is "0", a predetermined counter value (for example, 25) is set, and if the counter value is "1" or more, the counter value is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the current counter value.

[0353] (Step S620-3) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special symbol variation base counter updated in step S620-1 is 0. If the counter value is 0, the process proceeds to step S620-5. If the counter value is not 0, the process proceeds to step S620-9.

[0354] (Step S620-5) The main CPU 300a performs a special symbol fluctuation timer update process to subtract a predetermined value from the timer value of the special symbol fluctuation timer set in step S610-15.

[0355] (Step S620-7) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special symbol fluctuation timer updated in step S620-5 is 0. If the timer value is 0, the process proceeds to step S620-15. If the timer value is not 0, the process proceeds to step S620-9.

[0356] (Step S620-9) The main CPU 300a updates the special symbol display timer that measures the lighting time of each of the 7-segment displays that make up the first special symbol display device 160 and the second special symbol display device 162. Specifically, if the timer value of the special symbol display timer is "0", a predetermined timer value is set, and if the timer value is "1" or greater, the timer value is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the current timer value.

[0357] (Step S620-11) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special symbol display timer is "0." If it is determined that the timer value of the special symbol display timer is "0," the process proceeds to step S620-13. If it is determined that the timer value of the special symbol display timer is not "0," the process during the special symbol variation is terminated.

[0358] (Step S620-13) The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the special symbol display symbol counter to be updated and ends the special symbol variation process. As a result, each segment constituting the 7-segment display lights up in sequence at predetermined time intervals.

[0359] (Step S620-15) The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "02H".

[0360] (Step S620-17) The main CPU 300a saves the special symbol stop symbol number (counter value) determined in step S610-13 in the target special symbol display symbol counter. As a result, the determined special symbol is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display device 160 or the second special symbol display device 162.

[0361] (Step S620-19) The main CPU 300a sets a special symbol stop designation command, which indicates that a special symbol has been stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display device 160 or the second special symbol display device 162, in the transmission buffer.

[0362] (Step S620-21) The main CPU 300a sets the special symbol variation stop time, which is the time for which the special symbol is stopped and displayed, in the special game timer, and ends the special symbol variation process.

[0363] 35 is a flowchart illustrating the special symbol stop symbol display process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This special symbol stop symbol display process is executed when the special game management phase is "02H".

[0364] (Step S630-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special game timer set in step S620-21 is 0. If it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is not 0, the main CPU 300a ends the special symbol stop symbol display process, and if it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S630-3.

[0365] (Step S630-3) The main CPU 300a checks the result of the big role lottery.

[0366] (Step S630-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether the result of the big win lottery is a jackpot. If it is determined to be a jackpot, the process proceeds to step S630-19. If it is determined not to be a jackpot, the process proceeds to step S630-7.

[0367] (Step S630-7) The main CPU 300a executes a count-off management process. Here, the special symbol probability state flag is loaded to check whether the current gaming state is a low-probability gaming state or a high-probability gaming state. If the gaming state is a high-probability gaming state, the counter value of the high-probability count-off counter is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the current counter value. If the counter value becomes "0" as a result of updating the high-probability count-off counter, the special symbol probability state flag corresponding to the low-probability gaming state is set. As a result, in a high-probability gaming state, when a special symbol is confirmed a predetermined number of times without winning a jackpot, the gaming state transitions to a low-probability gaming state.

[0368] In addition, a time-saving state flag for identifying whether the game state is a non-time-saving state or a time-saving state is loaded, and it is confirmed whether the current game state is a non-time-saving state or a time-saving state. If the game state is a time-saving state, the counter value of the time-saving count counter is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the current counter value. If the counter value becomes "0" as a result of updating the time-saving count counter, a time-saving state flag corresponding to the non-time-saving state is set. As a result, in the time-saving state, when a special symbol is confirmed a predetermined number of times without winning a jackpot, the game state transitions to a non-time-saving state.

[0369] (Step S631) The main CPU 300a performs a variable state update process to update the variable state, which will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0370] (Step S630-11) The main CPU 300a sets a game state confirmation designation command at the time of special symbol determination, which indicates the game state when the special symbol is determined, in a transmission buffer.

[0371] (Step S630-13) The main CPU 300a sets a count command for transmitting the high probability count and the time reduction count updated in the above step S630-7 to the sub-control board 330 in the transmission buffer.

[0372] (Step S630-15) The main CPU 300a determines whether the result of the big role lottery is a small win. If it is determined to be a small win, the process proceeds to step S630-21. If it is determined not to be a small win, the process proceeds to step S630-17.

[0373] (Step S630-17) The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "00H" and ends the special symbol stop symbol display process. This ends the special game management process based on the reservation of 1, and if special 1 reservation or special 2 reservation is stored, processing to start the variable display of the special symbol based on the next reservation will be performed.

[0374] (Step S630-19) The main CPU 300a resets (sets) the gaming state to the initial state, that is, the low-probability gaming state and the non-time-shortening gaming state.

[0375] (Step S630-21) The main CPU 300a sets data in the special electric accessory operation RAM set table according to the type of the determined special symbol.

[0376] (Step S630-23) The main CPU 300a performs a process for setting the maximum number of times a special electric device is activated. Specifically, by referencing the data set in step S630-21, a predetermined number (the counter value corresponding to the type of special symbol = the number of rounds) is set as a counter value in the maximum number of times a special electric device is activated counter. This maximum number of times a special electric device is activated counter indicates the number of rounds that can be executed in the big role game that is about to start. Meanwhile, the main RAM 300c is provided with a counter for the number of consecutive times a special electric device is activated, and the current number of rounds is managed by adding "1" to the counter value of the counter for the number of consecutive times a special electric device is activated at the start of each round of play. Here, a process for resetting (updating to "0") the counter value of the counter for the number of consecutive times a special electric device is activated is also executed upon the start of the big role game.

[0377] (Step S630-25) The main CPU 300a refers to the data set in step S630-21 and saves a predetermined opening time as a timer value in the special game timer.

[0378] (Step S630-27) The main CPU 300a sets in the transmission buffer an opening designation command for transmitting the start of a major win game or a minor win game to the sub-control board 330. This opening designation command is provided for each opening time, and here, the opening designation command corresponding to the opening time saved in the above step S630-25 is set in the transmission buffer.

[0379] (Step S630-29) If the result of the big win lottery confirmed in step S630-3 is a big win, the main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "07H", and if it is a small win, updates the special game management phase to "03H" and ends the special symbol stop symbol display process. This starts the big win game or small win game.

[0380] FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating the variable state update process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0381] (Step S631-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the fluctuation pattern selection status flag is 01H or greater. If it is determined that the fluctuation pattern selection status flag is 01H or greater, the process proceeds to step S631-3. If it is determined that the fluctuation pattern selection status flag is not 01H or greater, the process proceeds to step S631-9.

[0382] (Step S631-3) The main CPU 300a determines whether the number of changes has reached a specified number of times. If it is determined that the number of changes has reached the specified number of times, the process proceeds to step S631-5. If it is determined that the number of changes has not reached the specified number of times, the process proceeds to step S631-9.

[0383] (Step S631-5) The main CPU 300a resets (to 0) the counter value (number of fluctuations) of the fluctuation number counter.

[0384] (Step S631-7) The main CPU 300a updates the variation pattern selection status flag to 00H.

[0385] (Step S631-9) The main CPU 300a loads the fluctuation pattern selection state flag, sets a fluctuation state designation command corresponding to the loaded fluctuation pattern selection state flag, and ends the fluctuation state update process.

[0386] 37 is a flowchart illustrating the process before the opening of the special prize opening in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This process before the opening of the special prize opening is executed when the special game management phase is "03H" or "07H."

[0387] (Step S640-1) The main CPU 300a judges whether the timer value of the special game timer is not "0." If it is judged that the timer value of the special game timer is not "0," the main CPU 300a ends the pre-opening process of the special winning port, and if it is judged that the timer value of the special game timer is "0," the process proceeds to step S640-3.

[0388] (Step S640-3) The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the special electric accessory continuous operation number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value.

[0389] (Step S640-5) The main CPU 300a sets in the transmission buffer a special prize opening designation command for transmitting to the sub-control board 330 the start of opening of the first special prize opening 126 and the second special prize opening 128 (start of a round game).

[0390] (Step S641) The main CPU 300a executes a special prize opening / closing switching process, which will be described later.

[0391] (Step S640-7) The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to a value obtained by adding 01H to the current value ("04H" or "08H"), and ends the pre-opening process for the big prize opening.

[0392] FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating the process of switching between opening and closing the big prize opening in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0393] (Step S641-1) The main CPU 300a judges whether the counter value of the special electric accessory opening / closing switching number counter is the upper limit value of the special electric accessory opening / closing switching number (the number of times the first large prize opening 126 and the second large prize opening 128 are opened and closed during one round of play). If it is judged that the counter value is the upper limit value, the main CPU 300a ends the large prize opening opening / closing switching process, and if it is judged that the counter value is not the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S641-3.

