Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of easily reusing a board.SOLUTION: The game machine includes various control boards on which a control means capable of executing control processing related to a game is mounted, and management information 171 for managing the boards and specific information 172 for specifying a selling source or a manufacturer of the game machine on which the boards are mounted are displayed on at least one surface of the control boards, and when the management information 171 and the specific information 172 displayed on the boards are corrected, the management information 171 and the specific information 172 before the correction and new management information 171 and specific information 172 after the correction are respectively displayed. The management information 171 and the specification information 172 before correction are configured to be processed to indicate that the information is invalid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a conventional pachinko gaming machine, for example, when a pachinko ball enters a start winning slot, the symbols displayed on the image display device start to change and stop after a certain time. When the stopped symbols form a specific combination, the big winning slot opens, allowing the player to win many pachinko balls. In addition, while the symbols are changing and even after the symbols have finished changing, various effects are provided using images, sounds, and accessories to keep the player entertained.

[0003] Here, the basic board configuration of a pachinko gaming machine includes a main control board that controls the basic progress of the game, such as detecting winning entries in the winning slots and drawing lots for big wins, and a sub-control board that is connected to the main control board and performs detailed control of the presentation and the like based on control signals sent from the main control board. The sub-control board may also be connected to a display control board that controls the display of the image display device, a lamp control board that controls the lighting of decorative lamps, an audio control board that controls audio output, and the like (see, for example, JP 2014-57748 A). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-57748 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, the circuit boards used in the pachinko gaming machines have traditionally been strictly managed by circuit board control numbers. This circuit board control number is assigned a unique number for each manufacturer that produces or sells the machine and for each type of circuit board, and is inscribed on the circuit board. Because this circuit board control number is managed in association with the manufacturer that produces or sells the machine, for example, a circuit board bearing a circuit board control number registered as a pachinko gaming machine of Company A can essentially only be installed in Company A's pachinko gaming machines. In other words, when Company B manufactures a pachinko gaming machine that uses the same circuit board as a past pachinko gaming machine of Company A, the circuit board installed in the collected pachinko gaming machine of Company A cannot be reused in Company B's pachinko gaming machine. However, in light of the recent trend toward promoting the recycling of pachinko gaming machines, the inability to reuse the circuit boards has been a problem.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine that allows for easy reuse of the board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the gaming machine of the present invention is provided with a board on which a control means capable of executing control processing related to gaming is implemented, and at least one side of the board is provided with a space for writing management information that manages the board, and when the management information written in the space is corrected due to reuse of the board, the management information before correction and the new management information after correction are written, respectively, and the management information before correction is processed to indicate that it is invalid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the gaming machine of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the management information written on the board is processed to indicate that the management information before correction is invalid, and new management information after correction is displayed, thereby making it possible to reuse the board. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data display device installed above a pachinko gaming machine. [Figure 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of displays provided in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the rear side of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is an example of a control board installed in a pachinko gaming machine. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of modifying management information and specific information written on a control board. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an output connector mounted on an external output board. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view showing an output connector mounted on an external output board. [Figure 9] 2 is an explanatory block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a main control board and peripheral devices provided in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 2 is an explanatory block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a sub-control board and peripheral devices provided in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] This is an electrical circuit diagram of the dispensing control board and the external output board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, when describing the direction of each part of the pachinko gaming machine, the direction as seen from a player playing facing the pachinko gaming machine will be used as the reference. Specifically, the left-right and up-down directions of each part of the pachinko gaming machine will be the left-right and up-down directions as seen from the player. Furthermore, the direction approaching the player will be referred to as the front, and the direction moving away from the player will be referred to as the rear.

[0011] [Major components of a pachinko machine] 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a gaming machine frame 16. The gaming machine frame 16 is composed of, in order from the front, a front frame 18, an inner frame (not shown), and an outer frame (not shown). The front frame 18 includes a handle 4, a ball supply tray (also called an upper tray) 24, a surplus ball receiving tray (also called a lower tray) 25, an effect button 9, a call switch 45, an effect lever 6, a speaker 8, a left side lamp 23a, and a right side lamp 23b.

[0012] The handle 4 is located at the lower right of the front frame 18, in a position where it can be gripped with the right hand of a player facing the pachinko machine 1 while playing. The handle 4 is equipped with a touch switch 92 (FIG. 4), a firing lever 4a, and a firing stop button 4b. The touch switch 92 outputs a signal indicating that the player has touched the handle 4, and is located in a position where it can be touched by the right hand of the player holding the handle 4. The firing lever 4a is used to adjust the firing strength of the game balls and is rotatably mounted on the handle 4. The firing stop button 4b is used to stop the firing of the game balls while they are being fired and is located in a position where it can be operated with the thumb of the right hand holding the handle 4. A ball supply tray (also called an upper tray) 24 is located at the lower center of the front frame 18. The ball supply tray 24 is used to store game balls to be supplied to the firing device 90 (FIG. 9). The ball supply tray 24 stores game balls dispensed from the loan ball payout device 80 (Figure 9) and the prize ball payout device 400 (Figure 9). The surplus ball receiving tray (also called the lower tray) 25 is provided below the ball supply tray 24 in the front frame 18. The surplus ball receiving tray 25 stores game balls in excess of the number that the ball supply tray 24 can store.

[0013] The effect button 9 is provided in a portion of the front frame 18 that covers the upper part of the ball supply tray 24. In other words, the effect button 9 is provided in a position on the front frame 18 that can be pressed with the right or left hand of a player facing the pachinko gaming machine 1. In this embodiment, the effect button 9 is a push-on button switch. The effect button 9 has a built-in effect button lamp 9c (FIG. 10) and an effect button vibration motor 9b (FIG. 10). The effect button lamp 9c lights up or flashes when the effect button 9 is pressed while the effect button 9 is in a valid state. The surface of the effect button 9 is made of a translucent material, allowing the player to see the light emitted by the effect button lamp 9c. The effect button vibration motor 9b vibrates the effect button 9, and vibrates at a predetermined timing while the effect button 9 is in a valid state. In this embodiment, the effect button lamp 9c is an LED. The effect button 9 has a built-in elastic member (not shown) such as a spring for returning the pressed effect button 9 to the position it was in before the button was pressed, and when the pressed state is released, the effect button 9 returns to the state it was in before the button was pressed due to the restoring force of the elastic member. When a player presses the effect button 9 while the pressing operation of the effect button 9 is valid, a specific effect is performed. Hereinafter, a specific effect that is performed as a result of pressing the effect button 9 is referred to as a button effect.

[0014] On the other hand, the call switch 45 is a button that is pressed to call a hall employee. When the call switch 45 is pressed, a call signal is sent from the data display 160 located above the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the hall computer 169 (described later) as shown in FIG. 2. This allows the hall computer 169 to know that the data display 160 is in a call state. In this case, the hall employee will head to the pachinko gaming machine 1 whose call switch 45 has been pressed. Also, at this time, the call lamp 164 provided on the data display 160 continues to emit light (light up) based on the pressing of the call switch 45. This indicates to players and nearby employees that the data display 160 is in a call state. Note that the call state can be entered not only by operating the call switch 45 provided on the pachinko gaming machine 1, but also by pressing a call button 163 provided on the data display 160 (a button different from the call switch 45 provided on the pachinko gaming machine 1).

[0015] When the data display 160 is in the call state, if a player or a hall employee who has been called presses the call switch 45 or the call button 163, a non-call signal is sent from the data display 160 to the hall computer 169. This allows the hall computer 169 to know that the data display 160 has switched to the non-call state (normal state). At this time, the call lamp 164 is switched from on to off based on the pressing of the call switch 45 or the call button 163. This notifies the player and nearby employees that the call state of the data display 160 has been released.

[0016] Furthermore, the display device 162 of the data display 160 displays, for example, the number of times that the special symbols have been displayed in a variable manner, the number of jackpots won today, the number of winning balls (number of balls won), etc. based on information transmitted from various control boards equipped in the pachinko gaming machine 1. It is also possible to display the history of these data not only for the current day but also for the past few days.

[0017] Meanwhile, the effect lever 6 is provided on the front frame 18 to the left of the surplus ball tray 25, that is, near the lower left end of the front frame 18. In other words, the effect lever 6 is provided in a position on the front frame 18 where it can be operated with the left hand of a player facing the pachinko gaming machine 1. In other words, the effect lever 6 is provided in a position on the front frame 18 where it can be operated with the left hand of a player facing the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the effect button 9 is provided in a position on the front frame 18 where it can be pressed with the right hand while the player is operating the effect lever 6 with their left hand. The effect lever 6 is shaped like a rod that can be grasped with the left hand, and can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, as well as pushed backward. The effect lever 6 is also provided with an effect lever vibration motor 6d (Figure 10). The effect lever vibration motor 6d vibrates the effect lever 6, and vibrates at a predetermined timing during the period during which operation of the effect lever 6 is valid. When the player operates the effect lever 6 during the period during which operation of the effect lever 6 is valid, a specific effect is performed. Hereinafter, a specific effect that is triggered by operation of the effect lever 6 is referred to as a lever effect.

[0018] A left side lamp 23a is provided on the left side of the front frame 18, and a right side lamp 23b is provided on the right side. The front frame 18 in the portion where the left side lamp 23a and right side lamp 23b are provided is translucent, and multiple LEDs are arranged inside this translucent portion. Each LED can emit multiple colors, and lights up or flashes depending on the performance content, and also changes the emitted color. Speakers 8 are provided in the left and right corners of the upper part of the front frame 18, respectively, and output sounds such as music, sound effects, and notification sounds depending on the performance content.

[0019] The pachinko gaming machine 1 also includes a gaming board 2, a glass plate 5, and an effect display device 7. The gaming board 2 is positioned approximately in the center of the gaming board 2, that is, in a position that is approximately directly opposite the face of the player. The effect display device 7 is positioned on the rear side of the gaming board 2, and its screen is exposed from approximately the center of the gaming board 2. The gaming board 2 includes a fixed winning device 10, a first big winning device 30, a second big winning device (V attacker) 33, a gate 12, a normal variable winning device (normal electric device, also called an electric chute) 20, a normal winning port 13, indicators 50, a center decorative body 14, and a rail member 17.

[0020] A game area 3 in which game balls flow (roll) is formed on the surface of the game board 2. The game area 3 has a left game area 3a formed on the left side of the screen of the effect display device 7 and a right game area 3b formed on the right side of the screen of the effect display device 7. A plurality of game pegs (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game balls flow down are driven into the surface of the game board 2. The front of the surface of the game board 2 is covered with a transparent glass plate 5. Although not shown in FIG. 1, LEDs are provided at multiple locations on the game board 2. These LEDs are collectively referred to as board lamps (denoted by the symbol 2a in FIG. 10). Each LED that makes up the board lamp 2a can emit multiple colors, light up or flash depending on the effect, and also change the emitted color. That is, the pachinko gaming machine 1 lights up or flashes the left side lamp 23a, the right side lamp 23b and the board lamp 2a according to the content of the performance during game control, and outputs sounds from the speakers 8.

