Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine that makes it difficult for a player to be confused, while making it possible to execute a read-ahead performance for a newly reserved symbol variation during the execution of the read-ahead performance.SOLUTION: Performance control means can execute a read-ahead performance which suggests the expected probability of deriving a specific result in a symbol variation of a target while the symbol variation of the target is reserved. The read-ahead performance includes a first read-ahead performance and a second read-ahead performance which is different from the first read-ahead performance. When a new symbol variation is reserved during a period from when the first read-ahead performance is started until when the symbol variation of the target related to the first read-ahead performance is started, the second read-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved symbol variation can be executed after the end of the first read-ahead performance, whereas the first read-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved symbol variation is not executed after the end of the first read-ahead performance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Among gaming machines, typified by pachinko machines, there are some that are configured to be able to reserve pattern changes and execute a pre-reading effect that suggests the likelihood of winning a jackpot based on the reserved pattern changes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-177016 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a gaming machine that executes such a look-ahead performance, a new symbol change may be reserved during the execution of the look-ahead performance, but the look-ahead performance is already being executed. Therefore, it is difficult to execute the look-ahead performance for the newly reserved symbol change, and even if the look-ahead performance for the newly reserved symbol change is executed, there is a risk that it will confuse the player.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a gaming machine that makes it possible to execute a pre-reading performance for a newly reserved pattern change while a pre-reading performance is being executed, while minimizing confusion for the player. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, a gaming machine capable of launching a gaming ball, executing a pattern variation based on the passage of the gaming ball into a starting area, executing a win / loss judgment with the start of the pattern variation, and when a specific result is derived by the win / loss judgment, executing a winning game after the end of the pattern variation for which the win / loss judgment was executed, and capable of suspending the start of the pattern variation until a variation start condition is satisfied, is provided with a presentation means and a presentation control means for controlling the presentation means, and the presentation control means controls a probability of deriving the specific result in the target pattern variation. Show It is possible to execute a look-ahead performance that suggests that the player has a first look-ahead performance and a second look-ahead performance that is different from the first look-ahead performance, and during a period from when the first look-ahead performance starts to when the pattern variation of the target related to the first look-ahead performance starts, New When the pattern change is put on hold At least a part of After the first pre-reading performance is completed, the second pre-reading performance is executed for the newly reserved pattern change. Gain, After the first pre-reading performance ends, the first pre-reading performance is executed for the newly reserved pattern change. First, the first look-ahead performance is a performance that can become a first performance mode or a second performance mode having a higher expected probability of deriving the specific result than the first performance mode, and during the period from when the first look-ahead performance is started until when the target pattern change related to the first look-ahead performance is started, a new pattern change is reserved, and the rate at which the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is executed is different between when the first look-ahead performance is in the first performance mode and when the first look-ahead performance is in the second performance mode. The gaming machine is characterized by the above. Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine capable of launching a gaming ball, capable of executing a pattern change based on the passage of the gaming ball into a starting area, executing a win / loss judgment in association with the start of the pattern change, and when a specific result is derived by the win / loss judgment, capable of executing a winning game after the pattern change for which the win / loss judgment was executed has ended, and capable of suspending the start of the pattern change until a change start condition is satisfied, the gaming machine comprising: a presentation means; and a presentation control means for controlling the presentation means, the presentation control means being capable of executing a look-ahead presentation that suggests an expected likelihood of deriving the specific result in a target pattern change, the look-ahead presentation including a first look-ahead presentation and a second look-ahead presentation different from the first look-ahead presentation, and at least part of the time when a new pattern change is suspended during a period from the start of the first look-ahead presentation to the start of the target pattern change related to the first look-ahead presentation, the newly suspended presentation is suspended after the end of the first look-ahead presentation. a game machine is provided in which the second look-ahead performance is executed targeting a pattern change that has been newly reserved after the first look-ahead performance has ended, the first look-ahead performance is not executed targeting the newly reserved pattern change after the first look-ahead performance has ended, a new pattern change is reserved during a period from the start of the first look-ahead performance to the start of a pattern change of the target related to the first look-ahead performance, and when the second look-ahead performance is executed targeting the newly reserved pattern change, the second look-ahead performance can be started from a pattern change next to the pattern change for which the first look-ahead performance has ended, the performance means includes a first performance means, a second performance means, and a third performance means, the first look-ahead performance is a performance executed using the first performance means and the third performance means without using the second performance means, and the second look-ahead performance is a performance executed using the second performance means and the third performance means without using the first performance means. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to execute a look-ahead performance for a newly reserved pattern change while a look-ahead performance is being executed, while preventing confusion for the player. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in the area II shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation buttons and their surroundings arranged in the area III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the gaming machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing the movable positions of the performance shield. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. [Figure 9] Figure 9(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for determining whether a special pattern is selected, Figure 9(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for selecting a special pattern for stopping on special pattern 1, and Figure 9(c) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for selecting a special pattern for stopping on special pattern 2. [Figure 10] Figure 10(a) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for deriving a special chart variation pattern in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for deriving a special chart variation pattern used when a special chart variation pattern HNP is determined. [Figure 11] FIG. 11(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of execution of pre-reading effect A. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an example of execution of pre-reading effect B. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table used in the lottery for determining the presentation mode of the pre-reading presentation B. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the look-ahead performance management process. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the process of setting the pre-reading effect when the pre-reading effect is not set. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the pre-reading performance setting process during the pre-reading performance A setting. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the pre-reading performance setting process during the pre-reading performance B setting. [Figure 19]19(a) to 19(d) are diagrams that diagrammatically show lottery tables used in lottery for determining whether or not to execute a pre-reading performance in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. [Figure 20] 20(a) to 20(c) are diagrams that typically show lottery tables used in lottery for determining whether or not a delay flag is set in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

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

[0011] The present invention relates to A gaming machine capable of launching a game ball, capable of executing a pattern change based on the passage of the game ball through a start area (a first start port 57, a second start port 59), performing a win / lose determination with the start of the pattern change, and when a specific result is derived by the win / lose determination, capable of executing a winning game after the end of the pattern change for which the win / lose determination was performed, and capable of suspending the start of the pattern change until a change start condition is satisfied, A performance means (performance shield 85, movable decorative body 22, main display unit 81), A performance control means (first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300) for controlling the performance means; Equipped with The performance control means is capable of executing a pre-reading performance that suggests the expected probability of the specific result in the target pattern variation while the target pattern variation is pending; The above-mentioned look-ahead performance includes a first look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance B) and a second look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance A) which is different from the first look-ahead performance. During the period from when the first look-ahead performance is started until when the target pattern change related to the first look-ahead performance is started, when a new pattern change is reserved, the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change may be executed after the first look-ahead performance ends, whereas the first look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is not executed after the first look-ahead performance ends. This is a gaming machine characterized by the above.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the interest in the game by narrowing the execution interval of the look-ahead performance, while making it easier for the player to recognize that the pattern changes of the pre-read targets are different when the execution periods of the look-ahead performances are close to each other.

[0013] In addition, with regard to the above "when a new pattern change is reserved during the period from when the first look-ahead performance is started to when the pattern change of the target related to the first look-ahead performance is started, the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change may be executed after the first look-ahead performance is finished," the gaming machine according to the present embodiment described later is configured to execute the second look-ahead performance after completing the first look-ahead performance without stopping the first look-ahead performance midway, but this is not limited to this. Specifically, when a new pattern change is reserved and the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is executed, the first look-ahead performance may be stopped midway and the second look-ahead performance may be executed after that. In other words, "the end of the first look-ahead performance" includes not only the completion of the first look-ahead performance, but also the stopping of the first look-ahead performance midway.

[0014] In addition, "different" in "a second look-ahead performance different from the first look-ahead performance" does not necessarily mean that each look-ahead performance is executed on a different device (a common device is allowed to exist) as in the present embodiment described later, but includes both look-ahead performances being executed on the same device. However, this does not include differences in performance modes within one look-ahead performance, such as the relationship between a performance mode with low expectation and a performance mode with high expectation described later. Furthermore, in a gaming machine configured to be capable of executing three or more types of pre-reading performances, the above-mentioned effects can be achieved if the configuration of the present invention is satisfied for two types of pre-reading performances arbitrarily selected from the three or more types of pre-reading performances.

[0015] In addition, the above-mentioned "specific result" is not limited to a jackpot, but may be a small win (a so-called two-type win) that initiates a small win game that allows a game ball to enter a large winning port that has a specific area inside it (passing through which causes a jackpot game), or it may be a combination of these.

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

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

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

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

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

[0021] The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable about the left end side, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)). In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view. The front frame 20 also has an upper ball tray 27 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 27 and the lower ball tray 29 are spaced apart from each other vertically and are formed integrally with the front frame 20. In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

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

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball tray 27. The group of operation buttons includes a ball loan button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting a return operation of a prepaid card as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to a main control board 100 described later, and includes a performance button 37 for switching the performance generated during a game or accepting a player's operation to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10 as an operation unit electrically connected to a first sub-control board 200 described later, and cursor buttons 38 (upper cursor button 38a, lower cursor button 38b, left cursor button 38c, right cursor button 38d, middle cursor button 38e) for instructing operations to the up, down, left, and right directions, respectively. Each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operation unit by a change in the detection state of the sensor.

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

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

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. The upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of a light-transmitting cover, and frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are disposed inside the cover, each of which is composed of a full-color LED. The speaker 33 and the frame lamp 35 can emit sound or turn on or off in conjunction with multiple types of effects and error effects that occur during play. In the following description, the frame lamp 35a will be referred to as the "upper lamp."

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

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

[0029] Each of the sub-display units 82 is not only provided mainly for displaying a performance image related to a performance, but is also configured to be movable. The initial positions of the upper sub-display unit 82a are on the upper side relative to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b are on the left side relative to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c are on the right side relative to the main display unit 81, and each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where it overlaps with the display area of ​​the decorative pattern in the main display unit 81.

[0030] In this embodiment, the performance display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub-display unit 82a, left sub-display unit 82b, right sub-display unit 82c) all use liquid crystal display devices, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices such as drum type and dot matrix type can be used as the performance display device 80.

[0031] Between the main display unit 81 and the sub display unit 82, a performance shield 85 is disposed, and the performance shield 85 is composed of an upper left performance shield 85a, an upper right performance shield 85b, a lower left performance shield 85c, and a lower right performance shield 85d. Although details will be described later, these are configured to be movable in a direction that shields the main display unit 81 in conjunction with each other, and the movement of the performance shield 85 is used for a look-ahead performance.

[0032] A number of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and these LEDs form the display area of ​​the pattern display device 90, which displays special patterns and normal patterns. In addition, the symbol display device 90 is disposed in a position that is more difficult for the player to see than the main display unit 81, and the display area of ​​the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of ​​the main display unit 81. In addition, the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

[0033] The special symbols are symbols that are stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a special electric role (for example, the special electric role 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92. In addition, the special pattern may be abbreviated as "Special pattern", the first special pattern as "Special pattern 1", and the second special pattern as "Special pattern 2".

[0034] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric role (for example, the normal electric role 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. In addition, normal patterns are sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu", and normal electric devices are sometimes called "denchu".

[0035] In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96. The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved normal patterns, and all of them make it possible to identify the corresponding number of pattern variations by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right side only constantly lit = 1, left and right sides constantly lit = 2, right side flashing + left side constantly lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

[0036] In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 displays a special pattern in a variable manner and then stops displaying the special pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the special pattern,'' and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern display device 93 displays a normal pattern in a variable manner and then stops displaying the normal pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the normal pattern.'' In addition, in the following description, the change display of the pattern row (decorative pattern) displayed on the above-mentioned main display unit 81 may be referred to as "pattern change of decorative pattern" to distinguish it from "pattern change of special pattern" and "pattern change of normal pattern". In the following explanation, when the term "pattern change" is used, it means a pattern change of a special design unless otherwise specified.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, a number of obstacles such as game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative parts are arranged on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the shot game ball can roll. Additionally, on the left and upper sides of the play area 50a, there are arranged a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 for guiding the game balls launched by rotating the operating handle 31 to the upper part of the play area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the play area 50a as the reference point. Here, the windmill 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which the game balls fall.

[0038] The gaming machine 10 is capable of varying the strength of the game ball's launch depending on the amount of rotation (e.g., the angle of rotation) of the operating handle 31, and various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a to make the game ball roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left hit), in which a game ball that is launched more weakly, or the second flow path Y (so-called right hit), in which a game ball that is launched more strongly, rolls.