[0394] (Step S641-3) The main CPU 300a refers to the data in the special electric device operation RAM set table and extracts solenoid control data for controlling the energization of the first large prize opening solenoid 126c or the second large prize opening solenoid 128c, as well as timer data which is the energization time or de-energization time of the first large prize opening solenoid 126c or the second large prize opening solenoid 128c, based on the counter value of the special electric device opening / closing switching count counter.

[0395] (Step S641-5) Based on the solenoid control data extracted in step S641-3 above, the main CPU 300a executes a large prize opening solenoid energization control process to start energizing the first large prize opening solenoid 126c or the second large prize opening solenoid 128c, or to stop energizing the first large prize opening solenoid 126c or the second large prize opening solenoid 128c. By executing this large prize opening solenoid energization control process, the start or stop of energization of the first large prize opening solenoid 126c or the second large prize opening solenoid 128c is controlled in steps S400-31 and S400-33 above.

[0396] (Step S641-7) The main CPU 300a saves the timer value based on the timer data extracted in step S641-3 in the special game timer. The timer value saved in the special game timer here is the maximum opening time of the first special winning opening 126 and the second special winning opening 128 in one time.

[0397] (Step S641-9) The main CPU 300a determines whether the first large prize opening solenoid 126c or the second large prize opening solenoid 128c is in the energization start state, i.e., whether control processing to start energization of the first large prize opening solenoid 126c or the second large prize opening solenoid 128c has been performed in the above step S641-5. If it is determined that the first large prize opening solenoid 126c or the second large prize opening solenoid 128c is in the energization start state, the main CPU 300a proceeds to step S641-11, and if it is determined that the first large prize opening solenoid 126c or the second large prize opening solenoid 128c is not in the energization start state, the main CPU 300a ends the large prize opening open / close switching processing.

[0398] (Step S641-11) The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the special electric accessory open / close switching number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value, and ends the big prize opening open / close switching process.

[0399] 39 is a flowchart illustrating the special prize opening control process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This special prize opening control process is executed when the special game management phase is "04H" or "08H."

[0400] (Step S650-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special game timer saved in step S641-7 is 0. If it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is not 0, the process proceeds to step S650-5. If it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S650-3.

[0401] (Step S650-3) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special electric accessory opening / closing switching counter is the upper limit value of the special electric accessory opening / closing switching number of times. If it is determined that the counter value is the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S650-7, and if it is determined that the counter value is not the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S641.

[0402] (Step S641) In the above step S650-3, if it is determined that the counter value of the special electric accessory opening / closing switching number counter is not the upper limit value of the special electric accessory opening / closing switching number of times, the main CPU 300a executes the processing of the above step S641.

[0403] (Step S650-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special prize opening ball count counter updated in step S500-9 has reached a specified number, i.e., whether the same number of game balls as the maximum number of wins in one round have entered the first special prize opening 126 or the second special prize opening 128. If it is determined that the specified number has not been reached, the main CPU 300a terminates the special prize opening opening opening control process, and if it is determined that the specified number has been reached, the process proceeds to step S650-7.

[0404] (Step S650-7) The main CPU 300a stops the energization of the first major prize opening solenoid 126c and the second major prize opening solenoid 128c and executes the major prize opening closing process required to close the first major prize opening 126 and the second major prize opening 128. As a result, the first major prize opening 126 and the second major prize opening 128 are closed.

[0405] (Step S650-9) The main CPU 300a saves the effective time (interval time) for closing the big prize opening in the special game timer.

[0406] (Step S650-11) The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to a value obtained by adding 01H to the current value ("05H" or "09H").

[0407] (Step S650-13) The main CPU 300a sets a special prize opening closure designation command indicating that the first special prize opening 126 and the second special prize opening 128 have been closed in the transmission buffer, and ends the special prize opening opening control process.

[0408] 40 is a flowchart illustrating the special prize opening closure validity process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This special prize opening closure validity process is executed when the special game management phase is "05H" or "09H."

[0409] (Step S660-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special game timer saved in step S650-9 is 0. If it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is not 0, the main CPU 300a terminates the special prize opening closure validity process, and if it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S660-3.

[0410] (Step S660-3) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the special electric device continuous operation counter matches the counter value of the special electric device maximum operation counter, i.e., whether a preset number of rounds of play have been completed. If it is determined that the counter value of the special electric device continuous operation counter matches the counter value of the special electric device maximum operation counter, the process proceeds to step S660-9, and if it is determined that they do not match, the process proceeds to step S660-5.

[0411] (Step S660-5) The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "03H". Note that if the special game management phase is "05H", that is, during control of the small win game, the number of rounds of the small win game is "1", so the determination in step S660-3 above is YES, and the process does not proceed to this step.

[0412] (Step S660-7) The main CPU 300a saves the predetermined special prize opening closing time in the special game timer and ends the special prize opening closing validity process, thereby starting the next round of games.

[0413] (Step S660-9) The main CPU 300a executes an ending time setting process for saving the ending time in a special game timer.

[0414] (Step S660-11) The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to a value obtained by adding 01H to the current value ("06H" or "0AH").

[0415] (Step S660-13) The main CPU 300a sets an ending designation command indicating the start of the ending in the transmission buffer, and ends the big prize opening closure validity processing.

[0416] 41 is a flowchart illustrating the special prize gate end wait process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This special prize gate end wait process is executed when the special game management phase is "06H" or "0AH".

[0417] (Step S670-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the special game timer saved in step S660-9 is 0. If it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is not 0, the main CPU 300a ends the large prize winning port end wait process, and if it is determined that the timer value of the special game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S670-3.

[0418] (Step S670-3) The main CPU 300a executes a state setting process to set the game state after the big win game ends. Here, the game state after the big win game ends is set based on the jackpot symbol that triggered the execution of the big win game. Specifically, if the jackpot symbol that triggered the execution of the big win game is special symbol B or C, the game state is set to a high probability game state and a time-saving game state, and the number of high probability and time-saving times is set to 10,000. Also, if the jackpot symbol that triggered the execution of the big win game is special symbol A, the game state is set to a low probability game state and a time-saving game state, and the number of time-saving times is set to 100.

[0419] In addition, here, a process is also performed to set the fluctuation pattern selection state flag and the number of fluctuations in order to set the fluctuation state after the end of the big win game or the small win game, based on the big win pattern that triggered the execution of the big win game or the small win pattern that triggered the execution of the small win game.

[0420] (Step S670-5) The main CPU 300a sets in the transmission buffer a game state change designation command for transmitting the game state to be set after the big win game ends.

[0421] (Step S670-7) The main CPU 300a sets in the transmission buffer the number-of-times designation command corresponding to the high probability number of times and the time-shortening number of times saved in step S670-3 above.

[0422] (Step S670-9) The main CPU 300a sets in the transmission buffer a variable state designation command for transmitting the variable state to be set after the end of the big win game or the small win game.

[0423] (Step S670-11) The main CPU 300a updates the special game management phase to "00H" and ends the waiting process for the end of the special winning slot. As a result, if the special 1 reserve or the special 2 reserve is stored, the variable display of the special symbol will be resumed.

[0424] 42 is a diagram illustrating the normal game management phase according to this embodiment. As already explained, in this embodiment, the processing related to the normal game triggered by the passage of the game ball through the gate 124 (entry of the game ball into the normal game operating port 125) is executed stepwise and repeatedly, and the main control board 300 manages each processing related to such normal game by the normal game management phase.

[0425] As shown in FIG. 42, the main ROM 300b stores a plurality of normal game control modules for controlling the execution of normal games, and each of these normal game control modules is associated with a normal game management phase. Specifically, when the normal game management phase is "00H", a module for executing "normal symbol change waiting processing" is called, when the normal game management phase is "01H", a module for executing "normal symbol change in progress processing" is called, when the normal game management phase is "02H", a module for executing "normal symbol stop symbol display processing" is called, when the normal game management phase is "03H", a module for executing "normal electric device prize opening pre-processing" is called, when the normal game management phase is "04H", a module for executing "normal electric device prize opening opening control processing" is called, when the normal game management phase is "05H", a module for executing "normal electric device prize opening closure enable processing" is called, and when the normal game management phase is "06H", a module for executing "normal electric device prize opening end wait processing" is called.

[0426] FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating the normal game management process (step S700) in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0427] (Step S700-1) The main CPU 300a loads the normal game management phase.

[0428] (Step S700-3) The main CPU 300a selects the normal game control module corresponding to the normal game management phase loaded in step S700-1.

[0429] (Step S700-5) The main CPU 300a calls the normal game control module selected in step S700-3 and starts processing.

[0430] (Step S700-7) The main CPU 300a loads a normal game timer that manages the control time of the normal game.

[0431] 44 is a flowchart illustrating the normal symbol change waiting process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This normal symbol change waiting process is executed when the normal game management phase is "00H".