[0021] The fixed winning device 10 is located approximately in the center of the lower side of the game board 2. The fixed winning device 10 has a first starting hole 11 through which one game ball can enter (win). The first starting hole 11 is always open, and the probability that a game ball will enter the first starting hole 11 does not change much. Although the first starting hole 11 is located near the center, it is configured so that only game balls flowing down the left game area 3a can pass through, and is therefore the ball entry hole located in the left game area 3a. The gate 12 is located in the right game area 3b, and is configured so that game balls flowing down the right game area 3b can pass through. The normal variable winning device 20 is located below the gate 12 in the right game area 3b. The normal variable winning device 20 has a movable member 21. The movable member 21 is a plate-shaped accessory that acts as a bridge to the second starting hole 22, which is installed with its ball entrance facing right, and when a normal symbol is won, an internal mechanism causes the movable member 21 to protrude to the front side (a bridge is established) according to the selected operation pattern, and a game ball flowing down the right game area 3b can enter (enter) the second starting hole 22 via the movable member 21. In other words, when the movable member 21 is housed at the back side, it is in a closed state that closes the second starting hole 22, and when it protrudes to the front side it is in an open state that opens the second starting hole 22.

[0022] The first large prize device 30 is located downstream of the normal variable prize device 20 in the right game area 3b of the game board 2, and the second large prize device 33 is located further downstream of that. The first large prize device 30 is equipped with a first opening / closing member 31 that opens and closes the first large prize opening 32, and the second large prize device 33 is equipped with a second opening / closing member 34 that opens and closes the second large prize opening 35. The first large prize opening 32 and the second large prize opening 35 are each sized to allow multiple game balls to enter (win) at the same time. In this embodiment, the first opening / closing member 31 is formed in the shape of a plate that is long in the left-right direction and is configured to be rotatable around the left and right lower ends as rotation axes. On the other hand, second opening / closing member 34 is a lid-shaped device that closes the top of second large prize opening 35, and is configured so that an internal mechanism can switch it between a state in which it protrudes to the front side (a state in which second large prize opening 35 is closed) and a state in which it is stored in the back side (a state in which second large prize opening 35 is open). Hereinafter, when explaining matters common to first large prize opening 32 and second large prize opening 35, it will be simply referred to as the large prize opening.

[0023] Inside second large prize device 33, there are formed specific area 36 (also called V prize area), which is an area through which a gaming ball that has entered second large prize opening 35 can pass, and a non-specific area (not shown). Inside second large prize device 33, there are provided a sorting member (movable piece) 37 that sorts gaming balls that have entered second large prize opening 35 to the specific area or the non-specific area, and a sorting member solenoid 37d (FIG. 9) that drives sorting member 37. Note that sorting member 37 has a lid shape that closes specific area 36, ​​and within second large prize opening 35, specific area 36 is located upstream of the non-specific area. Therefore, when the distribution member 37 is activated and the specific area 36 is opened, the game ball that enters the second large winning opening 35 will preferentially enter the specific area 36, ​​while when the specific area 36 is closed by the distribution member 37, the game ball that enters the second large winning opening 35 will flow into the non-specific area.

[0024] The display devices 50 are provided on the gaming board 2 outside the gaming area 3 and below the first special winning device 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the display devices 50 include a first special symbol display 51 that variably displays a first special symbol (also referred to as a first special symbol), a second special symbol display 52 that variably displays a second special symbol (also referred to as a second special symbol), and a normal symbol display 53 that variably displays a normal symbol (also referred to as a normal symbol). Furthermore, the display devices 50 include a first special symbol hold display 51a that displays the number of reserved activations stored in the first special symbol display 51, a second special symbol hold display 52a that displays the number of reserved activations stored in the second special symbol display 52, and a normal symbol hold display 53a that displays the number of reserved activations stored in the normal symbol display 53. Hereinafter, when describing matters common to the first special symbol and the second special symbol, they will be simply referred to as special symbols. In addition, when explaining matters common to the first special pattern display device 51 and the second special pattern display device 52, they will simply be referred to as special pattern display devices.

[0025] In this embodiment, the first special symbol display 51 and the second special symbol display 52 are each composed of eight LEDs. The lit LEDs (□) and the unlit LEDs (■) represent special symbols, respectively, and the flow of the lit LEDs in a predetermined direction (for example, from left to right) represents the changing display of the special symbols. Hereinafter, the changing pattern of the special symbols from when the special symbols start to change display until the special symbols are finally displayed is referred to as the special symbol changing pattern. In this embodiment, the normal symbol display 53 is composed of two LEDs. A lit LED (□) and an unlit LED (■) represent a normal symbol, and the alternating illumination of these LEDs represents the variable display of the normal symbol. When a gaming ball passes through the gate 12, a lottery for a normal symbol is conducted to determine whether or not a win has occurred, and the normal symbol display 53 variably displays the normal symbol. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the normal symbol display 53 began displaying the variable normal symbol, the normal symbol display 53 finally displays the normal symbol corresponding to the result of the lottery. If the normal symbol finally displayed by the normal symbol display 53 is a normal symbol indicating a win, the normal variable winning device 20 is activated, causing the movable member 21 to protrude forward, allowing the gaming ball to enter the second starting hole 22 (however, even if a normal symbol is won, the protrusion is only for a very short time in the non-time-saving mode, so the ball cannot actually enter).

[0026] When a gaming ball enters first starting hole 11, a jackpot determination (also called a jackpot lottery) is executed to determine whether or not a jackpot has been won, and first special symbol display device 51 variably displays the first special symbol. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the first special symbol display device 51 began variably displaying the first special symbol, it finally displays the first special symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination. If the finally displayed first special symbol is a special symbol indicating a jackpot, a jackpot occurs, and first large prize device 30 is activated to open and close first opening / closing member 31, thereby opening and closing first large prize opening 32. Furthermore, as will be described later, if a small prize is won, second large prize device 33 is activated to open and close second opening / closing member 34, thereby opening and closing second large prize opening 35. When a gaming ball enters the first starting hole 11 while the first special symbol display 51 is variably displaying the first special symbol, the operation of the first special symbol display 51 triggered by the winning is suspended, and a memory number indicating the number of suspended operations is displayed by the first special symbol suspended display 51a. Hereinafter, the memory number of suspended operations of the first special symbol display 51 is referred to as the first special symbol suspended number.

[0027] Furthermore, when a gaming ball enters the second starting opening 22, a jackpot determination (also called a jackpot lottery) is executed, and the second special symbol display 52 variably displays the second special symbol. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the second special symbol display 52 began variably displaying the second special symbol, the second special symbol display 52 confirms and displays the second special symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot determination. If the confirmed and displayed second special symbol is a special symbol indicating a jackpot, a jackpot occurs, and the first large prize device 30 is activated, causing the first opening / closing member 31 to open and close, thereby opening and closing the first large prize opening 32. Furthermore, if a small prize is won, as described below, the second large prize device 33 is activated, causing the second opening / closing member 34 to open and close, thereby opening and closing the second large prize opening 35. Furthermore, as the second large prize opening 35 opens, the distribution member solenoid 37d is activated, allowing gaming balls to pass through the specific area 36 (V prize area) for a predetermined period of time. When the gaming ball enters the second starting hole 22 while the second special symbol display 52 is variably displaying the second special symbol, the activation of the second special symbol display 52 triggered by the winning is put on hold, and the memory number indicating the number of reserved activations is displayed by the second special symbol reserved indicator 52a. Hereinafter, the memory number of reserved activations of the second special symbol display 52 will be referred to as the second special symbol reserved number. Furthermore, when explaining matters common to the first special symbol reserved number and the second special symbol reserved number, it will simply be referred to as the special symbol reserved number.

[0028] Hereinafter, the period from when the special symbol display begins to display the special symbol variation until the special symbol is finally displayed is referred to as one special symbol variation. Furthermore, the reduction of the number of reserved special symbols by one each time the special symbol is varied is referred to as the consumption of the reserved special symbol number. Furthermore, the period from when the large prize entrance opens to when it closes is referred to as the large prize entrance opening period, and the period from when the large prize entrance opens to when it opens again is referred to as a round. Furthermore, the game from the start of the first round to the end of the final round is referred to as a jackpot game. Furthermore, if a jackpot is determined in the jackpot determination, the type of jackpot is determined by lottery. The opening period of the large prize entrance and the maximum number of playable rounds vary depending on the type of jackpot. Furthermore, in addition to jackpots, pachinko gaming machine 1 also has what are called small jackpots. If a small jackpot is won, the jackpot game will not be played, but the large prize entrance will only be open for a specified period of time. In particular, in this embodiment, the first large prize opening 32 is opened in a big win game, and the second large prize opening 35 is opened in the event of a small win.

[0029] Furthermore, in the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, a jackpot game is initiated not only when a jackpot is determined in a normal jackpot determination, but also when a gaming ball that has entered the second large prize slot 35 during play passes through the specific area 36 (V entry). The pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is a model known as a type 1 / type 2 mixed machine. Furthermore, the probability of determining a jackpot in a jackpot determination (hereinafter referred to as jackpot probability) is basically fixed, and this model does not have a high probability state in which the jackpot probability is higher than normal.

[0030] The general winning opening 13 is located on the gaming board 2 to the left of the fixed winning device 10. The rail member 17 is located along the periphery of the gaming board 2. The rail member 17 guides gaming balls launched by the launching device 90 (Figure 9) to the gaming area 3. An outlet 19 is opened in the center of the bottom of the gaming board 2 for discharging gaming balls that do not win anywhere. The center decorative body 14 is located at the top of the gaming board 2. The center decorative body 14 is translucent, and inside it are multiple LEDs that light up or flash depending on the performance content. The pachinko gaming machine 1 also includes a movable body 15. The movable body 15 is disposed behind the center decorative body 14. Figure 1 shows the movable body 15 in a state where it is substantially hidden by the center decorative body 14. The movable body 15 descends downward at a predetermined timing according to the content of the performance, and displaces into a state where it can be seen by the player.

[0031] The effect display device 7 displays moving and still images such as effect images, message images, and demonstration images. The player plays the game while viewing these images from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The effect display device 7 variably displays effect (decorative) symbols as effect images in synchronization with the variable display of special symbols. In this embodiment, the effect symbols are symbols representing the Arabic numerals 1 to 9. Note that the effect symbols may include symbols representing characters other than numbers, such as alphabets or special characters, or may be combined with symbols representing characters other than numbers. In this embodiment, the effect display device 7 variably displays the effect symbols in the following areas, from left to right: a left effect symbol display area, a center effect symbol display area, and a right effect symbol display area. The left effect symbol 9L is variably displayed in the left effect symbol display area, the center effect symbol 9C is variably displayed in the center effect symbol display area, and the right effect symbol 9R is variably displayed in the right effect symbol display area. Hereinafter, when describing matters common to the left performance pattern display area, middle performance pattern display area, and right performance pattern display area, they will simply be referred to as performance pattern display areas.

