Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of drastically increasing an interest.SOLUTION: A Pachinko machine includes a central winning unit 37 that is opened and closed when game balls shot into a game area enter start winning parts 33a, 33b and a small win is won by a winning / losing lottery based on the entry of game balls. A destination of game balls entering an internal area of the central winning unit 37 is distributed to a winning / losing lottery area or an accessory operation lottery area by a route distribution member 603. Game balls guided to the winning / losing lottery area are used for a winning / losing lottery by a rotor unit 410. A big win state occurs when winning the winning / losing lottery. In the meantime, game balls guided to the accessory operation lottery area are guided to a special gate 650, and an operation assist lottery is held when the entry is detected. When the operation assist lottery is won, a movable accessory becomes in an operation state advantageous to a player for predetermined time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as one type of gaming machine, a pachinko machine is known in which a game is played by shooting a game ball into a game area. For example, a pachinko machine is known that is equipped with a variable ball entry means, and when a game ball that enters the internal area of ​​the variable ball entry means enters a special ball entry means (V winning hole) provided in the internal area, a special game state that is advantageous to the player is generated (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-197312 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] however 、 In conventional gaming machines, but It was easy for the game to become monotonous, and there was a need for greater interest.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine which can dramatically increase entertainment value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present invention comprises: A launching means for launching a game ball; a play area to which the launched game ball is guided; A variable ball entry means having an opening and closing member that can be changed between an open state in which a game ball flowing down the game area can enter an internal area and a closed state in which a game ball flowing down the game area cannot enter the internal area; A special ball entry means through which a game ball that has entered the internal area can enter the ball; A gaming machine including a special game state providing means for providing a special game state advantageous to a player when a predetermined ball is entered into the special ball entry means, The variable ball entry means is configured to allow only a game ball that has passed through a specific area to enter the inner area, This gaming machine is A first opportunity ball entry means for allowing a game ball that has passed through the specific area to enter the game; A second opportunity ball entry means for allowing the game ball that has passed through the specific area to enter the ball; A first route through which the game ball that has passed through the specific area can flow down to the second opportunity ball entry means and cannot flow down to the first opportunity ball entry means; A second route through which the game ball that has passed through the specific area can flow down to the first opportunity ball entry means and cannot flow down to the second opportunity ball entry means; A route allocation means capable of allocating the destination of the game ball to at least the first route or the second route, The game ball entering the internal area of ​​the variable ball entry means is configured to be changed by a variable means capable of changing the value of a game ball that has flowed down a predetermined route to the special ball entry means by changing a state between at least an advantageous state that is advantageous to the player and an unfavorable state that is less advantageous to the player than the advantageous state, The variable means is configured to be able to execute the advantageous state based on the establishment of a predetermined switching condition when a predetermined lottery result is obtained in a predetermined lottery process executed based on the entry of a game ball into the first trigger ball entry means or the second trigger ball entry means; In this gaming machine, The specific area is provided in only one location and allows the game balls to pass through it one at a time; A ball passage capable of guiding the game balls one by one to the specific area is provided at only one location, In the specific area, a restricting means is provided which allows the game ball to pass in a predetermined direction while restricting the game ball from passing in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction; The game balls that have entered the first opportunity ball entry means and the second opportunity ball entry means are configured not to flow down to the special ball entry means thereafter, This gaming machine is a grant determination means for determining the grant of the special game state of one game value when a game ball enters the special ball entry means; In a case where the game ball enters the special ball entry means and the special game state is granted under the advantageous state control by the variable means, the granting of the special game state of the predetermined type that is most advantageous to the player is more likely to be determined than in a case where the game ball enters the non-advantageous state control by the variable means, This gaming machine is At least before the variable means controls the state to the advantageous state. setting Be profit Waiting period for activation To A means for performing a pre-show in of Preparation, The performance means is configured to select the advance performance to be executed corresponding to the operation standby period from among the plurality of advance performances provided when executing the advance performance, The ball passage is configured such that an entrance area is provided at only one location, and only the game ball that has passed through the entrance area can be guided to the specific area; A game ball that does not pass through the entrance area of ​​the ball passage is configured to be unable to pass through the specific area, In a predetermined game state, the variable means is configured to be more likely to enter a specific control state advantageous to a player capable of executing the advantageous state when a game ball that has passed through the specific area flows down the first route and enters the second opportunity ball entry means than when a game ball that has passed through the specific area flows down the second route and enters the first opportunity ball entry means. The gist of the report is as follows. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to dramatically increase interest. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine in one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] An oblique view showing the inner frame and front frame set in an open state. [Figure 4] A front view showing the configuration of the inner frame and game board, etc. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 6] This is an oblique view showing the inner frame, rear pack unit, etc. in an open state. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of various counters used in game control. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing by a main control device. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing normal processing by the main control device. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process. [Figure 13] A flowchart showing the start winning processing. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing the pass / fail determination process. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing a variable time determination process. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing a through gate passing process. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart showing a ball counting process. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing special prize winning processing. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart showing non-special prize-winning processing. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing a special gate passing process. [Figure 21] 13 is a flowchart showing type-based ball scoring processing. [Figure 22] A flowchart showing the V-winning jackpot setting process. [Figure 23] 13 is a flowchart showing a first display control process. [Figure 24] 13 is a flowchart showing a variable display setting process. [Diagram 25]13 is a flowchart showing a discrimination information setting process. [Figure 26] A flowchart showing variable winning device control processing. [Figure 27] 13 is a flowchart showing a termination setting process. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing a blade member opening / closing process. [Figure 29] 13 is a flowchart showing a second display control process. [Diagram 30] 13 is a flowchart showing the start prize section control processing. [Diagram 31] 13 is a flowchart showing a third display control process. [Diagram 32] 13 is a flowchart showing a bypass mechanism control process. [Diagram 33] 13 is a flowchart showing a remaining ball monitoring process. [Diagram 34] 13 is a flowchart showing a reception interrupt process. [Diagram 35] 13 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the dispensing control device. [Diagram 36] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process. [Figure 37] 13 is a flowchart showing a command determination process. [Figure 38] 13 is a flowchart showing normal processing of the sub-control device. [Figure 39] 13 is a flowchart showing a hold information storage process. [Diagram 40] A front view of the central winning unit. [Diagram 41] 6(a) to 6(c) are explanatory views for explaining the operation of the route allocation member. [Diagram 42] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a route allocation member. [Diagram 43] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a rotating body unit. [Diagram 44] 1A is a front view showing the rotating body unit with the movable parts in a stored state, and FIG. 1B is a front view showing the rotating body unit with the movable parts in a protruding state. [Diagram 45] 1A is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the movable parts and their associated configuration in a stored state, and FIG. 1B is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the movable parts and their associated configuration in a protruding state. [Diagram 46] FIG. 11 is a front view for explaining a route allocation member and the like according to another embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional front view for explaining a route allocation area and the like according to another embodiment. [Figure 48] A flowchart showing the start pre-winning processing. [Figure 49] 13 is a flowchart showing a fourth display control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko machine as a gaming machine will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 3, etc., a pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 that constitutes its outer shell, and an inner frame 12 is supported on one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. However, for the sake of convenience, nails and accessories arranged on the game board 30 surface, a glass unit 137 attached to the front frame set 14, etc. are omitted in Fig. 3.

[0010] As shown in Figure 6, etc., the outer frame 11 is configured such that the upper side frame component 11a and the lower side frame component 11b are made of wooden boards, and the left side frame component 11c and the right side frame component 11d are made of extruded aluminum alloy material, and these frame components 11a to 11d are assembled together into a rectangular frame shape as a whole by detachable fasteners such as screws.

[0011] An upper hinge 81 and a lower hinge 82 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the left-side frame component 11c, respectively (see FIG. 1). The upper and lower parts of the inner frame 12 are rotatably supported by the upper hinge 81 and the lower hinge 82, allowing the inner frame 12 to be opened and closed. The inner frame 12 and the like are housed in a space formed inside the outer frame 11.

[0012] Further, the right-side frame component 11d has an extending wall portion 83 formed therein, which protrudes from the vicinity of the rear end portion in the width direction toward the inside of the outer frame 11. The extending wall portion 83 covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to the locking device 600 (see FIG. 6) provided on the rear side of the right side of the inner frame 12 from the rear side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 5).

[0013] 3, a pair of upper and lower receiving portions 84, 85 for receiving a locking member of the locking device 600 is provided on the front side of the extending wall portion 83. A pressing portion 86 for contacting an inner frame opening detection switch 92 (described later) is provided on the lower receiving portion 85 so as to protrude toward the inside of the outer frame 11.

[0014] Furthermore, a resin-made front panel decoration 87 is attached to the lower frame component 11b. An upwardly protruding rib 88 is integrally formed on the inner part of the upper surface of the front panel decoration 87. This makes it difficult for a gap to form between the front panel decoration 87 and the inner frame 12.

[0015] 3, the opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set along the top and bottom on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the inner frame 12 can be opened forward with this opening / closing axis as its axis. The inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base 38 having a rectangular outer shape, and a substantially elliptical window hole 39 is formed in the center of the resin base 38.

[0016] In addition, a front frame set 14 is attached so as to be able to be opened and closed to the front side of the inner frame 12. Like the inner frame 12, the front frame set 14 is designed so as to be able to be opened to the front side around an opening / closing axis set along the top and bottom on the left side as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0017] The front frame set 14 has a rectangular outer shape like the inner frame 12, and covers almost the entire front side of the inner frame 12 when closed. A roughly elliptical window portion 101 is formed in the center of the front frame set 14. This makes it possible to view the game board 30 (play area) attached to the rear surface of the inner frame 12 from the outside through the window portion 101 of the front frame set 14 and the window hole 39 of the inner frame 12. The detailed structure of the game board 30 will be described later.

[0018] 1 and 2, a lower tray 15 is provided as a ball receiving tray at the center of the lower part of the front side of the front frame set 14, and game balls discharged from the discharge port 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. In addition, a ball removal lever 25 for discharging game balls from the lower tray 15 is provided on the front side of the lower tray 15.

[0019] A performance button 125 is provided to the left of the lower tray 15. When the player presses the performance button 125, a predetermined performance is performed or the performance content is changed on the performance display device 42 described later.

[0020] A game ball launch handle (hereinafter simply referred to as the "handle") 18 protruding toward the front is provided to the right of the lower tray 15. The handle 18 is provided with a touch sensor (not shown) and an operation amount detection means (variable resistor) (not shown) for detecting the operation amount of the operation part of the handle 18.

[0021] When the handle 18 is rotated clockwise, a game ball is launched by a launching device 60 serving as a launching means, which will be described later, with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation. The handle 18 is also provided with a launch prohibition button 18a that can be pressed with the thumb of the right hand holding the handle 18. When the launch prohibition button 18a is pressed, the launching of game balls by the launching device 60 is prohibited even if the handle 18 is being held. For this reason, the handle 18 can be rotated while prohibiting the launch of game balls, or the launch of game balls can be temporarily stopped while the handle 18 is being held.

[0022] An upper tray 19 is provided above the lower tray 15. The upper tray 19 is a ball receiving tray that temporarily stores game balls and guides them in a row toward the launching device 60 described below. When the upper tray 19 is full of game balls, the game balls that are paid out are guided to the lower tray 15 via a lower tray connecting passage 71 and a discharge port 16 described below.

[0023] The upper tray 19 is provided with a ball lending button 121 and a return button 122. As a result, when the ball lending button 121 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10 in an amusement hall or the like, lending balls are supplied to the upper tray 19 in response to the operation. On the other hand, the return button 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. However, in pachinko machines in which game balls are directly lent to the upper tray 19 from a ball lending device or the like without going through a card unit, so-called cash machines, the ball lending button 121 and the return button 122 are not necessary.

[0024] Furthermore, the upper tray 19 is provided with a ball removal button 123. When the ball removal button 123 is pressed, a communication hole (not shown) that is provided on the downstream side of the ball guide path of the upper tray 19 and communicates with the lower tray 15 opens, and the game balls stored in the upper tray 19 are guided (dropped) to the lower tray 15. In other words, the player can move the game balls in the upper tray 19 to the lower tray 15 at any time by operating the ball removal button 123.

[0025] In addition, various light emitting means such as lamps are provided around the front of the front frame set 14. These light emitting means are controlled to change their light emission state, such as lighting or blinking, depending on the change in the game state, such as when a jackpot is hit or a certain reach is reached, and serve to enhance the presentation effect during the game.

[0026] For example, a circular illumination section 102 incorporating a light-emitting means such as an LED is provided around the periphery of the window section 101. Error indicator lamps 104 that light up when a specified error occurs are provided on both sides of the circular illumination section 102. Note that above each error indicator lamp 104 on the circular illumination section 102, a number of small through holes are formed to correspond to the speaker SP (see FIG. 3) provided on the rear of the front frame set 14.

[0027] A glass unit 137 is attached to the rear side of the front frame set 14. The glass unit 137 is not a pair of rectangular glass plates attached separately as in the conventional method, but rather has an overall circular shape and is assembled and then attached.

[0028] 3, a ball passage unit 70 is provided on the rear side of the front frame set 14, below the window portion 101. The ball passage unit 70 is equipped with a lower tray connecting passage 71 connecting from the dispensing mechanism unit 352 described later to the discharge outlet 16 of the lower tray 15, and an upper tray connecting passage 73 connecting from the dispensing mechanism unit 352 to the upper tray 19.

[0029] In addition, the ball passage unit 70 is provided with a full detection switch (not shown) that detects game balls located in the lower tray communication passage 71. The presence of the full detection switch makes it possible to know that the lower tray 15 is full of game balls (that the lower tray 15 is full of game balls and game balls are stuck in the lower tray communication passage 71).

[0030] Next, the inner frame 12 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4 etc. A launching device 60 and a launching rail 61 that guides the game ball immediately after it is launched from the launching device 60 are attached to the lower front part of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38), i.e., below the window hole 39 (game board 30). In this embodiment, a solenoid type launching device is used as the launching device 60.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the full-load detection switch detects game balls for a predetermined time, the launching device 60 is prohibited from being shot. On the other hand, when the accumulation of game balls in the lower tray communication passage 71 is eliminated and the full-load detection switch no longer detects game balls (when the full-load detection switch no longer detects game balls for a predetermined time), the launching device 60 is permitted to be shot.

[0032] In addition, a ball feeding device 63 is provided above the launching device 60. The ball feeding device 63 guides the game balls guided from the upper tray 19 to the launching position of the launching device 60 one by one by a driving means such as a solenoid.

[0033] In addition, the symbol 67 in Figures 3 and 4 is a payout passage for guiding the game balls paid out by the payout mechanism 352 described later to the front of the inner frame 12, and is divided into a passage leading to the upper tray connecting passage 73 (upper tray 19) and a passage leading to the lower tray connecting passage 71 (lower tray 15).

[0034] In addition, a shutter 68 is provided below the dispensing passage 67, and when the front frame set 14 is open, the shutter 68 protrudes forward due to the biasing force of a spring or the like, thereby almost closing the exit of the dispensing passage 67.

[0035] On the other hand, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by the rear end of the entrance side of the lower tray communication passage 71. When the front frame set 14 is closed, the entrances (ball inlet portions) of the lower tray communication passage 71 and the upper tray communication passage 73 are adjacent to the payout passage 67 at a predetermined distance apart, allowing game balls to pass through the gap between them. As a result, when the upper tray 19 and the upper tray communication passage 73 are filled with game balls, the game balls to be paid out flow to the lower tray communication passage 71 side and are paid out through the lower tray communication passage 71 to the lower tray 15.

[0036] As described above, the game board 30 is attached to the inner frame 12 (resin base 38) behind the window hole 39. The game board 30 is attached with its peripheral portion abutting the back side of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38). Therefore, the approximate center of the front part of the game board 30, which becomes the play area, is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 39 of the resin base 38.

[0037] Here, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. A rail 50 consisting of an inner rail component 51 and an outer rail component 52 is attached to the game board 30, and guides game balls launched from a launching device 60 to the upper part of the game board 30. The rail 50 may be a ball passage. As a result, the game balls launched in response to the rotation of the handle 18 are guided through the launch rail 61 and the rail 50 into the game area formed between the game board 30 and the glass unit 137.

[0038] A return ball prevention member 53 is attached to the tip portion (upper left in FIG. 4) of the inner rail component 51. This prevents a game ball that has been guided from the rail 50 into the play area from returning back into the rail 50. In addition, a return rubber 54 is attached to approximately the tip portion (upper right in FIG. 4) of the outer rail component 52. A game ball that is launched with a force greater than a predetermined value hits the return rubber 54 and is returned, for example, toward approximately the center of the game board 30.

[0039] In this embodiment, the outer rail component 52 ends at the upper right part of the game board 30, and the inner rail component 51 ends at the lower right part of the game board 30. Therefore, the game area is defined by the rail 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the window hole 39 of the resin base 38. However, since the game ball shot out by the launching device 60 may flow back along the rail 50 until it passes through the return ball prevention member 53 serving as a regulating means, the parallel portion of the inner and outer rail components 51, 52 is excluded from the game area.

[0040] In addition, there is a gap of a predetermined distance between the launch rail 61 provided on the inner frame 12 and the rail 50 (outer rail component 52), and the ball passage unit 70 is formed with a foul ball passage 72 that guides game balls that have fallen through the gap to the lower tray 15. The area in which the return ball prevention member 53 is arranged may be the specific area. If a game ball launched from the launch device 60 does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 and returns up the rail 50 as a foul ball, the foul ball is discharged to the lower tray 15 via the foul ball passage 72.

[0041] In addition, the game board 30 has a general winning section 31, a variable winning device 32, a start winning section 33 as a start winning means (specifically, a first start winning section 33a and a second start winning section 33b) as a start winning means, a through gate 34, a central winning unit 37 as a variable winning means, etc., which are arranged in through holes formed by router processing and attached from the front side of the game board 30.

[0042] Furthermore, the game board 30 is provided with ball entry detection switches (ball entry detection means) corresponding to various ball entry means such as the general winning section 31, for detecting game balls that have entered the various ball entry means.

[0043] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a general winning switch 221 is provided at a position corresponding to the general winning section 31, a count switch 223 is provided at a position corresponding to the variable winning device 32, a first start winning switch 224a is provided at a position corresponding to the first start winning section 33a, a second start winning switch 224b is provided at a position corresponding to the second start winning section 33b, and a through gate switch 225 is provided at a position corresponding to the through gate 34.

[0044] As is well known, when a game ball enters (wins) any of the various winning means such as the general winning section 31, the variable winning device 32, the starting winning section 33, etc., it is detected by various detection switches, and a predetermined number of prize balls (game balls) are paid out to the upper tray 19 or the lower tray 15. For example, when the ball enters the starting winning section 33, three prize balls are paid out, when the ball enters the general winning section 31, five prize balls are paid out, and when the ball enters the variable winning device 32, ten prize balls are paid out.

[0045] Additionally, the game board 30 is provided with an outlet 36, and game balls that do not win in the various winning means such as the general winning section 31 are discharged to the outside of the game area through this outlet 36. Additionally, the game board 30 is provided with a large number of nails for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various components such as windmills are also provided.

[0046] Here, the configuration of the central winning unit 37 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 and FIGS.

[0047] The central winning unit 37 is disposed in the approximate center of the game area (game board 30). The central winning unit 37 includes a housing (center frame) 400 that forms an internal area 401 into which game balls flowing down the game area can enter, and a front panel 402 attached to the front opening of the housing 400. The front panel 402 is made of a transparent material, and the internal area 401 can be seen through the front panel 402.

[0048] A pair of left and right ball entrance openings 403 are formed in the upper part of the housing 400, which serve as entrances through which game balls flowing down the game area enter the internal area 401. The central winning unit 37 is also provided with a pair of left and right blade members 404 for opening and closing the ball entrance opening 403, and a blade solenoid 405 (see FIG. 7) for operating the blade members 404. The "blade members 404" constitute the "opening and closing members" in this embodiment.

[0049] Each blade member 404 is provided so as to be rotatable between a closed position where it closes the corresponding ball entry opening 403, and an open position where it opens it. When the blade member 404 is displaced to the closed position and the ball entry opening 403 is closed, the central winning unit 37 is in a closed state, and the game ball cannot enter (cannot enter) the internal area 401. On the other hand, when the blade member 404 is displaced to the open position and the ball entry opening 403 is opened, the central winning unit 37 is in an open state, and the game ball can enter (can enter) the internal area 401.

[0050] Although the details will be described later, the blade members 404 are opened for a predetermined time when a ball enters the start winning section 33 (the first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b) and a small prize is won in a winning / losing lottery based on the ball. In other words, when a small prize is won in a winning / losing lottery based on a ball entering the start winning section 33 (the first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b), this corresponds to a case where a predetermined start condition (opening trigger) in this embodiment is established. In this embodiment, the pair of left and right blade members 404 are configured to operate in synchronization with each other, so that when one is in the open position, the other is also in the open position, and when one is in the closed position, the other is also in the closed position.

[0051] On the other hand, the internal area 401 is divided into a route allocation area 406 where the game ball that enters through the ball entry opening 403 is first guided, a win / lose lottery area 407 located below the route allocation area 406, a type lottery area 408 located further below the type lottery area, and a device activation lottery area 409 located to the right of the win / lose lottery area 407.

[0052] First, the route allocation area 406 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 40 to 42. The route allocation area 406 includes an introduction passage 601 that guides the game ball that entered the internal area 401 from the ball entrance opening 403 to the back side of the upper rear wall portion 400a of the housing 400 and then guides it to the center of the route allocation area 406 in the left-right direction, a fall passage 602 that drops the game ball led out from the exit portion 601a of the introduction passage 601 that opens in the center of the left-right direction of the route allocation area 406 downward, a route allocation member 603 as a route allocation means provided at the bottom of the fall passage 602, a normal guide passage 604 that is provided at the left position of the route allocation member 603 and can guide the game ball to the win / lose lottery area 407, and a special guide passage (special passage) 605 that is provided at the right position of the route allocation member 603 and can guide the game ball to the accessory operation lottery area 409.

[0053] In this embodiment, the normal guide passage 604 and the like constitute a "first route," and the special guide passage 605 and the like constitute a "second route."

[0054] An internal ball entry detection switch 437 is provided at each of the pair of left and right entrances 601b of the introduction passage 601 as a predetermined detection means for detecting the passage of a gaming ball that has entered through the ball entry opening 403.

[0055] In this embodiment, a game ball that enters the left ball entry opening 403 always passes through the left entrance portion 601b, and a game ball that enters the right ball entry opening 403 always passes through the right entrance portion 601b, so that a game ball that enters the internal area 401 is always detected by either the left or right internal ball entry detection switch 437.

[0056] In addition, in this embodiment, when a gaming ball is detected by the internal ball entry detection switch 437, a predetermined number of prize balls (for example, 10 balls) are paid out.

[0057] As shown in Figure 42, the route allocation member 603 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 611 having an axial hole 611a extending in the front-to-rear direction, a central piece 613 protruding upward from the shaft portion 611, a left piece 614 protruding leftward from the shaft portion 611, and a right piece 615 protruding rightward from the shaft portion 611.

[0058] An axle pin 610 is inserted into the axle hole 611a of the axle portion 611. The axle pin 610 has a rear end supported by the upper rear wall portion 400a that defines the rear side of the fall passage 602, and a front end supported by the front panel 402 (bearing hole 402a) that defines the front side of the fall passage 602. As a result, the route allocation member 603 is supported rotatably around the axle pin 610.

[0059] Moreover, a protrusion 617 having a generally triangular shape in front view is formed at a lower position of the route allocation member 603. Then, under normal circumstances, as shown in Fig. 41(a), the route allocation member 603 is maintained in a rightward inclined state in which the central piece 613 is inclined to the right of the central position in the left-right direction (position of the pivot pin 610) and the right piece 615 is inclined downward from the horizontal direction by a biasing means (maintenance means) such as a weight or a coil spring (not shown), and the central piece 613 is maintained in a rightward inclined state in which the central piece 613 is inclined to the right of the central position in the left-right direction (position of the pivot pin 610) and the right piece 615 is inclined downward from the horizontal direction by a biasing means (maintenance means) such as a weight or a coil spring (not shown).

[0060] In this right-inclined state, the tip 613a of the central piece 613 abuts or is close to the right side wall 602a of the fall passage 602, preventing game balls falling down the fall passage 602 from flowing down into the special guide passage 605 on the right, but allowing them to flow down into the normal guide passage 604 on the left.

[0061] In other words, under normal circumstances when the route distribution member 603 is in a right-inclined state, the special guide passage 605 is closed by the route distribution member 603, while the normal guide passage 604 is open, and the game ball falling down the fall passage 602 is guided along the left side guide surface formed by the left side surface of the central piece 613 and the upper surface of the left piece 614 of the route distribution member 603 to the left-side normal guide passage 604.

[0062] Accordingly, the route allocating member 603 rotates counterclockwise against the biasing force of the biasing means due to the force received from the game ball contacting the left piece 614 (see FIG. 41(b)).

[0063] As a result, for a specified period of time, the route allocation member 603 is in a left-tilt state in which the central piece 613 is tilted to the left of the center position in the left-right direction (the position of the pivot pin 610) and the left piece 614 is tilted downward from the horizontal direction, and is biased against the left inclined surface of the protrusion 617.

[0064] In this left tilted state, the tip 613a of the central piece 613 is in contact with or close to the left side wall 602b of the fall passage 602, so that the game ball falling down the fall passage 602 cannot flow down into the normal guide passage 604 on the left, but can flow down into the special guide passage 605 on the right.

[0065] In other words, during the predetermined time when the route allocating member 603 is in the left inclined state, the normal guide passage 604 is closed by the route allocating member 603, while the special guide passage 605 is opened. As a result, if there is a game ball falling down the falling passage 602 at this timing (for example, as shown in FIG. 41, a second game ball B2 falling continuously after a first game ball B1 guided to the normal guide passage 604), the game ball will be guided to the right special guide passage 605 along the right guide surface formed by the right side surface of the central piece 613 of the route allocating member 603 and the upper surface of the right piece 615.