[0039] In Figure 4, the main prize openings are shown as large prize opening 55, first start opening 57, second start opening 59, gate 63, and general prize opening 67, but the prize openings shown are only examples, and the number and arrangement of the openings may be changed as appropriate.

[0040] The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right of the game area 50a. The large prize opening 55 is provided with a large prize opening sensor 72, and the result of detection by the large prize opening sensor 72 determines whether a prize has been won in the large prize opening 55, and the number of prize balls (15 in this embodiment) associated with the large prize opening 55 is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the big prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0041] A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, in which it is easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, in which it is difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66. More specifically, the special electric device 65 is in an open state in at least a part of the jackpot game that is set due to the jackpot being derived by the special chart hit / miss judgment described later, and thus entry into the jackpot opening 55 is permitted. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, it becomes easier to win the jackpot opening 55, so the jackpot game in which the chances of winning prize balls are greatly increased can be said to be an advantageous game state. In a jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state, and one open state (sometimes referred to as a "round", and the total number of rounds that occur in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have entered the jackpot opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state. Note that one open state also ends when a sufficient time (30 s (seconds) in this embodiment) for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the big winning hole 55 has elapsed. Here, when the special electric device 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on the winning of 10 game balls in one round, it cannot immediately return to the closed state. Therefore, there may be cases where more than 10 game balls win the big winning hole 55 in one round, and such a win may be called an over win.

[0042] The first starting hole 57 is located at the center lower part of the game area 50a. The first starting hole 57 is provided with a first starting hole sensor 70, and the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70, and the number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) associated with the first starting hole 57 is awarded. In at least some of the cases where the winning of the first starting hole 57 is determined, the pattern of the special chart 1 is changed. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when they roll from the first flow path X compared to when they roll from the second flow path Y.

[0043] The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the winning of the second starting hole 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71, and the number of winning balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a winning combination is determined to have been made at the second starting port 59, the pattern on the special chart 2 will change. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when they roll from the second flow path Y compared to when they roll from the first flow path X.

[0044] A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which it is easy to insert a game ball into the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult to insert the ball, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62. More specifically, the normal electric device 61 is in an open state at least in part of the normal winning game that is played by winning the pattern variation of the normal picture, and thus entry into the second starting hole 59 is permitted. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in an open state, entry into the second starting hole 59 is easy, so that the opportunity for the pattern variation of the special picture 2 to be executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls due to the prize balls.

[0045] The gate 63 is located in the right center of the game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and the winning of the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least some cases where the winning of the gate 63 is determined, the pattern of the normal figure is changed. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the gate 63 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0046] The general winning opening 67 is located at the lower left of the game area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to the general winning opening 67, and a winning ball is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and the number of prize balls associated with the general winning opening 67 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X compared to when rolling from the second flow path Y, but the obstacles may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning openings 67 may be provided.

[0047] The outlet 69 is disposed at the bottom of the game area 50a. A game ball that is shot into the game area 50a and does not enter any of the winning holes falls into the outlet 69 and is treated as an out ball. In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) is provided for detecting game balls (hereinafter referred to as "out balls") that have entered the winning hole and the out hole.

[0048] In addition to the sensors mentioned above, the game board 50 is also provided with a magnetic detection sensor for detecting magnetism and a radio wave detection sensor for detecting radio waves (both not shown) in order to prevent fraudulent acts such as receiving prize balls illegally.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the rear of the game board 50 is fitted with a main control board case 109 in which the main control board 100 is stored, a first sub-control board case 209 in which the first sub-control board 200 is stored, a second sub-control board case 309 in which the second sub-control board 300 is stored, a power supply control board case 509 in which the power supply control board 500 is stored, and a payout control board case 409 in which the payout control board 400 is stored. In addition to the rear of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening / closing cover 45 which covers part of the rear of the main control board case 109 is attached in a removable manner. In addition, the main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43. Furthermore, the substrate cases and covers that cover the respective substrates are made of transparent materials, and the corresponding substrates can be seen through the respective substrate cases and covers.

[0050] The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage). In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). In addition, when a power interruption is detected by the power interruption detection circuit 503, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400. In addition, the backup power circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is being supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island. In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

[0051] A game ball tank 46 for storing game balls supplied from the ball supply facility of the game island is disposed on the back of the game board 50, above the opening and closing cover 45. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 leading to the upper ball tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out to the upper ball tray 27 through the payout passage 49.

[0052] So far, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but this is only one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with a different configuration.

[0053] <About the operation of the stage shield 85> Next, the operation of the effect shielding body 85 will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) to 6(c). Figures 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing the movable positions of the effect shielding body 85. As described above, the effect shielding body 85 is composed of the upper left effect shielding body 85a, the upper right effect shielding body 85b, the lower left effect shielding body 85c, and the lower right effect shielding body 85d, and Fig. 6(a) shows the effect shielding body 85 in the initial position. Note that, at this position, almost the entire display area related to the main display unit 81 is visible. FIG. 6(b) shows a state in which a part (about 30% of the whole) of the display area of ​​the main display unit 81 is covered by the performance shield 85. FIG. 6(c) shows a state in which the entire display area related to the main display unit 81 is covered by the performance shield 85 (a state in which the display area related to the main display unit 81 is shielded). In this way, the upper left performance shield 85a, the upper right performance shield 85b, the lower left performance shield 85c, and the lower right performance shield 85d operate in conjunction with each other in the planar direction of the display area related to the main display unit 81. In the following explanation, the position of the performance shield 85 shown in Fig. 6(a) may be referred to as the original position, the position of the performance shield 85 shown in Fig. 6(b) as the first operating position, and the position of the performance shield 85 shown in Fig. 6(c) as the second operating position. In addition, "covering" in this embodiment refers to the covering thing (in this embodiment, the performance shield 85) being positioned in front of the thing being covered (in this embodiment, the display area related to the main display unit 81) and the covering thing being between the player and the object, making part or all of the thing being covered invisible or difficult to see.

[0054] 6(c), the upper left performance shield 85a has a convex part imitating the character "Heaven" on the surface of the front side (the front side when the main display unit 81 side is defined as the back side), the upper right performance shield 85b has a convex part imitating the character "Down" on the surface of the front side, the lower left performance shield 85c has a convex part imitating the character "No" on the surface of the front side, and the lower right performance shield 85d has a convex part imitating the character "Two" on the surface of the front side. The shape of the front side (player side) of these performance shields 85 is not limited to the shape of this embodiment and may be any shape, but in this embodiment, the entire shape is visible when the performance shield 85 is in the second operating position.

[0055] <Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 7.

[0056] The main control board 100 is equipped with a CPU 101 which performs various calculation processes related to the game, a ROM 102 which stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 which functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, an I / O port 104 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 which operates in a system separate from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers), and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

[0057] The CPU 101 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performing arithmetic processing. The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power source generated in a backup power circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored after a power outage, the gaming machine 10 can be restored to the state it was in immediately before the power outage using the data. For example, in addition to data such as a stack pointer and each register that were held when the power outage occurred, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (a game stop state or a game available state), the current special drawing state, and the current normal drawing state, is backed up.

[0058] In this embodiment, at least an area in which such information related to the game is stored (sometimes referred to as the area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game) is backed up, as well as an area in which the complement of the checksum and the backup flag related to the area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game are stored (sometimes referred to as the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game). Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 returns to normal using the various pieces of information stored in the backed up area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game and the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game. In addition, the specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be realized with a configuration capable of holding data in a non-volatile manner even in a power-off state. As another example, in the RAM 103, a first memory configured to hold data in a non-volatile manner even in a power-off state and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10 may be provided with different hardware. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may save information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is cut off, and recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

[0059] The main control board 100 is also electrically connected to the first start opening sensor 70, the second start opening sensor 71, the special prize opening sensor 72, the general prize opening sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame door opening sensor 76, the front frame door opening sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to these sensors, the main control board 100 is also electrically connected to a full tank detection sensor, a magnetic detection sensor, and a radio wave detection sensor, and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104.

[0060] In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern hold lamp 94, the second special pattern hold lamp 95, the normal pattern hold lamp 96, the normal electric role solenoid 62 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I / O port 104. Similarly, main control board 100 is electrically connected to main operation unit 39 and RAM clear switch 43, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of main operation unit 39.

[0061] The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various performance control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured not to be able to request the main control board 100 to transmit data. In addition, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

[0062] The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 which performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 which stores data such as presentation control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 which functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 which inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device. These are interconnected via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202. In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect the operation of these operating sections.

[0063] In addition, the first sub-control board 200, through performance control processing based on performance control commands from the main control board 100, generates image control commands that instruct the image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, audio control commands that instruct the audio to be output to the audio control board 310, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of movable bodies such as the movable decorative body 22, the sub-display unit 82, and the performance shield 85. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the voice control board 310 to enable two-way communication, and each control command (image control command, voice control command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the voice control board 310, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command was successfully received is transmitted from each control board (second sub-control board 300, voice control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

[0064] The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the frame lamp 35 and the lamps provided on the movable decorative body 22, and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. The frame lamp 35 is configured so that its illumination is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

[0065] The second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a CPU that performs various arithmetic processing related to image presentation based on image control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM that stores image control programs and various data, etc., a RAM that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and is configured so that the CPU executes main control related to image presentation in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM (all not shown). In addition, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP (not shown) that generates image data according to the content of the performance determined by a performance content determination means 225 (described later) based on a control signal received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates sound data according to the content of the performance based on a control signal received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in an image ROM in response to an instruction from the CPU, processes the image data, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. A high-speed VRAM is also connected to this VDP, which is used to expand and process the image data read from the image ROM.

[0066] The audio control board 310 includes a CPU 311 that performs various arithmetic processing related to audio performance based on audio control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores audio control programs and audio data, a RAM 313 that functions as a work area or buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral boards and each device, and is configured such that the CPU 311 executes main control related to audio performance according to the control program stored in the ROM 312. Thus, the audio control board 310 reads audio data stored in the ROM 312 in response to audio control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesizes the read audio data, and transmits the final synthesized audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, thereby enabling the speaker 33 to output audio.

[0067] The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM and a RAM (all not shown). In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 for two-way communication, and performs control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls based on a payout control command from the main control board 100, and also controls the launch of the game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launch mechanism based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31.

[0068] The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit that generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supply supplied from the game island's power supply equipment, a backup power supply circuit that generates backup power, and a power interruption detection circuit that detects power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage) (all of which are not shown). In addition, a power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). In addition, when a power interruption is detected by the power interruption detection circuit, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400. In addition, the backup power circuit is configured to be charged when power is being supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island. In addition, the backup power supply circuit may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400.

[0069] <Functional Configuration of the Gaming Machine 10> Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 8 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may have a functional configuration not shown in Fig. 8. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 9 to 11 will be referred to as necessary.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 8, the main control board 100 is equipped with a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special chart lottery means 130, a normal chart lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a pattern display control means 145, an electric gimmick control means 150, a game status control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration processing execution means 175, and a power outage processing execution means 180. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using FIG. 7.

[0071] The main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means included in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (performance control commands) stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160 is transmitted to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200 (described later) by the command transmission means after being stored.

[0072] The winning ball determination means 110 determines whether a ball has been won at each winning hole based on the detection results of a sensor provided at each winning hole.

[0073] The main random number generation means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win at a winning port is determined, it obtains (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning port from the random number circuit 105. More specifically, when it is determined that the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 obtains a random number for determining whether or not the special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop pattern, and a random number for drawing a special symbol change pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that the gate 63 has been won, the main random number generating means 115 stores a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol stop pattern, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol change pattern, which will be described later, in a corresponding storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. The random number circuit 105 monitors whether the multiple types of random numbers it updates are being updated normally, and if an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality is written to a specific storage area of ​​the random number circuit 105. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

[0074] The main reservation control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern change of the special chart and the reservation of the pattern change of the normal chart. Regarding the special chart 1, the random number for determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, the random number for drawing the special chart stop pattern, and the random number for drawing the special chart change pattern, which are obtained as a result of winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information for the special chart 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") which is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the draw by the special chart draw means 130), and stores the activation hold information in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and controls the remaining activation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter which is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter. In addition, the main reservation control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and ordinary drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the reservation counter for special drawing 2 is referred to as the special drawing 2 reservation counter. In addition, in the following explanation, "suspending operation suspension information" may be expressed as "suspending pattern change." In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, when both the pending activation information corresponding to special drawing 1 and the pending activation information corresponding to special drawing 2 are reserved, a priority change is performed in which the pending activation information corresponding to special drawing 2 is used preferentially.

