Gaming Machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine, for example, capable of enhancing a player's interest by utilizing space effectively.SOLUTION: A Pachinko machine includes: a game board 30; an inner frame 12 for supporting the game board; a front frame set provided in the front side; and a shooting device 60 for shooting game balls. In a front side of the game board 30, a game area to which game balls shot by the shooting device 60 are guided is provided. A winning lottery is held when game balls enter start winning holes 33A, 33B provided within the game area, and a winning state advantageous to a player is generated when a predetermined lottery result is obtained. When a winning state occurs, an opening / closing shutter of a variable winning device 32 is opened or closed and a large winning hole is opened. By allowing game balls to enter the large winning hole, a player can acquire a predetermined number of winning balls. The variable winning device 32 (large winning hole) is provided in a part positioned below the game board 30 in the inner frame 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A pachinko machine, which shoots game balls to play a game, is known as one type of game machine. A pachinko machine is provided with a game board having a game area on the front side where the shot game balls are guided. The game board is provided with various winning means where the game balls guided to the game area can win a prize, and an outlet for discharging game balls that do not win any of the winning means out of the game area (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In such pachinko machines, for example, a predetermined lottery process is performed based on the entry of a gaming ball into the initial winning means, and when a predetermined lottery result is obtained, a winning state advantageous to the player is generated. When the winning state occurs, a special winning means is opened, and by causing a gaming ball to enter the special winning means, the player can obtain a predetermined amount of game value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-86946 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is a demand for further improvements in entertainment value in conventional gaming machines.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can increase the interest of players. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present invention comprises: A predetermined game board; A support member for supporting the game board; A launching means capable of launching a game ball; A rail member capable of guiding the game ball launched by the launching means; A game area is provided on the front part of the game board so that game balls guided by the rail member can flow down, and at least a part of the game area is defined by the rail member; A frame-shaped member provided on the game board so as to surround a predetermined display area of ​​a predetermined display device when viewed from the front; A first starting ball entry means is provided so that the game ball can enter the first starting ball entry means at a position where the game ball can reach the game ball that is launched by the launching means so as to pass through at least the left side area of ​​the frame-shaped member in the game area; A trigger ball entry means is provided so that the game ball can enter the game area at a position where the game ball launched by the launching means can reach the game area so as to pass through at least the right side area of ​​the frame-shaped member; a second trigger ball entry means that is provided in a position within the game area where the game ball launched by the launching means can reach so as to pass through at least the right side area of ​​the frame-shaped member, and that can change between a first state in which the game ball cannot enter and a second state in which the game ball can enter when a predetermined opening condition is established based on at least an entry into the trigger ball entry means; A lottery means for performing a predetermined winning / losing lottery due to the game ball entering the first start ball entry means or the second start ball entry means; a display means for displaying a stop display in a predetermined manner based on the result of the winning / losing lottery after displaying the change; and a game state generating means for generating a predetermined game state advantageous to a player when a predetermined winning result is obtained by the winning / losing lottery. A specific inflow area into which game balls flowing down the game area can flow in through a predetermined opening; A switching means is provided for changing the state of the specific inflow area between a specific state and a specific state different from the specific state when the specific game state occurs; In the specific state, the game ball that has flowed into the specific inflow area is detectable by a first detection means as a game ball that can provide a player with a predetermined game value, and is not detectable as a game ball that does not provide the predetermined game value, The game ball detected by the first detection means is configured to be able to flow out of the specific inflow area through a predetermined passage, In the predetermined state, the game ball that has flowed into the specific inflow area is detectable by the second detection means as a game ball that does not impart the predetermined game value to the player, and is not detectable as a game ball that can impart the predetermined game value. The game ball detected by the second detection means is configured to be able to flow out of the specific inflow area through the predetermined passage. The gist of the report is as follows. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of the player. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine in one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] An oblique view showing the inner frame and front frame set in an open state. [Figure 4] A front view showing the configuration of the inner frame and game board, etc. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 6] This is an oblique view showing the inner frame, rear pack unit, etc. in an open state. [Figure 7] A partially enlarged front view showing the configuration of the inner frame and game board, etc. [Figure 8] A partially enlarged rear view showing the configuration of the inner frame and game board, etc. [Figure 9] A partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 7, showing the variable winning device etc. in a closed state. [Figure 10] A partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 7, showing the variable winning device etc. in an open state. [Figure 11] A partial cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 7 showing the variable winning device etc. in a closed state. [Figure 12] A partial cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 7 showing the variable winning device etc. in an open state. [Figure 13] 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. FIG. [Figure 14] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of various counters used in game control. FIG. [Figure 15] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing by a main control device. [Figure 16] 4 is a flowchart showing normal processing by the main control device. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process. [Figure 18] A flowchart showing the start winning processing. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart showing a jackpot determination process. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart showing a reach determination process. [Figure 21] 13 is a flowchart showing a through gate passing process. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart showing a game status check process. [Figure 23] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence relationship between a lottery mode flag, a support mode flag, a game state identification counter, and a game state judgment value. FIG. [Figure 24] 13 is a flowchart showing a first display control process. [Diagram 25] 13 is a flowchart showing the end of fluctuation setting process. [Figure 26] 13 is a flowchart showing a variable display setting process. [Figure 27] A flowchart showing variable winning device control processing. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing a second display control process. [Figure 29] 13 is a flowchart showing the opening and closing feature control process. [Diagram 30] 13 is a flowchart showing a reception interrupt process. [Diagram 31] 13 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the dispensing control device. [Diagram 32] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process. [Diagram 33] 13 is a flowchart showing a command determination process. [Diagram 34] 13 is a flowchart showing normal processing of the sub-control device. [Diagram 35] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of various counters used to determine decorative patterns. [Diagram 36] 13 is a flowchart showing a counter update process. [Figure 37] 13 is a flowchart showing a command determination process of the sub-control device. [Figure 38] 13 is a flowchart showing a variable display setting process. [Figure 39] 13 is a flowchart showing a hold display setting process. [Diagram 40] A diagram to explain the types of jackpots. [Diagram 41] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a first big win type determination table. [Diagram 42] A diagram showing the configuration of a second big win type determination table. [Diagram 43] FIG. 13A is a diagram showing the storage configuration of a fluctuation pattern table for a sure-variable jackpot, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing the storage configuration of a fluctuation pattern table for a complete miss. [Diagram 44] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the fluctuation pattern table when a special jackpot occurs under normal conditions. [Diagram 45] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of an opening and closing pattern control table. [Diagram 46] A schematic diagram showing an example of the display mode of a decorative pattern display device in a normal state. [Figure 47]A schematic diagram showing an example of the display mode of a decorative pattern display device when a jackpot occurs. [Figure 48] A schematic diagram showing an example of the display mode of the decorative pattern display device during a chance mode. [Figure 49] A schematic diagram showing an example of the display mode of the decorative pattern display device during gold mode. [Figure 50] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display mode of a decorative pattern display device during a roulette performance. FIG. [Figure 51] A schematic diagram showing an example of the display mode of a decorative pattern display device when a pending display change process is performed. [Figure 52] A schematic front view showing a variable winning device etc. in a closed state according to another embodiment. [Figure 53] A schematic front view showing a variable winning device etc. in an open state according to another embodiment. [Figure 54] A front view showing the configuration of the inner frame, game board, etc. relating to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko game machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine 10, FIG. 2 is a perspective view, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner frame 12 and the front frame set 14 are opened. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the inner frame 12 and the game board 30, etc. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner frame 12 and the back pack unit 203, etc. are opened. However, for the sake of convenience, in FIG. 3, nails and accessories arranged on the game board 30 surface, a glass unit 137 attached to the front frame set 14, etc. are omitted.

[0011] As shown in Figure 3 etc., the pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 that forms the outer hull of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 is supported on one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. The inner frame 12 forms a support frame in this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Figure 6, etc., the outer frame 11 is configured such that the upper side frame component 11a and the lower side frame component 11b are made of wooden boards, and the left side frame component 11c and the right side frame component 11d are made of extruded aluminum alloy material, and these frame components 11a to 11d are assembled together into a rectangular frame shape as a whole by detachable fasteners such as screws.

[0013] An upper hinge 81 and a lower hinge 82 are attached to the upper and lower ends of the left-side frame component 11c, respectively (see FIG. 1). The upper and lower parts of the inner frame 12 are rotatably supported by the upper hinge 81 and the lower hinge 82, allowing the inner frame 12 to be opened and closed. The inner frame 12 and the like are housed in a space formed inside the outer frame 11.

[0014] Further, the right-side frame component 11d is formed with an extending wall portion 83 that protrudes from the vicinity of its rear end in the width direction toward the inside of the outer frame 11. The extending wall portion 83 covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to a locking device 600 (see FIG. 6) provided on the rear side of the right side of the inner frame 12 from the rear side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 5). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of upper and lower receiving portions 84, 85 to which a locking member of the locking device 600 is engaged are provided on the front side of the extending wall portion 83. Further, a pressing portion 86 that abuts against an inner frame opening detection switch 92 described later is provided on the lower receiving portion 85 to protrude toward the inside of the outer frame 11.

[0015] Furthermore, a resin-made front panel decoration 87 is attached to the lower frame component 11b. An upwardly protruding rib 88 is integrally formed on the inner part of the upper surface of the front panel decoration 87. This makes it difficult for a gap to form between the front panel decoration 87 and the inner frame 12.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, the opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set along the top and bottom on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the inner frame 12 can be opened forward with this opening / closing axis as its axis. The inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base frame 38 having a rectangular outer shape, and a substantially elliptical window hole 39 is formed in the center of the base frame 38.

[0017] In addition, a front frame set 14 is attached so as to be able to be opened and closed to the front side of the inner frame 12. Like the inner frame 12, the front frame set 14 is designed so as to be able to be opened to the front side around an opening / closing axis set along the top and bottom on the left side as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0018] The front frame set 14 has a rectangular outer shape like the inner frame 12, and covers almost the entire front side of the inner frame 12 when closed. A roughly elliptical window portion 101 is formed in the center of the front frame set 14. This makes it possible to view the game board 30 (play area 30a) attached to the rear surface of the inner frame 12 from the outside through the window portion 101 of the front frame set 14 and the window hole 39 of the inner frame 12. The detailed configuration of the game board 30 will be described later. The front frame set 14 constitutes the front frame in this embodiment, and the window portion 101 constitutes the viewing window.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, a lower tray 15 is provided as a ball receiving tray at the center of the lower part of the front side of the front frame set 14, and game balls discharged from the discharge port 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. In addition, a ball removal lever 25 for discharging game balls from the lower tray 15 is provided on the front side of the lower tray 15.

[0020] In addition, a performance button 125 is provided on the left side of the lower tray 15 as an operation means that can be operated by the player. The performance button 125 is configured so that the player can press it (by pressing it downward). An operation detection switch (not shown) for detecting the pressing of the performance button 125 is provided inside the lower tray 15. When the performance button 125 is pressed, an operation detection signal is output from the operation detection switch to a sub-control device 262 described later. As a result, when the player presses the performance button 125, a corresponding performance is performed or the performance content is changed in a decorative pattern display device 42 described later.

[0021] A game ball launch handle (hereinafter, simply referred to as the handle) 18 protruding toward the front side is provided to the right of the lower tray 15. The handle 18 is provided with a touch sensor (not shown) and an operation amount detection means (not shown) for detecting the operation amount of the operation part of the handle 18.

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

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

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

[0025] In addition, various light-emitting means such as lamps are provided around the front of the front frame set 14. These light-emitting means are controlled to change their light-emitting modes, such as lighting and blinking, in response to changes in the game state, such as when a jackpot is hit or a specified reach is reached, and serve to enhance the presentation effect during the game. For example, a frame lamp 102 incorporating a light-emitting means such as an LED is provided around the periphery of the window portion 101. In addition, error display lamps 104 that light up when a specified error occurs are provided on both sides of the frame lamp 102. Incidentally, a number of fine through holes are formed in the upper portion of each error display lamp 104 of the frame lamp 102, corresponding to the speaker SP (see Figure 3) provided on the back of the front frame set 14.

[0026] A glass frame portion 14a is provided on the rear side of the front frame set 14 (see Figure 3), and a glass unit 137 is attached to the glass frame portion 14a. The glass unit 137 is equipped with a pair of front and rear transparent glass plates 137a, 137b arranged at a predetermined distance from each other (see Figure 9, etc.).

[0027] Next, the inner frame 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As described above, the game board 30 is attached to the base frame 38 of the inner frame 12 behind the window hole 39. The game board 30 is attached with its peripheral portion (excluding the left-right central portion of the lower edge 30b) in contact with the back side of the base frame 38. Therefore, the range from approximately the central portion of the front portion of the game board 30 to the left-right central portion of the lower edge 30b is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 39 of the base frame 38.

[0028] In addition, a launching device 60 for launching game balls is disposed on the front side of a portion of the base frame 38 that is located below the window hole 39 (game board 30) (hereinafter referred to as "base frame lower part 38A"). In this embodiment, a solenoid type launching device is used as the launching device 60.

[0029] In addition, at a position above the launching device 60 in the lower part 38A of the base frame, a ball feeding device 63 is provided which guides the game balls guided from the upper tray 19 one ball at a time to the launching position of the launching device 60 (the launching rail 61 described later) by driving a built-in driving means (e.g., a solenoid).

[0030] Furthermore, on the lower part of the base frame 38A, there are disposed a launching rail 61 on which the game balls guided by the ball feeding device 63 are placed and which guides the game balls immediately after they are shot out by the launching device 60, and a relay rail 62 which is disposed on an extension of the launching rail 61 and which guides the game balls that fly out from the launching rail 61 to the game board 30 (a guide rail 54 described later). The launching rail 61 and the relay rail 62 constitute the support frame side rail part in this embodiment.

[0031] The launch rail 61 and the relay rail 62 are disposed at a predetermined interval, and a foul ball drop section 65 is formed between the two as a drop hole section through which the game ball can fall. As a result, if a game ball launched from the launch device 60 does not reach the game area 30a and returns along the guide rail 54 as a foul ball, the foul ball is guided to the foul ball drop section 65 by one side wall section 169b (the guide rail 54 side) of the front side guide section 169 described later, and falls downward through the foul ball drop section 65. Therefore, the foul ball guide section in this embodiment is constituted by the one side wall section 169b (the guide rail 54 side).

[0032] 3, a resin rail sidewall member (rail sidewall portion) 69 is provided on the rear side of the front frame set 14 below the window portion 101. The rail sidewall member 69 is arranged along the launch rail 61 and relay rail 62 when the front frame set 14 is closed against the inner frame 12, and forms the sidewall portion of these rails 61, 62. This prevents launch balls from spilling out from the launch rail 61 and relay rail 62.

[0033] Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 etc. On the front side of the game board 30, an outer rail member 51, an inner rail member 52 and a right rail member 53, which are formed in a band shape from thin metal steel plates, are attached in a curved arc shape.

[0034] The outer periphery of the play area 30a, which is divided into front and back by the front surface of the play board 30 and the rear surface of the glass unit 137 (glass plate 137b), is defined substantially circularly mainly by these rail members 51-53.

[0035] More specifically, when viewed from the front of the game board 30, the outer rail member 51 extends, curved and diagonally upward to the left, from the lower edge 30b of the game board 30 to approximately the vertical center of the left edge of the game board 30, so as to be connected to the relay rail 62, then extends, curved and diagonally upward to the right, from approximately the vertical center of the left edge of the game board 30 to approximately the horizontal center of the upper edge of the game board 30, and further extends, curved and diagonally downward to the right, from approximately the horizontal center of the upper edge of the game board 30 to the upper right area of ​​the game board 30, so as to be arranged in an approximately arc shape overall.

[0036] The inner rail member 52 curves and extends parallel to the outer rail member 51 from approximately the center in the left-right direction of the lower edge 30b of the game board 30 (near the left end of the outlet 36 described later) to the upper left diagonal area of ​​the game board 30, and is arranged in an approximately arc shape overall.

[0037] The right rail member 53 is arranged in an approximately arc shape overall, extending from approximately the center in the left-right direction of the lower edge 30b of the game board 30 (near the right end of the outlet 36 described later) and curving diagonally upward to the right to the lower right area of ​​the game board 30.

[0038] The outer peripheral edge of the play area 30a is defined by the outer rail member 51 in the region where only the outer rail member 51 extends, is defined by the inner rail member 52 in the region where only the inner rail member 52 extends, and is defined by the right rail member 53 in the region where only the right rail member 53 extends.

[0039] On the other hand, in the section where the outer rail member 51 and the inner rail member 52 are arranged in parallel, the outer peripheral edge of the play area 30a is defined by the inner rail member 52, and in the section where none of the rail members 51 to 53 are present (excluding the section where the outlet 36 described below is formed), the outer peripheral edge of the play area 30a is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the window hole 39 of the base frame 38.

[0040] Furthermore, the section in which the outer rail member 51 and the inner rail member 52 are arranged in parallel constitutes a guide rail 54 that guides the game ball launched from the launching device 60. As a result, the game ball launched from the launching device 60 in response to the rotational operation of the handle 18 is guided to the upper part of the game area 30a through the launching rail 61, the relay rail 62 and the guide rail 54.

[0041] A return ball prevention member 56 is provided near the upper end of the inner rail member 52 (see FIG. 4). This prevents a game ball that has been guided from the guide rail 54 to the game area 30a from returning back into the guide rail 54.

[0042] In addition, at the lower edge 30b of the game board 30, an opening 55 through which the game ball can pass is formed between the lower end (right end) of the inner rail member 52 and the lower end (left end) of the right rail member 53.

[0043] Corresponding to the opening 55, an outlet 36 is formed in the lower edge 30b of the game board 30 at approximately the center in the left-right direction by cutting out the lower edge 30b. Among the game balls guided to the game area 30a, game balls that do not win in various winning holes described below are discharged to the outside of the game area 30a through the outlet 36. Therefore, the outlet 36 constitutes an out ball discharge area (out ball discharge section) in this embodiment.

[0044] Also, a variable winning device 32 is provided as a variable ball entry means at approximately the center in the left-right direction of the upper edge 145 of the base frame lower part 38A, which is below the outlet 36. The variable winning device 32 according to this embodiment is provided not on the game board 30 but on the base frame lower part 38A. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the game area 30a formed on the front side of the game board 30 is regarded as the main game area (first game area), the area on the front side of the base frame lower part 38A where the variable winning device 32 is provided or the internal area of ​​the variable winning device 32 can also be regarded as the sub-game area (second game area).

[0045] Here, the variable winning device 32 and the related configuration will be described in detail with reference to Figs.

[0046] An attachment recess 146 is formed in the approximate center in the left-right direction of the upper edge 145 of the base frame lower part 38A, and the variable winning device 32 is attached and fixed here. As a result, the variable winning device 32 is positioned almost entirely below the lower edge 30b of the game board 30.

[0047] The variable winning device 32 includes a front wall 149 arranged so as to be substantially flush with the front part of the base frame lower part 38A (in this embodiment, substantially the same position in the front-rear direction as the front part of the game board 30), a large winning opening 151 formed as an opening in the front wall 149, a bottom wall 152 formed on the back side of the front wall 149, extending rearward from the lower side of the large winning opening 151, and a pair of side walls 153 formed along the side edges of the bottom wall 152, extending rearward from both sides of the large winning opening 151. The large winning opening 151 is configured so that a game ball can pass through in the front-rear direction. In addition, in Figs. 8 to 12, the game ball is illustrated as "game ball B" by a two-dot chain line.

[0048] In this embodiment, the left-right width of the special winning hole 151 is set to be approximately the same as the left-right width of the outlet 36 formed in the lower edge portion 30b of the game board 30. The special winning hole 151 constitutes a special winning area (special winning section) in this embodiment.

[0049] The rear of the bottom wall portion 152 reaches the ball recovery member 216, and the rear end thereof is connected to a winning ball discharge passage 232 formed in the ball recovery member 216. Therefore, the variable winning device 32 constitutes a ball passage structure in this embodiment.

[0050] A count switch 223 is attached to the winning ball discharge passage 232 (below the bottom wall portion 152). The count switch 223 constitutes the winning ball detection means (ball detection means) in this embodiment.

[0051] In this embodiment, the ball passage (winning ball passage) and the support frame side passage component are constituted by the bottom wall 152 connected to the large winning opening 151, the pair of side wall portions 153, and the winning ball discharge passage 232. Here, the mounting position of the count switch 223 is not limited to the above position, and may be any part that constitutes the ball passage (winning ball passage).

[0052] A solenoid 154 is attached to the rear of the variable winning device 32. The solenoid 154 is provided with a plunger 155 on its front side that can slide back and forth. The plunger 155 has a disk-shaped tip portion (symbol omitted) that is larger in diameter than the shaft portion. In addition, a coil spring (not shown) is attached in a compressed state around the shaft portion.

[0053] As a result, when the solenoid 154 is in a non-energized state, the force of the coil spring maintains the plunger 155 in the protruding position. When the solenoid 154 is excited, the plunger 155 retracts into the solenoid 154, and in the excited state, the plunger 155 is maintained in the retracted position.

[0054] The variable winning device 32 is provided with an opening / closing shutter 160 as an opening / closing member at a position above the bottom wall portion 152 and in front of the solenoid 154. The opening / closing shutter 160 is fixed to the tip of the plunger 155 and is provided so as to be able to slide back and forth as the plunger 155 is driven.

[0055] The main body of the opening / closing shutter 160 is formed in a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, and its left-right width is set to be generally the same as the left-right width of the outlet 36 formed in the lower edge 30b of the game board 30. In addition, a connection part 161 that is connected and fixed to the plunger 155 is provided on the lower surface of the main body of the opening / closing shutter 160.

[0056] The opening / closing shutter 160 in this embodiment constitutes the bottom of the outlet 36, and is disposed at a lower position within the outlet 36 so as to penetrate the outlet 36 from front to back. Also, the upper surface of the opening / closing shutter 160 is gently inclined downward from the front to the rear as a whole so as to smoothly guide the game balls (out balls) rearward.

[0057] Correspondingly, the ball recovery member 216 is formed with a pair of left and right out ball discharge passages 241A, 241B that communicate with the outlet 36. The ball recovery member 216 and the variable winning device 32 are assembled so that the rear of the opening / closing shutter 160 and the out ball discharge passages 241A, 241B are continuous with each other.

[0058] The out ball discharge passages 241A and 241B are provided with out ball detection switches 226A and 226B, respectively. The out ball detection switches 226A and 226B constitute the out ball detection means (ball detection means) in this embodiment.

[0059] In addition, the ball passage (out ball passage) in this embodiment is composed of the outlet 36, the opening / closing shutter 160 (shutter section 160a and guide section 160b described below), and the out ball discharge passages 241A, 241B, etc. Here, the attachment positions of the out ball detection switches 226A, 226B are not limited to the above positions, but may be any part that constitutes the ball passage (out ball passage).

[0060] Under the above-mentioned configuration, the opening / closing shutter 160 is in a protruding state protruding forward to the vicinity of the glass unit 137 (glass plate 137b) in normal operation, that is, when the solenoid 154 is in a non-excited state and the plunger 155 is in a protruding position. On the other hand, when the solenoid 154 is in an excited state and the plunger 155 is in a retracted position, the opening / closing shutter 160 is in a retracted state retracted to a position near the front wall portion 149.

[0061] Hereinafter, when the opening / closing shutter 160 is in the protruding state, the portion protruding forward from the front wall portion 149 is referred to as a shutter portion 160a, and the portion located within the outlet 36 is referred to as a guide portion 160b.

[0062] The shutter portion 160a is curved in the left-right direction so as to be concave upward when viewed from the front. When the opening / closing shutter 160 is in a protruding state in which it protrudes forward, the left end of the shutter portion 160a is disposed adjacent to the right end (lower end) of the inner rail member 52, and the right end of the shutter portion 160a is disposed adjacent to the left end (lower end) of the right rail member 53.

[0063] On the other hand, the guide section 160b is configured such that the upper surface of the left half slopes gently downward toward the rear left from the center in the left-right direction, and the upper surface of the right half slopes gently downward toward the rear right, so that the game balls can be smoothly distributed to the left and right out ball discharge passages 241A, 241B.

[0064] A branching portion 216b that branches off the out ball discharge passages 241A and 241B is formed protrudingly on the front side (passage side) of the rear wall portion 216a of the ball recovery member 216. Correspondingly, a V-shaped notch portion 160c is formed on the rear end portion of the guide portion 160b of the opening / closing shutter 160. When the opening / closing shutter 160 is in the retracted state, the branching portion 216b is inserted into the V-shaped notch portion 160c of the guide portion 160b (see FIG. 12).

[0065] Now, the front frame set 14 is provided with a front side guide section 169 corresponding to the opening 55 and the large prize opening 151. The front side guide section 169 constitutes the guide means and the front frame side passage component in this embodiment.

[0066] The front side guide portion 169 is formed so as to protrude rearward from the upper position of the rail side wall member 69 provided on the rear side of the front frame set 14. The front side guide portion 169 is formed integrally with the rail side wall member 69 from synthetic resin or the like.

[0067] The front guide portion 169 is formed in a concave shape when viewed from behind, and has a bottom wall portion 169a that slopes downward toward the rear, and a pair of side wall portions 169b formed on both the left and right sides of the bottom wall portion 169a, and is open upward and backward.

[0068] The left-right width of the bottom wall 169a in the front guide section 169 (the left-right width between the side walls 169b) is set to be approximately the same as the left-right width of the large prize opening 151. When the front frame set 14 is closed against the inner frame 12, the front guide section 169 is disposed opposite the large prize opening 151 in front of it (see FIG. 9, etc.).

[0069] As a result, the bottom wall portion 169a of the front side guiding portion 169 is connected to the bottom wall portion 152 of the variable winning device 32, and both side wall portions 169b of the front side guiding portion 169 are connected to both side wall portions 153 of the variable winning device 32.

