Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of increasing interest.SOLUTION: In a Pachinko machine 10, a first display corresponding to a determination result of whether or not to generate a specific state and a second display corresponding to a result of a winning / losing lottery of whether or not to generate a special game state can be executed. In the specific state, the second display can be executed multiple times during the period in which the first display is being executed. The Pachinko machine includes: means, when the second display corresponding to a winning result in the winning / losing lottery is terminated in a state where the first display is being executed, for terminating the first display on the basis of the termination of the second display and executing the first display that has been executed until the special game state is executed after the termination of the special game state; and means, when the second display corresponding to the winning result in the winning / losing lottery is terminated in a state where the first display is being executed, for terminating the first display on the basis of the termination of the second display and starting a first display different from the first display that has been executed until the special game state is executed after the termination of the special game state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] As a type of gaming machine, there is a pachinko machine. In a pachinko machine, when a game ball launched by a launching means enters a start ball entry means provided on a game board, a winning lottery is conducted to determine whether a special gaming state advantageous to the player is generated, and a variable display for teaching the result of the winning lottery is performed by a variable display means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In addition, as for gaming machines, new gaming properties are constantly required to improve the interest.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-exemplified problems and the like, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the interest.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gaming machine of the present invention is a specific state generating means for determining a specific state based on the fulfillment of a first condition To shift to and a first display means for executing a first display corresponding to The determination result of the specific state generating means the special gaming state generating means for conducting a winning lottery to determine whether to generate a special gaming state based on the fulfillment of a second condition and a second display means for executing a second display corresponding to the result of the success / failure lottery; configured to be capable of executing the first display by the first display means and the second display by the second display means in parallel; in the gaming machine configured such that the second display can be executed a plurality of times during the period in which the first display is being executed, the specific state is The gaming machine when the second display corresponding to the result of winning the success / failure lottery ends in the state where the first display is being executed, ending the first display based on the end of the second display, and after the end of the special gaming state corresponding to the second display, enabling the start of a first display different from the first display that has been executed until the special gaming state is executed First means 、 Before when the second display corresponding to the result of winning the success / failure lottery ends in the state where the first display is being executed, ending the first display based on the end of the second display, and after the end of the special gaming state corresponding to the second display, enabling the execution of the first display that has been executed until the special gaming state is executed Second means And comprising 、 Before when the execution period of the first display has elapsed and the first display ends in the specific state, transitioning to a normal state where it is difficult or impossible for the second condition to be satisfied, or there may be a transition And Means capable of executing a third display indicating the end of the execution period of the first display in the specific state; Means capable of teaching whether the normal state or the specific state is to be set when the first display ends in the specific state; The teaching is set by reflecting the result of the pass / fail lottery corresponding to the second display being executed in the situation where the third display is executed and the execution period of the first display has elapsed and ended is characterized by.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to enhance the interest.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko machine (hereinafter simply referred to as "pachinko machine") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 as a fixed frame that constitutes the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 as a game board mounting frame is supported on one side portion of the outer frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. For convenience, in FIG. 3, game members (such as pins and devices) disposed on the surface of the game board 30, a glass unit 137 attached to the front frame 14 as a front frame, etc. are omitted.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the outer frame 11 is composed of an upper side frame component 11a and a lower side frame component 11b made of wooden boards, and a left side frame component 11c and a right side frame component 11d made of aluminum alloy extrusion materials. These frame components 11a to 11d are assembled into a rectangular frame shape as a whole by detachable fasteners such as screws.

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

[0012] Also, on the right side frame component 11d, an extension wall portion 83 protruding from the vicinity of the rear end in the width direction toward the inside of the outer frame 11 is formed. The extension wall portion 83 covers the entire upper and lower sections corresponding to the locking device 600 (see FIG. 7) provided on the back side of the right side of the inner frame 12 from the back side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 6). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, on the front side of the extension wall portion 83, a pair of upper and lower receiving portions 84, 85 for locking the locking member of the locking device 600 are provided. Further, on the lower receiving portion 85, a pressing portion 86 that abuts against an inner frame opening detection switch 92 described later protrudes toward the inside of the outer frame 11.

[0013] Furthermore, a resin curtain board decoration 87 is attached to the lower side frame component 11b. A rib 88 protruding upward is integrally formed at the inner part of the upper surface of the curtain board decoration 87. This makes it difficult to form a gap with the inner frame 12.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the opening and closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set vertically along the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the inner frame 12 can be opened forward around this opening and closing axis. The inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a resin base 38 having a rectangular outer shape, and a substantially elliptical window hole 39 is formed in the central part of the resin base 38.

[0015] Further, a front frame 14 is attached to the front side of the inner frame 12 so as to be openable and closable. Similar to the inner frame 12, the front frame 14 can be opened forward around an opening and closing axis set vertically on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Note that the front frame 14 may be configured to be directly supported by the outer frame 11 so as to be openable, rather than via the inner frame 12.

[0016] The front frame 14 has a rectangular outer shape similar to that of the inner frame 12, and in the closed state, it covers substantially the entire front side of the inner frame 12. A substantially elliptical window portion 101 is formed in the central portion of the front frame 14. Thereby, the game board 30 (a game area where game balls can move) attached to the rear surface of the inner frame 12 can be visually recognized from the outside through the window portion 101 of the front frame 14 and the window hole 39 of the inner frame 12. The detailed configuration of the game board 30 will be described later.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower tray 15 as a ball receiving tray is provided at the center of the lower part on the front side of the front frame 14, and game balls discharged from the lower payout outlet 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. Further, 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.

[0018] To the right of the lower tray 15, a game ball launch handle (hereinafter referred to as "handle 18"), which is an operation means (launch operation means) protruding forward, is provided. The handle 18 is provided with a rotation operation body 18a as an operation part that is rotatably provided. At a position not shown in the figure, a touch sensor as touch detection means capable of detecting that a human hand has touched the handle 18 and a variable resistor as operation amount detection means for detecting the operation amount of the operation part of the handle 18 are provided. When the handle 18 is rotated clockwise, a game ball is launched by a launch device 60 as a launch means with a strength corresponding to the rotation operation amount. In addition, the handle 18 is provided with a stop lever 18b as stop operation means that can be pressed by the thumb of the right hand holding the handle 18. In a state where the stop lever 18b is pressed, even if the handle 18 is held, the launch of the game ball by the launch device 60 is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to perform a rotation operation of the handle 18 while prohibiting the launch of the game ball, or temporarily stop the launch of the game ball while holding the handle 18. In the handle 18, a light emitting means such as an LED whose light emitting mode can be visually recognized through a transparent front cover may be incorporated, and the light emitting mode may be configured to change according to an effect or the like. Further, in the handle 18 or in the vicinity thereof, a ventilation port may be provided to enable air to be sent out from the ventilation port, or vibration means (vibrator, speaker, etc.) may be provided to vibrate the handle 18 (the hand operating the handle 18).

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, above the lower tray 15, an upper tray 19 capable of storing game balls paid out from the upper payout outlet 17 (given to the player) is provided. The upper tray 19 is a ball receiving tray that temporarily stores game balls and guides them toward the launch device 60 described later while aligning them in a row. In a state where the upper tray 19 is full of game balls, the game balls to be paid out are guided to the lower tray 15 through a lower tray communication path 71 and a lower payout outlet 16 described later.

[0020] On the upper tray 19, a lending switch 121, a return switch 122, and a balance display unit 124 are provided. In a game hall or the like, when the lending switch 121 is operated with a playable card having a balance inserted (inserted) into a CR unit arranged on the (left) side of the pachinko machine 10, lending balls are supplied to the upper tray 19 in response to the operation. On the other hand, the return switch 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the CR unit. Also, the balance display unit 124 displays the balance of the card inserted into the CR unit.

[0021] Furthermore, a ball extraction button 123 is provided on the upper surface of the upper tray 19. The ball extraction button 123 is configured to be able to protrude and retract from the upper surface of the upper tray 19 and is always biased by a biasing means (not shown) toward the side protruding from the upper surface of the upper tray 19. When the ball extraction button 123 is pressed, the space between the upper tray 19 and the lower tray 15 is opened, and the game balls stored in the upper tray 19 are guided (moved) to the lower tray 15. That is, the player can move the game balls on the upper tray 19 to the lower tray 15 at any time by operating the ball extraction button 123.

[0022] In addition, an effect button 125 and a cross button 126 as effect operation means are provided on the upper surface of the upper tray 19. The effect button 125 is provided with a cylindrical transparent operation body with the upper side closed so as to be displaceable up and down, is always biased upward (in the direction protruding from the mounting surface) by a spring, has a light-emitting means (for example, an LED) built therein, and characters and patterns (for example, characters such as PUSH and border decorations) are attached to the upper surface of the operation body. By pressing the effect button 125 and the cross button 126, corresponding effects (button effects) can be performed on a decoration symbol display device 42 or the like described later, or various setting contents can be changed.

[0023] For example, as a button effect, in the decorative pattern display device 42 described later, an effect display that teaches a predetermined result (for example, whether or not a jackpot state described later occurs) is performed, and a display that prompts an operation of the effect button 125 (and a display indicating the valid period of the button operation) is derived at a stage before the predetermined result is taught in the effect display, and when the effect button 125 is operated, it may be configured to be able to derive a suggestive effect display that suggests whether or not the predetermined result is a desirable result for the player. Further, for example, by operating the effect button 125 in a state where the game is not being played (for example, a state where the variable display of the special display devices 43a and 43b described later is not being performed), on a predetermined display means (for example, the decorative pattern display device 42 described later), items that can be set by the player regarding effects (changing the effect pattern in the decorative pattern display device 42, changing the volume, changing the brightness, inputting a password (when performing a mobile-linked game in which information is exchanged between the pachinko machine 10 and the server of the game machine manufacturer via a mobile communication terminal), and outputting a two-dimensional code, etc.) are displayed, and a menu screen for displaying each item may be configured such that the corresponding settings can be made by selecting each item.

[0024] In addition, on the front surface of the front frame 14, light-emitting means such as various lamps are provided around it. These light-emitting means have their light-emitting modes changed and controlled according to changes in the game state and play a role in enhancing the effect during the game. For example, an annular electric ornament 102 incorporating light-emitting means such as LEDs is provided at the periphery of the window portion 101. In addition, error display lamps 104 that light up at a predetermined error are provided on both side portions of the annular electric ornament 102. Incidentally, a large number of fine through holes are formed in the upper part of each error display lamp 104 in the annular electric ornament 102 corresponding to the speaker SP (see FIG. 3) provided on the back surface of the front frame 14. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10, in order to enhance the design, decorations are appropriately applied in the range visible to the player. For example, on the surface side (front side) of the front frame 14, the peripheral portion of the upper plate 19, the surface (front, etc.) of the handle 18, etc., designs (decorations) based on the motif of the pachinko machine 10 are applied.

[0025] A glass unit 137 is attached to the back side of the front frame 14. The glass unit 137 includes a pair of front and rear transparent bodies (for example, plate glass, transparent resin, etc.) and a frame portion that holds the pair of transparent bodies. As a whole, it has a round shape and is attached after being assembled. Incidentally, it is also possible to attach (stick) an information instruction or decorative seal, etc. to a part of the glass unit 137 (at least one of the pair of front and rear transparent bodies). The seal has characters, patterns, etc. printed on necessary parts of a transparent or translucent sheet so as to make the rear area of the part where the seal is attached (the game area when the seal overlaps in front of a part of the game area) visible as much as possible.

[0026] Next, the inner frame 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As described above, the game board 30 is mounted on the inner frame 12 in a state where it abuts against the back side of the resin base 38 on the rear side of the window hole 39. Therefore, the substantially central portion of the front surface of the game board 30 is exposed to the front surface side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 39.

[0027] Also, a launching device 60 and a launching rail 61 for guiding the game ball immediately after being launched by the launching device 60 are attached to the lower front portion of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38), that is, the position below the window hole 39. In this embodiment, a solenoid type launching device is adopted as the launching device 60. Further, above the launching device 60, a ball feeding device 63 is provided for guiding the game balls guided from the upper tray 19 to the launching position of the launching device 60 one by one by the drive of built-in drive means (for example, a solenoid).

[0028] Next, the configuration of the game board 30 (game area) will be described with reference to FIG. 4. On the game board 30, a general winning device 31, a first normal start winning device 33a, a through gate 34, a variable display device unit 35, a right hit winning unit 37, etc. are arranged. Although details will be described later, the right hit winning unit 37 (see FIG. 6) includes a first variable winning device 32a, a second variable winning device 32b, a first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and a second start winning device 33c, and is configured such that game balls can be efficiently introduced into the first variable winning device 32a, the second variable winning device 32b, and the second start winning device 33c. As is well known, when a game ball enters (wins) through various winning openings such as the general winning device 31, the variable winning devices 32a and 32b, and the start winning devices 33a, 33b, and 33c, 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. In this embodiment, the first variable winning device 32a and the second variable winning device 32b constitute variable ball entry means, the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b constitute start ball entry means (first start ball entry means), and the second start winning device 33c constitutes second start ball entry means.

[0029] The game board 30 of this embodiment is made of transparent resin, and various decorations are provided behind the range excluding the openings corresponding to the above-described various winning devices. Examples of such decorations include a printed sticker attached to the rear surface of the game board 30 and a decorative accessory (a three-dimensional object in line with the motif of the pachinko machine 10) installed (attached) behind the game board 30. Further, behind the game board 30 (behind or to the side of the decorative member, or obliquely forward), light emitting means for irradiating light onto such a decorative member is provided. Note that the game board 30 does not necessarily have to be made of transparent resin, and for example, it may be made of opaque resin or wood (plywood).

[0030] In this embodiment, when a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a, three game balls are paid out; when a game ball enters the first auxiliary start winning device 33b or the second start winning device 33c, one game ball is paid out; when a game ball enters the general winning device 31, five game balls are paid out; and when a game ball enters the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b, ten game balls are paid out. Also, even if a game ball passes through a through gate 34 (which is not discharged to the back side of the game board 30) where the game ball only passes through in the game area, no game ball is paid out.

[0031] Incidentally, although details will be described later, the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and the second start winning device 33c are respectively provided with a first normal start winning switch 224a as the first start winning ball detection means for detecting a winning game ball, a first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, and a second start winning switch 224c as the second start winning ball detection means. When a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b and the game ball is detected by the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b (when the first condition is satisfied), a jackpot determination lottery, which is a first condition pass / fail lottery for determining whether to generate a jackpot state (special game state) in which the first variable winning device 32a is opened, is performed, and a variable display (first display) is performed by a first special display device 43a (first display means) described later. And when winning in the jackpot determination lottery, a jackpot state is given. Hereinafter, the pass / fail lottery (jackpot pass / fail lottery) performed based on the fact that a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b and the game ball is detected by the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b is referred to as the "first pass / fail lottery". Incidentally, in this embodiment, the "time-saving mode" described later corresponds to the "specific state", and a function for determining the granting of the time-saving mode (a function for determining whether to generate a winning state based on the detection of the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, and when generating a winning state, determining whether to set the winning type that grants the time-saving mode) constitutes the specific state generation means.

[0032] Also, when a game ball enters the second start winning device 33c and is detected by the second start winning switch 224c (when the second condition is satisfied), a jackpot winning / losing lottery, and a small win winning / losing lottery for determining whether to generate a small win state in which the second variable winning device 32b is opened are conducted (the function of executing the lottery constitutes special game generation means), and variable display (second display) is performed by a second special display device 43b (second display means) described later. When winning in the jackpot winning / losing lottery, a jackpot state is imparted, and when winning in the small win winning / losing lottery, a small win state is imparted. Hereinafter, the winning / losing lottery (jackpot winning / losing lottery and small win winning / losing lottery) conducted based on the fact that a game ball has entered the second start winning device 33c and has been detected by the second start winning switch 224c is referred to as the "second winning / losing lottery". In the present embodiment, when losing in the jackpot winning / losing lottery based on the entry of a game ball into the second start winning device 33c, the small win winning / losing lottery is conducted. On the other hand, even when losing in the jackpot winning / losing lottery based on the entry of a game ball into the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the small win winning / losing lottery is not conducted.

[0033] In addition, an out port 36 is provided on the game board 30 corresponding to the lowermost part of the game area, and game balls that have not won in various winning ports such as the general winning device 31 are discharged outside the game area through this out port 36. Also, a large number of pins (game pins) are implanted on the game board 30 to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (effect devices) such as windmills are arranged.

[0034] In the approximate center of the gaming area, a variable display device unit 35 is disposed. A center frame 47 is disposed around a decorative symbol display device 42, which will be described later, in the variable display device unit 35. An entrance port 151 through which game balls can enter is provided in the left part of the center frame 47. The game balls that enter the inside of the center frame 47 through the entrance port 151 are guided onto a stage 153 formed below the decorative symbol display device 42 through a warp flow path 152 that extends vertically along the left side of the decorative symbol display device 42. A guide groove 154 that extends in the front-rear direction and slopes downward toward the front is provided in the center of the stage 153. The game balls guided by the guide groove 154 enter a first normal start winning device 33a, which will be described later, with a relatively high probability compared to the game balls that are not guided.

[0035] In addition, since a transparent or translucent part extends along the extending direction of the warp flow path 152 and the light emitting means provided behind the warp flow path 152 emits light constantly, the player can confirm the game balls moving through the warp flow path 152. Regarding the center frame 47 as well, the shape is designed for each model and various decorations are applied, and some are provided with light emitters and movable accessories that give predetermined instructions to the player.

[0036] A first normal start winning device 33a is disposed below the variable display device unit 35. The first normal start winning device 33a is provided so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the game board 30, and a winning port (start winning port) through which game balls can always win is opened above it. In addition, the first normal start winning device 33a of the present embodiment is not provided with a configuration that changes the ease of entry of game balls into the first normal start winning device 33a.

[0037] In addition, in the present embodiment, when a game ball is made to enter the first normal start winning device 33a by the arrangement of game pins or the like provided in the game area, it is necessary to pass the game ball through the area (left side area) located on the left side of the variable display device unit 35 in the game area (hit to the left). Even if the game ball is passed through the area (right side area) located on the right side of the variable display device unit 35 (hit to the right), it cannot enter the first normal start winning device 33a.

[0038] A general winning device 31 is arranged along the peripheral edge of the game area at the lower part of the left side area (to the left of the first normal start winning device 33a). The general winning device 31 protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 30, and a winning opening through which a game ball can always win is opened above it.

[0039] On the right side of the first normal start winning device 33a, a right-handed winning unit 37 is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, in the right-handed winning unit 37, from the upstream side of the game area, a first auxiliary start winning device 33b, a second variable winning device 32b, a second start winning device 33c, and a first variable winning device 32a are arranged. Further, the right-handed winning unit 37 includes a ball entry portion 111 that opens upward and allows game balls to enter, a first guide passage 112 that guides the game balls that have entered the ball entry portion 111 and have not entered the first auxiliary start winning device 33b to the second variable winning device 32b, a second guide passage 113 that guides the game balls that have been guided by the first guide passage 112 and have not entered the second variable winning device 32b to the second start winning device 33c, a third guide passage 114 that guides the game balls that have been guided by the second guide passage 113 and have not entered the second start winning device 33c to the first variable winning device 32a, a discharge portion 116 that discharges the game balls moving in the right-handed winning unit 37 to the outside of the right-handed winning unit 37 (in this example, it opens to the left and discharges the game balls to the game area outside the right-handed winning unit 37), and a fourth guide passage 115 that guides the game balls that have been guided by the third guide passage 114 and have not entered the first variable winning device 32a to the discharge portion 116. Note that an opening is provided in the game board 30 corresponding to the installation position of the right-handed winning unit 37, and the right-handed winning unit 37 is attached to the game board 30 so as to close the opening.

[0040] Also, the right-handed winning unit 37 (case body) is formed of a colorless transparent resin (for example, polypropylene). Further, in front of the right-handed winning unit 37, a decorative body (for example, a panel with decoration installed on the front surface of the right-handed winning unit 37, or a decorative sticker attached to the front surface of the right-handed winning unit 37, etc.) is provided, and the decorative body is configured to be colored transparent or provided with a relatively large number of fine transparent portions (holes). Therefore, it is possible to visually recognize the state of the game balls entering the right-handed winning unit 37 (the game balls moving inside the right-handed winning unit 37 (to the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the second variable winning device 32b, the second start winning device 33c, and the first variable winning device 32a)) from the front of the right-handed winning unit 37.