[0075] The advance judgment means 125 executes an advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of a special chart is pending at a predetermined advance judgment timing. More specifically, the pre-judgment means 125 reads out each random number of the operation pending information that has been reserved this time, and executes pre-judgment for each of the special chart hit / miss judgment, special chart stop pattern lottery, and special chart change pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-judgment, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each pre-judgment is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later. Furthermore, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) including the derived result of the pre-determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. As described above, the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160) in at least some cases where the operation pending information of the special chart is reserved at the timing of a predetermined pre-determination, and therefore is transmitted following the above-mentioned reserved command. Here, the predetermined timing of pre-determination refers to not being during a jackpot game, and further, in this embodiment, when the operation pending information of the special chart 1 is reserved during a normal chart high probability to be described later, the pre-determination is restricted, and therefore the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to the pre-determination is also restricted.

[0076] The special drawing means 130 includes a special drawing hit / miss judgment means 131, a special drawing stop pattern lottery means 132, and a special drawing change pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of the special drawing hit / miss judgment means 131, the special drawing stop pattern lottery means 132, and the special drawing change pattern derivation means 133. When the special drawing change start condition is satisfied, the special drawing lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation pending information among the operation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160. In addition, "the conditions for the special chart to start changing are satisfied" means, for example, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: a jackpot is not being reached, neither Special Chart 1 nor Special Chart 2 is changing patterns, and at least one of Special Chart 1 and Special Chart 2 has pending activation information.

[0077] Here, Figs. 9(a) to 9(c), 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams that typically show lottery tables used in the main control board 100, and will be referred to as necessary in the following description. In addition, in a lottery using a lottery table, including other lottery tables, the lottery values ​​stored in the lottery table are added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one lottery value, the addition is performed once), and a result corresponding to the lottery value where a carry (overflow) occurs is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, the lottery table is given a name for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the data such as the lottery value included in the lottery table corresponding to the name is identifiably stored in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, there may be items described for convenience of explanation, or "-" or "0" may be described as the lottery value, but these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And, a result in which "-" or "0" is described as the lottery value will not win. Furthermore, if the same lottery value as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained in the range) is described in the lottery table, the result is derived 100%, so it is not necessary to perform a lottery. Furthermore, if the total value of the lottery values ​​used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur when adding the final lottery value, so that addition does not need to be performed, and in that case, the lottery values ​​used in that addition themselves become unnecessary.

[0078] The special pattern hit / miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special pattern hit / miss judgment for each pattern change, and executes a special pattern hit / miss judgment to judge by lottery whether a jackpot or a miss will be won, using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special pattern hit / miss judgment. FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for determining whether or not a special drawing is a hit, and the lottery table is used in common for special drawings 1 and 2. The range of random numbers used in the determination is 0 to 65535, so when the special drawing state is low probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "low probability of special drawing"), a big hit is derived with a probability of 230 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 284.9), and when a big hit is not derived, it is a miss. Similarly, when the special drawing state is in a high probability state (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "special drawing high probability"), a jackpot is derived with a probability of 499 / 65536 (approximately 1 / 131.3), and if a jackpot is not derived, it is a miss.

[0079] When the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a big hit, the special chart stop pattern drawing means 132 reads out a random number for the special chart stop pattern drawing, and determines the special chart stop pattern by drawing lots using the read out random number and a lottery table for the special chart stop pattern drawing. Figure 9(b) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a drawing table for drawing the stop symbol of special symbol 1, and the range of random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 99. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived from special symbol 1, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 100 (1 / 2), symbol B with a probability of 40 / 100 (1 / 2.5), and symbol C with a probability of 10 / 100 (1 / 10). Here, the number of rounds of the pattern A is 8, and the pattern A is a pattern that becomes a low probability of a special pattern and a high probability of a normal pattern after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "normal pattern", and the jackpot related to the pattern may be referred to as a "normal jackpot"). On the other hand, the number of rounds of the pattern B is 9, and the pattern B is a pattern that becomes a high probability of a special pattern and a high probability of a normal pattern after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "probability variable pattern", and the jackpot related to the pattern may be referred to as a "probability variable jackpot"). Furthermore, the number of rounds of the pattern C is 16, and the pattern C is a probability variable pattern that becomes a high probability of a special pattern and a high probability of a normal pattern after the end of the jackpot game. Therefore, the pattern C is more advantageous than the pattern B in terms of the number of rounds, and the patterns B and C are more advantageous than the pattern A in terms of both the number of rounds and the special pattern selection state after the jackpot game. Figure 9(c) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a drawing table for drawing the stop symbol of special symbol 2, and the range of random numbers used in the drawing is 0 to 99, similar to the drawing of the stop symbol of special symbol 1. Therefore, when a jackpot is derived in special symbol 2, symbol a is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 65 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.53), and symbol b is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 35 / 100 (approximately 1 / 2.85). Here, pattern a is a probability variation pattern with 16 rounds and high probability of special and high probability of normal after the end of the jackpot game, and pattern b is a normal pattern with 4 rounds and low probability of special and high probability after the end of the jackpot game. Therefore, pattern a can be said to be more advantageous than pattern b in both the number of rounds and the subsequent special drawing state. In addition, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is not a jackpot, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 uniformly determines pattern D as the stop pattern when special chart 1 is a miss, and pattern c when special chart 2 is a miss. In addition, in this embodiment, the rate at which the special chart becomes highly probable after the end of a jackpot game using special chart 1 (50 / 100) is different from the rate at which the special chart becomes highly probable after the end of a jackpot game using special chart 2 (65 / 100) (the pattern change of special chart 2 is more favorable than the pattern change of special chart 1). Although details are omitted, this difference is realized by providing a function to make the special chart highly probable after the end of a jackpot game when the game ball passes through the V winning area (not shown) provided in the large winning port 55 during a jackpot game (when the sensor provided in the V winning area detects the game ball), and by changing whether or not to provide a round (the 9th round in this embodiment) that makes it easier to pass through the V winning area, depending on the stopping pattern of the special chart.

[0080] The special chart fluctuation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special chart fluctuation pattern selection tables to be referred to when determining the special chart fluctuation pattern, and selects one special chart fluctuation pattern selection table for determining the current special chart fluctuation pattern based on the current special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state and the result of the current special chart hit / miss judgment, determines one special chart fluctuation pattern using the selected special chart fluctuation pattern selection table and a random number for special chart fluctuation pattern selection, and determines the fluctuation time based on the determined special chart fluctuation pattern. In addition, although details of the transition conditions etc. will be described later, the special chart variation pattern derivation state in this embodiment includes a special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, a special chart variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special chart variation pattern derivation state PC. The above-mentioned method of determining the special chart variation pattern is adopted for the pattern variation of special chart 1 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted for the pattern variation of special chart 2 in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, and the pattern variation of the other special chart in each special chart variation pattern derivation state is determined to be a predetermined special chart variation pattern according to the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment.

[0081] FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table for deriving a special pattern variation pattern in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA. The range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. Therefore, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment during the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is a miss, the special chart fluctuation pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 900 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.11), the special chart fluctuation pattern HRP is determined with a probability of 52 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 19.2), the special chart fluctuation pattern HSP1-A is determined with a probability of 13 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 76.9), the HSP1-B is determined with a probability of 11 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 90.9), the HSP2-A is determined with a probability of 9 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 111), the HSP2-B is determined with a probability of 7 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 143), the HSP3-A is determined with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200), and the HSP3-B is determined with a probability of 3 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 333). In this case, the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP1-A to the special chart fluctuation pattern ASP3-C are not determined. In addition, details will be described later using Figure 10 (b), but when the special pattern change pattern HNP is determined, the special pattern change pattern is further specified using the value of the special pattern 1 pending counter at the time when the pattern change starts. If the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment during the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is a jackpot, the special chart change pattern ASP1-A will be determined with a probability of 90 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 11.1), the special chart change pattern ASP1-B with a probability of 110 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 9.09), the special chart change pattern ASP2-A with a probability of 135 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 7.41), the special chart change pattern ASP2-B with a probability of 165 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.06), the special chart change pattern ASP3-A with a probability of 180 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 5.56), the special chart change pattern ASP3-B with a probability of 220 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 4.56), and the special chart change pattern ASP3-C with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). In this case, the special chart variation pattern HNP to the special chart variation pattern HSP3-B are not determined. In addition, in the explanation of the special chart variation patterns of this embodiment, when two special chart variation patterns are described with "~" between them, the description of the special chart variation pattern existing between the special chart variation pattern described earlier and the special chart variation pattern described later in the order described in Figure 10(a) or Figure 10(b) described below is omitted. Also, although not shown in the figures, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, the special chart variation pattern is selected by lottery based on the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment, just as in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA.

[0082] Figure 10(b) is a schematic diagram showing a lottery table for deriving the special chart variation pattern used when the special chart variation pattern HNP is determined. As described above, in this lottery, the special chart variation pattern is further identified using the value of the special chart 1 pending counter. First, as shown in Figure 10(b), the special chart fluctuation patterns HNP include special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-A with a fluctuation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-B with a fluctuation time of 5600 ms, special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-C with a fluctuation time of 8000 ms, and special chart fluctuation pattern HNP-D with a fluctuation time of 11200 ms, in that order of longest fluctuation time. The range of the random numbers used in this lottery (different from the random numbers used in the lottery related to the lottery table shown in FIG. 10(a)) is 0 to 999. Therefore, when the pattern variation starts, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 3 (hereinafter, may be referred to as "reserved 3"), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1), and in this case, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B to the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D are not determined. Also, when the pattern variation starts, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 2 (hereinafter, may be referred to as "reserved 2"), the special pattern variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67), and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.18), and in this case, the special pattern variation pattern HNP-C and the special pattern variation pattern HNP-D are not determined. If the special pattern 1 reserved counter = 1 (hereinafter referred to as "reserved 1") at the start of the pattern change, special pattern change pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), special pattern change pattern HNP-B with a probability of 150 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 6.67), and special pattern change pattern HNP-C with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25), and in this case, special pattern change pattern HNP-D will never be determined. When the pattern change starts, if the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 0 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "reserved 0"), the special pattern change pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special pattern change pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special pattern change pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (approximately 1 / 1.18), and in this case, the special pattern change pattern HNP-A is not determined. In the following explanation, in addition to the above-mentioned "reserved 3", "reserved 2", "reserved 1", and "reserved 0", the case where the special pattern 1 reserved counter is 4 may be referred to as "reserved 4". In this way, when the special pattern change pattern HNP is determined, the special pattern change pattern (change time) that is likely to be determined by the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern change differs. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern change, the more likely it is that a long pattern change will be determined (the larger the value of the special pattern 1 reserved counter at the start of the pattern change, the more likely it is that a short change time will be determined). In addition, such special chart fluctuation patterns (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "basic special chart fluctuation patterns") also exist in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, and although the types of corresponding basic special chart fluctuation patterns and their respective lengths differ, their tendencies (the relationship between the value of the pending counter (the value of the special chart 2 pending counter in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC) and the special chart fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time) that is likely to be determined) are the same as those in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA.

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

[0084] The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the most recent pending operation information from the pending operation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to execute a regular map hit / miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is a hit or not, and if the regular map hit / miss judgment results in the regular map being controlled to an open state, executes a regular map stop pattern lottery to determine the stopping pattern of the regular map by lottery, and a regular map change pattern lottery to determine the change pattern (change time) of the regular map by lottery. More specifically, in the normal drawing hit / miss judgment, there are a normal drawing lottery state with a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing high probability") and a normal drawing lottery state with a low probability (sometimes abbreviated as "normal drawing low probability"). Although the drawing of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the normal drawing high probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 65535 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a 1 / 65536 miss, while in the normal drawing low probability, the probability of a normal drawing hit is 1 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a 65535 / 65536 miss. Note that in the normal drawing low probability, it may be set so that the normal drawing does not hit (65536 / 65536 miss).

[0085] In the normal stop pattern lottery, as in the special stop pattern lottery, one stop pattern is determined by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for normal stop pattern lottery from multiple types of stop patterns with different patterns that open the normal electric role 61. If the normal pattern is a miss, the stop pattern is determined uniformly as in the special pattern 1 and special pattern 2.