[0432] (Step S710-1) The main CPU 300a loads the counter value of the normal symbol reserved ball number counter and determines whether the counter value is "0", that is, whether the normal symbol reserved is "0". As a result, if it is determined that the counter value is "0", the normal symbol change waiting process is terminated, and if it is determined that the counter value is not "0", the process proceeds to step S710-3.

[0433] (Step S710-3) The main CPU 300a transfers the regular symbol reserves (winning random numbers) stored in the first to fourth memory sections of the regular symbol reserve memory area in blocks to the memory section with the next smaller ordinal number. Specifically, the regular symbol reserves stored in the second to fourth memory sections are transferred to the first to third memory sections. The main RAM 300c also has a zeroth memory section to be processed, and the regular symbol reserve stored in the first memory section is transferred to the zeroth memory section. In this regular symbol memory area shift process, the counter value of the regular symbol reserve ball count counter is decremented by "1," and a regular symbol reserve decrement command indicating that the regular symbol reserve has been decremented by "1" is set in the transmission buffer.

[0434] (Step S710-5) The main CPU 300a loads the winning determination random number transferred to the 0th memory unit, selects a winning determination random number judgment table corresponding to the current game state, performs a regular symbol lottery, and executes a regular symbol winning determination process that stores the lottery results.

[0435] (Step S710-7) The main CPU 300a saves the normal symbol stop symbol number corresponding to the result of the normal symbol lottery in step S710-5. In this embodiment, the normal symbol display 168 is composed of one LED lamp, and in the case of a win, the normal symbol display 168 is turned on, and in the case of a loss, the normal symbol display 168 is turned off. The normal symbol stop symbol number determined here indicates whether or not the normal symbol display 168 is ultimately turned on. For example, in the case of a win, "0" is determined as the normal symbol stop symbol number, and in the case of a loss, "1" is determined as the normal symbol stop symbol number.

[0436] (Step S710-9) The main CPU 300a checks the current game state, and selects and sets the corresponding normal symbol variation time data table.

[0437] (Step S710-11) The main CPU 300a determines the normal symbol variation time based on the winning determination random number transferred to the 0th storage unit in the above step S710-3 and the normal symbol variation time data table set in the above step S710-9.

[0438] (Step S710-13) The main CPU 300a saves the normal symbol variation time determined in the above step S710-11 in the normal game timer.

[0439] (Step S710-15) The main CPU 300a executes a process of setting a normal symbol display symbol counter in order to start the variable display of normal symbols in the normal symbol display device 168. When the counter value of this normal symbol display symbol counter is set to, for example, "0", the normal symbol display device 168 is controlled to be turned on, and when the counter value is set to "1", the normal symbol display device 168 is controlled to be turned off. Here, a predetermined counter value is set in the normal symbol display symbol counter when the variable display of normal symbols starts.

[0440] (Step S710-17) The main CPU 300a sets a general map reservation designation command indicating the number of general map reservations stored in the general map reservation memory area in the transmission buffer.

[0441] (Step S710-19) The main CPU 300a sets the normal pattern designation command in the transmission buffer based on the normal pattern stop pattern number determined in step S710-7 above, i.e., the pattern type (winning pattern or losing pattern) determined by the normal pattern winning determination process.

[0442] (Step S710-21) The main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "01H" and ends the normal symbol change waiting process.

[0443] 45 is a flowchart illustrating the normal symbol variation process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This normal symbol variation process is executed when the normal game management phase is "01H".

[0444] (Step S720-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the normal game timer saved in step S710-13 is 0. If the timer value is 0, the process proceeds to step S720-9. If the timer value is not 0, the process proceeds to step S720-3.

[0445] (Step S720-3) The main CPU 300a updates the normal symbol display timer that measures the lighting time and extinguishing time of the normal symbol display device 168. Specifically, if the timer value of the normal symbol display timer is "0", a predetermined timer value is set, and if the timer value is "1" or greater, the timer value is updated to a value obtained by subtracting "1" from the current timer value.

[0446] (Step S720-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the normal symbol display timer is "0". As a result, if it is determined that the timer value of the normal symbol display timer is "0", the process proceeds to step S720-7, and if it is determined that the timer value of the normal symbol display timer is not "0", the normal symbol variable process is terminated.

[0447] (Step S720-7) The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the normal symbol display symbol counter. Here, if the counter value of the normal symbol display symbol counter is a counter value indicating that the normal symbol display 168 is turned off, it is updated to a counter value indicating that it is turned on, and if it is a counter value indicating that the normal symbol display 168 is turned on, it is updated to a counter value indicating that it is turned off, and the normal symbol variation processing is terminated. As a result, the normal symbol display 168 will repeatedly turn on and off (flash) at predetermined time intervals over the normal symbol variation time.

[0448] (Step S720-9) The main CPU 300a saves the normal symbol stop symbol number (counter value) determined in step S710-7 in the normal symbol display symbol counter. As a result, the normal symbol display 168 is finally turned on or off, and the result of the normal symbol lottery is announced.

[0449] (Step S720-11) The main CPU 300a sets the normal symbol variation stop time, which is the time for stopping and displaying the normal symbol, in the normal game timer.

[0450] (Step S720-13) The main CPU 300a sets a normal symbol stop command, which indicates that the stop display of the normal symbol has started, in the transmission buffer.

[0451] (Step S720-15) The main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "02H" and ends the normal pattern variation processing.

[0452] 46 is a flowchart illustrating the normal symbol stop symbol display process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This normal symbol stop symbol display process is executed when the normal game management phase is "02H".

[0453] (Step S730-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the normal game timer set in step S720-11 is 0. If it is determined that the timer value of the normal game timer is not 0, the main CPU 300a ends the normal symbol stop symbol display process, and if it is determined that the timer value of the normal game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S730-3.

[0454] (Step S730-3) The main CPU 300a checks the result of the regular lottery.

[0455] (Step S730-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether the result of the regular lottery is a win. If it is determined to be a win, the process proceeds to step S730-9. If it is determined to be a loss, the process proceeds to step S730-7.

[0456] (Step S730-7) The main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "00H" and ends the normal symbol stop symbol display process. This ends the normal game management process based on the normal symbol reservation of 1, and if the normal symbol reservation is stored, processing to start the variable display of the normal symbol based on the next reservation will be performed.

[0457] (Step S730-9) The main CPU 300a refers to the data in the opening / closing control pattern table and saves the time before normal power release in the normal game timer as a timer value.

[0458] (Step S730-11) The main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "03H" and ends the normal symbol stop symbol display process. This starts the opening and closing control of the second start port 122.

[0459] 47 is a flowchart explaining the normal electric device winning opening pre-processing in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This normal electric device winning opening pre-processing is executed when the normal game management phase is "03H".

[0460] (Step S740-1) The main CPU 300a judges whether the timer value of the normal game timer is not "0." If it is judged that the timer value of the normal game timer is not "0," the normal electric device prize opening pre-opening process is terminated, and if it is judged that the timer value of the normal game timer is "0," the process proceeds to step S741.

[0461] (Step S741) The main CPU 300a executes a normal electric accessory winning opening opening / closing switching process, which will be described later.

[0462] (Step S740-3) The main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "04H" and ends the normal electric accessory winning opening pre-processing.

[0463] Figure 48 is a flowchart explaining the normal electric role winning opening / closing switching process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment.

[0464] (Step S741-1) The main CPU 300a judges whether the counter value of the normal electric accessory opening / closing switching number counter is the upper limit value of the normal electric accessory opening / closing switching number (the number of times the movable piece 122b is opened and closed during one opening / closing control). As a result, if it is judged that the counter value is the upper limit value, the normal electric accessory winning opening opening / closing switching process is terminated, and if it is judged that the counter value is not the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S741-3.

[0465] (Step S741-3) The main CPU 300a refers to the data in the opening / closing control pattern table and extracts solenoid control data (power-on control data or power-off control data) for controlling the power supply to the normal electric role solenoid 122c based on the counter value of the normal electric role opening / closing switching count counter, and timer data which is the power supply time (solenoid power supply time) or power-off time (normal power closing effective time = pause time) of the normal electric role solenoid 122c.

[0466] (Step S741-5) The main CPU 300a executes a normal electric role solenoid energization control process to start energization of the normal electric role solenoid 122c or stop energization of the normal electric role solenoid 122c based on the solenoid control data extracted in the above step S741-3. By executing this normal electric role solenoid energization control process, the start or stop of energization of the normal electric role solenoid 122c is controlled in the above step S400-31 and step S400-33.

[0467] (Step S741-7) The main CPU 300a saves the timer value based on the timer data extracted in step S741-3 in the normal game timer. The timer value saved in the normal game timer here is the maximum opening time of the second start port 122 once.