[0041] Behind the right winning unit 37, lighting means (for example, surface-emitting lighting) is provided. The pachinko machine in this example is themed on the sea, and a sticker with marine life printed on it is attached to the front side of the right winning unit 37. The lighting means of the right winning unit 37 basically emits light in a blue emission mode with appropriate local white light emission (imaging the reflection of light on the sea surface) in the standby state where no game is being played and in the normal mode state. In the time-saving mode, it has a transparent (or white) emission mode, and in the state until the upper limit of the reserved memory number of the second variable display (described later) is reached, when a game ball enters the second starting winning device 33c, it alternates between orange and white (returning to the mode corresponding to the time-saving mode after 1 second). In the winning state, it has a light red emission mode, and in the state where a game ball enters the specific ball entry part 145, it has an emission mode where it lights up alternately in red, white, blue, green, and yellow (returning to the mode corresponding to the winning state after 5 seconds). Furthermore, the first guide passage 112, the second guide passage 113, and the third guide passage 114 are provided with delay protrusions (not shown) for delaying the moving speed of the game balls. However, it is configured so that the movement of the game balls is not hindered by the delay protrusions.

[0042] The first auxiliary starting winning device 33b is configured to be slidable back and forth, and has a first starting shutter 171 that can be displaced between a closed position that restricts the entry of game balls into the first auxiliary starting winning device 33b and an open position that retracts backward from the game area above the first auxiliary starting winning device 33b to allow the entry of game balls into the first auxiliary starting winning device 33b, a first auxiliary starting winning switch 224b that can detect all game balls that have entered the first auxiliary starting winning device 33b, and a solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the first starting shutter 171.

[0043] Further, the first start shutter 171 of the present embodiment is inclined downward toward the right, and the downstream edge of the game area of the first start shutter 171 in the closed state is continuous with the upstream edge of the game area of the first guide passage 112. The ball entry portion 111 is formed to open above the first start shutter 171 in the closed position and the first guide passage 112. The game ball that has entered the ball entry portion 111 drops onto the first start shutter 171 in the closed position and the first guide passage 112. When the game ball drops onto the first start shutter 171 in the closed position, it is guided to the first guide passage 112 by the first start shutter 171. When the game ball drops into the first auxiliary start winning device 33b in a state where the first start shutter 171 is in the open position, or when the game ball is placed on the first start shutter 171 when the first start shutter 171 is set to the open position, the game ball enters the first auxiliary start winning device 33b.

[0044] Still, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b of the present embodiment is always configured such that the first start shutter 171 is in the open position at regular intervals for a certain period. When a game ball is "hit to the right", the game ball can also enter the first auxiliary start winning device 33b (for example, during the period of the winning state of 4 rounds, at least 2 or 3 balls can be expected to enter, etc.). However, the ratio of the game ball "hit to the right" entering the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is set lower than the ratio of the game ball "hit to the left" entering the first normal start winning device 33a (the same ratio is also possible). Further, specifically, even when the game ball is "hit to the right" in the normal mode described later, it is not possible for the game ball to enter the second variable winning device 32b, the second start winning device 33c, and the first variable winning device 32a, whereas when the game ball is "hit to the left", the game ball may enter the general winning device 31. Furthermore, the number of prize balls when the game ball enters the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is 1, while the number of prize balls when the game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a is 3. Therefore, in the normal mode, it is more advantageous for the player to "hit to the left" than to "hit to the right", and the game ball being "hit to the right" is suppressed in the normal mode. Incidentally, the first start shutter 171 may be omitted and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b may be always open (however, the ratio of the game ball "hit to the right" entering the first auxiliary start winning device 33b in the normal mode is configured to be less than the ratio of the game ball "hit to the left" entering the first normal start winning device 33a in the normal mode).

[0045] The second variable winning device 32b includes a second variable specific area 141 into which a game ball guided by the first guide passage 112 can enter, and a second variable shutter 142 that is configured to be slidable back and forth and is located above the second variable specific area 141. The second variable shutter 142 can be displaced between a closed position that restricts the entry of the game ball into the second variable specific area 141 and an open position that retracts rearward from the upper position of the second variable specific area 141 to allow the entry of the game ball into the second variable specific area 141, and a solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the second variable shutter 142. The second variable winning device 32b is normally in a closed state where the game ball cannot enter, and when the second variable winning device 32b is in the hit state of being opened, it is in an open state where the game ball can enter.

[0046] Furthermore, an LED is provided as a ball entry instruction means and a mode instruction means corresponding to the second variable winning device 32b (for example, directly below the second variable specific area 141, particularly the second variable shutter 142). When the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state (for example, only during the period when the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state), the LED is configured to emit light. Also, when a game ball enters the second variable winning device 32b, the lighting mode of such an LED changes (for example, blinks, the emission color changes, etc.). Note that instead of or in addition to the LED, a movable accessory or the like may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state.

[0047] Also, the second variable shutter 142 of the present embodiment slopes downward toward the left, and the first guide passage 112 guides the game ball to the upper right part of the second variable shutter 142. When the game ball is guided by the first guide passage 112 and reaches the second variable winning device 32b, if the second variable shutter 142 is in the closed position, the game ball rests on the upper surface of the second variable shutter 142 and is guided to the second guide passage 113 on the left by the second variable shutter 142. Note that when the game ball is resting on the second variable shutter 142 when the second variable shutter 142 is in the open position, the game ball will enter the second variable specific area 141.

[0048] Furthermore, the second variable winning device 32b includes a second count switch 223b capable of detecting all the game balls that have entered the second variable specific area 141, a specific entry part 145 into which the game balls that have entered the second variable specific area 141 and have been detected by the second count switch 223b can enter, a non-specific entry part 146, a specific entry detection switch 226a for detecting the game balls that have entered the specific entry part 145, a non-specific entry detection switch 226b for detecting the game balls that have entered the non-specific entry part 146, and a sorting device 147 for guiding the game balls detected by the second count switch 223b to either the specific entry part 145 or the non-specific entry part 146.

[0049] The sorting device 147 includes a slide piece 148 that is displaced between a closed position that restricts entry into the specific entry part 145 and an open position that allows entry into the specific entry part 145, and a solenoid (not shown) that displaces the slide piece 148 to the open position at predetermined intervals. When the slide piece 148 is in the open position when the game ball that has entered the second variable specific area 141 reaches the sorting device 147, the game ball enters the specific entry part 145, and when the slide piece 148 is in the closed position, the game ball enters the non-specific entry part 146. In this embodiment, when the game ball that has entered the second variable specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b enters the specific entry part 145 in the near miss state, a "big win state" is imparted (and continues in the big win state). Also, in this embodiment, the displacement state of the sorting device 147, the passage of the game ball through the second count switch 223b, and the state of entry of the game ball into the specific entry detection switch 226a and the non-specific entry detection switch 226b can be visually recognized from the front of the right hitting winning unit 37 (pachinko machine 10).

[0050] Furthermore, a ball entry instruction means and an LED (not shown) as an aspect instruction means are provided corresponding to a specific ball entry part 145 (for example, directly below the slide piece 148 of the distribution device 147). When the specific ball entry part 145 is in an open state (for example, only during the period when the specific ball entry part 145 is in an open state), the LED is configured to emit light, and is turned off during other periods. When a game ball enters the specific ball entry part 145, the lighting mode of such an LED changes (for example, blinks, the emission color changes, etc.), and returns to the basic lighting mode (lighting mode if the specific ball entry part 145 is open, off mode if it is closed) one second after the ball entry is detected. In addition, in front of the specific ball entry part 145, the character "V" is attached so as to be visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Incidentally, the LED may be provided on the side of the passage in the right hitting winning unit 37, or may be provided behind the passage. Also, instead of or in addition to the LED, a movable accessory or the like may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the specific ball entry part 145 is in an open state.

[0051] In addition, a ball entry instruction means and an LED (not shown) as an aspect instruction means are provided corresponding to the non-specific ball entry part 146. When a game ball enters the non-specific ball entry part 146, such an LED lights up and turns off one second after the ball entry is detected.

[0052] The second start winning device 33c is configured to be slidably displaced back and forth, and includes a second start shutter 172 that can be displaced between a closed position that restricts the entry of game balls into the second start winning device 33c and an open position that retracts backward from the game area above the second start winning device 33c to allow the entry of game balls into the second start winning device 33c, a second start winning switch 224c that can detect all game balls that have entered the second start winning device 33c, and a solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the second start shutter 172. The second start winning device 33c is normally in a closed state where game balls cannot enter. Specifically, when winning in the ball entry support lottery described later, it is set to an open state where game balls can enter.

[0053] Further, the second start shutter 172 of this embodiment slopes downward toward the right, and the second guide passage 113 guides (drops and reaches) the game ball to the upper left part of the second start shutter 172. When the game ball is guided by the second guide passage 113 and reaches the second start winning device 33c, if the second start shutter 172 is in the closed position, the game ball rests on the upper surface of the second start shutter 172 and is guided to the third guide passage 114 on the right by the second start shutter 172. Incidentally, when the game ball is resting on the second start shutter 172 when the second start shutter 172 is set to the open position, the game ball will enter the second start winning device 33c.

[0054] Furthermore, an LED (not shown) serving as a ball entry instruction means and a mode instruction means is provided corresponding to the second start winning device 33c (for example, directly below the second start shutter 172). When the second start winning device 33c is in the open state, the LED emits light, and otherwise it is turned off. Also, when a game ball enters the second start winning device 33c, the lighting mode of such an LED changes (for example, blinks, the emission color changes, etc.), and it returns to the basic lighting mode (lighting mode if the second start winning device 33c is open, off mode if it is closed) one second after the ball entry is detected. Incidentally, instead of or in addition to the LED, a movable accessory or the like may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the second start winning device 33c is in the open state.

[0055] The first variable winning device 32a includes a first variable specific area 161 into which a game ball guided by the third guide passage 114 can enter, and a first variable shutter 162 that is configured to be slidable back and forth and is located above the first variable specific area 161, and is displaceable between a closed position that restricts the entry of the game ball into the first variable specific area 161 and an open position that retracts backward from the upper position of the first variable specific area 161 to allow the entry of the game ball into the first variable specific area 161, a first count switch 223a that can detect all game balls that have entered the first variable specific area 161, and a solenoid (not shown) that opens and closes the second start shutter 172. The first variable winning device 32a is normally in a closed state where game balls cannot enter, and when the first variable winning device 32a is in a hit state where it is in an open state, it is in an open state where game balls can enter.

[0056] Further, the first variable shutter 162 of the present embodiment is inclined downward toward the left, and the third guide passage 114 guides the game ball to the upper right part of the first variable shutter 162. When the game ball is guided by the third guide passage 114 and reaches the first variable winning device 32a, if the first variable shutter 162 is in the closed position, the game ball rests on the upper surface of the first variable shutter 162 and is guided to the fourth guide passage 115 on the left by the first variable shutter 162. When the game ball is resting on the first variable shutter 162 when the first variable shutter 162 is in the open position, the game ball will enter the first variable specific area 161.

[0057] Furthermore, corresponding to the first variable winning device 32a (for example, directly below the first variable shutter 162), there are provided a ball entry instruction means and an LED (not shown) as an aspect instruction means. When the first variable winning device 32a is in an open state (for example, only during the period when the first variable winning device 32b is in an open state, from the start to the end of the jackpot state, or from the start of the first round to the end of the final round), the LED is configured to emit light, and it is turned off during other periods. Also, when a game ball enters the first variable winning device 32a, the lighting mode of such an LED changes (for example, it blinks, the emission color changes, etc.), and it returns to the basic lighting mode (lighting mode if the first variable winning device 32a is open, off mode if it is closed) one second after the ball entry is detected. Incidentally, instead of or in addition to the said LED, a movable accessory or the like may be provided to make it easier to recognize that the first variable winning device 32a is in an open state.

[0058] In the right hitting winning unit 37 of this embodiment, when the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the second variable winning device 32b, the second start winning device 33c, and the first variable winning device 32a are in a closed state, the game balls that have entered the ball entry part 111 are aligned in a row by the first auxiliary start winning device 33b (the first start shutter 171) and the first guide passage 112, and then, as a row, are guided to the discharge part 116 via the second variable shutter 142, the second start shutter 172, and the first variable shutter 162. Also, when making a game ball enter the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the second variable winning device 32b, the second start winning device 33c, and the first variable winning device 32a, it is necessary to make the game ball enter the right hitting winning unit 37. Furthermore, in this embodiment, (substantially) all of the game balls launched in the right side region are configured to enter the right hitting winning unit 37.

[0059] Also, in the rightward winning unit 37, the first guide passage 112, the second guide passage 113, the third guide passage 114, the fourth guide passage 115, the area above the first start shutter 171 of the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the area above the second variable shutter 142 of the second variable winning device 32b, the area above the second start shutter 172 of the second start winning device 33c, and the area above the first variable shutter 162 of the first variable winning device 32a are included in the game area. Further, in any one of, or a combination of, the first guide passage 112, the second guide passage 113, and the third guide passage 114, a branch passage (which may basically be arranged so as not to pass through) for guiding the game ball to the outside of the rightward winning unit 37 (the back side of the game board 30) may be provided.

[0060] Also, the opening and closing members for switching the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the second start winning device 33c, the first variable winning device 32a, and the second variable winning device 32b of the present embodiment between the open state and the closed state are constituted by shutters 172, 162, 142 that slide in the front-rear direction, but are not particularly limited to such a configuration. For example, in the second start winning device 33c, a blade member as an opening and closing member that is rotatably displaceable is provided adjacent to the right side portion of the winning port (start winning port) into which the game ball can enter. The second start winning device 33c is arranged at a predetermined distance to the left of the left end, which is the downstream end of the second guide passage 113. When the blade member is in the open position, the tip of the blade member is close to the left end of the second guide passage 113, and the game ball passing through the second guide passage 113 is guided by the blade member and enters the start winning port. On the other hand, when the blade member is in the open position, the start winning port is closed by the blade member, and a gap through which the game ball can pass is formed between the second start winning device 33c (blade member) and the second guide passage 113. It may be configured to enter the third guide passage 114 by passing through the gap.

[0061] Also, in the present embodiment, the right hitting winning unit 37 is configured to include the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the first variable winning device 32a, the second variable winning device 32b, and the second start winning device 33c. However, the winning devices included in the right hitting winning unit 37 are not particularly limited. For example, it may be configured to include the through gate 34 or the general winning device 31, or the first auxiliary start winning device 33b and the first variable winning device 32a may be separated. In addition, a configuration in which a plurality of each winning device is connected in a single path like the right hitting winning unit 37 may be omitted. Further, the first variable winning device 32a may be omitted so that the second variable winning device 32b is used in all winning states, and the specific ball entry portion 145 is opened only in the small winning state (the slide piece 148 of the distribution device 147 is in the open position).

[0062] Above the right hitting winning unit 37, a through gate 34 through which game balls flowing down in the game area can pass one by one is provided. Although it will be described in detail later, the through gate 34 is provided with a through gate switch 225 capable of detecting game balls passing through the through gate 34. In the present embodiment, the through gate 34 is not provided in the right side area of the game area.

[0063] Also, when a game ball is detected by the through gate switch 225, a ball entry support lottery (opening lottery) for determining whether to open the second start winning device 33c is performed, and a variable display for teaching the result of the ball entry support lottery is performed by a normal symbol display device 41 described later. When winning the ball entry support lottery, the second start winning device 33c is opened for a specified time after the end of the variable display.

[0064] In this embodiment, there are a "high ball entry state" in which the second start winning device 33c (the second start shutter 172) is opened relatively frequently, making it easier for game balls to enter the second start winning device 33c, and a "low ball entry state" in which the time period during which the second start winning device 33c is opened is reduced compared to the high ball entry state. Hereinafter, the state in which the winning or losing lottery is performed in the low ball entry state (the variable display of the special display devices 43a and 43b described later is executed) is referred to as the "normal mode", and the state in which the winning or losing lottery is performed in the high ball entry state is referred to as the "time shortening mode (or time reduction mode)". In this embodiment, the time shortening mode corresponds to a specific state.

[0065] Incidentally, examples of the high ball entry state include: (1) a state in which the variable display time (variation time) in the normal symbol display device 41 is shorter than that in the low ball entry state; (2) a state in which the period during which the second start winning device 33c is opened for each winning of the ball entry support lottery is longer than that in the low ball entry state (the opening time is long, the number of opening times is large, etc.); (3) a state in which the winning probability of the ball entry support lottery is higher than that in the low ball entry state; (4) a state in which the upper limit number of game balls that can enter for each opening of the second start winning device 33c is larger than that in the low ball entry state, and the like. The high ball entry state in this embodiment adopts the configurations (1) to (3) above. Of course, it is not limited to this, and as the "high ball entry state", any one of the configurations (1) to (4), or any combination of these configurations (1) to (4) may be adopted.

[0066] Also, in a position adjacent to the upper right part of the substantially elliptical game area and visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10, there is a normal symbol display device 41 as normal display means for performing a variable display for teaching the result of a ball entry support lottery based on the passage of a game ball through the through gate 34, a first normal start winning device 33a, and a first display means for performing a variable display (hereinafter referred to as "first variable display (special figure 1 variation)") as a first display for teaching the result of a first win / loss lottery (big win win / loss lottery) triggered by the entry of a game ball into the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, a first special display device 43a as first special display means, a second display means for performing a variable display (hereinafter referred to as "second variable display (special figure 2 variation)") as a first display for teaching the result of a second win / loss lottery (big win win / loss lottery and small win win / loss lottery) triggered by the entry of a game ball into the second start winning device 33c, and a second special display device 43b as second special display means are provided. Incidentally, the display mode of the first special symbol display device 43a is also referred to as "special figure 1", and the display mode of the second special symbol display device 43b is also referred to as "special figure 2".

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, during the execution of the first variable display and during the winning state, if a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, the first variable display corresponding to the ball entry is stored in suspension, and after the stop display of the first variable display being executed or after the winning state ends, the first variable display stored in suspension is started. Also, during the execution of the second variable display and during the winning state, if a game ball enters the second start winning device 33c, the second variable display corresponding to the ball entry is stored in suspension, and after the stop display of the second variable display being executed or after the winning state ends, the second variable display stored in suspension is started. In addition, if a game ball passes through the through gate 34 during the execution of the variable display on the normal symbol display device 41, the variable display corresponding to the passage is stored in suspension, and after the stop display of the variable display being executed, the variable display stored in suspension is started.

[0068] In addition, in the present embodiment, adjacent to the normal symbol display device 41, the first special display device 43a, and the second special display device 43b, a first hold display device 46a as a first hold display means for indicating that the first variable display is held in memory (having obtained the right to execute the variable display), a second hold display device 46b as a second hold display means for indicating that the second variable display is held in memory, and a normal hold display device 44 for indicating that the variable display in the normal symbol display device 41 is held in memory are provided. In addition, adjacent to the normal symbol display device 41, the normal hold display device 44, etc., a time-saving lamp 48 that is lit when shifting to the time-saving mode and extinguished when shifting to a game mode other than the time-saving mode is provided. In the present embodiment, the first special display device 43a, the second special display device 43b, the first hold display device 46a, the second hold display device 46b, the normal symbol display device 41, the normal hold display device 44, and the time-saving lamp 48 are directly controlled for display by a special game generation means and a main control device 261 as a main control means, which will be described later.

[0069] The first special display device 43a is composed of four LEDs (first special figure lamps). And, upon the entry of a game ball into the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, a switching display (first variable display) of the first special figure lamps is performed by the first special display device 43a.

[0070] The second special display device 43b is composed of four LEDs (second special figure lamps). And, upon the entry of a game ball into the second start winning device 33c, a switching display (second variable display) of the second special figure lamps is performed by the second special display device 43b.

[0071] Also, after the first variable display and the second variable display are performed for a predetermined time by the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b, the first variable display and the second variable display will stop based on the result of the jackpot winning / losing lottery or the minor winning / losing lottery. That is, the lighting mode (combination of lit special figure lamps) when the first variable display and the second variable display stop is associated with various results of the jackpot winning / losing lottery or the minor winning / losing lottery, and the result of the jackpot winning / losing lottery or the minor winning / losing lottery, that is, "jackpot", "minor win", or "miss" is definitely displayed according to the lighting mode when the first variable display and the second variable display stop.

[0072] Furthermore, in the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b, the jackpot type is also taught by the lighting mode (stop mode) to be stopped. Also, there are a plurality of stop modes of the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b that teach various jackpot types, minor wins, and misses respectively, and any one of them is selected and stopped for display.

[0073] The jackpot types in this embodiment include 10-round certain-variable jackpot (hereinafter referred to as "10RS"), 4-round certain-variable jackpot (hereinafter referred to as "4RS"), 4-round normal jackpot (hereinafter referred to as "4RN"), and 4-round state-maintaining jackpot (hereinafter referred to as "4RC"). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the allocation of jackpot types is different when winning the first winning / losing lottery and when winning the second winning / losing lottery. As shown in FIG. 51, when winning the first winning / losing lottery, it is allocated at a ratio of 5% to "10RS", 55% to "4RS", and 40% to "4RN". On the other hand, when winning the second winning / losing lottery, it is allocated at a ratio of 5% to "10RS", 15% to "4RS", and 80% to "4RC". In this embodiment, the jackpot state or minor win state corresponding to "10RS", "4RS", and "4RC" corresponds to a special game state. "10RS" and "4RS" correspond to a special game state with specific state conferment and the second special game state, and "4RC" corresponds to the first special game state.