[0086] In addition, in the general map fluctuation pattern lottery, as in the special map fluctuation pattern lottery, one general map fluctuation pattern is determined from multiple types of general map fluctuation patterns by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for general map fluctuation pattern lottery.

[0087] In this way, a high probability of winning a normal draw is more likely than a low probability of winning a normal draw, and it can be said to be a more advantageous state than a low probability of winning a normal draw.

[0088] When the result of the special symbol winning / losing lottery is a winning symbol, the winning game control means 140 determines the demo time for the winning symbol start demo and the demo time for the winning symbol end demo according to the winning symbol determined. In addition, at the start of a jackpot, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (jackpot start command) including a demo time related to the jackpot start demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the jackpot, generates a presentation control command (jackpot end command) including a demo time related to the jackpot end demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0089] The pattern display control means 145 displays the special pattern 1 on the first special pattern display device 91 in a variable manner according to the variable time based on the special pattern variable pattern of the special pattern 1, and displays the special pattern 1 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. Similarly, the special pattern 2 is displayed on the second special pattern display device 92 in a variable manner according to the variable time based on the special pattern variable pattern of the second special pattern, and displays the special pattern 2 in a stopped pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variable time has elapsed. In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special chart game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special chart 1 and special chart 2, and when the special chart is stopped (at the timing when the value of the special chart game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting a fixed stop display of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. Here, the definite stop display of the decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of the decorative pattern in the pattern change, and is different from the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern that may occur during the execution of the pattern change. In the provisional stop display of the decorative pattern, for example, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is accompanied by a movement in which the decorative pattern is slightly swaying up and down (so-called swaying fluctuation), while in the definite stop display of the decorative pattern, the decorative pattern displayed as stopped is not accompanied by a swaying fluctuation, and so on. Thus, the stop display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as definite stop is different from the stop display mode of the decorative pattern displayed as provisional stop. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the stop display of the decorative pattern is a definite stop display or a provisional stop display.

[0090] In addition, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal map to be displayed on the normal pattern display device 93 in a variable manner in accordance with the normal map fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time) of the normal map, and after the fluctuation time has elapsed, causes the normal map to be displayed in a stopped pattern determined by a normal map stop pattern lottery. In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a regular symbol game timer for managing the time related to the display of the regular symbol (variable time, stop display time).

[0091] When the result of the special drawing lottery is a jackpot, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66 after the special device stops, and opens the special electric device 65 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopped pattern of the special device. The jackpot game is a game state in which one opening and closing operation of the special electric device 65 is regarded as one round game, and the round game is continuously performed for a specified number of rounds (16R, 9R, 8R, 4R in this example).

[0092] In addition, when the normal winning / losing lottery is won, the electric role control means 150 outputs a control signal to the normal electric role solenoid 62 to open the normal electric role 61 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopping pattern of the normal figure.

[0093] The game state control means 155 controls the special symbol lottery state. Specifically, as described above, the game state control means 155 sets the special symbol low probability at the start of the jackpot game regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot, maintains the special symbol low probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, and sets the special symbol high probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot.

[0094] In addition, the game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal drawing state to low probability regardless of the drawing state at the start of the jackpot, sets the normal drawing state to high probability until 100 pattern changes are made at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot (after 100 pattern changes, the normal drawing state to low probability), and sets the normal drawing state to high probability until the start of the next jackpot game at the end of the jackpot related to the probability change jackpot (including the case where a finite number of times (e.g., 5000 times) sufficient to derive the jackpot is set).

[0095] In addition, the game state control means 155 controls the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state. The transition of this special chart variation pattern derivation state will be explained with reference to Figures 11(a) and 11(b). Note that Figure 11(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special chart variation pattern derivation state, and Figure 11(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average variation time for each special chart variation pattern derivation state. As shown in FIG. 11(a), the special chart variation pattern derivation state is composed of the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA corresponding to low probability of special chart and low probability of normal chart, the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to high probability of special chart and high probability of normal chart, and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC corresponding to low probability of special chart and high probability of normal chart, and the special chart variation pattern derivation state is set according to the special chart lottery state and the normal chart lottery state except during a jackpot game. The transition conditions between the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC include transition condition (i) to transition condition (iii). Transition condition (i) is the end of the jackpot game related to the special jackpot, transition condition (ii) is the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, and transition condition (iii) is the end of the 100th pattern change. In addition, when a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot is started in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC will be set again after the jackpot game ends (the pattern variation count in transition condition (iii) will start from 0).

[0096] Also, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the average fluctuation time of each of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC (the sum of the fluctuation times derived by multiplying the occurrence rate (the probability that may occur in any pattern fluctuation, which is derived by multiplying the winning probability of the special chart fluctuation pattern by the probability that the result of the special chart win / loss judgment is derived) against the fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern that can be selected in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state) is shorter in the order of special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, and special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB. This is mainly due to the difference in the length of the fluctuation time of the basic special chart fluctuation pattern that has the highest selection rate in each special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the difference between the average fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA and the average time of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC is greater than the difference between the average fluctuation time of the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC and the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB.

[0097] In addition, when an update occurs to the special chart lottery state, the regular chart lottery state, and the special chart variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) including each state after the update, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0098] As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means, data derived by calculations or the like by each means, etc., in the corresponding storage areas.

[0099] The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I / O port 104 and judges whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is judged that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, a performance control command (error command) including information capable of identifying the error state is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0100] When a performance control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the performance control command to the first sub-control board 200. In principle, each performance control command is transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0101] The power restoration process execution means 175 includes a restoration state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179 .

[0102] The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process to set a return state based on whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the state at the time of the power outage immediately before the power restoration, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored, and the state of the inner frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a game ready state (which may or may not involve a RAM clear process). Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored, the game stop state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the state of the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored. Also, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored is ON (pressed state), the RAM clear process is executed on the condition that the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored is ON, and the playable state is set (if the middle frame door open sensor 76 when power is restored is OFF, the RAM clear process is not executed and the playable state is set), and if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 when power is restored and the RAM clear switch 43 when power is restored is OFF (not pressed state), the RAM clear process is not executed and the playable state is set. Note that when the RAM clear process is executed, the special low probability and normal low probability are set. Here, the game stop state is a return state in which the game cannot proceed by not executing the process according to the detection result of the sensor provided at each winning port (the detection result of the sensor itself does not need to be seen), and the playable state is a return state in which the game can proceed by executing the process according to the detection result of the sensor provided at each winning port.

[0103] In addition, whether or not there is an abnormality in RAM 103 is determined by executing a RAM abnormality check at the beginning of the recovery state setting process (specifically, a process which determines whether or not a backup flag is stored (whether or not the backup flag is ON) in the backup information area related to the target area, derives a checksum of the target area and the complement stored in the backup information area related to the area if the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), and if the calculation result is 0, determines that the target area is normal, and otherwise determines that the target area is abnormal) on the area related to the game in RAM 103.

[0104] The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to a playable state when the playable state is set. Specifically, in the game play state transition process, if the security signal output is ON, the process of turning off the security signal output and initializing the device are executed. In the device initial setting, processes such as sending a launch permission command to the payout control board 400 to permit the launch of game balls, setting the state in which balls can enter each winning hole, setting data for starting the random number circuit 105, etc. are executed.

[0105] The power cut-off process execution means 180 executes a power cut-off process based on receiving a power cut-off signal from the power supply control board 500. Specifically, for an area of ​​RAM 103 related to game play, a process is performed in which a checksum for that area is derived and the complement of that checksum is stored in a backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to game play, and a process is performed in which a backup flag indicating that a power cut process has been performed for that area is turned ON (a backup flag is stored in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to game play).

[0106] As shown in Figure 8, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 7. Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means included in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculation in the means, etc., in the respective corresponding storage areas. Also, the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following explanation, the storage of the performance control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 in the received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may be simply expressed as reception of the performance control command.

[0107] The sub-random number generating means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

[0108] The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a look-ahead presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

[0109] When the presentation mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The presentation modes in this embodiment are broadly divided into normal mode, low-probability time-saving mode, and special probability mode, with the normal mode corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PB, and the low-probability time-saving mode corresponding to the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PC.

[0110] When the presentation route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) a presentation route corresponding to the reserved pattern change based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special pattern change pattern). Note that, when the special pattern change pattern corresponding to the pattern change is the above-mentioned special pattern change pattern HNP, the presentation route determination means 222 does not determine a presentation route when a pre-determination command is transmitted, and determines a presentation route based on the special pattern change pattern (special pattern change pattern HNP-A to special pattern change pattern HNP-D) included in the change start command at the start of the pattern change. Here, the presentation route refers to the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern determination in the pattern change. The content of the presentation executed in the pattern change is determined by the presentation content determination means 225, which will be described later, in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

[0111] In this embodiment, in the normal mode, one different presentation route corresponds to each of the special chart variation patterns shown in FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 10(b). These presentation routes are roughly divided into a miss presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern variation is a miss (not a jackpot), and a jackpot presentation route that notifies that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern variation is a jackpot. Furthermore, the miss presentation route includes a non-development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is not executed, and a development miss presentation route in which the development presentation is executed. Here, the development presentation refers to a presentation that notifies whether the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern variation is a jackpot or not after the decorative pattern becomes a reach state (a state in which the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed except for one pattern row, and the remaining pattern rows are displayed in a variable manner), and in this embodiment, there are three types of development presentation HEA to development presentation HEC, which have different contents from each other. These development presentations are also executed in the jackpot presentation route. Below, the contents of the presentation route corresponding to each special chart change pattern will be explained.

[0112] In the development performance HEA to development performance HEC corresponding to the failure performance route, a series of performances corresponding to each development performance is executed, and at the end of the performance, it is notified that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is not a jackpot. On the other hand, in the development performance HEA to development performance HEC corresponding to the jackpot performance route, a series of performances corresponding to each development performance is executed, similar to the development performance corresponding to the failure performance route, and at the end of the performance, it is notified that the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a jackpot. In other words, the development performance HEA to development performance HEC can all be said to be performances that notify whether the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a jackpot or not. In this embodiment, one performance route corresponds to one special chart variation pattern. Therefore, in the following description, the performance route for the special chart variation pattern may be simply expressed as a special chart variation pattern. However, multiple performance routes may be made to correspond to one special chart variation pattern, and in this case, one performance route may be determined from multiple performance routes corresponding to the determined special chart variation pattern.

[0113] The presentation routes corresponding to special chart fluctuation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and special chart fluctuation patterns HRP correspond to the non-development miss presentation routes described above. Specifically, the special pattern variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D correspond to a presentation route that notifies the user that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in the current pattern change is a miss by displaying the decorative pattern as a barrage (a state in which all pattern rows are stopped and the same decorative pattern is not stopped in each pattern row) without the decorative pattern being in a reach state. Here, the same decorative pattern refers to a decorative pattern imitating the same number, and the parts other than the numbers that make up the decorative pattern (such as a character image to be described later) may be different. Note that different decorative patterns refer to decorative patterns imitating different numbers. The special pattern change pattern HRP corresponds to a performance route in which the decorative pattern becomes a reach state without pseudo-change, and then the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with a random pattern without executing the development performance described later, thereby notifying that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss. Here, the pseudo-change refers to a period that is divided by the stop of the decorative pattern based on a certain rule (for example, the stop of the decorative pattern in which the 7 pattern stops in the middle pattern row, such as "5 pattern-7 pattern-6 pattern") in the period before the development performance starts (the period until the decorative pattern becomes a reach state in the pattern change in which the development performance is executed). Therefore, it can be said that the pseudo-change occurs only when the number of pseudo-changes is two. In other words, if the decorative pattern changes once until the reach state is formed, it can be said that the pseudo-change does not occur, and in that case, it can be said that one pseudo-change is executed. In this embodiment, the maximum number of pseudo fluctuations is three, but the maximum number of pseudo fluctuations is not limited to this, and any number equal to or greater than two may be used.

[0114] The special chart change patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B correspond to the above-mentioned development miss performance route. Specifically, the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-change, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with a spread pattern after the development performance ends. Note that the types of development performances corresponding to these special pattern change patterns are different from each other, and the above-mentioned development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A, and the above-mentioned development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B. The special pattern change pattern HSP2-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo-changes, and then a development performance is performed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern is displayed with a scattered eye after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to these special pattern change patterns are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP2-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP2-B. The special pattern change pattern HSP3-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP3-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo-changes, and then a development performance is performed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a miss, and the decorative pattern is displayed with a scattered eye after the development performance ends. Note that, like the special pattern change pattern HSP1-A and the special pattern change pattern HSP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to these special pattern change patterns are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP3-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern change pattern HSP3-B.