[0032] The effect display device 7 also displays a background image as an effect image behind each effect symbol. For example, the background image may be a moving image such as a TV drama or movie, an animated version of that moving image, animation, a character image, or an original moving image from a pachinko gaming machine manufacturer. In this embodiment, the effect display device 7 is a liquid crystal display device. Note that an organic EL display device, a display device using a dot matrix LED, or the like may also be used as the effect display device 7. The effect display device 7 synchronizes each effect symbol with the variable display of the special symbol, and simultaneously displays each effect symbol as determined when the special symbol is determined, and displays the jackpot determination result. Here, the determined display is a stopped display state in which the effect symbol does not fluctuate up and down or change again, but is completely stopped.

[0033] Hereinafter, a performance symbol representing a jackpot result is referred to as a jackpot performance symbol, and a performance symbol representing a loss result is referred to as a loss performance symbol. In this embodiment, a jackpot performance symbol is a state in which each performance symbol is aligned with a performance symbol representing the same number, that is, a state of a double digit. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the left performance symbol 9L, the center performance symbol 9C, and the right performance symbol 9R, which are displayed as a fixed number, are all aligned with "7." A loss performance symbol is a state in which each performance symbol is not aligned with a performance symbol representing the same number, that is, a state in which the performance symbol is not aligned with a double digit. For example, the left performance symbol 9L, the center performance symbol 9C, and the right performance symbol 9R, which are displayed as a fixed number, are all aligned with "7." Hereinafter, the effect pattern that the effect display device 7 changes and displays in synchronization with the special pattern will be referred to as the effect pattern change pattern, and the image displayed in the background of the effect pattern change pattern will be referred to as the background image. The background image is a still image or a moving image.

[0034] The effect symbol variation pattern is displayed in synchronization with the variation display of the special symbol variation pattern, and when the activation of the special symbol display device is suspended, the activation of the effect display device 7 is also suspended. In other words, the number of suspended activations of the special symbol display device matches the number of suspended activations of the effect display device 7. The number of suspended activations of the effect display device 7 corresponding to the number of suspended first special symbols and the number of suspended activations of the effect display device 7 corresponding to the number of suspended second special symbols are displayed on the effect display device 7 by suspended images. Therefore, by counting the number of suspended images displayed on the effect display device 7, the player can know the number of suspended first special symbols and the number of suspended second special symbols, as well as the number of suspended activations of the effect display device 7 resulting from the number of suspended first special symbols and the number of suspended second special symbols. The number of suspended activations of the effect display device 7 may not be displayed on the effect display device 7, but may be notified to the player using a lamp or the like located near the effect display device 7.

[0035] In addition to the notification of the result of the jackpot determination by the above-mentioned effect symbols, the pachinko game machine 1 notifies the result of the jackpot determination by using a combination of the background image displayed on the effect display device 7, the sound output from the speaker 8, the lighting of the board lamp 2a, the operation of the role-playing device, etc. Specifically, various effects such as advance notice effects and reach effects are included.

[0036] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with multiple control boards and devices. The main control boards include a main control board 60, a sub-control board 100, an image control board 200, an audio control board 78, a payout control board 73, a power supply board 70, and a launch control board 83 that controls the launcher 90. Reference numeral 88 denotes an external output board equipped with an external terminal, 80 denotes a ball payout device, 283 denotes a no-ball detection switch, 289 denotes a ball storage tank, and 291 denotes a ball guide gutter. Each control board is provided with a control circuit. Each control board is placed on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 1, either individually or together housed in a case.

[0037] Furthermore, the main control board 60 is provided with an RWM clear switch 66. Furthermore, a power switch 72 is mounted near the main control board 60 and the power supply board 70. Note that the placement of the RWM clear switch 66 and power switch 72 shown in Figure 4 is an example and can be changed as appropriate. However, since the RWM clear switch 66 and power switch 72 are intended to be operated only by hall employees, they are placed in positions that make them difficult for players to operate.

[0038] [Configuration of the circuit board installed in a pachinko machine] Next, various control boards provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. The main control board 60 controls the lottery for a jackpot based on a gaming ball entering the first starting slot 11 or the second starting slot 22, and the payout of gaming balls based on a gaming ball entering one of the various winning slots. The sub-control board 100 mainly receives signals from the main control board (such as signals indicating whether a jackpot flag is set or whether a gaming ball has entered a predetermined winning area) and determines and controls the effects to be executed. The effects include displaying images on a display device, turning on or blinking various lights (lamps), and outputting sound from a speaker. In addition to the main control board 60 and sub-control board 100, other boards that control the game include an image control board 200, an audio control board 78, a payout control board 73, a relay board 74, a lamp control board 79, an external output board 88, a power supply board 70, and a launch control board 83.

[0039] 5 shows a main control board 60 as an example of the various control boards described above. The main control board 60 is a printed circuit board to which various electronic components 60A, such as LSIs, diodes, capacitors, and resistors, are soldered and operates as an electronic circuit. It also includes connectors 60B for connecting signal lines to other control boards.

[0040] The main control board 60 has a dedicated space 170 on its surface (the side on which the electronic components 60A and connectors 60B are mounted) for inscribing "management information" and "specific information." In particular, the space 170 is provided in a position (especially a corner position) adjacent to the board edge so as not to overlap with the installation positions of the electronic components 60A and connectors 60B. However, if the arrangement of the electronic components 60A and connectors 60B makes it difficult to provide the space 170 adjacent to the board edge, the space 170 may be provided in a position other than adjacent to the board edge. It is desirable to make the space 170 identifiable by, for example, printing a line indicating the boundary of the space 170 or by scraping the board surface near the boundary. In particular, the entire space 170 may be scraped off the surface of the board 60. When the management information or specific information to be written in the space 170 is embossed as described below, the entire space 170 may be scraped off except for the letters or symbols that represent the management information or specific information.

[0041] Here, the "control information" written in space 170 specifically refers to a board control number, which is a unique number assigned to each manufacturer that produces or sells the machine and each type of board. Board control numbers are applied for in advance by the manufacturer and registered by an external organization. Basically, the same number is not assigned to boards from different manufacturers, even if they have the same content, and the same number is not assigned to different types of boards within the same manufacturer. For example, a combination of numbers and letters may be used, but this is not limited to this, as long as it is distinguishable. Furthermore, boards installed in pachinko gaming machines 1 must have a board control number registered for the manufacturer that produces or sells the machine on which the board is installed and for the type of board in question, displayed as "control information" somewhere visible on the board. In other words, boards without control information or boards with incorrect control information cannot, as a general rule, be installed in pachinko gaming machines 1.

[0042] On the other hand, the "specific information" is information that identifies the distributor or manufacturer of the pachinko gaming machine 1 on which the circuit board is mounted, and specifically, the name (name) of the manufacturer that is the distributor or manufacturer. However, as long as the manufacturer's name can be identified, it does not have to be the official name and an abbreviation may be used. For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, "123456A" is written as the management information 171, and "AAA Company" is written as the specific information 172.

[0043] Incidentally, as a method of inscribing the management information 171 and the specific information 172 in the space 170, for example, there is a method of inscribing letters and symbols by scraping the surface of the main control board 60. Incidentally, letters and symbols may be inscribed by leaving the part of the letters or symbols and scraping around them (embossing), or conversely, letters and symbols may be inscribed by scraping the part of the letters or symbols (debossing). Furthermore, the surface of the board may be scraped by laser processing, drilling, or etching.

[0044] Alternatively, it is also possible to write the management information 171 and the specific information 172 in the space 170 by printing characters or symbols in the space 170 using a printing device such as a laser marker.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6 , the space 170 includes a first space 170A for representing the pre-correction management information 171 and identification information 172, and a second space 170B for representing the post-correction management information 171 and identification information 172. While the first space 170A and the second space 170B are adjacent to each other in the example shown in FIG. 6 , they do not necessarily have to be adjacent. Although the first space 170A and the second space 170B exist within a single space in the example shown in FIG. 6 , the first space 170A and the second space 170B may be provided as separate, independent spaces. For example, the first space 170A and the second space 170B may be spaced apart, or even if the first space 170A and the second space 170B are adjacent to each other, the boundaries of the first space 170A and the second space 170B may be printed. Alternatively, the boundary between the first space 170A and the boundary between the second space 170B may be embossed or debossed.

[0046] Here, the board control number written as the management information 171 is managed in association with the manufacturer that produced or sold the machine, so for example, a board with management information 171 registered as a pachinko machine of Company AAA can basically only be installed in pachinko machines of Company AAA. In other words, when manufacturing a pachinko machine of Company BBB that is equipped with the same board as a board installed in a past pachinko machine of Company AAA, the board installed in the collected pachinko machine of Company AAA cannot be reused in a pachinko machine of Company BBB as is. However, if the management information 171 written in space 170 is corrected to new management information 171 linked to Company BBB, the board can be reused.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, first, the management information 171 and the specification information 172 are written only in the first space 170A. Then, when the board is to be reused as a board to be mounted on another company's pachinko gaming machine, the management information 171 and the specification information 172 written in the first space 170A are processed to indicate that they are invalid. Then, the management information 171 and the specification information corresponding to the pachinko gaming machine 1 to be reused (the pachinko gaming machine 1 to be newly mounted) are added to the second space 170B. This makes it possible to modify the management information 171 and the specification information 172. Note that, with regard to the inscription of the management information 171 and the identification information 172 in the first space 170A and the inscription of the management information 171 and the identification information 172 in the second space 170B, for example, one may be inscribed by embossing (or debossing) and the other by printing, or both may be inscribed by embossing (or debossing), or both may be inscribed by printing. Since printing is easier for adding information to an existing board, as an example, the inscription of the management information 171 and the identification information 172 in the first space 170A can be performed by embossing, and the inscription of the management information 171 and the identification information 172 in the second space 170B can be performed by printing.

[0048] 6, for example, "123456A" is written as the management information 171 in the first space 170A, and "Company AAA" is written as the specific information 172, but after these are invalidated, "567890A" is written as the management information 171 in the second space 170B, and "Company BBB" is written as the specific information 172. "567890A" is the board management number registered as the board of "Company BBB," and after the above correction, the main control board 60 can be installed in a pachinko gaming machine 1 of "Company BBB."

[0049] In order to indicate that the management information 171 and the identification information 172 written in the first space 170A are invalid, for example, one or two strikethroughs may be printed using a laser marker over the pre-correction management information 171 and identification information 172 shown in the first space 170A, or the notation may be deleted by scraping the surface of the first space 170A. The method for scraping the surface of the substrate may be laser processing, drilling, or etching.

[0050] 6 shows a case where both the management information 171 and the specific information 172 are corrected, it is also possible to correct only one of the management information 171 and the specific information 172. In that case, only the information to be corrected, out of the management information 171 and the specific information 172, is newly written in the second space 170B.

