Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving game taste when executing a performance requiring a plurality of times of operations to an operation means.SOLUTION: The game machine has a specific period in which a plurality of operations on the operation unit can be received, and in the specific period, a first display imitating the operation unit and a second display in which a display mode can periodically change can be performed, and in the specific period, there is a first specific period accompanied by a predetermined performance in which a performance mode can periodically change, and in the first specific period, a cycle in which the performance mode of the predetermined performance changes can be different from a cycle in which the display mode of the second display changes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines include effects that require multiple operations of an operating means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-5824 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such a presentation requiring multiple operations of the operating means is a common presentation that has been around for a long time, and there is room for improvement in terms of increasing the enjoyment of the game. It has been adopted in various machines to enhance the enjoyment of gaming, but there is still room for improvement in its control.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a gaming machine that can increase the enjoyment of gaming when executing an effect that requires multiple operations on an operating means. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is a specific period during which multiple operations on the operating means can be accepted, A gaming machine is provided in which, during the specific period, a first display imitating an operating means and a second display whose display mode can change periodically are displayed, the specific period includes a first specific period accompanied by a predetermined effect whose display mode can change periodically, the period in which the display mode of the predetermined effect changes during the first specific period can be different from the period in which the display mode of the second display changes, the specific period further includes a second specific period not accompanied by the predetermined effect, and during the specific period, a specific display indicating the end timing of a period in which operation on the operating means is valid can be displayed, the specific display is displayed during the first specific period, and the specific display is not displayed during the second specific period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a gaming machine is provided that can increase the interest in the game when performing an effect that requires multiple operations on an operating means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons and their surroundings arranged in the area III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a gaming board installed in the gaming machine. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 8]Figure 8(a) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for determining whether a special symbol is a hit or not, Figure 8(b) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the determination of whether a special symbol is a hit or not related to special symbol 1, Figure 8(c) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a small hit is derived in the determination of whether a special symbol is a hit or not related to special symbol 2, and Figure 8(d) is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a big hit is derived in the determination of whether a special symbol is a hit or not related to special symbol 2. [Figure 9] Figure 9(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 when in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 9(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 when in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. [Figure 10] Figure 10(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state is PB, and Figure 10(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state is PB. [Figure 11] Figure 11(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used for pattern variations relating to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in effect, and Figure 11(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined for pattern variations relating to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in effect. [Figure 12] FIG. 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the types of development effects and operation effect patterns. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P1. [Figure 15] FIG. 15(a) is a diagram illustrating the details of the first periodicity image, and FIG. 15(b) is a diagram illustrating the details of the second periodicity image. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing the display period of each image in the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P1. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P2. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing the display period of each image in the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P2. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a specific example of the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P3. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing the display period of each image in the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P3. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing whether each image is restored when a momentary power outage occurs during the execution of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing whether each image is restored when a momentary power outage occurs during the execution of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing whether each image is restored when a momentary power outage occurs during the execution of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P3. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a table summarizing the enabled / disabled support functions related to the effect buttons in each operation effect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

[0011] The present invention provides A specific period (execution period of operation performance) during which multiple operations on the operation means (performance button 37) can be accepted, During the specific period, a first display (button image bg) imitating an operation means and a second display (first periodic image sg1) whose display mode can be changed periodically may be displayed. The specific period includes a first specific period (a period during which the operation performance related to the operation performance pattern P1 is executed) accompanied by a predetermined performance (a second periodic image sg2) in which the performance mode can change periodically, In the first specific period, the cycle (cycle T1) in which the presentation mode of the predetermined presentation changes may be different from the cycle (cycle T2) in which the display mode of the second display changes, The specific period further includes a second specific period (a period during which the operation performance related to the operation performance pattern P2 is performed) that does not involve the predetermined performance. During the specific period, a specific display (first meter image mg1) may be displayed to indicate the end of the period during which the operation of the operating means is valid. During the first specific period, the specific display is made, During the second specified period, the specified display is not made. This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

[0012] According to the present invention, by making it easy to recognize both the second display, the display mode of which can change periodically, and the predetermined effect, the effect mode of which can change periodically, during the first specific period, it is possible to emphasize that multiple operations of the operating means are required, and to liven up the game during the first specific period. This contributes to increasing interest in the game. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the user to operate the operating means multiple times during the first specific period.

[0013] Regarding the second display, the phrase "change in display mode" in "the display mode may change periodically" does not necessarily mean a periodic change in the shape of an image, as in the present embodiment described below, but also includes a periodic change in the size of an image, a periodic change in the position of an image in the area where the image is displayed, a periodic change in the display of an image, a periodic change in the color (including shade) of an image, or a combination of these. Furthermore, "periodically changing" refers to any control for displaying the target image, as long as the display mode changes periodically from a phenomenon perspective. Furthermore, "changeable" does not necessarily mean that the target image changes periodically throughout its display period; it is sufficient that the image changes periodically for part of the display period. The same applies to the second and third periodic images described below, and can also be applied mutatis mutandis to the phrase "the performance mode may change periodically" in relation to the predetermined performance described above.

[0014] Furthermore, as will be described later, the above-mentioned predetermined effects are not limited to image displays, and may be realized using visual effect devices other than image display means, such as lamps.

[0015] Furthermore, the gaming machine according to this embodiment, which will be described later, is a pachinko machine that pays out actual gaming balls as prize balls, but the gaming machine according to the present invention may also be a pachinko machine that provides prize balls as electronic data (so-called smart pachinko). Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention may be a conventional slot machine that uses a predetermined number of medals to perform pattern changes that cause multiple reels to spin, and pays out medals based on the results of the pattern changes (the stopping patterns of the multiple reels), or it may be a slot machine (so-called smart slot) that pays out all medals as electronic data.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0023] 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player is disposed on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. This group of operation buttons includes a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100 (described later), which includes a ball loan button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting a prepaid card return operation. The operation unit electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200 (described later) includes an effect button 37 for accepting a player's operation to switch effects occurring during play or to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (up cursor button 38a, down cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, and center cursor button 38e) for instructing operations up, down, left, and right. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the operation, and the connected control board detects the operation of each operation unit by a change in the detection state of the sensor.

[0024] In addition, a movable decorative body 22 that operates (vibrates) due to an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided on the side of the upper ball tray 27. Furthermore, a lamp made up of a full-color LED is provided inside the movable decorative body 22, and the lamp lights up in accordance with the operation of the actuator, lighting up the movable decorative body 22 and making it easy to recognize that the movable decorative body 22 is operating.

[0025] A ball ejection mechanism 36 is provided below the lower ball tray 29 to eject the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball ejection mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally through the bottom opening and are ejected. Although not shown in the figure, the upper ball tray 27 is provided with a mechanism that, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, can be operated to move the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29, and by operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, it is possible to discharge the stored balls.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. The upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed with light-transmitting covers, inside which are disposed frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c). The speaker 33 and the frame lamp 35 can emit sounds or turn on or off in conjunction with effects that occur during play, error notifications, and the like.

[0027] The effect display device 80 is composed of a main display unit 81 disposed approximately in the center of the game board 50, and a sub-display unit 82 disposed around the main display unit 81. The sub-display unit 82 further includes an upper sub-display unit 82a disposed above the main display unit 81, a left sub-display unit 82b disposed on the left side of the main display unit 81, and a right sub-display unit 82c disposed on the right side of the main display unit 81. Here, the main display unit 81 is a fixed liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display unit 82a, the left sub-display unit 82b, and the right sub-display unit 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices operated by actuators such as motors (not shown).

[0028] The main display unit 81 can display a changing display of a pattern row that is performed in conjunction with the changing display in the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 described below, and can also display various other effects. In the variable display of the symbol rows (decorative symbols) displayed on the main display unit 81, the displayed decorative symbols form three symbol rows. In this embodiment, the variable display direction of each symbol row is downward, but the direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be upward, left / right, depthwise, or a combination of these (diagonal direction). Here, the depth direction refers to the virtual direction perceived by the player in a display mode that uses a method (for example, perspective) that makes the player perceive the pattern row as if it is changing from the back of the main display unit 81 to the front or vice versa, even though it is actually a flat changing display on the display screen of the main display unit 81. In addition, the decorative symbols in this embodiment include a "1 symbol" imitating the number "1," a "2 symbol" imitating the number "2," a "3 symbol" imitating the number "3," a "4 symbol" imitating the number "4," a "5 symbol" imitating the number "5," a "6 symbol" imitating the number "6," a "7 symbol" imitating the number "7," an "8 symbol" imitating the number "8," and a "9 symbol" imitating the number "9," and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following description, the "1 symbol," "3 symbol," "5 symbol," "7 symbol," and "9 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "odd number symbols," and the "2 symbol," "4 symbol," "6 symbol," and "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even number symbols."

[0029] Each of the sub-display units 82 is not only provided to mainly display effect images related to the effects, but is also configured to be movable. The initial positions of the upper sub-display unit 82a are on the upper side relative to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b are on the left side relative to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c are on the right side relative to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of ​​the sub-display unit 82 overlaps the display area of ​​the main display unit 81. However, even when the sub-display units 82 (particularly the left sub-display unit 82b and right sub-display unit 82c) are in the initial position shown in FIG. 4, approximately the upper half of the display area (a left display area 821 and a right display area 822, which will be described later) is visible to the player.

[0030] A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and these LEDs form the display area of ​​the pattern display device 90, which displays special patterns and normal patterns. In addition, the symbol display device 90 is disposed in a position that is more difficult for the player to see than the main display unit 81, and the display area of ​​the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of ​​the main display unit 81. In addition, the arrangement and number of LEDs for the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs for the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

[0031] The special symbols are symbols that are stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a special electric device (for example, special electric device 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on second special symbol display device 92. The special design may be abbreviated as "Special Design", the first special design as "Special Design 1", and the second special design as "Special Design 2".

[0032] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a normal electric device (for example, normal electric device 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. In addition, normal patterns are sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu", and normal electric devices are sometimes called "Denchu".

[0033] In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96. The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations relating to reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved normal patterns, and in all cases the number of corresponding pattern variations can be identified by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right always lit only = 1, left and right always lit = 2, right flashing + left always lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

[0034] In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the special pattern is displayed in a variable manner on the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 and then the special pattern is displayed in a stationary manner will be referred to as the "pattern change of the special pattern," and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern is displayed in a stationary manner on the normal pattern display device 93 and then the normal pattern is displayed in a variable manner will be referred to as the "pattern change of the normal pattern." In addition, in the following explanation, the display of the change in the pattern row (decorative pattern) displayed on the main display unit 81 described above may be referred to as "pattern change of decorative pattern" to distinguish it from "pattern change of special pattern" and "pattern change of normal pattern." In the following explanation, when simply referring to "pattern change," it means the pattern change of the special design unless otherwise specified.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, obstacles such as numerous game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative elements are placed on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the game balls that are shot out roll. Additionally, curved outer rail 51 and inner rail 53 are arranged on the left and upper sides of play area 50a to guide game balls launched by rotating operating handle 31 to the top of play area 50a. Outer rail 51 is located outside inner rail 53 with respect to the center of play area 50a. Here, windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which game balls fall.

[0036] The gaming machine 10 is capable of varying the strength of the game ball's launch depending on the amount of rotation (e.g., rotation angle) of the operating handle 31, and various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a to make the game ball roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left-hand hit), in which a game ball that is launched more weakly rolls, or the second flow path Y (so-called right-hand hit), in which a game ball that is launched more strongly rolls.

[0037] Figure 4 shows the main prize winning openings as the large prize winning opening 55, the first starting opening 57, the second starting opening 59, the gate 63, and the general prize winning opening 67, but the prize winning openings shown are examples, and their number and arrangement may be changed as appropriate.