[0066] Once the route distribution member 603 has been tilted to the left, it rotates clockwise due to the force of the above-mentioned biasing means (if the game ball is guided to the special guide passage 605 on the right side, the force received from the game ball coming into contact with the right piece 615 is also added) and returns to the normal right-inclined state (see Figure 41 (c)).

[0067] In this embodiment, the state in which the route allocating member 603 is in the right inclined position, which is the first position, corresponds to the first state, and the state in which the route allocating member 603 is in the left inclined position, which is the second position, corresponds to the second state. In this embodiment, the states in which the route allocating member 603 can cause game balls to flow down the first route consisting of the normal guide passage 604, etc., the second route consisting of the special guide passage 605, etc., such as the first state and the second state, constitute specific states. Of course, the specific states are not limited to these, and other configurations may be adopted.

[0068] Next, the configuration of the accessory operation lottery area 409 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 40, the accessory operation lottery area 409 is provided with a special gate 650 through which the game ball guided by the special guide passage 605 can enter (pass). The passage width of the special guide passage 605 and the special gate 650 is set to a width that allows game balls to pass through one at a time. In addition, the game ball that passes through the special gate 650 is discharged outside the internal area 401 (to the rear side of the game board 30) through a discharge passage not shown. The "special gate 650" constitutes the "trigger ball entry means" in this embodiment.

[0069] The special gate 650 is provided with a special gate switch 651 that detects a gaming ball passing through the special gate 650. The "special gate switch 651" constitutes the "opportunistic ball entry detection means" in this embodiment.

[0070] When the special gate switch 651 detects a game ball, an operation assist lottery is held to determine whether or not to operate the movable accessory 722 described below. If the operation assist lottery is won, the movable accessory 722 operates for a predetermined period of time. The configuration and operation of the movable accessory 722 will be described in detail later.

[0071] In this embodiment, even if a game ball is detected by the special gate switch 651, no prize balls are paid out (number of prize balls is 0). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a predetermined number of prize balls may be paid out when a game ball is detected by the special gate switch 651.

[0072] Next, the configuration of the winning / losing lottery area 407 will be described in detail. The winning / losing lottery area 407 is provided with a rotating body unit 410 as a winning / losing allocation means. The rotating body unit 410 has a function of allocating the destination of the game ball guided from the route allocation area 406 through the normal guide passage 604 to either the type lottery area 408 or outside the internal area 401. The passage width of the normal guide passage 604 is set to a width that allows the game balls to pass through one at a time.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the rotating body unit 410 includes a unit base 411 serving as a base portion, and a unit cover 412 attached to the unit base 411 so as to cover the upper surface side thereof.

[0074] A roughly disk-shaped rotating body 414 is attached to a mounting stand 413 formed on the upper surface of the unit base 411 and protrudes therefrom, and a rotating body motor 415 is attached to rotate the rotating body 414. Meanwhile, a gear mechanism (not shown) for transmitting the driving force of the rotating body motor 415 to the rotating body 414 is provided on the lower surface of the unit base 411.

[0075] The rotating body 414 is installed so that its upper surface faces obliquely upward toward the front side and its rotation axis is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The rotating body motor 415 is composed of a stepping motor, and is driven and controlled by a pulse signal output from the main control device 261. With this configuration, the rotating body 414 is configured to always rotate in a constant direction (counterclockwise in this embodiment) at a constant cycle.

[0076] The rotating body 414 has three pockets 416 formed around its outer periphery, each capable of receiving one game ball. The three pockets 416 are divided into one special pocket 416a and the other two non-special pockets 416b.

[0077] The non-special pocket portion 416b opens toward the outer periphery and upward of the rotating body 414, and has a bottom wall portion 417. The upper surface of the bottom wall portion 417 is inclined downward toward the outer periphery of the rotating body 414.

[0078] On the other hand, the special pocket 416a is open on the outer periphery, top and bottom of the rotating body 414, and does not have a bottom wall 417 like the non-special pocket 416b. In addition, the periphery of the special pocket 416a is made of a resin material that is colored differently from the other parts. This makes it easier for players to distinguish between the special pocket 416a and the non-special pocket 416b.

[0079] The unit cover 412 includes a substantially cylindrical tube wall portion 431 arranged so as to surround the rotor 414, and a stage portion 432 formed so as to extend from the periphery of the tube wall portion 431 to the outer periphery.

[0080] The upper edge of the cylindrical wall portion 431 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the stage portion 432, and a gate portion 435 that connects the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical wall portion 431 is provided on the front side.

[0081] The upper surface of the stage portion 432 is configured so that the game ball can roll on it. The portion of the stage portion 432 located behind the gate portion 435 is inclined downward toward the front and toward the tube wall portion 431, and the portion located in front of the gate portion 435 is inclined downward toward the rear (toward the gate portion 435).

[0082] As a result, the game ball is guided out from the exit 604a of the normal guide passage 604 which opens into the central rear wall 400b of the housing 400 which defines the rear side of the win / lose lottery area 407, and guided to the rear of the stage portion 432, and while its movement toward the rotating body 414 is restricted by the cylindrical wall portion 431, it rolls clockwise or counterclockwise on the stage portion 432 toward the front, and swings back and forth multiple times in front of the gate portion 435, and then enters the pocket portion 416 when the relative positions of the gate portion 435 and the pocket portion 416 (special pocket portion 416a or non-special pocket portion 416b) of the rotating body 414 match.

[0083] Furthermore, the unit base 411 is provided with a first V winning passage 427 for guiding game balls contained in the special pocket portion 416a of the rotating body 414 to the type lottery area 408, and an out passage 428 for discharging game balls contained in the non-special pocket portion 416b out of the internal area 401.

[0084] The first V winning passage 427 is formed slightly downstream of the gate portion 435 in the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction) of the rotor 414, that is, in a position to the right of the gate portion 435. On the other hand, the out passage 428 is formed further downstream of the first V winning passage 427, that is, in a position to the right of the first V winning passage 427.

[0085] The entrance side of the first V winning passage 427 opens on the upper surface of the installation table 413, and the pocket section 416 of the rotating body 414 can pass above it. The game ball that enters the special pocket section 416a of the rotating body 414 through the gate section 435 falls downward from the special pocket section 416a and enters the first V winning passage 427 when the special pocket section 416a and the entrance section of the first V winning passage 427 coincide with each other as the rotating body 414 rotates. At the position corresponding to the first V winning passage 427, the cylindrical wall section 431 protruding downward from the back surface of the stage section 432 restricts the game ball from falling out from the side of the rotating body 414.

[0086] On the other hand, when a game ball enters the non-special pocket portion 416b of the rotating body 414 through the gate portion 435, even if the positions of the non-special pocket portion 416b and the entrance portion of the first V winning passage 427 coincide with each other as the rotating body 414 rotates, the bottom wall portion 417 provided in the non-special pocket portion 416b prevents the game ball contained in the non-special pocket portion 416b from falling (entering) into the first V winning passage 427.

[0087] Also, at a position corresponding to the out passage 428, a notch 431a is formed in the lower edge of the tube wall 431. As a result, when the rotor 414 further rotates and the position of the non-special pocket 416b in which the game ball is accommodated coincides with the out passage 428, the game ball accommodated in the non-special pocket 416b moves to the outer periphery of the rotor 414 due to the inclination of the bottom wall 417, and falls (enters) into the out passage 428 through the notch 431a of the tube wall 431.

[0088] In addition, a connection passage 429 connected to the outlet of the first V winning passage 427 is formed in the housing 400, and the first V winning passage 427 and the type lottery area 408 are in communication with each other through the connection passage 429.

[0089] In addition, the first V winning passage 427 is provided with a first special winning ball detection switch 461 as a special winning ball detection means for detecting a game ball passing through the first V winning passage 427. When a game ball enters the first V winning passage 427 and is detected by the first special winning ball detection switch 461, the right to generate a big win state (special game state) is granted. Therefore, the "first V winning passage 427" constitutes the "special winning ball means" in this embodiment.

[0090] In the event of a big win occurring when a gaming ball enters the first V winning passage 427, the large prize opening opening / closing member 32a of the variable winning device 32 is switched from a closed state to an open state, and then one opening / closing operation until the large prize opening / closing member 32a is closed is regarded as one special prize state, provided that the specified time of 30 seconds has elapsed or the specified number of eight gaming balls have entered the variable winning device 32, and this is repeated a specified number of times (specified rounds).

[0091] In this embodiment, the types of jackpot states are set to a "3-round jackpot" in which the special prize state (round) is repeated three times, a "7-round jackpot" in which the special prize state (round) is repeated seven times, and a "15-round jackpot" in which the special prize state (round) is repeated 15 times.

[0092] However, as will be described in more detail later, in this embodiment, when a ball is detected by the first special ball entry detection switch 461, the jackpot state is not initiated immediately, but rather the type of jackpot state is determined in the type lottery area 408, and then the jackpot state is initiated.

[0093] As described above, in this embodiment, a game ball that enters the special pocket portion 416a of the rotating body 414 and passes through the first V winning passage 427 is detected by the first special ball entry detection switch 461, and is guided to the type lottery area 408.

[0094] On the other hand, a non-special ball entry detection switch 462 is provided in the out passage 428 to detect a game ball passing through this passage and being discharged outside the internal area 401.

[0095] In addition, in a predetermined circumferential section of the upper edge of the cylindrical wall portion 431, including above the entrance portions of the first V winning passage 427 and the out passage 428, a protrusion portion 440 is provided which extends toward the inner side of the cylindrical wall portion 431.

[0096] The overhanging portion 440 is configured to cover a part of each pocket portion 416 located below it (an area of ​​about half the diameter of the rotating body 414) from above. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which another game ball rides up on the upper side of a game ball that has entered a specific pocket portion 416, and the two game balls that are stacked vertically as they are enter the first V winning passage 427 or the out passage 428 consecutively, or a game ball jumps over the tube wall portion 431 for some reason and directly enters the pocket portion 416 located at a position that coincides with the first V winning passage 427 and the out passage 428.

[0097] 43 to 45, a bypass mechanism 721 is provided at the rear of the rotating body unit 410. The bypass mechanism 721 includes a movable part 722 as a movable body (movable member) assembled in an opening housing 433 formed at the most upstream part of the stage 432, and a movable part solenoid 725 as a movable member driving means for operating the movable part 722. The movable part solenoid 725 is driven and controlled by a main control device 261 constituting a movable body control means.

[0098] The movable accessory 722 is assembled so that it can slide (rise and fall) in the vertical direction. In normal operation when the movable accessory solenoid 725 is in a non-excited state, the movable accessory 722 is almost entirely housed in the opening housing 433, and its upper surface is almost continuous with the upper surface of the stage 432 (see Fig. 44(a) and Fig. 45(a)). Such a housing state of the movable accessory 722 corresponds to the non-favourable state in this embodiment.

[0099] On the other hand, when the solenoid 725 for the movable role is excited and the bypass mechanism 721 is activated, the movable role 722 rises and a part of it projects upward from the upper surface of the stage 432 (see Fig. 44(b) and Fig. 45(b)). Such an operation of the movable role 722 corresponds to a predetermined operation in this embodiment, and the operating state of the movable role 722 corresponds to an advantageous state in this embodiment.

[0100] The upper surface of the movable part 722 is formed with a left inclined portion 727 that slopes gently downward from approximately the center in the left-right direction to the left, and a right inclined portion 728 that slopes gently downward from approximately the center in the left-right direction to the right.

[0101] Then, under normal circumstances when almost the entire movable part 722 is accommodated within the opening accommodation section 433, the game ball guided out from the exit section 604a of the normal guide passage 604 which opens into the central rear wall section 400b of the housing 400 at a position above the movable part 722 is guided to the left or right of the stage section 432 by the left inclined section 727 or the right inclined section 728 on the top surface of the movable part 722.

[0102] 45(a) and (b), a second V winning passage 730 is provided inside the movable accessory 722. The passage width of the second V winning passage 730 is set to a width that allows the game balls to pass through one by one.

[0103] When the movable part 722 is in a protruding state protruding from the stage part 432, the movable part 722 blocks the front of the exit part 604a of the normal guide passage 604, and the entrance part 730a of the second V winning passage 730 and the exit part 604a of the normal guide passage 604 face each other (see Fig. 44(b) and Fig. 45(b)). As a result, the game ball can enter the second V winning passage 730 from the normal guide passage 604, and both passages 604, 730 are in a communicating state.

[0104] In addition, in a protruding state in which the movable role 722 protrudes from the stage portion 432, the outlet portion 730b of the second V winning passage 730 faces the inlet portion 737a of the bypass passage 737 formed on the back side of the middle rear wall portion 400b of the housing 400. This allows the game ball to enter the bypass passage 737 from the second V winning passage 730, and both passages 730, 737 are in a communicating state.

[0105] In other words, when the movable part 722 is in a protruding state beyond the stage portion 432, the normal guide passage 604 and the bypass passage 737 are connected via the second V winning passage 730 so that the game ball can pass through.

[0106] The width of the bypass passage 737 is set to a width that allows the game balls to pass through one by one. The exit portion 737b of the bypass passage 737 is opened in the lower rear wall portion 400c of the housing 400 that defines the back side of the type lottery area 408 at a position above the 15R ball entrance 731. As a result, when the movable role object 722 is in a protruding state protruding from the stage portion 432, the game ball that is normally guided to the guide passage 604 can be guided directly to the 15R ball entrance 731 without passing through the above-mentioned rotating body unit 410 and the type allocation mechanism portion 741 described later. In other words, by operating the movable role object 722, it is possible to avoid allocation by the rotating body unit 410 and the type allocation mechanism portion 741.

[0107] The bypass passage 737 is provided with a second special ball entry detection switch 738 as a special ball entry detection means for detecting a game ball passing through the bypass passage 737. When a game ball enters the bypass passage 737 and is detected by the second special ball entry detection switch 738, the right to generate a big win state (special game state) is granted.

[0108] However, as will be described in more detail later, in this embodiment, when a ball is detected by the second special ball entry detection switch 738, the jackpot state is not initiated immediately, but rather is configured to initiate after the game ball enters the 15R ball entry port 731.

[0109] In addition, when a game ball remains in the second V winning passage 730 and the movable part 722 descends and returns to the stored state, the remaining ball is guided to the bypass passage 737 via the lower passage 739 and is configured to be detected by the second special winning ball detection switch 738.

[0110] In this embodiment, when a game ball is detected by the first special ball entry detection switch 461 or the second special ball entry detection switch 738, 10 game balls are dispensed to the upper tray 19 (or the lower tray 15). Of course, the number of game balls dispensed in response to these ball entry detection switches is not limited to 10, and may be other numbers. Also, the configuration may be such that no game balls are dispensed (number of prize balls: 0) when a game ball is detected by these ball entry detection switches.

[0111] Hereinafter, the above-mentioned "jackpot generated when the gaming ball enters the first V entry passage 427" and "jackpot generated when the gaming ball enters the bypass passage 737 via the second V entry passage 730" may be referred to collectively as the "V entry jackpot".

[0112] Next, the type-based lottery area 408 will be described in detail. The type-based lottery area 408 is provided with a 15R ball entrance 731 that provides a "15 round" jackpot state (15 round jackpot) when a game ball enters the area, a 7R ball entrance 732 that provides a "7 round" jackpot state (7 round jackpot) when a game ball enters the area, and a 3R ball entrance 733 that provides a "3 round" jackpot state (3 round jackpot) when a game ball enters the area. Here, the "15R ball entrance 731", "7R ball entrance 732" and "3R ball entrance 733" constitute the "type-based ball entrance means" in this embodiment.

[0113] In addition, the 15R entrance 731 is provided with a 15R entrance detection switch 734 for detecting a game ball that has entered here. Similarly, the 7R entrance 732 is provided with a 7R entrance detection switch 735 for detecting a game ball that has entered here, and the 3R entrance 733 is provided with a 3R entrance detection switch 736 for detecting a game ball that has entered here.

[0114] The type-based lottery area 408 is provided with a type-based allocation mechanism 741 as a type-based allocation means (type-determination means) that allocates the destination of the game ball led to the type-based lottery area 408 via the first V winning passage 427 and the connecting passage 429 to either the 15R ball entrance 731, the 7R ball entrance 732, or the 3R ball entrance 733.

[0115] The type allocation mechanism 741 includes a starting platform 742 to which game balls derived from the exit 429a of the connecting passage 429 are guided, a first transfer board 744 to which game balls that have passed through the starting platform 742 are guided, a second transfer board 745 to which game balls that have passed through the first transfer board 744 are guided, and a 15R guide passage 746 to which game balls that have passed through the second transfer board 745 are guided and which guides the game balls to the 15R ball entrance 731.

[0116] The starting block 742 is installed in the upper left part of the race type selection area 408, and its upper surface slopes downward toward the right.

[0117] The first crossing board 744 is placed to the right of and slightly below the starting platform 742, with its left end supported so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction, and its right end being the free end.

[0118] The rotation axis of the first cross plate 744 is connected to a swing mechanism (not shown) consisting of a motor or the like on the back side of the lower rear wall portion 400c of the housing 400, and the swing mechanism is driven and controlled by the main control unit 261 so that the first cross plate 744 is swingably displaced up and down.

[0119] Specifically, the first transfer plate 744 is configured so that its upper surface is inclined slightly downward to the right, allowing it to move between a forward position where it guides the game ball to the second transfer plate 745, and a drop position where its upper surface is inclined more downward than that, allowing it to guide the game ball to the 3R ball entrance 733.

[0120] Then, when the game ball guided to the first transfer board 744 via the starting platform 742 rolls to the right end of the first transfer board 744, if the first transfer board 744 is in the above-mentioned forward position, the game ball is guided to the second transfer board 745.

[0121] On the other hand, when the game ball guided to the first transfer plate 744 rolls to the right end of the first transfer plate 744, if the first transfer plate 744 is in the above-mentioned drop position, the game ball is guided to the 3R ball entrance 733.

[0122] In other words, the first transfer board 744 has a function of directing the destination of the game ball guided via the starting block 742 to either the 3R ball entrance 733 or the second transfer board 745.

[0123] The second cross plate 745 is installed to the right of and slightly below the first cross plate 744, with its left end supported so as to be rotatable about its axis in the front-to-rear direction, and its right end being the free end.

[0124] The rotation axis of the second cross plate 745 is connected to a swing mechanism (not shown) consisting of a motor or the like on the back side of the lower rear wall portion 400c of the housing 400, and the swing mechanism is driven and controlled by the main control device 261 so that the second cross plate 745 swings up and down.

[0125] Specifically, the second crossing board 745 is configured so that its upper surface is inclined slightly downward to the right, allowing it to move between a forward position where it guides the game ball to the 15R guide passage 746, and a drop position where its upper surface is inclined more downward than that, allowing it to guide the game ball to the 7R ball entrance 732.

[0126] Then, when the game ball guided to the second transfer plate 745 rolls to the right end of the second transfer plate 745, if the second transfer plate 745 is in the above-mentioned forward position, the game ball is guided to the 15R guide passage 746.

[0127] On the other hand, when the game ball guided to the second transfer plate 745 rolls to the right end of the second transfer plate 745, if the second transfer plate 745 is in the above-mentioned drop position, the game ball is guided to the 7R ball entrance 732.

[0128] In other words, the second transfer board 745 has a function of distributing the destination of the game ball guided through the first transfer board 744 to either the 7R ball entrance 732 or the 15R guide passage 746.

[0129] The 15R guide passage 746 is located to the right of and slightly below the second crossing board 745, and its upper surface is inclined downward toward the 15R entrance 731 on the right.

[0130] In this embodiment, the first transfer plate 744 and the second transfer plate 745 are configured to oscillate at different cycles. For example, the first transfer plate 744 is configured to oscillate slightly faster than the second transfer plate 745.

[0131] In this embodiment, after the first special ball entry detection switch 461 detects a ball entry, if the 15R ball entry detection switch 734, the 7R ball entry detection switch 735, or the 3R ball entry detection switch 736 detects a ball entry, a corresponding type of jackpot state is started. Also, after the second special ball entry detection switch 738 detects a ball entry, if the 15R ball entry detection switch 734 detects a ball entry, a jackpot state corresponding to a 15-round jackpot is started.

[0132] Returning now to the description of the game board 30, as shown in Fig. 4, the first start winning section 33a is provided on the lower left and lower right of the central winning unit 37. The second start winning section 33b is provided directly below the central winning unit 37.

[0133] Furthermore, the second start winning section 33b is provided with a pair of opening and closing members 33c that can be opened and closed on both sides. In this embodiment, when the opening and closing members 33c are in a closed state, the game ball cannot enter the second start winning section 33b.

[0134] In other words, while the first start winning section 33a is always capable of receiving a game ball, the second start winning section 33b is capable of receiving a game ball only when the game ball passes through the through gate 34 and a winning ball entry assist lottery is won, at which point the start opening opening / closing member 33c opens, allowing the game ball to enter the second start winning section 33b.

[0135] Without being limited to this, when the start opening / closing member 33c is in a closed state, it becomes difficult for the game ball to enter the second start winning section 33b, and when the ball entry assist lottery is won, the start opening / closing member 33c is in an open state, making it easier for the game ball to enter the second start winning section 33b.

[0136] As described above, the first start winning section 33a is provided with a first start winning switch 224a that detects a game ball that has entered there. Similarly, the second start winning section 33b is provided with a second start winning switch 224b that detects a game ball that has entered there. Each of the start winning switches 224a and 224b constitutes a "start winning ball detection means" in this embodiment.

[0137] Then, as will be described in more detail later, when a game ball is detected by the first start winning switch 224a or the second start winning switch 224b, a lottery is held to determine whether the ball will be a "win" that is advantageous to the player, or a "miss."

[0138] There are two types of "win" in the win / lose lottery: a "small win" in which the blade member 404 of the central winning unit 37 is opened, and a "big win" in which the large winning opening opening member 32a of the variable winning device 32 is opened.

[0139] In addition, when a win / lose lottery is conducted based on the detection of a ball entering the jackpot by the first start winning switch 224a or the second start winning switch 224b, a variable display and a stationary display are displayed on the special display device 43 described later to inform the user of the result of the win / lose lottery.

[0140] In this embodiment, when the first start winning switch 224a detects a winning ball and when the second start winning switch 224b detects a winning ball, a common winning lottery is performed and a variable display is displayed on the common special display device 43. However, a first special display device that displays a variable display to inform the result of the winning lottery performed based on the detection by the first start winning switch 224a and a second special display device that displays a variable display to inform the result of the winning lottery performed based on the detection by the second start winning switch 224b may be provided separately. The first start winning switch 224a or the second start winning switch 224b may be the first or second trigger winning ball detection means. Furthermore, when such a configuration is adopted, each variable display may be reserved and stored separately, and the corresponding variable display may be consumed in the order in which they are stored or in such a way that one has priority over the other. In addition, when such a configuration is adopted, the allocation ratio of the types of jackpot states granted in the event of winning the lottery may be made different or the same.

[0141] In the game area on both the left and right sides of the central winning unit 37, a flow-down area is formed through which the game balls can flow down. The through gates 34 are arranged in the flow-down areas on both the left and right sides of the central winning unit 37, and are configured so that the game balls flowing down can pass through them one by one. The flow-down area on the right side of the central winning unit 37 may be a first flow-down route that is a first route, and the flow-down area on the left side may be a second flow-down route that is a second route. In addition, the through gate 34 is provided with a through gate switch 225 that detects the game ball passing through the through gate 34. When the through gate switch 225 detects the game ball, a ball entry assist lottery is held to determine whether or not the second start winning section 33b (start opening opening member 33c) is opened. When the ball entry assist lottery is won, the second start winning section 33b (start opening opening member 33c) is opened for a specified time.

[0142] At the upper right part of the game board 30, there are provided a through gate display device (normal pattern display device) 41 which displays the lottery results of the entry assist lottery based on the entry (ball passing) into the through gate 34, a special display device (special pattern display device) 43 which displays the lottery results of the win / lose lottery based on the entry of the ball into each of the start winning sections 33a, 33b, and a special gate display device 44 which displays the lottery results of the operation assist lottery based on the entry (ball passing) into the special gate 650. The "special gate display device 44" constitutes the "display means" in this embodiment.

[0143] In this embodiment, the display device 41 for the through gate is composed of two lamps, the special display device 43 constituting the first display means is composed of eight lamps, and the display device 44 for the special gate is composed of two lamps.

[0144] The configuration of these display devices 41, 43, and 44 is not particularly limited to the above configuration, and may be configured, for example, with a different number of lamp groups, or may be configured with different display devices such as a seven-segment display device, a dot display device, or a liquid crystal display device.

[0145] In addition, in the special display device 43, when a game ball enters the start winning section 33 (the first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b), a variable display (switching display) is started to inform the result of the winning / losing lottery, and when the variable display is stopped after a predetermined time, a mode corresponding to the result of the winning / losing lottery is displayed. The first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b may be the first or second opportunity ball entry means. Furthermore, the display contents of the special display device 43 are directly controlled by the main control device 261 described later, and the result of the winning / losing lottery is definitively displayed.

[0146] If a jackpot is won in this lottery, the large prize opening opening / closing member 32a of the variable prize device 32 is switched from a closed state to an open state, and then one opening / closing operation until the large prize opening / closing member 32a is closed is considered to be one special prize state, which is determined by the passage of the specified time of 30 seconds or the entry of the specified number of eight game balls into the variable prize device 32, and this operation is repeated 15 times (15 rounds), and a jackpot (hereinafter referred to as a ``direct hit jackpot'') is awarded.