[0468] (Step S741-9) The main CPU 300a judges whether the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c is in the energization start state, that is, whether the control process to start energizing the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c has been performed in the above step S741-5. As a result, if it is judged to be in the energization start state, the process moves to step S741-11, and if it is judged not to be in the energization start state, the normal electric accessory winning opening opening / closing switching process is terminated.

[0469] (Step S741-11) The main CPU 300a updates the counter value of the normal electric accessory opening / closing switching number counter to a value obtained by adding "1" to the current counter value.

[0470] 49 is a flowchart illustrating the normal electric device winning opening control process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This normal electric device winning opening control process is executed when the normal game management phase is "04H".

[0471] (Step S750-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the normal game timer saved in step S741-7 is 0. If it is determined that the timer value of the normal game timer is not 0, the process proceeds to step S750-5. If it is determined that the timer value of the normal game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S750-3.

[0472] (Step S750-3) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the normal electric accessory opening / closing switching counter is the upper limit value of the normal electric accessory opening / closing switching number. If it is determined that the counter value is the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S750-7, and if it is determined that the counter value is not the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S741.

[0473] (Step S741) In the above step S750-3, if it is determined that the counter value of the normal electric role opening / closing switching number counter is not the upper limit value of the normal electric role opening / closing switching number, the main CPU 300a executes the processing of the above step S741.

[0474] (Step S750-5) The main CPU 300a determines whether the counter value of the normal electric device winning ball number counter updated in step S530-9 above has reached a specified number, that is, whether the same number of game balls as the maximum number of winning balls during one opening / closing control has entered the second starting opening 122. As a result, if it is determined that the specified number has not been reached, the normal electric device winning opening opening control process is terminated, and if it is determined that the specified number has been reached, the process proceeds to step S750-7.

[0475] (Step S750-7) The main CPU 300a executes the normal electric accessory closing process required to stop the energization of the normal electric accessory solenoid 122c and close the second start opening 122. As a result, the second start opening 122 is in a closed state.

[0476] (Step S750-9) The main CPU 300a saves the normal power valid state time in the normal game timer.

[0477] (Step S750-11) The main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "05H" and ends the normal electric accessory winning opening control process.

[0478] 50 is a flowchart explaining the normal electric device winning hole closing validity process in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This normal electric device winning hole closing validity process is executed when the normal game management phase is "05H".

[0479] (Step S760-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the normal game timer saved in step S750-9 is 0. If it is determined that the timer value of the normal game timer is not 0, the normal electric accessory winning port closure validity process is terminated, and if it is determined that the timer value of the normal game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S760-3.

[0480] (Step S760-3) The main CPU 300a saves the normal power end wait time in the normal game timer.

[0481] (Step S760-5) The main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "06H" and ends the normal electric role winning hole closure validity processing.

[0482] 51 is a flowchart explaining the normal electric device winning port end wait processing in the main control board 300 according to this embodiment. This normal electric device winning port end wait processing is executed when the normal game management phase is "06H".

[0483] (Step S770-1) The main CPU 300a determines whether the timer value of the normal game timer saved in step S760-3 is 0. If it is determined that the timer value of the normal game timer is not 0, the normal electric accessory winning port end wait process is terminated, and if it is determined that the timer value of the normal game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S770-3.

[0484] (Step S770-3) The main CPU 300a updates the normal game management phase to "00H" and ends the normal electric accessory winning port end wait process. As a result, if a normal symbol reservation is stored, the variable display of the normal symbol will be resumed.

[0485] As described above, the main control board 300 executes various processes to allow the special game and the normal game to proceed, and while these games are in progress, the sub-control board 330 performs control to execute various effects based on commands sent from the main control board 300. An example of an effect executed during a big win game will be described below.

[0486] FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating an example of the custom window 212 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, when the gaming state after a big win game is set to a high probability gaming state, the player can select an effect pattern during the big win game. Here, each effect pattern is associated with a song to be played and a band that will play that song. There are five bands: A band, B band, C band, D band, and E band, and each band has five songs. Therefore, there are 25 effect patterns (5 bands x 5 songs = 25 patterns).

[0487] When a presentation pattern is selected, the presentation image for the selected presentation pattern is displayed on the main presentation display unit 200a, and music corresponding to the selected presentation pattern is played. The presentation image and music are played throughout the big win game and the high probability game state after the big win game. The player can change the presentation pattern as many times as they like during the big win game.

[0488] When the first round of play in the major role game starts, a custom window 212 is displayed in the lower left of the main effect display section 200a. The custom window 212 states, "Move up and down to customize the effect, and left and right to change the music menu." When any button on the cross key 209 is operated while the custom window 212 is displayed, a music selection screen is displayed.

[0489] Hereinafter, the state in which the custom window 212 is displayed will be referred to as the window display state. The window display state is a state in which the device is waiting for an operation input from the cross key 209, and can also be said to be a state in which a song selection screen is displayed in response to an operation input from the cross key 209.

[0490] 53 is a diagram illustrating an example of a song selection screen according to the present embodiment. The song selection screen displays a band A selection icon 214a, a band B selection icon 214b, a band C selection icon 214c, a band D selection icon 214d, and a band E selection icon 214e. Band A selection icon 214a through band E selection icon 214e are associated with bands A through E, respectively. As shown in FIG. 53(a), band A selection icon 214a through band E selection icon 214e are displayed aligned vertically in the main performance display section 200a.

[0491] During a big win game, one of the five bands is selected, and when a big win game is first started, band A is selected as the default band. When the song selection screen is displayed, the currently selected band and song are maintained as the provisionally selected band and song. Then, on the song selection screen, the icon corresponding to the provisionally selected band is highlighted among the band A selection icon 214a to the band E selection icon 214e. Figures 53(a) and (b) show the provisionally selected state of band A.

[0492] While the song selection screen is displayed, the player can change the song of the provisionally selected band by pressing the left or right button of the directional pad 209. For example, assume that five songs, song A-1 to song A-5, are provided as songs for band A. As shown in FIG. 53(a), when song A-1 of band A is provisionally selected, pressing the left or right button of the directional pad 209 causes song A-2 of band A to be provisionally selected, as shown in FIG. 53(b), and the song output changes from song A-1 of band A to song A-2. In this way, when the left or right button of the directional pad 209 is pressed on the song selection screen, the song corresponding to the provisionally selected band is changed without changing the band.

[0493] Furthermore, while the song selection screen is displayed, the player can change the provisionally selected band by pressing the up or down button on the cross key 209. For example, suppose the down button on the cross key 209 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 53(b). In this case, band B becomes provisionally selected, as shown in FIG. 53(c). In this way, when the provisionally selected band is changed, one of the songs corresponding to the provisionally selected band simultaneously becomes provisionally selected, and the song to be output changes.

[0494] In this way, on the song selection screen, the player can select a band and a song by operating the cross key 209. Then, when the effect button 208 is pressed while a band and a song are provisionally selected, the provisionally selected band and song are officially selected, and the provisionally selected band and song are stored as the currently selected band and song. Then, when the effect button 208 is pressed to change the currently selected band and song, the song selection screen is hidden, and an effect image corresponding to the changed band and song is displayed in the main effect display area 200a. When the song selection screen is hidden, a custom window 212 is displayed superimposed on the effect image, as shown in FIG. 52.

[0495] Hereinafter, the state in which the song selection screen is displayed will be referred to as the song selection state. Similar to the window display state, the song selection state is a state in which the screen is waiting for input from the cross key 209 and the effect button 208. Input from the cross key 209 changes the provisionally selected band and song, and input from the effect button 208 changes the currently selected band and song to the provisionally selected band and song.

[0496] FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating an example of switching between window display states and music selection states according to this embodiment. For example, suppose that the first special symbol display 160 executes a variable display of special symbols based on the special 1 reserved symbol, and finally the first special symbol display 160 displays a stopped special symbol C, which is a jackpot symbol. In this case, a big win game is executed after the stopped display of the jackpot symbol. When the big win game starts, the opening state (shown as OP in the figure) is first maintained for the opening time, and then 10 rounds of play (shown as 1R to 10R in the figure) are executed. When the 10 rounds of play are completed, the ending state (shown as ED in the figure) is maintained for the ending time, and then the variable display of the special symbols is resumed.

[0497] Here, during the variable display of special symbols, during the opening state, and during the ending state, an invalid period is set in which operation of the cross key 209 and the effect button 208 is invalid. In contrast, when the first round of play starts, an effective period is set in which the band and music can be changed by operation of the cross key 209 and the effect button 208. This effective period ends with the start of the ending state.

[0498] During the valid period, the sub-control board 330 manages whether the state is the window display state or the music selection state. The window display state and the music selection state are set exclusively, and when either one is set, the other is always set to the non-set state. When the first round of play begins, the window display state is set. As described above, the window display state is a state in which the game waits for operation of the cross key 209.

[0499] Then, when the cross key 209 is operated in the window display state, for example, the window display state is ended and a song selection state is set. During this song selection state, the band and song in the provisionally selected state are switched by operating the cross key 209. Then, when the effect button 208 is operated in the song selection state, the band and song in the provisionally selected state are finally selected. At this time, the song selection state is ended and a window display state is set. Then, the window display state is ended with the start of the ending state.