[0051] In addition, in the example shown in Figure 5, the management information 171 and the specific information 172 are written in the same space, but the space for writing the management information 171 and the space for writing the specific information 172 may be provided separately in separate positions.

[0052] Furthermore, the management information 171 and the identification information 172 may be written in a space 170 not only on the front side of the sub-control board 100 but also on the back side (the side to be soldered). In this case, the space 170 may be written in the same position (for example, the upper left corner) on both the front and back sides, or in different positions. In this embodiment, two spaces, a first space 170A and a second space 170B, are provided as spaces for writing the management information 171 and the identification information 172, but three or more spaces, such as a third space and a fourth space, may also be provided. This allows the board to be reused between three or more manufacturers.

[0053] Furthermore, while Figure 5 shows the main control board 60 as an example of the various control boards installed in the pachinko gaming machine 1, spaces 170 for indicating management information 171 and specific information 172 may also be provided for the sub-control board 100, image control board 200, audio control board 78, payout control board 73, relay board 74, lamp control board 79, external output board 88, power supply board 70, and launch control board 83 in addition to the main control board 60.

[0054] On the other hand, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is provided with an external output circuit for outputting information related to the game (hereinafter referred to as game information) generated by the control to an external device such as the hall computer 169. In the following explanation, an example will be described in which game information generated by the main control board 60 or the payout control board 73 (including information from the call switch 45 via the payout control board 73) is sent to the external output circuit, but game information generated by various other control boards may also be configured to be sent to the external output circuit.

[0055] The external output circuit is implemented on an external output board 88. As shown in FIG. 7, the external output board 88 is provided with at least a connector 88A for electrically connecting to various control boards, such as the main control board 60 or the payout control board 73, and an output connector 88B for electrically connecting to external devices, such as the data display 160 or the hall computer 169, for outputting game information sent from the various control boards to the external device. The game information output to the external device may be of any type. Examples include a jackpot win and the number of times a special symbol changes. The external output board 88 may be provided in any position, but is preferably provided in a position that facilitates connection to an external device. In this embodiment, the external output board 88 is provided near the upper right corner of the rear surface of the gaming machine, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0056]

[0043] Hereinafter, the output connector 88B mounted on the external output board 88 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a front view showing the output connector 88B mounted on the external output board 88, and Figure 8 is a side view showing the output connector 88B mounted on the external output board 88. In this embodiment, a plurality of output channels for game information are provided. That is, a plurality of output connectors 88B constituting a plurality of output channels are mounted on the external output board 88. The output connectors 88B are a plurality of linking-type connectors 220 that can be connected to adjacent ones. Specifically, each linking-type connector 220 has an external output terminal 220A, which is a terminal pin electrically connected (soldered) to a conductive pattern formed on the external output board 88, and a main body 220B (housing) to which the terminal pin is fixed, and a structure for connecting adjacent ones to the main body 220B is provided. Specifically, the following is described.

[0057] The main body 220B has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. An engaging portion 222 is provided on one side surface (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a first side surface 221) of the main body 220B. Meanwhile, an engaged portion 224 with which the engaging portion 222 can engage is provided on the side surface opposite the first side surface 221 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a second side surface 223). Any engagement structure may be used between the engaging portion 222 and the engaged portion 224. In this embodiment, the engaging portions 222 are multiple protrusions with claws at their tips, and the engaged portions 224 are holes, the number of which is the same as the number of protrusions. By passing the engaging portions 222, which are protrusions, through the engaged portions 224, which are holes, the tips of the claws become hooked inside the holes. When the linking connectors 220 are linked, the first side surface 221 of one linking connector 220 and the second side surface 223 of the adjacent linking connector 220 are placed opposite each other (either in close contact or with a small gap between them). As a result, engaging portion 222 and engaged portion 224 engage with each other, and adjacent linking connectors 220 (main body portions 220B) are linked together. Since engaging portion 222 and engaged portion 224 are provided on first side surface 221 and second side surface 223 on the opposite side, respectively, linking connectors 220 can be said to be linkable in a direction perpendicular to first side surface 221 and second side surface 223 (hereinafter, this linkable direction will be referred to as linkable direction D).

[0058] A plurality of such interlocking connectors 220 are mounted on the external output board 88. The plurality of interlocking connectors 220 are divided into those included in a first connector group 225 that are interlocked with one another and those included in a second connector group 226 that are interlocked with one another. That is, the interlocking connectors 220 included in the first connector group 225 are adjacently disposed with their first side surfaces 221 and second side surfaces 223 facing each other, and are interlocked by engagement between their engaging portions 222 and their engaged portions 224. Similarly, the interlocking connectors 220 included in the second connector group 226 are adjacently disposed with their first side surfaces 221 and second side surfaces 223 facing each other, and are interlocked by engagement between their engaging portions 222 and their engaged portions 224. Note that connectors other than the interlocking connectors 220 included in the first connector group 225 and the second connector group 226 may also be mounted.

[0059] All of the interlocking connectors 220 included in the first connector group 225 are not connected to any of the interlocking connectors 220 included in the second connector group 226. It can also be said that all of the interlocking connectors 220 included in the second connector group 226 are not connected to any of the interlocking connectors 220 included in the first connector group 225. Since both the first connector group 225 and the second connector group 226 are mounted on the external output board 88, they can be said to be indirectly connected via the external output board 88, but they are not directly connected to each other.

[0060] A more specific arrangement of the interlocking connectors 220 is as follows. All of the interlocking connectors 220 included in the first connector group 225 and all of the interlocking connectors 220 included in the second connector group 226 are aligned along the connectable direction D. That is, when viewed along the connectable direction D, the main bodies 220B of all of the interlocking connectors 220 overlap. A gap S is formed between the interlocking connector 220 (hereinafter referred to as the first central connector 227) constituting the first connector group 225 closest to the second connector group 226 and the interlocking connector 220 (hereinafter referred to as the second central connector 228) constituting the second connector group 226 closest to the first connector group 225, and the first central connector 227 and the second central connector 228 are not directly interlocked. Because all of the interlocking connectors 220 included in both connector groups are aligned along the connectable direction D, the first central connector 227 and the second central connector 228 are interlockable if the gap S does not exist (if the two are brought close to each other). In other words, in this embodiment, by forming a gap S between the first connector group 225 and the second connector group 226, i.e., between the first central connector 227 and the second central connector 228, the first central connector 227 and the second central connector 228 are deliberately not directly connected to each other (they would be connectable if there was no gap S).

[0061] The advantages of this configuration are as follows. After the interlocking connectors 220 are connected to each other, they are placed on the external output board 88. Then, the external output terminals 220A of each interlocking connector 220 are soldered to the board. In this embodiment, the soldering is performed by an automated soldering process such as flow soldering or reflow soldering. The heat applied to the interlocking connectors 220 during the soldering process may cause distortion of the interlocking connectors 220. When the interlocking connectors 220 are connected to each other, distortion due to heat may affect the connectors, causing problems such as the interlocking connectors 220 not being aligned straight or looseness between the interlocking connectors 220, which may result in mounting defects such as gaps between at least some of the interlocking connectors 220 and the external output board 88 (causing the interlocking connectors 220 to "float").

[0062] In contrast, in this embodiment, even though all of the interlocking connectors 220 included in the first connector group 225 and the second connector group 226 are arranged to be interlockable with each other (arranged along the interlocking direction D), the first central connector 227 and the second central connector 228 are not interlocked, and the first connector group 225 and the second connector group 226 are not directly interlocked. This prevents the effects of distortion or the like that occurs in one of the first connector group 225 (the interlocking connectors 220 that constitute the first connector group 225) and the second connector group 226 (the interlocking connectors 220 that constitute the second connector group 226) from being directly transmitted to the other. This reduces the risk of mounting defects (compared to when all the interlocking connectors 220 are interlocked).

[0063] The greater the number of interlocking connectors 220 constituting a connector group, the greater the risk of distortion or other problems occurring in the interlocking connectors 220. Therefore, it is preferable to minimize the difference in the number of interlocking connectors 220 included in each connector group. When an even number of interlocking connectors 220 are divided into two connector groups as in this embodiment, it is preferable to make the number N1 of interlocking connectors 220 included in the first connector group 225 equal to the number N2 of interlocking connectors 220 included in the second connector group 226 (so that N1 = N2). In this embodiment, the total number of interlocking connectors 220 is 14, so N1 = 7 and N2 = 7 are set. When an odd number of interlocking connectors 220 are divided into two connector groups as in this embodiment, it is preferable to make the difference between the number N1 of interlocking connectors 220 included in the first connector group 225 and the number N2 of interlocking connectors 220 included in the second connector group 226 equal to 1 (|N1 - N2| = 1).

[0064] Note that any structure may be used for electrically connecting the external output terminal 220A of each linking connector 220 to wiring or the like. In other words, the linking connector 220 may have any structure for electrically connecting the connectors as long as the connectors are connectable to each other. In the linking connector 220 of this embodiment, the lever 229 is biased by a spring, and pulling the lever 229 expands the space into which the wiring is inserted. After inserting the wiring or the like into the space, the lever 229 is released from its operating state, causing the spring-biased lever 229 to press the core wire of the wiring and the terminals fixed thereto against the external output terminal 220A. This establishes an electrical connection between the external output terminal 220A and the wiring.

[0065] [Major electrical components of a pachinko machine] Next, the main electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The pachinko game machine 1 includes a main control board 60 (Figure 9), a payout control board 73 (Figure 9), a sub-control board 100 (Figure 10), an image control board 200 (Figure 10), a lamp control board 79 (Figure 10), a sound control board 78 (Figure 10), and an external output board 88.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9, a game control one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as game control microcomputer) 61 is mounted on the main control board 60. The game control microcomputer 61 includes a CPU 62, a ROM 63, a RWM 64, and an input / output circuit 65. The CPU 62 performs functions such as detecting winning, determining whether a jackpot has been won, and updating various random numbers. The ROM 63 stores computer programs executed by the CPU 62, as well as various tables such as a jackpot determination table Ta1, a regular jackpot determination table Ta2, a jackpot type determination table Ta3, a reach determination table Ta4, and a special jackpot variation pattern selection table Ta5. The game control microcomputer 61 generates random numbers used in various determinations (lotteries), such as jackpot random numbers, jackpot type random numbers, reach random numbers, and variation pattern random numbers.

[0067] The RWM 64 is used as a work memory when the CPU 62 executes a computer program. The RWM 64 also includes a first special symbol reserve memory 64a, a second special symbol reserve memory 64b, a normal symbol reserve memory 64c, and a variation count memory 64d. The first special symbol reserve memory 64a includes first through fourth memory areas. In other words, the maximum number of first special symbols that can be reserved is four. Each memory area stores a jackpot random number, a jackpot type random number, a reach random number, and a variation pattern random number acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 as a result of a gaming ball entering the first starting hole 11 (FIG. 1). When a game ball enters the first starting hole 11 (Figure 1) while the first special pattern display 51 (Figure 3) is displaying the first special pattern in a changing manner, the display of the first special pattern resulting from that winning is temporarily suspended (activation suspended), and the jackpot random number etc. obtained as a result of that winning is stored in the first special pattern suspension memory unit 64a.