[0115] The special chart change pattern ASP1-A and the special chart change pattern ASP1-B correspond to the jackpot performance route described above. Specifically, the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A and the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state without pseudo-variation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a big hit, and the decorative pattern is displayed stopped with the pattern aligned (all pattern rows are stopped, and the same decorative pattern is stopped in each pattern row) after the development performance ends. Note that the types of development performance corresponding to these special pattern variation patterns are different from each other, and the above-mentioned development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A, and the above-mentioned development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-B. The special pattern variation pattern ASP2-A and the special pattern variation pattern ASP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through two pseudo variations, and then a development performance is performed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a big hit, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with the pattern aligned. Note that, like the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A and the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to these special pattern variation patterns are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP2-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP2-B. The special pattern variation pattern ASP3-A and the special pattern variation pattern ASP2-B correspond to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo variations, and then a development performance is performed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern variation is a big hit, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed with the pattern aligned. Note that, like the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-A and the special pattern variation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development performances corresponding to these special pattern variation patterns are different from each other, and the development performance HEA corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP3-A, and the development performance HEB corresponds to the special pattern variation pattern ASP3-B. The special pattern change pattern ASP3-C corresponds to a performance route in which the decorative pattern reaches a reach state through three pseudo changes, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a big hit, and after the development performance ends, the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a pattern alignment. Note that the special pattern change pattern ASP3-C corresponds to a development performance HEC that is different from both the development performance HEA and the development performance HEB.

[0116] In this way, in this embodiment, by making the same development performance correspond, the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP1-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern HSP1-A, the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP1-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern HSP1-B, the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP2-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP2-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP2-B, the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP3-A corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP3-A, and the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern ASP3-B corresponds to the performance route corresponding to the special chart change pattern HSP3-B. As a result, the contents of the performances of the corresponding performance routes are consistent from the start to the very end (the timing when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is shown by the development performance related to the performance route). Therefore, in the pattern change in which the development performance HEA and the development performance HEB are executed, the player can have a sense of expectation of winning the jackpot. In addition, the above-mentioned special chart change pattern, which determines the presentation route in which the development presentation HEA and the development presentation HEB are executed, can also be said to be a special chart change pattern that anticipates a jackpot. In addition, there is no corresponding development failure performance route for the special chart variation pattern ASP3-C. Therefore, when the development performance HEC is executed in the pattern variation, the player can be made to recognize the big win definitively. Therefore, it can be said that the performance route corresponding to the special chart variation pattern is a performance route that determines the big win, and the special chart variation pattern is also said to be a special chart variation pattern that determines the big win.

[0117] During the execution of the development performance HEA to the development performance HEC, the main display unit 81 displays an image, the speaker 33 produces sound (BGM), and the frame lamp 35 lights up in a manner corresponding to each development performance. In this embodiment, at the end of each development performance, the performance shield 85 moves from the original position to the first operation position, and then returns to the original position without passing through the second operation position (when the decorative pattern is not stopped and displayed with the pattern aligned), or returns to the original position from the first operation via the second operation position (when the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with the pattern aligned), and depending on this, a cover performance is executed to notify whether the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed with the pattern aligned after the end of the development performance (whether the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment in this pattern change is a big hit or not).

[0118] When the sub-pending control means 223 receives a pending command (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the occurrence of a pending winning), it sets performance data for displaying an image corresponding to the pending pattern change (hereinafter, referred to as a "pending icon") in the display area of ​​the main display unit 81 based on the information of the special chart 1 pending counter and the special chart 2 pending counter contained in the command.

[0119] When a pre-reading performance control means 224 receives a pre-determination command, it determines the content of the pre-reading performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command. The pre-reading performance is a performance that suggests the expectation level for the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment in the pattern change of the pre-reading target and the content of the performance executed in the pattern change of the pre-reading target over one or more pattern changes (in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, where the normal chart is low probability, the pattern change related to special chart 1 is the target, and in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB or special chart change pattern derivation state PC, where the normal chart is high probability, the pattern change related to special chart 2 is the target) that lead to the pattern change of the pre-reading target. In particular, the pre-reading performance that can be executed in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA includes the pre-reading performance A using the performance shielding body 85 and the pre-reading performance B using the movable decoration body 22, and although the details will be described later, by using these pre-reading performances in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, it is possible to execute the pre-reading performance for the pattern change that was reserved during the execution period of one pre-reading performance without confusing the player.

[0120] When the effect content determining means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the presentation route already determined by the presentation route determining means 222. More specifically, the performance content determination means 225 determines the content (performance pattern) of the performance for each performance execution timing in the pattern change by a lottery using a performance pattern lottery table corresponding to the performance route determined by the performance route determination means 222. In this way, it is possible to change the content of the performance related to (executed according to) the determined performance route, and to provide a connection between the performances in one pattern change. Also, even if the same performance route is determined, it is possible to diversify the performances to be executed. In addition, the timing for determining the content of the performance may be, for example, the start of the pseudo-variation (including the start of the pattern variation), and if there are multiple pseudo-variations in one pattern variation, the lottery is executed at the start of each pseudo-variation. However, at the start of the pattern variation in which multiple pseudo-variations are executed, all of the performance contents in the multiple pseudo-variations may be determined.

[0121] When the decorative pattern control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the final combination of stopping patterns (left pattern, center pattern, right pattern) of the decorative patterns based on the stopping patterns of the determined special patterns. Specifically, patterns B, C, and a correspond to odd-numbered patterns, patterns A and b correspond to even-numbered patterns, and patterns D and c correspond to random patterns. In addition, when matching the combination of decorative patterns to be stopped with the stopping patterns of the special pattern, it is not necessary to have the above-mentioned correspondence. For example, if the combination of decorative patterns to be stopped does not have a high expected value compared to the above-mentioned correspondence, such as matching pattern a with an even-numbered pattern arrangement, in some cases (a lower rate than the rate at which the above-mentioned correspondence is achieved), a combination of decorative patterns that differs from the above-mentioned correspondence may be adopted, and even in such cases, it can be said that the combination of decorative patterns to be stopped corresponds to the stopping patterns of the special pattern.

[0122] When the jackpot start command is received, the jackpot effect control means 227 determines the content of the jackpot effect that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress based on the information included in the command, etc. The jackpot effect includes a start demo effect that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress, a round effect that notifies the player that a round game is in progress, and an end demo effect that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress.

[0123] The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of that performance, in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read performance data includes performance data related to images, an image control command is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if the read performance data includes performance data related to sound, an audio control command related to sound is generated based on that performance data, and the command is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260.

[0124] In particular, when the restored state upon power restoration is a playable state (when RAM clear processing is involved), the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying the user that a playable state has been achieved with RAM clear processing, and when the restored state upon power restoration is a playable state (when RAM clear processing is not involved), the normal presentation control means 220 reads presentation data for notifying the user that a playable state has been achieved without RAM clear processing. Furthermore, when the recovery state upon power restoration is a game stop state, the normal presentation control means 220 reads out presentation data for notifying not only that the game has stopped, but also that it is necessary to execute a RAM clear process. Although details of these notifications are omitted, it is preferable that the notifications continue for a certain period of time (for example, 30 seconds) after execution has started, and the presentation device that executes the notifications does not matter.

[0125] When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error presentation pattern, and reads out presentation data for executing an error presentation in accordance with the error presentation pattern. In addition, the error performance is executed with priority over the variable performance related to the pattern variation (the execution of the variable performance is regulated by the execution of the error performance). Here, the execution of the error performance with priority is not limited to the case where only the error performance is executed in the device related to the execution of the error performance and the device related to the execution of the variable performance are the same device, but includes the case where the error performance is executed in a manner that is easier to recognize than the variable performance in the device.

[0126] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, if the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220 includes performance data corresponding to the frame lamp 35, the lamp control means 240 reads out lamp control data based on the performance data and transmits the read lamp control data to the frame lamp 35.

[0127] When the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to a movable role (movable decorative body 22, sub-display unit 82, performance shield 85), the movable role control means 245 reads movement control data for controlling the movement of the movable role from ROM 202 based on the performance data, and transmits it to the movable body to control the movement of the movable body.

[0128] As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in the corresponding storage areas.

[0129] The sub-command management means 270 receives performance control commands transmitted from the main control board 100, and stores the received performance commands in a received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, if an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, if a voice control command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the voice control board 310. Note that these commands are transmitted in principle in the order in which they are stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 260.

[0130] As described above, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is configured to be able to execute the pre-reading performance A using the performance shielding body 85 and the pre-reading performance B using the movable decoration body 22 as pre-reading performances that can be executed in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and by using these pre-reading performances in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, it is possible to execute the pre-reading performance without confusing the player even for the pattern variation that is reserved during the execution period of one pre-reading performance. The details of this function will be explained below.

[0131] <About the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA> First, details of the look-ahead performance A and the look-ahead performance B that can be executed in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA will be described with reference to Figs. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of execution of pre-reading effect A. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an example of execution of pre-reading effect B. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic drawing of a lottery table used in a lottery for determining the presentation mode of the pre-reading presentation B. The range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0-99.

[0132] As shown in Fig. 12, the pre-reading performance A is a performance that is executed at the start of the pattern change that leads to the pattern change of the pre-reading target (if it is composed of multiple pattern changes, the multiple pattern changes will be consecutive), as well as at the start of the pattern change of the pre-reading target, and the pre-reading performance is executed using the performance shield 85 and the main display unit 81. In particular, the example shown in Fig. 12 shows how the pre-reading performance A starts from the pattern change that is two steps before the pattern change of the pre-reading target. Also, although not shown in the figures, in one performance constituting the pre-reading performance A, a performance in which the performance shielding body 85 moves from the original position to the first operating position and then returns to the original position is executed, and when the performance shielding body 85 moves, a caption image including the words "pre-reading occurring" is displayed at the bottom of the display area related to the main display unit 81. In particular, as shown in Fig. 12, the display of the caption image starts in synchronization with the start of the movement of the performance shielding body 85, and ends after the movement ends. Thus, in this embodiment, the pre-reading performance A is a pre-reading performance that is a predetermined performance mode, and in this respect differs from the pre-reading performance B described later. Note that in the pre-reading performance A, the performance using the movable ornament body 22 is not executed.

[0133] Next, as shown in Fig. 13, the pre-reading performance B is a performance that is executed at the start timing of the pattern change leading to the pattern change of the pre-reading target, as well as at the start timing of the pattern change of the pre-reading target, similar to the pre-reading performance A. The pre-reading performance B is executed using the movable decorative body 22 and the main display unit 81. In particular, the example shown in Fig. 13 shows how the pre-reading performance B starts from the pattern change two steps before the pattern change of the pre-reading target. Also, although not shown in the figures, in one performance that constitutes the pre-reading performance B, the movable decorative body 22 vibrates (operates) for a specified time, and when the movable decorative body 22 vibrates, a caption image including the words "Pre-reading occurring" is displayed at the bottom of the display area related to the main display unit 81. In particular, as shown in Figure 13, the display of the caption image starts in synchronization with the start of the vibration related to the movable decorative body 22, and ends after the vibration has ended. In addition, in the pre-reading performance B, the performance using the performance shield 85 is not executed.

[0134] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vibrations of the movable decorative body 22 that constitute the pre-reading performance B include weak vibrations (with a specified time of 500 ms) and strong vibrations (with a specified time of 1500 ms) whose specified time is longer than that of the weak vibrations, and which vibration pattern (performance mode) will be selected is determined by a vibration pattern lottery that is executed after it is decided to execute the pre-reading performance B. That is, in this embodiment, the pre-reading performance B is a pre-reading performance that can take multiple types of performance forms.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 14, in the vibration pattern lottery, the result of the advance judgment on the pattern variation of the pre-read target related to the pre-read performance B is referred to. Specifically, when the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change to be read ahead by referring to the pre-judgment result is a miss, a weak vibration is determined with a probability of 70 / 100 (about 1 / 1.43), and a strong vibration is determined with a probability of 30 / 100 (about 1 / 3.33). On the other hand, when the result of the special pattern hit / miss judgment related to the pattern change to be read ahead is a big hit, a weak vibration is determined with a probability of 30 / 100 (about 1 / 3.33), and a strong vibration is determined with a probability of 70 / 100 (about 1 / 1.43). Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the pre-reading performance B, it can be said that the vibration pattern associated with the strong vibration has a higher expectation of winning the jackpot than the vibration pattern associated with the weak vibration.