[0147] As described above, in this embodiment, a jackpot state (V entry jackpot) occurs not only when a "jackpot" is won in a win / lose lottery based on the ball entering the start entry section 33 (first start entry section 33a or second start entry section 33b), but also when the game ball enters the first V entry passage 427 through the special pocket section 416a of the rotating body 414 and the game ball is detected by the first special ball entry detection switch 461, or when the game ball enters the bypass passage 737 through the movable role 722 (second V entry passage 730) and the game ball is detected by the second special ball entry detection switch 738.

[0148] In addition, when a new game ball enters the start winning section 33 (the first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b) during the variable display of the special display device 43, the variable display of that part is configured to be performed after the variable display being performed at that time ends. In other words, the variable display of the special display device 43 is put on hold (on hold). The maximum number of variable displays that are put on hold is determined for each type of pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, a total of four variable displays are put on hold in response to the game balls that have entered the first start winning section 33a and the second start winning section 33b.

[0149] The number of reserved times of the variable display of the special display device 43 is displayed by lighting a special display device reserved lamp 47 provided near the special display device 43. The special display device reserved lamp 47 of this embodiment is composed of four lamps, and the number of reserved times is indicated by appropriately switching the on / off state of each lamp.

[0150] In addition, when a new game ball enters the start winning section 33 during a big win or a small win, the corresponding variable display is also reserved, and the variable display is executed after the big win state or the small win state ends.

[0151] In the through gate display device 41, when the game ball passes through the through gate 34, a variable display (switching display) for displaying the lottery result of the entry ball assist lottery is started, and when the variable display is stopped after a predetermined time, a mode corresponding to the result of the entry ball assist lottery is displayed. If the lottery result of the entry ball assist lottery is a winning result corresponding to the opening of the start opening opening member 33c, the specified stop result is displayed on the through gate display device 41, the variable display is stopped, and then the start opening opening member 33c is opened. In addition, the display content of the through gate display device 41 is directly controlled by the main control device 261 described later, and the result of the entry ball assist lottery is definitively displayed.

[0152] In addition, when a new game ball passes through the through gate 34 during the variable display of the through gate display device 41, the variable display of that portion is configured to be performed after the variable display being performed at that time ends. In other words, the variable display of the through gate display device 41 is put on hold (reserved). The maximum number of reserved variable displays is determined for each type of pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, up to four are reserved, and the number of reserved times is displayed by lighting the through gate reservation lamp 48 provided near the through gate display device 41. The through gate reservation lamp 48 of this embodiment is composed of four lamps, and the number of reserved times is taught by appropriately switching the lighting / exiting state of each lamp.

[0153] In the special gate display device 44, when the game ball passes through the special gate 650, a variable display (switching display) for displaying the lottery result of the operation assist lottery is started, and when the variable display is stopped after a predetermined time, a mode corresponding to the result of the operation assist lottery is displayed. If the lottery result of the operation assist lottery is a winning result for operating the movable role object 722, the movable role object 722 is operated after a predetermined stop result is displayed on the special gate display device 44 and the variable display is stopped. In addition, the display contents of the special gate display device 44 are directly controlled by the main control device 261 described later, and the result of the operation assist lottery is definitively displayed.

[0154] As will be described in more detail later, in this embodiment, even if a new game ball passes through the special gate 650 and is detected by the special gate switch 651 while the special gate display device 44 is displaying a change or while the movable device 722 is operating, the change in display (the result of the operation assist lottery) for that part is not withheld.

[0155] In addition, a performance display device 42 is provided above the central winning unit 37. The performance display device 42 is configured with a liquid crystal display device, and the display contents are controlled by a sub-control device 262 and a display control device 45, which will be described later. In the performance display device 42, auxiliary display contents are determined by the sub-control device 262 based on commands from the main control device 261 so as to correspond to the variable display and lottery results displayed on the special display device 43, and the contents are displayed by the display control device 45, which will be described later.

[0156] The variable winning device 32 is disposed at the center of the lower part of the game area (game board 30). The variable winning device 32 is normally in a closed state in which the game ball cannot win, and when a big win occurs, the big winning opening opening member 32a is opened, and the variable winning device 32 is in an open state in which the game ball can win the big winning opening.

[0157] Next, the rear structure of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Figures 5, 6, etc. On the rear of the pachinko machine 10, various control boards are arranged vertically and horizontally, with some parts overlapping front to back, and further, a game ball supply device (payout mechanism) that supplies game balls, a resin protective cover, etc. are attached. The payout mechanism and protective cover are integrated into one unit, and since the resin part is generally sometimes called the back pack, this unit will be referred to as the "back pack unit 203" here.

[0158] First, the rear structure of the game board 30 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, a resin frame cover 213 that covers the central winning unit 37 from behind is provided on the rear of the game board 30 and protrudes rearward. In addition, a display control device 45 and a sub-control device 262 are detachably attached to the rear side of the frame cover 213.

[0159] The display control device 45 is housed in a board box 45a and fixed to the rear side of the frame cover 213. The sub-control device 262 is housed in a board box 262a and fixed to the rear side of the display control device 45 (board box 45a). The board boxes 45a and 262a are made of a transparent resin material or the like, and the insides are visible.

[0160] Below the frame cover 213, a back frame set 215 is attached to the game board 30 so as to cover the general winning section 31, the variable winning device 32, the starting winning section 33, etc. from behind. The back frame set 215 is equipped with a ball recovery mechanism (not shown) for recovering game balls that have won in various winning means. The game balls recovered by this ball recovery mechanism are guided to a discharge passage section 217 (described later) and discharged from a discharge chute of the discharge passage section 217 to the outside of the pachinko machine 10.

[0161] In this embodiment, the back frame set 215 also functions as a mounting base for the main control device 261. More specifically, the board box 263 on which the main control device 261 is mounted is rotatably supported by the back frame set 215 and can be opened toward the rear.

[0162] The main control device 261 is housed in a board box 263 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box 263 comprises a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected by a sealing member. The board box 263 connected by the sealing member is configured so that it cannot be opened unless a predetermined trace is left behind. This makes it easy to discover whether the board box 263 has been tampered with.

[0163] Furthermore, the back frame set 215 is provided with a first board relay board (not shown) that is electrically connected via cable connectors to the general winning switch 221, the count switch 223, and the through gate switch 225. This first board relay board relays between the general winning switch 221 and the main control device 261, and is electrically connected to the main control device 261 via a cable connector.

[0164] In addition, the back frame set 215 is provided with a second board relay board (not shown) that is electrically connected to various switches provided in the central winning unit 37 via cable connectors. Specifically, the second board relay board is electrically connected to the internal ball entry detection switch 437, the first special ball entry detection switch 461, the non-special ball entry detection switch 462, the round ball entry detection switch (15R ball entry detection switch 734, 7R ball entry detection switch 735, 3R ball entry detection switch 736), the second special ball entry detection switch 738, and the special gate switch 651. This second board relay board relays various switches provided in the central winning unit 37 and the main control device 261, and is electrically connected to the main control device 261 via a cable connector, similar to the first board relay board.

[0165] In contrast, start winning switches 224a, 224b, which detect balls entering start winning sections 33a, 33b, are connected directly to main control device 261 via a connector cable without going through a relay board.

[0166] With the above configuration, the detection results detected by the various ball entry detection switches are input to the main control device 261. Then, the main control device 261 transmits a payout command (number of game balls to be paid out) according to the winning situation at each time to the payout control device 311, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out based on the output signal from the payout control device 311 (except when detected by the through gate switch 225, the non-special ball entry detection switch 462, the round ball entry detection switches 734, 735, 736, and the special gate switch 651).

[0167] In addition, although not shown, a solenoid for a large prize opening that drives the large prize opening opening member 32a to open and close in the variable prize winning device 32 is provided on the back surface of the game board 30, and a solenoid for a start opening that drives the pair of start opening opening members 33c to open and close in the second start prize winning section 33b is provided on the back frame set 215. In addition, a third board relay board (not shown) that relays these solenoids and the main control device 261 is also provided on the back frame set 215.

[0168] Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, the back pack unit 203 is an integrated unit of a resin-molded back pack 351 and a payout mechanism 352 for game balls. The back pack unit 203 is supported so as to be openable and closable on the left side (right side in Fig. 5) of the inner frame 12, and can be opened backwards around an opening / closing axis extending in the vertical direction. In addition, an external terminal board 240 is provided on the upper left part (upper right part in Fig. 5) of the back pack unit 203.

[0169] The external terminal board 240 is provided with a plurality of external connection terminals for relaying various information transmissions to the hall computer of the gaming hall, etc. For convenience, no reference numerals are attached, but for example, a terminal for outputting information regarding the current gaming state (jackpot state, time-saving mode, etc.), a terminal for outputting information regarding the opening of the front frame set 14 and the inner frame 12 detected by the opening detection switches 91, 92 described later, a terminal for outputting information regarding various error states such as ball entry error, lower tray full error, tank ball no error, and payout error, and a terminal for outputting information regarding the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control device 311 are provided.

[0170] The back pack 351 is integrally molded from, for example, ABS resin, and includes a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 354 has a shape in which the left and right sides and the top are closed and only the bottom is open, and is large enough to cover at least the frame cover 213. However, in this embodiment, the protective cover portion 354 is configured to also cover the upper and right parts (the left part in FIG. 5) of the board box 263. As a result, when the back pack unit 203 is in the closed state, the sealing member provided on the right part of the board box 263 and the terminal part (board side connector) provided along the upper edge part of the main control device 261 are covered.

[0171] The payout mechanism 352 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover 354. That is, above the protective cover 354, a tank 355 is provided with an opening on the upper side, and the tank 355 is successively replenished with game balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall. Below the tank 355, a tank rail 356 having, for example, two horizontal rows of ball passages and gently inclining toward the downstream side is connected, and further, a case rail 357 is connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 356. The payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 357, and a required number of game balls are appropriately paid out by a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor. The game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are then supplied to the upper tray 19, etc.

[0172] In addition, the dispensing mechanism 352 is provided with a dispensing relay board 381 that relays a dispensing command signal from the dispensing control device 311 to the dispensing device 358, and a power switch board 382 that takes in a main power source from the outside. The power switch board 382 is supplied with a main power source of, for example, 24V AC via a voltage converter, and the power is turned on or off by switching the power switch 382a.

[0173] Below the rear pack unit 203 (base box 263), a lower frame set 251 is provided which is pivotally supported on the left side (right side in FIG. 5) of the inner frame 12 and can be opened backward. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower frame set 251 is formed with a discharge passage section 217 into which the game balls collected by the ball collection mechanism described above flow, and at the most downstream portion of the discharge passage section 217, a discharge chute (not shown) is formed which discharges the game balls to the outside of the pachinko machine 10.

[0174] That is, the game balls that have won in each winning means such as the general winning section 31 are collected via the ball collection mechanism of the back frame set 215, and are further discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute of the discharge passage section 217. The outlet 36 also leads to the discharge passage section 217, and game balls that have not won in any of the winning means are also discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute.

[0175] In this embodiment, the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 are configured as separate entities and can be opened and closed independently, but the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 may also be formed integrally.

[0176] Also, as shown in Figure 5, the payout control device 311, the launch control device 312, the power supply device 313 and the card unit connection board 314 are stacked in front and behind and removably attached to the rear side of the lower frame set 251.

[0177] The launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313 are housed in a board box 313a and fixed to the rear side of the lower frame set 251. For convenience, the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313 are described as independent control devices, but in reality they are composed of a single board (printed board).

[0178] The dispensing control device 311 is housed in a board box 311a and fixed to the back side of the board box 313a (the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313). The board box 311a housing the dispensing control device 311 is provided with a sealing member, similar to the board box 263 housing the main control device 261 described above, so that traces of the board box 311a being opened remain.

[0179] In addition, the card unit connection board 314 is housed in a board box 314a and fixed to the rear side of the board box 313a (the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313).

[0180] The board boxes 311a, 313a, and 314a are made of a transparent resin material or the like, so that the insides of the boxes can be seen.

[0181] In addition, the dispensing control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321 that protrudes outward from the base box 311a. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed in the event of a dispensing error, such as a ball jam in the dispensing motor, the dispensing motor is rotated forward and backward to eliminate the ball jam (return to the normal state).

[0182] Furthermore, the power supply 313 is provided with a RAM erase switch 323 that protrudes outward from the board box 313a. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, and in the unlikely event of a power outage, the state at the time of the power outage is retained, and when the power is restored (power is restored), the state before the power outage is restored. Therefore, when the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, when the game hall closes), the state before the power outage is stored and retained, so if you want to return to the initial state when turning the power on, turn the power on while pressing the RAM erase switch 323.

[0183] Also, as shown in Figure 6, a locking device 600 is provided on the rear side of the right side of the inner frame 12. The locking device 600 is equipped with a cylinder lock 600a (see Figure 1, etc.) exposed on the front side of the front frame set 14, and the inner frame 12 can be unlocked by inserting a key into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 600a and rotating it in one direction, and the front frame set 14 can be unlocked by rotating it in the other direction. In this embodiment, the inner frame 12 is locked to the outer frame 11, and the front frame set 14 is locked to the inner frame 12.

[0184] As described above, the right frame component 11d of the outer frame 11 has an extended wall portion 83 formed thereon that covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to the locking device 600 from the rear side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 5). This makes it difficult to insert a wire or the like from the rear side of the outer frame 11 and operate the locking device 600 with the wire or the like. As a result, it is possible to improve defensive performance. Furthermore, the extended wall portion 83 is configured to cover the right end portion (the left end portion in FIG. 5) of the rear pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 from the rear side, and when the inner frame 12 is in the closed state, the rear pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 cannot be opened.

[0185] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a front frame open detection switch 91 for detecting the opening of the front frame set 14 is provided on the lower right side of the front side of the inner frame 12 (to the right of the launching device 60), and as shown in FIG. 5, an inner frame open detection switch 92 for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is provided on the lower right side of the back side of the inner frame 12 (lower left in FIG. 5). The front frame open detection switch 91 and the inner frame open detection switch 92 each have a detection unit that can be recessed into the switch main body, and the front frame open detection switch 91 is provided so that the detection unit faces forward, and the inner frame open detection switch 92 is provided so that the detection unit faces backward. When the detection unit is in a state where it protrudes from the switch main body, it outputs an ON signal to the main control device 261, and when the detection unit is pressed toward the switch main body and recessed into the switch main body, it outputs an OFF signal to the main control device 261. In other words, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the detection portion of the front frame open detection switch 91 is pressed by the back surface of the front frame set 14, turning it to the OFF state, and when the front frame set 14 is opened, the detection portion returns to the protruding state and turns it to the ON state. Similarly, when the inner frame 12 is closed, the detection portion of the inner frame open detection switch 92 is pressed by the pressing portion 86 integrally formed with the receiving portion 85 of the outer frame 11, turning it to the OFF state, and when the inner frame 12 is opened, the detection portion returns to the protruding state and turns it to the ON state.

[0186] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the present pachinko machine 10. The main control device 261 (main board) is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is a calculation device. The main control device 261 constitutes the special game state granting means, the opening and closing control means, etc. in this embodiment.

[0187] CPU 501 incorporates ROM 502 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by CPU 501, RAM 503 that is a memory that temporarily stores various data when executing the control programs stored in ROM 502, and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. However, the CPU, ROM, and RAM do not have to be integrated into a single chip, and each function may be integrated into a chip.

[0188] The RAM 503 includes a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 501 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the CPU 501 are stored, a working area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored, and a backup area 503a.

[0189] In addition, the RAM 503 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply unit 313, and all data stored in the stack area, working area, and backup area 503a is backed up.

[0190] The backup area 503a is an area for storing values ​​of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc. at the time of power off (including the time of power off, same below) so that the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power off when the power is turned on again in the case where the power is turned off due to the occurrence of a power outage or the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is executed by the main processing when the power is turned off, and conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 503a is executed by the main processing when the power is turned on (including the power on when the power is turned on due to the recovery of the power outage, same below). Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 is configured to receive a power outage signal SK1 output from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 described later when the power is turned off due to the occurrence of a power outage or the like, and when a power outage occurs, a power outage process (NMI interrupt process) is immediately executed.

[0191] Note that as long as data stored in at least the stack area and the backup area 503a is backed up, it is not necessary to back up data stored in all areas. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which data stored in the stack area and the backup area 503a is backed up, and data stored in the work area is not backed up.

[0192] An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating the ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 consisting of an address bus, a data bus, etc. The input / output port 505 is connected to a RAM erase switch circuit 543, payout control device 311, sub-control device 262, through gate display device 41, special display device 43, special gate display device 44, etc., which will be described later. With this configuration, the through gate display device 41, special display device 43, and special gate display device 44 described above are directly controlled by the main control device 261. On the other hand, the performance display device 42 is controlled via the sub-control device 262.

[0193] In addition, for convenience, various relay boards, etc. are not shown in the illustration, but the input / output port 505 is connected to various detection switches that can constitute specified detection means, such as the general winning switch 221, count switch 223, start winning switches 224a, 224b, through gate switch 225, internal ball winning detection switch 437, special ball winning detection switches 461, 738, non-special ball winning detection switch 462, round ball winning detection switches 734, 735, 736, and special gate switch 651, as well as various electrical components such as various boards, a blade solenoid 405 that opens and closes the blade member 404, a rotor motor 415 that rotates the rotor 414, a movable part solenoid 725 that moves the movable part 722 up and down, and a motor that swings the first cross plate 744 and the second cross plate 745. That is, main control device 261 is provided with a plurality of terminal sections (board side connectors) for connecting connectors of various cable connectors, and input / output port 505 is configured by these terminal sections and the like.

[0194] The sub-control device 262 (sub-control board) as a sub-control means includes a CPU 551 which is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 552 which stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 551, a RAM 553 which is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 552, an input / output port 554, a bus line 555, and also includes various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit (not shown). The RAM 553 is a memory for temporarily storing work data and flags used when the CPU 551 executes various programs.

[0195] The input / output port 554 is connected to the CPU 551, the ROM 552, and the RAM 553 via the bus line 555, and is also connected to the display control device 45. Furthermore, the input / output port 554 is connected to the speaker SP, the performance button 125, and various illumination units and lamps 102 and 104.

[0196] The CPU 551 of the sub-control device 262 causes the display control device 45 to execute display control based on, for example, a command signal (for example, a performance pattern command such as a variation pattern command) transmitted from the main control device 261, and causes the performance display device 42 to display. As described above, in this embodiment, the special display device 43 controlled by the main control device 261 displays whether or not there is a win, and the performance display device 42 controlled by the sub-control device 262 displays a display that matches the display of the special display device 43.

[0197] The payout control device 311 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 358. The CPU 511, which is a calculation device, includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory, etc.

[0198] The RAM 513 of the dispensing control device 311, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 511 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the CPU 511 are stored, a working area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored, and a backup area 513a.

[0199] The RAM 513 is configured to be able to retain (back up) data by receiving backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and all data stored in the stack area, work area, and backup area 513a is backed up. Note that as long as data stored in at least the stack area and backup area 513a is backed up, it is not necessary to back up data stored in all areas. For example, the data stored in the stack area and backup area 513a may be backed up, and data stored in the work area may not be backed up.

[0200] The backup area 513a is an area for storing values ​​of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc., at the time of power off in order to restore the state of the pachinko machine 10 to the state before the power off when the power is turned on again in the case where the power is turned off due to the occurrence of a power outage or the like. Writing to this backup area 513a is executed by the main processing when the power is turned off, and the restoration of each value written in the backup area 513a is executed by the main processing when the power is turned on. Note that, like the CPU 501 of the main control device 261, the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 is configured to receive a power outage signal SK1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SK1 is input to the CPU 511, an NMI interrupt processing as a power outage processing is immediately executed.

[0201] The working area is provided with a payout permission flag that sets permission for the payout control device 311 to pay out winning balls, a command reception flag that is set when a command sent from the main control device 261 is received, and a command buffer in which commands sent from the main control device 261 are stored.

[0202] The payout permission flag is a flag that sets the payout permission of prize balls, and is turned on when a specific command that permits the payout of prize balls is transmitted from the main control device 261 and the specific command is received, and is turned off when the initial setting process or the state before the power supply is cut off is restored. In this embodiment, the specific commands are a payout initialization command that instructs the initial process of the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311, a prize ball command that instructs the payout of prize balls, and a payout return command that is transmitted when the main control device 261 is powered back on.

[0203] The command reception flag is a flag that checks whether the dispensing control device 311 has received a command, and is turned on when any command is received. Like the dispensing permission flag, it is turned off when the initial setting process is performed or the state is returned to before the power was cut off, and is also turned off when the received command is judged by the command judgment process.

[0204] The command buffer is configured as a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands sent from the main control device 261. The ring buffer has a specified storage area, and commands are stored with regularity from the beginning to the end of the storage area, and when commands have been stored in all of the storage area, the command is updated by returning to the beginning of the storage area. Therefore, when a command is stored or read, the storage pointer and read pointer in the command buffer are updated, and commands are stored and read based on the respective pointers.

[0205] An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 incorporating the ROM 512 and RAM 513 via a bus line 514 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 515 is connected to a RAM erase switch circuit 543, a main control device 261, a launch control device 312, a payout device 358, etc.

[0206] The card unit connection board 314 is electrically connected to the ball lending operation section (ball lending button 121 and return button 122) on the front of the pachinko machine 10 and to a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10 in a game hall or the like, and receives ball lending operation commands from the player and outputs them to the card unit. Note that in a cash machine in which game balls are directly lent from a ball lending device or the like to the upper tray 19 without going through the card unit, the card unit connection board 314 can be omitted.

[0207] The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of game balls by the launch device 60, and the launch device 60 is permitted to operate when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, the launch device 60 is operated under the conditions that a launch permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, a sensor signal detects that the player is touching the handle 18, and the launch prohibition button 18a (see FIG. 1) for stopping the launch is not operated, and game balls are launched at predetermined intervals with a strength according to the amount of operation of the handle 18. In this embodiment, the device is configured to be able to launch at intervals of about 0.6 seconds (about 100 balls per minute).

[0208] The display control device 45 executes the variable display of the decorative pattern on the performance display device 42 according to the instruction from the sub-control device 262. This display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a program ROM 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, a video display processor (VDP) 526, an input port 527, an output port 529, and bus lines 530 and 531. The input port 527 is connected to an input / output port 554 of the sub-control device 262. The input port 527 is also connected to the CPU 521, the program ROM 522, the work RAM 523, and the VDP 526 via the bus line 530. The VDP 526 is also connected to an output port 529 via the bus line 531, and the performance display device 42, which is a liquid crystal display device, is connected to the output port 529.

[0209] The CPU 521 of the display control device 45 receives the display command transmitted from the sub-control device 262 via the input port 527, and performs control of the VDP 526 (specifically, generation of an internal command for the VDP 526) by analyzing the received command or performing a predetermined calculation process based on the received command. This performs display control in the performance display device 42.

[0210] The program ROM 522 is a memory that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 521, and the work RAM 523 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes the various programs.

[0211] The video RAM 524 is a memory that stores display data to be displayed on the performance display device 42, and the display content of the performance display device 42 is changed by rewriting the content of this video RAM 524. The character ROM 525 is a memory that stores character data such as designs to be displayed on the performance display device 42.

[0212] The VDP526 is a type of drawing circuit that directly operates the LCD driver (liquid crystal drive circuit) built into the performance display device 42. The VDP526 is also called a "drawing chip" because it is made into an IC chip, and its actual form should be described as a microcomputer chip with built-in firmware dedicated to drawing processing. The VDP526 adjusts the timing of the CPU521, video RAM524, etc., and mediates the reading and writing of data, and reads out display data stored in the video RAM524 at a predetermined timing and displays it on the performance display device 42.

[0213] In addition, the power supply device 313 includes a power supply unit 541 that supplies power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power outage monitoring circuit 542 that monitors power supply interruptions due to power outages or the like, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 543 that is connected to the RAM erasure switch 323.

[0214] The power supply unit 541 supplies the necessary operating power to the main control device 261, the dispensing control device 311, etc. through a power supply path not shown. In summary, the power supply unit 541 takes in an externally supplied 24-volt AC power supply, generates a +12V power supply for driving various switches and motors, a +5V power supply for logic, a backup power supply for RAM backup, etc., and supplies these +12V power supply, +5V power supply, and backup power supplies to the main control device 261, the dispensing control device 311, etc. In addition, the launch control device 312 is supplied with operating power (+12V power supply, +5V power supply, etc.) via the dispensing control device 311. Similarly, operating power is supplied to various switches, motors, etc. via the control devices to which they are connected.

[0215] The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit that outputs a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the dispensing control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the voltage of 24 volts DC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and when this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred and outputs the power failure signal SK1 to the main control device 261 and the dispensing control device 311. By outputting this power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the dispensing control device 311 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute power failure processing (NMI interrupt processing).

[0216] In addition, the power supply unit 541 is configured to maintain the output of 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute the power failure processing, even after the voltage of the DC stable 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Therefore, the main control device 261 and the dispensing control device 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure processing.

[0217] The RAM clearing switch circuit 543 is a circuit that receives the switch signal of the RAM clearing switch 323 and clears the backup data of the RAM 503 of the main control device 261 and the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 according to the state of the switch 323. When the RAM clearing switch 323 is pressed, the RAM clearing switch circuit 543 outputs a RAM clearing signal SK2 to the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM clearing switch 323 pressed (including power-on due to recovery from a power outage), the data of the RAMs 503, 513 of the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 are cleared.

[0218] Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be described. In this embodiment, the CPU 501 provided in the main control device 261 as the main control means performs a lottery using various counter information during a game. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, a win / lose random number counter C1 is used for a win / lose lottery to determine whether or not a big win will be generated by opening the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening opening member 32a) or a small win will be generated by opening the central winning unit 37 (wing member 404) based on the detection of the start winning switches 224a, 224b; a variable time selection counter C2 is used to determine the time (variable time) of the variable display performed on the special display device 43; an initial value random number counter CINI is used to set the initial value of the win / lose random number counter C1; a ball entry assist random number counter C3 is used for a ball entry assist lottery to determine whether or not the second start winning section 33b (start opening opening member 33c) will be opened based on the detection of the through gate switch 225; and an operation assist random number counter C4 is used for an operation assist lottery to determine whether or not the movable part 722 will be activated based on the detection of the special gate switch 651.