[0070] Under such a configuration, under normal circumstances when the solenoid 154 is in a non-excited state and the plunger 155 is in a protruding position, the opening / closing shutter 160 is in a protruding state in which it protrudes forward to the vicinity of the glass unit 137, closing the opening 55 between the right end of the inner rail member 52 and the left end of the right rail member 53.

[0071] At the same time, the opening / closing shutter 160 (shutter portion 160a) blocks the upper part of the front side guide portion 169 (bottom wall portion 169a) of the front frame set 14.

[0072] Therefore, in this state, the opening / closing shutter 160, the rail members 51 to 53, the window hole 39, and the like form a partition that divides the play area 30a.

[0073] In this state, the front end of the opening / closing shutter 160 is located at approximately the same position in the front-rear direction as the front ends of the inner rail member 52 and the right rail member 53, and game balls cannot pass between the opening and the glass unit 137. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the big prize opening 151 is closed to the game area 30a, and game balls cannot enter the big prize opening 151.

[0074] In this state, when the game ball flows down to the bottom of the game area 30a, the game ball falls onto the opening 55 between the inner rail member 52 and the right rail member 53, onto the opening / closing shutter 160 (shutter portion 160a), and rolls along the upper surface of the opening / closing shutter 160 to flow into the outlet 36.

[0075] Next, the game ball that has rolled backward on the opening / closing shutter 160 (guiding portion 160b) passes through the outlet 36 and is distributed by the branching portion 216b of the ball recovery member 216 to either the left or right out ball discharge passage 241A, 241B.

[0076] Thereafter, the game ball is discharged through the out-ball discharge passages 241A and 241B to the discharged ball receiving section 217 described later. In addition, when the game ball passes through the out-ball discharge passages 241A and 241B, it is detected by the out-ball detection switches 226A and 226B.

[0077] On the other hand, when a winning state occurs and the solenoid 154 is excited, the plunger 155 slides backward and the opening / closing shutter 160 enters a retracted state. When the opening / closing shutter 160 enters a retracted state, the opening / closing shutter 160 enters a state of being housed in the outlet 36, and the opening 55 between the inner rail member 52 and the right rail member 53 enters an open state. In other words, the big winning opening 151 enters a state of being opened to the game area 30a.

[0078] In this state, when a game ball flows down to the bottom of the game area 30a, the game ball falls downward through the opening 55 between the inner rail member 52 and the right rail member 53, and is guided to the front side guidance section 169 provided in the front frame set 14.

[0079] The game ball guided to the front guide portion 169 rolls backward along the inclination of the bottom wall portion 169 a and enters the big prize opening 151 .

[0080] The gaming ball that enters the large winning opening 151 rolls backward along the bottom wall 152 of the variable winning device 32 and is guided to the winning ball discharge passage 232. The gaming ball is then discharged through the winning ball discharge passage 232 to a discharged ball receiving section 217, which will be described later. When the gaming ball passes through the winning ball discharge passage 232, it is detected by the count switch 223.

[0081] In this embodiment, the outlet 36 is not closed and is always open even when the large prize opening 151 is open. Also, in this embodiment, even when the opening / closing shutter 160 is in a retracted state, the opening / closing shutter 160 is not completely housed in the outlet 36, but is slightly protruding from the front surface of the front wall portion 149 while leaving a space through which the game ball can pass, so that even when the large prize opening 151 is open, depending on the behavior of the game ball, there is a possibility that the game ball may flow into the outlet 36.

[0082] In addition, in the game area 30a of the game board 30, the general winning opening 31, the upper start winning opening 33A, the lower start winning opening 33B, the through gate 34, the variable display unit 35, the first special display device 43L, and the second special display device 43R are arranged in through holes formed by router processing, and are attached with wood screws or the like from the front side of the game board 30. Here, the upper start winning opening 33A constitutes the first start winning means, and the lower start winning opening 33B constitutes the second start winning means.

[0083] As in the past, when a game ball enters various winning ports such as the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, the upper start winning port 33A, and the lower start winning port 33B, it is detected by various detection switches, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the upper tray 19 (or the lower tray 15). For example, when a winning ball enters the upper start winning port 33A, three game balls are paid out to the upper tray 19 (or the lower tray 15), when a winning ball enters the lower start winning port 33B, when a winning ball enters the general winning port 31, ten game balls are paid out, and when a winning ball enters the variable winning device 32, fifteen game balls are paid out. The prize balls correspond to the game value in this embodiment, and the game value imparting means in this embodiment is composed of various functions that execute the payout of the prize balls.

[0084] In addition, numerous nails are planted on the game board 30 to appropriately disperse and adjust the direction in which the game balls fall, and various components (apparatuses) such as windmills are also arranged. This allows adjustments to be made so that winning into the above-mentioned start winning holes 33A, 33B, etc. occurs with an appropriate probability. In this embodiment, the general winning hole 31, the upper start winning hole 33A, and the lower start winning hole 33B constitute the "ball winning means provided within the game area."

[0085] The upper start winning opening 33A is always capable of receiving a winning ball. On the other hand, the lower start winning opening 33B is provided with an opening / closing device 37 as an opening / closing type winning assistance device.

[0086] The opening / closing device 37 is equipped with a pair of left and right movable blades 37a that rotate left and right around the axis at the lower end, and a solenoid for a start winning opening (not shown) that drives the movable blades 37a to open and close.The movable blades 37a open and close depending on the establishment of predetermined conditions, so that the state can be changed between an open state in which a game ball flowing down the game area 30a can enter the lower start winning opening 33B, and a closed state in which the game ball cannot enter the lower start winning opening 33B.

[0087] Although the details will be described later, the upper start winning opening 33A and the lower start winning opening 33B are provided with a first start winning switch 224A and a second start winning switch 224B, respectively, for detecting a winning game ball. When a game ball is detected by the start winning switches 224A and 224B, a winning / losing lottery is held to determine whether or not a jackpot state or the like will be generated, and a variable display is performed on the special display devices 43L and 43R (and the decorative pattern display device 42, which will be described later). If a winning lottery is selected, a jackpot state or the like is granted.

[0088] Here, the jackpot types in this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 40, in this embodiment, the jackpot types include "16R variable probability jackpot A", "16R variable probability jackpot B", "4R variable probability jackpot A", "4R variable probability jackpot B", "16R normal jackpot A", "16R normal jackpot B", "4R normal jackpot A", "4R normal jackpot B" and "JUB (Jump Up Bonus) jackpot".

[0089] In the "16R Special Jackpot A" jackpot state, a "long opening" is counted as one special prize state, and this is repeated 16 times (16 rounds).

[0090] In this embodiment, "long opening" refers to one opening / closing operation from when the opening / closing shutter 160 of the variable winning device 32 is switched from a closed state to an open state until it is closed, provided that the specified time of 30 seconds has elapsed or the specified number of 10 game balls have entered the variable winning device 32 (large winning port 151).

[0091] In the jackpot state of the "16R sure-win jackpot B," a "long opening" is considered as one special prize state, and this is repeated four times (four rounds), after which a "short opening" is considered as one special prize state, and this is repeated 12 times (twelve rounds).

[0092] In this embodiment, "short opening" refers to one opening / closing operation from when the opening / closing shutter 160 of the variable winning device 32 is switched from a closed state to an open state until it becomes closed, provided that the specified time of 0.4 seconds has elapsed or the specified number of three game balls have entered the variable winning device 32 (large winning port 151).

[0093] In this embodiment, the game ball is launched from the launching device 60 toward the game area 30a at a rate of one ball per 0.6 seconds based on the operation of the handle 18 by the player. In contrast, in the above-mentioned "short opening", the opening time of the opening / closing shutter 160 is set to 0.4 seconds. That is, in the case of the "short opening", the opening time of the opening / closing shutter 160 is shorter than the launch cycle of the game ball. Therefore, even one game ball may not win a prize with only one "short opening". For this reason, the opening / closing shutter 160 is rarely closed based on the condition related to the number of winning balls (three winning balls) among the above-mentioned two closing conditions corresponding to the "short opening", and the opening / closing shutter 160 once opened is usually closed based on the passage of the specified time (0.4 seconds). This prevents the execution period of the "short opening" from changing each time.

[0094] In the jackpot state of "4R Special Jackpot A" and "4R Special Jackpot B", "long opening" is considered as one special prize state, and this is repeated four times (four rounds).

[0095] In the jackpot state of the "16R normal jackpot A", a "long opening" is considered as one special prize state, and this is repeated eight times (eight rounds), after which a "short opening" is considered as one special prize state, and this is repeated eight times (eight rounds).

[0096] In the jackpot state of the "16R normal jackpot B", a "long opening" is considered as one special prize state, and this is repeated four times (four rounds), after which a "short opening" is considered as one special prize state, and this is repeated 12 times (twelve rounds).

[0097] In the jackpot states of "4R normal jackpot A" and "4R normal jackpot B", "long opening" is considered as one special prize state, and this is repeated four times (four rounds).

[0098] In the "JUB jackpot" jackpot state, "short opening" is a special prize state, which is repeated five times, and then "long opening" is a special prize state, which is repeated 15 times. In other words, five "short openings" are performed in the first round, and "long openings" are performed in the second to 16th rounds.

[0099] In addition, when the above-mentioned various "probable jackpots" and "JUB jackpots" occur, the "high probability mode (high probability state)" is given as the lottery mode after the jackpot state ends. On the other hand, when various "normal jackpots" occur, the "low probability mode (low probability state)" is given after the jackpot state ends.

[0100] The "high probability mode" refers to a state in which the probability of a jackpot is increased compared to the "low probability mode" that is normally set. The "high probability mode" that is set after a jackpot ends will continue until the next jackpot occurs.

[0101] In addition, after the various types of jackpots mentioned above have ended, a "high support mode (high ball entry state)" is granted as a winning support mode related to the opening and closing device 37 while a predetermined number of variable displays are being displayed on the special display devices 43L and 43R, or until the next jackpot state occurs.

[0102] "High support mode" refers to a state in which the ratio of open to closed states per unit time of the opening / closing device 37 of the lower starting winning port 33B is higher than in the "low support mode (low ball entry state)" which is normally set.

[0103] For example, the "high support mode" may be (1) a state in which the variable display time in the normal symbol display device 41 described later is shorter than that in the "low support mode", (2) a state in which the opening time (prescribed time) of the movable blade 37a of the opening / closing device 37 is longer than that in the "low support mode", (3) a state in which the prescribed number of game balls that can win a prize per opening of the movable blade 37a is greater than that in the "low support mode", (4) a state in which the number of times the opening / closing process of the movable blade 37a is performed each time when a winning result is obtained by the opening lottery of the opening / closing device 37 caused by the passing of the game ball through the through gate 34 is greater than that in the "low support mode", and (5) a state in which the winning probability in the opening lottery of the opening / closing device 37 is higher than that in the "low support mode". In the high support mode in this embodiment, the above configurations (1), (2), and (5) are adopted. Of course, the "high support mode" is not limited to this, and may be any one of the configurations (1) to (5), or any combination of the configurations (1) to (5). This makes it easier for the game ball to enter the lower start winning hole 33B more frequently, increasing the number of times the big win lottery is executed, and resulting in a good ball holding state.

[0104] In addition, in this embodiment, when the ``high support mode'' is applied, the variable pattern table is changed to a table for the ``high support mode'' as described below, so that the variable display time of the first and second special display devices 43L, 43R (decorative pattern display device 42) is shorter than in the ``low support mode.''

[0105] In this embodiment, after the end of the "16R probability variable jackpot A" and the "4R probability variable jackpot A", a "high support mode" is given until the next jackpot state occurs. This "high support mode" is hereinafter referred to as the "high support mode until the next time".

[0106] After the end of the "16R Probable Big Win B" and "4R Probable Big Win B", the "High Support Mode" is granted while the special display devices 43L and 43R display the variable "20 times", "30 times", "40 times", or "50 times". The "High Support Mode" is hereinafter referred to as the "20 times High Support Mode", "30 times High Support Mode", "40 times High Support Mode", or "50 times High Support Mode", respectively.

[0107] After the end of "16R normal jackpot A" and "4R normal jackpot A", "high support mode" is granted while the special display device 43L, 43R displays "30 times". This "high support mode" is hereinafter referred to as "30 times high support mode S".

[0108] After the end of the "16R normal jackpot B" and "4R normal jackpot B", the "20 times high support mode", "30 times high support mode", "40 times high support mode" or "50 times high support mode" will be awarded.

[0109] After the "JUB jackpot" ends, the "Until next time - High support mode" will be granted.

[0110] In this embodiment, various game states are generated by combining the various modes described above.

[0111] For example, if the "high probability mode" and "high support mode" are applied, it will be in a so-called "high probability state (probability fluctuating state)."

[0112] When the "low probability mode" and "low support mode" are applied, the state becomes what is known as the "normal state."

[0113] When the "low probability mode" and "high support mode" are applied, it becomes a so-called "time-saving state (time shortening state)."

[0114] When the "high probability mode" and the "low support mode" are both applied, it becomes a so-called "latent probability state (latent probability change state)". In other words, when it becomes a "latent probability state", the probability of winning a jackpot is simply increased, and on the surface it is no different from the "normal state", so it becomes a state where it is difficult for the player to recognize that the "high probability mode" is applied.

[0115] In addition, in this embodiment, in addition to the various "big wins," a "small win" occurs when a predetermined result is obtained in the winning / losing lottery. In the small win state, a "short opening" is considered as one special prize state, and this is repeated five times (five rounds). However, the lottery mode and winning support mode granted after the small win state ends are the original modes before the small win state occurred. For example, if the lottery mode before the small win state occurred was the "high probability mode," the "high probability mode" is maintained even after the small win state ends.

[0116] In addition, although the details will be described later, in this embodiment, the allocation of the jackpot type that is awarded in the case of winning the winning / losing lottery is different between the case where the game ball enters the upper start winning hole 33A and the case where the game ball enters the lower start winning hole 33B. If the winning / losing lottery triggered by the game ball entering the upper start winning hole 33A is won, it is allocated to one of "16R certainty variable jackpot A", "16R certainty variable jackpot B", "4R certainty variable jackpot A", "4R certainty variable jackpot B", "16R normal jackpot A", "16R normal jackpot B" and "4R normal jackpot B", and if the winning / losing lottery triggered by the game ball entering the lower start winning hole 33B is won, it is allocated to one of "16R certainty variable jackpot A", "4R certainty variable jackpot A", "4R normal jackpot A" and "JUB jackpot". In addition, the "small win" will only occur if the player wins the lottery triggered by the entry of the game ball into the lower start winning hole 33B.

[0117] The first and second special display devices 43L, 43R are each composed of two segment display devices and are installed at the bottom of the game board 30. Each segment display device is provided with eight display segments. Each display segment has an individual light source made of an LED, and by controlling the on / off of each individual light source, it is possible to light up any one display segment or light up any combination of display segments. This allows each segment display device to individually display a predetermined symbol (including letters and numbers).

[0118] When a game ball enters the upper start winning hole 33A, a variable display is performed on the first special display device 43L, and when a game ball enters the lower start winning hole 33B, a variable display is performed on the second special display device 43R. The display contents of the special display devices 43L and 43R are directly controlled by the main control device 261, which will be described later. The first special display device 43L constitutes the first display means, and the second special display device 43R constitutes the second display means.

[0119] In addition, after the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R perform a variable display, the display mode when the variable display stops will definitively display whether or not the jackpot lottery has been won. For example, when a game ball enters the upper start winning slot 33A, the corresponding first special display device 43L performs a variable display at high speed, and after a predetermined time has passed, one of the display modes is displayed as a stopped display (for example, stopped for several seconds). Then, if the jackpot lottery is won, various numerical values ​​corresponding to the jackpot (see FIG. 40) are displayed when the variable display stops, and a jackpot state occurs.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 40, for example, when the "16R probability variable jackpot A" is won, "9-" is displayed on the first or second special display device 43L, 43R, and when the "16R probability variable jackpot B" with the "50 times high support mode" is won, "84" is displayed on the first or second special display device 43L, 43R. Also, when the "JUB jackpot" is won, "1.-" is displayed on the first or second special display device 43L, 43R, and when the "small jackpot" is won, "1-" is displayed on the first or second special display device 43L, 43R. Here, in order to enhance the performance effect of the "JUB jackpot", it is preferable that the stop modes of both are confusingly configured, such as the stop mode "1.-" related to the "JUB jackpot" and the stop mode "1-" related to the "small jackpot".

[0121] Of course, the stop modes of the special display devices 43L, 43R corresponding to various winning types are not limited to the above modes. For example, the first or second special display device 43L, 43R may have multiple stop modes indicating one winning type instead of one. For example, when the "16R variable jackpot A" is won, the first or second special display device 43L, 43R may be configured to select and stop display one of "91", "92", "93", ...

[0122] In addition, even when there are multiple stop modes of the first or second special display device 43L, 43R indicating one winning type, it is preferable that the multiple stop modes related to the "JUB big win" and the multiple stop modes related to the "small win" are configured to be confusingly configured. For example, any of "-1.", "-2," "-3.", "-4," ... may be displayed as the multiple stop modes related to the "JUB big win," and any of "-1," "-2.", "-3," "-4," ... may be displayed as the multiple stop modes related to the "small win." In such a configuration, one of a pair of a specific symbol (here, "1," "2," "3," ...) with a predetermined display segment (here, ".") lit and a specific symbol that is not lit is included in the multiple stop modes related to the "JUB big win," and the other is included in the multiple stop modes related to the "small win," and they are configured to be alternately switched.

[0123] Furthermore, the color displayed in any or all of the display segments may be appropriately changeable.

[0124] In addition, when a new game ball enters the start winning hole 33A, 33B during the variable display of the first or second special display device 43L, 43R, the variable display for that part is configured to be performed after the variable display being performed at that time ends. In other words, the variable display is put on hold (reserved). The maximum number of reserved variable displays is determined for each type of pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, up to four variable displays (a total of eight variable displays) are reserved for each game ball that entered the upper start winning hole 33A and the game ball that entered the lower start winning hole 33B. In addition, the number of reserved displays is displayed by lighting the first reserved lamp 46a and the second reserved lamp 46b. In addition, when a new game ball enters the start winning hole 33A, 33B during the jackpot state, the variable display for that part is also reserved.

[0125] Basically, the variable display triggered by winning the upper start winning opening 33A is stored in the order in which the corresponding game balls entered the upper start winning opening 33A and is consumed in the order in which they entered, and the variable display triggered by winning the lower start winning opening 33B is stored in the order in which the corresponding game balls entered the lower start winning opening 33B and is consumed in the order in which they entered. However, if both the variable display triggered by winning the upper start winning opening 33A and the variable display triggered by winning the lower start winning opening 33B are reserved (if one or more of the first reserved lamp 46a and the second reserved lamp 46b are lit), the variable display triggered by winning the lower start winning opening 33B is consumed preferentially. In other words, unless all the variable displays triggered by winning the lower start winning opening 33B are consumed, the variable display triggered by winning the upper start winning opening 33A is not performed. For example, when one first reserved lamp 46a is on, if a game ball enters the lower start winning opening 33B and one second reserved lamp 46b is on, the variable display triggered by the winning of the upper start winning opening 33A is postponed, and the variable display triggered by the winning of the lower start winning opening 33B is performed first. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the variable display triggered by the winning of the upper start winning opening 33A is also referred to as the "first variable display," and the variable display triggered by the winning of the lower start winning opening 33B is also referred to as the "second variable display."

[0126] The through gate 34 is configured so that game balls flowing down the game area 30a can pass through it one by one. Although details will be described later, the through gate 34 is equipped with a through gate switch 225 capable of detecting game balls passing through the through gate 34, and when a game ball is detected by the through gate switch 225, an opening lottery is held to determine whether or not the opening / closing device 37 (lower start winning hole 33B) is opened, and a variable display is performed on the normal symbol display device 41. When the opening lottery is won, the opening / closing device 37 is opened for a specified time.

[0127] The variable display device unit 35 is provided with an ordinary pattern display device 41 which displays a variable signal in response to passage through the through gate 34, and a decorative pattern display device 42 which displays a variable signal in accordance with the variable signal displayed by the first and second special display devices 43L, 43R.

[0128] Furthermore, the variable display device unit 35 is provided with a variable identification lamp 40 which indicates which winning entry the variable display being performed on the decorative pattern display device 42 corresponds to, either the upper start winning entry 33A or the lower start winning entry 33B.

[0129] The normal symbol display device 41 is configured to be able to light and display "O" or "X" as a normal symbol, and each time the game ball passes through the through gate 34, the normal symbol is displayed in a rapid changing manner, for example, from "O" to "X" to "O" to... When the changing display stops at the "O" symbol (winning symbol) for several seconds, the opening and closing device 37 of the lower start winning opening 33B is opened for a predetermined period of time. The display contents of this normal symbol display device 41 are directly controlled by the main control device 261, which will be described later.

[0130] In addition, when a new game ball passes through the through gate 34 during the variable display of the normal symbol display device 41, the variable display of that part is configured to be performed after the variable display being performed at that time ends. In other words, the variable display is put on hold (reserved). The maximum number of reserved variable displays is determined for each type of pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, up to four times are reserved, and the reserved number is displayed by lighting the reserved lamp 44.

[0131] The decorative pattern display device 42 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, and the display contents are controlled by a sub-control device 262 and a display control device 45, which will be described later. That is, in the decorative pattern display device 42, auxiliary display contents are determined by the sub-control device 262 based on commands from the main control device 261 so as to correspond to the results displayed on the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R, and are displayed by the display control device 45, which will be described later.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 46, the decorative symbol display device 42 is provided with three symbol display areas, for example, upper, middle, and lower, and a plurality of types of symbols (numbers) are displayed (variably displayed) in each symbol display area, and then the symbols are displayed in order for each symbol display area (for example, in the order of upper symbol display area → lower symbol display area → middle symbol display area). For example, when the main control device 261 determines the above-mentioned various "certain jackpot" or various "normal jackpot", the first or second special display device 43L, 43R displays a display corresponding to the jackpot, and the decorative symbol display device 42 displays symbols in a combination corresponding to the jackpot (for example, the symbols displayed in the upper symbol display area, the middle symbol display area, and the lower symbol display area are the same), and the jackpot state is started. In the case of a "JUB jackpot" or a "small jackpot", the combination of symbols displayed in the decorative symbol display device 42 does not correspond to a jackpot, as will be described later.

[0133] Also, when the symbols are displayed in a combination corresponding to a big win, the same symbols are displayed in the upper and lower symbol display areas as a preliminary step. The state where the same symbols are displayed in the upper and lower symbol display areas and the middle symbol display area is still displaying a variable pattern is the reach state.

[0134] In addition, if a reach state occurs but a jackpot state does not occur, a different pattern from the pattern displayed in the upper pattern display area and the lower pattern display area is displayed in the middle pattern display area. In addition, when various "probable jackpots" or various "normal jackpots" occur, a repeating number is displayed in the decorative pattern display device 42 as described above, but in this embodiment, depending on the type of pattern displayed, the game state (such as "high probability mode" or not) that is given after the jackpot ends cannot be determined.

[0135] Furthermore, when a "JUB jackpot" or "small jackpot" occurs, a predetermined combination of numbers (hereinafter referred to as a chance symbol) is displayed instead of a repeating number. For example, in this embodiment, "3", "4" and "1" are displayed in the upper, middle and lower symbol display areas. This prevents the player from distinguishing between a "JUB jackpot", which is more advantageous to the player, and a "small jackpot", which is not so advantageous, when a chance symbol is displayed, and the player can have hope for a "JUB jackpot", which prevents the player's interest from declining.

[0136] Of course, the specific number combinations displayed in the upper, middle, and lower pattern display areas may be different for the "JUB jackpot" and the "small jackpot". Also, when a "JUB jackpot" or a "small jackpot" is obtained, instead of a specific number combination determined in advance, a random combination of numbers may be displayed in the same way as when a jackpot is lost.

[0137] In addition, the decorative pattern display device 42 is configured to display the number of pending balls displayed on the variable display in the special display devices 43L and 43R in correspondence with the pending lamps 46a and 46b (see FIG. 46, etc.).

[0138] In this embodiment, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the special display devices 43L, 43R and the hold lamps 46a, 46b are covered by the front frame set 14, making them invisible to the player. Therefore, the player will be able to understand the game status, lottery results, etc. solely through the display contents (pattern display, hold display, etc.) of the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0139] Of course, the configuration of the special display devices 43L, 43R and the hold lamps 46L, 46R is not limited to such a configuration, and other configurations may be adopted. For example, the special display devices 43L, 43R, etc. may be configured to be visible. However, the special display devices 43L, 43R are provided in an inconspicuous place such as the lower corner of the game area 30a, as described above, where the player is unlikely to notice, and the size of the display unit is small, and the time during which the distinguishing characters are displayed is relatively short. Therefore, unless one keeps an eye on the special display devices 43L, 43R and observes them carefully, it is practically impossible to grasp the game state that has been granted.

[0140] The variable specification lamp 40 is equipped with a blue LED and a red LED, and emits blue light when the decorative pattern display device 42 is displaying a variable signal triggered by a win at the upper start winning port 33A, and emits red light when the decorative pattern display device 42 is displaying a variable signal triggered by a win at the lower start winning port 33B.

[0141] Next, the configuration of the variable display unit 35 will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the center frame 47 is fixed to the front side of the game board 30 (see FIG. 4), and the frame cover 213 is fixed to the back side of the game board 30 (see FIG. 6), so that the variable display unit 35 is integrated.

[0142] A rectangular opening is formed in the center of the frame cover 213, and a decorative pattern display device 42, which is a liquid crystal display device, is removably attached to the rear side thereof.

[0143] The center frame 47 has a frame shape with a substantially circular opening 751 formed in the center, and the liquid crystal display unit 42a of the decorative pattern display device 42 can be viewed through the opening 751.