[0068] Meanwhile, the second special symbol reservation memory unit 64b has first through fourth memory areas. In other words, the maximum number of second special symbol reservations that can be stored is four. Each memory area stores the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, reach random number, and variable pattern random number acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 as a result of the game ball entering the second starting hole 22 (Fig. 1). When the game ball enters the second starting hole 22 (Fig. 1) while the second special symbol display 52 (Fig. 3) is variably displaying the second special symbol, the variable display of the second special symbol resulting from that winning is temporarily suspended (activation suspended), and the jackpot random number and other information acquired as a result of that winning are stored in the second special symbol reservation memory unit 64b.

[0069] The jackpot random numbers and other information are stored in the order of occurrence of the reserved activations, i.e., in the order of acquisition by the game control microcomputer 61, in the first storage area of ​​the first special symbol reserved storage unit 64a and the second special symbol reserved storage unit 64b. Therefore, if the jackpot random numbers and other information are stored in the first through fourth storage areas, the jackpot random numbers and other information stored in the fourth storage area are the most recent, and the jackpot random numbers and other information stored in the first storage area are the oldest. The jackpot random numbers and other information stored in each storage area are shifted one by one to the oldest storage area each time a special symbol variable display is completed. For example, the jackpot random numbers and other information stored in the second storage area are shifted to the first storage area. Furthermore, the determination (lottery) based on the jackpot random numbers and other information stored in the first storage area is performed after the variable display of the special symbol by the special symbol display device ends and before the next variable display begins.

[0070] The normal symbol reserve memory unit 64c stores the normal winning random number (a random number for determining (lottery) whether the normal symbol is a winning symbol) and the operation pattern random number (a random number for selecting the operation pattern of the normal variable winning device 20) acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 as a result of the game ball passing through the gate 12 (FIG. 1). When the game ball passes through the gate 12 while the normal symbol display 53 is displaying a variable normal symbol, the operation of the normal symbol display 53 resulting from the passing is temporarily reserved (operation reserved), and the normal winning random number and the operation pattern random number acquired resulting from the passing are stored in the normal symbol reserve memory unit 64c. The reserved variable normal symbol display is performed after the current variable normal symbol display is completed. In this embodiment, the normal symbol reserve memory unit 64c has a memory area for a total of four reserved symbols, and the maximum number of reserved activation symbols stored for the normal symbol display 53 is four. Hereinafter, the number of reserved activation symbols stored for the normal symbol display 53 is referred to as the normal symbol reserve number.

[0071] The variation count memory 64d also stores the number of times the special symbol has varied since the previous jackpot game ended (or since initialization if the RWM clear switch 66 has been operated to initialize the RWM 64). The number of times the special symbol has varied stored in the variation count memory 64d is used, for example, as the end condition for the time reduction (time reduction a) after the jackpot game, or as the start or end condition for the time reduction (play time). Furthermore, the RWM 64 also stores a flag indicating the current game state (normal state, time reduction state) of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

[0072] Furthermore, the main control board 60 is equipped with an RWM clear switch 66. When the pachinko gaming machine 1 is started up with the RWM clear switch 66 pressed down, it initializes (deletes the stored contents of) the RWM 64 and the RWM 120 (FIG. 4) of the sub-control board 100. Note that the RWM 64 and the RWM 120 of the sub-control board 100 are not basically initialized even when the power of the gaming machine is turned off or on (i.e., the game status and the count of the number of variations are maintained), and are initialized only when the machine is started up with the RWM clear switch 66 pressed down.

[0073] In addition, the main control board 60 is electrically connected to the displays 50. Furthermore, the main control board 60 is electrically connected via a relay board 74 to the first start opening sensor 11a, the second start opening sensor 22a, the gate sensor 12a, the first large prize opening sensor 32a, the second large prize opening sensor 35a, the specific area sensor 35b, the non-specific area sensor 35c, the general prize opening sensor 13a, the electric chute solenoid 20a, the first large prize opening solenoid 30a, the second large prize opening solenoid 33a, and the sorting member solenoid 37d.

[0074] The first start hole sensor 11a is provided directly below the first start hole 11 (Fig. 1), and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has entered the first start hole 11 to the main control board 60. The second start hole sensor 22a is provided directly below the second start hole 22 (Fig. 1), and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has entered the second start hole 22 to the main control board 60. The gate sensor 12a is provided in the gaming ball passage area of ​​the gate 12 (Fig. 1), and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has passed through the gate 12 to the main control board 60. The first special prize hole sensor 32a is provided directly below the first special prize hole 32 (Fig. 1), and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has entered the first special prize hole 32 to the main control board 60. The second large prize opening sensor 35a is provided directly below the second large prize opening 35 (FIG. 1) and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has entered the second large prize opening 35 to the main control board 60. The specific area sensor 35b is provided within a specific area inside the second large prize opening 35 (FIG. 1) and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has passed through the specific area to the main control board 60. The non-specific area sensor 35c is provided in a non-specific area inside the second large prize opening 35 (FIG. 1) and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has passed through the non-specific area to the main control board 60. The general prize opening sensor 13a is provided directly below the general prize opening 13 (FIG. 1) and outputs a signal indicating that a gaming ball has entered the general prize opening 13 to the main control board 60.

[0075] The electric chute solenoid 20a drives the movable member 21 (Fig. 1) of the normal variable winning device 20 to open and close. The first large prize opening solenoid 30a drives the first opening / closing member 31 (Fig. 1) of the first large prize device 30 to open and close. The second large prize opening solenoid 33a drives the second opening / closing member 34 (Fig. 1) of the second large prize device 33 to open and close. The distribution member solenoid 37d drives the distribution member provided inside the second large prize device 33. In particular, when a small prize is won, the distribution member solenoid 37d is activated as the second large prize device 33 opens, allowing game balls to pass through a specific area (V prize area) for a predetermined period of time only. After the predetermined period has elapsed, the specific area returns to a state in which game balls cannot pass through. The main control board 60 is also electrically connected to the ball dispensing device 80, the card unit 76, and the prize ball dispensing device 400 via a payout control board 73. The card unit 76 is located adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and performs operations such as reading and writing balances from and to prepaid cards. The ball dispensing device 80 includes a ball dispensing motor 80A and a ball dispensing sensor 80B. The ball dispensing motor 80A drives a member that dispenses game balls as loan balls, and the ball dispensing sensor 80B outputs a signal indicating that a game ball has been dispensed by that member to the main control board 60 via the payout control board 73. The game control microcomputer 61 counts the number of balls dispensed by the ball dispensing device 80 based on the signal output from the payout control board 73. When a balance equal to or greater than the minimum balance that can be paid out is recorded on the prepaid card inserted into the card unit 76, and a ball loan button (not shown) is operated, a loan ball dispensing device 80 is activated and the minimum number of loan balls is dispensed into the ball supply tray 24.

[0076] The prize ball payout device 400 includes a prize ball motor 401 and a prize ball sensor 402. The prize ball motor 401 drives a member that pays out game balls as prize balls, and the prize ball sensor 402 outputs a signal indicating that a game ball has been paid out by that member to the main control board 60 via the payout control board 73. The game control microcomputer 61 counts the number of prize balls paid out by the prize ball payout device 400 based on the signal output from the payout control board 73. The main control board 60 is also electrically connected to a launching device 90 via a launching control circuit 75. The launching device 90 comprises a launching motor 91, a touch switch 92, and a launching volume 93. The launching motor 91 drives a striking hammer (not shown) that strikes and launches the gaming ball. The touch switch 92 outputs a signal indicating that the player has touched the handle 4. The launching volume 93 adjusts the strength with which the striking hammer strikes the gaming ball according to the amount of rotation of the launching lever 4a (FIG. 1).

[0077] The pachinko gaming machine 1 also includes a power supply board 70. The power supply board 70 supplies power to the main control board 60 and the payout control board 73. The power supply board 70 also supplies power to each device electrically connected to the payout control board 73 via the payout control board 73. The power supply board 70 also supplies power from the main control board 60 via the relay board 74 to each sensor and solenoid electrically connected to the relay board 74. The power supply board 70 also supplies power via the main control board 60 to the displays 50 electrically connected to the main control board 60. The power supply board 70 is provided with a backup power supply circuit 71. When power is not supplied from an external source to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the backup power supply circuit 71 supplies the power necessary to retain information to the RWM 64 of the main control board 60 and the like. A power switch 72 for turning on and off the main power supply that supplies power to the power supply board 70 is electrically connected to the power supply board 70.

[0078] The main control board 60 transmits various commands to the sub-control board 100 (FIG. 10). The main control board 60 can transmit commands to the sub-control board 100, but the sub-control board 100 cannot transmit commands to the main control board 60. In other words, communication between the main control board 60 and the sub-control board 100 is one-way communication, where only transmission from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 100 is possible.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 10, a one-chip microcomputer for effect control (hereinafter referred to as the effect control microcomputer) 101 is mounted on the sub-control board 100. The effect control microcomputer 101 includes a CPU 102, a ROM 110, a RWM 120, and an input / output circuit 103. The CPU 102 controls effects in accordance with a game. The ROM 110 stores computer programs for the CPU 102 to control effects, as well as various tables such as an effect selection table Ta6. The RWM 120 is used as a work memory when the CPU 102 executes the computer program. The RWM 120 also includes a first special symbol hold effect memory unit 121, a second special symbol hold effect memory unit 122, and a corresponding variable effect memory unit 123. The effect control microcomputer 101 is an example of the control means of the present invention.

[0080] The first special chart hold effect memory unit 121 has four memory areas consisting of first to fourth memory areas, and each memory area stores the first start winning command etc. output from the main control board 60. The first start winning command is a command including the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, variation pattern random number and reach random number acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 when the game ball enters the first start hole 11. On the other hand, the second special chart hold effect memory unit 122 has four memory areas consisting of first to fourth memory areas, and each memory area stores the second start winning command etc. output from the main control board 60. The second start winning command is a command including the jackpot random number, jackpot type random number, variation pattern random number and reach random number acquired by the game control microcomputer 61 when the game ball enters the second start opening 22. The variable effect storage unit 123 stores the first start winning command or the second start winning command used for the variable effect pattern. The input / output circuit 103 transmits and receives data to and from each board connected to the sub-control board 100 .