[0074] Regarding "10RS", one round is defined as the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b being opened for 30 seconds, or eight game balls entering the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b. After this process is repeated 10 times, the winning state ends. After the end of the winning state of the "10RS", a "time-saving mode" is granted with an upper limit of "until the first variable display is performed once or the second variable display is performed 100 times" or "until a big win state occurs".

[0075] The second variable winning device 32b of this embodiment is configured to be in an open state in a small win state. When a game ball enters the specific ball entry part 145 of the second variable winning device 32b (when the game ball is detected by the specific ball entry detection switch 226a), it shifts (continues) to the big win state (second round). In addition, even when winning the small win state, the winning type is determined. When shifting from the small win state to the big win state, it shifts to the winning state of such a type. However, when the small win state ends without shifting to the big win state while remaining in the small win state, the game mode corresponding to the big win type is not changed, and the game mode after the small win state is the same as the game mode before the small win state. Also, outside the small win state, even if a game ball enters the second variable specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b, the slide piece 148 of the distribution device 147 is in the closed position, and the game ball does not enter the specific ball entry part 145. Incidentally, the behavior of whether a game ball that has entered the second variable winning device 32b enters the specific ball entry part 145 is also referred to as "device lottery". In this embodiment, if a game ball enters the second variable winning device 32b in the small win state, the game ball enters the specific ball entry part 145 with a very high probability (almost 100%).

[0076] Regarding "4RS", one round is defined as the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b being opened for 30 seconds, or 8 game balls entering the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b. After this is repeated 4 times, the jackpot state ends. After the end of the winning state of the "4RS", a "time-saving mode" with an upper limit of "until the first variable display is performed once or the second variable display is performed 100 times" or "until a jackpot state occurs" is granted.

[0077] Regarding "4RN", one round is defined as the first variable winning device 32a being opened for 30 seconds, or 8 game balls entering the first variable winning device 32a. After this is repeated 4 times, the jackpot state ends. After the end of the jackpot state of the "4RN", Normal a "mode" is granted.

[0078] Regarding "4RC", one round is defined as the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b being opened for 30 seconds, or 8 game balls entering the first variable winning device 32a or the second variable winning device 32b. After this is repeated 4 times, the jackpot state ends. After the end of the jackpot state of "4RC" in the time-saving mode, a "time-saving mode" with an upper limit of "until the first variable display is performed once or the second variable display is performed 100 times" or "until a jackpot state occurs" is granted. On the other hand, after the end of the jackpot state of "4RC" in the normal mode, a "time-saving mode" with an upper limit of "until the first variable display is performed 0 times or the second variable display is performed 100 times" or "until a jackpot state occurs" is granted.

[0079] In addition, the stop display on the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b is configured to be maintained for a specified time (a "definitive display" in which the stop symbol is displayed for the specified time), and is configured to be able to start the next variable display after the elapse of the specified time (after the variable interval). Further, if the next variable display is not performed even after the elapse of the specified time after the stop display on the first special display device 43a or the second special display device 43b, the first special display device 43a or the second special display device 43b is configured to be switched from the lighting mode indicating the result of the win / loss lottery to the lighting mode indicating a standby state in which no variable display is being performed. Note that the lighting mode indicating the result of the win / loss lottery may be configured to be maintained as it is.

[0080] The first hold display device 46a is composed of two LEDs (first hold lamps). In the present embodiment, it is configured to be able to hold and store up to four first variable displays based on the entry of game balls into the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b. For example, when one first variable display is held, the first hold lamp on the left side (inner peripheral side of the game area) lights up. When two first variable displays are held, the left and right first hold lamps light up. When three first variable displays are held, the first hold lamp on the left side blinks while the first hold lamp on the right side lights up. When four first variable displays are held, the left and right first hold lamps blink. When a plurality of first variable displays are held and stored, the first variable displays are sequentially consumed in the order in which they are held and stored (starting from the one held first).

[0081] The second hold display device 46b is composed of two LEDs (second hold lamps). In the present embodiment, the second variable display based on the entry of a game ball into the second start winning device 33c is configured to be able to hold and store up to four times. For example, when the second variable display is held once, the second hold lamp on the left side (inner peripheral side of the game area) lights up. When the second variable display is held twice, the second hold lamps on both the left and right sides light up. When the second variable display is held three times, the second hold lamp on the left side blinks while the second hold lamp on the right side lights up. When the second variable display is held four times, the second hold lamps on both the left and right sides blink. When a plurality of second variable displays are held and stored, the second variable displays are sequentially consumed in the order in which they are held and stored (starting from the one held earlier).

[0082] The normal symbol display device 41 is composed of two LEDs (normal symbol lamps). In the normal symbol display device 41, for example, when a game ball passes through the through gate 34, the normal symbol lamp on the right side (outer peripheral side of the game area) blinks (variable display). Also, after the variable display is performed for a predetermined time in the normal symbol display device 41, the variable display is stopped based on the result of the entry support lottery. That is, the lighting mode (combination of lit normal symbol lamps) when the variable display stops is associated with various results of the entry support lottery, and the result of the entry support lottery is definitely displayed by the lighting mode when the variable display stops. For example, lighting both the left and right normal symbol lamps indicates "winning", and lighting only the left normal symbol lamp indicates "losing".

[0083] The normal hold display device 44 is composed of two LEDs (normal hold lamps). In this embodiment, the variable display of the normal symbol display device 41 performed based on the passage of the game ball through the through gate 34 can be held and stored up to four times. For example, when the variable display of the normal symbol display device 41 is held once, the normal hold lamp on the left side (inner peripheral side of the game area) lights up. When it is held twice, the normal hold lamps on both the left and right sides light up. When it is held three times, the normal hold lamp on the left side blinks while the normal hold lamp on the right side lights up. When it is held four times, the normal hold lamps on both the left and right sides blink. In addition, when a new game ball passes through the through gate 34 during the jackpot state, the variable display for that amount is also held.

[0084] In addition, the configurations of the normal symbol display device 41, the first special symbol display device 43a, the second special symbol display device 43b, the normal hold display device 44, the first hold display device 46a, the second hold display device 46b, and the time-saving lamp 48 are not particularly limited. For example, (in order to make it difficult to determine the content), it can be configured with more lamps, or with display means such as a segment display device or a liquid crystal display device, or with a movable switching display member, etc., and can be appropriately changed.

[0085] Now, in the present embodiment, even when one of the variable displays (first variable display) of the first special display device 43a and the variable display (second variable display) of the second special display device 43b is being performed, the other variable display can be started and both variable displays can be executed in parallel. Further, when a jackpot (10RS, 4RS, 4RN) is won in the first win / loss lottery and a stop display is performed in a mode of teaching a jackpot in the first variable display (the first variable display ends / completes), the second variable display is configured to be forcibly stopped (forced to end, aborted) in a mode corresponding to "a miss", and after the end of the jackpot state based on the first win / loss lottery, the following first variable display and second variable display (stored in each reserved first area of the first special variable reservation area and the second special variable reservation area described later) are configured to be newly started. That is, when a stop display is performed in a mode of teaching a jackpot in the first variable display, the second variable display being executed is (regardless of the content) erased.

[0086] Also, when a jackpot and a minor win are won in the second win / loss lottery and the jackpot type is "10RS" or "4RS", when a stop display is performed in a mode of teaching a jackpot or a minor win in the second variable display (the second variable display ends / completes), the first variable display is configured to be forcibly stopped (ended, aborted) in a mode corresponding to "a miss", and after the end of the jackpot state based on the second win / loss lottery (and the accessory lottery), the following first variable display and second variable display (stored in each reserved first area of the first special variable reservation area and the second special variable reservation area described later) are configured to be newly started. That is, when a stop display is performed in a mode of teaching a jackpot of "10RS" and "4RS" in the second variable display, the first variable display being executed is (regardless of the content) erased.

[0087] On the other hand, when winning a jackpot or a minor win in the second win / loss lottery and the jackpot type is "4RC", if a stop display is performed (the second variable display has ended / been completed) in a mode that teaches a jackpot or a minor win in the second variable display, the first variable display is configured to be interrupted (the progress is temporarily stopped), and after the end of the jackpot state based on the second win / loss lottery (and the accessory lottery), the interrupted first variable display is configured to start. That is, when a stop display is performed in a mode that teaches a "4RC" jackpot in the second variable display, a process is performed to prevent the ongoing first variable display from proceeding further (to prevent the time until the stop display from decreasing), and after the jackpot state ends, the first variable display will resume (without being erased). In this embodiment, when the second variable display that teaches the occurrence of a jackpot or a minor win corresponding to "4RC" is stopped, although the time until the ongoing first variable display is stopped does not decrease, as the display of the first special symbol display device 43a, the display mode (switching display) of the first variable display continues as it is until the end of the jackpot state or the minor win state (it is a connecting mode indicating that the state of the first variable display is maintained, and although it is the display on the first special symbol display device 43a, it is not the first variable display in the original sense (the first variable display in which the variable time is determined at the start of the variable display based on the numerical value obtained based on the entry of game balls into the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b)), and after the end of the jackpot state or the minor win state, the first variable display (the progress thereof) resumes in a manner such that the display mode (switching display) of the first variable display continues as it is. Here, regarding the resumed first variable display, it is not necessarily limited to a configuration where it resumes from the mode displayed at the time of interruption. If the remaining time until the stop display and the taught content match, the mode at the time of resumption may be changed.

[0088] Also, in the present embodiment, at least in the time-saving mode, the second variable display can be executed multiple times during the period in which the first variable display is being executed. That is, as shown in Fig. 52(a), in the time-saving mode, the time of the first variable display (the variable time of Special Figure 1 as the first variable time) is uniformly set to 180 seconds, while the time of the second variable display (the variable time of Special Figure 2 as the second variable time) is set between 5 seconds and 40 seconds. In particular, in the present embodiment, the result of the second win / loss lottery in the time-saving mode, the selected jackpot type ("10RS", "4RS", "4RC", or the non-winning Special Figure 2 variable type of "miss"), and the Special Figure 2 variable time are associated with each other. When winning "4RC", the Special Figure 2 variable time is set between 15 seconds and 25 seconds. When winning "10RS", the Special Figure 2 variable time is set between 30 seconds and 40 seconds. When winning "4RS", when the value of CS1 is "0 to 149", the Special Figure 2 variable time is set between 15 seconds and 25 seconds, and when the value of CS1 is "150 to 255", the Special Figure 2 variable time is set between 30 seconds and 40 seconds. In the case of "miss", when the value of CS1 is "0 to 19", the Special Figure 2 variable time is set between 30 seconds and 40 seconds, and when the value of CS1 is "20 to 255", the Special Figure 2 variable time is set between 5 seconds and 13 seconds. That is, when the Special Figure 2 variable time exceeds 13 seconds, the winning expectation probability of the winning state significantly increases. Furthermore, when the Special Figure 2 variable time exceeds 13 seconds and ends within 25 seconds or less, either "4RC" or "4RS" winning is determined. In addition, when the Special Figure 2 variable time exceeds 30 seconds, it is determined whether to win "10RS" and "4RS" associated with the granting of the time-saving mode, or to be "miss" (not to win "4RC").

[0089] That is, in the time-saving mode, the player can more accurately speculate on the content of the second variable display by measuring the special figure 2 variable time of the second variable display (the measurement of the special figure 2 variable time can also refer to the remaining time display shown on the decorative symbol display device 42, which will be described in detail later). Also, there is a time lag of about 2 seconds (a time zone not set as the special figure 2 variable time) between the special figure 2 variable time corresponding to "miss" and the special figure 2 variable time corresponding to either "4RC" or "4RS", and there is a time lag of about 5 seconds (a time zone not set as the special figure 2 variable time) between the special figure 2 variable time corresponding to either "4RC" or "4RS" and the special figure 2 variable time that can win "10RS". Therefore, even if the measurement is somewhat inaccurate or based on a physical feeling, the boundary of the special figure 2 variable time is relatively easy to grasp.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, the special figure 1 variable time of the first variable display in the first rotation when shifting from the time-saving mode to the normal mode is configured to be uniformly set to 40 seconds (other times may be set, or it may be set as any time longer than the specified time). The special figure 1 variable time in other rotations of the first variable display in the normal mode is set between 10 seconds and 60 seconds. Also, the special figure 2 variable time in the normal mode is uniformly set to 1 second. However, in the normal mode, it is basically configured such that the second variable display is not newly reserved and memorized.

[0091] In addition, the variable display device unit 35 is provided with an effect display means configured by a liquid crystal display device and capable of displaying a decorative pattern, and a decorative pattern display device 42 as a special effect display means. The decorative pattern display device 42 is configured to perform effect variable displays (first effect variable display, second effect variable display) as effect displays (first display, second display) in accordance with the variable displays by the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b (to variably display the decorative pattern). Further, the display content of the decorative pattern display device 42 is 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, based on a command from the main control device 261, an auxiliary display content is determined by the sub-control device 262 so as to correspond to the result displayed by the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b, and based on this determination, the display is performed by the display control device 45. Note that in the decorative pattern display device 42, some kind of display is made when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is on. During the winning state, an effect display (special effect display) corresponding to the winning state is performed. When it is not the winning state and no variable display is being performed, a display (demo screen display) corresponding to the game standby state (customer waiting state) is performed.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 50(a), the decorative pattern display device 42 is provided with, for example, three pattern display areas (upper pattern display area, middle pattern display area, lower pattern display area) of upper, middle, and lower. In each pattern display area, a plurality of types of decorative patterns 455 (for example, numerical patterns with numbers 1 to 9 attached) are sequentially displayed (variably displayed), and then the decorative patterns 455 are stopped and displayed in order for each pattern display area (for example, in the order of upper pattern display area → lower pattern display area → middle pattern display area). For example, when the occurrence of the jackpot state is determined by the main control device 261, a display corresponding to the jackpot is made by the first special display device 43a or the second special display device 43b, and the decorative pattern 455 is stopped and displayed in a combination corresponding to the jackpot in the decorative pattern display device 42 (for example, the same decorative pattern 455 is arranged on a predetermined effective line in the upper pattern display area, the middle pattern display area, and the lower pattern display area and stopped and displayed), and the jackpot state is started.

[0093] Also, when the decorative symbol 455 stops and is displayed in a combination corresponding to a big win, as a previous stage, for example, the same decorative symbol 455 stops and is displayed on a predetermined valid line in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area. In this way, while the same symbol stops and is displayed on the predetermined valid line in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area, and the middle symbol display area is still in a state of variable display, this state is the reach state. Of course, just because the reach state occurs does not necessarily mean a big win, and it may also result in a miss.

[0094] In this embodiment, after the reach state occurs, in the middle symbol display area, when the same decorative symbol 455 (reach symbol) as the decorative symbol 455 that stopped and was displayed in the upper symbol display area and the lower symbol display area stops and is displayed on the same valid line (when a matching symbol stops and is displayed), a big win state is given. Also, in the case of an odd-numbered matching symbol, "10RS" or "4RS" occurs, and in the case of an even-numbered matching symbol, any one of "10RS", "4RS", "4RN", and "4RC" occurs.

[0095] In addition, in this embodiment, as an effect for teaching or suggesting the current game mode, a plurality of effect stages (with different backgrounds, etc.) are prepared in the decorative symbol display device 42. More specifically, there are a "normal stage" that determines staying in the normal mode and a "time-saving stage" that suggests staying in the time-saving mode. That is, when winning "10RS" or "4RS" in the normal mode, after the end of the big win state, it shifts to the "time-saving stage". Also, when the upper limit of the number of variable displays is reached in the time-saving mode (specifically, in this example, when the first variable display is performed 1 time (or 0 times) in the time-saving mode, or when the second variable display is performed 100 times), or when winning "4RN", after the end of the variable display or after the end of the big win state, it shifts to the "normal stage".

[0096] Also, in this embodiment, the first variable display and the second variable display are configured to be performed in parallel. However, in the main effect display of the decorative symbol display device 42 (the variable display of the decorative symbol 455; the effect variable display), basically, an effect variable display corresponding to either the first variable display or the second variable display is derived. That is, in the normal mode, basically, the first effect variable display corresponding to the first variable display is derived, and in the time-saving mode, basically, the second effect variable display corresponding to the second variable display is derived. Incidentally, although details will be described later, when the second variable display corresponding to winning in the second win / loss lottery is performed across the timing of shifting from the time-saving mode to the normal mode, or when there is a saved memory of the second variable display corresponding to winning in the second win / loss lottery at the time when the time-saving mode ends, the second effect variable display is also derived in the normal mode.

[0097] Also, in this embodiment, in the decorative symbol display device 42 as well, it is basically taught (except during the execution period of the saved win / loss effect that may be performed when shifting from the time-saving mode to the normal mode) that the first variable display and the second variable display are saved. For example, as shown in Fig. 50(a), in the lower part of the decorative symbol display device 42 (the saved display area 462; the means for displaying corresponding to ball entry detection), a saved icon 461 as a display corresponding to ball entry detection indicating that the variable display is saved in memory is displayed. The saved icon 461 is configured to correspond to the detection of the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and the second start winning device 33c, and also to correspond to the execution of the variable display of the special display devices 43a and 43b. Moreover, it is configured to be able to suggest or teach the result of the win / loss lottery.

[0098] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, at the lower right portion of the decorative symbol display device 42, a first auxiliary effect variable display for variably displaying a first auxiliary symbol 471 corresponding to the first variable display and a second auxiliary effect variable display for variably displaying a second auxiliary symbol 472 corresponding to the second variable display are performed. The auxiliary symbols 471 and 472 are each composed of numbers 1 to 9 that are alternately displayed in a pair of left and right symbol display areas, and a win is indicated when the left and right numbers match. Note that the timings of the start and end (completion) of the first variable display and the second variable display may not coincide with the timings of the start and end of the effect variable display of the decorative symbol 455. On the other hand, the timings of the start and end (completion) of the first auxiliary effect variable display and the second auxiliary effect variable display are configured to coincide with the timings of the start and end (completion) of the first variable display and the second variable display. Thus, even in the time-saving mode, if the first auxiliary effect variable display and the second auxiliary effect variable display are visible, the timings of the start and end (completion) of the first variable display and the second variable display can be grasped even while viewing other effects of the decorative symbol display device 42.

[0099] In addition, the game board 30 is provided with a rail 50 composed of an inner rail component 51 and an outer rail component 52, which guides the game ball launched from the launching device 60 to the upper part of the game board 30. Accordingly, the game ball launched along with the rotation operation of the handle 18 is guided into the game area formed between the game board 30 and the glass unit 137 through the launch rail 61 and the rail 50.

[0100] A return ball prevention member 53 is attached to the tip portion (the upper left portion in FIG. 4) of the inner rail component 51. This prevents a situation where a game ball once guided from the rail 50 into the game area returns into the rail 50 again. In addition, a return rubber 54 is attached to the substantially tip portion (the upper right portion in FIG. 4) of the outer rail component 52. A game ball launched with a momentum equal to or greater than a predetermined value hits the return rubber 54 and is returned, for example, toward the substantially central portion side of the game board 30.

[0101] In addition, in the present embodiment, the outer rail component 52 ends at the upper right portion of the game board 30, and the inner rail component 51 ends at the lower right portion of the game board 30. For this reason, the game area is defined by the rail 50 and the inner peripheral surface of the window hole 39 of the resin base 38. However, since the game ball launched by the launching device 60 may flow backward along the rail 50 until it passes through the return ball prevention member 53, the parallel portions of the inner and outer rail components 51 and 52 are excluded from the game area.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 3, a ball passage unit 70 is provided below the window portion 101 on the back side of the front frame 14. The ball passage unit 70 includes a lower plate communication passage 71 that connects from a payout mechanism unit 352 described later to the lower payout outlet 16 of the lower plate 15, and an upper plate communication passage 73 that connects from the payout mechanism unit 352 to the upper plate 19. Further, there is a gap with a predetermined interval between the launch rail 61 provided on the front side of the inner frame 12 and the rail 50 (outer rail component 52), and a far ball passage 72 for guiding the game ball that has fallen from the gap to the lower plate 15 is formed in the ball passage unit 70 of the front frame 14. Thereby, if the game ball launched from the launching device 60 does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 and reversely returns along the rail 50 as a far ball, the far ball is discharged to the lower plate 15 through the far ball passage 72.