[0038] The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right corner of the game area 50a. A large prize opening sensor 72 is attached to the large prize opening 55, and a prize ball is determined to have been won in the large prize opening 55 based on the detection result of the large prize opening sensor 72, and the number of prize balls associated with the large prize opening 55 (15 in this embodiment) is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the big prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0039] A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, which makes it easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, which makes it difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66. More specifically, the special electric device 65 is in an open state during a portion of a jackpot game that starts when a jackpot is determined by the special symbol hit determination described below, or during a portion of a small jackpot game that starts when a small jackpot is determined by the special symbol hit determination, and thus entry into the large prize winning slot 55 is permitted. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, entry into the large prize winning slot 55 becomes easier, so it can be said that jackpot games and small jackpot games, in which the chances of winning prize balls are significantly increased, are in an advantageous gaming state. Also, as will be described in detail later, the small jackpot game in this embodiment can give rise to a jackpot game. In a jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round game," and the total number of round games that occur in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have entered the large prize opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state. Furthermore, one open state in a jackpot game also ends when a sufficient time (30 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed for the predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize opening 55. On the other hand, in the small win game, the game ends when the special electric device 65 is in an open state for 1.8 seconds or when 10 game balls enter the large prize opening 55. Therefore, in the small win game, it is more difficult for game balls to enter the large prize opening 55 than in the large win game. In this embodiment, when a big win game or a small win game starts, a start demo that ends with the passage of time is set, and when the start demo ends, a round game (a small win game in the case of a small win) starts, and when all round games have ended, an end demo that ends with the passage of time is set. That is, in this embodiment, a big win game (including those occurring in small win games) is composed of a start demo, a round game, and an end demo, and the big win game progresses in this order.

[0040] The first starting hole 57 is located at the bottom center of the game area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70 determines whether a ball has entered the first starting hole 57, and the number of prize balls associated with the first starting hole 57 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a ball has entered the first starting hole 57, a pattern change related to special image 1 is performed. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[0041] The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71 determines whether a ball has entered the second starting hole 59, and the number of prize balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a winning entry into the second starting port 59 is determined, a pattern change related to special chart 2 will be performed. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0042] A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state, which makes it easy for a game ball to enter the second starting port 59, and a closed state, which makes it difficult for the ball to enter, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62. More specifically, the normal electric device 61 opens when the result of the normal winning / losing judgment described later is a normal winning (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a "normal winning"), and thus entry into the second starting hole 59 is permitted. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in the open state, entry into the second starting hole 59 is possible, so that the chances of the pattern variation relating to the special drawing 2 being executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls due to the prize balls.

[0043] Gate 63 is located in the center right of game area 50a. Gate 63 is equipped with a gate sensor 74, and the detection result of gate sensor 74 determines whether or not a win has been made at gate 63. In at least some cases where a win has been made at gate 63, the normal symbol pattern will change.

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

[0045] The outlet 69 is located at the bottom of the game area 50a. A game ball that is shot into the game area 50a and does not enter any of the winning holes falls into the outlet 69 and is treated as an out ball. In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) for detecting out balls, which are game balls that enter the winning hole and the out hole 69, is provided.

[0046] In addition to the sensors mentioned above, the game board 50 is also provided with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (both not shown) to prevent fraudulent acts such as receiving prize balls illegally.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the back of the game board 50 is equipped with a main control board case 109 housing the main control board 100, a first sub-control board case 209 housing the first sub-control board 200, a second sub-control board case 309 housing the second sub-control board 300, a power supply control board case 509 housing the power supply control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 housing the payout control board 400, and in addition to the back of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an open / close cover 45 covering part of the back of the main control board case 109 is attached in a removable manner. The main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43. Furthermore, the substrate cases and covers that cover the respective substrates are made of transparent materials, and the corresponding substrates can be seen through the respective cases and covers.

[0048] Additionally, on the back of the gaming board 50, above the opening / closing cover 45, there is disposed a gaming ball tank 46 for storing gaming balls supplied from the ball supply equipment of the gaming island. The gaming ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 leading to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out through the payout passage 49 to the upper ball tray 27.

[0049] Up to this point, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but this is only one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with other configurations.

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

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

[0052] The CPU 101 reads out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processing to execute various processes related to the main control of the game. The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power source generated by a backup power circuit (described later). Specifically, the RAM 103 is configured to back up various information that allows the gaming machine 10 to return to the state it was in immediately before the power outage when power is restored (when power is turned on) after a power outage. For example, in addition to data such as a stack pointer and various registers held at the time of the power outage, information related to gameplay, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at the time (game stopped or playable) and the current normal symbol lottery status, is backed up. This information is cleared (initialized) by a RAM clearing process (described later). Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, a new special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA (low normal symbol probability, described later) is set. Furthermore, when the RAM clearing process is executed, the symbol string related to the decorative symbol is in a state in which the initial symbol combination is frozen. This state is also maintained if the RAM clearing process was not executed when power was turned on and the symbol variation was not in progress at the time of the previous power outage. Furthermore, this initial symbol combination is displayed statically only when the power is turned on, and is not displayed statically when the symbol variation is performed.

[0053] In this embodiment, at least an area in which such information related to the game is stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related area of ​​RAM 103) is backed up, as well as an area in which the complement of a checksum and a backup flag related to the game-related area of ​​RAM 103 are stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related backup information area of ​​RAM 103). Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 recovers using the various pieces of information stored in the backed-up game-related area of ​​RAM 103 and the game-related backup information area of ​​RAM 103. Note that the specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited in any way. For example, the area of ​​RAM 103 to be backed up may be configured to be able to retain data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage. As another example, within RAM 103, different hardware may be provided for a first memory configured to retain data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10. In this case, the gaming machine 10 may save the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is lost, and then recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

[0054] Furthermore, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first start gate sensor 70, the second start gate sensor 71, the special prize gate sensor 72, the general prize gate sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame open door sensor 76, the front frame open door sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to these sensors, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full tank detection sensor, a magnetic detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104.

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

[0056] The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various performance control commands are sent from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is configured so that data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured so that it cannot request the main control board 100 to transmit data. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

[0057] The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores data such as presentation control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202. The first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the effect button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of these operation units.

[0058] In addition, the first sub-control board 200 generates, through performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, image control commands that instruct the image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of the sub-display unit 82, etc. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, audio control command) is sent from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the audio control board 310, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was successfully received is sent from each control board (second sub-control board 300, audio control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

[0059] The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the frame lamp 35 and the movable decorative body 22, and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. The frame lamp 35 and the movable decorative body 22 are configured so that their lighting is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82, and transmits movement control data via the I / O port 204. The movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 are configured so that their movement is controlled by the movement control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

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

[0061] The audio control board 310 is equipped with a CPU 311 that performs various arithmetic processing related to audio performance based on audio control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores audio control programs, audio data, etc., a RAM 313 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals to and from peripheral boards and each device, and is configured so that the CPU 311 executes main control related to audio performance in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 312. Therefore, the audio control board 310 reads audio data stored in ROM 312 in accordance with audio control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesizes the read audio data, and transmits the final synthesized audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, causing the speaker 33 to output audio.

[0062] The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown). In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be able to communicate in both directions, and performs control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls based on a payout control command from the main control board 100, and also controls the launch of game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launching mechanism based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31.

[0063] The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage). In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the amusement island's power supply equipment, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). In addition, when a power interruption detection circuit 503 detects a power interruption, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400. In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island. In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

[0064] <Functional Configuration of Gaming Machine 10> Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may also have functional configurations that are not shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 8 to 11 will be referred to as necessary.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the main control board 100 is equipped with a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special symbol lottery means 130, a normal symbol lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a pattern display control means 145, an electric device control means 150, a game status control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration processing execution means 175, and a power outage processing execution means 180. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using Figure 6.

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

[0067] The ball entry determination means 110 determines whether a ball has entered each winning hole based on the detection results of the sensors provided at each winning hole. In addition, when the ball entry determination means 110 determines that a game ball has entered a prize hole using a sensor installed in the prize hole, such as the large prize hole sensor 72, it generates a presentation control command (prize entry command) that includes information that can identify the type of sensor related to the prize, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0068] The main random number generating means 115 can generate multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win is determined to have been made at a winning slot, it acquires (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning slot from the random number circuit 105. More specifically, when it is determined that a prize has been won at the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59, the main random number generating means 115 acquires a random number for determining whether a special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop symbol pattern, and a random number for drawing a special symbol change pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that a prize has been won at gate 63, the main random number generating means 115 stores the random number for determining whether a normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol stop symbol pattern, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol change pattern, which will be described later, in the corresponding storage areas of the main information storage means 160.

[0069] The main reserve control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern variation related to the special chart and the reservation of the pattern variation related to the normal chart. Regarding the special chart 1, the random number for determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, the random number for drawing the special chart stop pattern, and the random number for drawing the special chart variation pattern, which are acquired as a result of winning the first starting gate 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information for the special chart 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") that is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the lottery by the special chart lottery means 130), and stores the activation hold information in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and controls the remaining activation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter that is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter. In addition, the main hold control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and regular drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the hold counter for special drawing 2 is called the special drawing 2 hold counter, and the upper limit value of the special drawing 2 hold counter in this embodiment is 4. In addition, in the following explanation, "holding of operation hold information" may be expressed as "holding of pattern change" or simply as "holding." In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, when both the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are reserved, a priority variation is performed in which the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 is used preferentially. However, instead of this priority variation, a winning order variation in which the activation pending information is used in the order in which it is reserved, regardless of whether it corresponds to special chart 1 or special chart 2, or a simultaneous variation in which the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are simultaneously used when both the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are reserved may be adopted.

[0070] The advance judgment means 125 executes advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of the special chart is pending at a predetermined advance judgment timing. More specifically, the preliminary judgment means 125 reads out each random number of the operation pending information that has been reserved this time, and performs preliminary judgment for each of the special symbol hit / miss judgment, special symbol stop symbol lottery, and special symbol change pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each preliminary judgment, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each preliminary judgment is used. Therefore, the results of these preliminary judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later. Furthermore, the advance determination means 125 generates a performance control command (advance determination command) including the result of the derived advance determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In particular, the advance determination command includes a random number used to determine whether or not a special symbol is selected, a random number used to draw a special symbol stop pattern, and a random number used to draw a special symbol change pattern. The pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160) at least part of the timing of the predetermined pre-determination, and therefore is transmitted following the above-mentioned hold command. Here, the predetermined timing of the pre-determination is, for example, the timing when the activation hold information of the special pattern is held. In this embodiment, if the activation hold information of special pattern 1 is held during the high probability of the normal pattern described below, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to that pre-determination is also restricted. On the other hand, if the activation hold information of special pattern 2 is held during the low probability of the normal pattern described below, the pre-determination may or may not be restricted.

[0071] The special chart lottery means 130 includes a special chart win / loss determination means 131, a special chart stop pattern lottery means 132, and a special chart change pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of the special chart win / loss determination means 131, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132, and the special chart change pattern derivation means 133. When the special chart change start condition is satisfied, the special chart lottery means 130 reads out the earliest activation pending information among the activation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160. In addition, "the conditions for starting the change of the special chart are satisfied" means, for example, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: the player is not in the middle of a jackpot game, neither Special Chart 1 nor Special Chart 2 is currently changing the pattern (including when the pattern change related to Special Chart 1 or Special Chart 2 is stopped and displayed), and there is pending activation information on at least one of Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2.