[0219] Counters C1, C2, CINI, C3, and C4 are loop counters that add 1 to the previous value each time they are updated, and after reaching their upper limit, return to the lower limit, 0. Each counter is periodically updated, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 503 (except for random number initial value counter CINI).

[0220] The RAM 503 is provided with a special variable reserve area as a reserve memory area in which the values ​​of the win / lose random number counter C1 and the variable time selection counter C2 are stored, and a normal variable reserve area in which the value of the ball-entering assist random number counter C3 is stored. Both the special variable reserve area and the normal variable reserve area are provided with one execution area and four reserve areas (reserved areas 1 to 4).

[0221] In addition, in each of the special variable reserve areas, the values ​​of the win / lose random number counter C1 and the variable time selection counter C2 are stored in chronological order in accordance with the winning history of the game balls in the first and second start winning sections 33a and 33b. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reserve the variable display in the special display device 43 up to four times in total, as described above.

[0222] Furthermore, in each of the normal variable holding areas, the value of the ball entry assist random number counter C3 is stored in chronological order in accordance with the passing history of the game ball to the through gate 34. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to hold the variable display in the through gate display device 41 up to four times as described above.

[0223] To explain each counter in detail, the win / no-win random number counter C1 is configured to increment by 1 in sequence within the range of, for example, 0 to 399, and after reaching the upper limit value as the closing value (i.e., 399), return to 0, which is the lower limit value as the opening value. Normally, when the win / no-win random number counter C1 goes through one cycle, the value of the initial value random number counter CINI at that time is read as the next initial value of the win / no-win random number counter C1. Note that the initial value random number counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the win / no-win random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 399), and is updated once for each timer interrupt and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time of normal processing. Meanwhile, the win / no-win random number counter C1 is updated periodically (once for each timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the win / no-win random number counter C1 is stored in the win / no-win random number counter buffer. Then, at the time when the game ball enters the first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b (the time when it is detected by the first start winning switch 224a or the second start winning switch 224b), the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 stored in the win / loss random number counter buffer is stored in the special variable holding area.

[0224] In this embodiment, the winning / losing lottery, which is performed based on the value of the winning / losing random number counter C1 stored in the special variable reserve area, produces one of the lottery results: "small win", "big win", or "loss". The winning / losing lottery process related to the big win lottery and the small win lottery constitutes the opening lottery process in this embodiment.

[0225] Specifically, in this embodiment, the number of random numbers that result in a "jackpot" is one, and the value is "0." That is, the probability of winning a "jackpot" is 1 / 400, and the special display device 43 displays a stop display in a mode (combination of lit lamps) corresponding to a "jackpot," and a 15-round jackpot state occurs.

[0226] In addition, there are 398 random numbers that can be the "small prize", and the values ​​are "2 to 399". In other words, the probability of winning the "small prize" is 398 / 400.

[0227] In particular, the "small win" in this embodiment includes a "short small win" in which the wing member 404 of the central winning unit 37 is opened for 0.5 seconds, and a "long small win" in which the wing member 404 is opened for 1.5 seconds. Therefore, among the values ​​of the win / loss random number counter C1, "2 to 21" corresponds to a "long small win", and "22 to 399" corresponds to a "short small win".

[0228] When a "short small win" is won, the special display device 43 displays a stop in a mode (combination of lit lamps) corresponding to the "short small win", and the blade members 404 open for 0.5 seconds. When a "long small win" is won, the special display device 43 displays a stop in a mode (combination of lit lamps) corresponding to the "long small win", and the blade members 404 open for 1.5 seconds. Here, the opening / closing pattern determination means in this embodiment is constituted by the function of the main control device 261 which executes the small win lottery and the big win lottery and determines the opening / closing pattern of the opening / closing members such as the blade members 404.

[0229] In addition, the value of the win / lose random number counter C1, "1", corresponds to a "miss", and in the event of a "miss", the special display device 43 displays a stop indication in a manner corresponding to a "miss" (combination of lit lamps).

[0230] In this embodiment, ROM 502 is provided with a win / lose determination table that is referenced when determining whether the value of win / lose random number counter C1 corresponds to a "small win" or a "big win."

[0231] In this embodiment, after the end of the big win state, a game state is provided in which the time (variation time) of the variable display on the special display device 43 is shortened while the variable display is performed four times on the special display device 43. This game state ends when the variable display is performed four times on the special display device 43 even if the next big win state does not occur after the end of the big win state, and then returns to the normal game state.

[0232] Hereinafter, the game state in which the variation time of the special display device 43 is shortened is referred to as the "time shortening mode", and the normal game state in which the normal variation display is performed without shortening the variation time is referred to as the "normal mode". The specific variation time of the special display device 43 in the "time shortening mode" and "normal mode" will be described later.

[0233] Furthermore, in the "time-saving mode", the start opening opening / closing member 33c of the second start winning section 33b is opened relatively frequently, resulting in a "high ball entry state" in which it is easy to get the game ball to enter the second start winning section 33b. As a result, in the "time-saving mode", it is easier to get the game ball to enter the second start winning section 33b, compared to the "normal mode" in which the start opening opening / closing member 33c is hardly opened, resulting in a "low ball entry state" in which it is difficult to get the game ball to enter the second start winning section 33b.

[0234] Specifically, in the "normal mode", the variation time of the through gate display device 41 for displaying the result of the entry ball assist lottery, which is performed based on the game ball passing through the through gate 34, is 10 seconds, and the opening time of the start hole opening / closing member 33c when the entry ball assist lottery is won is 0.4 seconds. On the other hand, in the "time-shortened mode", the variation time of the through gate display device 41 is 0.5 seconds, and the opening time of the start hole opening / closing member 33c when the entry ball assist lottery is won is 2 seconds.

[0235] In other words, in the "time-saving mode", the change time of the through gate display device 41 is shorter and the opening time of the start opening opening member 33c is longer than in the "normal mode". Since the time period in which the start opening opening member 33c is open is longer, game balls enter the second start winning section 33b frequently, the winning / losing lottery is performed continuously, and the ball holding state is good.

[0236] In this way, in the "time-saving mode", when the reserved variable display of the special display device 43 wins small prizes consecutively (the flow of closing the vane member 404 once, performing the variable display, and then opening is the same, but the variable time is short), the vane member 404 is opened almost continuously (in rapid succession). This makes it easier to make multiple game balls enter the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37 at the same time.

[0237] In this embodiment, the probability of winning a "big win" or a "small win (short small win and long small win)" in the win / lose lottery based on the ball entering the start winning section 33, as well as the opening time of the blade member 404 when a "small win (short small win and long small win)" occurs, are the same in both modes (time-saving mode and normal mode).

[0238] In addition, the probability of winning the ball entry assist lottery, which is conducted based on the passage of a game ball through the through gate 34, and the probability of winning the operation assist lottery, which is conducted based on the passage of a game ball through the special gate switch 651, are the same in all modes.

[0239] The variable time selection counter C2 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 9, and returns to the lower limit of 0 after reaching the upper limit (i.e., 9). The variable time selection counter C2 is updated periodically (in this embodiment, once for each timer interrupt), and the value of the variable time selection counter C2 is stored in the variable time selection counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins the first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b (the timing when detected by the first start winning switch 224a or the second start winning switch 224b), the value of the variable time selection counter C2 stored in the variable time selection counter buffer is stored in the special variable reservation area of ​​the RAM 503.

[0240] In this embodiment, the variation time of the special display device 43 in the case of a "small win" in the win / lose lottery in the "normal mode" is set to "2 seconds" or "3 seconds". The variation time selection table that is referred to when determining whether the value of the variation time selection counter C2 corresponds to "2-second variation" or "3-second variation" is stored in advance in the ROM 502. Therefore, the ROM 502 that stores the variation time selection table and the like constitutes the first variation pattern storage means in this embodiment.

[0241] In addition, when the winning / losing lottery in the "normal mode" results in a "jackpot" or a "miss," the time for which the special display device 43 changes is "7 seconds."

[0242] On the other hand, the variation time of the special display device 43 in the "time-saving mode" is always "0.1 seconds" regardless of the result of the winning / losing lottery ("small win", "big win" or "loss"). The variation time related to the special display device 43 is not limited to the four variations of 2 seconds, 3 seconds, 7 seconds and 0.1 seconds according to this embodiment, and a different variation time may be adopted.

[0243] The size and range of each counter are merely examples and can be changed as desired. However, it is preferable that the sizes of the win / lose random number counter C1 and the variable time selection counter C2 are different prime numbers and are not synchronized under any circumstances.

[0244] The ball entry assist random number counter C3 is configured as a loop counter that is incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 9, and returns to the lower limit of 0 after reaching an upper limit (i.e., 9). The ball entry assist random number counter C3 is updated periodically (once for each timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the ball entry assist random number counter C3 is obtained when the game ball passes through either the left or right through gate 34.

[0245] Usually, there are eight random numbers that can be winning, and the range is "1 to 8." When the value of the ball entry assist random number counter C3 is acquired, the through gate display device 41 displays a variable display for a predetermined period of time, and then displays a stationary display in a mode (combination of lit lamps) corresponding to a win or loss, and if a win occurs, the second start winning section 33b (start opening opening member 33c) opens for a predetermined period of time.

[0246] The activation assist random number counter C4 is configured as a loop counter that is incremented by 1 within a range of, for example, 0 to 19, and returns to the lower limit of 0 after reaching an upper limit (i.e., 19). The activation assist random number counter C4 is updated periodically (in this embodiment, once for each timer interrupt), and the value of the activation assist random number counter C4 is obtained when the gaming ball passes through the special gate 650.

[0247] Usually, there are 15 random numbers that can be winning, and the range is "1 to 15." When the value of the activation assist random number counter C4 is acquired, a variable display is performed for a predetermined time on the special gate display device 44, and then a stop display is performed in a mode (combination of lit lamps) corresponding to a win or loss, and if a win occurs, the movable role 722 of the bypass mechanism 721 is in a protruding state for a predetermined time. Therefore, the activation assist lottery constitutes the activation lottery process in this embodiment, and the function of the main control device 261 that executes the activation assist lottery constitutes the "lottery process execution means" and the "state lottery means."

[0248] Next, each control process executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The processes of the CPU 501 are roughly divided into main processing which is started when the power is turned on, timer interrupt processing which is started periodically (every 2 msec in this embodiment), and NMI interrupt processing which is started by inputting a stop signal to an NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). For ease of explanation, here, the timer interrupt processing and NMI interrupt processing will be described first, and then the main processing will be described.

[0249] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing timer interrupt processing, and this processing is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 every 2 msec, for example.

[0250] In FIG. 11, first, in step S301, a process of reading various winning switches is executed. That is, the state of various switches (except the RAM erase switch 323) connected to the main control device 261 is read, and the state of the switch is judged and the detection information is stored. When a game ball is paid out in response to the detection of the switch, the value of the prize ball counter corresponding to this is added, and this process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is judged that the detection signal has not been input, this process is terminated as it is. In addition, in the external output process of the normal process described later, a prize ball command based on the value of each prize ball counter is output to the payout control device 311. When this prize ball command is output, the value of each prize ball counter is reset.

[0251] In step S302, a random number initial value update process is executed. Specifically, a random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value (399 in this example), the counter is cleared to 0.

[0252] In addition, in step S303, a random number update process is executed. Specifically, the win / lose random number counter C1, the variable time selection counter C2, the goal assist random number counter C3, and the operation assist random number counter C4 are each incremented by 1, and when their counter values ​​reach their maximum values ​​(in this embodiment, "399", "9", "9", and "19", respectively), they are each cleared to 0. Then, the updated values ​​of each counter C1, C2, C3, and C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of ​​RAM 503.

[0253] Then, in step S304, a start winning process is executed in response to a winning in the start winning section 33 (first start winning section 33a or second start winning section 33b), and in step S305, a through gate passing process is executed in response to the game ball passing through the through gate 34, and in step S306, a ball counting process is executed in response to the ball entering the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37.

[0254] In the following step S307, special winning processing is executed in response to detection by the first special ball entry detection switch 461 (a ball entering the first V winning passage 427 via the special pocket portion 416a of the rotating body 414) or detection by the second special ball entry detection switch 738 (a ball entering the bypass passage 737 via the second V winning passage 730 of the movable part 722).

[0255] Furthermore, in step S308, non-special winning processing is executed in response to detection by the non-special ball entry detection switch 462 (entry into the out passage 428 via the non-special pocket portion 416b of the rotating body 414), and in step S309, special gate passing processing is executed in response to the passage of the game ball into the special gate 650.

[0256] Then, in step S310, a type-based ball entry process is executed in response to detection by the round ball entry detection switches 734, 735, and 736 (balls entered into the 15R ball entry port 731, the 7R ball entry port 732, and the 3R ball entry port 733), and the timer interrupt process is temporarily terminated.

[0257] Here, the start winning process in step S304 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0258] In addition, the execution area of ​​the special variable pending area and each pending area are provided with a win / lose random number memory area which stores the value of the win / lose random number counter C1, a variable time random number memory area which stores the value of the variable time selection counter C2, and a start winning discrimination flag for determining whether the pending variable display is based on a ball winning into either the first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b.

[0259] In addition to the areas for storing the values ​​of the hit / miss random number counter C1 and the fluctuation time selection counter C2, the special fluctuation reserve area in this embodiment is provided with a big win occurrence flag indicating that a "big win" has been won in the hit / miss lottery based on the ball entering the start winning section 33, a miss flag indicating that a "miss" has been won, a long small win occurrence flag indicating that a "long small win" has been won, and a short small win occurrence flag indicating that a "short small win" has been won. In addition, a 2-second fluctuation flag, a 3-second fluctuation flag, and a 7-second fluctuation flag indicating the fluctuation time in the special display device 43 are provided.

[0260] First, in step S501, it is determined whether the value of the reserved counter Na, which counts the number of reserved variable displays triggered by the entry of a game ball into the first and second start winning sections 33a and 33b, is less than the upper limit value ("4" in this embodiment). If the result in step S501 is negative, this process is terminated.

[0261] On the other hand, if the result of step S501 is affirmative, in step S502, whether or not the game ball has won the first start winning section 33a is determined based on the detection information of the first start winning switch 224a. If the result of step S502 is negative, the process proceeds to step S509, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the result of step S502 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S503, where the reserved counter Na is incremented by one.

[0262] In the next step S504, the values ​​of the win / lose random number counter C1 and the variable time selection counter C2 updated in the random number update process in step S303 are stored in the first area of ​​the empty reserve areas of the special variable reserve area. Here, the predetermined condition may be satisfied when various counter values ​​corresponding to a jackpot are stored in the special variable reserve area during a predetermined jackpot state. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be satisfied with a predetermined probability, for example, 60%, when various counter values ​​corresponding to a jackpot are stored in the special variable reserve area during a predetermined jackpot state.

[0263] In step S505, the start winning discrimination flag of the reserved area in which the values ​​of the win / lose random number counter C1 and the variable time selection counter C2 are stored is turned on. In this embodiment, the start winning discrimination flag is set to on when the reserved variable display is based on a ball entering the first start winning section 33a, and is set to off when the reserved variable display is based on a ball entering the second start winning section 33b.

[0264] In the next step S506, a win / loss determination process is performed to determine whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 newly stored in the special variable reserve area corresponds to a "small win" or a "big win". The details of the win / loss determination process will be described later.

[0265] In the next step S507, a variable time determination process is performed to determine the variable time in the special display device 43 based on the value of the variable time selection counter C2 newly stored in the special variable reservation area. The variable time determination process will be described in detail later.

[0266] After that, in step S508, a setting process of the advance command is performed. The advance command includes information indicating whether the reserved variable information (predetermined information used to determine the contents of the variable display) is based on the ball entering the first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b, information indicating a "small win" or a "big win", information indicating a variable time, etc., and is output to the sub-control device 262 in the next external output process (see step S201).

[0267] Here, the details of the winning / losing determination process in step S506 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In this embodiment, the type of small win (long small win, short small win) is also determined in the winning / losing determination process.

[0268] First, in step S5101, it is determined whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 newly stored in the special variable reserve area is equal to "0", which is a value corresponding to a "jackpot". In addition, the predetermined condition may be satisfied when various counter values ​​corresponding to a specific jackpot that may be awarded a specific game mode such as a high probability mode or a high support mode after the end of a certain jackpot state, such as a certain jackpot, are stored in the special variable reserve area during the certain jackpot state. Then, if the determination is affirmative in step S5101, that is, if it is determined that a jackpot state will occur, the jackpot occurrence flag is turned on in step S5102, and then this process is terminated.

[0269] If the result of step S5101 is negative, then in step S5103, it is determined whether the value of the win / lose random number counter C1 newly stored in the special variable reserve area is equal to "1", which is the value corresponding to "lose". If the result of step S5103 is positive, that is, if it is determined to be a "lose", then in step S5104, the loss flag is turned on, and then this process is terminated.

[0270] On the other hand, if the result of step S5103 is negative, that is, if the result is a "small win", then in step S5105, it is determined whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 newly stored in the special variable reserve area matches any of the values ​​"2 to 21" corresponding to a "long small win". If the result of step S5105 is positive, then in step S5106, the long small win occurrence flag is turned on, and then this process is terminated.

[0271] Also, if the result of step S5105 is negative, that is, if the result is a "short small win", then in step S5107, the short small win occurrence flag is turned on, and then this process is terminated.

[0272] Next, the fluctuating time determination process in step S507 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. The function of executing the fluctuating time determination process in step S507 and the like constitutes a first fluctuating pattern selection means in this embodiment.

[0273] First, in step S5201, it is determined whether or not the time-saving mode is selected. If the result of step S5201 is affirmative, in step S5202, a 0.1-second fluctuation flag is set to ON, indicating that the fluctuation time of the variable display performed on the special display device 43 is 0.1 seconds, and then this process is terminated. In other words, if the time-saving mode is selected, the fluctuation time of the corresponding variable display is uniformly set to 0.1 seconds regardless of whether the result of the winning / losing lottery is a big win, a long small win, a short small win, or a miss.

[0274] On the other hand, if the result of step S5201 is negative, in step S5203, it is determined whether or not the long small win occurrence flag was set in the immediately preceding win / loss determination process. If the result of step S5203 is positive, that is, if it is determined to be a "long small win", in step S5204, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable time selection counter C2 newly stored in the special variable reserve area matches either "0" or "1".

[0275] If a negative judgment is made in step S5204, that is, if the value of the variable time selection counter C2 is any of "2 to 9," then in step S5205, a 3-second variable flag indicating that the variable time of the variable display performed on the special display device 43 is 3 seconds is turned on, and then this process is terminated. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in step S5204, then in step S5206, a 2-second variable flag indicating that the variable time of the variable display performed on the special display device 43 is 2 seconds is turned on, and then this process is terminated.

[0276] If the result of step S5203 is negative, then in step S5207, it is determined whether the short small win occurrence flag is on. If the result of step S5207 is positive, that is, if a "short small win" occurs, then in step S5208, it is determined whether the value of the variable time selection counter C2 newly stored in the special variable reserve area matches either "0" or "1."

[0277] If the result of step S5208 is affirmative, a 3-second fluctuation flag indicating that the fluctuation time of the variable display performed on the special display device 43 is 3 seconds is set to ON in step S5205, and then this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the result of step S5208 is negative, a 2-second fluctuation flag indicating that the fluctuation time of the variable display performed on the special display device 43 is 2 seconds is set to ON in step S5206, and then this process is terminated. In other words, the longer fluctuation time (3 seconds) is more likely to be selected when a "long small win" occurs than when a "short small win" occurs.

[0278] Also, if the result of step S5207 is negative, i.e., if it is a "jackpot" or a "miss", then in step S5209, a 7-second fluctuation flag is turned on, indicating that the fluctuation time of the variable display on the special display device 43 is 7 seconds, and then this process is terminated.

[0279] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 13, after the process of step S508, or if a negative judgment is made in step S502, in step S509, whether or not the game ball has won the second start winning section 33b is judged based on the detection information of the second start winning switch 224b. If a negative judgment is made in step S509, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made, in step S510, the reserved counter Na is incremented by 1.

[0280] In the next step S511, the values ​​of the winning / losing random number counter C1 and the variable time selection counter C2 are stored in the first area of ​​the empty reserved areas in the special variable reserved area. In step S512, a winning / losing judgment process is performed. Note that the winning / losing judgment process in step S512 is the same as the winning / losing judgment process in step S506 above, and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0281] In the next step S513, a variable time determination process is performed. The correct / incorrect determination process in step S513 is the same as the variable time determination process in step S507, and a detailed description will be omitted. After step S513, in step S514, a setting process for a first command is performed, and this process ends.

[0282] Next, the through gate passing process in step S305 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0283] In step S601, it is determined based on the detection information of the through gate switch 225 whether the gaming ball has passed through the through gate 34 or not.

[0284] If the result of step S601 is negative, the process ends. On the other hand, if the result of step S601 is positive, that is, if it is determined that the game ball has passed through the through gate 34, in step S602, it is determined whether or not the value of the normal hold counter Nc, which counts the number of holds in the variable display performed on the through gate display device 41, is less than the upper limit value (4 in this embodiment). If the result of this determination is negative, the process ends. On the other hand, if the result of step S602 is positive, that is, if the passage of the game ball through the through gate 34 is confirmed and the value of the normal hold counter Nc is less than 4, the process proceeds to step S603, and the normal hold counter Nc is incremented by 1.

[0285] In the next step S604, a random number related to the winning or losing is obtained. Specifically, the value of the ball-entering assist random number counter C3 updated in the random number update process in step S303 is stored in the first free memory area of ​​the normal variable reserve area of ​​RAM 503. After that, the through-gate passing process is terminated.

[0286] Next, the ball count process in step S306 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. First, in step S7201, it is determined whether or not the internal ball entry detection switch 437 provided at the entrance 601b of the introduction passage 601 is detected, thereby determining whether or not the gaming ball has entered the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37. If a negative determination is made in step S7201, this process is terminated.

[0287] On the other hand, if the result of step S7201 is affirmative, then in step S7202, a ball entry command is set to the sub-control device 262 to inform the sub-control device 262 that the gaming ball has entered the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37. When the sub-control device 262 receives the ball entry command, it is configured to output a ball entry sound effect and turn on or blink a ball entry lamp (not shown) to inform the player that the ball has entered the game.

[0288] Then, in step S7203, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter for grasping the number of game balls in the internal area 401 is incremented by 1. In the following step S7204, a setting process of a monitoring timer that is taken into consideration in the remaining ball monitoring process is performed. In this embodiment, the monitoring timer is set to "10000" every time the internal ball entry detection switch 437 is detected. Even if a predetermined value has already been set in the monitoring timer, "10000" is overwritten. The monitoring timer is decremented by 1 in the normal process (the remaining ball monitoring process in step S212 described later) that is performed every 4 mec. After step S7204, this process is terminated.

[0289] Next, the special winning process in step S307 will be described with reference to Fig. 18. First, in step S7301, it is determined whether or not there is game ball detection information by the first special ball detection switch 461 or the second special ball detection switch 738. If the result in step S7301 is negative, this process is terminated.

[0290] On the other hand, if the result of the positive judgment in step S7301 is positive, in step S7302, the jackpot state is judged by taking into consideration the jackpot flag described later. If the result of the positive judgment in step S7302 is positive, the process is terminated. That is, in the jackpot state, even if the game ball enters the first V winning passage 427 through the special pocket portion 416a of the rotating body 414 and the game ball is detected by the first special ball entry detection switch 461, or the game ball enters the bypass passage 737 through the movable role 722 (second V winning passage 730) and the game ball is detected by the second special ball entry detection switch 738, the right to generate the corresponding jackpot state is not granted.

[0291] On the other hand, if the result of step S7302 is negative, then in step S7303, it is determined whether or not the special winning flag indicating that the first special ball entry detection switch 461 or the second special ball entry detection switch 738 has already detected a ball entry is already on. If the result of step S7303 is positive, then this process is terminated. In other words, in a state in which it has already been decided that a jackpot state will be generated (the right to generate a jackpot state has been granted), even if the first special ball entry detection switch 461 or the second special ball entry detection switch 738 detects a ball entry again, that jackpot is invalidated.

[0292] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S7303, the special prize flag is turned on in step S7304, and the process is then terminated.

[0293] In this embodiment, when the first special ball entry detection switch 461 detects a ball entry, the right to generate a jackpot state is merely granted, and it has not been determined which type of jackpot state will be granted. Therefore, the jackpot state is not initiated until the type has been determined.

[0294] Similarly, at the stage where the second special ball entry detection switch 738 detects an entry, the right to generate a jackpot state is merely granted, and the game ball has not yet entered the 15R ball entry port 731. Therefore, the jackpot state is not initiated until the game ball enters the 15R ball entry port 731 and a "15-round jackpot" is confirmed.

[0295] Next, the non-special winning process in step S308 will be described with reference to Fig. 19. First, in step S7401, it is determined whether or not there is detection information of a gaming ball by the non-special winning ball detection switch 462. In other words, it is determined whether or not the gaming ball is discharged outside the central winning unit 37 (internal area 401) through the out passage 428. If the determination in step S7401 is negative, this process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S7401 is positive, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is decremented by 1 in step S7402, and then this process is terminated.

[0296] Next, the special gate passing process in step S309 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0297] In step S7501, it is determined whether or not the gaming ball has passed through the special gate 650 based on the detection information of the special gate switch 651. If a negative determination is made in step S7501, this process is terminated.