[0103] Furthermore, a launch ball passage 74 is provided to communicate between the upper plate 19 and the ball feeding device 63 to guide the game balls stored in the upper plate 19 to the ball feeding device 63. In addition, a communication hole (not shown) that communicates with the lower plate communication passage 71 is formed in the launch ball passage 74 (also possible at the downstream portion of the upper plate 19), and a first shutter (not shown) for opening and closing the communication hole is provided. The first shutter is biased to the closed position side that always closes the communication hole by a biasing means (not shown). Further, the first shutter is configured to be displaced to the open position that opens the communication hole when the ball extraction button 123 is pressed.

[0104] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower tray 15 is formed with a discharge port 15a through which the game balls stored in the lower tray 15 can be discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10, and a second shutter 15b for opening and closing the discharge port 15a is provided. The second shutter 15b is always biased to the closed position side for closing the discharge port 15a by a biasing means (not shown). Further, the second shutter 15b is configured to be interlocked with the ball extraction lever 25 (for example, connected or integrally formed), and when the ball extraction lever 25 is pressed (to the left), it is configured to be displaced to the open position for opening the discharge port 15a.

[0105] Also, reference numeral 67 in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a payout passage for guiding the game balls paid out by the payout mechanism section 352, which will be described later, to the front of the inner frame 12, and is divided into a passage communicating with the upper tray communication passage 73 (upper tray 19) and a passage communicating with the lower tray communication passage 71 (lower tray 15). A shutter 68 is provided below the payout passage 67. In a state where the front frame 14 is open, the shutter 68 protrudes forward by a biasing force such as a spring to substantially close the outlet of the payout passage 67. Also, in a state where the front frame 14 is closed, the shutter 68 is pushed open by the rear end portion on the inlet side of the lower tray communication passage 71. Note that the inlets (ball inflow portions) of the lower tray communication passage 71 and the upper tray communication passage 73 are adjacent to each other, and in a closed state of the front frame 14, the respective inlets and the payout passage 67 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and game balls can pass through the gap therebetween. For this reason, when the upper tray 19 and the upper tray communication passage 73 are filled with game balls, the game balls to be paid out flow to the lower tray communication passage 71 side (overflow to the inlet side of the lower tray communication passage 71) and are paid out to the lower tray 15 through the lower tray communication passage 71.

[0106] In addition, the ball passage unit 70 is provided with a full detection switch (not shown) for detecting a game ball located in the lower plate connection passage 71. Due to the presence of the full detection switch, it is possible to grasp that the lower plate 15 is full of game balls (the lower plate 15 is full of game balls and the game balls are staying in the lower plate connection passage 71). In the present embodiment, based on the fact that game balls are continuously detected by the full detection switch for a predetermined time, error notification control for teaching that the lower plate 15 is full is performed using the display, sound, etc. in the decorative symbol display device 42. When the stay of the game balls in the lower plate connection passage 71 is eliminated and the game balls are no longer detected by the full detection switch (when they are no longer detected continuously for a predetermined time), the error notification state is released.

[0107] Next, the rear configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, etc. On the rear surface of the pachinko machine 10, various control boards are arranged side by side vertically and horizontally and are partially overlapped front and back. Further, a game ball supply device (payout mechanism) for supplying game balls, a resin protection cover, etc. are attached. The payout mechanism and the protection cover are integrated as one unit, and since the resin part is sometimes generally referred to as a back pack, the unit is referred to as the "back pack unit 203" here.

[0108] First, the rear configuration of the game board 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, on the back side of the variable display device unit 35 (see FIG. 4) disposed corresponding to the through hole at the center of the game board 30, a resin frame cover 213 that covers the center frame 47 from behind is provided so as to protrude rearward. Further, on the back side of the frame cover 213, a decorative symbol display device 42, which is a liquid crystal display device facing forward from the opening of the frame cover 213, a display control device 45, and a sub-control device 262 are detachably attached in a state of being stacked front and back.

[0109] The decorative symbol display device 42 is housed in a housing box 42a in which an opening is formed 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 back side of the frame cover 213. The display control device 45 is housed in a board box 45a and is fixed to the back side of the decorative symbol display device 42 (housing box 42a). The sub-control device 262 is housed in a board box 262a and is fixed to the back side of the display control device 45 (board box 45a). Incidentally, inside the frame cover 213, an LED control board or the like for driving an LED or the like built in the center frame 47 is disposed. Further, the housing box 42a and the board boxes 45a and 262a are made of a transparent resin material or the like, and the inside is visible.

[0110] Below the frame cover 213, a back frame set 215 is attached to the game board 30 so as to cover the general winning device 31, the right hitting winning unit 37, etc. from behind. The back frame set 215 includes a ball collection mechanism for collecting game balls that have won in various winning holes (not shown). The game balls collected by this ball collection mechanism are guided to a discharge passage portion 217 described later, and are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 from the discharge chute of the discharge passage portion 217.

[0111] Also, in the present embodiment, the back frame set 215 functions as a mounting base for the main control device 261. More specifically, a board box 263 on which the main control device 261 is mounted is pivotally supported with respect to the back frame set 215 so as to be openable rearward.

[0112] 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 includes 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 to be unable to be opened without leaving a predetermined trace. Thereby, it is possible to easily detect that the board box 263 has been illegally opened.

[0113] In addition, on the game board 30, in correspondence with various winning openings such as the general winning device 31, a ball entry detection switch for detecting game balls that have entered the various winning openings is provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a general winning switch 221 is provided at a position corresponding to the general winning device 31, a first count switch 223a is provided for the first variable winning device 32a, and a second count switch 223b, a specific ball entry detection switch 226a, and a non-specific ball entry detection switch 226b are provided for the second variable winning device 32b. In addition, a first normal start winning switch 224a, a first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, and a second start winning switch 224c are provided for the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and the second start winning device 33c. Further, a through gate switch 225 is provided at a position corresponding to the through gate 34.

[0114] Although not shown, on the back frame set 215, a first game board relay board that is electrically connected to the general winning switch 221, the first count switch 223a, the second count switch 223b, the specific ball entry detection switch 226a, the non-specific ball entry detection switch 226b, and the through gate switch 225 via a cable connector is provided. This first game board relay board relays between the general winning switch 221 etc. and the main control device 261, and is electrically connected to the main control device 261 via a cable connector. On the other hand, the first normal start winning switch 224a, the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, and the second start winning switch 224c are directly connected to the main control device 261 via a connector cable without passing through a relay board.

[0115] The detection results detected by the various ball entry detection switches are taken into the main control device 261. Then, a payout command (the number of game balls to be paid out) corresponding to the winning situation each time is transmitted from the main control device 261 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).

[0116] In addition, although not shown in the drawings, on the back surface of the game board 30, there are provided solenoids for large winning openings that open the first variable winning device 32a and the second variable winning device 32b respectively, and solenoids that open and close the first auxiliary start winning device 33b and the second start winning device 33c. Further, in the back frame set 215, there is also provided a second board surface relay board (not shown in the drawings) that relays these solenoids, motors, and the main control device 261.

[0117] Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the back pack unit 203 is an integrated unit of a resin-molded back pack 351 and a payout mechanism unit 352 for game balls. Further, the back pack unit 203 is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the left side portion (right side in FIG. 6) of the inner frame 12, and can be opened rearward with the opening and closing axis extending in the vertical direction as the axis. In addition, an external terminal board 240 is provided at the upper left portion (upper right portion in FIG. 6) of the back pack unit 203.

[0118] The external terminal board 240 is for relaying the transmission of various information to the hall computer of the game hall, etc., and is provided with a plurality of external connection terminals. For the sake of convenience, although not numbered, for example, terminals for outputting information regarding the current game state (occurrence of a winning state, occurrence of a winning state with the time-saving mode applied, end of the winning state, start and end of the variation of the first variable display and the second variable display, start and end of the time-saving mode, etc.), terminals for outputting information regarding the opening of the front frame 14 and the inner frame 12 detected by the opening detection switches 91 and 92 described later, terminals for outputting information regarding various error states such as a ball entry error, a lower tray full error, a no tank ball error, a payout error, and terminals for outputting information regarding the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control device 311 are provided.

[0119] The back pack 351 is integrally formed of, for example, an ABS resin, and includes a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes to 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 side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and only the lower surface is open, and has a size sufficient to cover at least the frame cover 213. However, in the present embodiment, the protective cover portion 354 is configured to also cover the upper portion and the right portion (the left side portion in FIG. 6) of the substrate box 263. Thereby, in the closed state of the back pack unit 203, the sealing member provided on the right portion of the substrate box 263 and the terminal portion (substrate side connector) provided along the upper edge portion of the main control device 261 are covered.

[0120] The payout mechanism portion 352 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover portion 354. That is, above the protective cover portion 354, a tank 355 that opens upward is provided, and game balls supplied from the island equipment in the game hall are sequentially replenished in this tank 355. Below the tank 355, for example, a tank rail 356 having two rows of ball passages in the horizontal direction and gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected, and 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 portion of the case rail 357, and the payout of a required number of game balls is appropriately performed by a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor. Then, the game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are supplied to the upper tray 19 or the like.

[0121] In addition, in the payout mechanism portion 352, a payout relay board 381 that relays a payout command signal from the payout control device 311 to the payout device 358 is installed, and a power switch board 382 that takes in the main power supply from the outside is installed. The main power supply of, for example, AC 24V is supplied to the power switch board 382 via a voltage converter, and the power is turned on or off by the switching operation of the power switch 382a.

[0122] Below the back pack unit 203 (substrate box 263), a lower frame set 251 is provided which is pivotally supported at the left side portion of the inner frame 12 (right side in FIG. 6) and can be opened rearward. As shown in FIG. 7, a discharge passage portion 217 into which the game balls recovered by the above-described ball recovery mechanism flow is formed in the lower frame set 251, and a discharge chute (not shown) for discharging the game balls to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 is formed at the most downstream portion of the discharge passage portion 217. That is, the game balls that have won at each winning port such as the general winning device 31 are gathered through the ball recovery mechanism of the back frame set 215, and are further discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute of the discharge passage portion 217. Note that the out port 36 also communicates with the discharge passage portion 217 in the same manner, and the game balls that have not won at any winning port are also discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute. In the present embodiment, the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 are configured as separate bodies and can be opened and closed independently, but the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 may be integrally formed.

[0123] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, on the back side of the lower frame set 251, a power supply / launch control device 310, a payout control device 311, and a CR unit connection board 314 are detachably attached in a state of being stacked one on top of the other in the front-rear direction. The power supply / launch control device 310 includes a launch control circuit 312 and a power supply circuit 313, is housed in a substrate box 313a, and is fixed to the back side of the lower frame set 251.

[0124] Also, the payout control device 311 is housed in a substrate box 311a and is fixed to the back side of the substrate box 313a (power supply / launch control device 310). A sealing member is provided in the substrate box 311a in which the payout control device 311 is housed, similar to the substrate box 263 in which the above-described main control device 261 is housed, so that a trace of the opening of the substrate box 311a remains.

[0125] In addition, the CR unit connection board 314 is housed in the board box 314a and fixed to the back side of the board box 313a (power supply and emission control device 310). Each of the above-mentioned board boxes 311a, 313a, and 314a is made of a transparent resin material or the like, and the inside is visible.

[0126] Further, the payout control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321 that protrudes outward from the board box 311a. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball jam in the payout motor, the payout motor is rotated forward and backward to eliminate the ball jam (return to the normal state).

[0127] Furthermore, the power supply circuit 313 is provided with a RAM erase switch 323 that protrudes outward from the board box 313a. The pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, so that even if a power failure occurs, the state at the time of the power failure can be maintained, and when returning from the power failure (restoring power), it can be restored to the state at the time of the power failure. Therefore, when the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, at the end of business in the game hall), the state before the power-off is stored and held. Therefore, when it is desired to return to the initial state when the power is turned on, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 323.

[0128] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, a locking device 600 is provided on the back side of the right side portion of the inner frame 12. The locking device 600 includes a cylinder lock 700 (see FIG. 1 etc.) that is exposed on the front side of the front frame 14. By inserting a key into the keyhole of the cylinder lock 700 and rotating it in one direction, the inner frame 12 can be unlocked, and by rotating it in the other direction, the front frame 14 can be unlocked. In the present embodiment, the inner frame 12 is locked to the outer frame 11, and the front frame 14 is locked to the inner frame 12.

[0129] Still, as described above, an extension wall portion 83 is formed on the right side frame component 11d of the outer frame 11 to cover the entire upper and lower regions corresponding to the locking device 600 from the back side of the inner frame 12 (see FIG. 6). As a result, it becomes difficult to insert a wire or the like from the back side of the outer frame 11 and operate the locking device 600 with the wire or the like. As a result, the defensive performance can be improved. Further, the extension wall portion 83 is configured to cover the right end portions (the left end portions in FIG. 6) of the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 from the back side, and in the closed state of the inner frame 12, the back pack unit 203 and the lower frame set 251 cannot be opened.

[0130] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a front frame opening detection switch 91 for detecting the opening of the front frame 14 is provided at the lower right portion on the front side (on the right side of the launching device 60) of the inner frame 12. As shown in FIG. 6, an inner frame opening detection switch 92 for detecting the opening of the inner frame 12 is provided at the lower right portion on the back side (lower left in FIG. 6) of the inner frame 12. The front frame opening detection switch 91 and the inner frame opening detection switch 92 each include a detection portion that can project in and out with respect to the switch main body portion. The front frame opening detection switch 91 is provided such that the detection portion faces forward, and the inner frame opening detection switch 92 is provided such that the detection portion faces rearward. When the detection portion is in a state of protruding from the switch main body portion, an on signal is output to the main control device 261, and when the detection portion is pressed toward the switch main body portion side and is in a state of being immersed in the switch main body portion, an off signal is output to the main control device 261. That is, the front frame opening detection switch 91 is turned off when the detection portion is pressed against the back surface of the front frame 14 when the front frame 14 is closed, and is turned on when the detection portion returns to the protruding state when the front frame 14 is opened. Similarly, the inner frame opening detection switch 92 is turned off when the detection portion is pressed by a pressing portion 86 integrally formed on the receiving portion 85 of the outer frame 11 when the inner frame 12 is closed, and is turned on when the detection portion returns to the protruding state when the inner frame 12 is opened.

[0131] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the present pachinko machine 10. The main control device 261 as the main control means is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer which is an arithmetic unit. The CPU 501 is provided with a ROM 502 that stores various control programs and fixed-value data executed by the CPU 501, a RAM 503 which is a memory that temporarily stores various data etc. 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 are built-in. However, the CPU, ROM, and RAM are not integrated into one chip, and they may be configured to be chipped for each function.

[0132] The RAM 503 includes a stack area that stores the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 501 and the return destination addresses of the control programs executed by the CPU 501, a work area (working area) that stores the values of various flags, counters, I / O, etc., and a backup area 503a.

[0133] Also, the RAM 503 is configured such that even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, a backup voltage is supplied from the power supply circuit 313 to hold (backup) data, and all the data stored in the stack area, the work area, and the backup area 503a are backed up.

[0134] The backup area 503a is an area that stores the values of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc. at the time of power-off (including when a power failure occurs; the same applies hereinafter) so as to restore the state of the pachinko machine 10 to the state before power-off when the power is restored due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is executed at the time of power-off by the main process. Conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 503a is executed in the main process at the time of power-on (including power-on due to the resolution of a power failure; the same applies hereinafter). Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 is configured such that a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542 described later is input at the time of power-off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, and due to the occurrence of a power failure, a power failure process (NMI interrupt process) is immediately executed.

[0135] Note that it is not always necessary to back up the data stored in all areas as long as the data stored in at least the stack area and the backup area 503a is backed up. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the data stored in the stack area and the backup area 503a is backed up and the data stored in the work area is not backed up.

[0136] An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating such a ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 composed 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, first and second special display devices 43a, 43b, a normal symbol display device 41, etc., which will be described later. With this configuration, the above-described special display devices 43a, 43b, 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.

[0137] For the sake of convenience, illustrations of various relay boards and the like are omitted. However, various detection switches such as a general winning switch 221, count switches 223a and 223b, start winning switches 224a, 224b, and 224c, a through gate switch 225, a specific ball entry detection switch 226a, and a non-specific ball entry detection switch 226b, various boards such as a power supply and emission control device 310, a payout control device 311, and a sub-control device 262, information display devices such as hold display devices 46a and 46b and a normal hold display device 44, and various electrical components such as solenoids for opening and closing variable winning devices 32a and 32b and a motor for opening and closing a first auxiliary start winning device 33b (blade member 37) are connected to the input / output port 505. That is, the main control device 261 is provided with a plurality of terminal portions (board-side connectors) for connecting connectors of various cable connectors. The input / output port 505 is constituted by these terminal portions and the like.

[0138] The sub-control device 262 (sub-control board) as sub-control means includes a CPU 551 which is an arithmetic device, 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, and a bus line 555. In addition, it is provided with various 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.

[0139] The CPU 551, the ROM 552, and the RAM 553 are connected to the input / output port 554 via the bus line 555, and a display control device 45 is connected thereto. Further, a speaker SP, an effect button 125, a cross button 126, an annular lighting unit 102, and an error display lamp 104 and the like are connected to the input / output port 554.

[0140] The CPU 551 of the sub-control device 262 causes the display control device 45 to execute display control based on, for example, a command signal (such as a variation pattern command) transmitted from the main control device 261, and causes the decorative pattern display device 42 to display it. As described above, in this embodiment, the first and second special display devices 43a and 43b controlled by the main control device 261 are configured to teach that a jackpot has been won. In the decorative pattern display device 42 controlled by the sub-control device 262, in accordance with the variation display of the special pattern in the special display devices 43a and 43b, the decorative pattern 455 is variably displayed as an effect display.

[0141] In addition, the payout control device 311 performs payout control of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 358. The CPU 511, which is an arithmetic device, includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program, fixed value data, etc. executed by the CPU 511, and a RAM 513 used as a work memory and the like.

[0142] Similar to the RAM 503 of the main control device 261, the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 includes a stack area that stores the contents of the internal registers of the CPU 511 and the return destination addresses of the control programs executed by the CPU 511, a work area (work region) that stores values of various flags, counters, I / O, etc., and a backup area 513a.

[0143] The RAM 513 is configured such that backup voltage is supplied from the power supply circuit 313 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, and data can be retained (backed up). All data stored in the stack area, work area, and backup area 513a is backed up. Note that it is not always necessary to back up all data stored in all areas as long as the data stored in at least the stack area and the backup area 513a is backed up. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the data stored in the stack area and the backup area 513a is backed up, and the data stored in the work area is not backed up.

[0144] Backup area 513a is an area that stores the values of the stack pointer, each register, I / O, etc. at the time of power-off so as to restore the state of the pachinko machine 10 to the state before power-off when the power is restored due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Writing to this backup area 513a is executed at the time of power-off by the main process, and the restoration of each value written in the backup area 513a is executed in the main process at the time of power-on. Note that, similar to the CPU 501 of the main control device 261, the power failure signal SK1 is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 511 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. When the power failure signal SK1 is input to the CPU 511, the NMI interrupt process as the power failure time process is immediately executed.

[0145] The work area is provided with a payout permission flag for setting the payout permission of the prize balls by the payout control device 311, a command reception flag for setting when a command transmitted from the main control device 261 is received, and a command buffer for storing the command transmitted from the main control device 261.

[0146] The payout permission flag is a flag for setting the payout permission of the prize balls. It is turned on when a specific command for permitting the payout of the prize balls is transmitted from the main control device 261 and the specific command is received, and is turned off in the case of the initial setting process or when restored to before power-off. In the present embodiment, the specific commands are three commands: a payout initialization command for instructing the initial process of the RAM 513 of the payout control device 311, a prize ball command for instructing the payout of the prize balls, and a payout restoration command transmitted when the main control device 261 is restored to power.

[0147] The command reception flag is a flag for checking whether the payout control device 311 has received a command. It is turned on when any command is received, and is turned off in the case of the initial setting process or when restored to before power-off, similar to the payout permission flag, and is also turned off when the determination of the received command is made by the command determination process.

[0148] The command buffer is composed of a ring buffer that temporarily stores commands transmitted from the main control device 261. The ring buffer has a predetermined storage area, and commands are stored regularly from the start to the end of the storage area. When commands are stored in all the storage areas, the commands are updated by returning to the start of the storage area. Therefore, when a command is stored and when a command is read out, the storage pointer and the read pointer in the command buffer are updated, and commands are stored and read out based on each pointer.

[0149] An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 incorporating such a ROM 512 and a RAM 513 via a bus line 514 composed of an address bus and a data bus. The RAM erase switch circuit 543, the main control device 261, the power supply / emission control device 310 (emission control circuit 312), the payout device 358, the CR unit connection board 314, etc. are respectively connected to the input / output port 515.