[0072] Here, FIGS. 8 to 11 are diagrams that schematically show lottery tables used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description. In a lottery using a lottery table, including other lottery tables, the lottery values ​​stored in the lottery table are sequentially added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one target lottery value, the addition is performed once), and the result corresponding to the lottery value that has generated a carry (overflow) is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery tables, names are given to the lottery tables for convenience of explanation. However, as long as the data, such as the lottery values, contained in the lottery table corresponding to the names are identifiable and stored in each ROM, these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery tables, items listed for convenience of explanation or lottery values ​​such as "-" or "0" are listed, but these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. Furthermore, results with lottery values ​​of "-" or "0" will not result in a win. Furthermore, if the lottery table contains a lottery value identical to the random number range used in the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range), the result will be derived 100%, so a lottery is not necessarily required. Furthermore, if the total value of the lottery values ​​used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur when adding the last lottery value, so the addition does not need to be performed, and in that case the lottery values ​​used in the addition themselves become unnecessary.

[0073] The special symbol hit / miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special symbol hit / miss judgment for each symbol change, and executes a special symbol hit / miss judgment to judge by lottery whether the winning is a big hit, a small hit, or a miss, using the read-out random number and a lottery table for the special symbol hit / miss judgment. Figure 8(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss. The lottery table differs between special drawing 1 and special drawing 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss in special drawing 1, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 320), and any other result is a miss, and no small hit is derived. On the other hand, in determining whether a special drawing is a hit or a miss in special drawing 2, a big hit is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 320), and a small hit is derived with a probability of 1820 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 36.0), and any other result is a miss. In this embodiment, as will be described later, a jackpot game can occur via a small jackpot, so the probability of a jackpot being derived in the special chart hit / miss determination is set to the single probability described above.

[0074] When the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a big hit or a small hit, the special chart stopping pattern lottery means 132 determines the special chart stopping pattern by lottery using a random number for special chart stopping pattern lottery (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a lottery table for special chart stopping pattern lottery. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8(b), which is a diagram that schematically illustrates the lottery table for lottery of stopping symbols used when a jackpot is derived in the judgment of whether the special symbol is a hit or miss related to special symbol 1, when a jackpot is derived in the judgment of whether the special symbol is a hit or miss related to special symbol 1, symbol A is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and symbol B is determined with a probability of 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11). Here, whether symbol A or symbol B is selected, the game will enter a normal high probability state after the jackpot game corresponding to these stopped symbols ends, as described below. However, the number of symbol changes during which the normal high probability state continues (hereinafter referred to as the "prescribed number of times related to normal high probability") will be 80 times after the jackpot game ends when symbol A is selected, and 40 times after the jackpot game ends when symbol B is selected. Also, the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to symbol A is 10, while the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to symbol B is 4. Therefore, it can be said that symbol A is more advantageous than symbol B in terms of both the number of rounds and the prescribed number of times related to normal high probability.

[0075] As shown in Figure 8(c), which is a diagram that schematically shows the lottery table for drawing the stopping pattern used when a small win is derived in the judgment of whether the special pattern is a hit or miss for special pattern 2, if a small win is derived in the judgment of whether the special pattern is a hit or miss for special pattern 2, pattern a will be determined as the stopping pattern with a probability of 700 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.43), and pattern b will be determined with a probability of 300 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 3.33). Here, pattern a is a stopping pattern that results in 10 rounds of jackpot play during a small jackpot game related to that pattern, and results in a normal high probability after the jackpot game ends, with the specified number of times for that normal high probability being 80. Pattern b is a stopping pattern that results in 4 rounds of jackpot play during a small jackpot game related to that pattern, and results in a normal high probability after the jackpot game ends, with the specified number of times for that normal high probability being 80. Therefore, it can be said that pattern a is more advantageous than pattern b in terms of the number of rounds. In addition, when a jackpot game occurs in a small hit game, the number of rounds in that jackpot game is the number calculated by counting that small hit game as one round. Furthermore, in the following explanation, a jackpot game that occurs in a small hit game related to symbol a may be expressed as a "jackpot game related to symbol a," and a jackpot game that occurs in a small hit game related to symbol b may be expressed as a "jackpot game related to symbol b."

[0076] As shown in Figure 8(d), which is a diagram schematically illustrating a lottery table for drawing the stopping symbols used when a jackpot is determined in the special symbol hit / miss judgment related to special symbol 2, when a jackpot is determined in the special symbol hit / miss judgment related to special symbol 2, symbol c is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). In particular, symbol c is a stopping symbol for which the number of rounds of the jackpot game corresponding to the stopping symbol is 10, and which becomes a normal symbol with high probability after the jackpot game ends, and the specified number of times for the normal symbol with high probability is 80, which is the same as the jackpot game related to symbol a.

[0077] In addition, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 determines pattern C as the stop pattern if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for special chart 1 is a miss, and determines pattern d as the stop pattern if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for special chart 2 is a miss (both not shown).

[0078] In this way, in the above-described embodiment, the jackpot game that occurs in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 tends to be more advantageous than the jackpot game that occurs in the pattern variation related to special chart 1. Therefore, the interest in the game can be further increased by transitioning from the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA described later to another special chart variation pattern derivation state (special chart variation pattern derivation state PB or special chart variation pattern derivation state PC described later).

[0079] The special pattern variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special pattern variation pattern lottery tables to be referenced when determining the special pattern variation pattern, and selects one special pattern variation pattern lottery table for determining the current special pattern variation pattern based on the current special pattern variation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special pattern success / failure judgment, determines one special pattern variation pattern using the selected special pattern variation pattern lottery table and a random number for special pattern variation pattern lottery, and determines the variation time based on the determined special pattern variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from when the pattern variation related to the special pattern (special pattern 1 or special pattern 2) starts to when the pattern variation ends. Details of the transition conditions will be described later, but in this embodiment, there are three special pattern variation pattern derivation states: special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB, and special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special pattern variation pattern is adopted in the pattern variation related to special pattern 1 in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, and in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, it is adopted in the pattern variation related to special pattern 2. On the other hand, in the pattern change related to the other special chart in each special chart change pattern derivation state (the special chart for which the above-mentioned method for determining the special chart change pattern is adopted), a predetermined special chart change pattern is determined according to the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment. In particular, in this embodiment, in the pattern change related to the special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change is a miss, and if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change is a jackpot, a change pattern with a change time of 1000 ms is determined, and in the pattern change related to the special chart 1 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB or the special chart change pattern derivation state PC, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change is a miss, and if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change is a jackpot, a change pattern with a change time of 2000 ms is determined, and if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment of the pattern change is a miss, a change pattern with a change time of 2000 ms is determined (the same applies to small hits).

[0080] Figure 9(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a special chart variation pattern lottery table used for the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the pattern variation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, special chart variation patterns HNP to ASP-C can be determined. Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 1 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a miss, the special chart change pattern HNP occurs with a probability of 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11), the special chart change pattern HRP occurs with a probability of 52 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 19.2), the special chart change pattern HSP1-A occurs with a probability of 13 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 76.9), and the special chart change pattern HS occurs with a probability of 11 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 90.9). P1-B, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A with a probability of 9 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 111), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B with a probability of 7 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 143), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200), special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B with a probability of 3 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 333) are determined, and in this case, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A to special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C are not determined. Details will be described later using Figure 9 (b), but when special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined, the special chart fluctuation pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 1 pending counter at the start of this pattern fluctuation. On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to special chart 1 during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, the probability of special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A is 90 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 11.1), the probability of special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B is 110 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 9.09), the probability of special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A is 135 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 7.41), the probability of special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is 165 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6 Special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 1 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 5.56), special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 4.56), and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and in such cases, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B will not be determined. In this way, in this embodiment, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a miss, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns HRP to HSP3-B is determined at a rate of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11). Furthermore, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern fluctuation related to the special chart 1 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, any one of the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C is determined at a rate of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Here, in the explanation of the special chart fluctuation pattern of this embodiment, when two special chart fluctuation patterns are described with "~" in between, the description of the special chart fluctuation pattern that exists between the special chart fluctuation pattern described earlier and the special chart fluctuation pattern described later is omitted in accordance with the order described in the drawing related to the special chart fluctuation pattern lottery table for each special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state. Also, in the explanation of the special chart fluctuation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether the corresponding fluctuation time is described, if the names of the special chart fluctuation patterns are different, it means that the different special chart fluctuation patterns are different.

[0081] Figure 9(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when a special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 during the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of the random numbers used in this lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 9(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in Figure 9(b), the special chart fluctuation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern fluctuation related to special chart 1 during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA include special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-A with a fluctuation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-B with a fluctuation time of 5600 ms, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-C with a fluctuation time of 8000 ms, and special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-D with a fluctuation time of 11200 ms, in that order of increasing fluctuation time. Specifically, if the special chart 1 reserved counter is 3 at the start of this pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-A will be determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Similarly, if the special chart 1 reserved counter is 2 at the start of this pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-A will be determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67), and the special chart change pattern HNP-B will be determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.18). If the special chart 1 reserved counter is 1 at the start of this pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-A will be determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), and the special chart change pattern HNP-B will be determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67). The special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25). If the special pattern 1 reserved counter = 0 at the start of this pattern variation, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.18). In the following explanation, if the value of the referenced special pattern reserved counter is 3, it will be referred to as "protected 3", if the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 2, it will be referred to as "protected 2", if the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 1, it will be referred to as "protected 1", and if the value of the special pattern reserved counter is 0, it will be referred to as "protected 0". In this way, when the special pattern variation pattern HNP is determined in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA, the special pattern variation pattern (variation time) that is likely to be determined depends on the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern variation. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern variation, the more likely it is that a special pattern variation pattern with a longer variation time will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the current pattern variation, the more likely it is that a shorter variation time will be determined). In addition, such special chart variation pattern HNP (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "basic special chart variation pattern") also exists in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and in these special chart variation pattern derivation states, the reserved counter referenced is different from that in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and in both cases the value of the special chart 2 reserved counter is referenced.

[0082] Figure 10(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a special chart variation pattern lottery table used for the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 10(a), in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, the special chart variation pattern HNP to the special chart variation pattern ASP-F can be determined. Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for the pattern change related to special chart 2 in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a miss, special chart change pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 960 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.04), special chart change pattern HSP-D with a probability of 20 / 1000 (1 / 50), special chart change pattern HSP-E with a probability of 15 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 66.7), and special chart change pattern HSP-F with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200). In such cases, special chart change pattern ASP-D to special chart change pattern ASP-F are not determined. Details will be described later using Figure 10(b). If special chart change pattern HNP is determined, the special chart change pattern is further specified using the value of the special chart 2 pending counter at the start of the current pattern change. The method of determining the special chart change pattern using this special chart 2 pending counter is also the same in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB, described later. On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 during the special chart change pattern derivation state PB is a big hit or a small hit, special chart change pattern ASP-D will be determined with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2), special chart change pattern ASP-E with a probability of 350 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 2.86), and special chart change pattern ASP-F with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67), and in such cases, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-F will not be determined.

[0083] Figure 10(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 during special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and the range of the random numbers used in this lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 10(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in Figure 10(b), the special chart fluctuation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern fluctuation related to special chart 2 in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB include special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-E with a fluctuation time of 3000 ms and special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-F with a fluctuation time of 15000 ms. Specifically, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 3 at the start of the current pattern change, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 2 at the start of the current pattern change, or if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-E is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1), and in these cases, the special chart change pattern HNP-F is not determined.On the other hand, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-F is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1), and in these cases, the special chart change pattern HNP-E is not determined. In addition, special chart variation pattern HNP-E and special chart variation pattern HNP-F are different from both the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA described above, and the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC described below.