[0298] On the other hand, if the answer is YES in step S7501, that is, if it is determined that the gaming ball has passed through the special gate 650, then in step S7502, it is determined whether or not a third display flag, which will be described later, is ON, that is, whether or not a variable display is being performed on the special gate display device 44. If the answer is YES in step S7502, then this process ends.

[0299] On the other hand, if the result of step S7502 is negative, then in step S7503, it is determined whether or not a special feature operation flag (described later) is on, that is, whether or not the movable special feature 722 is in operation (protruding state). If the result of step S7503 is positive, then this process is terminated.

[0300] As a result, even if a game ball passes through the special gate 650 and is detected by the special gate switch 651 while the special gate display device 44 is changing or while the movable device 722 is in operation, the operation assist lottery for that part is invalidated and no new right to operate the movable device 722 is granted.

[0301] On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in step S7503, in step S7504, the value of the actuation assist random number counter C4 updated in the random number update process in step S303 above is stored in a predetermined actuation assist random number storage area set in RAM 503.

[0302] In the following step S7505, the special gate passing flag is turned on, and in step S7506, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is decremented by one, after which the process is terminated.

[0303] Next, the type winning process in step S310 will be described with reference to Fig. 21. First, in step S7601, it is determined whether or not the special winning flag is set to ON. If the result in step S7601 is negative, this process is terminated.

[0304] On the other hand, if the result of step S7601 is affirmative, then in step S7602, it is determined whether or not the 15R ball entry detection switch 734 has detected a ball entry. If the result of step S7602 is affirmative, then in step S7603, the 15R jackpot flag, which indicates a 15-round jackpot, is set to ON. Then, in step S7604, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is decremented by 1, and this process is terminated.

[0305] If the result of step S7602 is negative, then in step S7605, it is determined whether or not the 7R ball entry detection switch 735 has detected a ball entry. If the result of step S7605 is positive, then in step S7606, the 7R jackpot flag, which indicates a 7-round jackpot, is set to ON. Then, in step S7604, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is decremented by 1, and the process ends.

[0306] If the result of step S7605 is negative, then in step S7608 it is determined whether or not the 3R ball entry detection switch 736 has detected a ball entry. If the result of step S7608 is negative, then this process ends. On the other hand, if the result of step S7608 is positive, then in step S7609 a 3R jackpot flag is set to ON, indicating a 3-round jackpot. Then, in step S7604, the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is decremented by 1, and this process ends.

[0307] Next, the NMI interrupt process will be described. Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing the NMI interrupt process, and this process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like. By this NMI interrupt, the state of the main control device 261 at the time of the power cut is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503.

[0308] That is, when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal SK1 is output from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. Then, the CPU 501 interrupts the control being executed and starts NMI interrupt processing, and in step S401, stores the power outage occurrence information in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 as the setting of the power outage occurrence information, and ends the NMI interrupt processing.

[0309] The above-mentioned NMI interrupt processing is also executed in the payout control device 311, and the occurrence information of the power outage is stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513 by the NMI interrupt. That is, when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the power outage signal SK1 is output from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311, and the CPU 511 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt processing of Fig. 12. The contents are as described above.

[0310] Next, the flow of main processing executed by CPU 501 in main control device 261 will be described with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 9. This main processing is started following a reset when power is turned on.

[0311] First, in step S101, the initial setting process is performed when the power is turned on. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the stack pointer, and a wait process is performed for about one second, for example, to wait for the sub-side control devices (sub-control device 262, dispensing control device 311, etc.) to become operable. In the following step S102, RAM access is permitted.

[0312] Then, data backup processing is performed for the RAM 503 in the CPU 501. That is, in step S103, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 provided on the power supply device 313 is pressed (ON), and if it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S111 to clear (delete) the backup data. On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 is not pressed, the process proceeds to the next step S104 to determine whether or not power interruption occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. If it is not set, the backup data is not stored, and in this case, the process proceeds to step S111 as well. If the power interruption occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a, a RAM judgment value is calculated in step S105, and in the next step S106, it is determined whether or not the RAM judgment value matches the RAM judgment value saved at the time of power interruption, that is, the validity of the backup. If the calculated RAM judgment value does not match the RAM judgment value saved at the time of power interruption, the backed up data is destroyed, and in this case, the process proceeds to step S111 as well.

[0313] In the process of step S111, an initialization command is sent to initialize the sub-control device 262 and the dispensing control device 311, which are the sub-side control devices. Then, the process proceeds to the RAM initialization process (step S112, etc.). The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value in the working area address of RAM 503. Instead of this RAM judgment value, it is also possible to judge the validity of the backup based on whether or not the keyword written in a specified area of ​​RAM 503 is correctly saved.

[0314] As described above, in the present pachinko machine 10, when it is desired to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, for example, when the hall opens for business, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM clear switch 323. Therefore, if the RAM clear switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to the RAM initialization process (step S112, etc.). Similarly, if the power interruption occurrence information is not set, or if a backup abnormality is confirmed by the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.), the process proceeds to the RAM 503 initialization process (step S112, etc.). That is, in step S112, the used area of ​​the RAM 503 is cleared to 0, and in the following step S113, the initial value of the RAM 503 is set. After that, in step S114, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to the normal process described later.

[0315] On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 is not pressed (step S103: NO), the process at the time of power recovery (process at the time of recovery from power failure) is executed on the condition that the power failure occurrence information is set and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal. That is, in step S107, the stack pointer before the power failure is restored, and in step S108, the power failure occurrence information is cleared. In step S109, a command is sent to restore the sub-side control device to the gaming state at the time of power failure, and in step S110, the registers in use are restored from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. After that, in step S114, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to normal processing described later.

[0316] Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 10. In this normal processing, the main processing of the game is executed. In summary, the processing of steps S201 to S212 is executed as a regular processing with a period of 4 msec, and the initial value random number counter update processing of step S215 is executed in the remaining time.

[0317] First, in step S201, external output processing is performed to send control signals to each device based on the settings of the special display device 43 and the second start-up winning section 33b, etc., updated in the previous processing, and to send output data such as commands to each control device on the sub-side.

[0318] For example, when starting a variable display on the performance display device 42, a variable pattern command is sent to the sub-control device 262. In other words, the variable pattern command is a command signal output to the sub-control device 262 to make the performance display device 42 perform a display performance that matches the display performed on the special display device 43. In response to this, the sub-control device 262 that inputs the variable pattern command determines the display mode of the performance display device 42 based on the command, and issues an instruction to the display control device 45 to display the display mode on the performance display device 42.

[0319] On the other hand, when stopping the variable display in the performance display device 42, a confirmation command is sent to the sub-control device 262. In response to this, the sub-control device 262 that inputs the confirmation command issues an instruction to the display control device 45 to end the variable display (display performance) being performed in the performance display device 42 based on the command.

[0320] However, in this embodiment, as described below, when a jackpot state is in progress, when the right to a jackpot state has been granted but the jackpot state has not yet started, or when the central winning unit 37 is open (in a small winning state), the first display timer that measures the fluctuation time in the special display device 43 is not decremented (see Figure 23). Therefore, if a ball is detected by the first special ball entry detection switch 461 or the second special ball entry detection switch 738 during the fluctuating display of the special display device 43 (performance display device 42) and the special winning flag is turned on, a confirmation command will not be sent to the sub-control device 262 until the V winning jackpot related to the special winning flag ends, and will be sent after the jackpot ends.

[0321] In step S202, the winning ball count signal received from the payout control device 311 is read. Next, in step S203, the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 311 is read.

[0322] In the next step S204, a V winning jackpot setting process is executed. In this process, a jackpot is set based on the game ball entering the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37 entering the first V winning passage 427 through the special pocket portion 416a of the rotating body 414 and being detected by the first special ball entry detection switch 461, or the game ball entering the bypass passage 737 through the movable role 722 (second V winning passage 730) and being detected by the second special ball entry detection switch 738. Details of this V winning jackpot setting process will be described later.

[0323] In step S205, a first display control process is executed. In this process, the type of display to be performed on the special display device 43 and the control contents of the special display device 43 are set, and hit determination and the performance pattern of the performance display device 42 are set. The details of this first display control process will be described later. The first display control means in this embodiment is configured by the function of the main control device 261 that executes the first display control process.

[0324] In step S206, a variable winning device control process is executed. In this process, the control contents of the variable winning device 32 are set, that is, what kind of control is to be performed in the variable winning device 32. As a result, when a big win state (special game state) is reached, the opening and closing process of the variable winning device 32 (big winning opening opening member 32a) is repeatedly executed a predetermined number of times. The details of the variable winning device control process will be described later.

[0325] In step S207, a blade member opening / closing process is executed. In this process, the control contents of the blade member 404 (blade solenoid 405) of the central winning unit 37 are set. The blade member opening / closing process will be described in detail later.

[0326] In step S208, a second display control process is executed. In this process, the type of display to be performed on the through gate display device 41 and the control contents of the through gate display device 41 are set. The second display control process will be described in detail later.

[0327] In step S209, a start winning section control process is executed. In this process, the control contents of the start opening opening / closing member 33c of the second start winning section 33b are set. The start winning section control process will be described in detail later.

[0328] In step S210, a third display control process is executed. In this process, the type of display to be performed on the special gate display device 44 and the control contents of the special gate display device 44 are set. The details of this third display control process will be described later. The display control means in this embodiment is configured by the function of the main control device 261 that executes the third display control process.

[0329] In step S211, a role-playing device drive control process for the central winning unit 37 is executed. In this process, a drive control process for the rotating body unit 410, a drive control process for the bypass mechanism 721, a drive control process for the type-sorting mechanism 741, and the like are executed.

[0330] For example, in the drive control process for the rotating body unit 410, control is performed such as rotating the rotating body 414 at a constant speed in a counterclockwise direction, and in the drive control process for the type allocation mechanism 741, control is performed such as oscillating the first cross plate 744 and the second cross plate 745 at a predetermined rhythm.

[0331] In addition, in the drive control process related to the bypass mechanism 721, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, control such as protruding the movable accessory 722 is performed. Details of the drive control process related to the bypass mechanism 721 (hereinafter referred to as "bypass mechanism control process") will be described later.

[0332] In step S212, a remaining ball monitoring process is executed. In this process, a process is performed to check whether or not a gaming ball is present in the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37. The remaining ball monitoring process will be described in detail later.

[0333] Thereafter, in step S213, it is determined whether or not power interruption occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. If power interruption occurrence information is not set in the backup area 503a, it is determined in step S214 whether or not it is time to execute the next normal process, that is, whether or not a predetermined time (4 msec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the previous normal process. If the predetermined time has already elapsed, the result of step S214 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S201, and the processes from step S201 onwards are repeatedly executed.

[0334] On the other hand, if the result of step S214 is negative, the process proceeds to step S215, where the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value (399 in this example), it is cleared to 0. After this process, the process proceeds to step S213. In other words, if a predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the start of the previous normal process at the time of the determination in step S214, the update of the random number initial value counter CINI is repeatedly executed within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process.

[0335] Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S212 changes depending on the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant but fluctuates. Therefore, by repeatedly updating the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time, it is possible to randomly update the random number initial value counter CINI (i.e., the initial value of the win / lose random number counter C1).

[0336] Now, if the power interruption occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 (step S213: YES), the power is cut off, and the processing from step S216 onwards is performed as power outage processing at the time of power outage. In the power outage processing, first, in step S216, the occurrence of each interruption processing is prohibited, in step S217, the contents of each register used by the CPU 501 are saved in the stack area, and in step S218, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 503a. Then, in step S219, a power outage notification command indicating that the power has been cut off is transmitted to other control devices (such as the dispensing control device 311). Then, in step S220, a RAM judgment value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a. The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value in the working area address of the RAM 503. Then, in step S221, RAM access is prohibited, and an infinite loop is continued until the power is completely cut off and processing cannot be executed.

[0337] The process of step S213 is executed at the end of a series of processes corresponding to the game state change performed in steps S201 to S212, or at the end of one cycle of the process of step S215 performed within the remaining time. Therefore, in the normal process of the main control device 261, the power interruption occurrence information is confirmed at the end of each process, so the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 is smaller than when each process is in the middle, and the data can be stored easily. In addition, when returning to the state before the power interruption, the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a is small, so the data can be easily returned, and the processing load of the main control device 261 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the occurrence of an interrupt process is prohibited before the data is stored (step S216), the data at the time of the power interruption can be prevented from being changed, and the state before the power interruption can be reliably stored.

[0338] Next, the V-winning big win setting process in step S204 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0339] First, in step S1501, it is determined whether or not the special winning flag (see the special winning process in FIG. 18) indicating that a gaming ball has been detected by the first special winning detection switch 461 or the second special winning detection switch 738 is on. If the determination in step S1501 is negative, this process is terminated.

[0340] On the other hand, if the result of step S1501 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1503, in which it is determined whether or not the 15R jackpot flag, which indicates that a gaming ball has been detected by the 15R ball entry detection switch 734, is set to ON.

[0341] If the result of the determination in step S1503 is affirmative, then in step S1504, a round number counter for determining the number of remaining rounds in the big win state is set to "15", and the process proceeds to step S1505.

[0342] In step S1505, the special winning flag is turned off, and the big win flag indicating that the big win state is in progress is set to on. After that, in the following step S1506, the first variable flag indicating that the variable winning device 32 is being controlled to open and close is set to on, in step S1507, the first variable timer used to control the opening and closing of the variable winning device 32 is set to "7500", and in step S1508, the winning counter is set to "8", and then this process is terminated.

[0343] If the result of step S1503 is negative, then in step S1509 it is determined whether or not a 7R jackpot flag, which indicates that a gaming ball has been detected by the 7R ball entry detection switch 735, is set to on. If the result of step S1509 is positive, then in step S1510 the round number counter is set to "7", and the process proceeds to step S1505, where the same process as above is carried out.

[0344] If the result of step S1509 is negative, then in step S1513, it is determined whether or not a 3R big win flag indicating that a gaming ball has been detected by the 3R ball entry detection switch 736 is set to ON. If the result of step S1513 is negative, this process is terminated.

[0345] On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step S1513, the round number counter is set to "3" in step S1514, and then the process proceeds to step S1505 to carry out the same process as described above.

[0346] Next, the first display control process in step S205 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0347] First, in step S801, the jackpot flag is referenced to determine whether or not the jackpot state is in progress. If the result of the positive determination in step S801, that is, if the jackpot state is in progress, the process ends. In other words, during the jackpot state, no new variable display is started, and no variable display that has already started is ended.

[0348] The jackpot state includes the period during the jackpot state (special game state), the opening period before the jackpot state starts, and the ending period after the jackpot state ends. In general, during the opening period (for example, the period from when the variable display on the special display device 43 is stopped in a manner corresponding to the jackpot to when the first opening starts on the variable winning device 32), the performance display device 42 displays a message informing the user of the start of the jackpot state. On the other hand, during the ending period (a predetermined period after the opening of the final round on the variable winning device 32 ends), the performance display device 42 displays a message informing the user of the end of the jackpot state and the mode to be given after the jackpot.

[0349] If the result of the negative judgment in step S801 is negative, in step S802, it is judged whether the special winning flag is on or not. The special winning flag is set to on when the first special winning ball detection switch 461 or the second special winning ball detection switch 738 detects a game ball (see step S7304 of the special winning process), and is set to off when the big win flag is set to on (see step S1505 of the V winning big win setting process). If the result of the positive judgment in step S802 is positive, the process is terminated as it is. In other words, in a state where the right to generate a big win state is granted but the big win state has not yet started, the variable display is not started anew, and the variable display that has already started is not ended.

[0350] On the other hand, if the result of step S802 is negative, then in step S803, it is determined whether or not the small win open flag is set to ON. The small win open flag is set to ON when the vane member 404 of the central winning unit 37 is open, i.e., when the small win state is in progress, as will be described in detail later.

[0351] If the result of the determination in step S803 is affirmative, the process ends. In other words, during the opening of the central winning unit 37 (during the small win state), a new variable display is not started, and a variable display that has already started is not ended.

[0352] On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in step S803, in step S804, the setting status of the first display flag is checked to judge whether or not a variable display is being performed on the special display device 43. If the first display flag is set to on, it is deemed that a variable display is being performed, and if the first display flag is set to off, it is deemed that a variable display is not being performed. Note that, as will be described in detail later, the first display flag is turned on when the variable display of the special display device 43 starts (see step S808), and is turned off when the variable display of the special display device 43 is stopped (see step S812).

[0353] Then, if the result of the negative judgment in step S804 is that the game is not in a big win state, that the right to a big win state has been granted but the big win state has not yet started, that the central winning unit 37 is not being opened (in a small win state), and that the special display device 43 is not displaying a variable display, the program proceeds to step S805, where it is judged whether or not the value of the pending counter Na, which counts the number of pending variable displays triggered by a ball entering the starting winning section 33, is greater than 0. If the result of the negative judgment in step S805 is that no variable display is stored in the pending state, the program ends this process.

[0354] On the other hand, if the result of step S805 is affirmative, that is, if at least one variable display is stored in reserve, then in step S806, 1 is subtracted from the value of the reserve counter Na.

[0355] In the next step S807, a process of shifting the data stored in the special variable reserved area is executed. This shift process is a process of shifting the data stored in the reserved areas 1 to 4 of the special variable reserved area to the execution area side in order, and the data in each area is shifted in the following order: reserved area 1 → execution area, reserved area 2 → reserved area 1, reserved area 3 → reserved area 2, reserved area 4 → reserved area 3. In this shift process, not only the values ​​of the win / loss random number counter C1 and the variable time selection counter C2, but also the on / off setting states of the big win occurrence flag, the loss flag, the long small win occurrence flag, the short small win occurrence flag, the 2-second variable flag, the 3-second variable flag, and the 7-second variable flag are shifted.

[0356] In the next step S808, a variable display setting process is performed. Details of the variable display setting process will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0357] First, in step S901, it is determined whether the variable information corresponds to a "jackpot" by determining whether the jackpot occurrence flag in the execution area of ​​the special variable reserve area is set to ON. As a modified example, it may be determined whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of ​​the special variable reserve area is "0", which is a value corresponding to a jackpot, by referring to the win / loss determination table again, in the same manner as the win / loss determination process of the start winning process.

[0358] If the result of step S901 is affirmative, that is, if the player wins the "jackpot" in the lottery, a direct jackpot flag indicating that the player won the "jackpot" in the lottery (a "direct jackpot") is set to ON in step S902. After step S902, in step S903, it is determined whether or not the 7-second fluctuation flag in the execution area of ​​the special fluctuation reserve area is set to ON.

[0359] If the result of the determination in step S903 is affirmative, in step S904, a fluctuation pattern resulting in a jackpot (jackpot fluctuation pattern) is determined, and further, a fluctuation pattern command is set so that the fluctuation pattern (fluctuation information) is also transmitted to the sub-control device 262. In the following step S905, a value "1750" corresponding to 7 seconds is set to the first display timer used for fluctuation control of the special display device 43. The first display timer is a means for measuring the fluctuation time (remaining time of the fluctuation display) in the special display device 43, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the fluctuation display. After step S905, the process proceeds to step S938.

[0360] Also, if the result of step S903 is negative, in step S906, a variation pattern (a jackpot shortening pattern) that shortens the variation time to result in a jackpot is determined, and a variation pattern command is set to transmit the variation pattern (variation information) to the sub-control device 262. In the following step S907, a value "25" corresponding to 0.1 seconds is set for the first display timer used for variation control of the special display device 43. After step S907, the process proceeds to step S938.

[0361] Also, if the result of step S901 is negative, in step S908, the "miss" is determined by determining whether the miss flag in the execution area of ​​the special variable reserve area is set to ON. As a modified example, the "miss" may be determined by determining again whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 in the execution area is "1" in the same manner as in the win / loss determination process of the start winning process.

[0362] If the result of step S908 is affirmative, i.e., if it is a "miss", then in step S909, it is determined whether or not the 7-second fluctuation flag in the execution area of ​​the special fluctuation pending area is set to ON. If the result of step S909 is affirmative, then in step S910, a fluctuation pattern that results in a miss (miss fluctuation pattern) is determined, and further, a fluctuation pattern command is set so that the fluctuation pattern is also transmitted to the sub-control device 262. After that, in step S911, a value "1750" corresponding to 7 seconds is set in the first display timer, and then the process proceeds to step S938.

[0363] Also, if the result of step S909 is negative, in step S912, a variation pattern (miss shortening pattern) that shortens the variation time to result in a miss is determined, and a variation pattern command is set so that the variation pattern (variation information) is also sent to the sub-control device 262. In the following step S913, a value "25" corresponding to 0.1 seconds is set for the first display timer used for variation control of the special display device 43. After step S913, the process proceeds to step S938.

[0364] Also, if the result of step S908 is negative, that is, if it is a "small win", the wing open flag is turned on in step S914. In the following step S915, it is determined whether or not the long small win occurrence flag in the execution area of ​​the special variable reserve area is on. As a modified example, it may be determined whether or not the "long small win" has been won by determining again whether or not the value of the variable time selection counter C2 in the execution area matches any of "2 to 21" in the same manner as the win / loss determination process of the start winning process.

[0365] If the result of step S915 is affirmative, that is, if it is a "long small win", then in step S916, it is determined whether or not the 3-second fluctuation flag of the execution area is set to ON. If the result of step S916 is affirmative, then in step S917, a fluctuation pattern (long small win 3-second fluctuation pattern) is determined in which the special display device 43 displays a fluctuation for 3 seconds and then the blade member 404 is opened for 1.5 seconds. Furthermore, a fluctuation pattern command is set to transmit the fluctuation pattern to the sub-control device 262.

[0366] In the next step S918, a value "750" corresponding to 3 seconds is set in the first display timer. Furthermore, in step S919, a value "750" corresponding to 3 seconds is set in the opening / closing control timer used for controlling the opening and closing of the blade members 404. As a result, the blade members 404 are opened after a variable display for 3 seconds is performed on the special display device 43. Then, the process proceeds to step S938.

[0367] If the result of step S916 is negative, then in step S920, it is determined whether the 2-second fluctuation flag in the execution area is set to ON. If the result of step S920 is positive, then in step S921, a fluctuation pattern (long small win 2-second fluctuation pattern) is determined in which the special display device 43 displays a fluctuation for 2 seconds and then the blade member 404 is opened for 1.5 seconds. Furthermore, a fluctuation pattern command is set to transmit the fluctuation pattern to the sub-control device 262.

[0368] In the next step S922, the first display timer is set to a value "500" corresponding to two seconds. Furthermore, in step S923, the opening / closing control timer is set to "500" corresponding to two seconds. As a result, the special display device 43 displays a variable value for two seconds, after which the blade member 404 is opened. Then, the process proceeds to step S938.

[0369] Also, if a negative judgment is made in step S920, in step S924, a fluctuation pattern (long small win shortened pattern) that shortens the fluctuation time to result in a long small win is determined, and further, a fluctuation pattern command is set so that the fluctuation pattern (fluctuation information) is also transmitted to the sub-control device 262.

[0370] In the next step S925, the first display timer is set to a value "25" corresponding to 0.1 seconds. Furthermore, in step S926, the opening / closing control timer is set to "25" corresponding to 0.1 seconds. This causes the special display device 43 to display a variable value for 0.1 seconds, after which the blade member 404 is opened. Then, the process proceeds to step S938.

[0371] If the result of step S915 is negative, that is, if it is a "short small win", then in step S927, it is determined whether or not the 3-second fluctuation flag of the execution area is set to ON. If the result of step S927 is positive, then in step S928, a fluctuation pattern (3-second fluctuation pattern for short small win) is determined in which the special display device 43 displays a fluctuation for 3 seconds and then the blade member 404 is opened for 1.5 seconds. Furthermore, a fluctuation pattern command is set so that the fluctuation pattern is also transmitted to the sub-control device 262.

[0372] In the next step S929, a value "750" corresponding to 3 seconds is set in the first display timer. Furthermore, in step S930, a value "750" corresponding to 3 seconds is set in the opening / closing control timer used for controlling the opening and closing of the blade members 404. As a result, the blade members 404 are opened after a variable display for 3 seconds is performed on the special display device 43. Then, the process proceeds to step S938.

[0373] If the result of step S927 is negative, then in step S931, it is determined whether or not the 2-second fluctuation flag of the execution area is set to ON. If the result of step S931 is positive, then in step S932, a fluctuation pattern (short small win 2-second fluctuation pattern) is determined in which the special display device 43 displays a fluctuation for 2 seconds, and then the blade member 404 is opened for 1.5 seconds. Furthermore, a fluctuation pattern command is set so that the fluctuation pattern is also transmitted to the sub-control device 262.

[0374] In the next step S933, the first display timer is set to a value "500" corresponding to two seconds. Furthermore, in step S934, the opening / closing control timer is set to "500" corresponding to two seconds. As a result, the special display device 43 displays a variable value for two seconds, after which the blade member 404 is opened. Then, the process proceeds to step S938.

[0375] Also, if a negative judgment is made in step S931, in step S935, a fluctuation pattern (short small win shortening pattern) that shortens the fluctuation time to result in a short small win is determined, and further, a fluctuation pattern command is set so that the fluctuation pattern (fluctuation information) is also transmitted to the sub-control device 262.

[0376] In the next step S936, the first display timer is set to a value "25" corresponding to 0.1 seconds. Furthermore, in step S937, the opening / closing control timer is set to "25" corresponding to 0.1 seconds. This causes the special display device 43 to display a variable value for 0.1 seconds, after which the blade member 404 is opened. Then, the process proceeds to step S938.

[0377] In step S938, the first display flag, which indicates that a variable display is being performed, is set to ON on the special display device 43. After step S938, this process ends.

[0378] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 23, if the result of step S804 is YES, i.e., if the variable display is in progress, the process proceeds to step S809, where a first display timer subtraction process is performed. That is, the value of the first display timer is subtracted by 1 every 4 msec.