[0150] The CR unit connection board 314 is electrically connected to the loan ball operation unit (loan switch 121 and return switch 122) on the front of the pachinko machine 10, the CR unit (card reader unit, ball loan unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10 in a game hall, etc., and the payout control device 311. When information regarding the loan ball operation unit by the player or the ball loan operation to the CR unit is input to the CR unit and the remaining game value is stored in the card which is a recording medium inserted in the CR unit, the remaining amount of the card is subtracted and a payout request signal for the number of game balls corresponding to the subtraction is output to the payout control device 311. Note that the recording medium of the CR unit is not limited to the card type and may be of the coin type or the stick type.

[0151] In addition, the payout control device 311 is configured to periodically (for example, every 2 msec) output a CR unit connection signal indicating that the CR unit connection board 314 and the CR unit are electrically connected to the emission control circuit 312 of the power supply and emission control device 310.

[0152] The emission control circuit 312 of the power supply and emission control device 310 permits or prohibits the emission of game balls by the emission device 60. The handle 18, the payout control device 311, and the main control device 261 are electrically connected to the emission control circuit 312. Further, the emission control circuit 312 is configured to be able to receive a dial position signal from a variable resistor indicating the rotation operation amount (rotation angle) of the handle 18 (rotation operation body 18a), a touch signal from a touch sensor indicating that the player is touching the handle 18, and an emission switch signal indicating that the player is not operating the stop lever 18b from the handle 18. Furthermore, the emission control circuit 312 is configured to be able to receive a CR unit connection signal indicating that the CR unit connection board 314 and the CR unit are electrically connected from the payout control device 311.

[0153] Then, the emission control circuit 312 outputs an emission state signal to the main control device 261 on the condition that the touch signal, the emission switch signal, and the CR unit connection signal are input. The main control device 261 outputs an emission permission signal and a ball feed signal to the emission control circuit 312 on the condition that the emission state signal is input. The main control device 261 is configured to output the emission permission signal at intervals of 0.6 seconds in a state where the emission state signal is input.

[0154] In addition, the emission control circuit 312 is configured to drive the ball feed device 63 to send the game ball to the emission position when the ball feed signal is input. Note that in a state where it is detected by a ready ball detection sensor provided in the ball feed device 63 and capable of detecting whether or not a game ball exists at the emission position that a game ball already exists at the emission position, the ball feed device 63 is not driven (even if the ball feed signal is received, the game ball is not sent to the emission position).

[0155] Furthermore, the emission control circuit 312 is configured to drive the emission device 60 (emission solenoid) on the condition that a touch signal, an emission switch signal, a CR unit connection signal, (dial position signal,) and an emission permission signal are input. As a result, the game ball set at the emission position is launched by the emission device 60 with a strength based on the dial position signal.

[0156] The power supply circuit 313 includes a power supply unit 541 that supplies power to each part of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 542 that monitors power failure due to a power outage or the like, and a RAM erase switch circuit 543 connected to the RAM erase switch 323.

[0157] The power supply unit 541 supplies the necessary operating power to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311, etc. respectively through a power supply path (not shown). As an overview, the power supply unit 541 takes in an AC 24-volt power supply supplied from the outside, generates a +12V power supply for driving various switches and motors, etc., 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 supply to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311, etc. Note that operating power is supplied to various switches, motors, etc. through the control devices to which they are connected.

[0158] 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 payout control device 311 when the power supply is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the voltage of the DC stabilized 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and when this voltage becomes less than 22 volts, it determines that a power failure (power cut) has occurred and outputs the power failure signal SK1 to the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311. By the output of this power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute power failure processing (NMI interrupt processing).

[0159] In addition, even after the voltage of the DC stabilized 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts, 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. Therefore, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 can execute and complete the power failure processing normally.

[0160] The RAM erase switch circuit 543 is a circuit that captures the switch signal of the RAM erase 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 erase switch 323 is pressed, the RAM erase switch circuit 543 outputs a RAM erase 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 erase switch 323 pressed (including power-on due to power failure recovery), the data of the respective RAMs 503 and 513 in the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 are cleared.

[0161] The display control device 45 executes the variable display of the decorative symbol 455 in the decorative symbol display device 42 according to an instruction from the sub-control device 262. This display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a program ROM 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, a video display processor (VDP) 526, an input port 527, an output port 529, and bus lines 530 and 531. The input / output port 554 of the sub-control device 262 is connected to the input port 527. Also, the CPU 521, the program ROM 522, the work RAM 523, and the VDP 526 are connected to the input port 527 via the bus line 530. Further, the output port 529 is connected to the VDP 526 via the bus line 531, and the decorative symbol display device 42, which is a liquid crystal display device, is connected to the output port 529.

[0162] 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, analyzes the received command, or performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the received command to control the VDP 526 (generate internal commands for the VDP 526). Thereby, display control in the decorative pattern display device 42 is performed.

[0163] The program ROM 522 is a memory that stores various control programs and fixed-value data executed by its CPU 521, and the work RAM 523 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes various programs.

[0164] The video RAM 524 is a memory that stores display data to be displayed on the decorative pattern display device 42. By rewriting the contents of this video RAM 524, the display content of the decorative pattern display device 42 is changed. The character ROM 525 is a memory that stores character data such as patterns to be displayed on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0165] The VDP 526 is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates the LCD driver (liquid crystal driving circuit) incorporated in the decorative pattern display device 42. Since the VDP 526 is chip-mounted, it is also called a "drawing chip", and its entity should be said to be a microcontroller chip incorporating firmware dedicated to drawing processing. The VDP 526 intervenes in data reading and writing by adjusting the timings of the CPU 521, the video RAM 524, etc., reads out the display data stored in the video RAM 524 at a predetermined timing, and causes it to be displayed on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0166] Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above will be explained. In the present embodiment, the CPU 501 provided in the main control device 261 as the main control means performs a lottery using various counter information during a game. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, a win / loss random number counter C1 as a win / loss random number generation means used for a big win win / loss lottery to determine whether or not to generate a big win state, a small win win / loss random number counter C1' as a win / loss random number generation means used for a small win win / loss lottery to determine whether or not to generate a small win state, a type determination counter C2 used for determining the type of big win (type lottery), a variable selection counter C3 used for determining whether or not to generate a reach state in the decorative symbol display device 42, an initial value random number counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the win / loss random number counter C1, a first variable type counter CS1 and a second variable type counter CS2 used for determining the variable display time of the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b, and a normal symbol random number counter C4 used for a ball entry support lottery to determine whether or not to open the second start winning device 33c are used. Note that the variable selection counter C3 is also used for a lottery of a reach pattern when the decorative symbol display device 42 is removed and varied. Further, the variable type counters CS1 and CS2 are also used for selecting a variable pattern (production pattern selection) of the decorative symbol display device 42. In addition, the first variable type counter CS1 and the second variable type counter CS2 may be provided separately for the first variable display and the second variable display.

[0167] The counters C1, C1', C2, C3, CINI, CS1, CS2, and C4 are loop counters that are incremented by 1 each time they are updated and return to 0, which is the lower limit value, after reaching the upper limit value. Each counter is updated periodically, and its updated value is appropriately stored in a counter buffer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 503 (excluding the random number initial value counter CINI).

[0168] In the RAM 503, there are provided a special variation save area as save storage means for storing the values of the win / loss random number counter C1, the minor win win / loss random number counter C1', the type determination counter C2, and the variation selection counter C3, and a normal variation save area for storing the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4. In the present embodiment, regarding the values of the first variation type counter CS1 and the second variation type counter CS2 as well, they are stored in the special variation save area. The normal variation save area includes four save areas (save first to save fourth areas) and one execution area. In each save area of the normal variation save area, the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 is stored in chronological order according to the passage history of the game balls passing through the through gate 34. By adopting such a configuration, the variation display on the normal symbol display device 41 can be saved up to four times.

[0169] Further, the special variation save area includes a first special variation save area having four save areas (save first to save fourth areas) and one execution area, and a second special variation save area having four save areas (save first to save fourth areas) and one execution area. In the save areas of the first special variation save area, the values of the win / loss random number counter C1, the type determination counter C2, the variation selection counter C3, the first variation type counter CS1, and the second variation type counter CS2 are stored in chronological order according to the winning history of the game balls in the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b. In the save areas of the second special variation save area, the values of the win / loss random number counter C1, the minor win win / loss random number counter C1', the type determination counter C2, the variation selection counter C3, the first variation type counter CS1, and the second variation type counter CS2 are stored in chronological order according to the winning history of the game balls in the second start winning device 33c. By adopting such a configuration, the first variation display can be saved and stored up to four times, and the second variation display can be saved and stored up to four times.

[0170] Describing each counter in detail, the win / loss random number counter C1 is incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 596, and after reaching the upper limit value (i.e., 596) as the end value, it returns to 0 which is the lower limit value as the start value. Usually, when the win / loss random number counter C1 completes one cycle, the value of the initial value random number counter CINI at that time is read as the next initial value of the win / loss random number counter C1. Note that the initial value random number counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the win / loss random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 596), and is updated once per timer interrupt and repeatedly updated within the remaining time of the normal process. On the other hand, the win / loss random number counter C1 is updated periodically (once per timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 is stored in the win / loss random number counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins in the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, or the second start winning device 33c, the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 stored in the win / loss random number counter buffer is stored in the special variation reservation area.

[0171] Also, in this embodiment, the winning probability of the big win win / loss lottery does not change according to the game mode, the number of values of the win / loss random number counter C1 that result in a big win is 3, and the values are "7,207,407". Therefore, in the ROM502, as a winning value storage means referred to when determining whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 corresponds to a big win, one win / loss determination table storing "7,207,407" as the big win value is provided.

[0172] The small hit win / loss random number counter C1' is incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 299, and after reaching the upper limit value (i.e., 299) as the end value, it returns to 0 which is the lower limit value as the start value. The small hit win / loss random number counter C1' is updated periodically (once per timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the small hit win / loss random number counter C1' is stored in the small hit win / loss random number counter buffer. In this embodiment, the small hit win / loss lottery is not performed when a game ball enters (wins) the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and the small hit win / loss lottery is performed when a game ball enters (wins) the second start winning device 33c. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins in the second start winning device 33c, the value of the small hit win / loss random number counter C1' stored in the small hit win / loss random number counter buffer is stored in the special variation reservation area.

[0173] Also, in this embodiment, the number of values of the small hit win / loss random number counter C1' that result in a small hit is 100, and the values are "50 to 99, 150 to 199". Therefore, in the ROM502, as a winning value storage means for referring to determine whether the value of the small hit win / loss random number counter C1' corresponds to a small hit, one small hit win / loss determination table storing "50 to 99, 150 to 199" as small hit values is provided.

[0174] The type determination counter C2 is incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 19, and after reaching the upper limit value (i.e., 19), it returns to 0 which is the lower limit value. Also, in the ROM502, a first type determination table and a second type determination table are provided for referring to determine which big hit type the value of the type determination counter C2 corresponds to. Then, when winning a big hit and a small hit in the win / loss lottery, the type of winning state assigned based on the value of the type determination counter C2 is determined (type lottery is performed), and the winning state of the determined type is assigned.

[0175] The type determination counter C2 is updated periodically (once per timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the type determination counter C2 is stored in the type determination counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins in the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, or the second start winning device 33c, the value of the type determination counter C2 stored in the type determination counter buffer is stored in the special variation hold area of the RAM 503.

[0176] The variation selection counter C3 is incremented by one in order within a range of, for example, 0 to 238, and after reaching the upper limit value (that is, 238), it returns to the lower limit value of 0. In this embodiment, by the variation selection counter C3, after a reach state occurs for the decorative symbol 455, the final stop symbol stops shifted by only one before and after the reach symbol, which is a "front and back deviation reach", and similarly, after a reach state occurs, the final stop symbol stops outside the front and back of the reach symbol, which is a "reach other than front and back deviation", and a "deviation (complete deviation)" where no reach state occurs are selected by lottery.

[0177] The variation selection counter C3 is updated periodically (once per timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the variation selection counter C3 is stored in the variation selection counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins in the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, or the second start winning device 33c, the value of the variation selection counter C3 stored in the variation selection counter buffer is stored in the special variation hold area of the RAM 503.

[0178] Also, the first variation type counter CS1 is incremented by one in order within a range of, for example, 0 to 255, and after reaching the upper limit value (that is, 255), it returns to the lower limit value of 0, and the second variation type counter CS2 is incremented by one in order within a range of, for example, 0 to 31, and after reaching the upper limit value (that is, 31), it returns to the lower limit value of 0. In this embodiment, the variation time is set based on the value of the variation selection counter CS1, and the stop display mode in the special display devices 43a and 43b is determined by the variation type counter CS2.

[0179] The variable type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated once each time the normal process described later is executed once, and are repeatedly updated even within the remaining time of the normal process. Each time the variable type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated, the values of the variable type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the first variable type counter buffer and the second variable type counter buffer. Then, at the timing when the game ball wins the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, or the second start winning device 33c, the values of the variable type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the first variable type counter buffer and the second variable type counter buffer are stored in the special variable hold area of the RAM 503.

[0180] In this way, by acquiring the value of the variable type counter CS1 at the timing of the start winning, it is possible to grasp (read in advance) the special figure 1 variation time and the special figure 2 variation time of the first variation display or the second variation display stored in hold before the variation starts, and it becomes possible to perform various effects and the like using this information. In addition, when a configuration such as reading in advance the variation time and performing an effect is not required, the buffer values of CS1 and CS2 may be acquired when determining the variation pattern at the start of the variation of the decorative symbol 455 by the decorative symbol display device 42. In addition, the counters and the like used for determining the variation time and the variation pattern are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately changed for each model.

[0181] Note that the size and range of each counter are only examples and can be arbitrarily changed. Also, the sizes of the win / loss random number counter C1, the small win win / loss random number counter C1´, the type determination counter C2, the variation selection counter C3, and the variable type counters CS1 and CS2 are all different prime numbers, and it is desirable to set them as non-synchronized numerical values in any case.

[0182] The normal symbol random number counter C4 is configured as a loop counter that is incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 277, and after reaching the upper limit value (i.e., 277), returns to 0, which is the lower limit value. The normal symbol random number counter C4 is updated periodically (once per timer interrupt in this embodiment), and the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 is acquired when the game ball passes through either the left or right through gate 34. In this embodiment, the number of random number values that result in a win in the low ball entry state is 1, and the range is "0". On the other hand, the number of random number values that result in a win in the high ball entry state is 277, and the range is "1 to 277". And when the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 that results in a win is acquired, after the variable display is performed for a predetermined time on the normal symbol display device 41 (after the normal pattern lamps constituting the normal symbol display device 41 blink alternately), it is stopped and displayed in a mode (lighting pattern) corresponding to the win, and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is released in a pattern corresponding to the game mode at that time.

[0183] Next, each control process executed by the CPU 501 in the main control device 261 will be described with reference to the flowchart. The processing of such CPU 501 is roughly classified into a main process that is started when the power is turned on, a timer interrupt process that is started periodically (at a cycle of 2 msec in this embodiment), and an NMI interrupt process that is started by the input of a stop signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal). For the sake of convenience in explanation, here, first, the timer interrupt process and the NMI interrupt process will be described, and then the main process will be described.

[0184] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process, and this process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261, for example, every 2 msec. First, in step S301, a reading process of various winning switches is executed. That is, the states of various switches (excluding the RAM erase switch 323) connected to the main control device 261 are read, and the state of the switch is determined and the detection information (winning detection information) is stored. On the other hand, when there is no detection information, the process proceeds directly to the next process.

[0185] Also, when there is detection information of various winning switches, the value of the corresponding prize ball counter is added. Further, in the external output process of the normal process described later, a prize ball command based on the value of each prize ball counter is output to the payout control device 311, and prize balls are awarded (game balls are paid out) based on the prize ball command. Furthermore, when this prize ball command is output, the value of each prize ball counter is reset.

[0186] 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 its counter value reaches the maximum value, it is cleared to 0.

[0187] Also, in step S303, a random number update process is executed. Specifically, the win / loss random number counter C1, the type determination counter C2, the variation selection counter C3, and the normal symbol random number counter C4 are each incremented by 1, and when their counter values reach the maximum value, 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.

[0188] Thereafter, in step S304, a start winning process associated with the entry (winning) of game balls into the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and the second start winning device 33c is executed. In step S305, a through gate passing process associated with the passing of game balls through the through gate 34 is executed. In the subsequent step S306, a firing permission command setting process for performing processes such as transmitting a firing permission signal to the firing control circuit 312 of the power supply / firing control device 310 is performed. Further, in step S307, a remaining ball monitoring process for checking whether or not game balls remain in the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b is performed. Thereafter, the timer interrupt process is temporarily terminated.

[0189] Here, the start winning process in step S304 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 14. In the RAM 503, a first hold counter Na that counts the number of holds of the first variable display triggered by winning in the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, and a second hold counter Nb that counts the number of holds of the second variable display triggered by winning in the second start winning device 33c are provided.

[0190] Also, in the execution area and each hold area of the first and second special variable hold areas, a win / loss random number storage area that stores the value of the win / loss random number counter C1, a winning type random number storage area that stores the value of the type determination counter C2, a reach random number storage area that stores the value of the variable selection counter C3, and first and second variable type random number storage areas that store the values of the first and second variable type counters CS1 and CS2 are provided.

[0191] First, in step S501, it is determined based on the detection information of the second start winning switch 224c whether or not a game ball has entered (won) the second start winning device 33c. If an affirmative determination is made in step S501, in step S502, it is determined whether or not the value of the second hold counter Nb is less than the upper limit value ("4" in this embodiment). If a negative determination is made in step S501 or S502, the process proceeds to step S510. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S502, the process proceeds to step S503, and the second hold counter Nb is incremented by 1.

[0192] In the subsequent step S504, addition display processing of the second hold display device 46b (second hold lamp) corresponding to an increase by one in the number of holds of the second variable display is performed. That is, when both of the pair of left and right second hold lamps are in the off state, the left second hold lamp is turned on. When the left second hold lamp is in the on state and the right second hold lamp is in the off state, both the left and right second hold lamps are turned on. When both the left and right second hold lamps are in the on state, the left second hold lamp is blinked while the right second hold lamp remains on. When the left second hold lamp is in the blinking state and the right second hold lamp is in the on state, processing for blinking both the left and right second hold lamps is performed.

[0193] After step S504, in step S505, the respective values of the win / loss random number counter C1, small win win / loss random number counter C1', type determination counter C2, variation selection counter C3, and variation type counters CS1 and CS2 (the respective values stored in the win / loss random number counter buffer, small win win / loss random number counter buffer, type determination counter buffer, variation selection counter buffer, and variation type counter buffer) are stored in the first (lowest numbered) available hold area among the available hold areas in the second special variation hold area (in this example, the win / loss random number storage area, winning type random number storage area, reach random number storage area, and first and second variation type random number storage areas of the first hold area). After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506.

[0194] In step S506, a win / loss determination process is performed to determine whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variation hold area corresponds to a value for a big win or a small win. The details of the win / loss determination process will be described later.

[0195] In the subsequent step S507, when it is determined in step S506 that the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 corresponds to a value for a big win, a second type determination process is performed to determine the type of the big win based on the value of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the second special variation hold area. The details of the second type determination process will be described later.

[0196] Here, the details of the determination process in step S506 will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

[0197] First, in step S5101, it is determined whether the value (0 to 596) of the determination random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variation reservation area matches any of the values "7, 207, 407" stored in the determination table. If an affirmative determination is made in step S5101, then in step S5102, after turning on the jackpot schedule flag in the corresponding reservation area of the special variation reservation area, this process ends.

[0198] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S5101, then in step S5103, it is determined whether the newly stored variation information is the second variation display. If a negative determination is made in step S5103, that is, in the case of reserved storage of the first variation display, this process ends as it is.

[0199] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S5103, then in step S5104, it is determined whether the value (0 to 299) of the small win determination random number counter C1 newly stored in the second special variation reservation area matches any of the values "50 to 99, 150 to 199" stored in the determination table. If a negative determination is made in step S5104, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made, then in step S5105, after turning on the small win schedule flag in the corresponding reservation area of the special variation reservation area, this process ends.

[0200] Next, the second type determination process in step S507 will be described with reference to FIG. 16(b).

[0201] First, in step S5301, it is determined whether either the big win scheduled flag or the small win scheduled flag was set to on in the pass / fail determination process performed immediately before. If the determination in step S5301 is negative, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S5301 is positive, then in step S5302, it is determined whether the value (0 to 19) of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the second special variation hold area matches the value "19" corresponding to "10RS". If the determination in step S5302 is positive, then in step S5303, after turning on the "10RS flag" in the corresponding hold area of the second special variation hold area, this process ends.

[0202] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5302 is negative, then in step S5304, it is determined whether the value of the type determination counter C2 is within the range of "16 to 18" corresponding to "4RS". If the determination in step S5304 is positive, then in step S5305, after turning on the "4RS flag" in the corresponding hold area of the second special variation hold area, this process ends.