[0500] 54 shows a case where the window display state is set at the start of the ending state, but there are also cases where the music selection state is set at the start of the ending state. In this case, the music selection state ends with the start of the ending state. In this way, during the major role game, the window display state or music selection state in which operation of the cross key 209 or the effect button 208 is valid is set exclusively from the start to the end of 10 rounds of play.

[0501] The sub-control board 330 manages the settings of the window display state or the music selection state, and the cross key 209 or the effect button 208 is enabled while the window display state or the music selection state is being set. Therefore, if the settings of the window display state or the music selection state are not properly discarded upon the start of the ending state, operation of the cross key 209 or the effect button 208 will be enabled even though the round of play has ended. In this case, there is a risk of malfunction occurring due to the operation input of the cross key 209 or the effect button 208. Therefore, in this embodiment, the window display state and the music selection state are managed as follows to prevent malfunctions from occurring. Specific processing for managing the window display state and the music selection state in the sub-control board 330 will be described below.

[0502] (Sub-CPU initialization process of the sub-control board 330) FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating the sub-CPU initialization process (S1000) of the sub-control board 330 according to this embodiment.

[0503] (Step S1000-1) When power is turned on, the sub-CPU 330a reads a CPU initialization processing program from the sub-ROM 330b, and initializes and sets flags and the like stored in the sub-RAM 330c.

[0504] (Step S1000-3) Next, the sub-CPU 330a performs a process of updating each effect random number, and thereafter repeats the process of step S1000-3 until an interrupt process is performed. Note that multiple types of effect random numbers are provided, and here, each effect random number is updated asynchronously.

[0505] (Sub-timer interrupt processing of the sub-control board 330) 56 is a flowchart illustrating the sub-timer interrupt processing (S1100) of the sub-control board 330 according to this embodiment. The sub-control board 330 is provided with a reset clock pulse generating circuit (not shown) that generates clock pulses at a predetermined cycle (approximately 33 ms, 30 times per second). When this reset clock pulse generating circuit generates a clock pulse, the sub-CPU 330a loads a timer interrupt processing program and starts the sub-timer interrupt processing. Therefore, the sub-timer interrupt processing is executed 30 times per second, i.e., at intervals of 33 ms.

[0506] (Step S1100-1) The sub CPU 330a saves the register.

[0507] (Step S1100-3) The sub CPU 330a performs processing to permit an interrupt.

[0508] (Step S1200) The sub-CPU 330a performs task execution processing. There are multiple tasks that the sub-control board 330 performs. A task can also be considered a program or module for the sub-CPU 330a to execute processing. In the task execution processing, the sub-CPU 330a executes multiple predetermined tasks in order. Details of this task execution processing will be described later.

[0509] (Step S1100-5) The sub CPU 330a restores the register and ends the sub timer interrupt process.

[0510] 57 is a diagram illustrating an example of task priorities according to this embodiment. A priority is set for each task in advance, and when the start condition of a relatively high-priority task is satisfied while a relatively low-priority task is being processed, the processing of the low-priority task is suspended and the processing of the high-priority task is started. Then, when the high-priority task is completed, the processing of the low-priority task is resumed from where it was suspended.

[0511] 57, in this embodiment, the sub-CPU 330a performs a plurality of tasks in the task execution process, including a window display management task, a music selection management task, a management target switching task, a command reception task, and an idle task. Note that only the tasks related to switching the window display state and music selection state are shown here, but many other tasks are performed in one task execution process. For example, these include a task for updating various timers and a task for transmitting messages to each performance device to control the performance output.

[0512] The window display management task is a task executed while the window display management is enabled, and is primarily a task for displaying the song selection screen. The song selection management task is a task executed while the song selection management is enabled, and is primarily a task for switching bands and songs while the song selection screen is displayed. These window display management task and song selection management task are set to the highest priority. In the diagrams described below, the window display management task may be indicated as (High A), and the song selection management task may be indicated as (High B).

[0513] The management target switching task is a task executed during the management target switching enabled state, and is mainly a task for exclusively setting and switching the window display state and music selection state. The management target switching task is set to a medium priority, which is lower than the window display management task and music selection management task. In the figures explained below, the management target switching task may be indicated as (medium).

[0514] The command receiving task is a task for monitoring subcommands received from the main control board 300 and executing processing based on the received subcommands. The command receiving task is set to a low priority, which is lower than the priority of the management target switching task. In the diagrams described below, the command receiving task may be indicated as (low).

[0515] The idle task is a task that maintains an idle state after all tasks to be executed have been completed in one sub-timer interrupt process, and is set to the lowest priority of all tasks. As described above, the sub-timer interrupt process is repeatedly executed approximately every 33 ms. For example, suppose it takes 30 ms for all processes to be executed in one sub-timer interrupt process to be completed. In this case, the idle state is maintained for the remaining 3 ms. In the figures described below, the idle task may be indicated as (ID).

[0516] FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating the task execution process (S1200) in the sub-control board 330 according to this embodiment.

[0517] (Step S1200-1) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether the management target switching is in the enabled state. As a result, if it is determined that the management target switching is in the enabled state, the process proceeds to step S1300, and if it is determined that the management target switching is not in the enabled state, the process proceeds to step S1400. Note that, as will be described in detail later, the management target switching enabled state flag is turned on at the start of the first round of play, and the management target switching enabled state flag is turned off at the start of the ending state. The on state of the management target switching enabled state flag is the management target switching enabled state.

[0518] (Step S1300) The sub CPU 330a executes a management target switching task, which will be described later.

[0519] (Step S1400) The sub CPU 330a executes a command receiving task, which will be described later.

[0520] (Step S1200-3) The sub CPU 330a executes the idle task and ends the task execution process.

[0521] As described above, in the task execution process, during the managed target switching enabled state, first the medium priority managed target switching task is executed, then the low priority command receiving task is executed, and finally the lowest priority idle task is executed.

[0522] FIG. 59 is a flowchart illustrating the management target switching task in the sub-control board 330 according to this embodiment.

[0523] (Step S1300-1) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether the window display management is enabled. If it is determined that the window display management is enabled, the process proceeds to step S1500. If it is determined that the window display management is not enabled, the process proceeds to step S1300-11. Note that the sub-control board 330 is provided with a window display management enabled state flag, and when the window display management enabled state flag is on, the window display management is enabled.

[0524] (Step S1500) When the window display management is in the enabled state, the sub CPU 330a suspends the currently executing medium-priority management target switching task, and executes the high-priority window display management task.

[0525] FIG. 60 is a flowchart illustrating the window display management task (high A) in the sub-control board 330 according to this embodiment.

[0526] (Step S1500-1) Sub CPU 330a determines whether custom window 212 is hidden. If it is hidden, the process proceeds to step S1500-3, and if it is not hidden (if it is displayed), the window display management task ends.

[0527] (Step S1500-3) The sub-CPU 330a displays the custom window 212 on the main effect display section 200a.

[0528] (Step S1500-5) The sub-CPU 330a executes a process to hide the music selection screen, and ends the window display management task.

[0529] (Step S1300-3) 59, when the window display management task is executed, the sub-CPU 330a returns the process to the management target switching task and determines whether or not there has been an operation input from the cross key 209. If it is determined that there has been an operation input from the cross key 209, the process proceeds to step S1300-5, and if it is determined that there has not been an operation input from the cross key 209, the process proceeds to step S1300-11.

[0530] (Step S1300-5) The sub CPU 330a discards the window display management valid state, that is, the sub CPU 330a turns off the window display management valid state flag.

[0531] (Step S1300-7) The sub-CPU 330a makes a reservation to activate the music selection management enabled state. In this embodiment, setting the enabled state may be referred to as "activating the enabled state," and the enabled state may be referred to as "activating." Here, a music selection management enabled state flag is registered as a flag that turns on when the activation condition is met. That is, the sub-control board 330 is provided with a music selection management enabled state flag, and when the music selection management enabled state flag is on, the music selection management is enabled.

[0532] (Step S1300-9) The sub-CPU 330a sets a predetermined timer value in the reservation timer. The timer value of the reservation timer is decremented by "1" for each sub-timer interrupt process. In this embodiment, the activation condition is set to be that the timer value of the reservation timer is updated from "1" to "0." Therefore, the reservation timer can be said to measure the time until the activation condition is met, that is, the time until the reserved valid state is activated. Here, for example, a timer value of "5" is set in the reservation timer. In this case, the reserved valid state will be activated when the fifth sub-timer interrupt process is executed, that is, after 5F (frames).

[0533] (Step S1300-11) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether the music selection management is enabled. If it is determined that the music selection management is enabled, the process proceeds to step S1550. If it is determined that the music selection management is not enabled, the process proceeds to step S1300-23.