[0084] Figure 11(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a special chart variation pattern lottery table used for the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 11(a), in the pattern variation related to the special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, special chart variation pattern HNP to special chart variation pattern ASP-I can be determined. Specifically, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for the pattern change related to special chart 2 when the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is in the state of miss, special chart change pattern HNP will be determined with a probability of 950 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.05), special chart change pattern HSP-G with a probability of 25 / 1000 (1 / 40), special chart change pattern HSP-H with a probability of 15 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 66.7), and special chart change pattern HSP-I with a probability of 10 / 1000 (1 / 100), and in such cases, special chart change pattern ASP-G to special chart change pattern ASP-I will not be determined. On the other hand, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change related to special chart 2 when in the special chart change pattern derivation state PC is a big hit or a small hit, regardless of the number of spins in that special chart change pattern derivation state PC, special chart change pattern ASP-G will be determined with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2), special chart change pattern ASP-H with a probability of 350 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 2.86), and special chart change pattern ASP-I with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67), and in such cases, special chart change pattern HNP to special chart change pattern HSP-I will not be determined.

[0085] Figure 11(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special chart variation pattern lottery table used when special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in, and the range of the random numbers used in this lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the special chart variation pattern lottery table shown in Figure 11(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in Figure 11(b), the special chart variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 when the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is in include special chart variation pattern HNP-G with a variation time of 2000 ms and special chart variation pattern HNP-H with a variation time of 10000 ms. Specifically, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 3 at the start of the current pattern change, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 2 at the start of the current pattern change, or if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 1 at the start of the current pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-G is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1), and in these cases, the special chart change pattern HNP-H is not determined.On the other hand, if the special chart 2 reserved counter = 0 at the start of the current pattern change, the special chart change pattern HNP-H is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1), and in these cases, the special chart change pattern HNP-G is not determined. In addition, the special chart variation pattern HNP-G and the special chart variation pattern HNP-H are different from both the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when the special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 1 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the special chart variation pattern that can be determined when the special chart variation pattern HNP is determined in the pattern variation related to special chart 2 in the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state PB.

[0086] In addition, at the start of the pattern change, the special chart change pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (change start command) including the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment, the determined special chart stop pattern, and the determined special chart change pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0087] The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the earliest pending activation information from the pending activation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to perform a regular map validity judgment to determine whether the regular map is valid or invalid, and determines various parameters related to the regular map (regular map change time, regular map stop display time, etc.) based on the result of the regular map validity judgment and information such as the current special map change pattern derivation state. In determining whether a regular drawing is a hit or miss, there are two states where the regular drawing lottery state is a high probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "regular drawing high probability") and a low probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "regular drawing low probability"). An illustration of the lottery table is omitted, but in this embodiment, in a regular drawing high probability state, the probability of a regular drawing being a hit is 65535 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a miss is 1 / 65536, while in a regular drawing low probability state, the probability of a regular drawing being a hit is 1 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a miss is 65535 / 65536. Note that in a regular drawing low probability state, it may be configured so that the regular drawing does not win (65536 / 65536 is a miss).

[0088] At the start of a jackpot game, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (start demo command) including information related to the jackpot game (the required time for the start demo, the number of rounds, and the subsequent special chart variation pattern derivation state) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the start demo, generates a presentation control command (round start command) and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, at the end of the round game, a presentation control command (end demo command) including the required time for the end demo of the jackpot game is generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, these commands are the same in a big win game caused by a small win game. Specifically, at the start of a small win game, the big win game control means 140 generates a start demo command and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the start demo, generates a round start command and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, and generates an end demo command and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0089] In addition, the jackpot game control means 140 starts a small jackpot game if the result of the special symbol hit / miss determination is a small jackpot, and if the game ball passes through the V winning area (not shown) provided in the large winning port 55 during the small jackpot game, the jackpot game corresponding to the small jackpot can be started after the small jackpot game ends. Therefore, in this embodiment, the small jackpot game functions as a trigger for the jackpot game. Note that if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area during the small jackpot game, the jackpot game does not start after the small jackpot game ends.

[0090] The pattern display control means 145 causes the first special pattern display device 91 to variably display the special pattern 1 in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined special pattern variation pattern of the special pattern 1, and causes the special pattern 1 to be stopped and displayed with the stop pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variation time has elapsed. Similarly, the second special pattern display device 92 causes the special pattern 2 to variably display in accordance with the variation time corresponding to the determined special pattern variation pattern of the special pattern 2, and causes the special pattern 2 to be stopped and displayed with the stop pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variation time has elapsed. Here, the stop display time (interval) of the pattern change related to the special chart refers to the time from when the special chart is stopped and displayed until the pattern change of the next special chart can start (if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a miss), or the time from when the pattern change of the special chart ends until the big hit game or small hit game starts (if the result of the normal chart hit / miss judgment is a normal hit), and in this embodiment the stop display time of the pattern change related to the special chart is a uniform 300 ms regardless of the type of special chart or the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment. In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special pattern game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special pattern 1 and special pattern 2, and when the special pattern is stopped for display (at the timing when the value of the special pattern game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting the fixed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Here, the "confirmed stop display of a decorative pattern" refers to the final stop display of a decorative pattern in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of a decorative pattern that may occur during the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of a decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is accompanied by a small up and down movement (so-called "swinging fluctuation"), while in the confirmed stop display of a decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is not accompanied by a swinging fluctuation. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the decorative pattern display is a confirmed stop display or a provisional stop display.

[0091] Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal map to be displayed on the normal pattern display device 93 in a variable manner according to a variable time corresponding to the determined normal map variable pattern, and after the variable time has elapsed, causes the normal map to be displayed in a stopped state with the determined stopping pattern. In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a regular symbol game timer for managing the time related to the regular symbol (regular symbol fluctuation time, regular symbol stop display time, etc.).

[0092] In the above-mentioned big win game or small win game, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66, and opens the special electric device 65 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the special chart.

[0093] The game state control means 155 controls the normal symbol lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal symbol to low probability at the start of a jackpot game regardless of the stopped symbol of the special symbol related to the jackpot game, and when a specified condition such as the end of the jackpot game is met, sets the normal symbol to high probability until the specified number of symbol changes related to the high normal symbol probability are performed, and sets the normal symbol to low probability when the specified number of symbol changes related to the high normal symbol probability are completed. Here, as will be described later, in this embodiment, the number of symbol changes used to determine whether the specified number of symbol changes related to the high normal symbol probability has been reached is the number of symbol changes related to special symbol 2, but the number of symbol changes used to determine this may be the number of symbol changes related to special symbol 2 plus the number of symbol changes related to special symbol 1. In addition, in this embodiment, during the small win game, the normal lottery state is maintained in the pattern variation that caused the small win game. However, as with the start of the big win game, the normal lottery state may be set to low probability when the small win game starts.

[0094] Such a regular drawing state changes in conjunction with the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. The transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state will be explained below with reference to Figures 12(a) and 12(b). Figure 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the average variation time for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state. As shown in Figure 12(a), in the special chart variation pattern derivation state, there is a special chart variation pattern derivation state PA as a special chart variation pattern derivation state corresponding to a normal chart low probability, and there are a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC as special chart variation pattern derivation states corresponding to a normal chart high probability, and one of these special chart variation pattern derivation states is set except during a jackpot game. And, there are transition conditions (i) to (v) for the transition conditions between the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.

[0095] Specifically, transition condition (i) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern B, transition condition (ii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern A, transition condition (iii) is the end of a jackpot game related to pattern a, pattern b, or pattern c, transition condition (iv) is the end of a pattern change related to special pattern 2 executed without a jackpot game in a normal high probability state by having the number of pattern changes reach 40 (the specified number of times related to a normal high probability state in special pattern change pattern derivation state PB), and transition condition (v) is the end of a pattern change related to special pattern 2 executed without a jackpot game in a normal high probability state by having the number of pattern changes reach 80 (the specified number of times related to a normal high probability state in special pattern change pattern derivation state PC). In addition, if a jackpot game involving pattern a, pattern b, or pattern c occurs in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the state will transition back to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC after the jackpot game ends, and the number of pattern variations involving special pattern 2 that can be performed up to the specified number of times for the high probability of normal patterns in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC will be reset. Also, although not shown in the figure, in a small win game that occurs in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, if the game ball does not pass through the V winning area and a big win game does not occur, the end of the small win game triggers the end of the current special chart variation pattern derivation state and transition to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA.

[0096] As shown in Figure 12(b), the average fluctuation time for the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PC decreases in the following order: special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state PC. This is due to the length of the fluctuation time for the basic special symbol fluctuation pattern that is most likely to be determined in each special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state. Here, the average fluctuation time refers to the sum of the fluctuation times derived by multiplying the occurrence rate (the probability that an arbitrary symbol fluctuation can occur, derived by multiplying the probability of the result of the special symbol win / fail judgment by the probability of the special symbol fluctuation pattern) for each fluctuation time for the special symbol fluctuation pattern that can be selected in a certain special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state. However, in this embodiment, if there is only one special symbol fluctuation pattern that can be selected in that certain special symbol fluctuation pattern derivation state, the fluctuation time for that special symbol fluctuation pattern is treated as the average fluctuation time.

[0097] Thus, in this embodiment, in terms of the prescribed number of times related to the normal high probability, it can be said that the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is a more advantageous game state than the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB. Also, in terms of the time efficiency of winning prize balls due to the average variation time, it can be said that the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC is a more advantageous game state than the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB.

[0098] In addition, when a transition occurs between the normal drawing state and the special drawing pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) including the state after the transition, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, the game state control means 155 counts the number of times that a pattern change related to a transition to another special pattern change pattern derivation state is executed in each special pattern change pattern derivation state, and generates a performance control command including the number of times that the pattern change is counted each time a pattern change is started, and stores the command in a transmission command area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Note that the information included in the performance control command may be included in the above-mentioned change start command.

[0099] As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means and data derived by calculations or the like by each means in the corresponding storage areas.

[0100] The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I / O port 104 and determines whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, it stores a performance control command (error command) including information that can identify the error state in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0101] When a performance control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the performance control command to the first sub-control board 200. In principle, each performance control command is transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0102] The power restoration process execution means 175 includes a restoration state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179 .

[0103] The recovery state setting means 176 executes a recovery state setting process to set a recovery state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of power outage immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The recovery states set by this process include a game-stopped state and a playable state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process). Specifically, if there is an abnormality in RAM 103 when power is restored, a game-stopped state is set regardless of the state of RAM clear switch 43 and the state of middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in RAM 103 when power is restored and RAM clear switch 43 is ON (pressed state) when power is restored, RAM clear processing is executed and a playable state is set on the condition that middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON when power is restored (if middle frame door open sensor 76 is OFF when power is restored, the RAM clear processing is not executed and the playable state is set), and if there is no abnormality in RAM 103 when power is restored and RAM clear switch 43 is OFF (not pressed state) when power is restored, the RAM clear processing is not executed and the playable state is set. Here, the game stop state is a return state in which game progress is disabled by not executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning slot (the detection results of the sensors themselves do not need to be looked at). On the other hand, the playable state is a return state in which game progress is enabled by executing processing according to the detection results of the sensors installed at each winning slot. In particular, if the RAM clear process is not executed when power is restored, the game returns to the playable state at the time of the previous power outage. For example, if a jackpot game or a small jackpot game was being executed at the time of the previous power outage, the game will return to the jackpot game or small jackpot game that was being executed, and if a pattern change was being executed at the time of the previous power outage, the game will return to the pattern change that was being executed.

[0104] In addition, whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM103 is determined by executing a RAM abnormality check (specifically, a process that determines whether or not a backup flag is stored (whether or not the backup flag is ON) in the backup information area related to the target area, and if the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), derives a checksum of the target area and the complement stored in the backup information area related to the area, and if the calculation result is 0, determines that the target area is normal, and otherwise determines that the target area is abnormal) performed on the area related to the game in RAM103.

[0105] The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to a playable state when the playable state is set. More specifically, in the process of transitioning to a playable state, if the security signal output is ON, a process of turning the security signal output OFF and initial setting of the device are executed. In addition, during the initial setting of the device, processes such as sending a launch permission command to the payout control board 400 to allow the launch of game balls, setting the state in which balls will be valid when they enter each winning slot, and setting data to activate the random number circuit 105 are performed.