[0144] The center frame 47 is not constructed from a single member, but is formed by assembling, for example, various decorative members that have been plated or the like, and lens members made of transparent resin that transmit light such as LEDs, etc., to a base member.

[0145] A stage portion 770 is provided along the left-right direction on the upper surface of the lower side portion 47b of the center frame 47. The stage portion 770 has gentle undulations formed along the left-right direction.

[0146] A drop hole 774 is formed in the center of the rear wall 772 of the stage 770, opening forward and allowing game balls to fall. A communication passage 776 leading to the drop hole 774 is provided below (inside) the center of the stage 770. The other side of the communication passage 776 opens to the front side of the lower edge 47b of the center frame 47, and is configured to allow game balls that have fallen into the drop hole 774 to be discharged onto the surface of the game board 30. When the center frame 47 is placed on the game board 30, the opening of the communication passage 776 is located above the upper start winning opening 33A, as shown in FIG.

[0147] In the center of the stage portion 770, a guide groove (not shown) that slopes gently downward toward the back side is formed in a position in front of the drop hole 774. This allows game balls to fall from the stage portion 770 into the drop hole 774.

[0148] A ball passage (warp flow path) 764 for passing game balls is formed inside the left side portion 47c of the center frame 47. An inlet portion 764a of the ball passage 764 opens to the approximate center in the up-down direction of the left side portion 47c of the center frame 47, while an outlet portion 764b opens toward the upper surface (stage portion 770) of the lower side portion 47b of the center frame 47. This ball passage 764 can guide the game ball flowing down the surface of the game board 30 onto the stage portion 770 inside the center frame 47.

[0149] The game ball guided onto the stage portion 770 rolls on the stage portion 770, and then falls from the front onto the surface of the game board 30, or falls into the above-mentioned drop hole 774. Of these, the game ball that falls into the drop hole 774 is guided onto the surface of the game board 30 via a connecting passage 776. The game ball discharged from the connecting passage 776 has a relatively high probability of entering the upper start winning hole 33A.

[0150] In addition, the symbol 67 in Figures 3 and 4 is a payout passage for guiding the game balls paid out by the payout mechanism unit 352 described later to the front of the inner frame 12, and is divided into a passage leading to the upper tray communication passage 73 (upper tray 19) and a passage leading to the lower tray communication passage 71 (lower tray 15). A shutter 68 is provided below the payout passage 67, and when the front frame set 14 is open, the shutter 68 protrudes forward by the biasing force of a spring or the like to almost close the outlet of the payout passage 67. Also, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by the rear end of the inlet side of the lower tray communication passage 71. In addition, the inlets (ball inlet parts) of the lower tray communication passage 71 and the upper tray communication passage 73 are adjacent to each other, and when the front frame set 14 is closed, the inlets and the payout passage 67 are separated by a predetermined distance, allowing the game balls to pass through the gap between them. Therefore, when the upper tray 19 and the upper tray connecting passage 73 become full of game balls, the game balls to be paid out will flow toward the lower tray connecting passage 71 (overflowing into the entrance side of the lower tray connecting passage 71) and be paid out through the lower tray connecting passage 71 to the lower tray 15.

[0151] 3, a ball passage unit 70 is provided on the rear side of the front frame set 14, below the rail side wall member 69. The ball passage unit 70 is equipped with a lower tray connecting passage 71 connecting from the dispensing mechanism unit 352 described later to the discharge outlet 16 of the lower tray 15, and an upper tray connecting passage 73 connecting from the dispensing mechanism unit 352 to the upper tray 19.

[0152] Furthermore, the ball passage unit 70 is formed with a foul ball passage 72 that guides the game ball dropped from the foul ball drop section 65 to the lower tray 15. As a result, the foul ball is discharged to the lower tray 15 through the foul ball passage 72.

[0153] In addition, the ball passage unit 70 is provided with a full detection switch (not shown) that detects game balls located in the lower tray communication passage 71. The presence of the full detection switch makes it possible to know that the lower tray 15 is full of game balls (the lower tray 15 is full of game balls and game balls are stuck in the lower tray communication passage 71). In this embodiment, based on the game balls being continuously detected for a predetermined time by the full detection switch, control is performed such that the launching device 60 is prohibited from being shot. Note that when the game balls are no longer stuck in the lower tray communication passage 71 and the game balls are no longer detected by the full detection switch (when they are not detected for a predetermined time), the launching device 60 is permitted to be shot.

[0154] Next, the rear structure of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Figures 5, 6, etc. On the rear of the pachinko machine 10, various control boards are arranged vertically and horizontally, with some parts overlapping front to back, and further, a game ball supply device (payout mechanism) that supplies game balls, a resin protective cover, etc. are attached. The payout mechanism and protective cover are integrated into one unit, and since the resin part is generally sometimes called the back pack, this unit will be referred to as the "back pack unit 203" here.

[0155] First, the rear structure of the game board 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 etc. As described above, a resin frame cover 213 that covers the center frame 47 from behind is provided protruding rearward on the rear side of the variable display unit 35 (see Fig. 4) that is disposed corresponding to the through hole in the center of the game board 30. In addition, on the rear side of the frame cover 213, the decorative pattern display device 42, which is a liquid crystal display device facing forward from the opening of the frame cover 213, the display control device 45 and the sub-control device 262 are detachably attached in a state of being stacked in the front and rear.

[0156] The decorative symbol display device 42 is accommodated in a storage box (reference numeral omitted) having an opening for exposing the display unit (liquid crystal screen) of the decorative symbol display device 42 to the front side of the pachinko machine 10, and is fixed to the rear side of the frame cover 213. The display control device 45 is accommodated in a board box 45a and is fixed to the rear side of the decorative symbol display device 42 (storage box). The sub-control device 262 is accommodated in a board box 262a and is fixed to the rear side of the display control device 45 (board box 45a). The board boxes 45a and 262a are made of a transparent resin material or the like, and the insides are visible. An LED control board or the like that drives the LEDs or the like built into the center frame 47 is disposed inside the frame cover 213.

[0157] Further, a back frame set 215 is attached to the back surface of the game board 30 below the frame cover 213. This back frame set 215 is a thin resin molded product that is attached to the back surface of the game board 30.

[0158] In addition, a ball recovery member 216 is attached to the back surface of the back frame set 215. The ball recovery member 216 covers various winning holes, such as the general winning hole 31 and the starting winning holes 33A and 33B, from behind, and has a ball passage for recovering game balls that have won in these various winning holes.

[0159] However, in this embodiment, the ball recovery member 216 extends beyond the lower edge 30b of the game board 30 and the upper edge 145 of the lower part of the base frame 38A to a position covering the upper part of the back surface of the lower part of the base frame 38A, also covering the back of the variable winning device 32, and also having a ball passage for recovering game balls that have won in the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening 151).

[0160] More specifically, the ball recovery member 216 is a member integrally formed from a resin material, and as shown in Figure 8, is provided with winning ball discharge passages 231, 232, and 233 which guide game balls that have entered the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, and the start winning ports 33A and 33B downstream.

[0161] In addition, the ball recovery member 216 is provided with out ball discharge passages 241A, 241B that guide the game balls discharged from the outlet 36 downstream.

[0162] The game balls collected by the ball collecting member 216 are guided to a discharged ball receiving section 217 described later, and discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 from a discharge chute 218 of the discharged ball receiving section 217 (see FIG. 5, etc.).

[0163] In this embodiment, the back frame set 215 also functions as a mounting base for the main control device 261. More specifically, the board box 263 on which the main control device 261 is mounted is rotatably supported by the back frame set 215 and can be opened toward the rear.

[0164] The main control device 261 is housed in a board box 263 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box 263 comprises a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base, and the box base and the box cover are connected by a sealing member. The board box 263 connected by the sealing member is configured so that it cannot be opened unless a predetermined trace is left behind. This makes it easy to discover whether the board box 263 has been tampered with.

[0165] In addition, the game board 30 and the ball recovery member 216 on the back side thereof are provided with winning detection switches (ball entry detection means) that correspond to various winning ports such as the general winning port 31 and detect game balls that have entered the various winning ports.

[0166] 4 and 8, a winning port switch 221 is provided in the ball passage 231 of the ball recovery member 216 corresponding to the general winning port 31, and a count switch 223 is provided in the ball passage 232 of the ball recovery member 216 corresponding to the variable winning device 32 (large winning port 151). Also, start winning switches 224A and 224B are provided in the ball passage 233 of the ball recovery member 216 corresponding to the start winning ports 33A and 33B, respectively.

[0167] However, in this embodiment, the count switch 223 is configured to be fixed to the underside of the variable winning device 32, and is configured so that a part of it is inserted into the ball passage 232 when the ball recovery member 216 and the variable winning device 32 are assembled. Of course, instead of this, the count switch 223 may be configured to be attached to the ball recovery member 216 (ball passage 232) side.

[0168] Further, a through gate switch 225 is provided on the game board 30 in correspondence with the through gate 34. In addition, in correspondence with the outlet 36, the ball passages 241A and 241B of the ball recovery member 216 are provided with out ball detection switches 226A and 226B, respectively.

[0169] Although not shown, the rear frame set 215 is provided with a first board relay board electrically connected to the winning port switch 221, the count switch 223, and the through gate switch 225 via a cable connector. This first board relay board relays the winning port switch 221 and the like and the main control device 261, and is electrically connected to the main control device 261 via a cable connector.

[0170] In contrast, start winning switches 224A, 224B, which detect winnings at start winning ports 33A, 33B, are connected directly to main control device 261 via connector cables without going through a relay board.

[0171] The detection results detected by the various winning detection switches are input to the main control device 261. Then, the main control device 261 transmits a payout command (the number of game balls to be paid out) according to the winning status at each time to the payout control device 311, and a predetermined number of game balls are paid out based on the output signal from the payout control device 311 (except when detected by the through gate switch 225). Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, the back pack unit 203 is an integrated unit of a resin-molded back pack 351 and a game ball payout mechanism 352. The back pack unit 203 is supported so as to be openable and closable on the left side (right side in Fig. 5) of the inner frame 12, and can be opened backwards around an opening / closing axis extending in the vertical direction. In addition, an external relay terminal board 240 is provided on the upper left part (upper right part in Fig. 5) of the back pack unit 203.

[0172] The external relay terminal board 240 is provided with a plurality of external connection terminals for relaying various information transmissions to the hall computer of the gaming hall, etc. For convenience, no reference numerals are attached, but for example, a terminal for outputting information regarding the current gaming state (jackpot state, high probability mode, etc.), a terminal for outputting information regarding the opening of the front frame set 14 and the inner frame 12 detected by the opening detection switches 91, 92 described later, a terminal for outputting information regarding various error states such as winning error, lower tray full error, tank ball no error, payout error, and a terminal for outputting information regarding the number of winning balls paid out from the payout control device 311, and the like are provided.

[0173] However, in this embodiment, a terminal for outputting information about a "small win" is not provided, and the configuration is such that the occurrence information of a "small win" is not output. In this embodiment, since a "small win" is likely to occur relatively frequently during the "high support mode", if the occurrence information is always output every time a "small win" occurs, there is a risk of a significant increase in the output signal. Therefore, in cases where such a malfunction is relatively unlikely to occur, such as during the "low support mode", the configuration may be such that the occurrence information of a "small win" is output.

[0174] Also, it is preferable to output the occurrence information of the "JUB jackpot" when the occurrence of the "JUB jackpot" is confirmed, for example, after the end of five "short openings" related to the "JUB jackpot", that is, after the situation where it is impossible to distinguish it from a "small jackpot" has been overcome, for example, at the timing of outputting an opening command (jackpot notification performance) described later. If only the occurrence information of the "JUB jackpot" is output first when it is still impossible to distinguish it from a "small jackpot", the player may see an information display device or the like installed in the island equipment of the hall corresponding to the pachinko machine 10 and know in advance that the "JUB jackpot" has occurred, which may weaken the performance effect of the "JUB jackpot".

[0175] The back pack 351 is integrally molded from, for example, ABS resin, and includes a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 354 has a shape in which the left and right sides and the top are closed and only the bottom is open, and is large enough to cover at least the frame cover 213. However, in this embodiment, the protective cover portion 354 is configured to also cover the upper and right parts (the left part in FIG. 5) of the board box 263. As a result, when the back pack unit 203 is in the closed state, the sealing member provided on the right part of the board box 263 and the terminal part (board side connector) provided along the upper edge part of the main control device 261 are covered.

[0176] The payout mechanism 352 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover 354. That is, above the protective cover 354, a tank 355 is provided with an opening on the upper side, and the tank 355 is successively replenished with game balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall. Below the tank 355, a tank rail 356 having, for example, two horizontal rows of ball passages and gently inclining toward the downstream side is connected, and further, a case rail 357 is connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 356. The payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 357, and a required number of game balls are appropriately paid out by a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor. The game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are then supplied to the upper tray 19, etc.

[0177] In addition, the dispensing mechanism 352 is provided with a dispensing relay board 381 that relays a dispensing command signal from the dispensing control device 311 to the dispensing device 358, and a power switch board 382 that takes in a main power source from the outside. The power switch board 382 is supplied with a main power source of, for example, 24V AC via a voltage converter, and the power is turned on or off by switching the power switch 382a.

[0178] Below the rear pack unit 203 (base box 263), a lower frame set 251 is provided, which is pivoted on the left side (right side in FIG. 5) of the inner frame 12 and can be opened backward. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower frame set 251 is formed with a discharge ball receiving section 217 into which the game balls collected by the ball collecting member 216 described above flow. In addition, at the most downstream portion of the discharge ball receiving section 217, a discharge chute 218 is formed to discharge the game balls to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 (see FIG. 5, etc.).

[0179] Therefore, game balls that have won in various winning ports such as the general winning port 31, as well as game balls that have not won in any winning port and have been discharged through the outlet 36, are all guided to the discharged ball receiving section 217 through the ball recovery member 216, and are further discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 (the island equipment of the game hall) through the discharge chute 218 of the discharged ball receiving section 217. The discharge chute 218 is provided with a full ball detection switch 227 for detecting all game balls that have been shot into the game area 30b.

[0180] In this embodiment, the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 are configured as separate entities and can be opened and closed independently, but the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 may also be formed integrally.

[0181] Also, as shown in Figure 5, a payout control device 311, a launch control device 312, a power supply device 313 and a card unit connection board 314 as a payout control means are stacked in front to back and are removably attached to the rear side of the lower frame set 251.

[0182] The launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313 are housed in a board box 313a and fixed to the rear side of the lower frame set 251. For convenience, the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313 are described as independent control devices, but in reality they are composed of a single board (printed board).

[0183] The dispensing control device 311 is housed in a board box 311a and fixed to the back side of the board box 313a (the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313). The board box 311a housing the dispensing control device 311 is provided with a sealing member, similar to the board box 263 housing the main control device 261 described above, so that traces of the board box 311a being opened remain.

[0184] In addition, the card unit connection board 314 is housed in a board box 314a and fixed to the rear side of the board box 313a (the launch control device 312 and the power supply device 313).

[0185] The board boxes 311a, 313a, and 314a are made of a transparent resin material or the like, so that the insides of the boxes can be seen.

[0186] In addition, the dispensing control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321 that protrudes outward from the base box 311a. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed in the event of a dispensing error, such as a ball jam in the dispensing motor, the dispensing motor is rotated forward and backward to eliminate the ball jam (return to the normal state).

[0187] Furthermore, the power supply 313 is provided with a RAM erase switch 323 that protrudes outward from the board box 313a. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, and in the unlikely event of a power outage, the state at the time of the power outage is retained, and when the power is restored (power is restored), the state before the power outage is restored. Therefore, when the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, when the game hall closes), the state before the power outage is stored and retained, so if you want to return to the initial state when turning the power on, turn the power on while pressing the RAM erase switch 323.

[0188] As shown in Figure 6, a locking device 600 is provided on the rear side of the right side of the inner frame 12. The locking device 600 is equipped with a cylinder lock 700 (see Figure 1, etc.) exposed on the front side of the front frame set 14, and the inner frame 12 can be unlocked by inserting a key into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 700 and rotating it in one direction, and the front frame set 14 can be unlocked by rotating it in the other direction. In this embodiment, the inner frame 12 is locked to the outer frame 11, and the front frame set 14 is locked to the inner frame 12.

[0189] As described above, the right frame component 11d of the outer frame 11 has an extended wall portion 83 formed thereon that covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to the locking device 600 from the rear side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 5). This makes it difficult to insert a wire or the like from the rear side of the outer frame 11 and operate the locking device 600 with the wire or the like. As a result, it is possible to improve defensive performance. Furthermore, the extended wall portion 83 is configured to cover the right end portion (the left end portion in FIG. 5) of the rear pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 from the rear side, and when the inner frame 12 is in the closed state, the rear pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 cannot be opened.

[0190] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a front frame open detection switch 91 for detecting the opening of the front frame set 14 is provided on the lower right side of the front side of the inner frame 12 (to the right of the launching device 60), and as shown in FIG. 5, an inner frame open detection switch 92 for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is provided on the lower right side of the back side of the inner frame 12 (lower left in FIG. 5). The front frame open detection switch 91 and the inner frame open detection switch 92 each have a detection unit that can be recessed into the switch main body, and the front frame open detection switch 91 is provided so that the detection unit faces forward, and the inner frame open detection switch 92 is provided so that the detection unit faces backward. When the detection unit is in a state where it protrudes from the switch main body, it outputs an ON signal to the main control device 261, and when the detection unit is pressed toward the switch main body and recessed into the switch main body, it outputs an OFF signal to the main control device 261. In other words, when the front frame set 14 is closed, the detection portion of the front frame open detection switch 91 is pressed by the back surface of the front frame set 14, turning it to the OFF state, and when the front frame set 14 is opened, the detection portion returns to the protruding state and turns it to the ON state. Similarly, when the inner frame 12 is closed, the detection portion of the inner frame open detection switch 92 is pressed by the pressing portion 86 integrally formed with the receiving portion 85 of the outer frame 11, turning it to the OFF state, and when the inner frame 12 is opened, the detection portion returns to the protruding state and turns it to the ON state.

[0191] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10. The main control device 261 (main board) is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is a calculation device. The CPU 501 has built-in ROM 502 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 501, RAM 503 that is a memory that temporarily stores various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 502, and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. However, the CPU, ROM, and RAM may not be integrated into a single chip, and each function may be integrated into a chip.

[0192] The RAM 503 includes a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 501 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the CPU 501 are stored, a working area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored, and a backup area 503a.

[0193] In addition, the RAM 503 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data even after the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply unit 313, and all data stored in the stack area, working area, and backup area 503a is backed up.

[0194] The backup area 503a is an area for storing values ​​of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc. at the time of power off (including the time of power off, same below) so that the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power off when the power is turned on again in the case where the power is turned off due to the occurrence of a power outage or the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is executed by the main processing when the power is turned off, and conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 503a is executed by the main processing when the power is turned on (including the power on when the power is turned on due to the recovery of the power outage, same below). Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 is configured to receive a power outage signal SK1 output from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 described later when the power is turned off due to the occurrence of a power outage or the like, and when a power outage occurs, a power outage process (NMI interrupt process) is immediately executed.

[0195] Note that as long as data stored in at least the stack area and the backup area 503a is backed up, it is not necessary to back up data stored in all areas. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which data stored in the stack area and the backup area 503a is backed up, and data stored in the work area is not backed up.

[0196] An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating the ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 consisting of an address bus, a data bus, etc. The input / output port 505 is connected to a RAM erase switch circuit 543, a payout control device 311, a sub-control device 262, the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R, a normal symbol display device 41, etc., which will be described later. With this configuration, the special display devices 43L and 43R and the normal symbol display device 41 are directly controlled by the main control device 261. On the other hand, the decorative symbol display device 42 is controlled via the sub-control device 262.

[0197] Additionally, for convenience, various relay boards and the like are not shown, but various detection switches such as the winning port switch 221, the count switch 223, the start winning unit switches 224A and 224B, and the through gate switch 225, as well as various electrical components such as various boards, are connected to the input / output port 505. In other words, the main control device 261 is provided with a plurality of terminal sections (board-side connectors) for connecting the connectors of various cable connectors, and the input / output port 505 is configured by these terminal sections and the like.

[0198] The sub-control device 262 (sub-control board) includes a CPU 551 which is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 552 which stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 551, a RAM 553 which is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 552, an input / output port 554, a bus line 555, and also includes various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit (not shown). The RAM 553 is a memory for temporarily storing work data and flags used when the CPU 551 executes various programs.

[0199] The input / output port 554 is connected to the CPU 551, the ROM 552, and the RAM 553 via the bus line 555, and is also connected to the display control device 45. Furthermore, the input / output port 554 is connected to the speaker SP, the performance button 125, and various illumination units and lamps 102 to 104.

[0200] The CPU 551 of the sub-control device 262 causes the display control device 45 to execute display control based on a command (e.g., a variable pattern command) sent from the main control device 261, and causes the decorative pattern display device 42 to display. As described above, in this embodiment, the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R controlled by the main control device 261 are configured to display whether or not there is a jackpot, and the decorative pattern display device 42 controlled by the sub-control device 262 displays information in accordance with the display of the special display devices 43L and 43R.

[0201] The payout control device 311 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 358. The CPU 511, which is a calculation device, includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory, etc.

[0202] The RAM 513 of the dispensing control device 311, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 511 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the CPU 511 are stored, a working area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored, and a backup area 513a.

[0203] The RAM 513 is configured to be able to retain (back up) data by receiving backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and all data stored in the stack area, work area, and backup area 513a is backed up. Note that as long as data stored in at least the stack area and backup area 513a is backed up, it is not necessary to back up data stored in all areas. For example, the data stored in the stack area and backup area 513a may be backed up, and data stored in the work area may not be backed up.

[0204] The backup area 513a is an area for storing values ​​of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc., at the time of power off in order to restore the state of the pachinko machine 10 to the state before the power off when the power is turned on again in the case where the power is turned off due to the occurrence of a power outage or the like. Writing to this backup area 513a is executed by the main processing when the power is turned off, and the restoration of each value written in the backup area 513a is executed by the main processing when the power is turned on. Note that, like the CPU 501 of the main control device 261, the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 is configured to receive a power outage signal SK1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SK1 is input to the CPU 511, an NMI interrupt processing as a power outage processing is immediately executed.

[0205] The working area is provided with a payout permission flag that sets permission for the payout control device 311 to pay out winning balls, a command reception flag that is set when a command sent from the main control device 261 is received, and a command buffer in which commands sent from the main control device 261 are stored.

[0206] The payout permission flag is a flag that sets the payout permission of prize balls, and is turned on when a specific command that permits the payout of prize balls is transmitted from the main control device 261 and the specific command is received, and is turned off when the initial setting process or the state before the power supply is cut off is restored. In this embodiment, the specific commands are a payout initialization command that instructs the initial process of the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311, a prize ball command that instructs the payout of prize balls, and a payout return command that is transmitted when the main control device 261 is powered back on.

[0207] The command reception flag is a flag that checks whether the dispensing control device 311 has received a command, and is turned on when any command is received. Like the dispensing permission flag, it is turned off when the initial setting process is performed or the state is returned to before the power was cut off, and is also turned off when the received command is judged by the command judgment process.

[0208] The command buffer is composed of a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands sent from the main control device 261.

[0209] An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 incorporating the ROM 512 and RAM 513 via a bus line 514 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 515 is connected to a RAM erase switch circuit 543, a main control device 261, a launch control device 312, a payout device 358, etc.

[0210] The card unit connection board 314 is electrically connected to the ball lending operation section (ball lending button 121 and return button 122) on the front of the pachinko machine 10 and to a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10 in a game hall or the like, and receives ball lending operation commands from the player and outputs them to the card unit. Note that in a cash machine in which game balls are directly lent from a ball lending device or the like to the upper tray 19 without going through the card unit, the card unit connection board 314 can be omitted.

[0211] The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of game balls by the launch device 60, and the launch device 60 is permitted to operate when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, the launch device 60 is operated and launches game balls with a strength according to the amount of operation of the handle 18 under the conditions that a launch permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, a sensor signal detects that the player is touching the handle 18, and a launch stop switch that stops the launch is not operated.

[0212] The display control device 45 executes the variable display of the decorative pattern on the decorative pattern display device 42 according to the instruction from the sub-control device 262. The display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a program ROM 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, a video display processor (VDP) 526, an input port 527, an output port 529, and bus lines 530 and 531. The input port 527 is connected to an input / output port 554 of the sub-control device 262. The input port 527 is also connected to the CPU 521, the program ROM 522, the work RAM 523, and the VDP 526 via the bus line 530. The VDP 526 is also connected to an output port 529 via the bus line 531, and the output port 529 is connected to the decorative pattern display device 42, which is a liquid crystal display device.

[0213] The CPU 521 of the display control device 45 receives the display command transmitted from the sub-control device 262 via the input port 527, and performs control of the VDP 526 (specifically, generation of an internal command for the VDP 526) by analyzing the received command or performing a predetermined calculation process based on the received command. In this way, display control in the decorative pattern display device 42 is performed.

[0214] The program ROM 522 is a memory that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the CPU 521, and the work RAM 523 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes the various programs.

[0215] The video RAM 524 is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the decorative pattern display device 42, and the display contents of the decorative pattern display device 42 are changed by rewriting the contents of this video RAM 524. The character ROM 525 is a memory for storing character data such as patterns to be displayed on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0216] The VDP526 is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates the LCD driver (liquid crystal drive circuit) built into the decorative pattern display device 42. The VDP526 is also called a "drawing chip" because it is made into an IC chip, and its actual substance should be described as a microcomputer chip with built-in firmware dedicated to drawing processing. The VDP526 adjusts the timing of the CPU521, video RAM524, etc., and mediates data reading and writing, and reads display data stored in the video RAM524 at a predetermined timing and displays it on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0217] In addition, the power supply device 313 includes a power supply unit 541 that supplies power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power outage monitoring circuit 542 that monitors power supply interruptions due to power outages or the like, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 543 that is connected to the RAM erasure switch 323.