[0534] (Step S1550) When the music selection management is in the enabled state, the sub-CPU 330a suspends the currently executing medium-priority management target switching task, and executes the high-priority music selection management task.

[0535] FIG. 61 is a flowchart illustrating the music selection management task (high B) in the sub-control board 330 according to this embodiment.

[0536] (Step S1550-1) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether the song selection screen is not displayed. If the song selection screen is not displayed, the process proceeds to step S1550-3, and if not displayed (if the screen is currently displayed), the process proceeds to step S1550-7.

[0537] (Step S1550-3) The sub-CPU 330a displays a music selection screen on the main effect display section 200a.

[0538] (Step S1550-5) The sub-CPU 330a executes a process to hide the custom window 212.

[0539] (Step S1550-7) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether or not there is an operation input from the left or right button of the cross key 209. If it is determined that there is an operation input from the left or right button, the sub-CPU 330a proceeds to step S1550-9, and if it is determined that there is no operation input from the left or right button, the sub-CPU 330a proceeds to step S1550-13.

[0540] (Step S1550-9) The sub-CPU 330a updates the temporarily selected music piece.

[0541] (Step S1550-11) The sub-CPU 330a plays back the music piece updated in step S1550-9.

[0542] (Step S1550-13) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether or not there is an operation input from the up or down button of the cross key 209. If it is determined that there is an operation input from the up or down button, the sub-CPU 330a proceeds to step S1550-15, and if it is determined that there is no operation input from the up or down button, the sub-CPU 330a ends the song selection management task.

[0543] (Step S1550-15) The sub-CPU 330a updates the temporarily selected band and song.

[0544] (Step S1550-17) The sub-CPU 330a plays the music piece updated in step S1550-15, and ends the music piece selection management task.

[0545] (Step S1300-13) 59, when the music selection management task is executed, the sub-CPU 330a returns the process to the management target switching task and determines whether or not there has been an operation input for the effect button 208. If it is determined that there has been an operation input for the effect button 208, the process proceeds to step S1300-15, and if it is determined that there has not been an operation input for the effect button 208, the process proceeds to step S1300-23.

[0546] (Step S1300-15) The sub-CPU 330a finally selects (decides) the band and song provisionally selected in the song selection management task. Specifically, the sub-CPU 330a stores information indicating the provisionally selected band and song as the currently selected band and song.

[0547] (Step S1300-17) The sub-CPU 330a discards the music selection management valid state, that is, the sub-CPU 330a turns off the music selection management valid state flag.

[0548] (Step S1300-19) The sub CPU 330a reserves the activation of the window display management enabled state, and registers a window display management enabled state flag as a flag that is turned on when the activation condition is met.

[0549] (Step S1300-21) The sub-CPU 330a sets a predetermined timer value (here, "5") in the reservation timer.

[0550] (Step S1300-23) The sub CPU 330a determines whether the timer value of the reservation timer is greater than 0. As a result, if it is determined that the timer value is greater than 0, the process proceeds to step S1300-25, and if it is determined that the timer value is not greater than 0, the managed object switching task is terminated. Note that here, if a timer value is set in the reservation timer in step S1300-9 or step S1300-21 during the same sub timer interrupt process, the managed object switching task is terminated.

[0551] (Step S1300-25) The sub CPU 330a decrements the timer value of the reservation timer.

[0552] (Step S1300-27) The sub CPU 330a determines whether the timer value updated in the above step S1300-25 is 0. As a result, if it is determined that the timer value is 0, the process proceeds to step S1300-29, and if it is determined that the timer value is not 0, the managed object switching task is terminated.

[0553] (Step S1300-29) The sub-CPU 330a activates the valid state (window display management valid state or music selection management valid state) that has been reserved for activation. That is, here, the registered window display management valid state flag or music selection management valid state flag is turned on. When the valid state flag is turned on here, a high-priority task (window display management task or music selection management task) based on the activated valid state interrupts and is immediately executed.

[0554] As described above, the management target switching task executes the high-priority window display management task or music selection management task that is in an enabled state. Then, when either the window display management enabled state or the music selection management enabled state is discarded, i.e., when activation is stopped, the other is activated. However, at this time, the discarding of one enabled state does not mean that the other enabled state is activated at the same time.

[0555] Specifically, when the window display management enabled state is discarded, the music selection management enabled state is activated. However, the music selection management enabled state is not activated at the same time as the window display management enabled state is discarded; when the window display management enabled state is discarded, the activation of the music selection management enabled state is merely reserved. Therefore, the music selection management enabled state is activated 5F after the window display management enabled state is discarded.

[0556] Similarly, when the music selection management enabled state is discarded, the window display management enabled state is activated. However, the window display management enabled state is not activated at the same time as the music selection management enabled state is discarded; when the music selection management enabled state is discarded, the activation of the window display management enabled state is merely reserved. Therefore, the window display management enabled state is activated 5F after the music selection management enabled state is discarded. As a result, the high-priority window display management task (High A) and music selection management task (High B) are not executed during the 5F period between the discarding of one of the enabled states and the activation of the other enabled state.

[0557] In this way, when the medium-priority management target switching task (medium) is completed in the task execution process, the low-priority command receiving task (low) is executed.

[0558] FIG. 62 is a flowchart illustrating the command reception task (S1400) in the sub-control board 330 according to this embodiment.

[0559] (Step S1400-1) The sub-CPU 330a executes a received command analysis process that analyzes and stores sub-commands received from the main control board 300.

[0560] (Step S1400-3) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether or not it has received a special prize opening command indicating the start of the first round of play. If it has determined that it has received the special prize opening command indicating the start of the first round of play, it proceeds to step S1400-5, and if it has determined that it has not received the special prize opening command indicating the start of the first round of play, it proceeds to step S1400-9.

[0561] (Step S1400-5) The sub CPU 330a turns on the management target switching valid state flag and activates the management target switching valid state. When the management target switching valid state is activated, the command receiving task (low) being executed is suspended and the management target switching task (medium) is immediately executed.

[0562] (Step S1400-7) When the management target switching task is completed, the command receiving task is resumed. The sub-CPU 330a turns on the window display management enable state flag and activates the window display management enable state. When the window display management enable state is activated, the command receiving task (low) being executed is suspended, and the window display management task (high A) is immediately executed.

[0563] In this way, at the start of the first round of play, the management target switching task and the window display management task are executed, the window display state is set, and the custom window 212 is displayed.

[0564] (Step S1400-9) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether an ending designation command has been received. If it is determined that an ending designation command has been received, the process proceeds to step S1450, and if it is determined that an ending designation command has not been received, the command reception task is terminated.

[0565] (Step S1450) The sub CPU 330a executes the managed object discarding task, which is a part of the command receiving task and has a low priority.

[0566] FIG. 63 is a flowchart illustrating the management target discard task in the sub-control board 330 according to this embodiment.

[0567] (Step S1450-1) The sub-CPU 330a checks whether the window display management is in an enabled state.

[0568] (Step S1450-3) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether the window display management enabled state is activated. If it is determined that the window display management enabled state is activated, the process proceeds to step S1450-5, and if it is determined that the window display management enabled state is not activated, the process proceeds to step S1450-7.

[0569] (Step S1450-5) The sub CPU 330a discards the window display management valid state, that is, the sub CPU 330a turns off the window display management valid state flag.

[0570] (Step S1450-7) The sub-CPU 330a checks whether the music selection management is enabled or not.

[0571] (Step S1450-9) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether the music selection management enabled state is activated. If it is determined that the music selection management enabled state is activated, the process proceeds to step S1450-11, and if it is determined that the music selection management enabled state is not activated, the process proceeds to step S1450-13.

[0572] (Step S1450-11) The sub-CPU 330a discards the music selection management valid state, that is, the sub-CPU 330a turns off the music selection management valid state flag.

[0573] (Step S1450-13) The sub CPU 330a discards the management target switching valid state.

[0574] (Step S1450-15) The sub CPU 330a discards the reservation information and ends the management target discard task. The reservation information includes information indicating the valid state, i.e., flag, reserved in steps S1300-7 and S1300-19, and the timer value of the reservation timer.

[0575] As described above, when the ending state starts, the valid state for executing processing based on the operation input of the cross key 209 and the effect button 208 is discarded. As a result, an invalid period begins with the start of the ending state, and thereafter, operations of the cross key 209 and the effect button 208 are invalid.

[0576] FIG. 64 is a diagram illustrating an example of the managed object switching enabled state, window display management enabled state, and music selection management enabled state according to this embodiment. According to the above task execution process (S1200), as shown in FIG. 64, the activation states of the managed object switching enabled state, window display management enabled state, and music selection management enabled state transition. Specifically, with the start of the first round of play, the managed object switching enabled state is activated. Therefore, after the start of the first round of play, a medium-priority managed object switching task is executed for each sub-timer interrupt process.