[0081] An image control board 200 is electrically connected to the sub-control board 100. The image control board 200 is equipped with an image control CPU 202, a VDP 201 (Video Display Processor), a control ROM 203, a control RAM 204, a CGROM (Character Generator Read Only Memory) 205, and a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 206. The image control CPU 202 controls the effect display device 7 to display effect images such as variable effect patterns, button effect images, lever effect images, and preview images. The control ROM 203 stores a computer program that the image control CPU 202 uses to control the effect display device 7. The control RAM 204 is used as a work memory when the image control CPU 202 executes the computer program. The CGROM 205 stores image data that the effect display device 7 uses to display effect images. The VDP 201 reads image data from the CGROM 205 in accordance with a display list created by the image control CPU 202, and expands the read image data in an expansion area in the VRAM 206. The VDP 201 then synthesizes the image data expanded in the VRAM 206, and stores the synthesized image data in a frame buffer in the VRAM 206. The VDP 201 then converts the image data stored in the frame buffer in the VRAM 206 into an RGB signal and outputs it to the effect display device 7. As a result, the effect display device 7 displays an effect image. The CGROM 205 is an example of an effect storage means of the present invention.

[0082] The left side lamp 23a, right side lamp 23b, and panel lamp 2a are electrically connected to the sub-control board 100 via a lamp control board 79. The performance control microcomputer 101 uses data stored in ROM 110 to create light emission pattern data that determines the light emission mode of each lamp, and transmits the light emission pattern data to the lamp control board 79. The lamp control board 79 then controls the light emission of each lamp according to the received light emission pattern data. The left side lamp 23a, right side lamp 23b, panel lamp 2a, performance button lamp, and lamp control board 79 are examples of the performance means of the present invention. The movable body 15 is electrically connected to the lamp control board 79 via the relay board 77. A device (not shown) for operating the movable body 15 is connected to the movable body 15, and a movable body motor (not shown) for driving the device is connected to the device. The performance control microcomputer 101 creates operation pattern data that determines the operation pattern of the movable body 15 using the data stored in ROM 110, and transmits the operation pattern data to the lamp control board 79. Then, upon receiving the operation pattern data, the lamp control board 79 drives the movable body motor via the relay board 77 in accordance with the operation pattern, thereby controlling the operation of the movable body 15.

[0083] The sub-control board 100 is electrically connected to each speaker 8 via an audio control board 78. The audio control board 78 is equipped with an audio control CPU (not shown), an audio data ROM (not shown), an audio synthesis circuit (not shown), and an amplifier (not shown). The audio data ROM stores audio data for each speaker 8 to output sounds such as music and sound effects. The audio control CPU reads audio data from the audio data ROM based on a command received from the sub-control board 100 and outputs the read audio data to the audio synthesis circuit. The audio synthesis circuit synthesizes the input audio data and converts the synthesized audio data into an analog audio signal, which is output to the amplifier. The amplifier amplifies the input audio signal and outputs it to each speaker 8. Each speaker 8 then outputs the sound indicated by the input audio signal.

[0084] The sub-control board 100 is also electrically connected to an effect button detection switch 9a, an effect lever push detection switch 6g, an effect lever rotation detection switch 6h, an effect button vibration motor 9b, and an effect lever vibration motor 6d. The effect button detection switch 9a outputs a signal indicating that the effect button 9 has been pressed to the sub-control board 100, and the effect control microcomputer 101 executes a button effect based on the signal input from the effect button detection switch 9a. The effect lever push detection switch 6g outputs a signal indicating that the effect lever 6 has been pushed to the sub-control board 100, and the effect control microcomputer 101 executes a lever effect to be executed when the effect lever 6 is pushed based on the signal input from the effect lever push detection switch 6g. The effect lever rotation detection switch 6h outputs a signal indicating that the effect lever 6 has been rotated to the sub-control board 100, and the effect control microcomputer 101 executes a lever effect to be executed when the effect lever 6 is rotated based on the signal input from the effect lever rotation detection switch 6h.

[0085] The effect button vibration motor 9b is a component that vibrates the effect button 9 and is housed inside the effect button 9. The effect lever vibration motor 6d is a component that vibrates the effect lever 6 and is provided in a portion that contacts the effect lever 6 or inside the effect lever 6. ROM 110 stores operation pattern data that determines the operation pattern of the effect button vibration motor 9b and operation pattern data that determines the operation pattern of the effect lever vibration motor 6d. The effect control microcomputer 101 reads the operation pattern data from ROM 110 when it is time to vibrate the effect button 9 and drives and controls the effect button vibration motor 9b based on the read operation pattern data. Furthermore, when it is time to vibrate the effect lever 6, the effect control microcomputer 101 reads the operation pattern data from ROM 110 and drives and controls the effect lever vibration motor 6d based on the read operation pattern data.

[0086] The sub-control board 100 is also equipped with a real-time clock (RTC) 124. The RTC 124 measures the current date and time (date and time). For example, when power is supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 from an external power supply device, the RTC 124 operates using that power, and when power is not being supplied from the external power supply device, the RTC 124 operates using power supplied from a backup power supply circuit 71 provided in the power supply board 70. Therefore, the RTC 124 can measure the current date and time even when the pachinko gaming machine 1 is not powered on. A backup power supply circuit that supplies power to the RTC 124 may be provided in the sub-control board 100.

[0087] 9, the external output board 88 is connected to the payout control board 73, and outputs various signals to external devices disposed outside the pachinko gaming machine 1, such as a data display 160 and a hall computer 169, based on signals output by the payout control microcomputer 73A. The external output board 88 is also connected to the main control board 60 via the payout control board 73, and outputs various signals to the data display 160 and the hall computer 169 based on signals output by the game control microcomputer 61.

[0088] As described above, the external output board 88 is provided with a plurality of channels for external output (FIGS. 7 and 8). The output connectors 88B corresponding to each channel are connected by cables to the connectors on the data display 160 side. Each output connector 88B outputs one signal to the outside.

[0089] The external output board 88 is capable of outputting a jackpot signal from one of the multiple channels. The jackpot signal is a signal indicating that a jackpot game is being played. The external output board 88 is also capable of outputting a pattern confirmation signal from one of the multiple channels. The pattern confirmation signal is a signal indicating that a special pattern that was being displayed in a variable manner has stopped being displayed. The external output board 88 is also capable of outputting a prize ball information signal from one of the multiple channels. The prize ball information signal is a signal indicating that a predetermined number of winning balls (for example, 10 balls) have been won. The external output board 88 is also capable of outputting a call signal from one of the multiple channels. The call signal is a signal indicating that a call switch 45, which will be described in detail later, has been pressed.

[0090] In addition to the signals described above, the external output board 88 can output from each channel, for example, a frame open signal indicating that the gaming machine frame 16 is open, a security signal indicating that a prize has been won in the prize slot related to the electric chute or big prize device when these devices are not in operation, a start port signal indicating that a prize has been won in the first start port 11 or the second start port 22, and a high probability state signal indicating that a high probability state, which will be described later, is in progress. In addition to the jackpot signal described above, the external output board 88 may be configured to be able to output a signal indicating that a jackpot game is in progress or that a jackpot control state, which will be described later, is in progress (jackpot electric support signal), and the types of signals output from the external output board 88 can be changed as appropriate.

[0091] In this embodiment, the signal (external output signal) output by the payout control microcomputer 73A to the external output board 88 and the signal (external output signal) output by the game control microcomputer 61 to the external output board 88 are each separate signals (parallel data) and are input to the external output board 88 as parallel data. When the parallel data is input to the external output board 88, signal transmission elements such as photorelays provided corresponding to each channel switch between conductive and non-conductive states according to the respective input signals. As a result, an external output signal (jackpot signal, symbol determination signal, prize ball information signal, call signal, etc.) is output from the channel whose photorelay is in a conductive state.

[0092] The signal output from the payout control microcomputer 73A to the external output board 88 and the signal output from the game control microcomputer 61 to the external output board 88 may be serial data having multiple bits of information. In this case, the serial data is converted into parallel data by an S / P conversion circuit (serial / parallel conversion circuit) not shown, and is input to the external output board 88 as parallel data.

[0093] The data display 160 counts the number of times the special symbol is displayed based on the transition (ON edge) of the symbol confirmation signal from non-reception to reception, and displays the count value on the display device 162. Specifically, when the first start hole sensor 11a or the second start hole sensor 22a detects a ball entering the machine, the detection signal is input to the main control board 60 via the relay board 74. This allows the game control microcomputer 61 to acquire various random numbers, such as a jackpot random number (described later), and determine whether or not a jackpot has occurred. The game control microcomputer 61 then variably displays a special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) indicating the result of the jackpot determination, and then displays the symbol as a stopped symbol (a confirmation display). At this time (when the symbol is displayed as a stopped symbol), the game control microcomputer 61 outputs an outer-end output signal indicating the confirmation of the special symbol to the payout control board 73. The payout control microcomputer 73A then outputs an outer-end output signal indicating the confirmation of the input special symbol to the external output board 88. As a result, the external output board 88 outputs a symbol determination signal to the data display 160. As a result, the data display 160 displays on the display device 162 the number of times the special symbol has been displayed in a variable manner, incremented by one.

[0094] The data display 160 also counts the number of jackpots based on the transition (ON edge) of the jackpot signal from non-reception to reception, and displays the count value on the display device 162. That is, as described above, the game control microcomputer 61 determines whether or not a jackpot has occurred based on the acquired jackpot random number. If the determination result indicates a jackpot win, the game control microcomputer 61 variably displays a special symbol indicating a jackpot win and then displays it as a static symbol. Then, when the static display of the special symbol indicating a jackpot win ends, the game control microcomputer 61 outputs an outer-end output signal indicating that a jackpot game (opening game, round game, ending game) is in progress to the payout control board 73. The outer-end output signal indicating that a jackpot game is in progress continues to be output until the ending game ends. The payout control microcomputer 73A then outputs the input outer-end output signal indicating that a jackpot game is in progress to the external output board 88. As a result, the external output board 88 outputs the jackpot signal to the data display 160. As a result, the data display 160 displays the number of jackpot occurrences on the display device 162 incremented by one.

[0095] Furthermore, the data display 160 counts the number of prize balls to increase by 10 based on the change (ON edge) of the prize ball information signal from non-reception to reception, and displays the count value on the display device 162 of the data display 160. That is, after a gaming ball enters the first start opening 11, the second start opening 22, the first large prize opening 32, the second large prize opening 35, or the normal variable prize winning device 20, when the prize ball sensor 402 detects the gaming ball that has actually been paid out, a detection signal is input to the payout control board 73. As a result, when the payout control microcomputer 73A determines that the number of paid out gaming balls has reached 10, it outputs an outer end output signal indicating an increase in the prize ball display to the external output board 88. Note that the payout control microcomputer 73A does not output an outer end output signal indicating an increase in the prize ball display unless it determines that the number of paid out gaming balls has reached 10. In this way, the external output board 88, which has received the outer end output signal indicating an increase in the prize ball display, outputs a prize ball information signal to the data display 160. As a result, the data display 160 increases the number of prize balls by 10 and displays it in a prize ball number display section (not shown). The case where the data display 160 receives a call signal from the external output board 88 will be explained later.