[0218] The power supply unit 541 supplies the necessary operating power to the main control device 261, the dispensing control device 311, etc. through a power supply path not shown. In summary, the power supply unit 541 takes in an externally supplied 24-volt AC power supply, generates a +12V power supply for driving various switches and motors, a +5V power supply for logic, a backup power supply for RAM backup, etc., and supplies these +12V power supply, +5V power supply, and backup power supplies to the main control device 261, the dispensing control device 311, etc. In addition, the launch control device 312 is supplied with operating power (+12V power supply, +5V power supply, etc.) via the dispensing control device 311. Similarly, operating power is supplied to various switches, motors, etc. via the control devices to which they are connected.

[0219] The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit that outputs a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the dispensing control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the voltage of 24 volts DC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and when this voltage falls below 22 volts, it determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred and outputs the power failure signal SK1 to the main control device 261 and the dispensing control device 311. By outputting this power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the dispensing control device 311 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute power failure processing (NMI interrupt processing).

[0220] In addition, the power supply unit 541 is configured to maintain the output of 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute the power failure processing, even after the voltage of the DC stable 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Therefore, the main control device 261 and the dispensing control device 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure processing.

[0221] The RAM clearing switch circuit 543 is a circuit that receives the switch signal of the RAM clearing switch 323 and clears the backup data of the RAM 503 of the main control device 261 and the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 according to the state of the switch 323. When the RAM clearing switch 323 is pressed, the RAM clearing switch circuit 543 outputs a RAM clearing signal SK2 to the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM clearing switch 323 pressed (including power-on due to recovery from a power outage), the data of the RAMs 503, 513 of the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 are cleared.

[0222] Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as above will be described.

[0223] In this embodiment, the CPU 501 provided in the main control device 261 performs a lottery using various counter information during a game. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, a jackpot random number counter C1 used for a jackpot lottery (win / lose lottery) for determining whether or not a jackpot state is generated, a jackpot type determination counter C2 used for determining a jackpot type, a reach selection counter C3 used for determining whether or not a reach state is generated when the decorative pattern display device 42 is changed due to a miss, and for determining the type of reach to be generated, an initial value random number counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1, a change type counter CS1, CS2 used for determining the change display time of the first and second special display devices 43L, 43R (decorative pattern display device 42) and for determining the change pattern (presentation pattern) in the decorative pattern display device 42, and a normal pattern random number counter C4 used for a lottery for the normal pattern display device 41 (opening lottery for whether or not the opening / closing role 37 of the lower start winning port 33B is opened).

[0224] Counters C1, C2, C3, CINI, CS1, CS2, and C4 are loop counters that add 1 to the previous value each time they are updated, and after reaching their upper limit, return to the lower limit, 0. Each counter is periodically updated, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 503 (except for random number initial value counter CINI).

[0225] The RAM 503 is provided with a special variable reserve area in which the values ​​of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the reach selection counter C3 are stored, and a normal variable reserve area in which the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 is stored. The normal variable reserve area has one execution area and four reserve areas (reservation 1 to reserve 4 areas).

[0226] The special variable reserved area includes a first special variable reserved area and a second special variable reserved area each including four reserved areas (reserved first to fourth areas), and one execution area.

[0227] In each of the reserve areas of the first special variable reserve area, the values ​​of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the reach selection counter C3 are stored in chronological order according to the winning history of the game balls in the upper start winning hole 33A. The first special variable reserve area constitutes the first reserve means.

[0228] In each of the reserve areas of the second special variable reserve area, the values ​​of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the reach selection counter C3 are stored in chronological order according to the winning history of the game balls in the lower start winning port 33B. The second special variable reserve area constitutes the second reserve means.

[0229] In each of the normal variable reserve areas, the values ​​of the normal symbol random number counter C4 are stored in chronological order in accordance with the passing history of the gaming balls through the through gate 34.

[0230] By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to hold the variable displays on the special display devices 43L, 43R and the ordinary pattern display device 41 up to four times each, as described above.

[0231] To explain each counter in detail, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within the range of, for example, 0 to 599, and after reaching the upper limit value (i.e., 599) as the closing value, it returns to 0, which is the lower limit value as the opening value. Usually, when the jackpot random number counter C1 goes around once, the value of the initial value random number counter CINI at that time is read as the next initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The initial value random number counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599), and is updated once for each timer interrupt and is repeatedly updated within the remaining time of normal processing. Meanwhile, the jackpot random number counter C1 is updated periodically (once for each timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is stored in the jackpot random number counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball enters the upper start winning hole 33A or the lower start winning hole 33B, the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 stored in the jackpot random number counter buffer is stored in the first special variable reserve area or the second special variable reserve area. Therefore, this process constitutes a part of the first win / lose lottery and the second win / lose lottery.

[0232] Two types of random number values ​​that result in a jackpot are set for a "low probability mode" and a "high probability mode". In this embodiment, in the "low probability mode", the number of random number values ​​that result in a jackpot is two, with the values ​​being "7, 307", and in the "high probability mode", the number of random number values ​​that result in a jackpot is 20, with the values ​​being "7 to 16, 307 to 316". That is, in the "low probability mode", there is a 1 / 300 probability of winning the lottery (a jackpot state occurs), and in the "high probability mode", there is a 1 / 30 probability of winning the lottery. These winning probabilities correspond to the first winning probabilities in this embodiment.

[0233] In this embodiment, a winning / losing determination table that is referenced when determining whether or not the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 corresponds to a jackpot is provided in the ROM 502. In this embodiment, there are two winning / losing determination tables, a first winning / losing determination table that stores "7, 307" and a second winning / losing determination table that stores "7 to 16, 307 to 316".

[0234] In this embodiment, the value of the big win random number counter C1 is also used to determine a "small win". The number of random numbers that result in a "small win" is 50, and the values ​​are "101 to 125, 401 to 425". In other words, there is a 1 / 12 probability of winning the lottery (a small win state occurs). This winning probability corresponds to the second winning probability in this embodiment.

[0235] The jackpot type determination counter C2 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 19, and after reaching an upper limit (i.e., 19), it returns to the lower limit, 0. In this embodiment, the jackpot type determination counter C2 determines the jackpot type, that is, which of "16R variable jackpot A", "16R variable jackpot B", "4R variable jackpot A", "4R variable jackpot B", "16R normal jackpot A", "16R normal jackpot B", "4R normal jackpot A", "4R normal jackpot B", or "JUB jackpot" to be awarded.

[0236] In addition, the ROM 502 is provided with a jackpot type determination table that is referred to when determining which jackpot the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 corresponds to. Also, as described above, in this embodiment, the allocation of jackpot types is different when the game ball enters the upper start winning hole 33A and when it enters the lower start winning hole 33B. That is, in this embodiment, there are two jackpot type determination tables, a first jackpot type determination table that is taken into consideration when the game ball enters the upper start winning hole 33A, and a second jackpot type determination table that is taken into consideration when the game ball enters the lower start winning hole 33B.

[0237] Specifically, when the game ball enters the upper start entry port 33A, the first jackpot type determination table (see FIG. 41) is taken into consideration, and if the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is “0,1”, it is determined that a “16R special jackpot A” will be awarded.

[0238] In addition, if the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is "2", it is determined that a "16R certain variable jackpot B" with "20 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "3", it is determined that a "16R certain variable jackpot B" with "30 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "4", it is determined that a "16R certain variable jackpot B" with "40 times, high support mode" will be awarded, and if it is "5", it is determined that a "16R certain variable jackpot B" with "50 times, high support mode" will be awarded.

[0239] If the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is "6", it is determined that a "4R special jackpot A" will be awarded.

[0240] If the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is "7", it is determined that a "4R certain variable jackpot B" with "20 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "8", it is determined that a "4R certain variable jackpot B" with "30 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "9", it is determined that a "4R certain variable jackpot B" with "40 times, high support mode" will be awarded, and if it is "10", it is determined that a "4R certain variable jackpot B" with "50 times, high support mode" will be awarded.

[0241] If the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is "11", it is determined that a "16R normal jackpot A" will be awarded.

[0242] If the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is "12", it is determined that a "16R normal jackpot B" with "20 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "13", it is determined that a "16R normal jackpot B" with "30 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "14", it is determined that a "16R normal jackpot B" with "40 times, high support mode" will be awarded, and if it is "15", it is determined that a "16R normal jackpot B" with "50 times, high support mode" will be awarded.

[0243] If the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is "16", it is determined that a "4R normal jackpot B" with "20 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "17", it is determined that a "4R normal jackpot B" with "30 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "18", it is determined that a "4R normal jackpot B" with "40 times, high support mode" will be awarded, and if it is "19", it is determined that a "4R normal jackpot B" with "50 times, high support mode" will be awarded.

[0244] In other words, if the player wins the lottery triggered by winning at upper start winning slot 33A, there is a 10% probability of a "16R special jackpot A," a 20% probability of a "16R special jackpot B," a 5% probability of a "4R special jackpot A," a 20% probability of a "4R special jackpot B," a 5% probability of a "16R regular jackpot A," a 20% probability of a "16R regular jackpot B," and a 20% probability of a "4R regular jackpot B."

[0245] On the other hand, when the game ball enters the lower start winning hole 33B, the second jackpot type determination table (see FIG. 42) is taken into consideration, and if the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is "0-9", it is determined that a "16R certain jackpot A" will be awarded, if it is "10,11", it is determined that a "4R certain jackpot A" will be awarded, if it is "12,13", it is determined that a "4R normal jackpot A" will be awarded, if it is "14", it is determined that a "4R normal jackpot B" with "20 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "15", it is determined that a "4R normal jackpot B" with "30 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "16", it is determined that a "4R normal jackpot B" with "40 times, high support mode" will be awarded, if it is "17", it is determined that a "4R normal jackpot B" with "50 times, high support mode" will be awarded, and if it is "18,19", it is determined that a "JUB jackpot" will be awarded.

[0246] In other words, if the winner is selected in the lottery triggered by winning the lower start winning slot 33B, there is a 50% chance of a "16R special jackpot A", a 10% chance of a "4R special jackpot A", a 10% chance of a "4R regular jackpot A", a 20% chance of a "4R regular jackpot B", and a 10% chance of a "JUB jackpot".

[0247] The jackpot type determination counter C2 is updated periodically (once for each timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 is stored in the jackpot type determination counter buffer. Then, when the game ball enters the upper start winning hole 33A or the lower start winning hole 33B, the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 stored in the jackpot type determination counter buffer is stored in the special variable reserve area (first special variable reserve area or second special variable reserve area) of the RAM 503.

[0248] The reach selection counter C3 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 238, and to return to the lower limit of 0 after reaching the upper limit (i.e., 238). In this embodiment, the reach selection counter C3 is configured to draw a "reach before and after miss" in which the final stop pattern stops shifted by only one before or after the reach pattern after the reach occurs with respect to the decorative pattern, a "reach other than the reach before and after miss" in which the final stop pattern stops other than before or after the reach pattern after the reach occurs, and a "complete miss" in which no reach occurs. In this embodiment, a reach determination table is provided in the ROM 502 to be referenced when determining whether the value of the reach selection counter C3 corresponds to the occurrence of a reach state and which reach it corresponds to. The reach determination table stores values ​​of "0 to 238", and C3=0,1 corresponds to the reach before and after miss, C3=2 to 21 corresponds to the reach other than the reach before and after miss, and C3=22 to 238 corresponds to the complete miss.

[0249] The reach selection counter C3 is updated periodically (in this embodiment, once for each timer interrupt), and the value of the reach selection counter C3 is stored in the reach selection counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball enters the upper start winning hole 33A or the lower start winning hole 33B, the value of the reach selection counter C3 stored in the reach selection counter buffer is stored in the special variable reserve area (first special variable reserve area or second special variable reserve area) of the RAM 503.

[0250] Furthermore, of the two fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2, one of the fluctuation type counters CS1 is configured to be incremented by one in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 198, and to return to the lower limit of 0 after reaching the upper limit (i.e., 198), while the other fluctuation type counter CS2 is configured to be incremented by one in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 240, and to return to the lower limit of 0 after reaching the upper limit (i.e., 240). In the following description, CS1 is also referred to as the "first fluctuation type counter" and CS2 is also referred to as the "second fluctuation type counter." This notation is also used in FIG. 14.

[0251] For example, in the table of the probability of winning the jackpot in the normal state (see FIG. 44), the first fluctuation type counter CS1 determines the type of reach of the decorative pattern, such as normal reach, super reach, premium reach, etc., and other rough fluctuation modes, and the second fluctuation type counter CS2 determines the more detailed fluctuation modes, such as the fluctuation time. Therefore, by combining these fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2, it is possible to easily realize diversification of the fluctuation patterns. Of course, it is also possible to determine the fluctuation mode only by the first fluctuation type counter CS1.

[0252] The normal reach is a reach pattern in which no special effects are displayed other than the change in the decorative symbols. The super reach is a reach pattern in which, during the change in the decorative symbols (after the reach state is established), characters and the like are displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 in addition to the decorative symbols, thereby creating a sense of expectation in the player. The premium reach is a presentation mode that can only be derived when a jackpot state occurs, and is performed in a mode in which characters and the like in a different pattern from the super reach are displayed in addition to the decorative symbols during the change in the decorative symbols (after the reach state is established), thereby creating a sense of expectation in the player.

[0253] In addition, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated once each time the normal processing described below is executed, and are repeatedly updated during the remaining time of the normal processing. Then, the buffer values ​​of CS1 and CS2 are acquired when the fluctuation pattern is determined at the start of the fluctuation of the decorative pattern by the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0254] The size and range of each counter are merely examples and can be changed as desired. However, it is preferable that the sizes of the jackpot random number counter C1, reach selection counter C3, and fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are all different prime numbers and are not synchronized under any circumstances.

[0255] In addition, the normal pattern random number counter C4 is configured as a loop counter that increments by 1 in sequence within the range of 0 to 9, and returns to the lower limit of 0 after reaching an upper limit value (i.e., 9).The normal pattern random number counter C4 is updated periodically (in this embodiment, once for each timer interrupt), and the value of the normal pattern random number counter C4 is obtained when the gaming ball passes through the through gate 34.

[0256] When a value of the normal pattern random number counter C4 indicating a winning result is obtained, a variable display is performed for a predetermined period of time on the normal pattern display device 41, and then the pattern corresponding to the winning result (in this example, a "○") is displayed stationary, and the opening / closing device 37 of the lower start winning opening 33B is opened for a predetermined period of time.

[0257] In this embodiment, in the "low support mode", the winning random number value is two, "0, 1". On the other hand, in the "high support mode", the winning random number value is eight, "0 to 7". In other words, in the "low support mode", the opening and closing device 37 is in the open state with a probability of 1 / 5, and in the "high support mode", the opening and closing device 37 is in the open state with a probability of 4 / 5. These winning probabilities correspond to the third winning probabilities in this embodiment.

[0258] Next, each control process executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The processes of the CPU 501 are roughly divided into main processing which is started when the power is turned on, timer interrupt processing which is started periodically (every 2 msec in this embodiment), and NMI interrupt processing which is started by inputting a stop signal to an NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). For convenience of explanation, the timer interrupt processing and NMI interrupt processing will be described first, and then the main processing will be described.

[0259] The NMI interrupt process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage, etc. By this NMI interrupt, the state of the main control device 261 at the time of the power outage is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503.

[0260] That is, when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal SK1 is output from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. Then, the CPU 501 interrupts the control being executed, starts an NMI interrupt process, stores the power outage occurrence information in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 as the setting of the power outage occurrence information, and ends the NMI interrupt process.

[0261] The above-mentioned NMI interrupt processing is also executed in the payout control device 311, and the occurrence information of the power outage is stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513 by the NMI interrupt. That is, when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the power outage signal SK1 is output from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 in the payout control device 311, and the CPU 511 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt processing. The contents are as described above.

[0262] FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing timer interrupt processing, and this processing is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 every 2 msec, for example.

[0263] 17, first, in step S301, the process of reading various winning detection switches is executed. Here, the state of various winning detection switches (winning port switch 221, count switch 223, start winning switches 224A, 224B, through gate switch 225) connected to the main control device 261 is read, and the state of the switch is judged and the detection information is stored.

[0264] In step S302, a random number initial value update process is executed. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the upper limit value (599 in this example), the counter is cleared to 0.

[0265] In step S303, a random number update process is executed. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, the reach selection counter C3, and the normal pattern random number counter C4 are each incremented by 1, and when the counter values ​​reach their upper limit values, they are each cleared to 0. Then, the updated values ​​of the counters C1, C2, C3, and C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 503.

[0266] Then, in step S304, a start winning process is executed in response to the winning of the start winning holes 33A and 33B, and in step S305, a through gate passing process is executed in response to the passage of the game ball to the through gate 34. Then, the timer interrupt process is temporarily terminated.

[0267] Here, the start winning process in step S304 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 18. The execution area of ​​the special variable reserve area and each reserve area are provided with a jackpot random number storage area for storing the value of the jackpot random number counter C1, a jackpot type random number storage area for storing the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2, and a reach random number storage area for storing the value of the reach selection counter C3.

[0268] First, in step S501, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the lower start winning hole 33B based on the detection information of the second start winning switch 224B. If the determination in step S501 is affirmative, it is determined in step S502 whether or not the value of the lower reserved counter Nb, which counts the number of reserved variable displays triggered by the winning in the lower start winning hole 33B, is less than the upper limit value ("4" in this embodiment). If the determination in step S502 is negative, the process proceeds to step S509. On the other hand, if the determination in step S502 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S503, where the lower reserved counter Nb is incremented by one.

[0269] In the following step S504, the values ​​of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type determination counter C2, and the reach selection counter C3 updated in the random number update process in the above step S303 are stored in the first area among the empty reserve areas in the second special variable reserve area. After step S504, the process proceeds to step S505.

[0270] In step S505, a jackpot determination process is performed to determine whether or not the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area corresponds to a jackpot. The details of the jackpot determination process will be described later.

[0271] In the following step S506, if it is determined in step S505 that the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is a value corresponding to a jackpot, a second jackpot type determination process is performed to determine the type of jackpot based on the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area.

[0272] Here, first, in the jackpot determination process performed immediately before, it is determined whether or not the jackpot winning flag was set, and if it is determined to be negative, this process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined to be positive, the second jackpot type determination table is taken into consideration, and if the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area is any of the values ​​"0-9" corresponding to "16R variable jackpot A", the "16R variable jackpot A flag" is turned on, if it is any of the values ​​"10, 11" corresponding to "4R variable jackpot A", the "4R variable jackpot A flag" is turned on, if it is any of the values ​​"12, 13" corresponding to "4R normal jackpot A", the "4R normal jackpot A flag" is turned on, if it is any of the values ​​"14-17" corresponding to "4R normal jackpot B", the "4R normal jackpot B flag" is turned on, and if it is any of the values ​​"18, 19" corresponding to "JUB jackpot", the "JUB jackpot flag" is turned on.

[0273] In addition, if the "16R variable jackpot A", "4R variable jackpot A" or "JUB jackpot" is won, that is, if the "Until next time high support mode" is granted after the jackpot ends, a lottery is held with a probability of about 1 / 100 for a predetermined period (20 variable displays in this embodiment) after the jackpot ends to determine whether or not to perform a non-notification effect that does not notify the player that the granted "high support mode" is the "Until next time high support mode". If the lottery result indicates that a non-notification effect will be performed, a non-notification effect execution flag is turned on.

[0274] In the next step S507, when it is determined in step S505 that the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is not a value corresponding to a jackpot, a reach determination process is performed to determine the type of reach based on the value of the reach selection counter C3 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area. The reach determination process will be described in detail later.

[0275] In the next step S508, a process for setting a reserved control command is performed. The reserved control command is a command for notifying the sub-control device 262 in advance of various reserved information (information used to determine the contents of the variable display) reserved and stored in the second special variable reserved area. The reserved control command set in this process is output to the sub-control device 262 in the next external output process (see step S201). The reserved control command includes, for example, reserved information, such as information indicating the results of the jackpot determination process and the jackpot type determination process, and information indicating whether the variable display is triggered by a winning entry into the start winning port 33A or 33B.

[0276] Here, the big win determination process in step S505 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0277] First, in step S5101, it is determined whether the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area matches either of the values ​​"7" or "307" corresponding to the jackpot stored in the first hit / miss judgment table. Note that in FIG. 19, for convenience, the processing of step S5101 is described in a simplified manner, but in reality, it is determined whether the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is "7", and if the judgment is negative, it is determined whether the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is "307", and if either of these judgments is positive, it is determined positive in step S5101, and if both judgments are negative, it is determined negative in step S5101.

[0278] If the result of the determination in step S5101 is affirmative, that is, if it is determined that a jackpot state will occur, the jackpot hit flag is turned on in step S5102, and then the process proceeds to step S5105. The first special game state generating means in this embodiment is configured by the function of the main control device 261 that generates a jackpot state corresponding to the first special game state in step S5102.

[0279] On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S5101, then in step S5103, it is decided whether or not the game is in the "high probability mode" based on the value of a lottery mode flag, which will be described later.

[0280] If the result of the determination in step S5103 is positive, that is, if the game is in the "high probability mode", then in step S5104, it is determined whether the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area is any of the values ​​corresponding to the jackpot stored in the second hit / miss determination table, excluding the above-mentioned "7" and "307", namely, "8 to 16, 308 to 316". Note that, even during this determination process, it is actually determined one by one whether the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 matches each value corresponding to the jackpot, as described above.

[0281] If the answer is yes in step S5104, that is, if it is determined that a jackpot state will occur in the "high probability mode", the jackpot winning flag is turned on in step S5102, and then the process ends.

[0282] The judgment processing in steps S5101 and S5104 constitute the first win / lose lottery in this embodiment, and the function of main control device 261 that executes this constitutes a first lottery means.

[0283] If a negative determination is made in step S5103 or step S5104, that is, if it is not a "big win", the process proceeds to step S5105.

[0284] Also, in step S5105, it is determined whether the value of the big win random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area matches the value "101 to 125, 401 to 425" corresponding to the small win.

[0285] If the answer is YES in step S5105, that is, if it is determined that a small win state will occur, the small win flag is turned on in step S5106, and then this process ends. On the other hand, if the answer is NO in step S5105, this process ends as it is.

[0286] The judgment process in step S5105 constitutes the second winning / losing lottery in this embodiment, and the function of the main control device 261 that executes this constitutes the second lottery means. Also, the function of the main control device 261 that generates a small winning state equivalent to the second special game state in step S5106 constitutes the second special game state generating means in this embodiment.

[0287] Next, the reach determination process in step S507 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0288] First, in step S5301, it is determined whether or not a win flag (a big win win flag or a small win win flag) was set in the big win determination process performed immediately before. If the result of the determination in step S5301 is affirmative, that is, if a big win state or a small win state occurs, this process is terminated.

[0289] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5301 is affirmative, i.e., if a winning state does not occur, in step S5302, the reach determination table is referred to and it is determined whether the value of the reach selection counter C3 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area matches either the value "0, 1" corresponding to the "front or rear miss reach." If the determination in step S5302 is affirmative, in step S5303, the front or rear miss flag indicating the occurrence of a front or rear miss reach is turned on, and then this process is terminated.

[0290] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5302 is negative, in step S5304, the reach determination table is referred to and it is determined whether the value of the reach selection counter C3 newly stored in the second special variable reserve area matches any of the values ​​"2 to 21" corresponding to "reach other than front or rear miss." If the determination in step S5304 is positive, the non-front or rear miss flag is turned on in step S5305, and then this process is terminated.

[0291] If the determination in step S5304 is negative, that is, if the result is a "complete miss," the process ends.

[0292] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 18, after the processing of step S508, or if a negative judgment is made in step S501, in step S509, it is judged whether or not the game ball has entered the upper start winning hole 33A based on the detection information of the first start winning switch 224A. If a negative judgment is made in the step S509, this processing ends as it is. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made, in step S510, it is judged whether or not the value of the upper reserved counter Na, which counts the number of reserved variable displays triggered by the winning in the upper start winning hole 33A, is less than the upper limit value ("4" in this embodiment). If a negative judgment is made in the step S510, this processing ends as it is. On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in the step S510, the process proceeds to step S511, and the upper reserved counter Na is incremented by one.

[0293] In the following step S512, the values ​​of the big win random number counter C1, the big win type determination counter C2, and the reach selection counter C3 are stored in the first area among the empty reserve areas of the first special variable reserve area. After step S512, the process proceeds to step S513.

[0294] In step S513, a jackpot determination process is performed to determine whether the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 newly stored in the first special variable reserve area corresponds to a jackpot. The jackpot determination process in step S513 is the same as the jackpot determination process in step S505 except for the small jackpot determination, and the only difference is that the information on the variable display to be processed is based on the winning of the upper start winning hole 33A, so for convenience, a detailed description will be omitted.

[0295] In the following step S514, if it is determined in step S513 that the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is a value corresponding to a jackpot, a first jackpot type determination process is performed to determine the type of jackpot based on the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special variable reserve area.

[0296] Here, first, in the immediately preceding jackpot determination process, it is determined whether or not the jackpot winning flag was set, and if it is determined to be negative, this process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined to be positive, the above-mentioned first jackpot type determination table is taken into consideration, and if the value of the jackpot type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special variable reserve area is either the value "0, 1" corresponding to "16R certain variable jackpot A", the "16R certain variable jackpot A flag" is turned on, if it is either the value "2-5" corresponding to "16R certain variable jackpot B", the "16R certain variable jackpot B flag" is turned on, and if it is the value "6" corresponding to "4R certain variable jackpot A", the "4R certain variable jackpot A flag" is turned on. and if the value is any of "7 to 10" corresponding to "4R special jackpot B", the "4R special jackpot B flag" is turned on; if the value is "11" corresponding to "16R normal jackpot A", the "16R normal jackpot A flag" is turned on; if the value is any of "12 to 15" corresponding to "16R normal jackpot B", the "16R normal jackpot B flag" is turned on; and if the value is any of "16 to 19" corresponding to "4R normal jackpot B", the "4R normal jackpot B flag" is turned on.