[0106] The power cutoff process execution means 180 executes the power cutoff process based on the reception of the power cutoff signal from the power supply control board 500. Specifically, for the area of ​​RAM 103 related to gaming, the checksum of that area is derived, the complement of that checksum is stored in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to gaming, and a backup flag indicating that power-off processing has been performed on that area is turned ON (the backup flag is stored in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to gaming).

[0107] As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generating means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 6. Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. Also, the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored by the sub-command management means 270 in a received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. In the following explanation, the storage of the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 in the received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply referred to as "receiving a performance control command."

[0108] The sub-random number generating means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by the CPU 201 through program processing, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

[0109] The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a pre-reading presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

[0110] When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner that is consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The presentation modes in this embodiment are broadly divided into normal mode, challenge mode, and RUSH mode, with normal mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, challenge mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and RUSH mode corresponding to the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC.

[0111] When receiving a preliminary determination command, the performance route determination means 222 determines (sets) a performance route corresponding to the currently reserved pattern change based on the result of the preliminary determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special symbol change pattern). Note that if the special symbol change pattern corresponding to the pattern change is the above-mentioned special symbol change pattern HNP, the performance route determination means 222 does not determine a performance route when the preliminary determination command is transmitted, and determines a performance route based on the special symbol change pattern included in the change start command at the start of the pattern change (for example, if the special symbol change pattern derivation state PA, special symbol change pattern HNP-A to special symbol change pattern HNP-D). Here, the presentation route is the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern judgment in the pattern change, and the content of the presentation executed in the pattern change will be determined by the presentation content determination means 225 described later in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

[0112] The presentation route in this embodiment is roughly divided into a miss presentation route that notifies that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a miss (the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is neither a big hit nor a small hit), and a big hit presentation route that notifies that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a big hit or a small hit. Furthermore, the miss presentation route includes a non-development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is not executed, and a development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is executed. Note that, as will be described later, when the big hit presentation route is determined, the development presentation is executed unless otherwise explained. Here, the development effect is an effect that is executed after the decorative symbols reach a reach state (a state in which all decorative symbols except one symbol row are displayed stationary and the remaining symbol rows are displayed in a variable manner), and refers to an effect that notifies the player of whether the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a big hit or a small hit at the end of the effect. Therefore, in the development effect corresponding to the development miss performance route, a series of effects corresponding to the development effect is executed, and at the end of the effect, it is notified that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is neither a big hit nor a small hit. On the other hand, in the development effect corresponding to the big hit performance route, a series of effects corresponding to the development effect is executed, and at the end of the effect, it is notified that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in the current symbol change is a big hit or a small hit. As will be described in detail later, a cut-in effect can be executed during the execution of the development effect in this embodiment. Also, as will be described later, in this embodiment, in one presentation mode, each determined special chart variation pattern corresponds to a different presentation route. Therefore, in the following description, the presentation route for the special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple presentation routes may be associated with one special chart variation pattern, and in this case, one presentation route may be determined from multiple presentation routes corresponding to the determined special chart variation pattern. Below, we will explain the contents of the presentation route corresponding to each special chart change pattern determined in each presentation mode.

[0113] First, the presentation routes corresponding to the special chart variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and the special chart variation pattern HRP, which are determined normally (special chart variation pattern derivation state PA), correspond to the non-development miss presentation route described above. Specifically, the special pattern variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D correspond to a presentation route that notifies the user that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss when the decorative patterns are not in a reach state and are stopped and displayed in a barrage (a state in which all pattern rows are stopped and the same decorative pattern is not stopped and displayed in each pattern row). Here, the same decorative pattern refers to a decorative pattern that resembles the same number, and the parts other than the numbers that make up the decorative pattern may be different. Similarly, different decorative patterns refer to decorative patterns that resemble different numbers. The special symbol variation pattern HRP corresponds to a presentation route in which the decorative symbols reach a reach state without pseudo-variation, and then the decorative symbols stop and display in a scattered pattern without executing the development presentation described below, thereby announcing that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment for this symbol variation is a miss. Here, pseudo-variation refers to a period before the development presentation begins, which is divided by the stopping of decorative symbols based on a certain rule (for example, the stopping of decorative symbols in a pattern in which the same decorative symbols stop in the middle and right symbol rows, such as "5 symbols-6 symbols-6 symbols"). Therefore, it can be said that a pseudo-variation only occurs when the number of pseudo-variations is two. In other words, if the decorative symbols change only once until the reach state is reached, it can be said that a pseudo-variation does not occur, and in such a case, it can be said that one pseudo-variation is executed. Note that, although the maximum number of pseudo-variations in this embodiment is three, the maximum number of pseudo-variations is not limited to this, and any number greater than two can be used.

[0114] The special chart change patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route. Specifically, for the special chart variation patterns HSP1-A and HSP1-B, the decorative symbols will reach a reach state without any pseudo-variation, and then a development effect will be executed to notify you that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and after the development effect ends, the decorative symbols will stop and be displayed in a spread pattern. Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special chart variation pattern are different from each other, and the development effect HEA corresponds to the special chart variation pattern HSP1-A, and the development effect HEB corresponds to the special chart variation pattern HSP1-B. For the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo fluctuations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with a spread. Note that, as with the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development effect HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A, and the development effect HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B. For the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo fluctuations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with a spread. Note that, as with the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development effect HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A, and the development effect HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B.

[0115] The special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B correspond to the jackpot performance route described above. Specifically, for the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-fluctuation, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern is displayed in a pattern alignment (all pattern rows are displayed stopped, and the same decorative pattern is displayed stopped in each pattern row). Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development effect HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A, and the development effect HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B. For the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo fluctuations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with the pattern aligned. As with the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development effect HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, and the development effect HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B. For the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo fluctuations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a jackpot, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with the pattern aligned. As with the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A and the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development effect HEA corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, and the development effect HEB corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B. The special pattern change pattern ASP-C corresponds to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without any pseudo-change, and then a development performance HEC is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a jackpot, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped with the pattern aligned.

[0116] In this way, in this embodiment, by associating the same development effects, the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern HSP1-A corresponds to the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern ASP1-A, the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern HSP1-B corresponds to the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern ASP1-B, the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern HSP2-A corresponds to the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern ASP2-A, the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern HSP2-B corresponds to the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern ASP2-B, the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern HSP3-A corresponds to the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern ASP3-A, and the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern HSP3-B corresponds to the effect route corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern ASP3-B. As a result, the contents of the effects of the associated effect routes are consistent from the start to the very end (the timing when the result of the special symbol win / loss determination is shown by the development effect related to the effect route). Therefore, the pattern changes in which the development effect HEA and development effect HEB are executed can give the player a sense of anticipation of winning a jackpot. In addition, the special pattern variation patterns described above, which determine the performance route in which the development performance HEA and development performance HEB are executed, can also be said to be special pattern variation patterns that make you expect a jackpot. These are the same for other performance modes described later. In addition, there is no corresponding development miss presentation route for the special chart variation pattern ASP-C. Therefore, when the development presentation HEC is executed in the pattern variation, the player can be sure that he or she has won the jackpot. Therefore, it can be said that the presentation route corresponding to the special chart variation pattern ASP-C is a presentation route that confirms a jackpot win, and the special chart variation pattern ASP-C can also be said to be a special chart variation pattern that confirms a jackpot win.

[0117] Also, as shown in Figure 9 (a), if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a miss, within the range where the number of pseudo-fluctuations is the same, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which the development performance HEA is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which the development performance HEB is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B) will be less likely to be determined in that order. And, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a jackpot, within the range where the number of pseudo-fluctuations is the same, the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which the development performance HEA is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A), the special chart fluctuation pattern corresponding to the presentation route in which the development performance HEB is executed (for example, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B) will be more likely to be determined in that order. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the development performance HEC is only executed when a jackpot is won. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the expectation for winning a jackpot can be increased in the order of development effect HEA, development effect HEB, and development effect HEC (it can be said that the expectation of a jackpot game occurring is high). This also applies to the relationship between development effect HED, development effect HEE, and development effect HEF, and the relationship between development effect HEG, development effect HEH, and development effect HEI, which will be described later. More specifically, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, the expectation of a jackpot game occurring is high in the order of development effect HED, development effect HEE, and development effect HEF, and in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, the expectation of a jackpot game occurring is high in the order of development effect HEG, development effect HEH, and development effect HEI.

[0118] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(a), in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a miss, within the range of the same type of development presentation, the special chart variation pattern that is most difficult to determine is a special chart variation pattern corresponding to a presentation route in which no pseudo-fluctuations occur (for example, special chart variation pattern HSP1-A), a special chart variation pattern corresponding to a presentation route in which the number of pseudo-fluctuations is two (for example, special chart variation pattern HSP2-A), or a special chart variation pattern corresponding to a presentation route in which the number of pseudo-fluctuations is three (for example, special chart variation pattern HSP3-A). If the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a jackpot, within the range of the same type of development presentation, the special chart change pattern will be determined in the following order: a special chart change pattern corresponding to a presentation route where no pseudo-changes occur (for example, special chart change pattern ASP1-A), a special chart change pattern corresponding to a presentation route where the number of pseudo-changes is two (for example, special chart change pattern ASP2-A), and a special chart change pattern corresponding to a presentation route where the number of pseudo-changes is three (for example, special chart change pattern ASP3-A). Therefore, in this embodiment, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the expectation for the occurrence of a jackpot game can be increased as the number of times pseudo-variations are executed increases.

[0119] As mentioned above, in special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-B, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-B, and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-C, the reach state is reached without any pseudo-fluctuation, in special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-A, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP2-B, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-A, and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP2-B, the reach state is reached after two pseudo-fluctuations, and in special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-A, special chart fluctuation pattern HSP3-B, special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-A, and special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-B, the reach state is reached after three pseudo-fluctuations. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the time until the reach state is reached is longer in the order of the special chart variation pattern that reaches the reach state without pseudo-variation, the special chart variation pattern that reaches the reach state with two pseudo-variations, and the special chart variation pattern that reaches the reach state with three pseudo-variations. However, in this embodiment, in the pattern variation in which the special chart variation pattern ASP-C is determined, the time until the reach state is reached is longer than the special chart variation patterns that reach the reach state without other pseudo-variations (special chart variation pattern HSP1-A, special chart variation pattern HSP1-B, special chart variation pattern ASP1-A, and special chart variation pattern ASP1-B).

[0120] Next, the above-mentioned non-development miss effect route corresponds to the effect route corresponding to the basic special chart fluctuation patterns (special chart fluctuation patterns HNP-E and HNP-F) that can be determined in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB. Specifically, the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-E and the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-F correspond to an effect route in which the decorative pattern does not reach a reach state and the decorative pattern stops and displays with a spread pattern, thereby announcing that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss. This is also the case for the basic special chart fluctuation patterns in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC described later, so an explanation of this special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state will be omitted.

[0121] The special chart change patterns HSP-D to HSP-F correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route. Specifically, for special chart fluctuation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F, the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-fluctuation, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a miss, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern is displayed stopped with a spread. Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development effect HED corresponds to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-D, the development effect HEE corresponds to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-E, and the development effect HEF corresponds to special chart fluctuation pattern HSP-F. In addition, the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F correspond to the jackpot performance route described above. Specifically, for special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F, the decorative pattern will be in a reach state without pseudo-fluctuation, and then a development effect will be executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a big hit or a small hit, and after the development effect ends, the decorative pattern will be displayed stopped with the pattern aligned. Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different from each other, and the development effect HED corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-D, the development effect HEE corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-E, and the development effect HEF corresponds to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-F.