[0136] In addition, the look-ahead performance in this embodiment is also executed in the pattern variation of the look-ahead target related to the look-ahead performance, and it is preferable to configure it in this way from the viewpoint of making the execution of the look-ahead performance itself recognized. However, the look-ahead performance may be configured not to be executed in the pattern variation of the look-ahead target related to the look-ahead performance.

[0137] <About pre-reading performance management processing> Next, with reference to Figs. 15 to 20, the details of the look-ahead performance management process for managing the setting of the look-ahead performance in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA will be described. FIG. 15 shows a flow of the pre-reading performance management process. This process is executed each time a pre-judgment command is received in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA when a pattern change from which a jackpot has been derived or a pattern change from which a jackpot will be derived is not pending, and is executed by the pre-reading performance control means 224. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the process of setting the pre-reading effect when the pre-reading effect is not set. FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the pre-reading performance setting process during the pre-reading performance A setting. FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the pre-reading performance setting process during the pre-reading performance B setting. Figures 19(a) to 19(d) are schematic diagrams showing lottery tables used for lottery to determine whether or not to execute a pre-reading performance in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 99. Figures 20(a) to 20(c) are schematic diagrams showing lottery tables used for lottery to determine whether or not to set a delay flag in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 99.

[0138] As shown in Figure 15, in step S102, which is the first step of the pre-reading performance management process, it is determined whether or not a pre-reading performance is set at the time when the pre-determination command that triggered the execution of this pre-reading performance management process (hereinafter referred to as the ``current pre-determination command'') was received, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S104, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S106. Here, a state where there is no setting for a look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance A, look-ahead performance B) includes not only that the timing of receiving the advance determination command that triggered the execution of this look-ahead performance management process is not within the execution period of the look-ahead performance, i.e., the period from when the look-ahead performance starts to when the pattern change of the look-ahead target related to that look-ahead performance ends, but also that it is not a state where it has already been decided that a look-ahead performance will be executed (the period from when the execution of the look-ahead performance is decided by receiving the advance determination command to when that look-ahead performance starts). Conversely, a state where there is a look-ahead performance setting includes a state where, in addition to being within the execution period of look-ahead performance A or look-ahead performance B, it has been decided that these look-ahead performances will be executed.

[0139] In step S104, a pre-reading performance setting process is executed while the pre-reading performance is not set, and then the pre-reading performance management process is terminated. Here, the pre-reading performance setting process when the pre-reading performance is not set is a process that manages the setting of a new pre-reading performance when the pre-reading performance is not set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and details of this process will be described later using Figure 16.

[0140] In step S106, it is determined whether the currently set look-ahead performance is look-ahead performance A, and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S108, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S108, a pre-reading performance setting process is executed during the setting of the pre-reading performance A, and then the pre-reading performance management process is terminated. Here, the pre-reading performance setting process during the setting of pre-reading performance A refers to a process that manages the setting of the pre-reading performance that starts after the pre-reading performance A ends while the pre-reading performance A is set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and details of this process will be described later using Figure 17.

[0141] In step S110, a pre-reading performance setting process is executed while the pre-reading performance B is being set, and then the pre-reading performance management process is terminated. Here, the pre-reading performance setting process during the setting of pre-reading performance B refers to a process that manages the setting of the pre-reading performance that starts after the pre-reading performance B ends while the pre-reading performance B is set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, and details of this process will be described later using Figure 18.

[0142] Next, as shown in FIG. 16, in step S202, which is the first step of the pre-reading performance setting process when the pre-reading performance is not set, a lottery is performed using lottery table Ta1 to determine whether or not the pre-reading performance will be executed (whether or not it is set) and the type of pre-reading performance to be executed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 19(a), when the pre-reading performance is not set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to the current pre-determination command is miss and the advanced performance is not executed (specifically, this means that the special chart change pattern related to the current pre-determination command does not involve the execution of an advanced performance), then there is a 5 / 100 (1 / 20) probability that the pre-reading performance A will be executed, and there is a 95 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.05) probability that the pre-reading performance will not be executed, and in such case, the execution of the pre-reading performance B will not be determined. When the pre-reading performance is not set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to the current pre-judgment command is a miss and an advanced performance is executed (specifically, this means that the special chart change pattern related to the current pre-judgment command involves the execution of an advanced performance), there is a 30 / 100 (approximately 1 / 3.33) probability that pre-reading performance A will be executed, there is a 50 / 100 (1 / 2) probability that pre-reading performance B will be executed, and there is a 20 / 100 (1 / 5) probability that the pre-reading performance will not be executed. When the pre-reading performance is not set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot, the execution of pre-reading performance A is determined with a probability of 20 / 100 (1 / 5), the execution of pre-reading performance B is determined with a probability of 70 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.43), and the execution of the pre-reading performance is determined with a probability of 10 / 100 (1 / 10). In this embodiment, both the pre-reading performance A and the pre-reading performance B can be executed while the pre-reading performance is not set in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. In addition, in this embodiment, the pre-reading performance B is a pre-reading performance with a higher expectation of winning a jackpot than the pre-reading performance A due to its execution probability. In particular, in this embodiment, the pre-reading performance B is a pre-reading performance in which the development performance is definitely executed.

[0143] In step S204, it is determined whether or not the lottery to execute the pre-reading performance has been won, i.e., whether or not it has been decided to execute the pre-reading performance. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S206, and if the condition is not met, the pre-reading performance setting process is terminated while the pre-reading performance is not set.

[0144] In step S206, whether or not the delay flag is set is determined by a lottery using the lottery table Ta5. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 20(a), when the pre-reading performance is not set in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is not executed, the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is executed, and the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a big hit, the delay flag setting lottery is won with a probability of 10 / 100 (1 / 10) and the setting lottery is not won with a probability of 90 / 100 (about 1 / 1.11). That is, in this embodiment, when the pre-reading performance is not set in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the winning probability of the delay flag setting lottery is constant regardless of the result of the pre-judgment. Here, the delay flag means that when the flag is set to ON, the start timing of the look-ahead performance determined to be executed based on the current pre-determination command is delayed by one pattern change (any value may be used as long as it is within a value less than the maximum value of the pending counter by one) compared to the normal start timing. On the other hand, when the delay flag is not set to ON (when the delay flag is OFF), the look-ahead performance determined to be executed based on the current pre-determination command is started at the normal start timing. The normal start timing means the start timing of the first pattern change after the execution of the look-ahead performance is determined in a situation where the look-ahead performance is not executed and the previous development performance is not executed, and in a situation where the look-ahead performance is executed, it means the start timing of the pattern change next to the pattern change of the look-ahead target related to the look-ahead performance, and in a situation where the previous development performance is executed, it means the start timing of the pattern change next to the pattern change in which the development performance is executed. In addition, when the pattern change related to the current pre-determination command is put on hold with the value of the special pattern 1 hold counter at zero, that is, when the pattern change related to the current pre-determination command becomes the pattern change following the pattern change currently being executed, the start timing of the pre-reading performance whose execution has been determined based on the current pre-determination command can be set as the normal start timing.

[0145] In step S208, it is determined whether or not the delay flag setting lottery has been won. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S210, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S212. In step S210, the delay flag is set to ON. In step S212, the type and start timing of the pre-reading performance determined (taking into account the setting status of the delay flag) are set, and the pre-reading performance setting process while the pre-reading performance is not set is terminated. As a result, while the pre-reading performance is not set, the newly determined type of pre-reading performance is started from the start timing determined taking into account the setting status of the delay flag.

[0146] Next, as shown in FIG. 17, in step S302, which is the first step of the pre-reading performance setting process during the setting of pre-reading performance A, a lottery is performed using lottery table Ta2 to determine whether or not to execute the pre-reading performance and the type of pre-reading performance to be executed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 19 (b), when the pre-reading performance A is set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is miss and the development performance is not executed, it is decided with a probability of 100 / 100 (1 / 1) that the pre-reading performance will not be executed, and in such case, the execution of the pre-reading performance A and the pre-reading performance B is not decided. During the setting of pre-reading performance A in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for this pre-judgment command is a miss and an advanced performance is executed, it is decided with a probability of 60 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.67) that pre-reading performance B will be executed, and with a probability of 40 / 100 (1 / 2.5) that it will be decided not to execute the pre-reading performance, in which case it is not decided to execute pre-reading performance A. During the setting of pre-reading performance A in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot, the execution of pre-reading performance B is decided with a probability of 80 / 100 (1 / 1.25), and the execution of the pre-reading performance is decided with a probability of 20 / 100 (1 / 5), in which case the execution of pre-reading performance A is not decided. Thus, in this embodiment, while the look-ahead performance A is set in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the execution of the look-ahead performance B can be determined, but the execution of the look-ahead performance A is not determined. In particular, during the look-ahead performance A setting in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the rate at which the execution of the look-ahead performance is determined decreases compared to when the look-ahead performance is not set in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA. On the other hand, compared to when the look-ahead performance is not set in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the rate at which the execution of the look-ahead performance B is determined increases. These relationships are also the same during the setting of the look-ahead performance B in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA described later. In addition, when it is decided to execute the pre-reading performance B while the pre-reading performance A is set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, the performance mode of the pre-reading performance B is determined by the lottery described using Figure 14, and this is also the case when it is decided to execute the pre-reading performance B while the pre-reading performance in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is not set.

[0147] In step S304, it is determined whether or not the lottery for executing the pre-reading performance has been won, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S306, and if the condition is not met, the pre-reading performance setting process during the setting of pre-reading performance A is terminated.

[0148] In step S306, whether or not the delay flag is set is determined by a lottery using the lottery table Ta6. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 20(b), when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this advance judgment command during the setting of the pre-reading performance A in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA is miss and the development performance is not executed, there is a probability of 100 / 100 (1 / 1) that the delay flag setting lottery will not be won, and the setting lottery will not be won. This is because the pre-reading performance B is not executed in this case. During the setting of the pre-reading performance A in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is executed, there is a 70 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.43) probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery, and a 30 / 100 (approximately 1 / 3.33) probability of not winning the setting lottery. During the setting of pre-reading performance A in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this advance judgment command is a jackpot, there is a 60 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.67) probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery, and a 40 / 100 (1 / 2.5) probability of not winning the setting lottery. In this way, in this embodiment, during the setting of the pre-reading performance A in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is executed, the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery is higher than the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot. In addition, in this embodiment, when the pre-reading performance A is set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the pre-reading performance is executed based on the current advance judgment command, the delay flag is set more frequently than when the pre-reading performance is not set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA.

[0149] In step S308, it is determined whether or not the delay flag setting lottery has been won. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S310, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S312. In step S310, the delay flag is set to ON. In step S312, the type and start timing of the determined look-ahead performance (taking into account the setting status of the delay flag) are set, and the look-ahead performance setting process during the setting of look-ahead performance A is terminated. As a result, during the setting of look-ahead performance A, the newly determined type of look-ahead performance is started from the start timing determined taking into account the setting status of the delay flag.

[0150] Next, as shown in FIG. 18, in step S402, which is the first step of the pre-reading performance setting process while the pre-reading performance B is being set, it is determined whether the performance mode related to the pre-reading performance B being set is a low expectation performance mode (vibration pattern related to weak vibration), and if the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S404, and if the condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S406.

[0151] In step S404, a lottery using the lottery table Ta3 is used to determine whether or not to execute a pre-reading effect and the type of pre-reading effect to be executed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 19 (c), when the pre-reading performance B is set in the performance mode related to low expectation in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is not executed, the execution of the pre-reading performance A is decided with a probability of 5 / 100 (1 / 20), and the execution of the pre-reading performance is decided with a probability of 95 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.05), in which case the execution of the pre-reading performance B is not decided. When the pre-reading performance B is set for a performance mode related to a low expectation in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and an advanced performance is executed, it is decided with a probability of 40 / 100 (1 / 2.5) that the pre-reading performance A will be executed, and with a probability of 60 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.67) that the pre-reading performance will not be executed, and in such case, it is decided not to execute the pre-reading performance B. When the pre-reading performance B is set for a performance mode related to a low expectation in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot, the execution of the pre-reading performance B is decided with a probability of 30 / 100 (approximately 1 / 3.33), and the execution of the pre-reading performance is decided with a probability of 70 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.43), and in such case, the execution of the pre-reading performance B is not decided. Thus, in this embodiment, during the setting of the look-ahead performance B of the performance mode related to the low expectation in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the execution of the look-ahead performance A can be determined, but the execution of the look-ahead performance B is not determined. In particular, during the look-ahead performance B setting of the performance mode related to the low expectation in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, the rate at which the execution of the look-ahead performance is determined decreases compared to during the look-ahead performance A setting in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA.