[0297] If the "16R variable jackpot A" or "4R variable jackpot A" is won, that is, if the "High support mode until next time" is granted after the jackpot ends, a lottery is held to determine whether or not the non-notification performance is to be performed, as in step S506. If the lottery result indicates that the non-notification performance is to be performed, the non-notification performance execution flag is turned on.

[0298] In the next step S515, when it is determined in step S513 that the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 is not a value corresponding to a jackpot, a reach determination process is performed to determine the type of reach based on the value of the reach selection counter C3 newly stored in the first special variable reserve area. Note that the reach determination process in step S515 is the same as the reach determination process in step S507, and the only difference is that the information on the variable display to be processed is based on the ball to the upper start winning hole 33A, so for convenience, a detailed description will be omitted.

[0299] In the next step S516, the reserved control command is set. After that, this process is terminated. The reserved control command setting process in step S516 is the same as the reserved control command setting process in step S508, and the only difference is that the information on the variable display to be processed is based on the ball to the upper start winning hole 33A, so for convenience, detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0300] Next, the through gate passing process in step S305 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0301] In step S601, it is determined whether the gaming ball has passed through the through gate 34 based on the detection information of the through gate switch 225.

[0302] If the determination in step S601 is negative, the process ends as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S601 is positive, that is, if it is determined that the gaming ball has passed through the through gate 34, in step S602, it is determined whether or not the value of the normal hold counter Nc, which counts the number of reserved variable displays performed by the normal symbol display device 41, is less than the upper limit value (4 in this embodiment). If the determination here is negative, the process ends as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S602 is positive, that is, if the passage of the gaming ball through the through gate 34 is confirmed and the value of the normal hold counter Nc is <4, the process proceeds to step S603, and the normal hold counter Nc is incremented by 1.

[0303] In the next step S604, a random number related to winning or losing is obtained. Specifically, the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 updated in the random number update process in step S303 is stored in the first free memory area of ​​the normal variable reserve area of ​​RAM 503. After that, the through gate passing process is terminated.

[0304] Next, the flow of the main processing executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261 will be described with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 15. This main processing is started in response to a reset when the power is turned on.

[0305] First, in step S101, the initial setting process is performed when the power is turned on. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the stack pointer, and a wait process is performed for about one second, for example, to wait for the sub-side control devices (sub-control device 262, dispensing control device 311, etc.) to become operable. In the following step S102, RAM access is permitted.

[0306] Then, data backup processing is performed for the RAM 503 in the CPU 501. That is, in step S103, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 323 provided on the power supply device 313 is pressed (ON), and if it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S112 to clear (delete) the backup data. On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 is not pressed, the process proceeds to the next step S104 to determine whether or not power interruption occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. If it is not set, the backup data is not stored, and in this case, the process proceeds to step S112 as well. If the power interruption occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a, a RAM judgment value is calculated in step S105, and in the next step S106, it is determined whether or not the RAM judgment value matches the RAM judgment value saved at the time of power interruption, that is, the validity of the backup. If the RAM judgment value calculated here does not match the RAM judgment value saved at the time of power interruption, the backed up data is destroyed, and in this case, the process proceeds to step S112 as well.

[0307] In the process of step S112, an initialization command is sent to initialize the sub-control device 262, which is the sub-side control device, and the payout control device 311, etc. In addition, upon receiving the initialization command, the sub-control device 262 executes its own initialization process as described below, and stores the value "0" of the game state determination value Xj, which corresponds to the initial setting "normal state", in the game state storage area.

[0308] Thereafter, the process proceeds to the initialization process of the RAM (step S113, etc.). The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value in a working area address of the RAM 503. Instead of the RAM judgment value, it is also possible to judge the validity of the backup based on whether or not a keyword written in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 503 is correctly saved.

[0309] As described above, in the present pachinko machine 10, when it is desired to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, for example, when the hall opens for business, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM clear switch 323. Therefore, if the RAM clear switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to the RAM initialization process (step S113, etc.). Similarly, if the power interruption occurrence information is not set, or if a backup abnormality is confirmed by the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.), the process proceeds to the RAM 503 initialization process (step S113, etc.). That is, in step S113, the used area of ​​the RAM 503 is cleared to 0, and in the following step S114, the initial value of the RAM 503 is set. After that, in step S115, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to the normal process described later.

[0310] On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 is not pressed (step S103: NO), the process at the time of power recovery (process at the time of recovery from power failure) is executed on the condition that the power failure occurrence information is set and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal. That is, in step S107, the stack pointer before the power failure is restored, and in step S108, the power failure occurrence information is cleared.

[0311] In step S109, a game status check process is executed to grasp the game status stored in the RAM 503 at the time of power failure.

[0312] In the next step S110, a recovery command is sent to the sub-control device 262, which is the sub-side control device, and the payout control device 311, etc., to restore the gaming state at the time of power off. The recovery command sent to the sub-control device 262 includes information on the gaming state at the time of power off specified in the gaming state check process (the gaming state determination value Xj described later).

[0313] In step S111, the registers in use are restored from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. After that, in step S115, interrupt permission is set and the process moves to normal processing, which will be described later.

[0314] Here, the game status check process in step S109 will be described with reference to Figs. 22 and 23. Fig. 22 is a flow chart showing the game status check process, and Fig. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing the correspondence between the lottery mode flag, the support mode flag, the game status specification counter Kj, and the game status judgment value Xj, which will be described later. The game status check process is also executed in the variable display setting process (step S807) and the winning end setting process (step S1216), which will be described later.

[0315] 22, in step S1901, a process of reading various information related to the game state at the time of power off, which is backed up and stored in the RAM 503, is executed. Specifically, the value of the lottery mode flag, the value of the support mode flag, and the value of the game state identification counter Kj are each read from the RAM 503.

[0316] The lottery mode flag is state determination information for determining whether the lottery mode is the "low probability mode" or the "high probability mode", and the flag value is set to "50(H)" when the lottery mode is the "low probability mode", and "53(H)" when the lottery mode is the "high probability mode". Note that the value "5" of the upper 4 bits of the lottery mode flag is added uniformly for noise prevention purposes, and is not intended to determine the game state in particular.

[0317] The support mode flag is state determination information for determining the state of the winning support mode, and the flag value is set to "A0(H)" when the winning support mode is "low support mode". Note that the value "A" of the upper 4 bits of the support mode flag is added uniformly for noise prevention purposes and is not intended to determine the game state.

[0318] In addition, if the winning support mode is "20 times high support mode," "30 times high support mode," "40 times high support mode," or "50 times high support mode," the flag value is set to "A1(H)."

[0319] In addition, if the winning support mode is "30 times - high support mode S", the flag value is set to "A2 (H)", and if it is "Until next time - high support mode", the flag value is set to "A3 (H)".

[0320] The game state identification counter Kj is state determination information for counting the number of times the variable display is executed after the end of a jackpot and for identifying the timing of switching the game state, and is set to a predetermined initial value when the jackpot ends, and is subtracted by 1 each time the variable display is executed. For example, as described below, if the initial value of the game state identification counter Kj is set to "50", and the value of the counter Kj is then "31", the variable display at that time can be identified as the 20th variable display after the end of a jackpot.

[0321] In this embodiment, if a "16R special jackpot B", "4R special jackpot B", "16R normal jackpot B" or "4R normal jackpot B" is won, i.e., if "20 times high support mode", "30 times high support mode", "40 times high support mode" or "50 times high support mode" is awarded after the jackpot ends, the initial value is set to "50".

[0322] In addition, if you win a "16R normal jackpot A" or a "4R normal jackpot A", that is, if you are granted "30 times high support mode S" after the jackpot ends, the initial value will be set to "30".

[0323] Also, if the "16R Probable Big Win A", "4R Probable Big Win A" or "JUB Big Win" is won, i.e., if the "High Support Mode Until Next Time" is granted after the big win ends, the initial value is set to "0". However, if the non-notification performance execution flag is turned on and a non-notification performance is executed, the initial value is set to "30". The non-notification performance execution flag is turned off after the initial value is set.

[0324] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 22, in step S1902, the value of the lottery mode flag read in step S1901 and the value of the support mode flag are added together.

[0325] In the following step S1903, the logical product of the added value calculated in step S1902 and a predetermined mask value ("07(H)" in this embodiment) is taken, and the lowest 3 bits of data are extracted and set as the game status determination value Xj in a predetermined working area.

[0326] In step S1904, it is determined whether the value of the game state determination value Xj is "1". In other words, it is determined whether the lottery mode is the "low probability mode" and the winning support mode is the "20 times high support mode", "30 times high support mode", "40 times high support mode", or "50 times high support mode".

[0327] If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S1905, where it is determined whether the value of the game state determination value Xj is "4". In other words, it is determined whether the lottery mode is the "high probability mode" and the winning support mode is the "20 times high support mode", "30 times high support mode", "40 times high support mode", or "50 times high support mode".

[0328] If an affirmative decision is made in step S1904 or step S1905, the process proceeds to step S1909. On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S1905, the process proceeds to step S1906.

[0329] In step S1906, it is determined whether the value of the gaming state determination value Xj is "2" or not. In other words, it is determined whether the lottery mode is the "low probability mode" and the winning support mode is the "30 times·high support mode S" state.

[0330] If the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S1907, where it is determined whether the value of the gaming state determination value Xj is "5". In other words, it is determined whether the lottery mode is the "high probability mode" and the winning support mode is the "30 times high support mode S" state.

[0331] If an affirmative decision is made in step S1906 or step S1907, the process proceeds to step S1912. On the other hand, if a negative decision is made in step S1907, the process proceeds to step S1908.

[0332] In step S1908, it is determined whether the value of the gaming state determination value Xj is "6". In other words, it is determined whether the lottery mode is the "high probability mode" and the winning support mode is the "until next time·high support mode".

[0333] If the result of the determination here is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1914. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S1916, in which the value "6" of the gaming state determination value Xj is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 503, and the process ends.

[0334] In step S1909, which is reached when a positive determination is made in step S1904 or step S1905, it is determined whether the value of the game state determination counter Kj is "31." In other words, it is determined whether the variable display after the end of the big win is the 20th time. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step S1913, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S1910.

[0335] In step S1910, it is determined whether the value of the game state identification counter Kj is "21". In other words, it is determined whether the variable display after the end of the big win is the 30th time. If the result is positive, the process proceeds to step S1913, and if the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S1911.

[0336] In step S1911, it is determined whether the value of the game state identification counter Kj is "11". In other words, it is determined whether the variable display after the end of the big win is the 40th time. If the result is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1913, and if the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S1912.

[0337] In step S1912, it is determined whether the value of the game state identification counter Kj is "1". In other words, it is determined whether it is the "50th time (if the initial value is "50")" or the "30th time (if the initial value is "30")".

[0338] If a negative judgment is made here, the process proceeds to step S1916, the value of the game state judgment value Xj ("1", "4", "2", or "5") is stored in a specified area of ​​the RAM 503, and this process is terminated.

[0339] On the other hand, if the result of step S1912 is affirmative, i.e., if the value of the game state identification counter Kj is "1", the process proceeds to step S1913, where the value of the game state determination value Xj is changed to "7". Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1916, where the value "7" of the game state determination value Xj is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 503, and the process ends.

[0340] Now, in step S1914, which is moved to when the affirmative determination is made in step S1908, it is determined whether the value of the game state identification counter Kj is "0". In other words, it is determined whether the winning support mode is the "Until next time - high support mode" in which the non-notification performance is not performed. If the affirmative determination is made here, the value of the game state determination value Xj, "6", is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 503, and this process is terminated.

[0341] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1914 is negative, that is, if the mode is "Until next time·High support mode" in which a non-notification effect is performed, the process proceeds to step S1915, where the value of the gaming state determination value Xj is changed to "5". After that, the process proceeds to step S1916, where the value "5" of the gaming state determination value Xj is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the RAM 503, and this process ends. As a result, even if the mode is in the "Until next time·High support mode", the same effect as when the lottery mode is in the "High probability mode" and the winning support mode is in the "30 times·High support mode S" state is performed for a predetermined number of times (20 times in this embodiment).

[0342] Next, the flow of normal processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 16. In this normal processing, the main processing of the game is executed. In summary, the processing of steps S201 to S210 is executed as a regular processing at a 4 msec cycle, and the counter update processing of steps S211 and S212 is executed in the remaining time.

[0343] First, in step S201, an external output process is executed to transmit control signals based on the control contents of the special display devices 43L and 43R and the opening / closing device 37, etc., updated in the previous process, to each device, and to transmit output data such as commands to each control device on the sub side. Some more detailed examples are given below.

[0344] For example, based on the detection information of the various detection switches mentioned above, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered various winning ports, such as the general winning port 31, and if a prize ball has been entered, a prize ball payout command corresponding to the number of balls that have been entered is sent to the payout control device 311.

[0345] Moreover, if a command for blinking the error display lamp 104 is set, the command is output to the sub-control device 262 .

[0346] In addition, in the external output process, information for understanding the game status is output to the hall computer of the game hall, taking into consideration various information such as the lottery mode flag and the jackpot flag described later. Furthermore, output of error information to the hall computer is also executed in this output process.

[0347] For example, if a winning error is detected, an on signal (pulse signal) is output to the hall computer of the gaming hall via a specified terminal of the external relay terminal board 240, and if there is no winning error, an off signal is output.

[0348] In addition, when the decorative pattern display device 42 changes and displays the decorative pattern, a change pattern command, a pattern command, etc. are transmitted to the sub-control device 262. In response to this, the sub-control device 262, which has input the change pattern command, the pattern command, etc., determines the change mode of the decorative pattern display device 42 based on such various commands, and issues an instruction to the display control device 45 to display (change display) the change mode on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0349] In step S202, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated. More specifically, like other counters, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and when their counter values ​​reach their upper limit values ​​(198 and 240 in this embodiment), they are cleared to 0. Then, the updated values ​​of the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 503.

[0350] In the next step S203, the winning ball count signal received from the payout control device 311 is read. Next, in step S204, the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 311 is read.

[0351] Then, in step S205, the first display control process is executed. In this process, the control contents of the first and second special display devices 43L and 43R are set, and the big win determination and the change pattern of the decorative pattern in the decorative pattern display device 42 are set. The details of this first display control process will be described later.

[0352] In step S206, a variable winning device control process is executed. In this process, the control contents of the variable winning device 32 are set to determine what control is to be performed in the variable winning device 32. As a result, when a big win state or a small win state occurs, the opening and closing process of the opening and closing shutter 160 of the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly executed a predetermined number of times. The details of the variable winning device control process will be described later.

[0353] In step S207, the second display control process is executed. In this process, the control contents of the normal symbol display device 41 are set to determine what control is to be performed in the normal symbol display device 41. The details of this second display control process will be described later.

[0354] In step S208, an opening / closing part control process is executed. In this process, the control contents of the opening / closing part 37 are set to determine what control is to be performed on the opening / closing part 37. The details of this opening / closing part control process will be described later.

[0355] Thereafter, in step S209, it is determined whether or not power interruption occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. If power interruption occurrence information is not set in the backup area 503a, it is determined in step S210 whether or not it is time to execute the next normal process, that is, whether or not a predetermined time (4 msec in this embodiment) has passed since the start of the previous normal process. If the predetermined time has already passed, the process proceeds to step S201, and the processes from step S201 onwards are repeatedly executed.

[0356] On the other hand, if a predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the start of the previous normal processing, the random number initial value counter CINI and the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are repeatedly updated within the remaining time until the next normal processing execution timing (steps S211 and S212).

[0357] That is, in step S211, the random-number initial-value counter CINI is updated. Specifically, the random-number initial-value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the upper limit value (599 in this example), it is cleared to 0.

[0358] In step S212, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated (similar to step S202). Specifically, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and when their counter values ​​reach their upper limit values ​​(198 and 240 in this example), they are cleared to 0. The changed values ​​of the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 are then stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 503.

[0359] Here, since the execution time of each process of steps S201 to S209 changes according to the game state, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant but fluctuates. Therefore, by repeatedly updating the random number initial value counter CINI using the remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (i.e., the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1) can be randomly updated, and similarly, the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 can also be randomly updated.

[0360] Now, if the power interruption occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 (step S209: YES), the power is cut off, and the processing from step S213 onwards is performed as power outage processing at the time of power outage. In the power outage processing, first, in step S213, the occurrence of each interruption processing is prohibited, in step S214, the contents of each register used by the CPU 501 are saved in the stack area, and in step S215, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 503a. Then, in step S216, a power outage notification command indicating that the power has been cut off is transmitted to other control devices (such as the dispensing control device 311). Then, in step S217, a RAM judgment value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a. The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value in the working area address of the RAM 503. Then, in step S218, RAM access is prohibited, and an infinite loop is continued until the power is completely cut off and processing cannot be executed.

[0361] The process of step S209 is executed at the end of a series of processes corresponding to the game state change performed in steps S201 to S208, or at the end of one cycle of the processes of steps S211 and S212 performed within the remaining time. Therefore, in the normal process of the main control device 261, the power interruption occurrence information is confirmed at the end of each process, so the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 is smaller than when each process is in the middle, and the data can be stored easily. In addition, when returning to the state before the power interruption, the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a is small, so the data can be easily returned, and the processing load of the main control device 261 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the occurrence of an interrupt process is prohibited before the data is stored (step S213), the data at the time of the power interruption can be prevented from being changed, and the state before the power interruption can be reliably stored.

[0362] Next, the first display control process in step S205 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0363] In FIG. 24, in step S801, various winning flags (big winning flag and small winning flag) described later in detail are referred to, and it is judged whether or not the current state is a winning state (big winning state or small winning state). The winning state (big winning state and small winning state) includes a predetermined time during the winning state and a predetermined time after the winning state ends. The predetermined time after the winning state ends here is the time from the winning state ends to the start of normal play (variable display on the special display devices 43L and 43R), and generally during this time period, the decorative pattern display device 42 displays various game states and modes that are given after the winning state ends or after the winning state. Also, the period from the time when the variable display on the special display devices 43L and 43R and the decorative pattern display device 42 is stopped and displayed in a manner corresponding to the winning state to the time when the variable winning device 32 is opened (generally during this time period, the decorative pattern display device 42 displays the start of the winning state) is also included in the winning state.

[0364] If the determination in step S801 is affirmative, that is, if the winning state is in progress, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S801 is negative, in step S802, the setting status of the first display flag, which will be described later in detail, is checked to determine whether or not the first or second special display device 43L, 43R (decorative pattern display device 42) is displaying a variable. In detail, if the first display flag is set (if it is in an on state), it is considered to be displaying a variable, and if the first display flag is released (if it is in an off state), it is considered to be displaying a stopped state, which corresponds to a state in which the variable display is stopped. Note that, as will be described later in detail, the first display flag is turned on when the first and second special display devices 43L, 43R start displaying a variable (see step S920, see step S807), and is turned off when the first and second special display devices 43L, 43R display a stopped variable (see step S814).

[0365] If the result of step S802 is negative, i.e., if the winning state is not occurring and the variable display is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S803, where it is determined whether the value of the lower pending counter Nb, which counts the number of pending variable displays (second variable displays) triggered by winning at the lower start winning port 33B, is greater than 0.

[0366] If the judgment in step S803 is positive, i.e., if at least one second variable display is stored in reserve, then in step S804, 1 is subtracted from the lower reserved counter Nb. In this embodiment, if the judgment process in step S803 judges that the second variable display is stored in reserve, then the second variable display is executed without executing the first variable display. In other words, even if the first variable display is stored in reserve earlier than the second variable display, the second variable display is consumed preferentially (the first variable display is put off).

[0367] In the next step S805, a process is executed to shift the data stored in the second special variable reserved area. This data shift process is a process to shift the data stored in the reserved areas 1 to 4 of the second special variable reserved area to the execution area side in order, and the data in each area is shifted in the following order: reserved area 1 → execution area, reserved area 2 → reserved area 1, reserved area 3 → reserved area 2, reserved area 4 → reserved area 3. After step S805, in step S806, a process is executed to turn on / off the second reserved lamp 46b and a process is executed to light the variable identification lamp 40 in red, and then the process proceeds to step S807.

[0368] Also, if the result of the negative judgment in step S803, that is, if no second variable display is reserved and stored, in step S808, it is judged whether the upper reserved counter Na, which counts the number of reserved variable displays (first variable displays) triggered by winning in the upper start winning port 33A, is greater than 0. If the result of the negative judgment in step S808, this process is terminated as it is.

[0369] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S808 is affirmative, in step S809, 1 is subtracted from the upper reserved counter Na. In the following step S810, a process of shifting the data stored in the first special variable reserved area is executed. This data shift process is a process of shifting the data stored in the reserved areas 1 to 4 of the first special variable reserved area to the execution area side in order, and the data in each area is shifted in the following order: reserved area 1 → execution area, reserved area 2 → reserved area 1, reserved area 3 → reserved area 2, reserved area 4 → reserved area 3. After step S810, in step S811, a process of turning on and off the first reserved lamp 46a and a process of making the variable specific lamp 40 emit blue light are performed, and then the process proceeds to step S807. In this embodiment, the special variable reserved area has one execution area, and the data stored in the first special variable reserved area and the second special variable reserved area are shifted to a common execution area when performing a variable display based on the data.

[0370] In step S807, a variable display setting process is performed. Details of the variable display setting process will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0371] First, in step S900, a game status check process is executed. Note that the game status check process is the same as the game status check process in step S109 (see FIG. 22), and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0372] Next, in step S901, it is determined whether the small win hit flag is on or not, thereby determining whether the variable display corresponds to a small win or not.

[0373] If it is determined that the winning combination corresponds to a small win, the process proceeds to step S910. On the other hand, if it is determined that the winning combination does not correspond to a small win, the process proceeds to step S902.

[0374] In step S902, it is determined whether the big win hit flag is on, thereby determining whether the variable display corresponds to a big win.

[0375] If it is determined that the winning combination corresponds to a big win, the process proceeds to step S903. On the other hand, if it is determined that the winning combination corresponds to neither a big win nor a small win, that is, if the winning combination corresponds to a miss, the process proceeds to step S912.

[0376] In step S903, it is determined whether any of the various types of special jackpot flags ("16R special jackpot A flag", "16R special jackpot B flag", "4R special jackpot A flag", "4R special jackpot B flag") is on, thereby determining whether the variable display corresponds to a "special jackpot".

[0377] If the result of the positive judgment in step S903 is "probable jackpot", that is, if the result is "probable jackpot", the variation pattern is determined in step S904 by referring to the variation pattern table corresponding to the "probable jackpot" and set in the variation pattern command. Next, in step S905, the winning symbol (whether it is an odd number symbol or an even number symbol in this embodiment) is determined by referring to the symbol table corresponding to the "probable jackpot", and the corresponding symbol command (in this embodiment, "B1" or "B2" described later) is set. Then, the process proceeds to step S920.

[0378] If the result of the negative judgment in step S903 is negative, the process proceeds to step S906, where it is judged whether any of the above-mentioned various normal jackpot flags ("16R normal jackpot A flag", "16R normal jackpot B flag", "4R normal jackpot A flag", "4R normal jackpot B flag") is on, thereby judging whether the variable display corresponds to a "normal jackpot". If the result of the positive judgment in step S906 is positive, that is, if it is a "normal jackpot", then in step S907, the variable pattern is determined by referring to the variable pattern table corresponding to the "normal jackpot" and set to the variable pattern command. Then, in step S908, the symbol table corresponding to the "normal jackpot" is referred to to determine the jackpot symbol (whether it is an odd symbol or an even symbol in this embodiment), and the symbol command corresponding to this symbol (in this embodiment, "B1" or "B2" to be described later) is set. Then, the process proceeds to step S920.

[0379] However, in this embodiment, as described above, depending on the type of the symbol stopped and displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42, the game state such as the lottery mode that is given after the end of the jackpot cannot be determined. In other words, the relationship between the variable pattern or the stopped symbol and the jackpot type is not clearly associated, such as "odd symbols" being stopped and displayed for "probable jackpot" and "even symbols" being stopped and displayed for "normal jackpot". In this embodiment, the tables are simply divided so that the appearance rate of the predetermined variable pattern or symbol differs depending on the type of jackpot, for example, "odd symbols" are likely to be stopped and displayed for "probable jackpot". Therefore, for example, when a jackpot is hit, the variable pattern or the stopped symbol may be selected based on one jackpot table, regardless of the type of jackpot, such as "probable jackpot" or "normal jackpot".

[0380] If the result of the determination in step S906 is negative, the process proceeds to step S909, where it is determined whether the JUB jackpot flag is on, thereby determining whether the variable display corresponds to a "JUB jackpot." If the result of the determination in step S909 is positive, i.e., if the variable display corresponds to a "JUB jackpot," the process proceeds to step S910.

[0381] In step S910, the fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to the fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the "JUB big win" and "small win", and is set in the fluctuation pattern command. After that, in step S911, the symbol command corresponding to the chance symbol (in this embodiment, "B6" described later) is set, and the process proceeds to step S920.

[0382] If the determination in step S902 is negative, that is, if the result is a "miss," then in step S912, it is determined whether or not the front / rear miss flag is on.

[0383] If the result of the determination in step S912 is positive, that is, if the result is a "front or rear miss reach," then in step S913, a fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to a fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the "front or rear miss reach," and the fluctuation pattern is set in the fluctuation pattern command and the front or rear miss flag is turned off. Then, in step S914, a symbol command corresponding to the front or rear miss symbol (in this embodiment, "B3" to be described later) is set. Then, the process proceeds to step S920.