[0577] In addition, with the start of the first round of play, the window display management enabled state is activated. Therefore, after the start of the first round of play, a high-priority window display management task is executed for each sub-timer interrupt process. Note that the above window display state is a state in which the window display management enabled state is activated.

[0578] Then, when the cross key 209 is operated in the window display state, the window display management enabled state is discarded and the activation of the music selection management enabled state is reserved. Then, when 5F has elapsed since the window display management enabled state was discarded, the music selection management enabled state is activated and the music selection state is entered. In other words, the music selection state is a state in which the music selection management enabled state is activated. With the activation of the music selection management enabled state, a high-priority music selection management task is executed thereafter for each sub-timer interrupt process.

[0579] In the song selection state, when the cross key 209 is operated, the tentatively selected band and song are changed. Then, when the effect button 208 is operated in the song selection state, the song selection management enabled state is discarded and a reservation is made for activation of the window display management enabled state. Then, when 5F has elapsed since the song selection management enabled state was discarded, the window display management enabled state is activated and the window display state is entered.

[0580] Then, with the start of the ending state, a low-priority management target discarding task is executed, and the window display management enabled state, music selection management enabled state, and management target switching enabled state are all discarded. As a result, with the start of the ending state, an invalid period begins, and the cross key 209 and the effect button 208 are disabled.

[0581] According to the above task execution process, the window display management enabled state and the music selection management enabled state can be reliably discarded when the ending state starts. If the window display management enabled state or the music selection management enabled state were to remain active without being discarded when the ending state starts, the operation of the cross key 209 or the effect button 208 would not be disabled, which could cause a malfunction.

[0582] Below, a comparative example will be used to explain a case where the window display management enabled state or the music selection management enabled state remains activated without being discarded. Note that in the comparative example, the process that differs from the above embodiment will be explained below, and the process that is the same as the above embodiment will not be explained.

[0583] 65 is a flowchart illustrating the management target switching task in the sub-control board 330 according to the comparative example. In the comparative example, the same task execution process (S1200) as in the above embodiment is executed, and in the task execution process, the management target switching task, window display management task, music selection management task, and management target discard task according to the comparative example are executed. Note that the priority of each task according to these comparative examples is the same as in the above embodiment. Furthermore, there is no difference between the comparative example and the above embodiment regarding the high-priority window display management task and music selection management task.

[0584] In the medium-priority management target switching task according to the comparative example, when the window display management enabled state is discarded in step S1300-5, the music selection management enabled state is immediately activated (step S1300-7a). Also, in the medium-priority management target switching task according to the comparative example, when the music selection management enabled state is discarded in step S1300-17, the window display management enabled state is immediately activated (step S1300-19a).

[0585] In this way, in the comparative example, when either the window display management enabled state or the music selection management enabled state is discarded, the other is immediately activated. In other words, in the comparative example, unlike the above embodiment, activation of the enabled state is not scheduled. Therefore, the management target switching task in the comparative example does not include the processing from step S1300-23 onwards in the above embodiment.

[0586] 66 is a flowchart illustrating a management target discard task in the sub-control board 330 according to a comparative example. The management target discard task according to the comparative example differs from the management target discard task according to the above embodiment only in that it does not include the processing of step S1450-15, and other processing is the same as that of the above embodiment.

[0587] FIG. 67 is a flowchart illustrating the occurrence of an interrupt during execution of a management target discarding task in the sub-control board 330 according to the comparative example. The management target discarding task of the comparative example is also executed upon the start of the ending state, as in the above embodiment. As described above, the sub-timer interrupt process is repeatedly executed at 33 ms intervals. Therefore, the sub-timer interrupt process is designed so that all tasks to be executed in one sub-timer interrupt process are completed in less than 33 ms. However, if the processing load of each task becomes heavy, it may take a long time for all tasks to be completed, and a situation may arise in which all processes are not completed when 33 ms have elapsed since the start of one sub-timer interrupt process.

[0588] For example, as shown in Fig. 67, suppose that a low-priority management target discard task is executed with the start of the ending state. At this time, suppose that the window display management enabled state is not activated, but the music selection management enabled state is activated. In this case, as shown by the thick line in Fig. 67, the determination in step S1450-3 is NO, and the processing in step S1450-7 is executed.

[0589] However, at this time, when 33 ms has elapsed since the start of the sub timer interrupt processing, the currently executing managed object discarding task is interrupted and new sub timer interrupt processing is executed. Specifically, in the new sub timer interrupt processing, task execution processing (S1200 in FIG. 58) is performed. At this time, since the managed object switching enabled state is activated, in the new sub timer interrupt processing, the low priority managed object discarding task that was being executed in the previous sub timer interrupt processing is interrupted and a relatively high priority medium priority managed object switching task (S1300) is executed.

[0590] Fig. 68 is a flowchart illustrating a case where a management target switching task according to a comparative example is executed by interruption. When the management target switching task is executed, as described above, the window display management enabled state is not activated, and the music selection management enabled state is activated. Therefore, in the interrupted management target switching task, as shown by the bold line in Fig. 68, YES is determined in step S1300-11, and the music selection management task (S1550) is executed. If the effect button 208 is operated during this time, YES is determined in step S1300-13, and the window display management enabled state is activated in step S1300-19a.

[0591] In this way, when the medium-priority management target switching task is completed, the low-priority management target discarding task that was left unfinished in the previous sub-timer interrupt processing is resumed from where it was interrupted.

[0592] 69 is a flowchart illustrating the management target discarding task at the time of restart in the sub-control board 330 according to the comparative example. As described above, in the previous sub-timer interrupt processing, the management target discarding task was interrupted before the processing of step S1450-7. Therefore, processing is restarted from step S1450-7 here. At this time, the window display management enabled state is activated in step S1300-19a by the interrupting management target switching task. On the other hand, the music selection management enabled state is not activated.

[0593] Therefore, in this case, the determination in step S1450-9 is NO, and in step S1450-13, the managed target switching enabled state is discarded, and the managed target discarding task that could not be completed in the previous sub timer interrupt processing is completed. Then, when all tasks left unfinished in the previous sub timer interrupt processing are completed, the low priority task that should be executed in the current sub timer interrupt processing is executed.

[0594] However, in this sub-timer interrupt process, since the ending designation command has not been received, the management target discard task is not executed in the command receiving task (NO in step S1400-9 in FIG. 62). As a result, there is no opportunity to discard the window display management enabled state thereafter, and the window display management enabled state remains activated. In this case, for example, problems may occur such as the custom window 212 continuing to be displayed, or the cross key 209 or the effect button 208 remaining enabled even after a big win is played.

[0595] 70 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management target switching enabled state, a window display management enabled state, and a music selection management enabled state according to a comparative example. In the comparative example, the management target switching enabled state and the window display management enabled state are activated upon the start of the first round of play. Therefore, after the start of the first round of play, a high-priority window display management task is executed for each sub-timer interrupt process.

[0596] Then, when the cross key 209 is operated in the window display state, the window display management enabled state is discarded and the music selection management enabled state is immediately activated. This causes the music selection state to be established. After that, it is assumed that the ending state is started while the music selection state remains. At this time, it is assumed that, as described above, not all tasks to be executed in one sub-timer interrupt process are completed, and the effect button 208 is operated at this timing. Then, a medium-priority management target switching task interrupts and is executed, and the window display management enabled state is activated in this interrupted management target switching task. After that, there is no longer any opportunity to discard the window display management enabled state, so the window display state continues even after the ending state begins, as shown in FIG. 70.

[0597] As described above, there is a risk of problems occurring in the comparative example, but in contrast to this, according to this embodiment, there is no risk of problems occurring as in the comparative example described above. This is because when either the window display management enabled state or the music selection management enabled state is discarded, the other is not immediately started, but a start reservation is made, and the enabled state is started 5F later based on the reservation information.

[0598] Specifically, in this embodiment, as in the comparative example described above, it is assumed that a sub-timer interrupt process occurs during execution of the management target discard task. In this case, the management target switching task of FIG. 59 is executed. Then, as in the comparative example, it is assumed that the effect button 208 is operated during this process. In this case, the music selection management enabled state is discarded in step S1300-17, and the activation of the window display management enabled state is scheduled in step S1300-19.

[0599] Thereafter, the managed object discarding task (see FIG. 63) that did not finish in the previous sub-timer interrupt processing is resumed, but at this time, the window display management enabled state has not yet been started. Then, the managed object switching enabled state is discarded in step S1450-13, and the reservation information is discarded in step S1450-15. As a result, the managed object switching task is not executed thereafter, and the reservation information no longer exists, so the window display management enabled state is not started in step S1300-29. As described above, according to this embodiment, there is no risk of malfunction even if an unexpected event occurs.

[0600] The specific processing contents of each task described in the above embodiment are merely examples. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where each task is executed during a major winning game is described, but the timing at which each task is executed is not limited to this. For example, each of the above tasks may be executed between the start and end of a predetermined game state.