[0152] In step S406, a lottery using the lottery table Ta4 is used to determine whether or not to execute a pre-reading effect and the type of pre-reading effect to be executed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 19 (d), when the pre-reading performance B of the performance mode related to high expectation in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is set, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is miss and the development performance is not executed, it is decided with a probability of 100 / 100 (1 / 1) that the pre-reading performance will not be executed, and in such case, the execution of the pre-reading performance A and the pre-reading performance B is not decided. When the pre-reading performance B of the performance mode related to high expectation in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is set, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and an advanced performance is executed, it is decided with a probability of 10 / 100 (1 / 10) that the pre-reading performance A will be executed, and with a probability of 90 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.11) that the pre-reading performance will not be executed, and in such case, it is decided not to execute the pre-reading performance B. Similarly, when the pre-reading performance B of the performance mode related to high expectation in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA is set, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot, it is decided with a probability of 10 / 100 (1 / 10) that the pre-reading performance A will be executed, and with a probability of 90 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.11) that the pre-reading performance will not be executed, and in such case, it is decided not to execute the pre-reading performance B. Thus, in this embodiment, during the pre-reading performance B setting of the performance mode related to high expectation in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, similar to the pre-reading performance B setting of the performance mode related to low expectation in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the execution of the pre-reading performance A can be determined, but the execution of the pre-reading performance B is not determined. In particular, during the pre-reading performance B setting of the performance mode related to high expectation in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, the rate at which the execution of the pre-reading performance A is determined decreases compared to the pre-reading performance B setting of the performance mode related to low expectation in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA.

[0153] Also, as described above, when the pre-reading performance B of the performance mode relating to low expectation in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is set, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-determination command is a miss and the development performance is not executed, it may be decided to execute the pre-reading performance (pre-reading performance A), but when the pre-reading performance B of the performance mode relating to high expectation in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is set, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-determination command is a miss and the development performance is not executed, it is not decided to execute the pre-reading performance.

[0154] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the pre-reading performance B of the performance mode related to high expectation in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is set, the execution rate of the pre-reading performance when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to the current pre-determination command is a miss and a development performance is executed is the same as the execution rate of the pre-reading performance when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to the current pre-determination command is a jackpot, and in this respect, it differs from the setting of the pre-reading performance A in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA (where the execution rates are different).

[0155] In step S408, it is determined whether or not the lottery for executing the pre-reading performance has been won, and if the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S410, and if the condition is not met, the pre-reading performance setting process during the setting of pre-reading performance A is terminated.

[0156] In step S410, whether or not the delay flag is set is determined by a lottery using the lottery table Ta7. Specifically, as shown in Figure 20 (c), when the pre-reading performance B is being set in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is not executed, there is a 20 / 100 (1 / 5) probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery, and a 80 / 100 (1 / 1.25) probability of not winning the delay flag setting lottery. During the setting of pre-reading performance B in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment for this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is executed, there is a 50 / 100 (1 / 2) probability that the delay flag setting lottery will be won, and there is a 50 / 100 (1 / 2) probability that the setting lottery will not be won. During the setting of pre-reading performance B in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this advance judgment command is a jackpot, there is a 30 / 100 (approximately 1 / 3.33) probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery, and a 70 / 100 (approximately 1 / 1.43) probability of not winning the setting lottery. In this way, in this embodiment, during the setting of the pre-reading performance B in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is executed, the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery is higher than the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the pre-reading performance B is set in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, and the pre-reading performance is executed based on the current advance determination command, the probability that the delay flag is set is high compared to when the pre-reading performance is not set in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, while the probability that the delay flag is set is low compared to when the pre-reading performance A is set in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA.

[0157] In step S412, it is determined whether or not the delay flag setting lottery has been won. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S414, and if the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S416. In step S414, the delay flag is set to ON. In step S416, the type and start timing of the pre-reading performance determined (taking into account the setting status of the delay flag) are set, and the pre-reading performance setting process during the setting of the pre-reading performance A is terminated. As a result, during the setting of the pre-reading performance B, the newly determined type of pre-reading performance is started from the start timing determined taking into account the setting status of the delay flag.

[0158] As described above, in this embodiment, when a new pattern change is reserved during the setting of the look-ahead performance A in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the execution of the look-ahead performance B (a look-ahead performance different from the look-ahead performance A) with the newly reserved pattern change as the look-ahead target may be determined, while the execution of the look-ahead performance A with the newly reserved pattern change as the look-ahead target is not determined, and the look-ahead performance B is configured to start after the end of the look-ahead performance A that is executed first. Similarly, when a new pattern change is reserved during the look-ahead performance B setting in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the execution of the look-ahead performance A with the newly reserved pattern change as the look-ahead target may be determined, while the execution of the look-ahead performance B with the newly reserved pattern change as the look-ahead target is not determined, and the look-ahead performance A is configured to start after the end of the look-ahead performance B that is executed first. This makes it possible to increase the interest in the game by shortening the execution interval of the look-ahead performance, while also making it easier for the player to recognize that the pattern changes that are the target of the look-ahead performance differ when the execution periods of the look-ahead performances are close to each other. In order to achieve this effect, the above-mentioned control should be executed at least during the execution period of the future look-ahead performance.

[0159] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the look-ahead performance includes a first look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance B) and a second look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance A) which is different from the first look-ahead performance, and in other words, when a new pattern change is reserved during the period from when the first look-ahead performance starts until when the pattern change of the target related to the first look-ahead performance starts, a second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change may be executed after the first look-ahead performance ends, whereas a first look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is not executed after the first look-ahead performance ends.

[0160] In particular, in this embodiment, when a new pattern change is reserved during the setting of the look-ahead performance A in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the look-ahead performance B with the newly reserved pattern change as the look-ahead target can be started from the pattern change next to the pattern change that ends the look-ahead performance A that is executed first. Similarly, when a new pattern change is reserved during the look-ahead performance B setting in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA, the look-ahead performance A with the newly reserved pattern change as the look-ahead target can be started from the pattern change next to the pattern change that ends the look-ahead performance B that is executed first. According to this, by making the execution interval of the look-ahead performance seamless and maximizing the execution period of the look-ahead performance that is executed later, it is possible to further increase anticipation for the pattern change that is the look-ahead target related to the look-ahead performance that is executed later. In order to achieve this effect, it is not necessarily necessary for all of the subsequently executed look-ahead performances to be configured to start from the pattern change following the pattern change at which the previously executed look-ahead performance has ended, but it is sufficient for part of the subsequently executed look-ahead performances to be configured to start from the pattern change following the pattern change at which the previously executed look-ahead performance has ended.

[0161] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, when a new pattern change is reserved during the period between the start of a first look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance B) and the start of a pattern change of the target related to the first look-ahead performance, and a second look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance A) is executed targeting the newly reserved pattern change, it can be said that the second look-ahead performance can start from the pattern change following the pattern change at which the first look-ahead performance ended.

[0162] In addition, in this embodiment, when a new pattern change is reserved during the setting of a look-ahead performance in the special chart change pattern derivation state PA, a technology has been described that makes it possible to execute a look-ahead performance that reads ahead for the newly reserved pattern change, and that makes the subsequent look-ahead performance a look-ahead performance different from the previous look-ahead performance, but the game state that employs this technology and technologies related to this technology is not limited to the special chart change pattern derivation state PA. In other words, when a new pattern change (the pattern change related to special chart 2 is the target because these special chart change pattern derivation states are normal chart high probability) is reserved during the setting of the pre-reading performance in the special chart change pattern derivation state PB or the special chart change pattern derivation state PC, it is possible to execute a pre-reading performance with the newly reserved pattern change as the pre-reading target, and the subsequent pre-reading performance may be a pre-reading performance different from the previous pre-reading performance. In particular, when this modified example is adopted for this embodiment, it is preferable to make the rate at which the pre-reading performance with the newly reserved pattern variation as the pre-reading target is executed (particularly, when the newly reserved pattern variation leads to a jackpot) higher in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC than in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA. According to this, in the normal flow of the game, the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PA transitions to the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC, so that when the execution period of the pre-reading performance in the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC is close, it is possible to make it easier to recognize that the pattern variation to be pre-read is different in each state. Furthermore, with regard to the setting rate of the delay flag when a pre-reading performance is executed in which the newly reserved pattern change is the pre-reading target, it is preferable to set the rate in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PB or the special pattern change pattern derivation state PC lower than the rate in the special pattern change pattern derivation state PA.

[0163] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the pre-reading performance A is a pre-reading performance executed using the performance shield 85 and the main display unit 81, while the pre-reading performance B is a pre-reading performance executed using the movable decorative body 22 and the main display unit 81, and while both pre-reading performances are executed using different devices, they are also executed on a common device. According to this, when the execution interval of the look-ahead performances is narrowed, it becomes easier to recognize that each look-ahead performance is a different look-ahead performance, but by having a common execution device for each look-ahead performance, it becomes easier to recognize the look-ahead performance that will be executed later. In order to achieve this effect, the presentation mode of the performance executed on the common device (main display unit 81) among the performances constituting pre-reading performance A may be made different from the presentation mode of the performance executed on the common device (main display unit 81) among the performances constituting pre-reading performance B.

[0164] Therefore, the performance means includes a first performance means (movable decorative body 22), a second performance means (performance shielding body 85), and a third performance means (main display unit 81), and in other words, the first pre-reading performance (pre-reading performance B) is a performance executed using the first performance means and the third performance means without using the second performance means, while the second pre-reading performance (pre-reading performance A) is a performance executed using the second performance means and the third performance means without using the first performance means.

[0165] Also, as described above, in this embodiment, when the pre-reading performance A is set in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, if the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is executed, the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery is higher than the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot, and this is also true when the pre-reading performance B is set in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA. According to this, even if a new look-ahead performance does not start in the pattern change following the pattern change in which the look-ahead performance has ended, it is possible to easily create a sense of anticipation regarding the subsequent game (especially the pattern change that was put on hold while the look-ahead performance was being set). In order to achieve this effect, a comparison is made between a case in which the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and an advanced performance is executed, and a case in which the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot, but the former case may simply be replaced with a case in which the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss.

[0166] In addition, although different from this embodiment, during the setting of the pre-reading performance A in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is executed, the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery may be lower than the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot. Similarly, during the setting of the pre-reading performance B in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a miss and the development performance is executed, the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery may be lower than the probability of winning the delay flag setting lottery when the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-judgment command is a jackpot. According to this, by increasing the player's concentration until the pattern change following the pattern change after the future look-ahead performance has ended, it is possible to increase the player's concentration on the pattern change that is the pre-read target related to the future look-ahead performance. In order to achieve this effect, similar to the pattern in this embodiment described above, a comparison is made between a case where the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-determination command is a miss and an advanced performance is executed, and a case where the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-determination command is a jackpot, but the former case may simply be replaced with a case where the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment related to this pre-determination command is a miss.

[0167] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, during the period between the start of a first look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance B) and the start of a pattern change of the target related to the first look-ahead performance, when a new pattern change is reserved and a second look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance A) targeting the newly reserved pattern change is executed, there is a first time when the second look-ahead performance starts from the pattern change following the pattern change at which the first look-ahead performance ended, and a second time when the second look-ahead performance starts from a pattern change after the next pattern change, and in other words, the expected probability of deriving a specific result (jackpot) in the pattern change of the target related to the second look-ahead performance at the first time is different from the expected probability of deriving a specific result in the pattern change of the target related to the second look-ahead performance at the second time.

[0168] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, when a look-ahead performance B of a performance mode associated with a high expectation level in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is set, the rate at which a new look-ahead performance A is decided to be executed decreases compared to when a look-ahead performance B of a performance mode associated with a low expectation level in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is set. According to this, after the end of the pre-reading performance B, which is a performance mode associated with high expectations, it is made difficult to create a sense of anticipation for the execution of a new pre-reading performance (especially, the pre-reading performance A), making it easier to create a lingering impression of the pre-reading performance B.