[0096] The hall computer 169 is a device for collecting information such as the operating status of each pachinko gaming machine installed in the hall, including the present pachinko gaming machine 1, and for managing business operations and games. This hall computer 169 is installed in the hall's control room or the like, and is connected to the pachinko gaming machine 1 via the data display 160. Therefore, the hall computer 169 also receives the various external output signals (jackpot signal, symbol confirmation signal, prize ball information signal, call signal, etc.). The hall computer 169 may also be connected to the external output board 88 without going through the data display 160.

[0097] [Electrical configuration of the call switch] Next, the configuration of the call switch 45 will be described. This embodiment is characterized in that the call switch 45 is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1 itself, rather than external to the gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the call switch 45 is an operation means (call operation means) that can be pressed by a player, and a pressing operation on the call switch 45 is detected by a call sensor 81 (see FIG. 9) built into the call switch 45. The call sensor 81 is a photosensor having a light-emitting portion that emits light and a light-receiving portion that receives light from the light-emitting portion, and detects the pressing operation when the light from the light-emitting portion is blocked by the pressing operation. Therefore, the call sensor 81 is a momentary operation type that detects only while the call switch 45 is being pressed.

[0098] The call switch 45 has a smoked lens on its front surface and a light-emitting element (hereinafter referred to as the "call LED 82," see FIG. 9) inside the smoked lens. The call LED 82 is capable of emitting light upward. The smoked lens is made of a light-transmitting gray or black synthetic resin material.

[0099] When the power is turned on to the pachinko gaming machine 1, the power supplied from the power supply board 70 is supplied to the various control boards as well as the call LED 82. Therefore, in this embodiment, the call LED 82 remains lit (emits light) after the power is turned on. As a result, the upward light emitted by the call LED 82 reaches the player through the smoked lens. As a result, the player can recognize that the call switch 45 is ready for use.

[0100] In contrast, when the call switch 45 is pressed, a detection signal from the call sensor 81 is input to a control board (not shown) that controls the illumination of the call LED 82. As a result, the control board switches the call LED 82 from a lit state to a flashing state based on the change (ON edge) of the detection signal from the call sensor 81 from non-reception to reception. Therefore, the call switch 45 appears to flash red. As a result, the player can recognize that the call switch 45 has been pressed and is now in use (calling). If the call switch 45 is subsequently pressed, a detection signal from the call sensor 81 is again input to the control board that controls the illumination of the call LED 82. As a result, the control board switches the call LED 82 from a flashing state to a lit state.

[0101] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the call switch 45 (call sensor 81) is connected to the external output board 88 via the dispensing control board 73. However, although the detection signal from the call sensor 81 is input to the dispensing control board 73, it is not used for the control processing of the dispensing control microcomputer 73A, but is output directly to the external output board 88. In other words, the dispensing control board 73 acts as a relay board between the call switch 45 and the external output board 88.

[0102] Here, the electrical circuit diagrams of the dispensing control board 73 and the external output board 88 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The dispensing control board 73 has a photocoupler 125 mounted on the call sensor 81 side, a DMOS transistor array 127 mounted on the external output board 88 side, and a CMOS digital integrated circuit 126 mounted between the photocoupler 125 and the DMOS transistor array 127. When the photocoupler 125 receives a detection signal from the call sensor 81, the diode lights up. This illuminates the phototransistor, causing a current (photocurrent) to flow between the collector and base of the phototransistor, resulting in a conductive state. When a current flows to the input terminal A1 of the CMOS digital integrated circuit 126, the current flows from the output terminal Y1 to the DMOS transistor array 127. When a current flows to the input terminal I4 of the DMOS transistor array 127, the current flows from the output terminal O4 to the external output board 88.

[0103] A photo MOS relay 151 is mounted on the external output board 88. In the photo MOS relay 151, when a current flows from the DMOS transistor array 127, the diode lights up. This causes the photovoltaic cell to charge the gate capacitance of the FET (field effect transistor), causing the FET to become conductive. As a result, a call signal is output from the external output board 88 to the data display 160. In this way, even if the dispensing control board 73 inputs a detection signal from the call sensor 81, the detection signal is unrelated to the control processing related to dispensing by the dispensing control microcomputer 73A.

[0104] As described above, when a call signal is output from the external output board 88 to the data display 160 based on the pressing of the call switch 45, the data display 160 illuminates the call lamp 164 to indicate the call state. The data display 160 then transmits a call signal to the hall computer 169, allowing the hall computer 169 to know that the data display 160 is in the call state. This makes it possible to call a hall employee to the pachinko gaming machine 1 whose call switch 45 has been pressed. At this time, the call LED 82 also flashes, allowing the player to visually know that the call switch 45 has been pressed.

[0105] When the player or a hall employee who has been called subsequently presses the call switch 45, a detection signal from the call switch 45 is output to the external output board 88 via the payout control board 73. This causes the external output board 88 to output a call signal to the data display 160. Thus, when the data display 160 receives the call signal while in a call state, it turns off the call lamp 164 to indicate a non-call state. The data display 160 then transmits a non-call signal to the hall computer 169, allowing the player to know that the data display 160 has switched to a non-call state. At this time, the call LED 82 switches from flashing to lit, allowing the player to visually know again that the call switch 45 has been pressed.

[0106] In this embodiment, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 is input to the payout control board 73, but is not used in the control processing of the payout control microcomputer 73A, and is instead output to the external output board 88. This is because the payout control microcomputer 73A can only perform control processing related to payouts, and the payout control microcomputer 73A cannot input the detection signal from the call sensor 81. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 is not input to the main control board 60 or the game control microcomputer 61. Therefore, there is no need to change the control processing of the existing game control microcomputer 61, and the existing main control board 60 can be used as is. The detection signal from the call sensor 81 is not input to the sub-control board 100 or the performance control microcomputer 101. In this way, this embodiment can be implemented in an existing pachinko gaming machine by simply changing the hardware configuration, namely the call switch 45, the payout control board 73, and the external output board 88.

[0107] [Modification of call switch] A modification of the above-mentioned call switch 45 will now be described. As a first modified example, the call switch 45 (a control board capable of controlling the operation of the call sensor 81 and the call LED 82) may be connected to the sub-control board 100 via a relay board and a sub-drive board. Therefore, the performance control microcomputer 101 can control the operation of the call sensor 81 and the call LED 82 via the sub-drive board and the relay board. Note that the call switch 45 is also naturally connected to the external output board 88 via the payout control board 73.

[0108] The call sensor 81 is designed to operate (detect) using power supplied from the power supply board 70. Therefore, in the first modified example, when the performance control microcomputer 101 outputs a stop signal to the control board that controls the operation of the call sensor 81, the supply of power to the call sensor 81 is stopped. This makes it possible to prevent the call sensor 81 from operating (functioning). When the function of the call sensor 81 is stopped in this way, the call sensor 81 will not output a detection signal even if the call switch 45 is pressed. In this case, no call signal will be output from the external output board 88.

[0109] The call LED 82 is operable (lights up) using power supplied from the power supply board 70. In the first modified example, when the performance control microcomputer 101 outputs a stop signal to the control board that controls the operation of the call LED 82, the supply of power to the call LED 82 is stopped. This makes it possible to prevent the call LED 82 from operating (functioning). When the function of the call LED 82 is stopped in this way, the call LED 82 no longer emits light inside the smoked lens. In this case, it is possible to let the player know that the call switch 45 is disabled.

[0110] Next, as a second variant, in this embodiment, the call switch 45 is connected to the external output board 88 via the dispensing control board 73, but in the second variant, the call switch 45 may be connected to the external output board 88 via the main control board 60 rather than the dispensing control board 73.

[0111] In the second modification, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 is input to the main control board 60. However, it is not used in the control processing of the game control microcomputer 61, but is output directly to the external output board 88. In other words, the main control board 60 serves as a relay board between the call switch 45 and the external output board 88. This prevents the detection signal from the call sensor 81 from increasing the burden on the control processing of the game control microcomputer 61. In other words, existing pachinko gaming machines maximize the processing performance of the CPU 62 of the game control microcomputer 61, as well as the usage areas of the ROM 63 and RWM 64. In such a case, it is virtually impossible to have the game control microcomputer 61 perform new control processing. Therefore, the detection signal from the call switch 45 is output to the external output board 88 without passing through the game control microcomputer 61.

[0112] According to the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the second modification, as in existing pachinko gaming machines, when the first start hole sensor 11a or the second start hole sensor 22a detects a ball entering the machine, the detection signal is input to the main control board 60. The game control microcomputer 61 then determines whether or not a jackpot has occurred, variably displays a special symbol indicating the determination result, and then displays a stop (confirmed display). At this time, the main control board 60 outputs an outer end output signal indicating the confirmation display of the special symbol to the external output board 88 via the payout control board 73, and the external output board 88 outputs a symbol confirmation signal to the data display 160. When the outer end output signal is output from the main control board 60 to the external output board 88 in this way, the game control microcomputer 61 typically performs control processing on the detection signal of a sensor (e.g., the first start hole sensor 11a or the second start hole sensor 22a) connected to the main control board 60 before outputting the outer end output signal.

[0113] In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the second modified example, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 is output to the external output board 88 without being used in the control processing of the game control microcomputer 61 of the main control board 60. The external output board 88 then receives the detection signal and outputs a call signal to the data display 160. In this way, new information (signal), namely the detection signal from the call sensor 81, can be sent to the external output board 88 (and further to the data display 160) via the main control board 60 without increasing the burden on the control processing of the game control microcomputer 61. As a result, it is possible to configure a pachinko gaming machine 1 that outputs a call signal to the data display 160 without changing the control processing of the existing game control microcomputer 61. In other words, it is possible to easily configure a pachinko gaming machine 1 that outputs a call signal through a hardware configuration. Other advantages of the second modified example are similar to those of the present embodiment, and therefore, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0114] In the second modified example, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 is output to the external output board 88 without going through the game control microcomputer 61 of the main control board 60 (without being used for control processing). However, detection signals from other sensors may also be output to the external output board 88 without going through the game control microcomputer 61 of the main control board 60.

[0115] Furthermore, as a third modified example, while in the second modified example the detection signal from the call sensor 81 is input to the main control board 60 and output to the external output board 88 without going through the game control microcomputer 61 of the main control board 60, in the third modified example the detection signal from the call sensor 81 may be input to the game control microcomputer 61 of the main control board 60. The game control microcomputer 61 may then be configured to output the input detection signal from the call sensor 81 to the external output board 88.

[0116] In this case, for example, the game control microcomputer 61 may send a command to the sub-control board 100 based on the input of the detection signal from the call sensor 81, and the performance control microcomputer 101 may control the illumination of the call LED 82 based on receiving that command.

[0117] 9, in the present embodiment, the call switch 45 is connected to the external output board 88 via the payout control board 73. However, in the fourth modification, the call switch 45 may be connected to the external output board 88 via both the main control board 60 and the payout control board 73. In this case, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 may be input to the external output board 88 without being input to the game control microcomputer 61 and the payout control microcomputer 73A. Alternatively, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 may be input to the game control microcomputer 61.