[0379] Next, the process proceeds to step S810, where the process determines whether or not a predetermined variable time has elapsed by taking into consideration the value of the first display timer after the subtraction. At this time, when the predetermined variable time has elapsed, i.e., when the value of the first display timer becomes "0", the result of the determination in step S810 is YES.

[0380] If a negative judgment is made in step S810, a switching display setting is made in step S811 to continue the variable display (switching display) of the special display device 43, and this process ends. Based on the contents of the switching display setting, a control signal to perform a switching display is output to the special display device 43 in the external output process in the next normal process. Specifically, the combination of lit lamps is set to be switched sequentially. This realizes the variable display (switching display) of the special display device 43 at the timing of the first display control process, that is, every 4 msec.

[0381] On the other hand, if the result of step S810 is affirmative, that is, if the timing for stopping the variable display on the special display device 43 has arrived, the first display flag is turned off in step S812.

[0382] In the next step S813, a stop display setting is performed to display a stop on the special display device 43. Based on the setting contents of this stop display setting, a control signal to display a stop is output to the special display device 43 in the external output process in the next normal process. That is, in the case of a "big win", the multiple lamps constituting the special display device 43 are displayed as a stop display (for example, lit for only a few seconds) in a mode (combination) corresponding to a "big win", in the case of a "miss", the lamps are displayed as a stop display in a mode corresponding to a "miss", in the case of a "long small win", the lamps are displayed as a stop display in a mode corresponding to a "long small win", and in the case of a "short small win", the lamps are displayed as a stop display in a mode corresponding to a "short small win".

[0383] Furthermore, in the stop display setting process in step S813, a setting process is performed to send a confirmation command to the sub-control device 262 to cause the performance display device 42 to perform a stop display.

[0384] Then, in the following step S814, a discrimination information setting process is performed, and then the process ends.

[0385] Here, the determination information setting process will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 25. First, in step S1001, it is determined whether or not the direct hit jackpot flag is set to ON. If the result is affirmative in step S1001, that is, if it is determined that the jackpot has been won in the win / lose lottery, the jackpot setting from step S1002 onwards is performed.

[0386] Specifically, in step S1002, a jackpot flag indicating whether or not a special game state is in a jackpot state is set to ON. In the following step S1003, a first variable flag indicating whether or not the variable winning device 32 is in an open state is set to ON. In this embodiment, when the first variable flag is ON, the variable winning device 32 is in an open state.

[0387] Next, in step S1004, a first variable timer, which is a means for measuring the opening time of the variable winning device 32 and indicates whether a specified time has elapsed since the start of opening, is set. In this example, a value of "7500", which corresponds to 30 seconds, is set for the first variable timer. As a result, the maximum opening time per round (the maximum time that the variable winning device 32 is in the open state) becomes 30 seconds.

[0388] Next, in step S1005, a round number counter indicating the number of rounds executed during the big win state (the number of times the special prize state occurs, i.e., the number of times the opening and closing process of the variable winning device 32 is executed) is set. Here, the value "15" indicating the total number of rounds is set in correspondence with the "direct big win".

[0389] In the next step S1006, a setting process is performed for a winning counter that counts the number of game balls that have entered the variable winning device 32. In this example, the value is set to "8", which indicates the maximum number of balls that can enter per round. Then, this process ends. During the switch reading process of the timer interrupt process (see step S301 in FIG. 11), it is determined whether or not a ball has entered the variable winning device 32 based on the detection information of the count switch 223, and if it is determined that a ball has entered the variable winning device 32, the value of the winning counter is decremented by one.

[0390] Also, if a negative judgment is made in step S1001, that is, if it is judged that the jackpot has not been won in the win / lose lottery, the process proceeds to step S1007.

[0391] In step S1007, it is determined whether or not the variation counter is set. The variation counter is a means for measuring the duration of the time-saving mode (high ball entry state). In this embodiment, the time-saving mode is set until the variation display is performed four times on the special display device 43 after the big win state ends, and the counter value is set to "4" after the big win ends, as described later.

[0392] Here, if the counter value of the fluctuation counter is "0", this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if the fluctuation counter is set (if the counter value is other than "0"), it is considered to be in the time-saving mode, and in step S1008, the value of the fluctuation counter is decremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S1009.

[0393] In step S1009, it is determined whether the counter value of the fluctuation counter is "0" or not. In other words, it is determined whether the current fluctuation display is the fourth fluctuation display since the end of the big win (after the time-saving mode is given). If the value of the fluctuation counter is "0", then in step S1010, the time-saving mode flag is turned off, and in step S1011, the normal mode flag is turned on, and this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1009 that the counter value of the fluctuation counter is not "0", this process ends as it is.

[0394] Next, the variable winning device control process in step S206 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0395] First, in step S1201, the jackpot flag is checked to determine whether or not a jackpot is being played. If the result is negative, the process ends.

[0396] If the result of the determination in step S1201 is affirmative, in step S1202, the count value of the first variable timer is decremented by 1. In the following step S1203, it is determined whether or not the first variable flag is on.

[0397] If the result of step S1203 is affirmative, that is, if the variable winning device 32 is in the open state, the process proceeds to step S1204, where it is determined whether the count value of the first variable timer is "0." That is, in step S1204, it is determined whether the open time of the variable winning device 32 per round, which is set when the first variable flag is turned on, remains.

[0398] If the result of step S1204 is negative, the process proceeds to step S1205, where it is determined whether the value of the winning counter is "0." In other words, it is determined whether the number of game balls that have won the variable winning device 32 has reached a specified number per round (8 in this example). If the result of step S1205 is negative, that is, if the timing for closing the variable winning device 32 (the timing for the end of the round) has not yet arrived, this process is terminated.

[0399] On the other hand, if the answer is YES in step S1204 or S1205, the process proceeds to step S1206, where it is determined whether the counter value of the round number counter is "0." In other words, it is determined whether the number of rounds (the number of times the variable winning device 32 has been opened) has reached a specified number of times.

[0400] If the result of step S1206 is affirmative, a final setting process is performed in step S1207, and the process is terminated. The final setting process will be described in detail later.

[0401] If the result of step S1206 is negative, i.e., if the number of rounds has not reached the specified number, then in step S1208, a round advance process is performed, and the process is terminated. In the round advance process, the value of the round number counter is decremented by 1. That is, the opening and closing process of the variable winning device 32 is repeated until the number of rounds that have been executed reaches the specified number set in advance. In addition, in the round advance process, the first variable flag is turned off, and a wait time (interval time) until the start of the next round is set in the first variable timer.

[0402] If a negative decision is made in step S1203, that is, if it is during an interval between rounds, the process proceeds to step S1209, where it is decided whether or not the value of the first variable timer is "0".

[0403] If the result of step S1209 is positive, that is, if the interval period has ended and it is time to start the next round, a round start process is performed in step S1210. In the round start process, the first variable flag is turned on, the opening time of the variable winning device 32 per round (in this example, "7500") is set in the first variable timer, and the maximum number of winnings per round (in this example, "8") is set in the winning counter. If the result of step S1209 is negative, or if the round start process is completed in step S1210, this process is terminated.

[0404] Based on the on / off state of the first variable flag, various control signals are output to the variable winning device 32 in the external output process of the next normal process. When the first variable flag is on, a control signal to open the variable winning device 32 is output, and the variable winning device 32 is in an open state. On the other hand, when the first variable flag is off, a control signal to close the variable winning device 32 is output, and the variable winning device 32 is in a closed state.

[0405] Here, the end setting process of step S1207 will be described with reference to FIG. 27. First, in step S1301, the first variable flag is turned off. In the following step S1302, the jackpot in progress flag is turned off. After that, in step S1303, the time-shortened mode flag is set to on. That is, in this embodiment, the time-shortened mode is provided after the end of the jackpot state of all jackpot types, including the "direct jackpot" and the "V prize winning jackpot ("15-round jackpot", "7-round jackpot", and "3-round jackpot").

[0406] After step S1303, in step S1304, the normal mode flag is turned off, and in step S1305, the variation counter is set to "4", and then the process proceeds to step S1306. That is, after the big win ends, the time-saving mode is activated until the variation display is performed four times. In step S1306, a process is performed to turn off various big win flags. After step S1306, this process ends.

[0407] Next, the blade member opening / closing process in step S207 will be described with reference to Fig. 28. First, in step S1801, it is determined whether or not the blade open flag (see step S914 in the variable display setting process) is turned on. If a negative determination is made in step S1801, this process is terminated.

[0408] On the other hand, if the result of step S1801 is YES, then in step S1802, it is determined whether or not a small win open flag, which indicates that the blade members 404 are being opened, is ON. If the result of step S1802 is NO, that is, if the blade members 404 are about to be opened due to a "small win" being won, the process proceeds to step S1803.

[0409] In step S1803, it is determined whether the value of the opening / closing control timer is "0". As described above, when it is determined that a "small win" has been won in the variable display setting process, a value equivalent to the same time as the variable display time performed on the special display device 43 is set for the opening / closing control timer (see steps S919, S923, S926, S930, S934, and S937). Therefore, at the same time as the corresponding variable display ends, the determination is also affirmative.

[0410] If the result of step S1803 is negative, the value of the open / close control timer is decremented by 1 in step S1804, and this process ends. On the other hand, if the result of step S1803 is positive, that is, if the timing to open the blade members 404 has arrived, the small win open flag is turned on in step S1805, and the blade members 404 are opened in step S1806.

[0411] Then, in step S1807, it is determined whether or not the long small win occurrence flag of the execution area of ​​the special variable reserve area is set to ON. If the result of the determination in step S1807 is YES, in step S1808, the value "375" corresponding to 1.5 seconds is set to the opening and closing control timer, and this process ends.

[0412] On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S1807, the open / close control timer is set to a value of "125" corresponding to 0.5 seconds in step S1809, and the process ends.

[0413] If the answer is YES in step S1802, then in step S1810 it is determined whether the value of the opening / closing control timer is 0. If the answer is NO in step S1810, then in step S1811 the value of the opening / closing control timer is decremented by 1, and this process ends.

[0414] On the other hand, if the result of step S1810 is positive, i.e., if the timing for closing the blade member 404 has arrived, the small win open flag is turned off in step S1812, the blade open flag is turned off in step S1813, and the blade member 404 is closed in step S1814, after which this process ends. Therefore, the function of executing the blade member opening and closing process in step S207 constitutes an opening and closing control means capable of executing the opening and closing operation of the variable ball entry means in this embodiment a predetermined number of times (capable of executing an open game state in which the variable ball entry means is opened in a predetermined manner).

[0415] Next, the second display control process in step S208 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0416] First, in step S2101, the setting status of the second display flag, which indicates whether or not a variable display is being performed on the through gate display device 41, is checked to determine whether or not a variable display (switching display) is being performed by the through gate display device 41. In detail, if the second display flag is on, it is considered that a variable display is being performed on the through gate display device 41, and if the second display flag is off, it is considered that a stopped display is being performed, which corresponds to a state in which the variable display is stopped on the through gate display device 41.

[0417] If the result of step S2101 is negative, the process proceeds to step S2102, where it is determined whether or not the value of the normal hold counter Nc is greater than 0. At this time, if the value of the normal hold counter Nc is 0, the process ends.

[0418] Also, if the variable display is not in progress and the value of the normal hold counter Nc is greater than 0, the process proceeds to step S2103. In step S2103, 1 is subtracted from the normal hold counter Nc. In step S2104, a process is executed to shift the data stored in the normal variable hold area. This data shift process is a process to shift the data stored in the first to fourth hold areas of the normal variable hold area to the execution area side in sequence, and the data in each area is shifted in the following order: hold 1 area -> execution area, hold 2 area -> hold 1 area, hold 3 area -> hold 2 area, hold 4 area -> hold 3 area, and so on.

[0419] After that, in step S2105, a start setting process is executed. In this process, a process is performed to indicate that the conditions for performing a variable display (switching display) in the through gate display device 41 are met. In detail, the second display flag is turned on, and a second display timer setting process is performed. The second display timer is a means for measuring the variable time (remaining time) of the variable display performed in the through gate display device 41, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the variable display.

[0420] In this embodiment, the time-saving mode, which is a high ball entry state, and the normal mode have different variable display time periods in the through-gate display device 41. In the time-saving mode, the second display timer is set to a value "125" corresponding to 0.5 seconds, and in the normal mode, the second display timer is set to a value "1250" corresponding to 5 seconds. Among the jackpots, the game state of a specific jackpot in which a specific game mode such as a high probability mode or a high support mode can be given after the end of a certain jackpot or the like, or the open period of the specific jackpot, may be set as the predetermined open game state. In addition, during the jackpot state, the second display timer is set to "1250" in the same manner as in the normal mode.

[0421] After step S2105 is completed, the second display control process is terminated. Based on the settings in the start setting process, when a control signal for starting a variable display (switching display) is output to the through gate display device 41 in the external output process of the next normal process, the variable display (switching display) is started in the through gate display device 41.

[0422] If the result of step S2101 is YES, that is, if the through gate display device 41 is displaying a variable value, the process proceeds to step S2106, where a second display timer subtraction process is performed. Each time this process is performed, the count value of the second display timer is subtracted by 1.

[0423] Next, the process proceeds to step S2107, where it is determined whether the count value of the second display timer is "0". In other words, it is determined whether the variable time has elapsed. If the determination in step S2107 is affirmative, the second display flag is turned off in step S2108, and a stop display setting is performed in step S2109 to perform a stop display on the through gate display device 41. Then, based on the contents of this stop display setting, a control signal to perform a stop display is output to the through gate display device 41 in the external output process in the next normal process.

[0424] As described above, whether or not a win is determined based on the value of the ball-entering assist random number counter C3 stored in the execution area of ​​the normal variable reserve area. Specifically, the winning value is "1 to 8" out of the values ​​0 to 9 of the ball-entering assist random number counter C3.

[0425] Next, the process proceeds to step S2110, where a discrimination information setting process is performed, and the process ends. In this process, if the stop display corresponds to a win, a setting process is performed to open and close the second start winning section 33b (start opening opening member 33c). Specifically, the second variable flag is turned on, and the opening time is set in the second variable timer.

[0426] The second variable flag is discrimination information for discriminating whether or not the second start winning section 33b (start opening opening member 33c) is in an open state.

[0427] The second variable timer is a means for measuring the opening time (remaining time) of the second start winning section 33b, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a specified time has elapsed since the start of opening. In this embodiment, the opening time of the second start winning section 33b (start opening opening member 33c) is different between the time-saving mode, which is a high ball entry state, and the normal mode, and in the time-saving mode, the second variable timer is set to a value "500" equivalent to 2 seconds, and in the normal mode, the second variable timer is set to a value "100" equivalent to 0.4 seconds. In addition, during the big win state, the second variable timer is set to "100" as in the normal mode.

[0428] On the other hand, if the result of step S2107 is negative, then in step S2111, a switching display setting is made to continue the variable display (switching display) of the through gate display device 41, and this process ends. Then, based on the contents of this switching display setting, a control signal to perform switching display is output to the through gate display device 41 in the external output process of the next normal process. Specifically, the combination of lit lamps is set to be switched sequentially. This realizes the variable display (switching display) of the through gate display device 41 at the timing of the second display control process, that is, every 4 msec.

[0429] Next, the start winning section control process in step S209 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0430] First, in step S2201, it is determined whether the second variable flag indicating whether the second start winning section 33b (start opening opening member 33c) is in the open state is on. If it is determined that the second variable flag is not on (the second start winning section 33b is in the closed state), this process is terminated.

[0431] On the other hand, if the result of the above step S2201 is affirmative, that is, if the second variable flag is on, the second start winning section 33b is considered to be in an open state, and the second variable timer subtraction process is performed in step S2202. Each time this process is performed, the value of the second variable timer is subtracted by one.

[0432] Next, the process proceeds to step S2203, where the value of the second variable timer after the subtraction is taken into consideration to determine whether or not the specified open time has elapsed. Here, when the specified open time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the second variable timer becomes "0", step S2203 is judged as YES. If the judgment here is NO, the process is terminated.

[0433] On the other hand, if the result of step S2203 is YES, the process proceeds to step S2204, where an end setting process is performed, and the process ends. In the end setting process of step S2204, a process of turning off the second variable flag is performed.

[0434] Depending on the on / off state of the second variable flag, various control signals are output to the second start winning section 33b in the external output process of the next normal process. When the second variable flag is on, a drive signal to open the start opening opening / closing member 33c is output to the second start winning section 33b (start opening solenoid), and the second start winning section 33b is in an open state. On the other hand, when the second variable flag is off, a drive signal to close the start opening opening / closing member 33c is output to the second start winning section 33b, and the second start winning section 33b is in a closed state.

[0435] Next, the third display control process in step S210 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0436] First, in step S2301, the setting status of the third display flag, which indicates whether or not a variable display is being performed on the special gate display device 44, is checked to determine whether or not a variable display (switching display) is being performed by the special gate display device 44. In more detail, if the third display flag is on, it is considered that a variable display is being performed on the special gate display device 44, and if the third display flag is off, it is considered that a stopped display is being performed, which corresponds to a state in which the variable display is stopped on the special gate display device 44.

[0437] If the answer in step S2301 is NO, the process proceeds to step S2302, where it is determined whether or not the special gate passing flag is ON. If the answer in step S2302 is NO, that is, if the special gate passing flag is not ON, the process ends.

[0438] On the other hand, if the variable display is not in progress and the special gate passing flag is on, the process proceeds to step S2303, where the special gate passing flag is turned off. In the following step S2304, a start setting process is executed. In this process, a process is performed to indicate that the conditions for performing a variable display (switching display) in the special gate display device 44 have been met. In more detail, the third display in progress flag is turned on, and a setting process for a third display timer is performed. The third display timer is a means for measuring the variable time (remaining time) of the variable display performed in the special gate display device 44, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the variable display.

[0439] In this embodiment, regardless of whether the game state is in time-saving mode or normal mode, the variable display variable time is uniformly set to 1 second, and a value of "250", which corresponds to 1 second, is set for the third display timer.

[0440] After step S2304 is completed, the third display control process is terminated. Based on the settings in the start setting process, when a control signal for starting a variable display (switching display) is output to the special gate display device 44 in the external output process of the next normal process, the variable display (switching display) is started in the special gate display device 44.

[0441] If the result of step S2301 is YES, that is, if a variable display is being displayed on the special gate display device 44, the process proceeds to step S2306, where a third display timer subtraction process is performed. Each time this process is performed, the count value of the third display timer is subtracted by 1.

[0442] Next, the process proceeds to step S2307, where it is determined whether the count value of the third display timer is "0", i.e., whether the variable time has elapsed. If the determination in step S2307 is affirmative, the third display flag is turned off in step S2308, and a stop display setting is performed in step S2309 to display a stop on the special gate display device 44. Then, based on the contents of this stop display setting, a control signal to display a stop is output to the special gate display device 44 in the external output process in the next normal process.

[0443] As described above, whether or not a prize is won is determined based on the value of the actuation assist random number counter C4 stored in the actuation assist random number storage area. Specifically, the winning value is "1 to 15" out of the values ​​0 to 19 of the actuation assist random number counter C4.

[0444] Next, the process proceeds to step S2310, where discrimination information setting processing is performed, and this process is terminated. In this process, if the stop display corresponds to a win, a setting process is performed to drive the movable role 722 of the bypass mechanism unit 721. Specifically, the role operation flag is turned on, and the operation time is set in the role operation timer.

[0445] The reel operation flag is discrimination information for determining whether the movable reel 722 is in operation or not.

[0446] The reel operation timer is a means for measuring the operation time (remaining time) of the movable reel 722, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a specified time has elapsed since the start of operation. In this embodiment, a value "1000" corresponding to 4 seconds is set for the reel operation timer.

[0447] On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in step S2307, a switching display setting is made in step S2111 to continue the variable display (switching display) of the special gate display device 44, and this process ends. Then, based on the contents of this switching display setting, a control signal to perform a switching display is output to the special gate display device 44 in the external output process in the next normal process. Specifically, the combination of lit lamps is set to be switched sequentially. This realizes the variable display (switching display) of the special gate display device 44 at the timing of the third display control process, that is, every 4 msec.

[0448] Next, the bypass mechanism control process performed in the accessory drive control process in step S211 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0449] First, in step S2401, it is determined whether or not the reel operation flag indicating whether the movable reel 722 is in operation is on. If it is determined that the reel operation flag is not on (the movable reel 722 is in a stored state), this process is terminated.

[0450] On the other hand, if the result of the above step S2401 is affirmative, that is, if the reel operation flag is on, the movable reel 722 is deemed to be in a protruding state, and a reel operation timer subtraction process is performed in step S2402. Each time this process is performed, the value of the reel operation timer is subtracted by 1.

[0451] Next, the process proceeds to step S2403, where the value of the special feature operation timer after the subtraction is taken into consideration to determine whether the specified protruding time has elapsed. Here, when the specified protruding time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the special feature operation timer becomes "0", step S2403 is judged as positive. If the result here is negative, the process ends as it is.

[0452] On the other hand, if the result of step S2403 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S2404, where an end setting process is performed, and the process ends. In the end setting process of step S2404, a process of turning off the reel operation flag is performed.

[0453] Based on the on / off state of the reel operation flag, various control signals are output to the bypass mechanism 721 (movable reel solenoid 725) in the external output process of the next normal process. When the reel operation flag is on, a drive signal is output to put the movable reel solenoid 725 into an excited state, and the movable reel 722 is in a protruding state. On the other hand, when the reel operation flag is off, a drive signal is output to put the movable reel solenoid 725 into a non-excited state, and the movable reel 722 is in a stored state.

[0454] Next, the remaining ball monitoring process in step S212 will be described with reference to Fig. 33. First, in step S7101, in order to identify the number of game balls remaining in the internal area 401, it is determined whether the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter is "0" or not.

[0455] As described above, the ``remaining ball monitoring counter'' is incremented by one based on the detection of the internal ball entry detection switch 437, and decremented by one based on the detection of the non-special ball entry detection switch 462, the 15R ball entry detection switch 734, the 7R ball entry detection switch 735, the 3R ball entry detection switch 736, and the special gate switch 651.

[0456] If the result of step S7101 is affirmative, that is, if no game balls remain within the internal area 401, this process ends.

[0457] On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in step S7101, in step S7102, it is judged whether the value of a monitoring timer for determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the game ball last entered the internal area 401 is "0".

[0458] If the result of step S7102 is negative, the value of the monitoring timer is subtracted by 1 in step S7103, and then this process is terminated. In this embodiment, when a ball enters the internal area 401, the monitoring timer is set to "10000". Therefore, 40 seconds after the last ball enters the internal area 401, the monitoring timer becomes "0". In this embodiment, the time from when the game ball enters the internal area 401 to when it is discharged (specifically, the time from when the game ball is detected by the internal ball entry detection switch 437 to when the game ball is detected by the non-special ball entry detection switch 462, the 15R ball entry detection switch 734, the 7R ball entry detection switch 735, the 3R ball entry detection switch 736, or the special gate switch 651) is approximately 8 to 30 seconds.

[0459] On the other hand, if the result of step S7102 is positive, that is, if the value of the remaining ball monitoring counter does not become "0" even after a significant amount of time has passed since the game ball entered the internal area 401 and was discharged, it is assumed that a ball jam has occurred in the internal area 401, and an error notification process is performed in step S7104. For example, the error display lamp 104 is turned on, an error notification sound is output, and the release of game balls is prohibited. Then, this process is terminated.

[0460] Next, a description will be given of the dispensing control executed by the CPU 511 in the dispensing control device 311. For convenience of explanation, first, the reception interrupt process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0461] FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the reception interrupt process executed by the dispensing control device 311. The reception interrupt process is a process executed by interrupting when the dispensing control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261. When the dispensing control device 311 confirms that the command transmitted from the main control device 261 has been received, other processes executed by the CPU 511 in the dispensing control device 311 are put on hold for a while, and the reception interrupt process is executed. When the reception interrupt process is executed, first, in step S3001, the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is stored in the command buffer of the RAM 513, and in step S3002, the command reception flag is turned on to store that the command has been transmitted from the main control device 261, and this reception interrupt process is terminated. As described above, when the command is stored in the command buffer, the storage pointer is referenced and stored in a predetermined storage area, and the storage pointer is updated to store the next received command in the next storage area.

[0462] In this embodiment, the reception process of the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is performed by an interrupt process executed when the command is received, but for example, in the timer interrupt process shown in Fig. 36, before the command judgment process (step S3201) is performed, it may be confirmed whether or not the command has been received, and if the command has been received, the command may be stored in the command buffer of the RAM 513 and the command reception flag may be turned on, and if the command has not been received, the process may proceed to the command judgment process. In such a case, it is confirmed whether or not the command has been received by checking the port corresponding to the command input of the input / output port at predetermined intervals.

[0463] Next, the main processing of the dispensing control device 311 will be described with reference to Fig. 35. Fig. 35 is a flow chart showing the main processing of the dispensing control device 311, and this main processing is started upon resetting when the power is turned on.

[0464] First, in step S3101, the initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the stack pointer, and an interrupt mode is set. Then, in the following step S3103, RAM access is permitted, and in step S3104, an external interrupt vector is set.

[0465] Thereafter, in step S3106, it is determined whether or not power failure occurrence information is set in backup area 513a of RAM 513. If power failure occurrence information is set in backup area 513a, a RAM judgment value is calculated in step S3107, and in the following step S3108, it is determined whether or not the RAM judgment value matches the RAM judgment value saved at the time of power failure, that is, the validity of the backup. The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value at a working area address of RAM 513. It is also possible to determine the validity of the backup based on whether or not a keyword written in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 513 is saved correctly.

[0466] If the power failure occurrence information is not set in step S3106, or if a backup abnormality is confirmed based on the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) in step S3108, the process proceeds to initialization of RAM 513 from step S3115 onwards.