[0169] In addition, although different from this embodiment, when a look-ahead performance B of a performance mode relating to a low expectation in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is set, the rate at which a new look-ahead performance A is decided to be executed may be reduced compared to when a look-ahead performance B of a performance mode relating to a high expectation in the special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state PA is set. This can prevent the occurrence of a series of pre-reading effects, which have a relatively low probability of winning a jackpot, and can prevent a decline in enthusiasm for playing.

[0170] Therefore, in the gaming machine 10, the first look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance B) is a performance that can become either a first performance mode (a performance mode with low expectation) or a second performance mode (a performance mode with high expectation) with a higher expectation of deriving a specific result than the first performance mode, and in the period from when the first look-ahead performance is started to when the pattern change of the target related to the first look-ahead performance is started, the rate at which a new pattern change is reserved and a second look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance A) targeting the newly reserved pattern change is executed is different from the rate when the first look-ahead performance is in the first performance mode and the rate when the first look-ahead performance is in the second performance mode.

[0171] <Other modifications, etc.> Modifications not described above and supplementary features to the above-mentioned functions are listed below.

[0172] First, as described above, the gaming machine according to this embodiment adopts a priority variation in which the operation reservation information corresponding to special chart 2 is used preferentially when both the operation reservation information corresponding to special chart 1 and the operation reservation information corresponding to special chart 2 are reserved. Therefore, in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA, which is a normal chart with low probability, the pattern variation related to special chart 1 is the pre-reading target, and in the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB or special chart variation pattern derivation state PC, which is a normal chart with high probability, the pattern variation related to special chart 2 is the pre-reading target, but this is also the case when a simultaneous variation is adopted in which both operation reservation information corresponding to special chart 1 and operation reservation information corresponding to special chart 2 are used in parallel when both are reserved. On the other hand, regardless of whether the reserved activation information corresponds to special chart 1 or special chart 2, when adopting a winning order variation that uses the reserved activation information in the order of the oldest reserved timing, both the pattern variation related to special chart 1 and the pattern variation related to special chart 2 will be the target of pre-reading in all of the special chart variation pattern derivation state PA where the normal chart has a low probability, the special chart variation pattern derivation state PB where the normal chart has a high probability, and the special chart variation pattern derivation state PC where the normal chart has a high probability.

[0173] In addition, the look-ahead performance (look-ahead performance A, look-ahead performance B) in this embodiment repeats starting and ending every time a pattern change (a previous pattern change) that is executed during the period in which the pattern change of the look-ahead target is reserved starts, but is not limited to this. In other words, when the look-ahead performance is started once, a look-ahead performance that continues to be executed until the pattern change of the look-ahead target may be adopted.

[0174] In addition, in this embodiment, there are cases where the pattern change for which a development performance is executed is not the pattern change to be pre-read, but during the period in which the pattern change is on hold, the above-mentioned pre-read performance management process may not be executed even if a pre-determination command is received.

[0175] In addition, in the present embodiment, as long as the relationship between the probability, rate, frequency, and expectation level is guaranteed, the lower one may not win, or the higher one may always win. In either case, a lottery may not be held. In particular, in the present invention, in the portion in which the rate, frequency, and expectation level are described without specifying the lottery content, the control content (lottery content, etc.) for realizing the phenomenon surface is not important as long as the high and low values ​​of these values ​​are guaranteed in the phenomenon surface. Furthermore, each lottery value in the lottery table illustrated in this embodiment is just an example, and as long as the magnitude relationship between the lottery tables is maintained, each lottery value may adopt any value within the range.

[0176] As described above, the look-ahead performance management process in this embodiment is executed each time a pre-determination command is received when a pattern change that has led to a jackpot or a pattern change that will lead to a jackpot is not pending, but as long as the relationships between the probability, ratio, frequency, and high and low expectations described in each of the above-mentioned inventions are guaranteed, the above-mentioned look-ahead performance management process may be executed when a pre-determination command is received in a state other than these.

[0177] In the above explanation, the recovery state at the time of power recovery is determined by referring to the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power recovery, but it may be possible to refer to whether the time that the RAM clear switch 43 is in the ON state after power recovery exceeds a specified time (e.g., 3 seconds). In this way, the occurrence of erroneous RAM clear processing can be further suppressed.

[0178] In the above description, the state of the middle frame open door sensor 76 (open / closed state of the middle frame 17) was referenced when determining the return state when power was restored, but the return state may be set without reference to that state. In this case, the return state when power was restored may be set uniformly according to the case where the middle frame open door sensor 76 is ON (the middle frame 17 is open).

[0179] The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

[0180] <Additional Notes> The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea. (1) A gaming machine capable of launching a game ball, capable of executing a pattern change based on the passage of the game ball into a starting area, performing a win / lose determination with the start of the pattern change, and when a specific result is derived by the win / lose determination, capable of executing a winning game after the end of the pattern change for which the win / lose determination was performed, and capable of suspending the start of the pattern change until a change start condition is satisfied, The means of production, A performance control means for controlling the performance means; Equipped with The performance control means is capable of executing a pre-reading performance that suggests an expected probability of the specific result in the target pattern variation while the target pattern variation is pending; The look-ahead performance includes a first look-ahead performance and a second look-ahead performance different from the first look-ahead performance, When a new pattern change is reserved during a period from when the first look-ahead performance is started until when the pattern change of the target related to the first look-ahead performance is started, the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change may be executed after the first look-ahead performance ends, whereas the first look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is not executed after the first look-ahead performance ends. The gaming machine is characterized by the above. (2) The gaming machine according to (1) above, During the period from when the first look-ahead performance is started to when the target pattern change related to the first look-ahead performance is started, when a new pattern change is reserved and the second look-ahead performance is executed with the newly reserved pattern change as the target pattern change, the second look-ahead performance may start from the pattern change next to the pattern change at which the first look-ahead performance has ended. A gaming machine characterized by: (3) The gaming machine according to (2) above, The presentation means includes a first presentation means, a second presentation means, and a third presentation means, The first look-ahead performance is a performance executed by using the first performance means and the third performance means without using the second performance means, The second look-ahead performance is a performance executed by using the second performance means and the third performance means without using the first performance means. A gaming machine characterized by: (4) A gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (3) above, The first look-ahead effect may be a first effect mode or a second effect mode having a higher expected probability of deriving the specific result than the first effect mode, During a period from when the first look-ahead performance is started to when a pattern change of a target related to the first look-ahead performance is started, a pattern change is newly reserved and the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is executed at a rate different from a rate when the first look-ahead performance is in the first performance mode and a rate when the first look-ahead performance is in the second performance mode. A gaming machine characterized by: (a) During a period from when the first look-ahead performance is started until when a pattern change of a target related to the first look-ahead performance is started, when a new pattern change is reserved and the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is executed, there is a first time when the second look-ahead performance is started from a pattern change next to the pattern change at which the first look-ahead performance has ended, and a second time when the second look-ahead performance is started from a pattern change after the next pattern change, The expected probability of deriving the specific result in the pattern variation of the target related to the second pre-reading performance at the first time is different from the expected probability of deriving the specific result in the pattern variation of the target related to the second pre-reading performance at the second time. A gaming machine characterized by: [Explanation of symbols]

[0181] 10 Gaming machines 15 Outer Frame 17 Middle Frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable Decorations 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent materials 27 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 31 Operating handle 32 Upper frame part 33(33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and right side frame parts 35(35a, 35b, 35c) Frame Lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Production button 38 Cursor Button 38a Up cursor button 38b Down cursor button 38c Left cursor button 38d Right cursor button 38e Middle cursor button 39 Main operation section 39a Ball loan button 39b Return button 40 Power Switch 43 RAM clear switch 46 Game Ball Tank 47 Tank Rail 48 Dispatch Unit 49 Dispatch Passage 50 Game Board 50a Gaming area 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 54 Protective materials 55 Grand Prize Winner 57 First starting point 59 Second starting point 61 Normal Electric Devices 62 Normal electric accessory solenoid Gate 63 65 Special Electric Devices 66 Special electric device solenoid 67 General Prize Winners 69 Outlet 70 First starting sensor 71 Second starting port sensor 72 Large prize entrance sensor 73 General prize entry sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame door open sensor 77 Front frame door open sensor 80 Performance display device 81 Main display 82 Sub display 82a Upper sub display 82b Left sub display 82c Right sub display 85 Stage Covering 85a Upper left effect shield 85b Upper right effect shield 85c Lower left effect shield 85d Lower right effect shield 90 Pattern display device 91 First special pattern display device 92 Second special pattern display device 93 Ordinary pattern display device 94 1st special pattern reserved lamp 95 2nd Special Design Hold Lamp 96 Normal pattern hold lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 I / O ports 105 Random Number Circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entrance determination method 115 Main random number generator 120 Main Hold Control Means 125 Preliminary Judgment Measures 130 Special drawing lottery method 131 Means of determining whether or not a special drawing is correct 132 Special stop pattern lottery means 133 Means for deriving special chart variation patterns 135 General drawing method 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electrical equipment control means 155 Game status control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main Error Control Measures 170 Main Command Management Method 175 Power restoration processing execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Means for transitioning to playable state 180 Power cut processing execution means 200 1st sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 I / O ports 209 1st sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generator 220 Normal Production Control Means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Method of determining direction route 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Predictive performance control means 225 Means for determining production content 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Jackpot performance control means 230 Sub-error Control Measures 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable object control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Subcommand Management Method 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Voice control board 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 314 I / O ports 400 Dispatch control board 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power supply control board 501 Normal power circuit 502 Backup power circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 509 Power supply control board case X First flow path Y Second flow path

Claims

1. A gaming machine capable of launching a game ball, capable of executing a pattern change based on the passage of the game ball into a starting area, performing a win / lose determination with the start of the pattern change, and when a specific result is derived by the win / lose determination, capable of executing a winning game after the end of the pattern change for which the win / lose determination was performed, and capable of suspending the start of the pattern change until a change start condition is satisfied, The means of production, A performance control means for controlling the performance means; Equipped with The performance control means is capable of executing a pre-reading performance that suggests an expected probability of the specific result being derived in the target pattern variation, The look-ahead performance includes a first look-ahead performance and a second look-ahead performance different from the first look-ahead performance, In at least a part of the time when a new pattern change is reserved during the period from when the first look-ahead performance is started to when the pattern change of the target related to the first look-ahead performance is started, the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change may be executed after the first look-ahead performance ends, and the first look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is not executed after the first look-ahead performance ends, The first look-ahead effect may be a first effect mode or a second effect mode having a higher expected probability of deriving the specific result than the first effect mode, During a period from when the first look-ahead performance is started until when the target pattern change related to the first look-ahead performance is started, a new pattern change is reserved, and the rate at which the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is executed is different between when the first look-ahead performance is in the first performance mode and when the first look-ahead performance is in the second performance mode. The gaming machine is characterized by the above.

2. A gaming machine capable of launching a game ball, capable of executing a pattern change based on the passage of the game ball into a starting area, performing a win / lose determination with the start of the pattern change, and when a specific result is derived by the win / lose determination, capable of executing a winning game after the end of the pattern change for which the win / lose determination was performed, and capable of suspending the start of the pattern change until a change start condition is satisfied, The means of production, A performance control means for controlling the performance means; Equipped with The performance control means is capable of executing a pre-reading performance that suggests an expected probability of the specific result being derived in the target pattern variation, The look-ahead performance includes a first look-ahead performance and a second look-ahead performance different from the first look-ahead performance, In at least a part of the time when a new pattern change is reserved during the period from when the first look-ahead performance is started to when the pattern change of the target related to the first look-ahead performance is started, the second look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change may be executed after the first look-ahead performance ends, and the first look-ahead performance targeting the newly reserved pattern change is not executed after the first look-ahead performance ends, During the period from when the first look-ahead performance is started to when the target pattern change related to the first look-ahead performance is started, a new pattern change is reserved, and when the second look-ahead performance is executed with the newly reserved pattern change as the target pattern change, the second look-ahead performance may be started from the pattern change next to the pattern change at which the first look-ahead performance has ended, The presentation means includes a first presentation means, a second presentation means, and a third presentation means, The first look-ahead performance is a performance executed by using the first performance means and the third performance means without using the second performance means, The second look-ahead performance is a performance executed by using the second performance means and the third performance means without using the first performance means. The gaming machine is characterized by the above.

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