[0601] In any case, the present invention is widely applicable to gaming machines that include a game progression means (main control board 300) that controls the progress of the game, an operation unit (cross key 209, effect button 208) that can be operated by the player, and a processing means (sub-control board 330) that can execute multiple tasks each with a set priority, and that interrupts the task being executed and executes the task with a higher priority when the interrupt condition of a task with a higher priority than the task being executed (start condition of sub-timer interrupt processing, or activation of an enabled state with a relatively higher priority) is met.

[0602] The tasks may include a first task (window display management task) and a second task (music selection management task) which are processes executed based on operation input from the operation unit, and which specify different processes and are executed when the tasks are set to an enabled state; a third task (managed object switching task) which is a process executed when a predetermined condition is met (discarding either the window display management enabled state or the music selection management enabled state), and which specifies a process of setting either the first task or the second task to an disabled state and setting reservation information to set the other of the first task or the second task to an enabled state (steps S1300-7, S1300-19); and a fourth task (managed object discarding task) which is a process executed when a specific condition is met (receiving an ending specification command), has a lower priority than the third task, and specifies a process of setting both the first task and the second task to an disabled state (steps S1450-5, S1450-11), and a process of discarding the reservation information (step S1450-15).

[0603] Furthermore, the processing means may set the first task or the second task to an enabled state based on the reservation information after a predetermined time has elapsed since the reservation information was set.

[0604] Therefore, the specific content of each of the first to fourth tasks is not particularly limited, and can be set as appropriate.

[0605] In the above embodiment, the window display management task and the music selection management task are provided as separate tasks. However, the processing executed by the window display management task and the processing executed by the music selection management task may be executed by a single task. Specifically, the single task may determine whether the window display management is enabled or the music selection management is enabled, and the processing according to the result of the determination may be executed.

[0606] Next, a modified example will be described. In the modified example, sub-timer interrupt processing is performed as in the above embodiment and comparative example. In the sub-timer interrupt processing according to the modified example, task execution processing, which will be described later, is performed. In this task execution processing, as in the above, a window display management task, a music selection management task, a management target switching task, a command reception task (management target discard task), and an idle task are executed. Note that the window display management task, the music selection management task, the command reception task, and the idle task are the same as in the above embodiment and comparative example. Furthermore, the management target switching task and the management target discard task are the same as in the above comparative example. In other words, in the modified example, activation of an enabled state is not reserved as in the above embodiment, and as in the above comparative example, when either the window display management enabled state or the music selection management enabled state is discarded, the other is immediately activated.

[0607] 71 is a diagram illustrating an example of task priorities according to a modified example. In the modified example, similarly to the above-described embodiment and comparative example, the priorities of the window display management task and the music selection management task are set to high priority. Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment and comparative example, the management target switching task is set to medium priority and the command receiving task (management target discarding task) is set to low priority, whereas in the modified example, the priority of the command receiving task (management target discarding task) is set to medium priority and the priority of the management target switching task is set to low priority. That is, in the modified example, the priorities of the command receiving task (management target discarding task) and the management target switching task are swapped with those in the above-described embodiment and comparative example.

[0608] Figure 72 is a flowchart illustrating task execution processing in the sub-control board 330 according to a modified example. The task execution processing according to the modified example is executed in place of the task execution processing according to the above embodiment. As can be seen by comparing Figure 72 with Figure 58, in the modified example, the priority of the command reception task (management target discard task) is higher than the priority of the management target switching task, so the order of processing is different.

[0609] (Step S1400) The sub CPU 330a executes a command reception task shown in Fig. 62. Here, a management target discard task shown in Fig. 63 is executed.

[0610] (Step S1200-1) The sub-CPU 330a determines whether the managed object switching valid state is in the "starting" state. If it is determined that the managed object switching valid state is in the "starting" state, the process proceeds to step S1300, and if it is determined that the managed object switching valid state is not in the "starting" state, the process proceeds to step S1200-3.

[0611] (Step S1300) The sub CPU 330a executes the management target switching task shown in FIG.

[0612] (Step S1200-3) The sub CPU 330a executes the idle task and ends the task execution process.

[0613] As described above, in the task execution process, the medium-priority command receiving task (managed target discarding task) is executed, then if the managed target switching enabled state is active, the low-priority managed target switching task is executed, and finally the lowest-priority idle task is executed.

[0614] Fig. 73 is a flowchart illustrating a case where an interrupt condition is met during execution of a management target discarding task in a sub-control board 330 according to a modified example. As in the above, it is assumed that a medium-priority management target discarding task is executed in conjunction with the start of the ending state. At this time, it is assumed that the window display management enabled state is not activated, and the music selection management enabled state is activated. In this case, as shown by the bold line in Fig. 67, a NO determination is made in step S1450-3, and the processing of step S1450-7 is executed.

[0615] At this time, it is assumed that 33 ms has elapsed since the start of the sub timer interrupt process. However, in the modified example, the priority of the managed object discarding task is medium, so no interrupt process occurs as in the above embodiment and comparative example. Therefore, the managed object discarding task being executed is not interrupted by another task, and the process from step S1450-7 onwards that was left unfinished in the previous sub timer interrupt process continues to be executed.

[0616] As a result, in the modified example, unlike the comparative example described above, the interrupting task does not activate the window display management enabled state or the music selection management enabled state, and the managed object switching enabled state is discarded in step S1450-13, and the managed object discarding task is terminated.

[0617] In this way, according to the modified example, there is no risk of the management target switching task that activates the window display management enabled state or the music selection management enabled state interrupting the execution of the management target discarding task for discarding the window display management enabled state and the music selection management enabled state when the ending state begins. This is because the priority of the management target discarding task is set higher than the priority of the management target switching task. As described above, according to the modified example, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of malfunctions, just like the above embodiment.

[0618] The specific processing contents of each task described in the above modified example are merely examples. Furthermore, in the above modified example, the case where each task is executed during a major role game is described, but the timing at which each task is executed is not limited to this. For example, each of the above tasks may be executed between the start and end of a predetermined game state.

[0619] In any case, the present invention is widely applicable to gaming machines that include a game progression means (main control board 300) that controls the progress of the game, an operation unit (cross key 209, effect button 208) that can be operated by the player, and a processing means (sub-control board 330) that can execute multiple tasks each with a set priority, and that interrupts the task being executed and executes the task with a higher priority when the interrupt condition of a task with a higher priority than the task being executed (start condition of sub-timer interrupt processing, or activation of an enabled state with a relatively higher priority) is met.

[0620] The tasks may include a first task (management target switching task) that disables either the first operation enable state (music selection management enable state) or the second operation enable state (window display management enable state) and enables the other, and a second task (management target discard task) that has a higher priority than the first task and disables both the first operation enable state and the second operation enable state.

[0621] In the above modification, too, as in the above embodiment, a startup reservation may be made in the management target switching task. That is, when one of the first operation valid state (music selection management valid state) and the second operation valid state (window display management valid state) is disabled and the other is enabled, a setting means may be provided for setting a waiting time during which multiple interrupt processes can be executed from the time one is disabled until the other is enabled.

[0622] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0623] In the above embodiment, an example of the application of the present invention to a first-type gaming machine has been described, but the gameplay of the gaming machine to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to this. For example, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a second-type gaming machine and a first-type / second-type mixed gaming machine. Therefore, only one of the big win symbol and the small win symbol may be provided. In any case, the gameplay of the gaming machine to which the present invention can be applied is not particularly limited.

[0624] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the effect button 208 and the cross key 209 are provided as operation units that can be operated by the player. However, the operation units are not limited to the effect button 208 and the cross key 209, and may be, for example, a lever that can be operated by tilting, a handle that can be operated by rotating, etc. In any case, the operation units may be configured to be operable by the player, and there are no particular limitations on the type of operation required of the player.

[0625] In the above embodiment and modified example, the player can change the presentation pattern only during a round of play, but the presentation pattern may be changeable until the high probability play state ends. In this case, for example, the execution of the managed object discarding task may be triggered by receiving a game state change command instead of an ending command. [Explanation of symbols]

[0626] 100 gaming machines 208 Production button 209 D-pad 300 Main control board 300a Main CPU 330 Sub-control board 330a Sub CPU

Claims

1. a game progress means for controlling the progress of a game; an operation unit that can be operated by a player; a processing means capable of executing a plurality of tasks each having a set priority, and which, when an interrupt condition for a task having a higher priority than a task currently being executed is satisfied, suspends the currently being executed task and executes the task having the higher priority; Equipped with The tasks include: a first task that disables one of the first valid operation state and the second valid operation state and enables the other; a second task having a higher priority than the first task and invalidating both the first valid operation state and the second valid operation state; A gaming machine comprising:

2. a setting means for setting a waiting time during which a plurality of interrupt processes can be executed between the time when one of the first operation valid state and the second operation valid state is invalidated and the other is validated, and the time when the other of the first operation valid state and the second operation valid state is validated is invalidated; The gaming machine according to claim 1 .

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