[0122] In addition, the special symbol variation patterns HSP-G to HSP-I, which can be determined by the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, correspond to the above-mentioned development miss effect route. Specifically, the special symbol variation patterns HSP-G to HSP-I correspond to an effect route in which the decorative symbol reaches a reach state without pseudo-variation, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special symbol hit / miss judgment in this symbol variation is a miss, and after the development effect ends, the decorative symbol is displayed stopped with a spread pattern. Note that the type of development effect corresponding to each special symbol variation pattern is different, and the development effect HEG corresponds to the special symbol variation pattern HSP-G, the development effect HEH corresponds to the special symbol variation pattern HSP-H, and the development effect HEI corresponds to the special symbol variation pattern HSP-I. In addition, the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-G to ASP-I correspond to the jackpot presentation route described above. Specifically, the special chart fluctuation patterns ASP-G to ASP-I correspond to a presentation route in which the decorative symbols reach a reach state without pseudo-fluctuation, and then a development presentation is executed to notify that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in this pattern fluctuation is a jackpot, and after the development presentation ends, the decorative symbols are displayed stopped with the symbols aligned. Note that the types of development presentation corresponding to each special chart fluctuation pattern are different, with the development presentation HEG corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-G, the development presentation HEH corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-H, and the development presentation HEI corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP-I.

[0123] When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the occurrence of a hold winning), it sets performance data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special chart 1 hold counter and the number of hold images corresponding to the special chart 2 hold counter in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81 based on the information of the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter included in the command. The hold images are images that are the subject of a hold pre-reading performance that changes into various forms that suggest the degree of advantage, such as the expectation of a jackpot game occurring.

[0124] When the pre-reading effect control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the so-called pre-reading effect based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command. The pre-reading effect is a performance that suggests the expectation level for the result of the judgment on whether the special symbol will be selected or not in the pattern change of the pre-read target, and the content of the performance that will be executed in the pattern change of the pre-read target, before the pattern change of the pre-read target begins, with the aim of increasing interest in the game. The pattern change to be predicted above refers to the pattern change related to the main special pattern (special pattern 1 in special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, and special pattern 2 in special pattern change pattern derivation state PB and special pattern change pattern derivation state PC), and refers to the pattern change that is reserved in states Hold 1 to Hold 3.

[0125] When the variation start command is received, the performance content determination means 225 determines the content of the performance to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the performance route already determined by the performance route determination means 222. More specifically, the effect content determination means 225 determines an effect pattern lottery table to be referenced for the content of the effect (effect pattern) for each effect execution timing in the pattern variation, based on the effect route determined by the effect route determination means 222, and determines the content of the effect by lottery using the determined effect pattern lottery table. In particular, by doing this, it is possible to change the content of the effect related to (executed according to) the determined effect route, and also to provide a connection between the effects in one pattern variation. In particular, in each of the above-mentioned development effects, at the end thereof, an operation effect is executed that makes it possible to determine whether or not a win (small win, big win) has been derived from the current pattern change (the pattern change for which the development effect is being executed), that is, whether or not a big win game will occur after the end of the pattern change. As will be described in detail later, the operation effect includes those that require operation of the effect button 37 multiple times and those that require operation of the effect button 37 once.

[0126] When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final (determined stopped display) combination of decorative patterns (left pattern, center pattern, right pattern) based on the stopped pattern of the determined special pattern. Specifically, in the pattern variation related to special chart 1, a pattern alignment related to decorative charts including a pattern alignment related to 7 charts is determined for pattern A, and any pattern alignment related to decorative charts excluding 7 charts is determined for pattern B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of rounds of the jackpot game to be generated and the subsequent (after the jackpot game ends) presentation mode (special chart variation pattern derivation state) can be estimated depending on the type of pattern alignment related to decorative charts corresponding to the jackpot game. In the pattern variation related to special chart 2, one of the pattern alignments related to decorative patterns including the 7 symbol is determined for pattern a and pattern c, and one of the pattern alignments related to decorative patterns excluding the 7 symbol is determined for pattern b. Therefore, in this embodiment, when a pattern alignment related to the 7 symbol is stopped and displayed, it is determined that the jackpot game is related to the stopped pattern (pattern a or pattern c) excluding pattern b. As a result, as with the pattern variation related to special chart 1, it becomes easier to guess the number of rounds related to the jackpot game that occurs depending on the type of pattern alignment related to the decorative pattern corresponding to the jackpot game.

[0127] When the jackpot presentation control means 227 receives a presentation control command related to a jackpot game (start demo command, round start command, end demo command), it determines the content of the presentation during the jackpot game based on the type of the presentation control command and the information contained in the presentation control command. In addition, the effects that occur during jackpot play include a start demo effect that is executed based on the reception of a start demo command and notifies the player that a jackpot play has begun, a round effect that is executed based on the reception of a round start command and notifies the player that a round play is in progress, and an end demo effect that is executed based on the reception of an end demo command and notifies the player that a jackpot play has ended.

[0128] The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, it generates image control commands based on that performance data and stores those commands in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, it generates audio control commands related to sound based on that performance data and stores those commands in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the restored state upon power restoration is a playable state following the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for announcing that the playable state has been achieved following the execution of a RAM clear process, and if the restored state upon power restoration is a playable state without the execution of a RAM clear process, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for announcing that the playable state has been achieved without the execution of a RAM clear process. Furthermore, if a game-stop state is achieved, the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for announcing that the game has been stopped and that a RAM clear process needs to be executed. Note that while details of these notifications are omitted, it is preferable that they continue to be executed for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) after execution has begun, and the presentation device for executing the notification does not matter.

[0129] When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern and reads out performance data for executing an error notification in accordance with the error notification pattern.

[0130] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the movable decorative body 22 and the frame lamp 35. For example, if the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a lamp, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the performance data and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be executed.

[0131] When the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a movable role, the movable role control means 245 reads movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 from ROM 202 based on the performance data, and transmits the read movement control data to the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82 to control the movement of the movable decorative body 22 and the sub-display unit 82.

[0132] As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in corresponding storage areas.

[0133] The sub-command management means 270 receives performance control commands transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received performance commands in a received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, if an audio control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the audio control board 310. Note that these commands are transmitted in the order in which they are stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260, as a general rule.

[0134] As explained above, in the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, an operation effect is executed at the end of each development effect, in which operation of the effect button 37 is required, and some of these operation effects require operation of the effect button 37 multiple times. Furthermore, the operation presentation requiring multiple operations of the operating means is a conventional and common presentation, and there is room for improvement in terms of increasing the interest in the game. In contrast, the present invention has a function for improving the above-mentioned problems, and the details of this function will be explained below.

[0135] <About the relationship between the types of development effects and operation effects patterns> First, the relationship between the types of development effects and operation effect patterns in this embodiment will be described using Figure 13. Here, the operation effect pattern defines the effect content of the operation effect that requires operation of the effect button 37. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the types of development effects and operation effect patterns.

[0136] As shown in Figure 13, there are three types of operation presentation patterns in this embodiment: operation presentation pattern P1, operation presentation pattern P2, and operation presentation pattern P3 (details will be described later), and which of these operation presentation patterns is determined depends on the type of development presentation. Specifically, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, when the development performance HEA is executed, the operation performance pattern P2 is determined, when the development performance HEB is executed, the operation performance pattern P1 is determined, and when the development performance HEC is executed, the operation performance pattern P3 is determined. In the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, when the development performance HED is executed, the operation performance pattern P2 is determined, when the development performance HEE is executed, the operation performance pattern P1 is determined, and when the development performance HEF is executed, the operation performance pattern P3 is determined. In the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, when the development performance HEG is executed, the operation performance pattern P2 is determined, when the development performance HEH is executed, the operation performance pattern P1 is determined, and when the development performance HEI is executed, the operation performance pattern P3 is determined.

[0137] <About the operation effects for each operation effect pattern> Next, details of the operation presentations for each operation presentation pattern will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P1. Figure 15(a) is a diagram explaining the details of the first periodic image, and Figure 15(b) is a diagram explaining the details of the second periodic image.In these figures, button images bg are displayed with dashed lines (symbols omitted) to make it easier to understand the changes in the display mode of each periodic image. FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing the display period of each image in the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P1. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a specific example of the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P2. FIG. 18 is a timing chart showing the display period of each image in the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P2. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a specific example of the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P3. FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing the display period of each image in the operation presentation according to operation presentation pattern P3.

[0138] As shown in the leftmost scene of Figure 14, at the beginning of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, a button image bg, a first periodic image sg1, a first meter image mg1, and a second meter image mg2 are displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81. More specifically, the button image bg is an image that imitates the effect button 37, and the display of this image makes the player aware that an operation on the effect button 37 is required. The first periodic image sg1 is an image consisting of the words "rapid hit" and an arrow pointing to the button image bg (details on the periodicity will be described later), and the display of this image makes the player aware that multiple operations are required on the effect button 37. In particular, in this embodiment, the first periodic image sg1 (particularly the arrow portion) is displayed superimposed in front of the button image bg. The first meter image mg1 is an image that resembles a meter, and the area of ​​the blackened portion monotonically decreases over time (see also the middle and rightmost scenes in Figure 14). This allows the player to recognize the end of the valid period (valid period) for the operation related to the operation presentation being performed. The second meter image mg2 is an image that resembles a meter, and the area of ​​the hatched portion increases monotonically with operation of the effect button 37 (see also the center scene and the rightmost scene in FIG. 14).

[0139] 14, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, when the presentation button 37 is operated, a second periodic image sg2 that imitates the shaking of the presentation button 37 is displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81 (details about the periodicity will be described later). This allows the player to recognize that multiple operations on the presentation button 37 are required, and also makes the player recognize that a valid operation on the presentation button 37 has been performed. In particular, in this embodiment, the second periodicity image sg2 is displayed at a position that does not overlap with the button image bg.

[0140] As shown in the rightmost scene in Fig. 14, at the end of the presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, whether or not the meter related to the second meter image mg2 is full is displayed to make it possible to identify whether or not a win has been derived from the current pattern change. In particular, when the meter related to the second meter image mg2 is full (and the word "WIN" is also displayed), this indicates that a win has been derived from the current pattern change (see the upper rightmost scene in Fig. 14), and when the meter related to the second meter image mg2 is not full (and the word "LOSS" is also displayed), this indicates that a win has not been derived from the current pattern change (see the lower rightmost scene in Fig. 14).

[0141] 15(a) and 15(b), the first periodic image sg1 and the second periodic image sg2 have periodicity. Here, the periodicity of an image means that the display mode of the image changes periodically. Specifically, as shown in Figure 15(a), in the first periodic image sg1, the length of the arrow portion gradually changes as shown in the order of the leftmost scene, the middle scene, and the rightmost scene, and when it reaches the length shown in the rightmost scene, it returns to the length shown in the leftmost scene, and this process is repeated. The period (period T1) of the first periodic image sg1 is sufficiently shorter than the execution period of the operation presentation according to this embodiment (particularly, the operation presentation patterns P1 and P2). Therefore, the player can recognize that the first periodic image sg1 has periodicity in the operation presentation. Although not shown in the drawings, a third periodicity image sg3 (described later) includes different character portions but the same arrow portions as the first periodicity image sg1. Therefore, the third periodicity image sg3 has periodicity similar to that of the first periodicity image sg1.

[0142] As shown in Figure 15(b), in the second periodic image sg2, the part of the button image bg that shows its shaking gradually changes, as shown in the order of the leftmost scene, the middle scene, and the rightmost scene, and when it reaches the state shown in the rightmost scene, it returns to the state shown in the leftmost scene, and this flow is repeated. The period (period T2) of the second periodic image sg2, like the first periodic image sg1, is sufficiently shorter than the execution period of the operation presentation according to this embodiment (particularly, the operation presentation patterns P1 and P2). Therefore, the player can recognize that the second periodic image sg2 has periodicity in the operation presentation. In this embodiment, the period T2 is different from the period T1, and more specifically, the period T2 is longer than the period T1.