[0203] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5304 is negative, that is, if the value of the type determination counter C2 is within the range of "0 to 15", then in step S5306, after turning on the "4RC flag" in the corresponding hold area of the second special variation hold area, this process ends.

[0204] Returning to the description of FIG. 14, in step S508 following step S507, a variation time determination process for determining the special figure 2 variation time of the second variation display is performed. That is, at the timing of the start winning, referring to the variation time determination table corresponding to the game mode, the special figure 2 variation time is grasped based on the value of the first variation type counter CS1. The grasped special figure 2 variation time is stored in the corresponding hold area of the second special variation hold area (the value of the first variation type counter CS1 in the same hold area is not erased).

[0205] Further, in the present embodiment, a mode storage area is provided for determining the game mode. In the mode storage area, a value of either "11" or "12" is stored, where "11" corresponds to the normal mode and "12" corresponds to the time-saving mode.

[0206] In step S509 following step S508, setting processing of the leading command is performed. Note that the leading command includes variation information indicating the results of the pass / fail determination processing, type determination processing, and variation time determination processing (information used to determine the content of the variation display), the first variation display, and information indicating which variation information of the first variation display and the second variation display it corresponds to, and is output to the sub-control device 262 in the next external output processing (see step S201).

[0207] After the processing of step S509, or when a negative determination is made in step S501 or step S502, in step S510, it is determined whether or not a game ball has won a prize in the first normal start winning device 33 and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b based on the detection information of the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b. If a negative determination is made in step S510, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made, in step S511, it is determined whether or not the value of the first hold counter Na that counts the number of holds of the variation display triggered by winning a prize in the first normal start winning switch 224a and the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b is less than the upper limit value ("4" in the present embodiment). If a negative determination is made in step S511, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S511, the process proceeds to step S512, and the first hold counter Na is incremented by 1.

[0208] In the subsequent step S513, addition display processing of the first hold display device 46a (first hold lamp) corresponding to an increase by one in the number of holds of the first variable display is performed. That is, when both of the pair of left and right first hold lamps are in the off state, the left first hold lamp is turned on. When the left first hold lamp is in the on state and the right first hold lamp is in the off state, both the left and right first hold lamps are turned on. When both the left and right first hold lamps are in the on state, the left first hold lamp is blinked while the right first hold lamp remains on. When the left first hold lamp is in the blinking state and the right first hold lamp is in the on state, processing for blinking both the left and right first hold lamps is performed.

[0209] After step S513, in step S514, the values of the win / loss random number counter C1, the type determination counter C2, the variation selection counter C3, and the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the available hold areas (win / loss random number storage area, winning type random number storage area, reach random number storage area, and first and second variation type random number storage areas) of the first special variation hold area. After step S514, the process proceeds to step S515.

[0210] In step S515, a win / loss determination process is performed to determine whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 newly stored in the first special variation hold area corresponds to a jackpot value. Details of the win / loss determination process have already been described above.

[0211] In the subsequent step S516, when it is determined in step S515 that the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 corresponds to a jackpot value, a first type determination process for determining the jackpot type is performed based on the value of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special variation hold area.

[0212] Here, the first type determination process in step S516 will be described with reference to FIG. 16(a). First, in step S5201, it is determined whether the jackpot flag was set to on in the immediately preceding win / loss determination process. If the determination in step S5201 is negative, this process ends as it is.

[0213] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5201 is affirmative, then in step S5202, with reference to the first type determination table, it is determined whether or not the value of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special change reservation area matches the value "19" corresponding to "10RS". If the determination in step S5202 is affirmative, then after turning on the 10RS flag in step S5203, this process ends.

[0214] On the other hand, if the determination in step S5202 is negative, then in step S5204, it is determined whether or not the value of the type determination counter C2 newly stored in the first special change reservation area matches the value "0 to 7" corresponding to "4RN". If the determination in step S5204 is affirmative, then after turning on the 4RN flag in step S5205, this process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S5204 is negative, then after turning on the 4RS flag in step S5206, this process ends.

[0215] Returning to the description of FIG. 14, in step S517 following step S516, when it is determined in step S515 that the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 does not correspond to the value for a big win (is off), a reach determination process is performed to determine the type of reach based on the value of the variation selection counter C3 newly stored in the first special change reservation area.

[0216] Here, the reach determination process in step S517 will be described with reference to FIG. 17. First, in step S5401, it is determined whether or not the big win planned flag was set in the win / loss determination process performed immediately before. If the determination in step S5401 is affirmative, then this process ends as it is.

[0217] On the other hand, if the result of step S5401 is negative, i.e., if it is a miss, then in step S5402, the reach determination table is consulted to determine whether the value of the fluctuation selection counter C3 newly stored in the special fluctuation pending area matches either the value "0, 1" corresponding to the "front or rear miss reach." If the result of step S5402 is positive, then in step S5403, the front or rear flag indicating the occurrence of a front or rear miss reach is turned on, and then this process ends.

[0218] On the other hand, if the result of step S5402 is negative, then in step S5404, the reach determination table is referred to and it is determined whether the value of the fluctuation selection counter C3 newly stored in the special fluctuation reserve area matches any of the values ​​"2 to 21" corresponding to the "reach other than front and rear misses." If the result of step S5404 is positive, then in step S5405, the non-front and rear flag is turned on and the process is terminated.

[0219] Also, if a negative judgment is made in step S5404, that is, if a "complete miss" occurs in which the variable display ends without going through a reach state, this process is terminated.

[0220] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 14, in step S518 following step S517, a setting process of the first command is performed, and this process ends. The first command includes change information indicating the results of the hit / miss determination process, the type determination process, and the reach determination process, and information indicating whether it is the first change display or the second change display, and is output to the sub-control device 262 in the next external output process (see step S201).

[0221] In this embodiment, the first time in the time-saving mode 1 Special chart showing changes 1The variable time is uniformly set to 180 seconds, but it may also be determined by lottery. In that case, after step S517, a variable time determination process for determining the variable time of the special figure 1 in the first variable display may be performed. That is, referring to the variable time determination table corresponding to the game mode, the variable time of the special figure 1 is grasped based on the value of the first variable type counter CS1. The grasped variable time is stored in the corresponding reserved area in the first special variable reservation area (the value of the first variable type counter CS1 in the same reserved area is not erased). Furthermore, in the subsequent setting process of the leading command, the result of such variable time determination process is included in the leading command.

[0222] In addition, in this embodiment, when a game ball enters the first normal start winning device 33a, the first auxiliary start winning switch 224b, or the second start winning device 33c, the value of the win / loss random number counter C1, etc. is directly stored in the special variable reservation area, and then the win / loss determination process, etc. is executed. However, it is not particularly limited to such a configuration. For example, a temporary storage area for temporarily storing these counter values when the values of the win / loss random number counter C1, etc. are acquired may be provided, and a configuration may be adopted in which, regarding the information stored in the temporary storage area, after the win / loss determination process, etc. is executed, it is stored in the corresponding reserved area of the special variable reservation area.

[0223] In addition, the process of extracting the values of the win / loss random number counter C1, etc. in step S505 and step S514 constitutes the discrimination value extraction process, and the process of storing the extracted values of the win / loss random number counter C1, etc. in the special variable reservation area in step S505 and step S514 constitutes the discrimination value storage process. Furthermore, the function of extracting and storing the values of the win / loss random number counter C1, etc. constitutes the information acquisition means. Also, the process of determining whether the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 in step S506 and step S515 (step S5101, step S5104) is a value corresponding to a win constitutes the first win / loss determination process, and the processes in step S5102 and step S5105 of storing the determination result (setting the corresponding flag) constitute the result storage process.

[0224] Next, the through-gate passing process in step S305 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 18. In step S601, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the through-gate 34 based on the detection information of the through-gate switch 225. If the determination in step S601 is negative, this process is terminated as it is.

[0225] On the other hand, if the determination in step S601 is affirmative, that is, if it is determined that the game ball has passed through the through-gate 34, then in step S602, it is determined whether or not the value of the normal hold counter Nc, which counts the number of suspended 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, this process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S602 is affirmative, that is, if the passage of the game ball through the through-gate 34 is confirmed and the value of the normal hold counter Nc < 4, the process proceeds to step S603, and the normal hold counter Nc is incremented by 1.

[0226] Also, in the subsequent step S604, an addition display process of the normal hold display device 44 (normal hold lamp) corresponding to the increase in the number of suspended variable displays in the normal symbol display device 41 is performed. That is, when both of the pair of left and right normal hold lamps are in the off state, the left normal hold lamp is turned on. When the left normal hold lamp is on and the right normal hold lamp is off, both the left and right normal hold lamps are turned on. When both the left and right normal hold lamps are on, the left normal hold lamp is blinked while the right normal hold lamp remains on. When the left normal hold lamp is blinking and the right normal hold lamp is on, a process for blinking both the left and right normal hold lamps is performed.

[0227] After step S604, in step S605, a random number related to success or failure is acquired. Specifically, the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 updated in the random number update process of step S303 is stored in the first area of the free storage area of the normal variable hold area in the RAM 503. Then, the through-gate passing process is terminated.

[0228] Next, the emission permission command setting process in step S306 will be described with reference to FIG. 19.

[0229] First, in step S701, it is determined whether an emission permission flag indicating that the emission state signal is being received from the emission control circuit 312 is set to on. Note that the emission state signal is transmitted from the emission control circuit 312 to the main control device 261 when the emission control circuit 312 receives the touch signal from the handle 18, the emission switch signal, and the CR unit connection signal from the payout control device 311.

[0230] If it is determined affirmatively in step S701, then in step S702, it is determined whether the emission state signal is being received. If it is determined negatively in step S702, then in step S703, the emission permission flag is turned off and this process ends.

[0231] On the other hand, if it is determined affirmatively in step S702, then in step S704, it is determined whether the value of the emission timer used to measure the emission interval of the game balls is "0". If it is determined negatively in step S704, then in step S707, the value of the emission timer is decremented by 1 and this process ends.

[0232] On the other hand, if it is determined affirmatively in step S704, then in step S705, the main control device 261 transmits an emission permission signal to the emission control circuit 312. In the subsequent step S706, the emission permission flag is turned off. After step S706, this process ends.

[0233] Also, if it is determined negatively in step S701, then in step S708, it is determined whether the emission state signal is being received. If it is determined negatively in step S708, then this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined affirmatively in step S708, then in step S709, the emission permission flag is set to on.

[0234] In the subsequent step S710, a ball feed signal is transmitted to the launch control circuit 312. Further, in step S711, "300", which corresponds to 0.6 seconds, is set for the launch timer. As a result, after the game ball is surely set at the launch position by the ball feed device 63, the game ball is configured to be launched by the launch device 60, and while the main control device 261 continues to receive the launch state signal from the launch control circuit 312, the launch permission signal is transmitted from the main control device 261 at intervals of 0.6 seconds, and the game ball is launched by the launch device 60 at intervals of 0.6 seconds. After step S711, this process ends.

[0235] In addition, in the launch control circuit 312, when receiving the launch permission signal from the main control device 261, it determines whether it has received all of the touch signal, the launch switch signal, and the CR unit connection signal from the handle 18 and the payout control device 311. When the determination is affirmative, the launch device 60 (launch solenoid) is driven, and a launch process for launching the game ball is performed. In addition, the launch control circuit 312 performs adjustment control of the launch device 60 regarding the launch strength (launch speed) of the game ball based on the dial position signal. As a result, the game ball is launched by the launch device 60 with the adjusted strength.

[0236] Also, when the launch control circuit 312 receives the ball feed signal from the main control device 261, it checks the ready ball detection sensor that detects whether a game ball is set at the launch position where the game ball will be launched by the launch device 60 on the launch rail 61. When it is confirmed that no game ball is set at the launch position, the ball feed device 63 is driven to perform a ball feed process for setting the game ball at the launch position.

[0237] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt process, and this process is executed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off due to a power failure or the like. By this NMI interrupt, the state of the main control device 261 at the time of power-off is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503.

[0238] That is, when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power outage or the like, a power outage signal SK1 is output from the power outage monitoring circuit 542 to the NMI terminal of the CPU 501 in the main control device 261. Then, the CPU 501 interrupts the control being executed and starts NMI interrupt processing. In step S401, as the setting of the power-off occurrence information, the power-off occurrence information is stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503, and the NMI interrupt processing is terminated.

[0239] Note that the above NMI interrupt processing is similarly executed in the payout control device 311, and due to such NMI interrupt, the power-off occurrence information is stored in the backup area 513a of the RAM 513. That is, when the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of 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 511 in the payout control device 311, and the CPU 511 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt processing of FIG. 13. The content is as described above.

[0240] 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 flowchart of FIG. 10. This main processing is started with the reset at power-on.

[0241] First, in step S101, initial setting processing associated with power-on is executed. Specifically, a predetermined value is set for the stack pointer, and a wait process is executed for about 1 second, for example, to wait for the sub-control devices (sub-control device 262, payout control device 311, etc.) to become operable. In the subsequent step S102, RAM access is permitted.

[0242] Thereafter, data backup processing is executed for the RAM 503 in the CPU 501. That is, in step S103, it is determined whether the RAM erase switch 323 provided in the power supply circuit 313 of the power supply and transmission control device 310 is pressed (ON). If it is pressed, the process proceeds to step S112 to clear (erase) the backup data. On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch 323 is not pressed, in the subsequent step S104, it is determined whether power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. Here, if it is not set, since the backup data is not stored, the process also proceeds to step S112 in this case. If power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a, the RAM determination value is calculated in step S105, and in the subsequent step S106, it is determined whether the calculated RAM determination value matches the RAM determination value saved at the time of power-off, that is, the validity of the backup is determined. If the calculated RAM determination value here does not match the RAM determination value saved at the time of power-off, the backed-up data has been destroyed, and the process also proceeds to step S112 in this case.

[0243] In the process of step S112, an initialization command is transmitted to initialize the sub-control device 262, the payout control device 311, etc. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the initialization process of the RAM (step S113, etc.). The RAM determination value is, for example, the checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 503. Instead of this RAM determination value, it is also possible to determine the validity of the backup based on whether the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 503 is correctly stored.

[0244] As described above, in the pachinko machine 10, when it is desired to return to the initial state at power-on, for example, at the start of business hours at the hall, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM erase switch 323. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch 323 is ON, the process proceeds to the initialization process of the RAM (step S113 etc.). Also, when the power-off occurrence information is not set or when an abnormality in the backup is confirmed based on the RAM determination value (checksum value etc.), the process similarly proceeds to the initialization process of the RAM 503 (step S113 etc.). That is, in step S113, the used area of the RAM 503 is cleared to 0, and in the subsequent step S114, the initial value of the RAM 503 is set. After that, interrupt permission is set in step S111, and the process proceeds to the normal process described later.

[0245] On the other hand, when the RAM erase switch 323 is not pressed (step S103: NO), the process of power restoration (process at power restoration) is executed on the condition that the power-off occurrence information is set and the RAM determination value (checksum value etc.) is normal. That is, in step S107, the stack pointer before power-off is restored, and in step S108, the power-off occurrence information is cleared.

[0246] In step S109, a command to return the sub-control device to the game state at power-off is transmitted. In step S110, the used register is restored from the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. After that, interrupt permission is set in step S111, and the process proceeds to the normal process described later.

[0247] Next, the flow of the normal process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11. In this normal process, the main processes of the game are executed. As an overview, the processes of steps S201 to S211 are executed as periodic processes with a cycle of 4 msec, and the counter update processes of steps S212 and S213 are executed in the remaining time.

[0248] First, in step S201, an external output process is executed to transmit a control signal based on the setting contents of the special display devices 43a and 43b, the start winning devices 33a, 33b, and 33c, etc. updated in the previous normal process to each device, or to transmit output data such as commands to each control device on the sub side.

[0249] For example, when starting the variable display in the special display devices 43a and 43b, a variable pattern command is transmitted to the sub-control device 262 in order to start the effect variable display such as the variable display of the decorative pattern 455 in the decorative pattern display device 42. The sub-control device 262 that has received the variable pattern command determines the display mode (such as variable time and effect pattern) of the decorative pattern display device 42 based on such various commands, and issues an instruction to the display control device 45 to display the display mode on the decorative pattern display device 42.

[0250] The variable pattern command includes variable information (information used to determine the content of the variable display) indicating the results of the pass / fail determination process, type determination process, reach determination process, and variable time determination process, and information indicating which of the first variable display and the second variable display the variable information corresponds to. That is, information specifying the variable pattern of the decorative pattern 455 such as normal reach, super reach, and premium reach is included. On the other hand, the relationship between these variable pattern commands and the variable pattern of the decorative pattern 455 is stored in a table in the sub-control device 262. Then, the sub-control device 262 determines the variable pattern of the decorative pattern 455, etc. based on the variable pattern command, and controls the display control device 45, sound, etc.

[0251] Here, the variation pattern of the decorative symbol 455 will be described. "Normal Reach" is a reach pattern in which no special effect display is made other than the variation display of the decorative symbol 455. "Super Reach" is a reach pattern in which, during the variation display of the decorative symbol 455 (after the reach state is established), characters or the like are also displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 in addition to the decorative symbol 455, thereby creating an expectation for the player. "Premium Reach" is an effect mode that can be derived only when a big win state occurs. During the variation display of the decorative symbol 455 (after the reach state is established), in addition to the decorative symbol 455, it is performed in a mode in which characters or the like of a pattern different from that of the super reach are displayed, thereby creating an expectation for the player. In addition, "Complete Miss" is a variation pattern in which the variation display of the decorative symbol 455 stops without reaching any reach state.

[0252] Further, the sub-control device 262 determines the stop pattern (combination of stop patterns) of the variable display of the decorative pattern 455 in the decorative pattern display device 42 based on the variable pattern included in the variable pattern command and the information on the variable time, and causes it to be stopped and displayed after the elapse of the variable time. That is, when winning a time-limit jackpot ("10RS", "4RS") in which the time-limit mode is granted after the jackpot state ends, the variable display stops and is displayed as a combination of decorative patterns 455 consisting of a triple of any one of 1 to 9 (combination of jackpot patterns with time limit). When winning a normal jackpot ("4RN") in which the normal mode is granted after the jackpot state ends, the variable display stops and is displayed as a combination of decorative patterns 455 consisting of a triple of any even number among 2, 4, 6, and 8 (combination of jackpot patterns). Further, although details will be described later, when winning in the time-limit mode, the time-limit mode is set after the jackpot state ends, and when winning in the normal mode, the variable display stops and is displayed as a combination of decorative patterns 455 consisting of a triple of any even number among 2, 4, 6, and 8 (combination of jackpot patterns) in the maintained jackpot ("4RC") that is substantially in the normal mode after the jackpot state ends. That is, only when winning a time-limit jackpot, the variable display can stop and be displayed as a combination of decorative patterns 455 consisting of a triple of any odd number among 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 (combination of jackpot patterns with time limit).

[0253] The combination of the front-back deviation symbols corresponds to a "front-back deviation reach" where, after a reach occurs, the final stop symbol stops with a deviation of only one position before or after the reach symbol. The combination of symbols other than the front-back deviation corresponds to a "reach other than front-back deviation" where, after a reach occurs, the final stop symbol stops outside the front and back of the reach symbol. The combination of completely deviated symbols corresponds to a "complete deviation" where no reach occurs. Note that in the main control device 261, a symbol command that designates any one of the combination of winning symbols, the combination of winning symbols with time shortening, the combination of winning symbols, the combination of front-back deviation symbols, the combination of symbols other than front-back deviation, and the combination of completely deviated symbols may be set and output to the sub-control device 262 together with the variation pattern command. Also, in the present embodiment, in the time shortening mode, the decorative symbol 455 is not variably displayed as time elapses, and when displaying the result of the variable display, the combination of the decorative symbol 455 is stopped and displayed in order to facilitate the player's recognition of winning or losing.

[0254] Returning to the description of FIG. 11, in step S202, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated. More specifically, similar to other counters, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and when their counter values reach the upper limit values (255 and 31 in this embodiment), they are cleared to 0 respectively. Then, the updated values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 503.

[0255] In the subsequent step S203, the prize 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.

[0256] Thereafter, in step S205, the second special display control process is executed. In this process, control regarding the second special display device 43b is performed, and determinations of big wins and small wins, and settings of variable displays in the second special display device 43b and the decorative symbol display device 42 are also performed. The details of this second special display control process will be described later.

[0257] In the subsequent step S206, the first special display control process is executed. In this process, control regarding the first special display device 43a is performed, and at the same time, jackpot determination and setting of variable display in the first special display device 43a and the decorative symbol display device 42 are performed. Details of this first special display control process will be described later.

[0258] In step S207, a variable winning device control process is executed. In this process, control regarding the first variable winning device 32a and the second variable winning device 32a is performed. Also, details of this variable winning device control process will be described later.