[0384] On the other hand, if the determination in step S912 is negative, then in step S915, it is determined whether the non-front / rear miss flag is on. If the determination in step S915 is positive, that is, if it is a "reach other than front / rear miss", then in step S916, a fluctuation pattern is determined by referring to a fluctuation pattern table corresponding to a "reach other than front / rear miss", and is set in the fluctuation pattern command, and the non-front / rear miss flag is turned off. Then, in step S917, it is set in a pattern command corresponding to a pattern other than front / rear miss (in this embodiment, "B4" to be described later). Then, the process proceeds to step S920.

[0385] Also, if the result of the negative judgment in step S915, that is, if it is a "complete miss", in step S918, the miss variation pattern is determined by referring to the variation pattern table corresponding to "complete miss" and set to the variation pattern command. Then, in step S919, it is set to the symbol command corresponding to the complete miss symbol (in this embodiment, "B5" described later). Then, the process proceeds to step S920.

[0386] Here, for convenience, the variation pattern table and the variation pattern command will be explained. In this embodiment, a variation pattern table corresponding to the above-mentioned "probable jackpot" (hereinafter referred to as the probability jackpot-time variation pattern table), a variation pattern table corresponding to the "normal jackpot", a variation pattern table corresponding to the "JUB jackpot" and "small jackpot", a variation pattern table corresponding to the "reach before and after miss", a variation pattern table corresponding to the "reach other than the reach before and after miss", and a variation pattern table corresponding to the "complete miss" (hereinafter referred to as the complete miss-time variation pattern table) are provided in multiple ways according to the game state (the game state judgment value Xj has a value of "0" to "7").

[0387] For example, as shown in FIG. 43(a), in the reference address "100", a probability variable jackpot time fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the "normal state" where the game state determination value Xj is "0" is stored.

[0388] Similarly, at "address 101", a probability variable jackpot time-fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state determination value Xj of "1" is stored, at "address 102", a probability variable jackpot time-fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state determination value Xj of "2" is stored, at "address 103", a probability variable jackpot time-fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state determination value Xj of "3" is stored, at "address 104", a probability variable jackpot time-fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state determination value Xj of "4" is stored, at "address 105", a probability variable jackpot time-fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state determination value Xj of "5" is stored, at "address 106", a probability variable jackpot time-fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state determination value Xj of "6" is stored, and at "address 107", a probability variable jackpot time-fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state determination value Xj of "7" is stored.

[0389] In addition, as for the complete miss-time fluctuation pattern table, as shown in FIG. 43(b), a complete miss-time fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the "normal state" where the game state determination value Xj is "0" is stored at the reference address "700".

[0390] Similarly, at "address 701", a complete miss-time fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state judgment value Xj of "1" is stored, at "address 702", a complete miss-time fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state judgment value Xj of "2", at "address 703", a complete miss-time fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state judgment value Xj of "3", at "address 704", a complete miss-time fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state judgment value Xj of "4", at "address 705", a complete miss-time fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state judgment value Xj of "5", at "address 706", a complete miss-time fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state judgment value Xj of "6", and at "address 707", a complete miss-time fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the game state judgment value Xj of "7".

[0391] Although not shown in the figures, for the fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the above-mentioned "normal jackpot", the fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the "JUB jackpot" and "small jackpot", the fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the "front or rear miss reach", and the fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the "reach other than front or rear miss", similarly to the above-mentioned fluctuation pattern table for special jackpot and fluctuation pattern table for complete miss, multiple table groups corresponding to the game state determination value Xj values ​​"0" to "7" are stored in consecutive order from a predetermined reference address.

[0392] Therefore, when determining the fluctuation pattern in the above steps S904, S907, S910, S913, S916, and S918, a process is performed to select a table corresponding to a predetermined gaming state (value of gaming state judgment value Xj "0" to "7") from among a plurality of table groups based on the gaming state judgment value Xj specified in the above gaming state check process (step S900). At this time, the address in which the table to be selected is stored can be specified by adding the value of the gaming state judgment value Xj to a reference address (for example, "100" in the case of a probability variable jackpot-fluctuation pattern table). In other words, the value of the gaming state judgment value Xj plays the role of an offset value as it is.

[0393] Then, a fluctuation pattern is determined based on the selected fluctuation pattern table (for example, a fluctuation pattern table for a special jackpot corresponding to the "normal state (Xj=0)" stored in "Address 100": see FIG. 44), and a corresponding fluctuation pattern command is set.

[0394] The fluctuation pattern command in this embodiment is composed of two bytes, and the upper 4 bits of the upper byte are composed of information that specifies the game state. In this embodiment, the value of the game state judgment value Xj is set as is. In addition, the lower 4 bits of the upper byte are composed of information that specifies the big win type, etc., and the lower 8 bits of the lower byte are composed of information that specifies the fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time, reach type, etc.).

[0395] For example, as can be seen by referring to the probability variable jackpot time fluctuation pattern table (see FIG. 43(a)) related to the normal state (Xj=0), in the probability variable jackpot time fluctuation pattern command related to the normal state, the upper 4 bits of the upper byte are set to "0", which is the value of the game state judgment value Xj, and the following lower 4 bits are set to "F", which indicates "probability variable jackpot". Then, in the remaining 8 bits of the lower byte, a value is set that specifies the fluctuation pattern corresponding to the value of the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 503. In addition, the sub-control device 262 stores the relationship between these fluctuation pattern commands and the fluctuation mode (presentation pattern) of the decorative pattern in a table, and when a fluctuation pattern command is received, the fluctuation pattern (presentation pattern) corresponding to the fluctuation pattern command can be executed.

[0396] Next, the symbol command will be described in detail. The symbol command is a command for making the sub-controller 262 determine the stop symbol. In this embodiment, six categories are specified: a combination of odd-numbered jackpot symbols, a combination of even-numbered jackpot symbols, a combination of symbols with no front or rear wins, a combination of symbols with no front or rear wins, a combination of symbols with no wins, and a combination of chance symbols. These categories are indicated by, for example, "B1", "B2", "B3", "B4", "B5", and "B6", and any one of these is set as the symbol command. Meanwhile, the sub-controller 262 stores the relationship between these commands and the stop symbols in a table. Then, the sub-controller 262 displays the stop symbols corresponding to the symbol commands.

[0397] The odd jackpot symbol combination is a combination of symbols consisting of the repeated numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, and the symbol command corresponding to the odd jackpot symbol combination is set to "B1." When "B1" indicating an odd jackpot symbol is set to the symbol command, the sub-control device 262 determines one of the symbol combinations consisting of the repeated numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 as the stopping symbol.

[0398] The even jackpot symbol combination is a combination of symbols consisting of the repeated numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8, and the symbol command corresponding to the even jackpot symbol combination is set to "B2." When "B2" indicating the even jackpot symbol is set to the symbol command, the sub-control device 262 determines one of the symbol combinations consisting of the repeated numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 as the stop symbol.

[0399] The combination of front and rear miss patterns corresponds to a "front and rear miss reach" in which the final stopping pattern stops just one pattern before or after the reach pattern after the reach occurs, and the pattern command corresponding to the combination of front and rear miss patterns is set to "B3".

[0400] A combination of symbols other than front and rear misses corresponds to a "reach other than front and rear miss" in which the final stopping symbol stops other than before or after the reach symbol after the reach occurs, and the symbol command corresponding to a combination of symbols other than front and rear misses is set to "B4".

[0401] The combination of symbols that is a complete miss corresponds to a "complete miss" that does not result in a reach, and "B5" is set as the symbol command that corresponds to the combination of symbols that is a complete miss.

[0402] In addition, the symbol command corresponding to the chance symbol combination is set to "B6". Incidentally, there is one type of chance symbol, and in this example, the decorative symbols displayed in each symbol display area are "3", "4", and "1" from the top as described above.

[0403] In addition, although details will be described later, when "B3" to "B5" are set in the symbol command, the sub-controller 262 determines the combination of symbols stored in the corresponding counter buffer of the RAM 553 as the stop symbol. Specifically, when "B3" indicating a combination of symbols that are a front and rear miss is set in the symbol command, the sub-controller 262 that has received the symbol command determines the combination of symbols corresponding to the front and rear miss reach stored in the front and rear miss reach symbol buffer of the RAM 553 as the stop symbol. When "B4" indicating a combination of symbols other than front and rear miss is set in the symbol command, the sub-controller 262 determines the combination of symbols corresponding to the reach other than front and rear miss stored in the front and rear miss reach symbol buffer of the RAM 553 as the stop symbol. When "B5" indicating a combination of symbols that are a complete miss is set in the symbol command, the sub-controller 262 determines the combination of symbols corresponding to the complete miss stored in the complete miss symbol buffer of the RAM 553 as the stop symbol.

[0404] Also, when "A6" is set in the symbol command, the sub-control device 262 selects a chance symbol as a combination of decorative symbols.

[0405] The variable pattern command and the symbol command set as described above are output in the external output process (step S201) described later. The sub-control device 262 that receives these commands determines the variable mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 based on the commands, and issues an instruction to the display control device 45 to display (variably display) the variable mode on the decorative symbol display device 42.

[0406] In step S920, a start setting process is performed to indicate that the conditions for performing a variable display on the special display devices 43L and 43R have been met. In this start setting process, a first display flag indicating whether or not a variable display is being performed on the special display devices 43L and 43R is turned on, and a first display timer setting process is performed.

[0407] The first display timer is a means for measuring the variable time (remaining time of the variable display) in the special display devices 43L, 43R, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the variable display.

[0408] In this embodiment, the variable display time of the special display devices 43L and 43R is set to a value corresponding to the variable pattern of the decorative pattern selected by the above-mentioned variable type counters CS1 and CS2. Based on the setting of the first display timer, when a control signal to start a variable display is output to the special display devices 43L and 43R in the external output process of the next normal process, the variable display is started on the special display devices 43L and 43R. Then, after step S920 is completed, the variable display setting process is completed.

[0409] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 24, if the determination in step S802 is affirmative, i.e., if a variable display is in progress, the process proceeds to step S812, where a first display timer subtraction process is performed. Each time this process is performed, the value of the first display timer is subtracted by 4 msec. For example, if the variable time is 10 seconds (10000 msec), the first display timer is set to "2500" and is subtracted by 1 every 4 msec.

[0410] Next, the process proceeds to step S813, where it is determined whether or not a predetermined variable time has elapsed, taking into consideration the value of the first display timer after the subtraction. At this time, when the predetermined variable time has elapsed, i.e., when the value of the first display timer becomes "0", a positive determination is made in step S813.

[0411] If the determination in step S813 is negative, in step S817, a switching display setting is made to continue the variable display of the special display devices 43L and 43R, and this process is terminated. Based on the contents of the switching display setting, a control signal to switch the display is output to the special display devices 43L and 43R in the external output process in the next normal process. This realizes the switching display (variable display) of the special display devices 43L and 43R at the timing of the first display control process, that is, every 4 ms.

[0412] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S813 is affirmative, the first display flag is released (turned off) in step S814, and the stop display setting is performed in step S815 to perform a stop display on the special display devices 43L and 43R.

[0413] Based on the settings of the stop display settings, a control signal to perform a stop display is output to the special display devices 43L and 42R in the external output process in the next normal process. For example, in the case of a "16R special big win A", "9-" is displayed as a stop (for example, lit for a few seconds).

[0414] Next, in step S816, a fluctuation end time setting process is performed, and then this process is terminated. Here, the fluctuation end time setting process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0415] First, in step S1001, the jackpot winning flag and the small win winning flag are taken into consideration to determine whether the stop display corresponds to a jackpot or a small win. If it corresponds to a jackpot or a small win, the process proceeds to step S1002, where a win setting is performed. Specifically, the process performs setting processing for the jackpot mid-flag, the small win mid-flag, the first variable flag, the first variable timer, the opening number counter, and the winning counter Vx. After step S1002 is completed, the process for setting the end of the variation is completed.

[0416] The jackpot flag is state determination information for determining whether or not a jackpot state is occurring, and here, the flag value is set to "1" (turned on), indicating the occurrence of a jackpot state.

[0417] The small win flag is state determination information for determining whether or not a small win state is occurring, and here, similar to the big win flag, the flag value is set to "1" (turned on), indicating the occurrence of a small win state.

[0418] The first variable flag is state determination information for determining whether the variable winning device 32 is in an open state or not.

[0419] The first variable timer is a measuring means for measuring the opening time of the variable winning device 32 (the occurrence time of the special prize state) and the interval between each special prize state, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a specified time has elapsed since the opening start or the end of the opening of the opening / closing shutter 160. In the winning setting process of step S1002, a predetermined value corresponding to each type of winning is set by taking into consideration the opening / closing pattern control table (see FIG. 45). For example, when the first time is the above-mentioned "long opening" such as "16R certainty big win A", the first variable timer is set to "7500", and when the first time is the above-mentioned "short opening" such as "JUB big win", the first variable timer is set to "100". As a result, the maximum opening time (specified time) per opening / closing operation of the opening / closing shutter 160 is set to "30 seconds" or "0.4 seconds".

[0420] In addition, as shown in Figure 45, the opening and closing pattern control table pre-sets the number of times the special prize state occurs (number of rounds) in various winning states, the opening time of the opening and closing shutter 160 in each special prize state (each round), the interval time between each special prize state, etc.

[0421] The opening number counter is state determination information for determining the number of times the special prize state occurs during a big win state or a small win state, that is, the number of times the opening and closing process ("long opening" or "short opening") of the variable winning device 32 is executed. In the winning setting process of step S1002, an initial value corresponding to each type of winning is set with reference to the opening and closing pattern control table. For example, in the case of a "16R certain variable big win A", "16" indicating 16 times is set, and in the case of a "JUB big win", "20" indicating 20 times, which is the sum of 5 "short openings" and 15 "long openings", is set as the initial value.

[0422] The winning counter Vx is a winning counting means for counting the number of game balls that have won the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening 151). In this embodiment, during the switch reading process (see FIG. 17) of the timer interrupt process, whether or not there has been a winning in the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening 151) is determined based on the detection information of the count switch 223, and if it is determined that there has been a winning in the variable winning device 32, the value of the winning counter Vx is incremented by one.

[0423] Furthermore, in the winning setting process in step S1002, the specified number K1, which is the maximum number of expected winnings in the variable winning device 32 per one opening / closing operation (one special prize state) of the opening / closing shutter 160, is set with reference to the opening / closing pattern control table. As described above, the specified number K1 is determined in advance for each opening type (operation mode of the opening / closing shutter 160 per one opening / closing operation) such as "long opening" or "short opening". For example, for "long opening", the specified number K1 is set to "10", and for "short opening", the specified number K1 is set to "3".

[0424] In the winning setting process in step S1002, the opening command that announces the start of a big win or a small win is set. However, in the case of a "JUB big win", the opening command is set after the end of five "short openings" (such as the special prize state start process in step S1217 described later). As a result, in the case of a "JUB big win", the big win notification performance is performed after the end of five "short openings", and up to this point, it is indistinguishable from the case of a small win.

[0425] Now, in step S1001, if it is determined that the winning combination does not correspond to a big win or a small win, that is, the big win hit flag and the small win hit flag are OFF, the process proceeds to step S1003.

[0426] In step S1003, it is determined whether the counter value of the support count counter is "0". The support count counter is a means for measuring the duration of the "high support mode" (the number of times of variable display), and as described later, after the end of the jackpot, a value corresponding to each type of jackpot is set as the counter value.

[0427] Here, if the counter value of the support count counter is "0", this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the support count counter is set (if the counter value is other than "0"), it is considered that the high support mode is set, and in step S1004, a process of subtracting 1 from the support count counter is performed. In step S1004, a process of subtracting 1 from the game state specification counter Kj is also performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S1005.

[0428] In step S1005, it is determined whether the counter value of the support count counter is "0". In other words, it is determined whether the current variable display is the predetermined number of times after the end of the big win (after the high support mode is given). If the value of the support count counter is "0", the value of the support mode flag is switched to "A0 (H)" indicating the "low support mode" in step S1006, and this process is terminated.

[0429] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1005 that the counter value of the support count counter is not "0", this process ends.

[0430] Next, the variable prize-winning device control process in step S206 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 27. The opening / closing control means in this embodiment is configured by the function of the main control device 261 which executes the variable prize-winning device control process in step S206.

[0431] First, in step S1201, it is determined whether the big win flag or the small win flag is on. If the determination is negative, the process ends.

[0432] If the determination in step S1202 is affirmative, then in the following step S1202, the count value of the first variable timer is decremented by one.

[0433] In the next step S1203, it is determined whether the first variable flag is on. If the determination is affirmative, that is, if the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening 151) is in an open state (a state in which a ball can enter), the process proceeds to step S1204, where it is determined whether the count value of the first variable timer is "0", that is, whether the opening time (the specified time "30 seconds" or "0.4 seconds") per one opening / closing operation ("long opening" or "short opening") of the opening / closing shutter 160 remains.

[0434] If the determination in step S1204 is negative, the process proceeds to step S1205, where it is determined whether the value of the winning counter Vx is equal to or greater than the specified number K1, i.e., whether the number of game balls that have won the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening 151) in one special prize state has reached the maximum number of expected winning balls (specified number "10 balls" or "3 balls"). If the determination in step S1205 is negative, i.e., if the timing for closing the variable winning device 32 (large winning opening 151) (ball-unable-to-win state) (timing for the special prize state to end) has not yet arrived, this process is terminated.

[0435] On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step S1204 or step S1205, the process proceeds to step S1206, where a setting process for the first variable timer is performed.

[0436] Here, a predetermined value (for example, a value "750" equivalent to "3 seconds", or "250" equivalent to "1 second") is set in the first variable timer with reference to the opening / closing pattern control table to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the special prize state (for example, whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of a big win or small win, or whether an interval has elapsed between the end of a predetermined special prize state and the start of the next special prize state, etc.).

[0437] Then, the process proceeds to step S1207, and it is determined whether the counter value of the opening number counter is "0", that is, whether the number of times the special prize state ("long opening" or "short opening") has been executed has reached a specified number of times.

[0438] If the determination in step S1207 is affirmative, an opening end setting process is performed in step S1210, and this process ends. In the end setting process in step S1210, the first variable flag is turned off, and the winning end flag is turned on.

[0439] If a negative judgment is made in step S1207, that is, if the number of times the special prize state ("long opening" or "short opening") has been executed has not reached the specified number of times, special prize transfer processing is performed in step S1211, and this processing is terminated.

[0440] In the special prize sending process in step S1211, the value of the opening number counter is decremented by 1 and the first variable flag is turned off. This causes the above opening and closing process to be repeated until the number of times the special prize state is executed reaches the above-mentioned specified number of times.

[0441] Now, if the above step S1203 makes a negative judgment, i.e., if it is within a predetermined time after the end of the special prize state (within a predetermined time after the end of a win or during an interval between special prize states), proceed to step S1212 and determine whether the value of the first variable timer is "0" or not.

[0442] If the determination in step S1212 is affirmative, that is, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of the special prize state and it is time to move to the next process (the start of the next special prize state or the start of normal play), the process proceeds to step S1215. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1212 is negative, the process ends.

[0443] In step S1215, the winning end flag is taken into consideration to determine whether or not to end the big winning state or the small winning state.

[0444] If an affirmative decision is made in step S1215, a winning end setting process is performed in step S1216, and then this process is terminated.

[0445] On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in step S1215, special prize state start processing is performed in step S1217, and then this processing is terminated.

[0446] In the win end setting process in step S1216, the big win flag or small win flag is turned off, and the lottery mode flag is switched, the support mode flag is switched, the support count counter is set, the game status notification command is set, and an ending command that announces the end of the big win or small win is set.

[0447] In the lottery mode flag switching process, the lottery mode flag is switched and set based on the various jackpot flags described above. As a result, when the "high probability mode" is set after the jackpot ends (when the various "variable jackpot flags" or "JUB jackpot flags" are on), the flag value is set to "53 (H)", which indicates the occurrence of the "high probability mode". On the other hand, when the "low probability mode" is set (when the various "normal jackpot flags" are on), the flag value is set to "50 (H)", which indicates the occurrence of the "low probability mode". The function of performing the lottery mode flag switching process constitutes the probability state switching means in this embodiment.

[0448] However, if the small win flag is on, the lottery mode flag is not switched, and the flag value for the original mode is set as is. For example, if the "high probability mode" is set before the small win occurs (the lottery mode flag has a flag value of "53(H)"), the "high probability mode" (the lottery mode flag has a flag value of "53(H)") is set as is even after the small win ends.

[0449] In the support mode flag switching process, the support mode flag is switched and set based on the various jackpot flags described above. As a result, if "20 times high support mode", "30 times high support mode", "40 times high support mode" or "50 times high support mode" is granted after the jackpot ends, the flag value is set to "A1(H)", if it is "30 times high support mode S", the flag value is set to "A2(H)", and if it is "Until next time high support mode", the flag value is set to "A3(H)".

[0450] In the setting process of the support count counter, the switching setting of the support count counter is performed based on the various jackpot flags described above. As a result, when "20 times high support mode", "30 times high support mode", "40 times high support mode" or "50 times high support mode" is granted after the jackpot ends, the value of the support count counter is set to "20" corresponding to 20 times of fluctuation display, "30" corresponding to 30 times of fluctuation display, "40" corresponding to 40 times of fluctuation display or "50" corresponding to 50 times of fluctuation display. Also, when "30 times high support mode S" is granted, the value of the support count counter is set to "30" corresponding to 30 times of fluctuation display. When "Until next time high support mode" is granted, the value of the support count counter is set to a value that is practically impossible to reach (for example, "99999" corresponding to 99999 times of fluctuation display).

[0451] The game status notification command is a command for notifying the sub-control device 262 of the game status that is set after the big win ends. When setting this command, a game status check process is first performed. This game status check process is the same as the game status check process in step S109 (see FIG. 22), so a detailed description is omitted here.

[0452] The game status notification command includes the game status judgment value Xj relating to the new game status grasped by the game status check process. As described later, the sub-control device 262 that receives this command switches the game status (game status judgment value Xj) that it grasps to the new game status (game status judgment value Xj). Note that the game status notification command may be omitted, and instead, for example, the game status judgment value Xj may be included in an ending command that notifies the end of the big win state.

[0453] In addition, the big win flag, small win flag, and various "big win flags" are turned off after various processes such as the switching process of the lottery mode flag are completed. In addition, when a win setting (step S1002) is performed in the variable end setting process of Fig. 25, the lottery mode flag may be reset once (set to "50 (H)"), and the "high probability mode" may be interrupted during a big win or a small win.

[0454] In the special prize state start process in step S1217, the first variable flag is turned on, and the opening time ("7500" or "100") for the next special prize state is set in the first variable timer with reference to the opening / closing pattern control table, and the specified number K1 for the next special prize state is set. Furthermore, the value of the prize counter Vx is reset to "0".

[0455] Based on the on / off state of the first variable flag, various control signals are output to the variable winning device 32 in the external output process of the next normal process. When the first variable flag is on, a control signal to open the opening / closing shutter 160 (large prize opening 151) is output to the variable winning device 32, and the opening / closing shutter 160 (large prize opening 151) is opened. On the other hand, when the first variable flag is off, a control signal to close the opening / closing shutter 160 (large prize opening 151) is output to the variable winning device 32, and the opening / closing shutter 160 (large prize opening 151) is closed.

[0456] Next, the second display control process in step S207 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0457] In Fig. 28, in step S2101, the setting status of the second display flag indicating whether or not a variable display is being performed on the normal pattern display device 41 is checked to determine whether or not a variable display is being performed on the normal pattern display device 41. In detail, when the second display flag is on, it is considered that a variable display is being performed on the normal pattern display device 41, and when the second display flag is off, it is considered that a stopped display is being performed, which corresponds to a state in which the variable display is stopped on the normal pattern display device 41.

[0458] If the result of the determination in step S2101 is negative, the process proceeds to step S2102, where it is determined whether or not the value of the normal hold counter Nc is greater than 0. At this time, if the value of the normal hold counter Nc is 0, this process is terminated.

[0459] Also, if the variable display is not in progress and the value of the normal hold counter Nc is >0, proceed to step S2103. In step S2103, 1 is subtracted from the normal hold counter Nc. In step S2104, a process is executed to shift the data stored in the normal variable hold area. This data shift process is a process to shift the data stored in the first to fourth hold areas of the normal variable hold area to the execution area side in sequence, and the data in each area is shifted in the following order: hold 1 area -> execution area, hold 2 area -> hold 1 area, hold 3 area -> hold 2 area, hold 4 area -> hold 3 area, and so on.

[0460] After that, in step S2105, a start setting process is executed. In this process, a process is executed to indicate that the condition for performing a variable display in the normal pattern display device 41 has been established. In detail, the second display flag is turned on, and a second display timer setting process is executed. The second display timer is a means for measuring the variable time (remaining time) of the variable display performed in the normal pattern display device 41, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the variable display.

[0461] In this embodiment, in the "low support mode", the variable display time of the normal pattern display device 41 is set to 2 seconds, so the second display timer is set to "500". In the "high support mode", the variable display time of the normal pattern display device 41 is set to 0.4 seconds, so the second display timer is set to "100".

[0462] Based on the setting in the start setting process, when a control signal to start a variable display is output to the normal pattern display device 41 in the external output process of the next normal process, the variable display is started in the normal pattern display device 41. As described above, the normal pattern display device 41 is configured to light and display "○" or "×" as a normal pattern, and if "○" is displayed, it is switched to "×", and if "×" is displayed, it is switched to "○". Then, after the end of step S2105, the second display control process is ended.