[0143] Thus, in this embodiment, in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1 that can accept multiple operations on the presentation button 37, in addition to the button image bg that imitates the presentation button 37, it is configured to be able to display a first periodic image sg1 and a second periodic image sg2 whose image display mode changes periodically. Furthermore, the period T1 related to the first periodic image sg1 and the period T2 related to the second periodic image sg2 are different. According to this, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, by making it easier to recognize both the first periodic image sg1 and the second periodic image sg2, in which the image display mode changes periodically, it is possible to enhance the operation presentation while emphasizing that multiple operations on the presentation button 37 are required. In order to achieve this effect, the period T2 may be shorter than the period T1. Furthermore, the periods T1 and T2 may be the same for part of the time when the operation performance related to the operation performance pattern P1 is executed, or the periods T1 and T2 may be the same for part of the time period related to one of the operation performances. The second periodic image sg2 is not limited to an image display, and may be realized using a visual presentation device other than an image display means, such as a lamp, etc. Furthermore, the second periodic image sg2 may be displayed without any operation on the operation means, similar to the first periodic image sg1.

[0144] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, there is a specific period (period of execution of operation presentation) during which multiple operations on the operation means can be accepted, and during the specific period, a first display (button image bg) imitating the operation means and a second display (first periodic image sg1) whose display mode can change periodically can be made, and during the specific period, there is a first specific period (period of execution of operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1) accompanied by a predetermined presentation (second periodic image sg2) whose presentation mode can change periodically, and in the first specific period, the period (period T1) during which the presentation mode of the predetermined presentation changes can be different from the period (period T2) during which the display mode of the second display changes.

[0145] In particular, in this embodiment, the first periodic image sg1 is displayed without any operation on the effect button 37, whereas the second periodic image sg2 is displayed based on the effect button 37 being operated. This makes the relationship between the display start timing of the first periodic image sg1 and the display start timing of the second periodic image sg2 fluid, making it easier to recognize both of these periodic images. In addition, in order to realize the display of the periodic second periodic image sg2, it may be necessary to operate the effect button 37 multiple times.

[0146] Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, the predetermined effect (second periodic image sg2) is an effect that can be executed by operating the operation means (effect button 37).

[0147] Next, as shown in Figure 16, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, the display of the second meter image mg2 begins at the start of the presentation period related to the operation presentation (see timing t11), and then the display of the first periodic image sg1 begins (see timing t12). Thereafter, with the start of the valid period during which operation on the effect button 37 becomes valid, the display of the button image bg and the first meter image mg1 begins (see timing t13), and when operation is performed on the effect button 37 during that valid period, the display of the second periodic image sg2 begins (see timing t14). Furthermore, when the valid period ends thereafter, the display of these images (button image bg, first periodic image sg1, second periodic image sg2, first meter image mg1, second meter image mg2) ends (see timing t15). In this embodiment, the end of the valid period of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 refers to the end of the valid period of the operation on presentation button 37 due to the passage of time, or the end of the valid period of the operation on presentation button 37 due to the result of the operation presentation being displayed by operating presentation button 37. This is also true for the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2 and operation presentation pattern P3, which will be described later.

[0148] In this manner, in the operation presentation according to the operation presentation pattern P1 in the present embodiment, the display start timing of the button image bg is different from the display start timing of the first periodic image sg1. In particular, the display start timing of the first periodic image sg1 is earlier than the display start timing of the button image bg. Furthermore, in the operation presentation pattern P1, the display start timing of the button image bg is different from the display start timing of the second periodic image sg2. In particular, the display start timing of the button image bg is earlier than the display start timing of the second periodic image sg2.

[0149] Next, as shown in the leftmost scene in Figure 17, at the beginning of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, the button image bg, the first periodic image sg1, and the second meter image mg2 are displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81. In particular, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, the first periodic image sg1 (particularly the arrow portion) is displayed superimposed in front of the button image bg, similar to the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1. As shown in the middle scene of Figure 17, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, unlike the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, even if the presentation button 37 is operated, the second periodic image sg2 is not displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81. As shown in the rightmost scene in Figure 17, at the end of the effect related to operation effect pattern P2, whether the meter related to the second meter image mg2 is full or not is displayed to determine whether or not a win has been derived from the current pattern change. This is the same as the operation effect related to operation effect pattern P1.

[0150] Next, as shown in FIG. 18, in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P2, the display of the second meter image mg2 starts simultaneously with the start of the presentation period related to the operation presentation (see timing t21). Thereafter, when the period (valid period) in which operation of the effect button 37 is valid begins, the display of the button image bg and the first periodic image sg1 begins (see timing t23). Note that in this embodiment, in the operation effect related to the operation effect pattern P2, the second periodic image sg2 and the first meter image mg1 are not displayed. Furthermore, when the valid period ends thereafter, the display of these images (button image bg, first periodic image sg1, and second meter image mg2) ends (see timing t25).

[0151] As described above, in the present embodiment, in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P2, unlike the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1, the second periodic image sg2 is not displayed. Furthermore, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, unlike the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, the display start timing of the button image bg and the display start timing of the first periodic image sg1 are the same.

[0152] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first meter image mg1 that notifies the player of the end timing of the valid period of the operation related to the operation presentation pattern P2 is not displayed in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1. This makes it easier to operate the effect button 37 multiple times in the operation effect relating to the operation effect pattern P1.

[0153] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the specific period (the period during which the operation presentation is executed) further includes a second specific period (the period during which the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P2 is executed) which is not accompanied by a predetermined presentation (the second periodic image sg2), and during the specific period, a specific display (the first meter image mg1) may be displayed which indicates the end timing of the period during which the operation on the operation means is valid; in other words, during the first specific period (the period during which the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1 is executed), a specific display is displayed, and during the second specific period, no specific display is displayed.

[0154] Although not described above, in this embodiment, the length of the effective period of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 is different from the length of the effective period of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2 (particularly, in this embodiment, the length of the effective period of the former is shorter than the length of the effective period of the latter). Therefore, the display time of the button image bg in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 may be different from the display time of the button image bg in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2. This allows the ease of recognition of the button image bg to be different between the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 and the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, which leads to an increase in the attention to the button image bg.

[0155] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, a specific period (a period during which an operation presentation is executed) further includes a second specific period (a period during which an operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2 is executed) that does not involve a predetermined presentation (second periodic image sg2), and in other words, the display time of the first display (button image bg) corresponding to the first specific period (a period during which an operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 is executed) may be different from the display time of the first display corresponding to the second specific period.

[0156] Next, as shown in the leftmost scene in Fig. 19, at the beginning of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P3, a button image bg, a third periodic image sg3, and a first meter image mg1 are displayed in the display area related to the main display unit 81. Here, the third periodic image sg3 is an image consisting of the word "press" and an arrow pointing to the button image bg, and the display of this image makes the player recognize that one operation of the presentation button 37 is required. In particular, in this embodiment, the third periodic image sg3 (particularly the arrow portion) is displayed superimposed in front of the button image bg, similar to the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1. As shown in the scenes from the middle to the right in Fig. 19, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P3, by operating presentation button 37, the third periodic image sg3 is hidden, and an image indicating whether or not a win has been derived from the current pattern change is displayed in the display area related to main display unit 81. Specifically, if a win has been derived from the current pattern change, the word "WIN" is displayed in the display area related to main display unit 81, and if a win has not been derived from the current pattern change, the word "LOSE" is displayed in the display area related to main display unit 81. When these words are displayed, the button image bg that had been displayed until then is also hidden.

[0157] In this manner, in this embodiment, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P3, operation on presentation button 37 can be accepted only once. This can increase motivation to operate the effect button 37 in operation effects including the operation effect related to the operation effect pattern P1. In order to achieve this effect, it is preferable that the operation means required for the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P3 is the same as the operation means related to operation presentation pattern P1, as in this embodiment, but it is also acceptable for these operation means to be different. This also applies to the relationship between operation presentation pattern P1 and operation presentation pattern P2, and the relationship between operation presentation pattern P2 and operation presentation pattern P3.

[0158] Therefore, in other words, the gaming machine 10 has a predetermined period (execution period of the operation effect related to the operation effect pattern P3) during which an operation on the operation means (effect button 37) can be accepted only once.

[0159] In particular, in this embodiment, the advanced performances (advanced performance HEC, advanced performance HEF, advanced performance HEI) in which the operation performance related to the operation performance pattern P3 is executed have a higher expectation of resulting in a hit than the advanced performances (advanced performance HEB, advanced performance HEE, advanced performance HEH) in which the operation performance related to the operation performance pattern P1 is executed. This can further increase the motivation to operate the effect button 37 in the operation effect including the operation effect according to the above-mentioned operation effect pattern P1.

[0160] Next, as shown in FIG. 20, in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P3, the display of the third periodic image sg3 starts simultaneously with the start of the presentation period related to the operation presentation (see timing t31). After that, when the period (valid period) in which the operation of the effect button 37 is valid begins, the display of the button image bg and the first meter image mg1 begins (see timing t33). Note that in this embodiment, the second periodic image sg2 is not displayed in the operation effect related to the operation effect pattern P3. Furthermore, when the valid period ends thereafter, the display of these images (button image bg, third periodic image sg3, and first meter image mg1) ends (see timing t35).

[0161] As described above, in the present embodiment, in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P3, the display start timing of the button image bg and the display start timing of the third periodic image sg3 are different, as in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1. In particular, the display start timing of the third periodic image sg3 is earlier than the display start timing of the button image bg.

[0162] <Regarding whether or not images related to operation and presentation are restored when a momentary power outage occurs> Next, using Figures 21 to 23, we will explain in detail whether each image related to the operation presentation will be restored when a power outage and restoration occurs without performing RAM clear processing, such as a momentary power outage (hereinafter simply referred to as a ``momentary power outage''). FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing whether each image is restored when a momentary power outage occurs during the execution of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1. FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing whether each image is restored when a momentary power outage occurs during the execution of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2. FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing whether each image is restored when a momentary power outage occurs during the execution of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P3.

[0163] As shown in Figure 21, if a momentary power outage occurs while the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 is being executed (particularly when the images displayed in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 are being displayed), the display of these images will end at that point, and none of the images will return to display thereafter. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 22, if a momentary power outage occurs while the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2 is being executed (especially when the images displayed in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2 are being displayed), the display of these images will end at that point, and the display of the second meter image mg2 will not return thereafter, but the display of the button image bg and the first periodic image sg1 will return after a certain time has passed since power was restored following the momentary power outage (see timing t26).

[0164] In this way, in this embodiment, if a momentary power outage occurs during the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, both the display of the button image bg and the display of the first periodic image sg1 will not return, whereas if a momentary power outage occurs during the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, both the display of the button image bg and the display of the first periodic image sg1 will return. This makes it less likely that a momentary power outage will cause discomfort when viewed from the perspective of the entire operation presentation, while also making it easier to recognize that a momentary power outage has occurred in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1. In order to achieve this effect, the timing at which the button image bg returns to being displayed and the timing at which the first periodic image sg1 returns to being displayed do not need to be the same timing, and these timings may be different. Furthermore, although the timing at which these images return is a certain time after the instantaneous power outage, the length of this time is not important, and the length of this time does not need to be constant.

[0165] Therefore, in other words, in the gaming machine 10, if a power outage occurs during the first specific period (the period during which the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1 is executed) without the execution of a RAM clear process, the first display (button image bg) and the second display (first periodic image sg1) will not be restored, and if a power outage occurs during the second specific period (the period during which the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P2 is executed) without the execution of a RAM clear process, both the first display and the second display will be restored after the power outage occurs.