[0259] In step S208, a normal display control process is executed. In this process, control regarding the normal symbol display device 41 is performed. Details of this normal display control process will be described later.

[0260] In step S209, a start winning device control process is executed. In this process, control regarding the second start winning device 33c and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is performed. Details of this start winning device control process will be described later.

[0261] Thereafter, in step S210, it is determined whether power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503. If the power-off occurrence information is not set in the backup area 503a here, then in step S211, it is determined whether the execution timing of the next normal process has arrived, that is, whether a predetermined time (4 msec in this example) has elapsed since the start of the previous normal process. And if the predetermined time has already elapsed, the process proceeds to step S201, and the processes after step S201 are repeatedly executed.

[0262] On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the start of the previous normal process, within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process arrives, the update of the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is repeatedly executed (step S212, step S213).

[0263] That is, in step S212, the update of the random number initial value counter CINI is executed. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1, and when its counter value reaches the maximum value (596 in this example), it is cleared to 0.

[0264] Also, in step S213, the update of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is executed (similar to step S202). Specifically, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are incremented by 1, and when their counter values reach the maximum values (255 and 31 in this example), they are cleared to 0 respectively. Then, the changed values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM503.

[0265] Here, since the execution times of the processes in steps S201 to S210 vary according to the game state, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process arrives fluctuates and is not constant. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the update of the random number initial value counter CINI using such remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the win / loss random number counter C1) can be randomly updated, and similarly, the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 can also be randomly updated.

[0266] Also, if power-off occurrence information is set in the backup area 503a of the RAM503 (step S210: YES), it means that the power has been cut off, so the processes after step S214 are performed as power-off processing at the time of power failure. The power-off processing first prohibits the occurrence of each interrupt process in step S214, saves the contents of each register used by the CPU501 in the stack area in step S215, and stores the value of the stack pointer in the backup area 503a in step S216.

[0267] Thereafter, in step S217, a power-off notification command indicating that the power has been cut off is transmitted to another control device (such as the payout control device 311). Then, in step S218, a RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the backup area 503a. The RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the working area address of the RAM 503. Thereafter, in step S219, RAM access is prohibited, and an infinite loop is continued until the power is completely cut off and processing can no longer be executed.

[0268] Note that the process of step S210 is executed at the timing when a series of processes corresponding to the state change of the game performed in steps S201 to S209 ends, or at the end of one cycle of the processes of steps S212 and S213 performed within the remaining time. Therefore, in the normal processing of the main control device 261, since the occurrence information of power-off is confirmed at the end of each process, the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a of the RAM 503 is less compared to the case where each process is in the middle, and it can be easily stored. Also, when returning to the state before power-off, since the amount of data stored in the backup area 503a is small, it can be easily restored, and the processing load on the main control device 261 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the occurrence of interrupt processing is prohibited (step S214) before storing the data, it is possible to prevent the data when the power is cut off from being changed, and the state before power-off can be reliably stored.

[0269] Next, the first special display control process of step S206 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 20. First, in step S801, it is determined whether the value of the first variation interval timer for measuring the remaining time of the variation interval (the period left until the next first variation display is started) set after the first variation display of the first special display device 43a is "0".

[0270] If a positive determination is made in step S801, that is, if it is not a variable interval, then in step S802, it is determined whether a connection display flag indicating that the progress of the first variable display itself is interrupted and the variable display continues as the mode of the first special display device 43a is set on. In the present embodiment, when the second variable display teaching the jackpot of 4RC stops displaying, the first variable display is interrupted, and after the jackpot state of 4RC ends, the interrupted first variable display resumes.

[0271] If a negative determination is made in step S802, then in step S803, with reference to the winning situation storage area described in detail later, it is determined whether the current state is other than the jackpot state and the small win state.

[0272] In addition, during the winning state (jackpot state, small win state), there are an opening period from when the display mode corresponding to winning stops displaying on the first special display device 43a or the second special display device 43b until the variable winning devices 32a and 32b are opened, a round period when the variable winning devices 32a and 32b are in an open state, an interval period when the variable winning devices 32a and 32b are in a closed state, and an ending period after the final round until the variable displays of the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b can start.

[0273] In the winning situation storage area of the present embodiment, "0" is stored when the state is other than the jackpot state or the small win state, "1" is stored during the opening period and the interval period in the jackpot state, "2" is stored during the round period, and "3" is stored during the ending period. Also, in the small win state, "4" is stored during the opening period and "5" is stored during the first round. That is, in step S803, it is determined whether "0" is stored in the winning situation storage area to determine whether it is in the jackpot state or the small win state. If a negative determination is made in step S803, that is, if it is in the jackpot state or the small win state, this process ends as it is.

[0274] On the other hand, when the determination in step S803 is affirmative, in step S804, it is determined whether or not a special drawing 1 in-display flag indicating that a first variable display is in progress is set ON in the first special display device 43a. When the determination in step S804 is negative, that is, when it is not in a jackpot state or a minor win state, and not during the interval (confirmation display period) provided after the second variable display when the interval is provided between the first variable display restart from the first variable display instruction of 4RC, and further not during the first variable display, the process proceeds to step S805, and it is determined whether or not a first hold counter Na that counts the number of holds of the first variable display triggered by the entry of balls into the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b is greater than 0.

[0275] When the determination in step S805 is affirmative, in step S806, 1 is subtracted from the first hold counter Na. In the subsequent step S807, a process of shifting the data stored in the first special variable hold area is executed. This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting the data stored in the hold first to fourth areas of the first special variable hold area to the execution area side, that is, hold first area → execution area, hold second area → hold first area, hold third area → hold second area, hold fourth area → hold third area, and the data in each area is shifted in this manner.

[0276] After step S807, in step S808, subtraction display processing is performed on the first hold display device 46a (first hold lamp) corresponding to the fact that the number of holds of the first variable display has decreased by one. That is, when both of the pair of left and right first hold lamps are in a blinking state, the right first hold lamp is lit while the left first hold lamp remains blinking; when the left first hold lamp is in a blinking state and the right first hold lamp is in a lit state, both the left and right first hold lamps are lit; when both the left and right first hold lamps are in a lit state, the right first hold lamp is turned off while the left first hold lamp remains lit; and when the left first hold lamp is in a lit state and the right first hold lamp is in an off state, processing is performed to turn off both the left and right first hold lamps. After step S808, in step S809, first variable display setting processing is performed, and then this processing ends. Details of the first variable display setting processing will be described later.

[0277] Also, when a negative determination is made in step S805, in step S810, the setting status of the special figure 2 display flag indicating that the second variable display is in progress is checked with the second special display device 43b, and it is determined whether the second special display device 43b is in the second variable display.

[0278] When an affirmative determination is made in step S810, that is, when the second variable display is in progress, this processing ends as it is. On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S810, in step S811, standby display setting (such as setting a standby display command to be output to the sub-control device 262) is performed to derive a display mode (for example, a mode in which only the first and second special figure lamps from the right as listed below, or only the second special figure lamp is lit) corresponding to the fact that the variable display is not being performed in both the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b and they are in a variable standby state. That is, the first special display device 43a and the second special display device 43b of the present embodiment will maintain their stopped states (in a mode indicating the result of the pass / fail lottery) during the variable interval after the variable stop, but when the variable interval ends, they will be switched to a display mode indicating the variable standby state. After step S811, this processing ends.

[0279] Further, in the decorative pattern display device 42, the display modes indicating the variable standby state include a first standby display mode and a second standby display mode. The sub-control device 262 that has received the standby display command first sets the first standby display mode in which the stop display mode of the variable display of the decorative pattern 455 is maintained substantially as it is while the brightness of the decorative pattern display device 42 is maintained. The standby time measurement timer that measures the time after the first standby display mode is derived may be configured to set a value corresponding to a predetermined time (for example, a value corresponding to 30 seconds). Further, when the value of the standby time measurement timer is subtracted every predetermined time and becomes "0", the brightness of the decorative pattern display device 42 is darkened and the display mode is also simplified (for example, the decorative pattern 455 is not displayed, etc.), and it may be configured to be the second standby display mode.

[0280] Here, the details of the first variable display setting process in step S809 will be described with reference to FIG. 21.

[0281] First, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the value of the win / loss random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the first special variable reservation area is "7,207,407" corresponding to a big win. In step S901, it may be determined whether or not the big win planned flag in the execution area of the first special variable reservation area is set to on, so as to determine whether or not it is the first variable display corresponding to a big win. In this embodiment, although a big win / loss lottery for determining whether or not it is a big win is performed based on the balls entering the first normal start winning device 33a and the first auxiliary start winning device 33b, a small win / loss lottery for determining whether or not it is a small win is not performed.

[0282] If the determination in step S901 is affirmative, then in step S902, a special figure 1 jackpot confirmation flag indicating that the first variable display corresponding to the jackpot is being performed is set to on. In the subsequent step S903, it is determined whether the 10RS flag is set to on in the execution area of the first special variable hold area. If the determination in step S903 is affirmative, then in step S904, a 10RS pattern setting process is performed. Note that instead of determining the variable pattern based on flag information such as the 10RS flag in step S903 and the like, the corresponding table may be referred to again based on the values of the type determination counter C2 and the variable selection counter C3 to determine the variable pattern.

[0283] The pattern setting process is a process for causing the special display devices 43a and 43b and the decorative symbol display device 42 to execute a variable display corresponding to the variable information stored in the execution area, and determines the variable patterns (variable display time, stop mode, effect pattern, etc.) of the special display devices 43a and 43b and the decorative symbol display device 42, and performs setting of variable pattern commands and the like.

[0284] More specifically, in step S904, first, the mode storage area is checked to grasp the game mode, and the special figure 1 variable time determination table to be referred to is selected. Then, referring to the selected special figure 1 variable time determination table, the special figure 1 variable time is determined based on the value of the first variable type counter CS1 stored in the execution area of the first special variable hold area. Also, the determined special figure 1 variable time is stored (in association) in the execution area of the first special variable hold area. Note that in the present embodiment, the special figure 1 variable time in the time shortening mode is uniformly 180 seconds, but a special figure 1 variable time determination table corresponding to the time shortening mode may be provided and the special figure 1 variable time may be determined by referring to the special figure 1 variable time determination table.

[0285] Furthermore, based on the variation pattern and the variation time in FIG. 1, a reach pattern is determined. Then, information including that it is the first variation display, it is 10RS, the determined reach pattern, and the variation time is set in a variation pattern command (the first variation pattern command). In this embodiment, the main control device 261 determines the reach pattern of the decoration pattern display device 42. However, in order to reduce the burden on the main control device 261, the main control device 261 does not determine the reach pattern, and the variation pattern command may be configured to include information indicating whether it is the first variation display or the second variation display, information indicating the variation pattern (information for discriminating whether it is a big hit, a small hit, 10RS, 4RS, 4RN, 4RC, a front and rear out-of-range reach, a reach other than the front and rear out-of-range, or a complete out-of-range), and information indicating the variation time.

[0286] After step S904, in step S913, the in-FIG. 1 display flag indicating that the first special display device 43a is in the first variation display is set to on. In step S914, after setting a value corresponding to the variation time in FIG. 1 in the FIG. 1 display timer for the remaining time (remaining period) of the first variation display (first display), this process ends.

[0287] Also, when the determination in step S903 is negative, in step S905, it is determined whether the 4RS flag is set to on in the execution area of the first special variation reservation area. When the determination in step S905 is positive, in step S906, a 4RS pattern setting process is performed. After step S906, in step S913, the in-FIG. 1 display flag is set to on, and in step S914, after setting a value corresponding to the variation time in FIG. 1 in the FIG. 1 display timer, this process ends.

[0288] Also, when the determination in step S905 is negative, in step S907, a 4RN pattern setting process is performed. After step S907, in step S913, the in-FIG. 1 display flag is set to on, and in step S914, after setting a value corresponding to the variation time in FIG. 1 in the FIG. 1 display timer, this process ends.

[0289] Also, when the negative determination is made in step S901, in step S908, referring to the execution area of the first special change reservation area, it is determined whether the front-back flag (refer to the reach determination process in FIG. 17) is on. When the affirmative determination is made in step S908, that is, when it is a "front-back off reach", after performing the front-back reach pattern setting process in step S909, this process ends through steps S913 and S914.

[0290] Also, when the negative determination is made in step S908, in step S910, referring to the execution area of the first special change reservation area, it is determined whether the flag other than the front-back is on. When the affirmative determination is made in step S910, that is, when it is a "reach other than front-back off", after performing the reach pattern setting process other than the front-back in step S911, this process ends through steps S913 and S914.

[0291] Also, when the negative determination is made in step S910, that is, when it is a "complete off", after performing the off change pattern setting process in step S912, this process ends through steps S913 and S914.

[0292] Returning to the description of FIG. 20, when the affirmative determination is made in step S804, that is, when the first change is being displayed, the process proceeds to step S812 to perform the subtraction process of the special figure 1 display timer. Each time this process is performed, the value of the special figure 1 display timer is subtracted by 4 msec. For example, when the change time is 6 seconds (6000 msec), "1500" is set for the special figure 1 display timer, and it is subtracted by 1 every 4 msec.

[0293] Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S813, and referring to the value of the special figure 1 display timer after the subtraction, it is determined whether the special figure 1 change time has elapsed. At this time, when the special figure 1 change time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the special figure 1 display timer becomes "0", the affirmative determination is made in step S813.

[0294] If a negative determination is made in step S813, then in step S818, switching display setting is performed to continue the switching display (fluctuating display) of the first special display device 43a. Also, even when an affirmative determination is made in step S802, the process proceeds to step S818. The situation where an affirmative determination is made in step S802 is during the jackpot state of 4RC, and during this period, the fluctuating display of the first special display device 43a continues. This fluctuating display continues from the first fluctuating display before the jackpot state of 4RC to the first fluctuating display after the jackpot state of 4RC.

[0295] In addition, based on the setting content of the switching display setting, in the external output process in the next normal process, a control signal for performing a switching display on the first special display device 43a is output. As a result, the timing of the first special display control process, that is, the switching display (fluctuating display) of the first special display device 43a is realized every 4 ms. After step S818, this process ends.

[0296] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S813, then in step S814, the special drawing 1 display flag is turned off, and in step S815, special drawing 1 stop display setting for performing a stop display on the first special display device 43a is performed. Based on the setting content of this special drawing 1 stop display setting, in the external output process in the next normal process, a control signal for performing a stop display on the first special display device 43a is output. That is, in the first special display device 43a, the modes corresponding to each jackpot type, miss, etc. set in the first fluctuating display setting process are stopped from being displayed.

[0297] Also, after step S815, in step S816, a setting of a special drawing 1 stop command for causing the sub-control device 262 to perform a stop display of the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed. Thereby, it becomes possible to more surely synchronize the stop timings of the first special display device 43a and the decorative symbol display device 42. However, since the stop mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 has already been determined by the sub-control device 262 according to the variation pattern command output at the start of the variation display, it is not necessary to add information regarding the stop mode of the decorative symbol display device 42 again. Also, as repeated, the stop display by the special display devices 43a and 43b is the main display, and the display of the decorative symbol 455 by the decorative symbol display device 42 is merely auxiliary (for effect). Subsequently, in step S817, after performing a special drawing 1 discrimination information setting process for performing initial setting of the hit state and switching setting of the game mode, this process is terminated.

[0298] Here, the special drawing 1 discrimination information setting process in step S817 will be described with reference to FIG. 22. First, in step S1001, the execution area of the first special variation reservation area is referred to, and it is discriminated whether or not the special drawing 1 jackpot determination flag is set to on. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1001, then in step S1002, the special drawing 1 jackpot determination flag is turned off, and in step S1003, a jackpot in flag (a special drawing 1 jackpot in flag indicating that a jackpot has occurred in the first variation display stored in the first special variation reservation area) indicating that it is in the jackpot state is turned on.

[0299] In the subsequent step S1004, the execution area of the first special variation reservation area is referred to, and it is discriminated whether or not the 10RS flag is set to on. If an affirmative determination is made in step S1004, then in step S1005, "10" is set to a round number counter for discriminating the number of rounds (the number of times the first variable winning device 32a is opened) executed during the jackpot state.

[0300] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1004, then in step S1006, "4" is set to the round number counter.

[0301] After step S1005 or step S1006, in step S1007, a "1" is set for the hit situation memory area. Further, in step S1008, for the special variable timer used for the control during the hit state (the opening and closing control of the first variable prize device 32a), a value "2000" corresponding to an opening period of, for example, 8 seconds is set. Subsequently, in step S1009, for the prize counter for counting the number of game balls that have entered the first variable prize device 32a, an "8" indicating the maximum number of balls that can enter per round, which is 8, is set. Note that the value of the prize counter is determined by the detection information of the first count switch 223a or the second count switch 223b as to whether there has been an entry of a ball into the first variable prize device 32a or the second variable prize device 32b corresponding to the relevant round during the switch reading process of the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 12), and is decremented by 1 when it is determined that there has been an entry of a ball into the first variable prize device 32a or the second variable prize device 32b.

[0302] Thereafter, in step S1010, an opening command for notifying the sub-control device 262 of the start of the hit state is set. The opening command includes information such as the type of hit, and the sub-control device 262 can also grasp the total number of rounds in the hit state and the like.

[0303] After step S1010, in step S1011, it is determined whether the flag indicating that the special figure 2 is being displayed is set to on. If the determination in step S1011 is negative, then in step S1022, the value of the second variation interval is set to "0", and then this process ends.

[0304] On the one hand, when a positive determination is made in step S1011, in step S1012, the special figure 2 display flag is turned off, and in step S1013, a process is performed to forcibly stop the second variable display of the second special display device 43b in a manner corresponding to "disengagement" (forcibly end / abort). That is, when the first variable display stops in a manner indicating a big win, the second variable display during the change is forcibly ended (erased) regardless of the content, so that after the big win state ends, a new variable display for the second variable display is also configured to start.

[0305] Furthermore, in step S1014, the value of the special figure 2 display timer is set to "0". In addition, in order to inform the sub-control device 262 side to stop the second variable display, after setting the special figure 2 forced stop command in step S1015, this process ends.

[0306] Also, when the determination in step S1001 is negative, in step S1016, a value corresponding to the variable interval (confirmation display period) is set for the first variable interval timer. In the present embodiment, as the variable interval (confirmation display period) of the first variable display, "1 second" is set in the normal mode, and "5 seconds" is set in the time-saving mode. Incidentally, during the variable interval, the special display devices 43a and 43b maintain the stopped display state during the variable interval period, and the decorative pattern 455 of the decorative pattern display device 42 basically maintains the stopped display state during the variable interval period (the state of small oscillation continues), and the auxiliary patterns 471 and 472 of the decorative pattern display device 42 continue to vary until the end of the variable interval (confirmation display period) of the corresponding variable display, and are stopped and displayed at the timing of the end of the variable interval. When the variable interval ends and the variable display is stored in the hold memory, the variable display in the special display devices 43a and 43b, the effect variable display in the decorative pattern display device 42, and the auxiliary variable display are started simultaneously. On the other hand, when the variable interval ends and the variable display is not stored in the hold memory, the stopped states of the decorative pattern 455, the auxiliary patterns 471, and 472 of the decorative pattern display device 42 are continuously derived for a while, and then the display switches to a display waiting for the game (demo screen display). Also, when the decorative pattern 455 is stopped and displayed in an even pair of identical symbols combination in the variable display of the decorative pattern display device 42, a re-drawing effect such as the combination of the decorative pattern 455 being converted to an odd pair of identical symbols during the variable interval (including) period may be performed (it may also be configured to be necessarily converted if derived).

[0307] After step S1016, in step S1017, it is determined whether "12" is stored in the mode storage area, that is, whether the game mode is the time-saving mode. When the determination in step S1017 is negative, this process is terminated as it is.

[0308] On the other hand, when the affirmative determination is made in step S1017, in step S1018, the value of the fluctuation count counter is decremented by 1 in order to measure the remaining duration (remaining number of fluctuations until the upper limit) of the short-time mode. Although it will be described in detail later, in the present embodiment, the upper limit of the short-time mode is set until the first fluctuation display is performed once (or zero times in some cases), or until the second fluctuation display is performed 100 times (basically, the short-time mode ends when the first fluctuation display ends once before the second fluctuation display reaches 100).

[0309] In the subsequent step S1019, it is determined whether the value of the fluctuation count counter is "0". If the negative determination is made in step S1019, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if the affirmative determination is made in step S1019, in step S1020, "11" indicating the normal mode is set in the mode storage area. That is, since the upper limit of the short-time mode has been reached, the short-time mode is terminated and the transition to the normal mode is made. After step S1020, in step S1021, a process of turning off the short-time lamp 48 is performed. In step S1022, after setting a support end command notifying the sub-control device 262 of the transition to the normal mode (end of the high ball entry mode), this process ends. Note that the configuration of the short-time lamp 48 and the manner corresponding to the game mode are not particularly limited and can be appropriately changed for each model. For example, the short-time mode may be lit and the normal mode may blink, or the normal mode may repeat turning off for 2 seconds and turning on for 1 second, and the short-time mode may repeat turning off for 1 second and turning on for 2 seconds.