[0463] Now, if the result of the determination in step S2101 is affirmative, that is, if the normal symbol display device 41 is performing a variable display, the process proceeds to step S2106, where the second display timer subtraction process is performed. Each time this process is performed, the count value of the second display timer is subtracted by one.

[0464] Next, the process proceeds to step S2107, and it is determined whether the count value of the second display timer is "0", that is, whether the variable time has elapsed. If the determination is affirmative in step S2107, the second display flag is turned off in step S2108, and a normal symbol stop display setting is performed in step S2109 to perform a stop display on the normal symbol display device 41. Then, based on the setting contents of this normal symbol stop display setting, a control signal to perform a stop display is output to the normal symbol display device 41 in the external output process in the next normal process. That is, if there is a win, the "○" symbol (winning symbol) is displayed as a stop (for example, lit for a few seconds), and if there is a loss, the "X" symbol is displayed as a stop.

[0465] As described above, whether or not a win has been obtained is determined based on the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 stored in the execution area of ​​the normal variable pending area.

[0466] Specifically, among the values ​​0 to 9 of the normal symbol random number counter C4, the winning values ​​are two, "0, 1", in the "low support mode", and eight, "0 to 7", in the "high support mode".

[0467] Next, the process proceeds to step S2110, where a setting process at the end of the variation is performed, and the process ends. In this process, if the stop display corresponds to a win, a setting process is performed to open and close the opening and closing device 37. Specifically, the second variable flag is turned on, and the opening time is set in the second variable timer.

[0468] The second variable flag is state determination information for determining whether the opening / closing device 37 is in the open state or not.

[0469] The second variable timer is a means for measuring the opening time (remaining time) of the opening / closing device 37, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a specified time has elapsed since the start of opening. In this embodiment, the opening time of the opening / closing device 37 differs between the "high support mode" and the "low support mode", and the second variable timer is set to "1000" in the "high support mode" and to "100" in the "low support mode".

[0470] On the other hand, if a negative judgment is made in step S2107, a switching display setting is made in step S2111 to continue the variable display of the normal pattern display device 41, and this process is terminated. Then, based on the contents of this switching display setting, a control signal is output to the normal pattern display device 41 in the external output process in the next normal process to switch the display. Specifically, if the current lighting is "○", it is switched to "×", and if it is "×", it is switched to "○". This realizes the variable display of the normal pattern display device 41 at the timing of the second display control process, that is, every 4 ms.

[0471] Next, the opening and closing feature control process in step S208 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0472] First, in step S2201, it is determined whether or not the second variable flag indicating whether the opening / closing part 37 is in the open state is on. If it is determined that the second variable flag is not on (the opening / closing part 37 is in the closed state), this process is terminated.

[0473] On the other hand, if the determination in step S2201 is affirmative, that is, if the second variable flag is on, the opening / closing feature 37 is deemed to be in the open state, and second variable timer subtraction processing is performed in step S2202. Each time this processing is performed, the value of the second variable timer is subtracted by 1.

[0474] Next, the process proceeds to step S2203, where the process determines whether or not the specified open time has elapsed, taking into consideration the value of the second variable timer after the subtraction. Here, when the specified open time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the second variable timer becomes "0", step S2203 is determined to be positive. If the determination here is negative, the process is terminated.

[0475] On the other hand, if an affirmative decision is made in step S2203, the process proceeds to step S2204, where an end setting process is performed, and then this process is terminated. In the end setting process in step S2204, a process of turning off the second variable flag is performed.

[0476] Based on the on / off state of the second variable flag, various control signals are output to the opening / closing device 37 in the external output process of the next normal process. When the second variable flag is on, a control signal to open the movable blade 37a is output to the opening / closing device 37, and the opening / closing device 37 is in an open state. On the other hand, when the second variable flag is off, a control signal to close the movable blade 37a is output to the opening / closing device 37, and the opening / closing device 37 is in a closed state. This makes it impossible for a game ball to enter the lower start winning hole 33B.

[0477] Next, a description will be given of the dispensing control executed by the CPU 511 in the dispensing control device 311. For convenience of explanation, first, the reception interrupt processing will be described with reference to FIG.

[0478] FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the reception interrupt process executed by the dispensing control device 311. The reception interrupt process is a process executed by interrupting when the dispensing control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261. When the dispensing control device 311 confirms that the command transmitted from the main control device 261 has been received, other processes executed by the CPU 511 in the dispensing control device 311 are put on hold for a while, and the reception interrupt process is executed. When the reception interrupt process is executed, first, in step S3001, the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is stored in the command buffer of the RAM 513, and in step S3002, the command reception flag is turned on to store that the command has been transmitted from the main control device 261, and this reception interrupt process is terminated. As described above, when the command is stored in the command buffer, the storage pointer is referenced and stored in a predetermined storage area, and the storage pointer is updated to store the next received command in the next storage area.

[0479] In this embodiment, the reception process of the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is performed by an interrupt process executed when the command is received, but for example, in the timer interrupt process shown in Fig. 32, before the command judgment process (step S3201) is performed, it may be confirmed whether or not the command has been received, and if the command has been received, the command may be stored in the command buffer of the RAM 513 and the command reception flag may be turned on, and if the command has not been received, the process may proceed to the command judgment process. In such a case, it is confirmed whether or not the command has been received by checking the port corresponding to the command input of the input / output port at predetermined intervals.

[0480] Next, the main processing of the dispensing control device 311 will be described with reference to Fig. 31. Fig. 31 is a flow chart showing the main processing of the dispensing control device 311, and this main processing is started in response to a reset when the power is turned on.

[0481] First, in step S3101, the initial setting process associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value is set in the stack pointer, and an interrupt mode is set. Then, in step S3103, RAM access is permitted, and in step S3104, an external interrupt vector is set.

[0482] Thereafter, in step S3106, it is determined whether or not power failure occurrence information is set in backup area 513a of RAM 513. If power failure occurrence information is set in backup area 513a, a RAM judgment value is calculated in step S3107, and in the following step S3108, it is determined whether or not the RAM judgment value matches the RAM judgment value saved at the time of power failure, that is, the validity of the backup. The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value at a working area address of RAM 513. It is also possible to determine the validity of the backup based on whether or not a keyword written in a predetermined area of ​​RAM 513 is saved correctly.

[0483] If the power failure occurrence information is not set in step S3106, or if a backup abnormality is confirmed based on the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) in step S3108, the process proceeds to initialization of RAM 513 from step S3115 onwards.

[0484] In step S3115, all areas of RAM 513 are cleared to 0, and in step S3116, initial values ​​are set for RAM 513. Thereafter, in step S3117, initial settings are made for the CPU peripheral devices, and the process proceeds to step S3114 to permit interrupts.

[0485] On the other hand, on condition that the power failure occurrence information is set in step S3106 and the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) is normal in step S3108, processing at the time of power recovery (processing at the time of power failure recovery) is executed. That is, the stack pointer before the power failure is restored in step S3109, the power failure occurrence information is cleared in step S3110, and the payout permission flag that permits the payout of prize balls is cleared in step S3111. Also, in step S3112, the CPU peripheral devices are initialized, and in step S3113, the registers in use are restored from the backup area 513a of RAM 513. Furthermore, in step S3114, interrupts are permitted.

[0486] After the interrupt is permitted in step S3114, in the process of step S3122, it is determined whether or not information on the occurrence of power interruption is set in the backup area 513a. If information on the occurrence of power interruption is set here, it means that the power has been cut off, so the process of steps S3123 and after is performed as power outage processing at the time of power outage. In the power outage processing, first, in step S3123, the occurrence of each interrupt process is prohibited, and in the next step S3124, a command judgment process to be described later is executed. Thereafter, in step S3125, the contents of each register used by the CPU 511 are saved in a stack area, in step S3126, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the backup area 513a, in step S3127, a RAM judgment value is calculated and saved in the backup area 513a, and in step S3128, RAM access is prohibited, and an infinite loop is continued until the power is completely cut off and processing cannot be executed. Here, the RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value in the stack area and working area backed up in the RAM 513.

[0487] In addition, since the processing of step S3122 checks the power failure occurrence information after the processing performed when the power is turned on is completed, the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513 is smaller than when each processing is in progress, and storage can be facilitated. In addition, when returning to the state before the power failure, the amount of data stored in the backup area 513a is small, so that the return can be easily achieved, and the processing load of the dispensing control device 311 can be reduced.

[0488] Next, the timer interrupt process of the dispensing control device 311 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 32. This timer interrupt process is started periodically (in this embodiment, at 2 msec intervals).

[0489] In the timer interrupt process, first, a command is obtained from main control device 261, and a judgment process for the command is performed (step S3201). This command judgment process will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0490] Fig. 33 is a flow chart showing the command determination process performed by the dispensing control device 311. In the command determination process (steps S3124, S3201), first, in step S3301, it is determined whether or not the command reception flag is on. The command reception flag is turned on when a command transmitted from the main control device 261 is received in the above-mentioned reception interrupt process (see Fig. 30).

[0491] If it is determined in step S3301 that the command reception flag is off, no new command has been received from main control device 261, and this process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3301 that the command reception flag is on, the received command is read from RAM 513 in step S3302, and the command reception flag is turned off in step S3303. By turning off the command reception flag in step S3303, the processes of steps S3302 to S3311 can be skipped until a new command is received, and therefore the control of dispensing control device 311 can be alleviated.

[0492] In steps S3304 to S3306, the type of command read from RAM 513 is determined. In step S3304, it is determined whether the command transmitted from main control device 261 is a payout initialization command, in step S3305, it is determined whether the command is a payout return command, and in step S3306, it is determined whether the command is a prize ball command.

[0493] If the command sent from the main control device 261 is a payout initialization command, it is determined in step S3307 whether or not the payout permission flag is already on, and if the payout permission flag is off, it means that the main control device 261 instructed to initialize RAM 513 when the power was turned on, so in step S3308 the working area (area) other than the stack area of ​​RAM 513 is cleared to 0, and in step S3309 the initial value of RAM 513 is set. After that, in step S3311 the payout permission flag is turned on, and permission to pay out prize balls is set.

[0494] As described above, the main control device 261 performs the initialization process of the RAM 503 after transmitting the payout initialization command, and the payout control device 311 performs the initialization process of the RAM 513 after receiving the payout initialization command, so that the timing at which the RAM 503 is initialized and the timing at which the RAM 513 is initialized are approximately the same. Therefore, even if the payout control device 311 receives a command transmitted from the main control device 261 due to a shift in the timing of initialization, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem such as the RAM 513 being initialized and being unable to perform control corresponding to the received command. In addition, since the payout permission flag is turned on after the RAM 513 is initialized, the payout permission of the prize balls can be reliably set.

[0495] On the other hand, if the payout permission flag is already on in step S3307, the command judgment process is terminated without clearing the working area of ​​the RAM 513 and initializing the RAM 513. That is, the process of step S3307 prohibits the initialization of the RAM 513 with the payout permission flag set. The payout initialization command is a command that is sent only when the RAM erase switch 323 is on when the power is turned on, so it is not received with the payout permission flag on. In such a case, it is considered that the payout control device 311 has recognized it as a payout initialization command due to the influence of noise or the like. Therefore, if the working area of ​​the RAM 513 is cleared (step S3308) and the initial value setting of the RAM 513 (step S3309) is executed with the payout permission flag on, a problem occurs such as the prize balls not being paid out when there are remaining prize balls, causing a loss to the player, but since the initialization of the RAM 513 is prevented with the payout permission flag on, it is possible to prevent the player from losing money.

[0496] Also, if the command sent from the main control device 261 is a payout return command (step S3304: NO, step S3305: YES), the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 will return to the state before the power was cut off, and the payout permission flag is turned on in step S3311 to permit the payout of prize balls. In other words, if there is information of a power outage and the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 have returned to the state before the power was cut off, the payout of prize balls is permitted. When the payout permission flag is turned on in the processing of step S3311, the processing based on the command stored in a specified memory area of ​​the command buffer is completed, and the read pointer is updated to the read pointer corresponding to the next memory area.

[0497] Furthermore, if the command sent from the main control device 261 is a prize ball command (step S3305: NO, step S3306: YES), in step S3310, the received number of prize balls is added to the total number of prize balls and stored, and in step S3311, the payout permission flag is turned on to permit the payout of the prize balls. At this time, the payout control device 311 sequentially reads the prize ball commands stored in the command buffer (ring buffer), adds the number of prize balls corresponding to the command to the total number of prize balls stored in a predetermined buffer area, and stores the added number. Since the payout of the prize balls corresponding to the number of prize balls is performed based on the prize ball command sent from the main control device 261, the prize ball command is a payout instruction command that instructs the payout of the prize balls. In addition, when the prize ball command is received, the payout permission is immediately set, so that the payout of the prize balls can be performed early for the winning. When the payout permission flag is turned on in the processing of step S3311, processing based on the command stored in a specified memory area of ​​the command buffer is completed, and the read pointer is updated to a read pointer corresponding to the next memory area.

[0498] Furthermore, if the command sent from the main control device 261 is neither a payout initialization command (step S3304: NO), nor a payout return command (step S3305: NO), nor a prize ball command (step S3306: NO), the command determination process is terminated without turning on the payout permission flag.

[0499] Here, we will return to the flowchart of Fig. 32 for explanation. When the command judgment process is completed, in step S3202, it is judged whether or not the payout permission flag is turned on in the command judgment process. If the payout permission flag is not turned on, this process ends as it is. In other words, it is possible to prevent the payout of prize balls before the command is sent from the main control device 261.

[0500] On the other hand, if the determination in step S3202 is affirmative, in step S3203, permission to launch is set for the launch control device 312, and in step S3204, the state return switch 321 is checked, and if it is determined that the state return operation should be started, the state return operation is executed. With this process, when the state return switch 321 is pressed in the event of a payout error, such as a ball jam in the payout motor, the payout motor is rotated forward and backward, and the ball jam is resolved (returned to the normal state).

[0501] After that, in step S3205, the lower tray full state or the lower tray full / unlocked state is set according to the change in the state of the lower tray 15. That is, the full state of the lower tray 15 is determined based on the detection signal of the lower tray full switch, and when the lower tray becomes full, the lower tray full state is set, and when the lower tray is no longer full, the lower tray full / unlocked state is set. Also, in step S3206, the tank ball absent state (bulb out state) or the tank ball absent / unlocked state (bulb present state) is set according to the change in the state of the tank ball. That is, the tank ball absent state is determined based on the detection signal of the tank ball absent switch, and when the tank ball becomes absent, the tank ball absent state is set, and when the tank ball is no longer absent, the tank ball absent / unlocked state is set.

[0502] Thereafter, in step S3207, it is determined whether or not there is a state that should be notified, such as an error state, and if there is a state that should be notified, it is notified.

[0503] Next, the payout control process for the prize balls and loan balls is executed. In detail, the payout number setting process is executed in step S3208, the motor control status acquisition process is executed in step S3209, and the motor drive process is executed in step S3210.

[0504] In step S3211, the state return switch 321 is checked to ensure that the ball removal is not impossible and that the ball removal operation has not started, and the dispense motor 358a (see FIG. 5) is driven to execute the ball removal process. In the following step S3212, the control of the vibrator (not shown) (vibration motor control) is executed on the condition that the ball is jammed. Then, the process returns to the beginning of this timer interrupt process.

[0505] Next, normal processing of the sub-control device 262 will be described with reference to Fig. 34. Note that this normal processing is a timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (every 2 msec period in this embodiment).

[0506] In this normal process, first in step S3901, the port corresponding to the command input of the input / output port 554 is checked to determine whether or not a command sent from the main control device 261 has been received.

[0507] If a command has been received, then in step S3902 the command is stored in the command buffer of RAM 553. The command buffer of RAM 553 is configured as a ring buffer for temporarily storing commands transmitted from main control device 261.

[0508] The ring buffer has a predetermined storage area, and commands are stored from the beginning to the end of the storage area with a certain regularity, and when commands have been stored in all of the storage area, the storage area returns to the beginning and the commands are updated. Therefore, when a command is stored or read, the storage pointer and read pointer in the command buffer are updated, and commands are stored and read based on the respective pointers.

[0509] In the next step S3903, a command determination process is performed, which will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0510] First, in step S4101, the received command is read from the command buffer of RAM 553. In the following step S4102, it is determined whether the command is an initialization command, in step S4103, it is determined whether the command is a return command, in step S4104, it is determined whether the command is a hold control command, in step S4110, it is determined whether the command is a game status notification command, in step S4111, it is determined whether the command is a variation pattern command, and in step S4112, it is determined whether the command is a symbol command.

[0511] If the command sent from the main control device 261 is an initialization command, this means that the main control device 261 has instructed to initialize the RAM 553 when the power is turned on, so the RAM 553 is cleared in step S4105, and the initial value of the RAM 553 is set in step S4106. As a result, the value "0" of the game state determination value Xj corresponding to the "normal state", which is the initial setting, is stored in the game state information storage area of ​​the RAM 553. Then, this process is terminated.

[0512] Also, if the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a return command (step S4102: NO, step S4103: YES), the main control device 261 returns to the state before the power was cut off, so that the sub-control device 262 not having a backup function reads out the value of the game status judgment value Xj (any of "0" to "7") included in the return command in step S4107 and stores it in the game status information storage area of ​​the RAM 553. Then, this process is terminated.

[0513] Furthermore, if the command sent from the main control unit 261 is a hold control command (step S4103: NO, step S4104: YES), in step S4108, a storage process is performed to store various information contained in the hold control command (jackpot determination information, jackpot type information, information indicating whether the variable display is triggered by a win in start winning port 33A, 33B, etc.) in a sub-variable hold area, and this process is terminated.

[0514] The sub variable reserve area is provided corresponding to the special variable reserve area of ​​the main control device 261. That is, the sub variable reserve area includes a first sub variable reserve area corresponding to the upper start winning hole 33A and a second sub variable reserve area corresponding to the lower start winning hole 33B, and one sub execution area, and the two sub variable reserve areas each include four reserve areas (reservation No. 1 to reservation No. 4 areas).

[0515] In each reserved area, information (such as big win determination information and big win type information) related to the variable display executed by the decorative pattern display device 42 is stored in chronological order according to the reception history (reception order) of the reserved control command and the winning history of the game ball included in the reserved control command (whether it is based on winning into the start winning hole 33A or 33B, etc.). This allows the sub-control device 262 to grasp the number of reserved variable displays and their contents.

[0516] If the command transmitted from the main control device 261 is a game status notification command (step S4104: NO, step S4110: YES), in step S4107, the value of the game status judgment value Xj (any of "0" to "7") included in the game status notification command is read out and stored in the game status information storage area of ​​the RAM 553. After that, this process is terminated.

[0517] If the command sent from the main control device 261 is a variable pattern command (step S4110: NO, step S4111: YES), it is time to start the variable display on the decorative pattern display device 42, so a start setting process is performed in step S4113 and then the process proceeds to step S4114.

[0518] In the start setting process of step S4113, various settings related to the variable display performed by the decorative pattern display device 42 are made.

[0519] In this start setting process, first, as in the case of the special variable hold area of ​​the main control device 261, the process of shifting the data stored in the sub variable hold area to the sub execution area side in order is executed. Next, the variable time corresponding to the received variable pattern command is set in the variable display timer. The variable display timer is a means for measuring the variable time (remaining time of variable display) in the decorative pattern display device 42, and is taken into consideration when determining whether a predetermined time has passed since the start of the variable display.

[0520] In addition, in the start setting process, a variable display in progress flag is turned on, which is taken into consideration when determining whether or not a variable display is being performed on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0521] In this embodiment, a presentation pattern related to the display of the decorative symbols is selected based on the variation pattern information stored in the variation pattern command, and a stop pattern (a combination of stop patterns) to be displayed after the variation time has elapsed is determined based on the winning type information (including "miss"). The information on the presentation pattern and stop patterns determined here is added to the sub-execution area of ​​the sub-variation pending area. The correspondence between the variation time information and the presentation pattern, and the correspondence between the big win type information and the stop patterns are stored in a table in the ROM 552 of the sub-control device 262.

[0522] In the sub-controller 262, as in the main controller 261, a plurality of table groups corresponding to the game state determination value Xj values ​​"0" to "7" are stored in consecutive order from a predetermined reference address for a fluctuation pattern corresponding to a "certain jackpot", a fluctuation pattern corresponding to a "normal jackpot", a fluctuation pattern corresponding to a "JUB jackpot" and a "small jackpot", a fluctuation pattern corresponding to a "reach for a miss before or after", a fluctuation pattern corresponding to a "reach for a non-miss before or after", and a fluctuation pattern corresponding to a "complete miss".

[0523] That is, when the sub-control device 262 determines the display mode in the decorative pattern display device 42, it selects a table corresponding to a predetermined game state (the game state determination value Xj is a value of "0" to "7") from among a plurality of table groups based on the game state determination value Xj included in the variation pattern command. At this time, the address where the table to be selected is stored is specified by adding the value of the game state determination value Xj to the reference address, in the same manner as when selecting the variation pattern table.

[0524] If the command sent from the main control device 261 is a symbol command (step S4111: NO, step S4112: YES), a symbol setting process is performed in step S4116, and this process ends.

[0525] In the pattern setting process of step S4116, based on the winning type information stored in the holding area of ​​the sub-variable holding area, the pattern stored in the counter buffer (see Figure 35) of RAM 553 described later is set in the above-mentioned sub-execution area as the stopping pattern to be displayed in a stopped state on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0526] More specifically, when the symbol command is set to "B1", any one of the combinations of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 is determined as the stopping symbol. On the other hand, when the symbol command is set to "B2", any one of the combinations of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 is determined as the stopping symbol. Also, when the symbol command is set to "B3", the combination of symbols stored in the front and rear miss reach symbol buffer is determined as the stopping symbol. When the symbol command is set to "B4", the combination of symbols stored in the front and rear miss reach symbol buffer is determined as the stopping symbol. When the symbol command is set to "B5", the combination of symbols stored in the complete miss symbol buffer is determined as the stopping symbol. When the symbol command is set to "B6", the combination of symbols "3", "4", and "1" is determined as the stopping symbol corresponding to the upper, middle, and lower symbol display areas of the decorative symbol display device 42.

[0527] In step S4114, it is determined whether or not the value of the game state determination value Xj included in the variation pattern command coincides with the value of the game state determination value Xj stored in the game state information storage area of ​​the RAM 553. If the two values ​​coincide with each other, the process ends.

[0528] On the other hand, if the two values ​​are different, the state error flag is turned on in step S4115, and the value of the game state judgment value Xj included in the newly received variation pattern command is regarded as a proper value in step S4117, and the value of the game state judgment value Xj is stored in the game state information storage area. After that, this process is terminated. When the state error flag is turned on and the two values ​​are different, this fact is notified by the error display lamp 104 or the like. Of course, the error notification means is not limited to the error display lamp 104, and an error notification may be made by the decorative pattern display device 42, the speaker SP, or the like.

[0529] Furthermore, since recent gaming machines are equipped with backup functions for the main control device, etc., even if the power is cut off due to a power outage, etc., various data including the game mode (game status) at that time can be stored and retained. Therefore, even if the power is cut off during high probability mode, the player can resume playing in high probability mode when power is restored.

[0530] However, by using the backup function, it becomes possible to set the gaming machine to the high probability mode from the start of business in the gaming hall, commonly known as "morning". Such an action is performed to attract more customers at the start of business for the gaming hall, but there is a risk of mischievously inviting the gambling spirit of the players. There are various methods for setting the above action, and one example is a method of not resetting the gaming machine that was in the high probability mode at the end of business on the previous day. Also, in a configuration in which the information on the gaming mode (the gaming state judgment value Xj) is transmitted from the main control device to the sub-control device by a return command or the like when the power is turned on for the pachinko machine, as in this embodiment, if the cable connector connecting the main control device and the sub-control device is removed when the power is turned on, the sub-control device will not be able to grasp the actual gaming mode set by the main control device, and will perform control related to the initial setting gaming mode, i.e., the "normal mode".

[0531] In general gaming machines, when a display or presentation is performed on a liquid crystal display or other such display means, the display format (e.g., background color) is made different between normal mode and high probability mode, making it easy for players to understand the current gaming mode.

[0532] In addition, sub-control devices that control liquid crystal displays, etc., generally do not have a backup function, so when the power is turned off, they will perform control related to the initial setting game mode ("normal mode").

[0533] Therefore, by utilizing this, it is possible to make the display state of the liquid crystal display device appear as if it were in the normal mode even if the actual game mode set by the main control device is the high probability mode. In that case, the current game mode cannot be easily determined at a glance from the liquid crystal display device, and it becomes substantially difficult to confirm this behavior through a prescribed investigation, etc.

[0534] In particular, in a gaming machine that has a high probability mode that is difficult to distinguish on the surface from the "normal mode," such as the "latent probability change state" of this embodiment, if the high probability mode is set by the above-mentioned action from the time the gaming hall opens for business, the actual gaming mode cannot be determined from the display state of the liquid crystal display device, etc.

[0535] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, if the value of the game state judgment value Xj included in the variation pattern command is different from the value of the game state judgment value Xj stored in the game state information storage area of ​​the RAM 553, an error is notified to that effect, and the value of the game state judgment value Xj included in the newly received variation pattern command is stored in the game state information storage area. In other words, the sub-control device 262 can grasp the appropriate game mode at that time. As a result, even if an action such as the above-mentioned "morning" is performed and the actual game mode set by the main control device 261 is the high probability mode, and the presentation mode in the sub-control device 262 is the normal mode, when the variation pattern command is received, it is notified that the game mode is different, and the presentation mode corresponds to the game state judgment value Xj included in the variation pattern command. As a result, the action such as the above-mentioned "morning" by the game hall can be suppressed.

[0536] 34, after step S3903 or if a negative decision is made in step S3901, the process proceeds to step S3904 to determine whether or not it is time to execute the next normal process, i.e., whether or not a predetermined time (1 msec in this example) has passed since the start of the previous normal process. If the predetermined time has already passed, the process proceeds to step S3905, whereas if the predetermined time has not yet passed since the start of the previous normal process, the process proceeds to step S3912.