[0118] Furthermore, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 may be input directly to the external output board 88 without being input to the main control board 60 or the dispensing control board 73. However, in this case, since there is no cable (wiring) relay between the call sensor 81 and the external output board 88, a single long cable is used. In this case, noise (e.g., surge voltage due to static electricity) is more likely to affect the long cable, making it more likely that the detection signal from the call sensor 81 will not be transmitted correctly. Therefore, as in the second modification, using the dispensing control board 73 or the main control board 60 as a relay board allows the use of a single short cable. As a result, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 is less susceptible to noise and can be transmitted correctly. Note that the detection signal from the call sensor 81 may be input to the external output board 88 via a relay board rather than the main control board 60 or the dispensing control board 73.

[0119] In each of the above embodiments, the outer end output signal (for example, the outer end output signal indicating the confirmation display of a special symbol) output by the game control microcomputer 61 is input from the main control board 60 to the external output board 88 via the payout control board 73. However, it may also be input to the external output board 88 directly from the main control board 60 without going through the payout control board 73.

[0120] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the detection signal from the call sensor 81 is output to the external output board 88 without going through the dispensing control microcomputer 73A of the dispensing control board 73 (without being used for control processing). However, the detection signal from other sensors may be output to the external output board 88 without going through the dispensing control microcomputer 73A of the dispensing control board 73.

[0121] [Game status explanation] Next, we will briefly explain the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1. The normal symbol display 53 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not have a probability variation function, but is equipped with only a variation time shortening function. On the other hand, the special symbol display also does not have a probability variation function, but is equipped with only a variation time shortening function. In addition, the state in which the time-saving function of the special symbol display is activated is called the "time-saving state," and the state in which it is not activated is called the "non-time-saving state (normal state)." In the time-saving state, the time required for the special symbol to change (the time required from the start of the change display to the final display) is shorter than in the non-time-saving state.

[0122] The fluctuation time shortening function of the normal symbol display 53 operates in synchronization with the fluctuation time shortening function of the special symbol display. In other words, the fluctuation time shortening function of the normal symbol display 53 operates in the time-shortened state and does not operate in the non-time-shortened state. In the time-shortened state, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is shorter than in the non-time-shortened state. For example, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is 10 seconds in the non-time-shortened state, but 1 second in the time-shortened state. It is also possible to eliminate the fluctuation time shortening function and make the fluctuation time of the normal symbol the same in all states.

[0123] Furthermore, in the time-saving state, the probability of determining a winning combination in the normal symbol lottery is the same as in the non-time-saving state, but when a winning combination is determined, the operation pattern of movable member 21 of normal variable winning device 20 is significantly different between the time-saving state and the non-time-saving state. In the non-time-saving state, movable member 21 opens second start hole 22 only for a very short time when it is virtually impossible for a game ball to enter second start hole 22, while in the time-saving state, movable member 21 of normal variable winning device 20 remains open for a longer period of time than in the non-time-saving state, making it very easy for a game ball to enter second start hole 22. In other words, in the time-saving state, the opening time extension function of normal variable winning device 20 is activated.

[0124] When the fluctuation time shortening function of the normal symbol display 53 and the opening time extension function of the normal variable winning device 20 are activated, the normal variable winning device 20 is opened more frequently and game balls enter the second starting hole 22 more frequently than when these functions are not activated. As a result, the ratio of the number of winning balls to the number of shot balls is higher, so the player can aim for a jackpot without significantly reducing the number of game balls they have. Note that, when the fluctuation time shortening function of the normal symbol display 53 and the opening time extension function of the normal variable winning device 20 are activated, the control that supports winning at the second starting hole 22 by the normal variable winning device 20 is called electric support control.

[0125] In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, if a jackpot is won by a lottery involving the first and second special symbols (including a jackpot resulting from a V prize), a certain percentage of the electric support control is performed after the jackpot game ends, and the machine transitions to a time-saving state (hereinafter, this state will be referred to as the time-saving game state). This time-saving game state (also referred to as the "a time-saving" state) ends when the special symbols are displayed in a variable manner for a set number of time-saving cycles (e.g., 100 cycles) based on the type of jackpot, or when a jackpot is won (including a jackpot resulting from a V prize) within the set number of time-saving cycles and the jackpot game is executed. Since the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is a type-1 / type-2 hybrid machine, there is no probability of a special jackpot state. However, the lottery for the second special symbol has a higher probability of a small jackpot than the lottery for the first special symbol, and a small jackpot won during the time-saving game state will essentially be a 100% jackpot unless the player makes any subsequent operation errors. That is, in this embodiment, the time-saving gaming state corresponds to a rush state in which it is easier for a player to win a jackpot than in a normal gaming state. When playing the pachinko gaming machine 1 for the first time, the gaming state after powering on is a non-time-saving state in which no electric support control is performed.

[0126] [Effects of the embodiment] (1) When the pachinko gaming machine 1 of the above-described embodiment is implemented, it is characterized in that it includes a board on which a control means capable of executing control processing related to games is mounted, and at least one side of the board displays management information for managing the board and specific information for identifying the distributor or manufacturer of the gaming machine on which the board is mounted, and when the management information and specific information displayed on the board are modified, the management information and specific information before the modification and the new management information and specific information after the modification are displayed, respectively, and the management information and specific information before the modification are processed to indicate that they are invalid. As a result, the management information and specific information displayed on the board that identify the distributor or manufacturer are modified to indicate that the management information and specific information before the modification are invalid, and the new management information and specific information after the modification are displayed, thereby enabling the reuse of the board. (2) Furthermore, at least one surface of the board is provided with a first space for writing the management information and the identification information before correction, and a second space for writing the management information and the identification information after correction, and corrections to the management information and the identification information written on the board are made after processing to indicate that the management information and the identification information written in the first space before correction are invalid, and then the corrected management information and the identification information are added to the second space. As a result, since there is provided a space for writing the management information and the identification information before correction and a space for writing the management information and the identification information after correction, it is possible to easily correct the management information and the identification information. (3) The processing performed on the management information and the specific information before correction to indicate that they are invalid is performed by printing a strikethrough over the management information and the specific information before correction shown in the first space. As a result, it is possible to easily indicate that the management information and the specific information before correction are invalid information. (4) The processing performed on the management information and the specific information before correction to indicate that they are invalid is performed by scraping the surface of the first space, making it possible to easily indicate that the management information and the specific information before correction are invalid. (5) The management information and the identification information are written by scraping the surface of the substrate, which makes it possible to easily write the management information and the identification information on the substrate. (6) The management information and the specific information are written on the surface of the substrate by printing them. As a result, the management information and the specific information can be easily written on the substrate. (7) The management information and the identification information are written in a space adjacent to the edge of the board, so that the management information and the identification information can be written in a position that does not overlap with the wiring or electronic components mounted on the board.

[0127] Other Embodiments (1) In the above-described embodiment, both the management information 171 and the identification information 172 are written for the control board, but only the management information 171 (board management number) may be written. The management information 171 is information linked to a manufacturer that identifies the seller or manufacturer of the gaming machine on which the board is mounted, so if the management information 171 is written, it essentially becomes information that identifies the seller or manufacturer of the gaming machine on which the control board is mounted. (2) In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a one-type two-type mixed machine, but it can also be applied to machines other than one-type two-type mixed machines. For example, it can be applied to a variable probability machine or a ST machine. (3) The present invention can also be applied to gaming machines other than pachinko gaming machines, such as reel-type gaming machines (also called slot machines or pachislot machines).

[0128] [The invention disclosed herein] The above-described embodiments disclose the following inventions. In the following description, the names and expressions of corresponding components in the embodiments and the symbols used in the drawings are added in parentheses for reference. However, the components of each invention are not limited to these additions.

[0129] (Invention A) A board (60) is provided on which a control means capable of executing control processing relating to games is mounted, At least one side of the board is marked with management information (171) for managing the board and identification information (172) for identifying the distributor or manufacturer of the gaming machine on which the board is mounted, A gaming machine characterized in that when the management information and specific information written on the board are modified, the management information and specific information before the modification and the new management information and specific information after the modification are respectively written, and the management information and specific information before the modification are processed to indicate that they are invalid.

[0130] According to this, the management information and specific information identifying the seller or manufacturer written on the board are processed to indicate that the management information and specific information before the correction are invalid, and new management information and specific information after the correction are displayed, making it possible to reuse the board.

[0131] (Invention B) The gaming machine described in Invention A is characterized in that at least one side of the board (60) is provided with a first space (170A) for writing the management information (171) and the specific information (172) before correction, as well as a second space (170B) for writing the management information and the specific information after correction, and any corrections to the management information and the specific information written on the board are processed to indicate that the management information and the specific information before correction written in the first space are invalid, and then the corrected management information and the specific information are added to the second space.

[0132] This provides a space for writing the management information and specific information before correction, and a space for writing the management information and specific information after correction, making it possible to easily correct the management information and specific information.

[0133] (Invention C) The gaming machine described in Invention B, wherein the processing performed on the management information (171) and the specific information (172) before correction to indicate that they are invalid is to print a strikethrough over the management information and the specific information before correction shown in the first space (170A).

[0134] This makes it possible to easily indicate that the management information and specific information before the correction are invalid information.

[0135] (Invention D) The gaming machine described in Invention B, in which the processing performed on the management information (171) and the specific information (172) before correction to indicate that they are invalid is to scrape the surface of the first space (170A).

[0136] This makes it possible to easily indicate that the management information and specific information before the correction are invalid information.

[0137] (Invention E) The gaming machine according to Invention A, characterized in that the management information (171) and the specific information (172) are written by scraping the surface of the substrate (60).

[0138] This makes it possible to easily mark the management information and specific information on the board.

[0139] (Invention F) The gaming machine according to Invention A, characterized in that the management information (171) and the specific information (172) are printed on the surface of the substrate (60).

[0140] This makes it possible to easily mark the management information and specific information on the board.

[0141] (Invention G) The gaming machine according to Invention A, characterized in that the management information (171) and the specific information (172) are written in a space adjacent to the edge of the base plate (60).

[0142] This makes it possible to write the management information and specific information in a position that does not overlap with the wiring or electronic components mounted on the board. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1. Pachinko machines 45 Call Switch 60 Main control board 61 Gaming control microcomputer 73 Dispensing control board 88 External Output Board 100 Sub-control board 160 Data Display 169 Hole Computer 170 spaces 170A First Space 170B Second Space 171 Management information 172 Specific information

Claims

[Claim 1] A board on which control means capable of executing control processing related to games is mounted, At least one surface of the substrate is provided with a space for writing management information for managing the substrate, When the management information written in the space is modified due to the reuse of the board, the management information before modification and the new management information after modification are written, and the management information before modification is processed to indicate that it is invalid.

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