[0166] In particular, in this embodiment, the development effects (development effect HEB, development effect HEE, development effect HEH) in which operation effects related to operation effect pattern P1 are executed have a higher expectation of resulting in a hit than the development effects (development effect HEA, development effect HED, development effect HEG) in which operation effects related to operation effect pattern P2 are executed. This makes it less likely that a momentary power outage will cause a sense of incongruity when viewed from the perspective of the overall operation presentation, while also making it easier for players to recognize that a momentary power outage has occurred in situations where their expectations are higher, making it less likely that players will be confused. In order to achieve this effect, the expected probability of a winning operation for the operation presentation pattern P1 needs to be higher than the expected probability of a winning operation for the operation presentation pattern P2. In other words, the situation may be one in which a winning operation for the operation presentation pattern P1 is confirmed, or one in which a winning operation for the operation presentation pattern P2 is not expected.

[0167] As shown in Figure 23, if a momentary power outage occurs while the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P3 is being executed (particularly when each image displayed in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P3 is being displayed), the display of these images will end at that point, just as if a momentary power outage had occurred while the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 was being executed, and the display of any images will not return thereafter.

[0168] <Support functions related to the effect buttons> Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the relationship between the support function related to the effect button 37 of this embodiment and the operation effect will be described in detail. FIG. 24 is a table summarizing the validity and invalidity of the support functions related to the effect button 37 in each operation effect.

[0169] First, in this embodiment, the support functions related to the effect button 37 include an auto-repeated function and an auto-operation function. Here, the auto-repeated function is a function in which, when the operation (pressed) state of the effect button 37 is maintained (when the effect button 37 is pressed and held down), the operation of the effect button 37 is treated as being performed continuously at regular intervals. The auto operation function is a function that, in a situation where an operation on the effect button 37 is requested (during the valid period for that operation), treats the effect button 37 as having been operated even if the effect button 37 is not operated. In particular, in a situation where an operation on the effect button 37 is requested multiple times, if the auto operation function is enabled, even if the effect button 37 is not operated, it is treated as if the operation on the effect button 37 has been performed continuously at a fixed interval (in this embodiment, the same as the fixed interval for the auto rapid-fire function). In addition, since the automatic operation function operates the effect button 37 regardless of the player's will, whether to enable or disable the function can be selected by game operation (in this embodiment, operation of the cursor button 38). Also, when the automatic operation function is enabled, if the player operates the effect button 37, the operation takes priority.

[0170] 24, in this embodiment, during the valid period of the operation performance related to the operation performance pattern P1, both the auto-repeated function and the auto-operation function are enabled. However, the auto-operation function is only enabled when the function is enabled. During the valid period of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, both the auto-rapid-tap function and the auto-operation function are disabled. During the valid period of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P3, the automatic operation function is enabled.

[0171] In this way, when focusing on the auto-rapid tap function, the auto-rapid tap function is enabled during the valid period of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, while the auto-rapid tap function is disabled during the valid period of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2. In other words, in this embodiment, during the validity period of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, if the state in which the presentation button 37 has been operated is maintained, it is treated as if the presentation button 37 has been operated multiple times, whereas during the validity period of the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, if the state in which the presentation button 37 has been operated is maintained, it is not treated as if the presentation button 37 has been operated multiple times. As described above, the second periodic image sg2 is displayed in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1, whereas the second periodic image sg2 is not displayed in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P2. This allows the player to easily operate the effect button 37 multiple times in situations where the automatic rapid-fire function is provided, and also makes it easier for the player to recognize whether the automatic rapid-fire function is enabled or disabled by whether the second periodic image sg2 is displayed, in situations where multiple operations on the effect button 37 are required. This contributes to reducing the player's fatigue. In order to achieve this effect, if the state in which operation has been performed on the effect button 37 is maintained during the effective period of the operation performance related to the operation performance pattern P1, it is not necessary for the effect button 37 to be treated as having been operated multiple times; it is sufficient that the effect button 37 be treated as having been operated multiple times in some of the cases.

[0172] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, within the specific period (the period during which the operation presentation is executed) there is a second specific period (the period during which the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P2 is executed) which is not accompanied by a predetermined presentation (the second periodic image sg2), and if the operation means (presentation button 37) related to the first display (button image bg) is maintained in an operated state during the first specific period (the period during which the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1 is executed), it can be treated as if the operation of the operation means has been performed multiple times, and in other words, if the operation of the operation means related to the first display is maintained in an operated state during the second specific period, it is not treated as if the operation of the operation means has been performed multiple times.

[0173] With regard to the automatic operation function, the automatic operation function is enabled during the valid period of the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1, while the automatic operation function is disabled during the valid period of the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P2. Therefore, whether the automatic operation function is enabled or disabled can be easily recognized by whether the second periodic image sg2 is displayed or not.

[0174] As described above, in this embodiment, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1, the display start timing of the button image bg is different from the display start timing of the first periodic image sg1. On the other hand, in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, the display start timing of the button image bg is the same as the display start timing of the first periodic image sg1. This makes it easier to recognize whether the auto-repeated-hit function is enabled or not based on the relationship between the display start timing of the button image bg and the display start timing of the first periodic image sg1. Similarly, whether the automatic operation function is enabled or not can be easily recognized based on the relationship between the display start timing of the button image bg and the display start timing of the first periodic image sg1.

[0175] In particular, in the present embodiment, in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1, the display start timing of the first periodic image sg1 comes before the display start timing of the button image bg. According to this, when the auto-rapid-press function is enabled in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1, it is possible to prevent the number of times the presentation button 37 is operated using this function from becoming too small. In addition, when the automatic operation function is enabled, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize that the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 is a presentation that requires multiple operations on presentation button 37.

[0176] <Other variations> Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.

[0177] First, in this embodiment, in the operation presentations related to operation presentation pattern P1, operation presentation pattern P2, and operation presentation pattern P3, images with the same name are treated as the same image, but these images may be different images. In other words, the names of images in the explanation related to this embodiment merely group together images having the same type of function, and do not specify their display mode.

[0178] Furthermore, a first periodic image sg1 is displayed in both the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 and the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2, but the period of the first periodic image sg1 in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P1 may be different from the period of the first periodic image sg1 in the operation presentation related to operation presentation pattern P2. This makes the first periodic image sg1 in the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1 seem novel, thereby enhancing the effect of making it easier to recognize both the above-mentioned first periodic image sg1 and the second periodic image sg2.

[0179] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, a specific period (a period during which the operation presentation is executed) further includes a second specific period (a period during which the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P2 is executed) that does not involve a predetermined presentation (second periodic image sg2), and in other words, the period relating to the second display (first periodic image sg1) corresponding to the first specific period (a period during which the operation presentation related to the operation presentation pattern P1 is executed) is different from the period relating to the second display corresponding to the second specific period.

[0180] Furthermore, the various controls shown in the drawings and the like in the invention according to this embodiment are one means for realizing the above-mentioned inventions, and do not limit the specific control content of each invention. In other words, the above-mentioned inventions merely describe the phenomena, and various methods may be adopted for the control to realize these inventions.

[0181] In addition, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is a so-called one-type two-type hybrid machine that can derive both a big hit and a small hit that can result in a big hit game in determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, but it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to adopt one that can derive only a so-called two-type hit. Furthermore, the special chart change pattern derivation state PB and the special chart change pattern derivation state PC in this embodiment are game states that execute pattern changes related to special chart 2, but these game states may also be game states that execute pattern changes related to normal charts (so-called normal chart RUSH).

[0182] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as long as the relationship between the probability, rate, frequency, and number of times is ensured, the smaller value may be 0, and the larger value may be the maximum value. In particular, as long as the phenomenon aspect is ensured, the control for realizing the rate can be any. Furthermore, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.

[0183] In the above explanation, the restoration state at the time of power recovery is determined by referring to the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power recovery, but it may also be determined by referring to whether the time that the RAM clear switch 43 has been in the ON state since power recovery exceeds a specified time (for example, 3 seconds). In this way, it is possible to further prevent erroneous RAM clear processing from occurring.

[0184] In addition, in the above explanation, the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 (the open / closed state of the middle frame 17) was referenced when determining the recovery state upon power restoration, but the recovery state may be set without reference to this state. In this case, the recovery state upon power restoration may be uniformly set according to the case where the middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON (the middle frame 17 is open).

[0185] The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

[0186] <Additional Notes> The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea. (1) a specific period during which multiple operations on the operating means can be accepted; During the specific period, a first display imitating an operation means and a second display whose display mode can be changed periodically may be displayed, The specific period includes a first specific period accompanied by a predetermined effect in which the effect mode can change periodically, During the first specific period, the cycle in which the presentation mode of the predetermined presentation changes may be different from the cycle in which the display mode of the second display changes, The specific period further includes a second specific period that does not involve the predetermined effect, During the specific period, a specific display may be displayed to indicate the end of a period during which operations on the operating means are valid, During the first specific period, the specific display is made, During the second specific period, the specific display is not made. A gaming machine characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0187] 10 Gaming machines 15 Outer Frame 17 Middle Frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable Decorations 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent materials 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operating handle 32 Upper frame part 33(33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame parts 35(35a, 35b, 35c) Frame Lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Production button 38 Cursor Button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation section 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening and closing cover 46 Game Ball Tank 47 Tank rail 48 Dispensing Unit 49 Dispensing aisle 50 Game Board 50a Gaming area 51 outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54 Protective material 55 Grand Prize Winner 57 First starting point 59 Second starting point 61 Normal electric device 62 Ordinary electric accessory solenoid Gate 63 65 Special Electric Devices 66 Special electric accessory solenoid 67 General Prize Winners 69 Outlet 70 First starting port sensor 71 Second starting port sensor 72 Large prize entrance sensor 73 General prize entry sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame door open sensor 77 Front frame door open sensor 80 Performance display device 81 Main display 82 Sub display 82a Upper sub display 82b Left sub-display 82c Right sub display 90 Pattern display device 91 First special pattern display device 92 Second special pattern display device 93 Ordinary pattern display device 94 1st special pattern reserved lamp 95 2nd special pattern reserved lamp 96 Normal pattern hold lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 I / O ports 105 Random Number Circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entrance determination method 115 Main random number generator 120 Main Hold Control Means 125 Preliminary Judgment Measures 130 Special drawing lottery method 131 Special drawing validity determination means 132 Special stop pattern lottery means 133 Special chart variation pattern derivation means 135 General lottery method 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electrical equipment control means 155 Game status control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main Error Control Measures 170 Main Command Management Method 175 Power restoration processing execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Means for transitioning to playable state 180 Power cut processing execution means 200 1st sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 I / O ports 209 1st sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generator 220 Normal performance control means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Production Route Determination Method 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Predictive performance control means 225 Means for determining production content 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Jackpot performance control means 230 Sub-error Control Measures 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable equipment control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Subcommand Management Method 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Voice control board 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 314 I / O ports 400 Dispensing control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power Control Board 501 Normal power circuit 502 Backup power circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case bg button image sg1 1st periodicity image sg2 2nd periodic image sg3 3rd periodic image mg1 1st meter image mg2 2nd meter image X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims

[Claim 1] a specific period during which multiple operations on the operating means can be accepted; During the specific period, a first display imitating an operation means and a second display whose display mode can be changed periodically may be displayed, The specific period includes a first specific period accompanied by a predetermined effect in which the effect mode can change periodically, During the first specific period, the cycle in which the presentation mode of the predetermined presentation changes may be different from the cycle in which the display mode of the second display changes, The specific period further includes a second specific period that does not involve the predetermined effect, During the specific period, a specific display may be displayed to indicate the end of a period during which operations on the operating means are valid, During the first specific period, the specific display is made, During the second specific period, the specific display is not made. A gaming machine characterized by:

Images