[0467] In step S3115, all areas of RAM 513 are cleared to 0, and in step S3116, initial values ​​are set for RAM 513. Thereafter, in step S3117, initial settings are made for the CPU peripheral devices, and the process proceeds to step S3114 to permit interrupts.

[0468] On the other hand, on condition that the power failure occurrence information is set in step S3106 and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal in step S3108, processing at the time of power recovery (processing at the time of power failure recovery) is executed. That is, the stack pointer before the power failure is restored in step S3109, the power failure occurrence information is cleared in step S3110, and the payout permission flag that permits the payout of prize balls is cleared in step S3111. Also, in step S3112, the CPU peripheral devices are initialized, and in step S3113, the registers in use are restored from the backup area 513a of RAM 513. Furthermore, in step S3114, interrupts are permitted.

[0469] After the interrupt is permitted in step S3114, in the process of step S3122, it is determined whether or not the occurrence information of power interruption is set in the backup area 513a. If the occurrence information of power interruption is set here, it means that the power has been cut off, so the process of steps S3123 and after is performed as the power outage process when the power is cut off. In the power outage process, first, in step S3123, the occurrence of each interrupt process is prohibited, and in the next step S3124, a command determination process to be described later is executed. Thereafter, in step S3125, the contents of each register used by the CPU 511 are saved in the stack area, in step S3126, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 513a, in step S3127, a RAM determination value is calculated and saved in the backup area 513a, and in step S3128, RAM access is prohibited, and an infinite loop is continued until the power is completely cut off and the process cannot be executed. Here, the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value in the stack area and working area backed up in the RAM 513.

[0470] In addition, since the processing of step S3122 checks the power failure occurrence information after the processing performed when the power is turned on is completed, the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513 is smaller than when each processing is in progress, and storage can be facilitated. In addition, when returning to the state before the power failure, the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a is small, so that the return can be easily achieved, and the processing load of the dispensing control device 311 can be reduced.

[0471] Next, the timer interrupt process of the dispensing control device 311 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 36. This timer interrupt process is started periodically (in this embodiment, at 2 msec intervals).

[0472] In the timer interrupt process, first, in step S3201, a command is obtained from main control device 261 and a judgment process for that command is performed.

[0473] Here, the command determination process in step S3201 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0474] First, in step S3301, it is determined whether or not the command reception flag is on. The command reception flag is turned on when a command transmitted from main control device 261 is received in the above-mentioned reception interrupt process (see FIG. 34).

[0475] If it is determined in step S3301 that the command reception flag is off, no new command has been received from main control device 261, and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3301 that the command reception flag is on, the received command is read from RAM 513 in step S3302, and the command reception flag is turned off in step S3303. By turning off the command reception flag in step S3303, the processes of steps S3302 to S3311 can be skipped until a new command is received, and therefore the control of dispensing control device 311 can be alleviated.

[0476] The processing in steps S3304 to S3306 determines the type of command read from RAM 513. In step S3304, it is determined whether the command transmitted from main control device 261 is a payout initialization command, in step S3305 it is determined whether it is a payout return command, and in step S3306 it is determined whether it is a prize ball command.

[0477] If the command sent from the main control device 261 is a payout initialization command, it is determined in step S3307 whether or not the payout permission flag is already on, and if the payout permission flag is off, it means that the main control device 261 instructed to initialize RAM 513 when the power was turned on, so in step S3308 the working area (area) other than the stack area of ​​RAM 513 is cleared to 0, and in step S3309 the initial value of RAM 513 is set. After that, in step S3311 the payout permission flag is turned on, and permission to pay out prize balls is set.

[0478] As described above, the main control device 261 performs the initialization process of the RAM 503 after transmitting the payout initialization command, and the payout control device 311 performs the initialization process of the RAM 513 after receiving the payout initialization command, so that the timing at which the RAM 503 is initialized and the timing at which the RAM 513 is initialized are approximately the same. Therefore, even if the payout control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261 due to a shift in the timing of initialization, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem such as the RAM 513 being initialized and being unable to perform control corresponding to the received command. In addition, since the payout permission flag is turned on after the RAM 513 is initialized, the payout permission of the prize balls can be reliably set.

[0479] On the other hand, if the payout permission flag is already on in step S3307, the command judgment process is terminated without clearing the working area of ​​the RAM 513 and initializing the RAM 513. That is, the process of step S3307 prohibits the initialization of the RAM 513 with the payout permission flag set. The payout initialization command is a command that is sent only when the RAM erase switch 323 is on when the power is turned on, so it is not received with the payout permission flag on. In such a case, it is considered that the payout control device 311 has recognized it as a payout initialization command due to the influence of noise or the like. Therefore, if the working area of ​​the RAM 513 is cleared (step S3308) and the initial value setting of the RAM 513 (step S3309) is executed with the payout permission flag on, a problem occurs such as the prize balls not being paid out when there are remaining prize balls, causing a loss to the player, but since the initialization of the RAM 513 is prevented with the payout permission flag on, it is possible to prevent the player from losing money.

[0480] Also, if the command sent from the main control device 261 is a payout return command (step S3304: NO, step S3305: YES), the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 will return to the state before the power was cut off, and the payout permission flag is turned on in step S3311 to permit the payout of prize balls. In other words, if there is information of a power outage and the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 have returned to the state before the power was cut off, the payout of prize balls is permitted. When the payout permission flag is turned on in the processing of step S3311, the processing based on the command stored in a specified memory area of ​​the command buffer is completed, and the read pointer is updated to the read pointer corresponding to the next memory area.

[0481] Furthermore, if the command sent from the main control device 261 is a prize ball command (step S3305: NO, step S3306: YES), in step S3310, the received number of prize balls is added to the total number of prize balls and stored, and in step S3311, a payout permission flag is turned on to permit the payout of prize balls. At this time, the payout control device 311 sequentially reads out the prize ball commands stored in the command buffer (ring buffer), adds the number of prize balls corresponding to the command to the total number of prize balls stored in a predetermined buffer area, and stores the added number. Since the payout of prize balls corresponding to the number of prize balls is performed based on the prize ball command sent from the main control device 261, the prize ball command is a payout instruction command that instructs the payout of prize balls. In addition, when a prize ball command is received, payout permission is immediately set, so that the payout of prize balls can be performed early for a win. When the payout permission flag is turned on in the processing of step S3311, processing based on the command stored in a specified memory area of ​​the command buffer is completed, and the read pointer is updated to a read pointer corresponding to the next memory area.

[0482] Furthermore, if the command sent from the main control device 261 is neither a payout initialization command (step S3304: NO), nor a payout return command (step S3305: NO), nor a prize ball command (step S3306: NO), the command determination process is terminated without turning on the payout permission flag.

[0483] Here, we will return to the flowchart of Fig. 36 for explanation. When the command judgment process is completed, in step S3202, it is determined whether or not the payout permission flag is turned on in the command judgment process. If the payout permission flag is not turned on, this process ends as it is. In other words, it is possible to prevent the payout of prize balls before a command is sent from the main control device 261.

[0484] On the other hand, if the result of step S3202 is affirmative, then in step S3203, launch permission is set for the launch control device 312, and in step S3204, the state return switch 321 is checked, and if it is determined that the state return operation should be started, the state return operation is executed. With this process, when the state return switch 321 is pressed in the event of a payout error, such as a ball jam in the payout motor, the payout motor is rotated forward and backward to resolve the ball jam (return to normal state).

[0485] After that, in step S3205, the lower tray full state or the lower tray full release state is set according to the change in the state of the lower tray 15. That is, the full state of the lower tray 15 is determined by the detection signal of the lower tray full switch, and when the lower tray becomes full, the lower tray full state is set, and when the lower tray is no longer full, the lower tray full release state is set. Also, in step S3206, the tank ball absent state (bulb out state) or the tank ball absent release state (ball present state) is set according to the change in the state of the tank ball. That is, the tank ball absent state is determined by the detection signal of the tank ball absent switch, and when the tank ball becomes absent, the tank ball absent state is set, and when the tank ball is no longer absent, the tank ball absent release state is set.

[0486] Thereafter, in step S3207, it is determined whether or not there is a state that should be notified, such as an error state, and if there is a state that should be notified, it is notified.

[0487] Next, the payout control process for the prize balls and loan balls is executed. In detail, the payout number setting process is executed in step S3208, the motor control status acquisition process is executed in step S3209, and the motor drive process is executed in step S3210.

[0488] In step S3211, the state return switch 321 is checked to ensure that the ball removal is not impossible and that the ball removal operation has not started, and the payout motor 358a is driven to execute the ball removal process. In the following step S3212, the vibrator 360 is controlled (vibration motor control) on the condition that the ball is jammed. After that, the process returns to the beginning of this timer interrupt process.

[0489] Next, normal processing of the sub-control device 262 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 38. First, in step S3901, the port corresponding to the command input of the input / output port 554 is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the command transmitted from the main control device 261 has been received.

[0490] If a command has been received, in step S3902, the command is stored in the command buffer of RAM 553. The command buffer of RAM 553 is configured as a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands transmitted from main control device 261. The ring buffer has a specified storage area, and commands are stored with regularity from the beginning to the end of the storage area, and when commands have been stored in all of the storage area, the storage area returns to the beginning and the command is updated. Therefore, when a command is stored or read, the storage pointer and read pointer in the command buffer are updated, and commands are stored and read based on the respective pointers.

[0491] In the next step S3903, a reserved information storage process is performed to store the variable information included in the advance command in the reserved information storage area provided in the RAM 553. The advance command includes information indicating whether the variable display is triggered by the ball entering either the first start winning section 33a or the second start winning section 33b (setting of the start winning discrimination flag), information indicating whether the variable display corresponds to a big win (setting of the big win occurrence flag), information indicating whether the variable display corresponds to a long small win or a short small win (setting of the long small win occurrence flag or the short small win occurrence flag), information indicating whether the variable display corresponds to a miss (setting of the miss flag), and information indicating the variable display time (setting of the 2-second variable flag, the 3-second variable flag, the 7-second variable flag, or the 0.1-second variable flag).

[0492] The pending information storage area, like the special variable pending area of ​​the main control device 261, has four pending areas (pending areas 1 to 4) and one execution area. The pending information storage area stores variable information included in the preceding command in chronological order according to the reception history of the preceding command based on the variable display (information stored in the special variable pending area). By adopting this configuration, the variable information stored in the special variable pending area of ​​the main control device 261 can also be grasped by the sub-control device 262.

[0493] Here, the pending information storage process in step S3903 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0494] First, in step S4101, it is determined whether or not a preceding command has been received (whether or not the preceding command has been stored in the command buffer of RAM 553). If the determination in step S4101 is affirmative, in step S4102, a reservation counter Np that counts the number of reservation items of variable information stored in the reservation information storage area is incremented by 1.

[0495] In the next step S4103, the variable information including the information on whether or not the first command is a big win, the information on whether or not the first command is a small win, the variable time information, etc. is stored in the first area of ​​the empty reserved areas in the reserved information storage area. After that, in step S4104, the values ​​of various counters used in determining the performance display contents are obtained, and the values ​​are stored in the same reserved area where the variable information was stored.

[0496] After the process of step S4104 is performed, or if a negative decision is made in step S4101, the process proceeds to step S4105, where it is determined whether or not a fluctuation pattern command has been received (whether or not the fluctuation pattern command has been stored in the command buffer of RAM 553). If a positive decision is made in step S4105, the value of the pending counter Np is decremented by 1 in step S4106.

[0497] After step S4106, in step S4107, a process is executed to shift the data stored in the reserved information storage area. This data shift process is a process to shift the data (including flag information) stored in the first to fourth reserved areas of the reserved information storage area to the execution area side in order, and the data in each area is shifted in the following order: first reserved area -> execution area, second reserved area -> first reserved area, third reserved area -> second reserved area, fourth reserved area -> third reserved area.

[0498] After the process of step S4107 is performed, or if a negative decision is made in step S4105, this process ends.

[0499] 38, after step S3903 or if a negative decision is made in step S3901, the process proceeds to step S3904, where it is determined whether or not it is time to execute the next normal process, i.e., whether or not a predetermined time (1 msec in this example) has passed since the start of the previous normal process. If the predetermined time has already passed, the process proceeds to step S3905, whereas if the predetermined time has not yet passed since the start of the previous normal process, the process proceeds to step S3911.

[0500] In step S3905, various counters used in determining the performance display content are updated. In the following step S3906, display setting processing is performed. Here, various calculation processing such as generating a display command to be output to the display control device 45 and setting the output of the command are performed based on the information stored in the command buffer of the RAM 553 when a variation pattern command is received. Therefore, the display mode to be displayed on the performance display device 42 is determined here. At this time, the sub-control device 262 performs processing based on a table that associates various types of performances (variation types) with variation pattern commands.

[0501] The display command is, for example, a command for specifying a series of display effects from the start to the end of the variable display, or a command for specifying a display effect during a big win, and the display command required each time is generated based on the information stored in the command buffer of the RAM 553. Usually, the display command related to the variable display generated by the sub-control device 262 is roughly divided into a normal variable data group and a reach performance data group, and basically, the data constituting these data groups are output in sequence in accordance with a time order determined in advance based on the above-mentioned variable time timer, thereby performing display performance according to various variation patterns. For example, if the normal variable data group is normal variable data 1, normal variable data 2,...,normal variable data m, and the reach performance data group is reach performance data 1, reach performance data 2,...,reach performance data n, data output is performed in the order of normal variable data 1→2→...→m as the normal variation starts, and then data output is performed in the order of reach performance data 1→2→...→n as the reach performance starts.

[0502] The display control device 45 performs drawing processing in response to a command from the sub-control device 262, and starts variable display on the performance display device 42. Once a variable pattern command is received from the main control device 261, the performance display continues in cooperation with the sub-control device 262 and the display control device 45 until a confirmation command is received. Then, when a confirmation command is received, the variable display on the performance display device 42 is stopped.

[0503] Also, in step S3906, whether or not the performance button 125 has been operated is confirmed, and if operation of the performance button 125 is confirmed, settings are made accordingly. Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the change count counter is set to "4" in the end setting process, or if the value of the change count counter is decremented by 1 in the discrimination information setting process, a command to that effect is output from the main control device 261 to the sub-control device 262, and the sub-control device 262 is configured to display the remaining number of times in the time-saving mode on the performance display device 42 based on the command information.

[0504] In addition, in step S3906, when the sub-controller 262 receives an activation notice command output from the main controller 261 based on the game ball passing through the special gate 650, an activation notice performance may be performed to warn that it is a super hot time when the movable gimmick 722 will be activated.

[0505] For example, there may be a presentation that notifies the player of the number of seconds after which the movable device 722 will be activated, or a presentation that notifies the player of the timing at which the game ball is guided to the normal guide passage 604 by the route allocation member 603 so that the movable device 722 will be activated at a better timing.

[0506] In the lamp setting process of step S3907, the lighting pattern of the lamps and illuminations is set to synchronize with the performance performed by the central winning unit 37 and the display performance performed by the performance display device 42.

[0507] In the audio setting process in step S3908, the output pattern of the speaker 24 is set to synchronize with the effects performed by the central winning unit 37 and the display effects performed by the effect display device 42. In addition, when audio-related commands such as an error notification are transmitted from the main control device 261, settings for controlling these are also performed in step S3908.

[0508] In step S3909, control settings for customer waiting performance (for example, a demo screen display that is set to be displayed when a predetermined time has elapsed while no display performance corresponding to the variable display of the special display device 43 is being performed in the performance display device 42) and other processing are performed.

[0509] In step 3910, an external output process is executed to transmit a control signal to each device based on the settings in steps S3905 to 3909. For example, when the performance display device 42 is caused to perform a display performance corresponding to the variable display of the special display device 43, a display command is transmitted to the display control device 45.

[0510] After the processes of steps S3905 to S3910, which are performed every 1 msec, have been executed, or if a negative decision is made in step S3904, the process proceeds to step S3911, where it is decided whether or not power-off occurrence information is stored in RAM 553. The power-off occurrence information is stored when a power-off command is received from main control device 261.

[0511] If the power interruption occurrence information is not stored, the process proceeds to step S3912, where it is determined whether or not RAM 553 has been corrupted. If RAM 553 has not been corrupted, the process returns to step S3901, and normal processing is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if RAM 553 has been corrupted, the process is infinitely looped to stop the execution of subsequent processing.

[0512] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3911 that the power failure occurrence information is to be stored, power failure processing is executed in step S3913. In the power failure processing, interrupt processing is prohibited and each output port is turned off. Also, the stored information on the power failure occurrence is erased. After the power failure processing is executed, the processing is looped infinitely.

[0513] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, when a game ball launched into the game area enters the start winning section 33 (first start winning section 33a or second start winning section 33b) and a small jackpot is won in a win / lose lottery based on the ball entering the game area, the wing member 404 of the central winning unit 37 opens and closes, and the ball entry opening 403 is kept open for a predetermined period of time.

[0514] When the ball entry opening 403 is in the open state, the game ball that enters the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37 through the ball entry opening 403 is guided to the drop passage 602 via the introduction passage 601.

[0515] The game ball that falls through the falling passage 602 is allocated by a route allocating member 603 to a normal guide passage 604 that can lead to the winning / losing lottery area 407, or a special guide passage 605 that can lead to the role activation lottery area 409.

[0516] However, under normal circumstances, the route distribution member 603 is inclined to the right and the special guide passage 605 on the right side is closed, so that the game ball falling down the fall passage 602 is guided to the normal guide passage 604 on the left side.

[0517] When the game ball is guided to the normal guide passage 604, the route allocating member 603 is inclined to the left for a predetermined time by the force of the game ball that contacts it. Therefore, if there is a game ball falling down the falling passage 602 at this timing, the game ball will be guided to the special guide passage 605.

[0518] The game ball guided to the normal guide passage 604 is guided to the winning / losing lottery area 407, and its destination is allocated by the rotating body unit 410 (rotating body 414). Here, when the game ball enters the first V winning passage 427 and is detected by the first special ball entry detection switch 461, the right to generate a jackpot state (V winning jackpot) is granted.

[0519] After that, the game ball detected by the first special ball detection switch 461 is guided to the type lottery area 408 and used to determine the type of jackpot. After the type of jackpot (number of rounds) is determined here, the jackpot state begins.

[0520] On the other hand, the game ball guided to the special guide passage 605 is guided to the accessory activation lottery area 409 and passes through the special gate 650. Then, when the game ball is detected by the special gate switch 651 of the special gate 650, an activation assist lottery is held, and if the activation assist lottery is won, the movable accessory 722 is activated for a predetermined period of time.

[0521] When the movable part 722 is activated and protrudes from the stage portion 432 , the normal guide passage 604 and the bypass passage 737 are connected via the second V winning passage 730 within the movable part 722 .

[0522] When a game ball enters the second V winning passage 730 while the movable device 722 is in operation, the game ball is guided to the bypass passage 737, and when the game ball is detected by the second special ball entry detection switch 738, the right to generate a jackpot state (V winning jackpot) is granted.

[0523] Thereafter, when the game ball enters the 15R ball entrance 731 via the bypass passage 737, a 15R jackpot is started.

[0524] In other words, when the movable part 722 is in an operating state (protruding state), the game ball that is normally guided to the guide passage 604 is guided directly to the 15R ball entrance 731 without passing through the rotating body unit 410 and the type distribution mechanism 741.

[0525] The main effects of this embodiment are described below. As described above, in this embodiment, the movable accessory 722 is provided in the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37, so that the behavior of the game ball that has entered the internal area 401 can be changed. In particular, in this embodiment, the movable accessory 722 is in an operating state, so that a game performance that increases the probability of a V-winning jackpot can be performed. As a result, the player's interest can be improved.

[0526] In addition, in this embodiment, when a game ball is detected at the special gate 650 (special gate switch 651) in the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37, an activation assist lottery is held to determine whether or not to activate the movable part 722, and the movable part 722 is configured to be activated if the activation assist lottery is won.

[0527] As a result, the movable part 722 does not move constantly, either periodically or continuously, and does not operate every time a ball is detected by the special gate switch 651. This prevents the presentation related to the movable part 722 from becoming monotonous, and increases the player's anticipation of the operation of the movable part 722.

[0528] In addition, by providing the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37 with a trigger ball entry means (special gate 650) that detects the operation trigger of the movable part 722, whether or not the movable part 722 will be in an advantageous state is determined based on the behavior of the game ball that has entered the internal area 401, so that the player will pay closer attention to the behavior of the game ball in the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37, further increasing the interest.

[0529] In addition, in this embodiment, the game ball that has passed through the special gate 650 is discharged outside the internal area 401 and cannot flow down (cannot enter) the first V winning passage 427 or the like. If the game ball that has passed through the special gate 650 is configured to flow down toward the first V winning passage 427 or the like, there is a risk that the timing at which the movable accessory 722 acts on the game ball will always be constant. As a result, the result of the action of the movable accessory 722 will always be the same, and there is a risk that the interest of the player will decrease. Furthermore, there is a risk that fraudulent acts such as vibrating the gaming machine will be easily performed in accordance with the operation timing of the movable accessory 722. In addition, there is a risk that it will interfere with other game balls that are flowing down toward the first V winning passage 427 or the like through the normal guide passage 604 without passing through the special gate 650. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the game ball passing through the special gate 650 and the game ball acted upon by the movable part 722 are always different, so that the occurrence of the various problems mentioned above can be suppressed.

[0530] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a route allocation member 603 is provided which allocates the destination of a game ball that has entered the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37 to a normal guide passage 604 which can guide the ball to the win / lose lottery area 407, or to a special guide passage 605 which can guide the ball to the role activation lottery area 409 (special gate 650).

[0531] For example, when two game balls enter the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37 in succession, the first game ball is guided to the normal guide passage 604, and the second game ball is guided to the special guide passage 605. As a result, when two game balls enter the internal area 401 in succession, it is possible to direct the game balls to both the normal guide passage 604 and the special guide passage 605, so that the effect of the movable role 722 is more effective.

[0532] However, in this embodiment, under the configuration in which the launching device 60 launches game balls at 0.6 second intervals, the wing members 404 of the central winning unit 37 are opened for 0.5 seconds during a "short small win" and for 1.5 seconds during a "long small win". This makes it difficult for situations advantageous to the player, such as multiple game balls consecutively entering the central winning unit 37 during one open state period in which the central winning unit 37 (wing members 404) is in an open state, to occur frequently.

[0533] Under such a configuration, if multiple game balls do not enter the central winning unit 37 consecutively at the same time (for example, during one open period of the wing member 404), the movable device 722 acts (assists) to increase the probability that the game balls will not enter the V, there is a risk that the player's expectations will fade and interest will decrease when multiple game balls do not enter the central winning unit 37 consecutively at the same time.

[0534] In contrast, in this embodiment, the change time of the variable display performed on the special gate display device 44 after a specified game ball passes through the special gate 650 (the time until the movable device 722 starts to operate) is set to "1 second," and the operation time of the movable device 722 after it starts to operate is set to "4 seconds."

[0535] As a result, even if, for example, a game ball that has entered the special gate 650 does not enter the central winning unit 37, or if another game ball that has entered the central winning unit 37 together with the game ball that has entered the special gate 650 does not enter the V, a game ball that subsequently enters the central winning unit 37 is given a chance to enter the V with a higher probability.

[0536] In other words, the configuration is such that game balls other than the game ball that enters the central winning unit 37 at the same time as the game ball that passes through the special gate 650 (for example, during one open period of the wing member 404) are given a chance to win a V prize with a higher probability.

[0537] More specifically, for example, in a single open state period of the central winning unit 37 (wing member 404), two game balls enter the internal area 401, the first game ball (the game ball that first passes through the entrance portion 601b as the specific area) flows down the normal guide passage 604, the second game ball (the game ball that next passes through the entrance portion 601b) flows down the special guide passage 605, and then the game ball that flows down the special guide passage 605 passes through the special gate 650 and the movable role 722 is activated. In this case, Even if the movable part 722 has not yet been activated at the time when the game ball that has flowed down the guide passage 604 passes through the movable part 722 and the game ball that has flowed down the normal guide passage 604 is not subjected to the action (assistance) of the movable part 722 and does not win the V, a game ball that enters the internal area 401 during the next open state period of the central winning unit 37 (blade member 404) (the game ball that passes through the entrance portion 601 next after) will flow down the normal guide passage 604 and will be given a chance to win the V due to the action of the movable part 722.

[0538] Of course, instead of the above configuration, various set times such as the change time of the variable display performed by the special gate display device 44 (the time until the movable device 722 starts to operate) and the operation time of the movable device 722 after it starts to operate can be set to times different from the above set times, and after a specified game ball passes through the special gate 650, after a relatively long period of time (for example, after more than one minute), the game ball that enters the internal area 401 flows down into the normal guide passage 604, and a chance of winning a V is given by the action of the movable device 722.

[0539] With this configuration, the player can actively play the game to make the game ball enter the central winning unit 37 even after confirming that the game ball has passed through the special gate 650. As a result, the player's interest can be improved.

[0540] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented as follows. Each of the following configurations may be applied to the above-described embodiment individually, or may be applied to the above-described embodiment in any combination of all or part. In addition, it is also possible to combine all or part of the various configurations shown in the above-described embodiment in any combination.

[0541] (a) The pachinko machine 10 according to the above embodiment is a so-called type 1 / type 2 hybrid machine that combines the functions of a gaming machine (so-called old type 1 pachinko machine) in which the variable winning device 32 opens and closes to create a jackpot state (direct hit jackpot) when a jackpot is won in a win / lose lottery based on the ball entering the start winning section 33, and the functions of a gaming machine (so-called old type 2 pachinko machine) in which a central winning unit 37 opens and closes when a small jackpot is won in a win / lose lottery based on the ball entering the start winning section 33, and a gaming ball that enters the central winning unit 37 enters the first V winning passage 427, etc., to create a jackpot state (V winning jackpot).