[0537] In step S3905, various counters are updated. The CPU 551 of the sub-control device 262 uses various counter information when displaying decorative symbols. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 35, the CPU 551 uses the big win decorative symbol counter C5 and the upper, middle, and lower losing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR used to set the losing symbols in the upper symbol display area, the middle symbol display area, and the lower symbol display area.

[0538] The losing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are configured such that the register values ​​are added using the R register (refresh register) in the CPU 551, and as a result, the numerical values ​​change randomly. The values ​​of these counters are appropriately stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 553.

[0539] The jackpot decorative symbol counter C5 is for determining the symbol (jackpot symbol) to be stopped and displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 when a jackpot (a "high probability jackpot" or a "normal jackpot") occurs. In this embodiment, five odd symbols and five even symbols are set as the jackpot symbols. Therefore, five counter values ​​(0 to 4) are prepared for the jackpot decorative symbol counter C5. That is, the jackpot decorative symbol counter C5 is configured to be incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 4 and to return to 0 after reaching the upper limit value (i.e., 4). Then, when the pattern command sent from the main control device 261 is "B1" indicating a combination of odd jackpot patterns, the combination of odd jackpot patterns is determined based on a table (not shown) (a table that associates counter values ​​with decorative patterns) as follows: for example, if the counter value is 0, then "1" (double number), if it is 1, then "3" (double number), if it is 2, then "5" (double number), if it is 3, then "7" (double number), if it is 4, then "9" (double number).

[0540] Furthermore, when the pattern command is "B2" indicating a combination of even jackpot patterns, the combination of even jackpot patterns is determined based on a table (not shown) (a table that associates counter values ​​with decorative patterns) as follows: for example, if the counter value is 0, then "0" (double number), if it is 1, then "2" (double number), if it is 2, then "4" (double number), if it is 3, then "6" (double number), if it is 4, then "8" (double number).

[0541] The big win decorative symbol counter C5 is periodically updated by the counter update process in step S3905, and is read from the counter buffer in the RAM 553 when the sub-control device 262 receives a symbol command as described above. In this embodiment, the big win decorative symbol counter C5 is stored in the big win decorative symbol counter buffer in the RAM 553, but the counter value may not be stored in the buffer and may be referenced when a symbol command is received.

[0542] The top, middle and bottom losing symbol counters CL, CM and CR determine the stop symbols (combinations of losing symbols) in the top, middle and bottom symbol display areas when the jackpot lottery is a "miss", and since one of ten decorative symbols is displayed in each column, ten counter values ​​(0-9) are prepared for each. The top / miss symbol counter CL determines the stop symbol in the top symbol display area, the middle / miss symbol counter CM determines the stop symbol in the middle symbol display area, and the bottom / miss symbol counter CR determines the stop symbol in the bottom symbol display area.

[0543] In this embodiment, the values ​​of the counters CL, CM, and CR are randomly updated by using the numerical value of the R register built in the CPU 551. That is, when updating each of the losing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR, the value of the lower 3 bits of the R register is added to the previous value, and if the sum exceeds the upper limit, 10 is subtracted to determine the current value. Each losing symbol counter CL, CM, and CR is updated so that the update times do not overlap, and the combination of these losing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is stored in one of the following buffers of the RAM 553: the forward / backward losing symbol buffer, the forward / backward non-losing symbol buffer, and the complete losing symbol buffer.

[0544] Here, the update process of each of the losing symbol counters CL, CM, CR will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 36, in step S4001, it is determined whether it is time to update the top / missing symbol counter CL, and in step S4002, it is determined whether it is time to update the center / missing symbol counter CM. The top / middle / bottom losing symbol counters CL, CM, CR are configured to be updated one by one in one update process. Therefore, if the bottom / missing symbol counter CR has been updated in the previous update process, a positive determination is made in step S4001. Also, if the top / missing symbol counter CL has been updated in the previous update process, a positive determination is made in step S4002. Then, if it is time to update the top / missing symbol counter CL (step S4001 is YES), the process proceeds to step S4003, and the top / missing symbol counter CL is updated. Also, if it is time to update the center / missing symbol counter CM (step S4002 is YES), the process proceeds to step S4004, and the center / missing symbol counter CM is updated. Furthermore, if it is time to update the lower / missing symbol counter CR (steps S4001 and S4002 are both NO), proceed to step S4005 and update the lower / missing symbol counter CR. In updating the missing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR in steps S4003 to S4005, the value of the lowest 3 bits of the R register is added to the previous counter value, and if the result of this addition exceeds the upper limit value, 10 is subtracted, and the result of this calculation becomes the current value of the missing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR.

[0545] According to the above CL, CM, CR update process, the upper, middle, and lower losing symbol counters CL, CM, CR are updated one by one in one update process, and the update times of the counter values ​​do not overlap. As a result, one set of losing symbol counters CL, CM, CR is updated every time the update process is executed three times.

[0546] Then, in step S4006, it is determined whether the combination of the updated losing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR is a combination of reach symbols (the symbols in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area are the same, and the symbols in the upper and lower symbol display areas and the symbols in the center symbol display area are different), and if it is a reach symbol combination (YES in S4006), it is further determined in step S4007 whether it is a front and rear miss reach. If the losing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are a combination of front and rear miss reach (front and rear miss symbols) (YES in S4007), the process proceeds to step S4008, and the combination of the losing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR at that time is stored in the front and rear miss reach symbol buffer in RAM553. If the losing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR are a combination of a reach other than front and rear misses (patterns other than front and rear misses) (S4007 is NO), proceed to step S4009 and store the combination of the losing symbol counters CL, CM, and CR at that time in the reach pattern buffer other than front and rear misses in RAM 553.

[0547] Also, if it is a combination other than the reach pattern (S4006 is NO), proceed to step S4010, and judge whether the combination of the losing pattern counters CL, CM, CR is a losing pattern combination or not, and if it is a losing pattern (completely losing pattern) combination (S4010 is YES), proceed to step S4011, and store the combination of the losing pattern counters CL, CM, CR at that time in the complete losing pattern buffer of RAM 553. Note that if both steps S4006 and S4010 are NO, the patterns are aligned on the top, middle, and bottom, that is, it corresponds to a combination of big win patterns, but in this case, this process ends without storing the losing pattern counters CL, CM, CR in the buffer.

[0548] In addition, in this embodiment, the chance pattern that is stopped and displayed in the event of a "JUB jackpot" has one combination of decorative patterns ("3", "4", and "1"), so there is no need to use counter information when displaying the decorative patterns.

[0549] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 34, in step S3907, a display setting process is performed for performing various displays on the decorative pattern display device 42. In the display setting process, a variable display setting process for performing a variable display of the decorative pattern on the decorative pattern display device 42, a reserved display setting process for performing a reserved display, and the like are mainly performed.

[0550] First, the variable display setting process will be described with reference to Fig. 38. As shown in Fig. 38, in step S4301, the setting status of the variable display flag is checked to determine whether or not the decorative pattern display device 42 is displaying a variable. In detail, when the variable display flag is set (when it is in an on state), it is considered that the variable display is in progress, and when the variable display flag is released (when it is in an off state), it is considered that the variable display is in a stopped display state, which corresponds to a stopped state. Note that the variable display flag is turned on when the variable display of the decorative pattern display device 42 is started (start setting process of step S4113) as described above, and is turned off when the variable display of the decorative pattern display device 42 is displayed as stopped (see step S4305).

[0551] If the answer here is positive, that is, if the fluctuation has started or is in progress, the process proceeds to step S4302, and if the answer is negative, the process ends.

[0552] In step S4302, a variable display timer subtraction process is performed. Each time this process is performed, the value of the display timer is subtracted by 4 msec. For example, if the variable time is 10 seconds (10000 msec), the variable display timer is set to "2500" and is subtracted by 1 every 4 msec.

[0553] Next, the process proceeds to step S4303, where the value of the variable display timer after the subtraction is taken into consideration to determine whether or not the predetermined variable time has elapsed. At this time, when the predetermined variable time has elapsed, i.e., when the value of the variable display timer becomes "0", step S4303 is judged to be positive.

[0554] If a negative judgment is made in step S4303, a change execution process is carried out in step S4304 to execute a change display of the decorative pattern display device 42, and this process is terminated.

[0555] In this variation execution process, various calculation processes and command output settings are performed, such as generating a display command to be output to the display control device 45, based on various information stored in the execution area of ​​the sub-variation pending area of ​​the RAM 553.

[0556] As a result, the display control device 45 performs drawing processing in response to a command from the sub-control device 262, and starts the variable display of the pattern on the decorative pattern display device 42. Once a variable pattern command is received from the main control device 261, the variable display of the pattern continues in cooperation with the sub-control device 262 and the display control device 45 until the variable display variable time corresponding to the variable pattern command has elapsed (until the value of the variable display timer set in the start setting process of step S4113 becomes "0").

[0557] On the other hand, if the determination in step S4303 is affirmative, that is, if the value of the variable display timer is determined to be "0", then in step S4305, a stop display setting is performed to perform a stop display in the decorative pattern display device 42, and this process ends. In the stop display setting, the variable display in progress flag is released (turned off), and a stop command is set to instruct the display control device 45 to stop the variable display in the decorative pattern display device 42, and the like.

[0558] In addition, in the variable execution process of step S4304, a presentation mode switching setting process is also performed to set the display mode of the decorative pattern display device 42 in a mode (presentation mode) according to the type of game state.

[0559] In this embodiment, the presentation mode is switched between a "normal mode" in which "high support mode" is not applied, a "chance mode" in which "high support mode" is applied and the duration of this mode is unknown, and a "gold mode" in which "until next time - high support mode" is applied and the player is explicitly notified of this state, depending on the game state (the value of the game state determination value Xj).

[0560] More specifically, when the value of the game status judgment value Xj stored in the game status information storage area of ​​RAM 553 is "0", that is, when the "low probability mode" and "low support mode" are applied, the presentation mode in the decorative pattern display device 42 is set to the "normal mode" (see Figure 46).

[0561] In addition, when the value of the game state judgment value Xj is "3", that is, after the end of the "high support mode" for a specified period, the state in which the "high probability mode" and the "low support mode" are applied becomes a so-called "latent state". Therefore, even in such a case, in order to make the state appear to be no different from the "normal state", the presentation mode in the decorative pattern display device 42 is set to the "normal mode".

[0562] When the value of the game status judgment value Xj stored in the game status information storage area of ​​RAM 553 is "1", "2", "4", "5" or "7", that is, during the non-alert presentation of "20 times·high support mode", "30 times·high support mode", "40 times·high support mode", "50 times·high support mode", "30 times·high support mode S", "until next time·high support mode", or during the "support continuation presentation" described later, the presentation mode in the decorative pattern display device 42 is set to "chance mode" (see Figure 48).

[0563] When the value of the game status judgment value Xj stored in the game status information storage area of ​​RAM 553 is "6", that is, when the "high support mode until next time" is applied (excluding the non-notification presentation period), the presentation mode in the decorative pattern display device 42 is set to "gold mode" (see Figure 49).

[0564] Next, the reserved display setting process will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 39. First, in step S4501, it is determined whether the winning type information stored in the reserved areas 1 to 4 of the second sub-variable reserved area corresponding to the lower start winning port 33B among the sub-variable reserved areas is information corresponding to a small win (small win information).

[0565] If a negative judgment is made here, that is, if small win information is not included, normal reserved display update processing is performed in step S4502. As shown in Fig. 46, in the normal reserved display, reserved images TA1-TA4, TB1-TB4 corresponding to four reserved areas (reserved areas 1-4) are displayed in the first reserved display area W3a and the second reserved display area W3b, respectively. Normally, a "reserved lamp image" that imitates a circular reserved lamp is displayed as each reserved image TA1-TA4, TB1-TB4.

[0566] Then, in the normal hold display update process of step S4502, a display update process is performed to increase or decrease the number of hold images TA1 to TA4, TB1 to TB4 displayed in a lit or unlit state depending on the increase or decrease in the number of holds in the sub-variable hold area.

[0567] On the other hand, if a positive judgment is made in step S4501, that is, if small win information is contained in any of the first to fourth reserved areas of the second sub-variable reserved area, a reserved display change process is performed in step S4503, and then this process is terminated.

[0568] By performing the reserved display change process of step S4503, among the four reserved images TB1 to TB4 displayed in the second reserved display area W3b, one of the reserved images TB1 to TB4 corresponding to the reserved area including the small winning information is replaced with a "star image" from the "reserved lamp image" during normal reserved display. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 51, the third reserved image TB3 is changed to a "star image".

[0569] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 34, in the lamp setting process of step S3908, the lighting pattern of the lamps and illuminations is set to synchronize with the display performance performed by the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0570] In the sound setting process in step S3909, the output pattern of the speaker SP is set to synchronize with the display performance performed by the decorative pattern display device 42. In addition, when a sound-related command such as an error notification is transmitted from the main control device 261, settings for controlling such commands are also performed in step S3909.

[0571] In step S3910, control settings for customer waiting performance (for example, a demo screen display that is set to be displayed when a predetermined time has elapsed while no changing display is being performed on the decorative pattern display device 42) and other processing are performed.

[0572] In step S3912, an external output process is executed to transmit a control signal to each device based on the settings in steps S3905 to S3911. For example, a display command is transmitted to the display control device 45 when the decorative pattern display device 42 variably displays the decorative pattern.

[0573] After the processes of steps S3905 to S3911, which are performed every 1 msec, have been executed, or if a negative determination is made in the above step S3904, the process proceeds to step S3912, where it is determined whether or not power-off occurrence information has been stored in RAM 553. The power-off occurrence information is stored when a power-off command is received from main control device 261.

[0574] If the power interruption occurrence information is not stored, the process proceeds to step S3913, where it is determined whether or not RAM 553 has been corrupted. If RAM 553 has not been corrupted, the process returns to step S3901, and normal processing is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if RAM 553 has been corrupted, the process is infinitely looped to stop the execution of subsequent processing.

[0575] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3912 that the power failure occurrence information is to be stored, power failure processing is executed in step S3914. In the power failure processing, interrupt processing is prohibited and each output port is turned off. Also, the stored information on the power failure occurrence is erased. After the power failure processing is executed, the processing is looped infinitely.

[0576] Next, the display mode of the display unit 42a of the decorative pattern display device 42 will be described together with the flow of the game by the player.

[0577] In the normal state (when the value of the game state determination value Xj is "0"), a variable display area W1 consisting of three pattern display areas, upper, middle, and lower, is set on the display unit 42a of the decorative pattern display device 42 (see FIG. 46). In addition, below the variable display area W1, an instruction display area W2 is set to instruct (recommend) the player on the launch mode of the game ball, and further below that, a reserved display area W3 is set to show the reserved number of variable displays.

[0578] The reserved display area W3 is set to correspond to the sub-variable reserved area. That is, the reserved display area W3 is divided into a first reserved display area W3a and a second reserved display area W3b corresponding to the first sub-variable reserved area and the second sub-variable reserved area. Then, reserved images TA1 to TA4, TB1 to TB4 corresponding to the four reserved areas (reserved areas 1 to 4) are displayed in each reserved display area W3a, W3b (see FIG. 46).

[0579] The pending images TA1 to TA4, TB1 to TB4 are normally displayed (when not on hold) in an off state (see shaded area), and when a variable display is on hold in a designated holding area, the pending images TA1 to TA4, TB1 to TB4 corresponding to that holding area are switched to a lit state (see white area).

[0580] In the example shown in Fig. 46, the first reserved image TA1 and the second reserved image TA2 in the first reserved display area W3a are displayed in a lit state, and the remaining reserved images TA3, TA4, TB1 to TB4 are displayed in an unlit state. That is, it is shown that the variable display is reserved in the reserved first area and the reserved second area of ​​the first sub-variable reserved area, and the current reserved number of variable displays is "2" related to the upper start winning port 33A.

[0581] In the normal state, "←Hit to the left" is displayed in the instruction display area W2 to encourage the player to shoot the game ball toward the left side area of ​​the variable display unit 35 (such an action will be referred to as "Hit to the left" hereinafter). In response to this, the player plays the game by "Hit to the left".

[0582] In the case of "hitting from the left", most of the game balls are guided by the nails or the like toward the upper start winning hole 33A located on the lower side of the variable display unit 35. Of those, some game balls will enter the upper start winning hole 33A.

[0583] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the through gate 34, which triggers the opening of the lower start winning opening 33B (opening / closing device 37), is positioned in the right side area of ​​the variable display unit 35, i.e., in a position that cannot be reached by game balls that have flowed down the left side area of ​​the variable display unit 35.Therefore, if the player continues to "hit to the left", the opening / closing device 37 will not be opened and the game ball will not enter the lower start winning opening 33B.

[0584] However, in this embodiment, the inlet portion 764a of the warp flow path 764, which can guide the game ball onto the stage portion 770, is formed only on the left side portion 47c of the center frame 47, so that under normal conditions, the game is more advantageously played by "hitting from the left."

[0585] When a game ball enters the upper start winning hole 33A, a plurality of kinds of decorative patterns are displayed in a variable display area W1 of the decorative pattern display device 42 for each of the above-mentioned pattern display areas. In this embodiment, decorative patterns Z numbered "1" to "9" are displayed. Various decorative patterns Z are scrolled and displayed from right to left with periodicity in ascending or descending order of numbers, thereby forming a series of patterns.

[0586] In this case, in the upper pattern display area, various decorative patterns Z are displayed in descending order (in the order of decreasing numbers), and in the middle and lower pattern display areas, various decorative patterns Z are displayed in ascending order (in the order of increasing numbers). Then, after a predetermined time has passed, the variable display stops in the order of the upper pattern display area → the lower pattern display area → the middle pattern display area, and the decorative patterns Z are displayed stationary in each pattern display area.

[0587] When the jackpot lottery is won based on the entry of a game ball into the upper start winning hole 33A, the player passes through a reach state, and the decorative symbols Z of the jackpot combination are stopped and displayed on a predetermined jackpot line. In the normal state of this embodiment, the jackpot line is composed of left, center, and right vertical lines and two diagonal lines (called five lines). Therefore, when three decorative symbols Z of the jackpot combination are stopped and displayed in a row on any of the five lines in the upper, middle, and lower symbol display area, the occurrence of the jackpot state is confirmed.

[0588] When a jackpot state occurs, the bottom part of the game area 30a (opening / closing shutter 160 of the variable winning device 32) opens, allowing the game ball to enter the big winning hole 151, and a predetermined jackpot presentation starts on the display part 42a of the decorative pattern display device 42. Here, the number of jackpot rounds may be displayed.

[0589] However, in this embodiment, the through gate 34, which is the opening trigger of the lower start winning opening 33B (opening / closing device 37), is located in the right side area of ​​the variable display unit 35, i.e., in a position where the game ball that has flowed down the left side area of ​​the variable display unit 35 cannot reach, if the player continues to "hit from the left", the opening / closing device 37 will not be opened and the game ball will not enter the lower start winning opening 33B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 47, when the big win performance starts, the instruction display area W2 displays "right hit →" to encourage the player to shoot the game ball toward the right side area of ​​the variable display unit 35 (such an action will be referred to as "right hit" hereinafter). In accordance with this, the player switches from "left hit" to "right hit" to play the big win so that the game ball passes above the variable display unit 35 and heads toward the right side area of ​​the variable display unit 35.

[0590] In the case of "hitting to the right" here, most of the game balls are guided by the nails to the through gate 34, and after passing through the through gate 34, they flow down toward the upper start winning hole 33A or the lower start winning hole 33B. Then, some of the game balls enter the upper start winning hole 33A or the lower start winning hole 33B.

[0591] On the other hand, most of the other game balls that do not enter the start winning holes 33A and 33B and pass through the start winning holes 33A and 33B are guided by the nails or the like toward the bottom of the game area 30a (the opening and closing shutter 160 of the variable winning device 32) and enter the variable winning device 32 (the large winning hole 151). This allows the player to win more game balls.

[0592] As mentioned above, a through gate 34 is provided in the right side area of ​​the variable display unit 35, which serves as a trigger for opening the lower start winning port 33B (opening / closing device 37) on the way down to the start winning ports 33A, 33B, and some of the game balls will pass through the through gate 34.

[0593] Here, if the game ball wins the opening lottery that is held when the game ball passes through the through gate 34, the opening and closing device 37 opens, allowing the game ball to enter the lower start winning opening 33B.

[0594] After the jackpot ends, a "high support mode" is granted as a winning support mode related to the opening / closing device 37 while a predetermined number of variable displays are displayed on the special display devices 43L, 43R (decorative pattern display devices 42) or until the next jackpot occurs.

[0595] Accordingly, on the display unit 42a of the decorative symbol display device 42, a predetermined support effect related to the "high support mode" ("chance mode" effect or "gold mode" effect) is performed, and the variable display area W1 is reduced. In the reduced variable display area W1, the upper, middle, and lower symbol display areas are switched to left, middle, and right symbol display areas, and the jackpot line becomes one line.

[0596] During such support performance, a support count display area W4 is set in the display unit 42a of the decorative pattern display device 42 (see Figs. 48 and 49). In the support count display area W4, the number of support times that has been confirmed to be granted is displayed. Therefore, even if the internal lottery has confirmed that "50" support times will be granted, for example, "20" times is initially displayed for performance purposes.

[0597] More specifically, when the "16R normal jackpot B" or "4R normal jackpot B" is won and the "20 times high support mode", "30 times high support mode", "40 times high support mode" or "50 times high support mode" is awarded, that is, when the value of the game state determination value Xj is "1", the support count display area W4 initially displays "20 times". Then, each time the variable display is performed, the value is decremented by one.

[0598] Similarly, when the "16R probability variable jackpot B" or "4R probability variable jackpot B" is won and the "20 times high support mode", "30 times high support mode", "40 times high support mode" or "50 times high support mode" is awarded, that is, when the value of the game state judgment value Xj is "4", the support count display area W4 initially displays "20 times". Then, each time the variable display is performed, the value is decremented by one.

[0599] On the other hand, when the "16R normal jackpot A" or "4R normal jackpot A" is won and "30 times high support mode S" is granted, that is, when the value of the game state judgment value Xj is "2" or "5" (excluding Xj = "5" in the case of non-notification performance), the support count display area W4 initially displays "30 times". Then, each time the variable display is performed, the value is subtracted by 1.

[0600] Also, when the "16R variable jackpot A", "4R variable jackpot A" or "JUB jackpot" is won and the "Until next time, high support mode" is granted, that is, when the value of the game state determination value Xj is "6", the support count display area W4 initially displays "Until next time". However, when the non-notification performance is performed, the support count display area W4 initially displays "30 times". Then, each time the variable display is performed, the value is decremented by one.

[0601] As described above, while the "high support mode" is applied, the game ball is likely to enter the lower start winning hole 33B, so even if the big win game is over, it is preferable for the player to continue "hitting to the right" to get an opportunity to open the opening and closing device 37. In other words, during the "high support mode", it is set so that the player can play more advantageously by playing with "hitting to the right". Therefore, in the instruction display area W2 of the decorative pattern display device 42 during the "high support mode", "hit to the right" is displayed to recommend the player to "hit to the right".

[0602] In this embodiment, the change time during normal times change in the "high support mode" (when the times display in the support times display area W4 is not the final value of "1 time"), i.e., when the game state determination value Xj has a value of "1", "2", "4", or "5", is set to "1 second" by a change pattern table selected based on each game state determination value Xj (except for a big win). Then, in the display unit 42a of the decorative pattern display device 42 during the support perf...

Claims

[Claim 1] A predetermined game board; A support member for supporting the game board; A launching means capable of launching a game ball; A rail member capable of guiding the game ball launched by the launching means; A game area is provided on the front part of the game board so that game balls guided by the rail member can flow down, and at least a part of the game area is defined by the rail member; A frame-shaped member provided on the game board so as to surround a predetermined display area of ​​a predetermined display device when viewed from the front; A first starting ball entry means is provided so that the game ball can enter the first starting ball entry means at a position where the game ball can reach the position where the game ball is launched by the launching means so as to pass through at least the left side area of ​​the frame-shaped member in the game area; A trigger ball entry means is provided so that the game ball can enter the game area at a position where the game ball launched by the launching means can reach the game area so as to pass through at least the right side area of ​​the frame-shaped member; a second trigger ball entry means which is provided in a position within the game area where the game ball launched by the launching means can reach so as to pass through at least the right side area of ​​the frame-shaped member, and which can change between a first state in which the game ball cannot enter and a second state in which the game ball can enter when a predetermined opening condition is established based on at least an entry into the trigger ball entry means; A lottery means for performing a predetermined winning / losing lottery due to the game ball entering the first start ball entry means or the second start ball entry means; a display means for displaying a stop display in a predetermined manner based on the result of the winning / losing lottery after displaying the change; and a game state generating means for generating a predetermined game state advantageous to a player when a predetermined winning result is obtained by the winning / losing lottery. A specific inflow area into which game balls flowing down the game area can flow in through a predetermined opening; A switching means is provided for changing the state of the specific inflow area between a specific state and a specific state different from the specific state when the specific game state occurs; In the specific state, the game ball that has flowed into the specific inflow area is detectable by a first detection means as a game ball that can provide a player with a predetermined game value, and is not detectable as a game ball that does not provide the predetermined game value, and the game ball detected by the first detection means is configured to be able to flow out of the specific inflow area through a predetermined passage, A gaming machine characterized in that, in the specified state, a gaming ball that has flowed into the specific inflow area is detectable by a second detection means as a gaming ball that does not award the player the specified gaming value, but is not detectable as a gaming ball that can award the specified gaming value, and that the gaming ball detected by the second detection means is configured to be able to flow out of the specific inflow area via the specified passage.

Images