[0542] The present invention is not limited to this, and may be implemented as other types of pachinko machines that are awarded a predetermined game value. The game value includes, for example, game media such as prize balls paid out to the player, a special prize state (round) awarded during a big win, and a game mode such as a high probability mode awarded after the big win. In addition to pachinko machines, the present invention may also be implemented as various game machines such as an arrange ball machine and a mahjong ball machine.

[0543] For example, when a gaming ball enters the start winning section 33, no predetermined lottery processing may be performed (or a lottery processing with a 100% probability of winning may be performed), and instead, based on the ball entering the start winning section 33, the central winning unit 37 opens, and the gaming ball that enters the central winning unit 37 enters the first V winning passage 427, etc., resulting in a jackpot state (a so-called old type 2 pachinko machine).

[0544] Also, instead of the variable winning device 32, a configuration may be adopted in which a jackpot state occurs in which the central winning unit 37 as a variable ball entry means opens and closes. In such a case, a configuration may be adopted in which the variable winning device 32 is omitted. In other words, in a type of gaming machine in which a jackpot state occurs in which a predetermined variable ball entry means (a large winning port as a specific area) opens and closes when a jackpot is won in a win / lose lottery based on a ball entering a predetermined starting ball entry means, a configuration may be adopted in which a movable body is provided in the internal area of ​​the variable ball entry means.

[0545] Also, the game machine may be embodied as a type having a variable ball entry means such as a central entry unit 37 that opens when a jackpot is won in a winning / losing lottery based on the ball entering the start entry section 33, and a specific game value is awarded when a game ball that has entered the variable ball entry means enters a special ball entry means such as a V entry port. In other words, in this type of game machine, a movable body may be provided in the internal area of ​​the variable ball entry means.

[0546] In addition, in the central winning unit 37 according to the embodiment, a game ball that enters the left ball entry opening 403 always passes through the left entrance 601b constituting the specific area, and a game ball that enters the right ball entry opening 403 always passes through the right entrance 601b constituting the specific area, and a game ball that enters the internal area 401 is always detected by either the left or right internal ball entry detection switch 437 constituting the specific detection means. However, various configurations related to the specific area and the specific detection means, such as the position and number at which the specific area and the specific detection means are provided, are not limited to the configuration related to the entrance 601b and the internal ball entry detection switch 437, and other configurations may be adopted. For example, one or more specific areas and specific detection means may be provided at a position different from the left and right entrances 601b, such as a configuration in which one exit 601a of the introduction passage 601 is set as a specific area and the internal ball entry detection switch 437 is provided there as the specific detection means.

[0547] Also, in the central winning unit 37, one of the pair of left and right ball entrance openings 403, etc. (including the pair of left and right blade members 404, the introduction passage 601, and the pair of left and right inlets 601b) may be omitted. For example, the left ball entrance opening 403, etc. (including the left blade member 404, the left part of the introduction passage 601, and the inlet part 601b on the left side) may be omitted, and only the right ball entrance opening 403, etc. (including the right blade member 404, the right part of the introduction passage 601, and the inlet part 601b on the right side) may be provided. This results in a configuration in which a ball passage (the right part of the introduction passage 601) through which the game balls can pass one by one and which can guide the game balls one by one to the outlet part 601a as a specific area provided only at one place is provided only at one place. In other words, a game ball that does not pass through the one ball passage cannot pass through the exit portion 601a and enter the internal area 401. Also, the ball passage (the right side portion of the lead-in passage 601) is provided at a position where only a game ball that is shot with a predetermined strength (right hit) and flies over the central winning unit 37 can pass through.

[0548] Alternatively or in addition, a ball passage (such as a ball passage member having a ball passage) capable of guiding game balls one by one to the ball entrance opening 403 on one side (for example, the right side) of the left and right sides of the central winning unit 37 (including the blade member 404 on one side, one side portion of the introduction passage 601, and the entrance portion 601b on that one side) may be provided at an outer position (outer than the blade member 404).

[0549] In addition, in a specific area such as the exit portion 601a or the entrance portion 601b of the introduction passage 601, the passage may be configured to allow the game ball to pass in a predetermined direction (towards the internal area 401), while being provided with a regulating means (such as a valve-shaped member that changes state from a first state to a second state depending on the force received from the game ball) that regulates the passage of the game ball in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction.

[0550] The probability of winning in various lotteries (such as software lottery processing or mechanical lottery) related to the pachinko machine 10 is set appropriately for each model, and any value can be adopted. It goes without saying that the board configuration of the game board 30 can also be changed appropriately.

[0551] Also, the present invention may be implemented as a type of gaming machine in which gaming balls are circulated within the gaming machine and not directly paid out to the player, i.e., a so-called sealed-in type pachinko machine.

[0552] (b) The type of jackpot (number of rounds, configuration, etc.) is not limited to that in the above embodiment, and a different configuration may be adopted.

[0553] For example, in the above embodiment, the types of jackpot states are set as a "3-round jackpot" in which the special prize state (round) is repeated three times, a "7-round jackpot" in which the special prize state (round) is repeated seven times, and a "15-round jackpot" in which the special prize state (round) is repeated 15 times, but the invention is not limited to these and other jackpot states with different numbers of rounds may also be configured to occur.

[0554] Of course, the gaming machine may be implemented as a gaming machine in which only one type of jackpot state (for example, a 15-round jackpot) occurs, rather than a gaming machine in which multiple types of jackpot states can occur.

[0555] (c) The configuration of the game mode granted after the end of the big win state (such as the granting period and configuration content) is not limited to that in the above embodiment, and a different configuration may be adopted.

[0556] For example, in the above embodiment, after the end of the big win state, the time shortening mode is applied in which the time (variation time) of the variable display on the special display device 43 is shortened while the variable display is performed four times on the special display device 43, but the period during which the time shortening mode is applied is not limited to this. For example, the time shortening mode may be configured to continue until the next big win state occurs after the end of the big win state.

[0557] Also, as a game mode after the end of the jackpot state, instead of or in addition to the time-saving mode, a high-probability mode in which the probability of winning the jackpot state (direct jackpot) is increased may be provided. A specific game mode such as the time-saving mode or the high-probability mode may be set as a special game state. When a jackpot that has the right to be granted the high-probability mode after the end of the jackpot state, a so-called variable probability jackpot, occurs, the special display device 43 or the like may display the stop in a specific manner corresponding to the variable probability jackpot. Of course, the game machine may be implemented as a game machine configured not to grant the time-saving mode or the high-probability mode after the end of the jackpot state.

[0558] In addition, in the above embodiment, the probability of winning the ball entry assist lottery, which is conducted based on the passage of a game ball through the through gate 34, and the probability of winning the operation assist lottery, which is conducted based on the passage of a game ball through the special gate switch 651, are configured to be the same in either mode.

[0559] Not limited to this, as a game mode after the end of the big win state, instead of or in addition to the time-saving mode or the high probability mode, a mode (high support mode) in which the winning probability of the ball entry assist lottery, the winning probability of the operation assist lottery, the winning probability of the small win (especially the long small win), etc. is higher than the normal mode may be performed. At least one of these high support modes may be a specific game mode.

[0560] (d) The configuration related to the reel activation lottery (the reel activation lottery area 409, etc.) is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0561] (d-1) For example, in the above embodiment, when a game ball is detected by the special gate 650 (special gate switch 651) provided in the reel activation lottery area 409, an activation assist lottery is held to determine whether or not to activate the movable reel 722, and when the activation assist lottery is won, the activation condition is met and the movable reel 722 is activated.

[0562] Without being limited to this, for example, the configuration may be such that, without performing a lottery process, when a gaming ball is detected by the special gate switch 651, the activation condition is always met and the movable role 722 is activated.

[0563] Also, a configuration may be adopted in which a counting means is provided for counting the number of game balls detected by the special gate switch 651, and when the count value reaches or exceeds a predetermined number, an operating condition is established and the movable accessory 722 is operated. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a counting means is provided for counting the number of game balls detected by the special gate switch 651, and when the count value reaches or exceeds a predetermined number, a predetermined lottery process is executed and a predetermined lottery result is obtained, and then an operating condition is established and the movable accessory 722 is operated.

[0564] (d-2) In addition, the operation assist lottery for determining whether or not to operate the movable role 722 may be configured to be performed not by software lottery processing, but by providing a mechanical lottery mechanism such as a crane in the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37 and performing the lottery based on the behavior of the game ball. However, performing the lottery processing by software is preferable in terms of simplifying the configuration of the central winning unit 37.

[0565] For example, in the role activation lottery area 409, instead of the game ball necessarily passing through the special gate 650 (special gate switch 651), the game ball may pass through the special gate 650 at a predetermined rate (or not).

[0566] (d-3) In addition, in the above embodiment, the trigger ball entry means (special gate) for detecting the operation trigger of the movable part 722 is configured to be provided in the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37, but the location at which the trigger ball entry means (special gate) is provided is not limited to this and may be a different location.

[0567] For example, the central winning unit 37 may be configured to have a second internal area different from internal area 401 (an area where balls can enter from an entrance different from the ball entry opening 403 which is opened and closed by the blade member 404), and a trigger ball entry means (special gate) may be provided in the second internal area.

[0568] (d-4) Also, like the through gate 34, a trigger ball entry means (special gate) may be provided in the game area outside the central winning unit 37, so that the game ball flowing down the game area can enter (pass through). The configuration related to the trigger ball entry means is not limited to a ball entry means such as a through gate through which the entered game ball can pass, but may be a ball entry means such as a winning port through which the entered game ball is discharged outside the game area. Then, a predetermined lottery process is executed based on the entry of the game ball into a predetermined through gate or a predetermined winning port, and the movable role object 722 may be configured to operate when a predetermined operating condition is established, such as when a predetermined lottery result (winning result) is obtained. For example, as described below, when a game ball is detected by the start winning section 33a, 33b (start winning switch 224a, 224b) during a lottery invalid period, an activation assist lottery is held to determine whether or not to activate the movable device 722, and if the activation assist lottery is won, the activation condition is established and the movable device 722 is activated.

[0569] In addition, a game ball that enters the central winning unit 37 (internal area 401) and is guided to the special guide passage 605 may pass through the special gate 650, be detected by the special gate switch 651, and then return to the game area outside the central winning unit 37, rather than being ejected to the back side of the game board 30.

[0570] In addition, a game ball that enters the central winning unit 37 (internal area 401) and is guided to the special guide passage 605 may pass through the special guide passage 605 without being detected by a designated ball detection means, return to the game area outside the central winning unit 37, and then be configured to be able to enter a trigger ball entry means (special gate, etc.) provided in the game area outside the central winning unit 37, where it may be detected by a trigger ball entry detection means (special gate switch, etc.).

[0571] However, if the trigger ball entry means (special gate) which detects the activation trigger of the movable role 722 is located outside the central winning unit 37, there is a risk that a wire or the like may be used to cause the trigger ball entry detection means (special gate switch) to make a false detection, making it easier for fraudulent acts to be committed in which the movable role 722 is activated.From this perspective, it is more preferable that the trigger ball entry means (special gate) is located within the central winning unit 37.

[0572] (d-5) In the above embodiment, when the game ball passes through the special gate 650, a variable display begins on the special gate display device 44, and after a predetermined time, a stationary display is made in a manner corresponding to the result of the activation assist lottery. If the result of the activation assist lottery is a winning result, the movable part 722 is then configured to operate.

[0573] Without being limited to this, the display means (special gate display device 44) for displaying the lottery result of the activation assist lottery may be omitted.

[0574] In addition, in the above embodiment, the change time of the variable display on the special gate display device 44 is uniform (1 second), but this is not limited to this, and the configuration may also include multiple change patterns with different change display times.

[0575] For example, the main control device 261 may be configured to include a fluctuation pattern storage means for storing a plurality of fluctuation patterns with different fluctuation display times, and a fluctuation pattern selection means for selecting one of the plurality of fluctuation patterns stored in the fluctuation pattern storage means based on the detection of a gaming ball by the special gate switch 651, and to control the special gate display device 44 based on the fluctuation pattern selected by the fluctuation pattern selection means.

[0576] This makes it possible to vary the time from when the variable display starts to when the stop display is made on the special gate display device 44. Furthermore, it is possible to vary the operation start period from when the game ball is detected by the special gate switch 651 to when the movable gadget 722 actually goes into an operating state (advantageous state).

[0577] (d-6) In the above embodiment, even if a new game ball passes through the special gate 650 and is detected by the special gate switch 651 during the variable display of the special gate display device 44 or during the operation of the movable accessory 722, the variable display (operation assist lottery result) for that part is not reserved. In other words, the operation assist lottery for that part is invalidated, and the right to operate the movable accessory 722 is not newly granted.

[0578] Without being limited to this, the configuration may be provided with a holding means (variable holding area) that can hold a predetermined number of variable displays (operation assist lottery results) when a new game ball passes through the special gate 650 and is detected by the special gate switch 651 while the special gate display device 44 is displaying a variable display or while the movable device 722 is operating.

[0579] Here, the holding means (variable holding area) may be configured to have one execution area and multiple holding areas, similar to the normal variable holding area that stores the value of the ball entry assist random number counter C3 in the above embodiment, and the values ​​of the operation assist random number counter C4 are stored in chronological order in the multiple holding areas in accordance with the passing history of game balls through the special gate 650. Of course, the information stored in the holding means is not limited to the value of the operation assist random number counter C4, and other information may be stored.

[0580] (e) The configuration related to route allocation (route allocation area 406, etc.) is not limited to that in the above embodiment.

[0581] (e-1) For example, the route allocating member 603 in the above embodiment is pivotally supported so as to be swingable, and is normally maintained in a right-inclined state by a biasing means such as a coil spring (not shown), so that a game ball falling through the fall passage 602 can flow down to the left-side normal guide passage 604. In this state, when a game ball falling through the fall passage 602 is guided to the left-side normal guide passage 604, the route allocating member 603 rotates counterclockwise against the biasing force of the biasing means by the force received from the game ball contacting the left piece 614, and is in a left-inclined state for a predetermined time, so that a game ball falling through the fall passage 602 can flow down to the right-side special guide passage 605.

[0582] The configuration (shape, operation mode, etc.) of the route allocation means is not limited to this, and other configurations may be adopted.

[0583] For example, an axle pin 610 is fixed to an axle portion 611 of a route allocation member 603, the axle portion 611 protruding toward the rear side of the upper rear wall portion 400a, and further, as shown in FIG. 46, an action piece 800 is formed extending downward from the rear end of the protruding axle pin 610, and a pair of coil springs 801, 802 are provided as a maintaining means for supporting the action piece 800 from the left and right, so that the route allocation member 603 may be configured so that under normal circumstances, the central piece portion 613 is maintained in a balanced state (reference posture) with no left-right tilt at the center position in the left-right direction (position of the axle pin 610).

[0584] With this configuration, when a game ball falls onto the route allocation member 603, which is in a balanced state under normal circumstances, it is not known whether the game ball will be guided to the normal guide passage 604 on the left side or the special guide passage 605 on the right side.

[0585] When a game ball that has fallen onto the route allocation member 603 in an equilibrium state is guided to the special guide passage 605 on the right side, for example, the route allocation member 603 rotates once in a clockwise direction due to the force of the game ball contacting the right piece 615, and becomes a right-inclined state (first state) [see FIG. 41(a)], and then rotates counterclockwise due to the elastic force of the pair of coil springs 801, 802, and becomes a left-inclined state (second state) [see FIG. 41(b)]. After that, the route allocation member 603 swings left and right multiple times, and then returns to an equilibrium state due to the elastic force of the pair of coil springs 801, 802, such that the route allocation member 603 becomes a right-inclined state again.

[0586] Similarly, when a game ball that has fallen onto the route allocation member 603 in an equilibrium state is guided, for example, to the normal guide passage 604 on the left side, the route allocation member 603 rotates once counterclockwise due to the force of the game ball contacting the left piece 614, becoming inclined to the left, and then rotates clockwise due to the elastic force of the pair of coil springs 801, 802, becoming inclined to the right. After that, the route allocation member 603 swings left and right multiple times, becoming inclined to the left again, and then returns to the equilibrium state due to the elastic force of the pair of coil springs 801, 802.

[0587] Under such a configuration, when two game balls fall consecutively onto the route allocation member 603 in an equilibrium state, for example, if the first game ball is guided to the normal guide passage 604 on the left, the second game ball will be guided to the special guide passage 605 on the right. Conversely, if the first game ball is guided to the special guide passage 605 on the right, the second game ball will be guided to the normal guide passage 604 on the left.

[0588] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a configuration in which a plurality of game balls falling continuously are alternately distributed to different routes while adopting a relatively simple configuration without providing a driving means for driving the route distribution member 603. As a result, it is possible to simplify the configuration and control, and to make the device compact.

[0589] (e-2) In the route distribution member 603 illustrated in Figure 46, instead of the pair of coil springs 801, 802, a weight may be attached to the lower end of the action piece 800, so that the route distribution member 603 is normally maintained in a balanced state while being allowed to swing freely by the action of a game ball.

[0590] (e-3) In the route allocating member 603 illustrated in Fig. 46, instead of the pair of coil springs 801, 802, a driving means (allocation driving means) such as a motor for swinging the route allocating member 603 may be provided, so that the route allocating member 603 swings periodically or continuously between a rightward inclination state and a leftward inclination state. In addition, the route allocating means such as the route allocating member 603 may be normally in a stopped state, and may be in a predetermined operating state only when a predetermined driving condition is satisfied and a specific state is reached.

[0591] (e-4) The route allocation means does not have to be movable, and may be fixed to the housing 400 or may be integrally provided therewith. In other words, the route may be allocated according to the random behavior of the game ball. In addition, the position and number of the route allocation means and other various configurations related to the route allocation means are not limited to the above embodiment, and different configurations may be adopted. For example, one or more route allocation means may be provided in a position different from that of the above embodiment (another variable ball entry means different from the central winning unit 37).

[0592] (f) The configurations of the various guide routes are not limited to those in the above embodiment.

[0593] (f-1) For example, although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, in the configuration according to the above embodiment, it is preferable to configure the configuration so that the time required for the game ball to reach an advantageous state from the time the game ball is guided by the route distribution member 603 to the normal guide passage 604 until the game ball reaches the special gate 650 (special gate switch 651) and the movable device 722 reaches an advantageous state is shorter than the movable body arrival time from the time the game ball is guided by the route distribution member 603 to the normal guide passage 604 until the game ball reaches the movable device 722 (the exit portion 604a of the normal guide passage 604).

[0594] If the time taken for the game ball to reach the special gate 650 and the movable device 722 to reach an advantageous state is longer from the time the game ball is guided by the route distribution member 603 to the normal guide passage 604 until it reaches the movable device 722 (the exit portion 604a of the normal guide passage 604) than the time taken for the game ball to reach the movable device 722 (the exit portion 604a of the normal guide passage 604) until it reaches the advantageous state from the time the game ball is guided by the route distribution member 603 to the special guide passage 605, in the case where two game balls enter the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37 in succession, and the first game ball is distributed by the route distribution member 603 to the normal guide passage 604 and the second game ball is distributed to the special guide passage 605, the player will know that the game balls will reach the movable device 722 before the movable device 722 is activated, which may significantly reduce the player's interest.

[0595] In order to lengthen the time it takes for the game ball guided to the normal guide passage 604 to reach the movable part 722, it is possible to lengthen the moving distance of the game ball required to pass through the normal guide passage 604. Alternatively or in addition to this, a configuration may be adopted in which a delay means for delaying the passage of the game ball is provided in the normal guide passage 604.

[0596] Examples of delay means include a stage or a crane, which causes the game ball to go back and forth or make a circuit of the same location several times before moving on, or a configuration in which the momentum of the game ball is stopped by ribs or the like, allowing the game ball to move on over time.

[0597] (f-2) For example, in the above embodiment, only one special guide passage 605 that guides the game ball to the special gate 650 is provided as a second route (trigger ball entry guide route) that guides the game ball sorted by the route sorting member 603 to the trigger ball entry means (special gate). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration may include multiple second routes (trigger ball entry guide routes) that differ in the time it takes for the game ball to reach the trigger ball entry means (special gate) from the route sorting member 603.

[0598] By providing multiple second routes (trigger ball entry guide routes), the period from the time when the game ball is distributed by the route distribution member 603 (predetermined trigger) to the time when the movable device 722 actually enters an operating state (advantageous state) can be made variable.

[0599] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the period from when the game ball is distributed by the route distribution member 603 to when it reaches the trigger ball entry means (special gate) can be made variable by a mechanical configuration based on the behavior of the game ball, which makes the player pay more attention to the behavior of the game ball in the internal area 401 of the central winning unit 37, thereby further increasing the interest.

[0600] As a more specific configuration, for example, as shown in Figure 47, the configuration may include a first second route (first special guide passage 605A) in which the time it takes for the game ball to reach an advantageous state from the time the game ball is guided by the route distribution member 603 to the normal guide passage 604 until the game ball reaches the first trigger ball entry means (first special gate 650A) and the movable device 722 becomes activated is longer than the movable body arrival time from the time the game ball is guided by the route distribution member 603 to the normal guide passage 604 until the game ball reaches the movable device 722 (exit portion 604a of the normal guide passage 604), and a second second route (second special guide passage 605B) in which the time it takes for the game ball to reach an advantageous state from the time the game ball is guided by the route distribution member 603 to the normal guide passage 604 until the game ball reaches the first trigger ball entry means (first special gate 650A) and the movable device 722 becomes activated is shorter. Here, the "first second route (first special guide passage 605A)" constitutes the "first downflow route", and the "second second route (second special guide passage 605B)" constitutes the "second downflow route" (and so on).

[0601] In the example shown in Fig. 47, a first special gate switch 651A is provided in a first special gate 650A to detect a game ball passing therethrough, and a second special gate switch 651B is provided in a second special gate 650B to detect a game ball passing therethrough. Here, the "first special gate switch 651A" constitutes the "first opportunity ball entry detection means", and the "second special gate switch 651B" constitutes the "second opportunity ball entry detection means" (same below).

[0602] The passage width of each of the special guide passages 605A, 605B and the special gates 650A, 650B is set to a width that allows one game ball to pass through at a time. In addition, game balls that have passed through each of the special gates 650A, 650B are discharged to the outside of the internal area 401 through a discharge passage (not shown).

[0603] Further, at the entrance of the second special guide passage 605B, a slide member 655 capable of opening and closing the entrance is provided. The slide member 655 is provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and is in a closed state in which the entrance of the second special guide passage 605B is closed by being displaced to a forward protruding position, and is in an open state in which the entrance of the second special guide passage 605B is opened by being displaced to a rearward retracted position.

[0604] When the slide member 655 is in a closed state, the game balls sorted by the route sorting member 603 as an upstream route sorting means pass throug...

Claims

[Claim 1] A launching means for launching a game ball; a play area to which the launched game ball is guided; A variable ball entry means having an opening and closing member that can be changed between an open state in which a game ball flowing down the game area can enter an internal area and a closed state in which a game ball flowing down the game area cannot enter the internal area; A special ball entry means through which a game ball that has entered the internal area can enter the ball; A gaming machine including a special game state providing means for providing a special game state advantageous to a player when a predetermined ball is entered into the special ball entry means, The variable ball entry means is configured to allow only a game ball that has passed through a specific area to enter the inner area, This gaming machine is A first opportunity ball entry means for allowing a game ball that has passed through the specific area to enter the game; A second opportunity ball entry means for allowing the game ball that has passed through the specific area to enter the ball; A first route through which the game ball that has passed through the specific area can flow down to the second trigger ball entry means and cannot flow down to the first trigger ball entry means; A second route through which the game ball that has passed through the specific area can flow down to the first trigger ball entry means and cannot flow down to the second trigger ball entry means; A route allocation means capable of allocating the destination of the game ball to at least the first route or the second route, The game ball entering the internal area of ​​the variable ball entry means is configured to be changed by a variable means capable of changing the value of a game ball that has flowed down a predetermined route to the special ball entry means by changing a state between at least an advantageous state that is advantageous to the player and an unfavorable state that is less advantageous to the player than the advantageous state, The variable means is configured to be able to execute the advantageous state based on the establishment of a predetermined switching condition when a predetermined lottery result is obtained in a predetermined lottery process executed based on the entry of a game ball into the first trigger ball entry means or the second trigger ball entry means; In this gaming machine, The specific area is provided in only one location and allows the game balls to pass through it one by one; A ball passage capable of guiding the game balls one by one to the specific area is provided at only one location, In the specific area, a restricting means is provided which allows the game ball to pass in a predetermined direction while restricting the game ball from passing in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction; The game balls that have entered the first opportunity ball entry means and the second opportunity ball entry means are configured not to flow down to the special ball entry means thereafter, This gaming machine is a grant determination means for determining the grant of the special game state of one game value when a game ball enters the special ball entry means; In a case where the game ball enters the special ball entry means and the special game state is granted under the advantageous state control by the variable means, the granting of the special game state of the predetermined type that is most advantageous to the player is more likely to be determined than in a case where the game ball enters the non-advantageous state control by the variable means, This gaming machine is A performance means capable of performing a pre-performance during an operation standby period that can be set at least before the advantageous state is controlled by the variable means, The performance means is configured to select the advance performance to be executed corresponding to the operation standby period from among the plurality of advance performances provided when executing the advance performance, The ball passage is configured such that an entrance area is provided at only one location, and only the game ball that has passed through the entrance area can be guided to the specific area; A game ball that does not pass through the entrance area of ​​the ball passage is configured to be unable to pass through the specific area, A gaming machine characterized in that, in a specified gaming state, the variable means is configured to be more likely to enter a specific control state advantageous to a player who is able to execute the advantageous state when a gaming ball that has passed through the specific area flows down the first route and enters the second trigger ball entry means than when a gaming ball that has passed through the specific area flows down the second route and enters the first trigger ball entry means.

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