[0310] Returning to the description of FIG. 20, if a negative determination is made in step S801, that is, if it is within the period of the variable interval, then in step S819, the value of the first variable interval timer is decremented by 1. For example, if the variable interval is 1 second (1000 msec) and the value “249” (or “250” if step S819 is performed before step S801) is set in the first variable interval timer, then in this process, the value of the first variable interval timer is decremented by “1” every 4 msec and becomes “0” after 1 second.

[0311] After step S819, in step S820, it is determined whether the value of the first variable interval timer is “0”. If a negative determination is made in step S820, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S820, then after setting the first confirmed display command in step S821, this process ends.

[0312] Next, the second special display control process (step S205) of the normal process (see FIG. 11) will be described with reference to FIG. 23. In this embodiment, with respect to the second special display device 43b, it is configured such that a variable interval of the second variable display is set, but it may also be configured not to be set.

[0313] First, in step S1601, it is determined whether the value of the second variable interval timer for measuring the remaining time of the variable interval set after the second variable display of the second special display device 43b is "0". If a negative determination is made in step S1601, that is, if it is within the variable interval period of the second variable display, then in step S1616, the value of the second variable interval timer is decremented by 1. Further, in step S1617, it is determined whether the value of the second variable interval timer is "0". If a negative determination is made in step S1617, this process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1617, then in step S1618, after setting a second confirmation display command indicating that the interval period (confirmation display period) of the second variable display has ended for the sub-control device 262, this process is terminated.

[0314] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1601, that is, if it is not within the variable interval of the second variable display, then in step S1602, it is determined whether the value of the hit situation storage area is "0", that is, whether it is a state other than the big hit state and the small hit state. If a negative determination is made in step S1602, that is, if it is in the big hit state or the small hit state, this process is terminated as it is.

[0315] On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1602, then in step S1603, it is determined whether the special figure 2 display in progress flag indicating that the second variable display is in progress is set to on at the second special display device 43b. If a negative determination is made in step S1603, that is, if it is not in the big hit state or the small hit state and further not in the second variable display, then it proceeds to step S1604 to determine whether the second hold counter Nb that counts the number of holds of the second variable display triggered by the ball entry into the second start winning device 33c is greater than 0.

[0316] If a negative determination is made in step S1604, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S1604, in step S1605, 1 is subtracted from the second hold counter Nb. In the subsequent step S1606, a process of shifting the data stored in the second special variation hold area is executed. In this data shift process, the data stored in the first hold area of the second special variation hold area is shifted to the execution area, the data stored in the second hold area is shifted to the first hold area, the data stored in the third hold area is shifted to the second hold area, and the data stored in the fourth hold area is shifted to the third hold area.

[0317] After step S1606, in step S1607, a subtraction display process of the second hold display device 46b (second hold lamp) corresponding to the reduction of the number of holds of the second variation display by one is performed. That is, a process for turning off the second hold lamp is performed. After step S1607, after performing the second variation display setting process in step S1608, this process ends.

[0318] Here, the details of the second variation display setting process in step S1608 will be described with reference to FIG. 24.

[0319] First, in step S1701, it is determined whether the value of the win random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the second special variation hold area is "7,207,407" corresponding to a big win. Note that in step S1701, it may be determined whether the big win planned flag in the execution area of the second special variation hold area is set to on to determine whether it is the second variation display corresponding to a big win.

[0320] If a positive determination is made in step S1701, then in step S1702, a special winning determination flag for indicating that the second variable display corresponding to a big win is being performed is set to on. In the subsequent step S1703, it is determined whether the 10RS flag is set to on in the execution area of the second special variable hold area. If a positive determination is made in step S1703, then in step S1704, 10RS pattern setting processing is performed.

[0321] Also, if a negative determination is made in step S1703, then in step S1705, it is determined whether the 4RS flag is set to on. If a positive determination is made in step S1705, then in step S1706, 4RS pattern setting processing is performed, and if a negative determination is made in step S1705, then in step S1707, 4RC pattern setting processing is performed.

[0322] As described above, the pattern setting processing is a process for causing the special display devices 43a and 43b and the decorative symbol display device 42 to execute a variable display corresponding to the variable information stored in the execution area, determining the variable patterns (variable display time, stop mode, effect pattern, etc.) of the special display devices 43a and 43b and the decorative symbol display device 42, and performing settings such as setting of variable pattern commands.

[0323] However, as will be described in detail later, in the time-saving mode of the present embodiment, there may be a case where the time of the second effect display corresponding to the second variable display is associated with the content of the variable display (the result of the win / loss lottery and the winning type). Basically, as shown in FIG. 52(a), the variable time of FIG. 2 is set according to the content of the variable display. That is, if the second variable display is "10RS", it is set to any of the variable patterns of 30 seconds to 40 seconds. If it is "4RC", it is set to any of the variable patterns of 15 seconds to 25 seconds. If it is "4RS", it is set to any of the variable patterns of 15 seconds to 25 seconds (when the value of CS1 is "0 to 149") and 30 seconds to 40 seconds (when the value of CS1 is "150 to 255"). If it is "completely off", it is set to any of the variable patterns of 5 seconds to 13 seconds. If it is "other than off before and after", it is set to any of the variable patterns of 5 seconds to 13 seconds (when the value of CS1 is "20 to 255") and 30 seconds to 40 seconds (when the value of CS1 is "0 to 19"). If it is "off before and after", it is set to any of the variable patterns of 30 seconds to 40 seconds.

[0324] In addition, in the time-saving mode of the present embodiment, basically, the effect display corresponding to the second variable display is performed on the decorative pattern display device 42. Also, in the time-saving mode, although the decorative pattern 455 is derived (displayed) at least when the second variable display stops, there is also a pattern that is not derived from the start to immediately before the end of the second variable display. Also, even in the time-saving mode, the variable display of the decorative pattern may be started based on the start of the second variable display in the decorative pattern display device 42, and the variable display of the decorative pattern may be ended (stopped display) based on the end of the second variable display.

[0325] After step S1704, step S1706, or step S1707, in step S1712, the in-FIG. 2 display flag indicating that the second variable display in the second special display device 43b is in progress is set to on. In step S1713, a value corresponding to the FIG. 2 variable time is set for the FIG. 2 display timer that measures the remaining time of the second variable display, and then this process ends.

[0326] Also, when the negative determination is made in step S1701, in step S1708, it is determined whether the value of the small hit determination random number counter C1' stored in the execution area of the second special variation reservation area is within the range of "77 to 91, 177 to 191" corresponding to a small hit. If the affirmative determination is made in step S1708, in step S1709, the small hit confirmation flag indicating that the second variation display corresponding to a small hit is being performed is set to on. In the subsequent step S1710, the small hit pattern setting process is performed. Regarding the small hit pattern setting process, similar to the above-described various pattern setting processes, the variation patterns (variation display time, stop mode, effect pattern, etc.) of the special display devices 43a and 43b and the decorative pattern display device 42 are determined, and the setting of a variation pattern command including information indicating that it is a second variation display, information indicating the variation pattern (being a small hit), and information on the variation time is performed.

[0327] After steps S1710 and S1711, the special figure 2 display in progress flag is turned off in step S1712, and after setting the special figure 2 display timer in step S1713, this process ends.

[0328] Returning to the description of FIG. 23, when the affirmative determination is made in step S1603, that is, when the second variation display is in progress, the process proceeds to step S1609 to perform the subtraction process of the special figure 2 display timer.

[0329] Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S1610 to determine whether the special figure 2 variation time has elapsed in consideration of the value of the special figure 2 display timer after the subtraction. At this time, when the special figure 2 variation time has elapsed, that is, when the value of the special figure 2 display timer becomes "0", the affirmative determination is made in step S1610.

[0330] If the negative determination is made in step S1610, in step S1615, switching display setting for continuing the switching display (second variable display) of the second special display device 43b is performed. Note that based on the setting content of the switching display setting, in the external output process in the next normal process, a control signal for performing the switching display on the second special display device 43b is output. Thereby, the timing of the second special display control process, that is, the switching display (variable display) of the second special display device 43b is realized every 4 ms. After step S1615, this process ends.

[0331] On the other hand, if the positive determination is made in step S1610, in step S1611, the special drawing 2 display flag is turned off, and in step S1612, special drawing 2 stop display setting for performing stop display on the second special display device 43b is performed. Based on the setting content of this special drawing 2 stop display setting, in the external output process in the next normal process, a control signal for performing stop display on the second special display device 43b is output. That is, in the second special display device 43b, the modes corresponding to each jackpot type, small win, loss, etc. set in the second variable display setting process are stopped and displayed.

[0332] Also, after step S1612, in step S1613, setting of a special drawing 2 stop command for causing the sub-control device 262 to perform stop display of the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed. Thereby, it becomes possible to more surely synchronize the stop timings of the second special display device 43b and the decorative symbol display device 42.

[0333] Subsequently, in step S1614, after performing special drawing 2 determination information setting processing for performing initial setting of the winning state and switching setting of the game mode, this process ends.

[0334] Here, regarding the discrimination information setting process of the special figure 2 in step S1614, it will be described with reference to FIG. 25. First, in step S1801, refer to the execution area of the second special variation reservation area and determine whether the small hit determination flag is set to on. If the determination in step S1801 is affirmative, then in step S1802, turn off the small hit determination flag, and in step S1803, turn on the small hit in progress flag indicating that it is in the small hit state. Further, in step S1804, set "4" indicating that it is during the opening period of the small hit state in the hit situation memory area.

[0335] In the subsequent step S1805, refer to the execution area of the second special variation reservation area and determine whether the 10RS flag is set to on. If the determination in step S1805 is affirmative, then in step S1806, set "10" to the round number counter for determining the number of rounds executed during the hit state. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1805 is negative, then in step S1807, set "4" to the round number counter.

[0336] After steps S1806 and S1807, in step S1808, set the value "2000" corresponding to the opening period of the small hit state (8 seconds in this example) to the special variable timer used for the control during the hit state (opening and closing control of the variable winning devices 32a and 32b). Further, in step S1809, set "8" indicating the maximum number of balls entering the winning per round to the winning counter for counting the number of game balls entering the variable winning devices 32a and 32b.

[0337] Next, in step S1810, the value of the second variation count counter is decremented by 1. In the present embodiment, since there is no change in the game mode just by winning a minor hit, even at the stage when the variation display of the minor hit ends, a process of reducing the remaining number of times of the time-saving mode by one time is performed. Note that the subtraction process of the variation count counter may be configured to be performed only when "12" is stored in the mode storage area, or may be configured to be performed at the end of the minor hit state. Further, in the present embodiment, the number of prize balls that can be obtained is configured to be the same in the first round of the minor hit state and the rounds of other jackpot states, but the number of prize balls that can be obtained in the first round of the minor hit state may be configured to be relatively small.

[0338] In the subsequent step S1811, a minor hit opening command for notifying the sub-control device 262 of the start of the minor hit state is set. The minor hit opening command includes information indicating the type of minor hit (which of 10RS, 4RS, and 4RC will occur when shifting to the jackpot state), or information indicating the opening time of the first round, etc., so that the sub-control device 262 can also grasp the progress of the minor hit state.

[0339] After step S1811, in step S1812, it is determined whether the "Figure 1 display in progress" flag is set to on. If the determination in step S1812 is negative, that is, when a hit instruction is given by the second variation display in a state where the first variation display is not being performed, assuming that a win has been selected by the second win / loss lottery during the first variation interval period, the value of the Figure 1 variation interval timer is set to "0" in step S1821 so that there is no remaining first variation interval period after the jackpot state ends, and then this process ends. Incidentally, when shifting from the normal mode to the time-saving mode, a jackpot state of 4 rounds or more is sandwiched in between, and by passing through a 4-round jackpot state in a state of hitting right, it is possible to expect at least 2 or 3 balls to enter the first auxiliary start winning device 33b that opens and closes at regular intervals during the jackpot state. For this reason, if the game is proceeding normally, the time-saving mode starts with the first variation display on hold. Of course, if the game balls are not hit right during the jackpot state, the player will be disadvantaged as they will not obtain the prize balls during the jackpot state. If the game balls are not hit right during the small win state and the game balls are not made to enter the specific ball entry section 145, the game will not shift to the jackpot state. Considering points such as if the game balls are not hit right during the time-saving mode and the game balls are not made to enter the second start winning device 33c, the time-saving mode will not proceed. In view of this, a situation where the time-saving mode proceeds in a state where the first variation display is not being executed hardly occurs.

[0340] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1812 is positive, in step S1813, the execution area of the second special variation hold area is referred to, and it is determined whether the 4RC flag is set to on. If the determination in step S1813 is negative, that is, when corresponding to "10RS" or "4RS", in step S1814, the "Figure 1 display in progress" flag is turned off. That is, the first variation display is (forced) ended regardless of the remaining time or content of the first variation display (such as the win / loss result of the win / loss lottery). Incidentally, the content of the first variation display that has been forcibly ended (the result of the first win / loss lottery) is not reflected in the game.

[0341] Furthermore, in step S1815, the value of the special figure 1 display timer is stored in the end-of-variation time storage area. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, in the time-saving mode, it is not clarified whether "4RS" or "4RC" is selected, and there is a presentation property and game property that makes the player think that the remaining time in the time-saving mode may be longer than the instructed time. That is, basically, the time-saving mode of this embodiment ends (transitions to the normal mode) when one execution of the first variation display set as the upper limit is completed until the end. Also, the variation time of the special figure 1 in the time-saving mode is uniformly 180 seconds. Here, when "4RS" is selected corresponding to the second variation display in the time-saving mode, the first variation display being executed is forcibly terminated, and after the jackpot ends, a new first variation display is set, and the time-saving mode is also reset. As a result, after the jackpot ends, a time-saving mode with 180 seconds remaining is started. On the other hand, when "4RC" is selected corresponding to the second variation display in the time-saving mode, the first variation display is only temporarily interrupted, and after the jackpot state ends, the first variation display that was being executed until the jackpot state was executed is resumed. That is, for example, when the "4RC" jackpot state is executed at a stage where the remaining time of the special figure 1 variation time, and thus the time-saving mode, is 60 seconds, after the jackpot state ends, the first variation display with 60 seconds remaining is resumed. In other words, a time-saving mode with 60 seconds remaining is started.

[0342] Here, it is more advantageous for the player if the remaining time in the time-saving mode is longer, and whether the remaining time in the time-saving mode is reset based on the occurrence of the jackpot state becomes a concern for the player. In this embodiment, even if "4RS" is selected, it is not taught by the decorative symbol display device 42, and after the jackpot state ends, a remaining time display that teaches the player the remaining time in the time-saving mode is not the actually reset time, but is prepared in a presentation pattern that displays the remaining time shown before the execution of the jackpot state in the same way as when "4RC" is selected (as if "4RC" is selected). The stored information in the end-of-variation time storage area is used when executing such a presentation pattern.

[0343] Subsequent to step S1815, in step S1816, processing is performed to forcibly stop (force termination / suspension) the first variable display of the first special display device 43a in a manner corresponding to "deviation". That is, when the second variable display is stopped in a manner indicating a win, the first variable display during variation is forcibly terminated (erased) regardless of the content (such as the win / loss of the first win / loss lottery), so that after the win state ends, a new variable display is also configured to be started for the first variable display.

[0344] Thereafter, in step S1817, the value of the special drawing display timer is set to "0". Further, in step S1818, in order to also inform the sub-control device 262 side that the first variable display has been forcibly terminated (suspended), after setting the special drawing 1 forced stop command, this processing is terminated. The special drawing 1 forced stop command also includes information on the remaining time of the first variable display (for fake use) stored in the variation end time storage area.

[0345] Also, when a positive determination is made in step S1813, that is, when corresponding to "4RC", in step S1819, a connection display flag indicating that the display mode of the first special display device 43a is to be in the mode where the first variable display remains variable (kept in the switched display state) is set to on. Further, in step S1820, in order to also inform the sub-control device 262 side that the first variable display has been temporarily stopped (interrupted), after setting the special drawing 1 interruption command, this processing is terminated.

[0346] Also, when a negative determination is made in step S1801, in step S1822, the execution area of the second special variation reservation area is referred to, and it is determined whether the special drawing 2 big win confirmation flag is set to on. When a positive determination is made in step S1822, in step S1823, the special drawing 2 big win confirmation flag is turned off, and in step S1824, the special drawing 2 big win during flag indicating that it is in the big win state is turned on. Further, in step S1825, the execution area of the second special variation reservation area is referred to, and it is determined whether the 10RS flag is set.

[0347] If the determination in step S1825 is affirmative, then in step S1826, "10" is set in the round number counter. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1825 is negative, then in step S1827, "4" is set in the round number counter.

[0348] After steps S1826 and S1827, in step S1828, "1" which is in a state of waiting for the release of the first variable winning device 32a is set for the winning situation storage area. Further, in step S1829, a value "2000" corresponding to the opening period (8 seconds in this example) of the jackpot state is set for the special variable timer. Subsequently, in step S1830, "8" is set for the winning counter.

[0349] Thereafter, in step S1831, an opening command is set. After step S1831, after executing the processing from step S1812 and above, this processing is terminated.

[0350] Also, if the determination in step S1822 is negative, then in step S1832, a value corresponding to the variable interval (confirmation display period) is set for the second variable interval timer. In this embodiment, as the variable interval (confirmation display period) of the second variable display, 0.4 seconds is set during the short time mode and 0.1 second is set during the normal mode. Subsequently, in step S1833, it is determined whether "12" is stored in the mode storage area, that is, whether it is the short time mode. If the determination in step S1833 is negative, then this processing is terminated as it is.

[0351] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1833 is affirmative, then in step S1834, the value of the second variation count counter is decremented by 1. In the subsequent step S1835, it is determined whether the value of the second variation count counter is "0". If the determination in step S1835 is negative, this process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1835 is affirmative, that is, when the upper limit of the second variation display in the time-saving mode is reached after the jackpot state ends, then in step S1836, "11" indicating the normal mode is set in the mode storage area. After step S1836, in step S1837, the process of turning off the time-saving lamp is performed, and in step S1838, after setting a support end command to notify the sub-control device 262 of the transition to the normal mode (end of the high ball entry mode), this process is terminated.

[0352] Next, the variable prize device control process for opening and closing the first variable prize device 32a and the second variable prize device 32b in step S207 above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 26.

[0353] First, in step S1201, it is determined whether the value set in the winning situation storage area is "0", thereby determining whether it is a state other than the winning state. If the determination in step S1201 is affirmative, that is, if it is not in the winning state, this process is terminated as it is. Incidentally, at the start of the jackpot state or the small win state, "1" or "4" is set in the winning situation storage area in the above first and second determination information setting processes.

[0354] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1201 is negative, that is, if it is in the winning state (when any of "1" to "5" is set in the winning situation storage area), the process proceeds to step S1202 and the value of the special variable timer is decremented by 1. In the subsequent step S1203, it is determined whether the value of the special variable timer is "0". If the determination in step S1203 is affirmative, then in step S1204, it is determined whether "1" is set in the winning situation storage area.

[0355] If a positive determination is made in step S1204, then in step S1205, "2" is set for the winning situation memory area. In the subsequent step S1206, for the special variable timer, a value "7500" corresponding to the time (30 seconds) for maintaining the open state of the first variable winning device 32a is set.

[0356] After step S1206, in step S1207, a first opening process for making the first variable winning device 32a in an open state is performed, and in step S1208, a round command for transmitting information indicating the start of a round to the sub-control device 262 is set. Then, this process ends.

[0357] Also, if a negative determination is made in step S1204, then in step S1209, it is determined whether "4" is set in the winning situation memory area. In this embodiment, "4" is set in the winning situation memory area during the opening period of the small winning state.

[0358] If a negative determination is made in step S1209, then in step S1210, it is determined whether "3" is set in the winning situation memory area. Specifically, although it will be described in detail later, when all rounds in the big winning state end and the ending period starts, "3" will be set for the winning situation memory area. If a negative determination is made in step S1210, that is, if it is not yet time to end the big winning state, then in step S1211, the value of the round number counter is decremented by 1.

[0359] In the subsequent step S1212, it is determined whether "5" is set in the winning situation memory area. In this embodiment, "5" is set in the winning situation memory area during the round period (the first round) of the small winning state.

[0360] If the negative determination is made in step S1212, then in step S1213, it is determined whether the value of the round number counter is "0". If the negative determination is made in step S1213, that is, if there are still rounds to be executed, then in step S1214, "1" is set for the winning situation storage area. Then, in step S1215, a value "250" corresponding to the interval time (1 second) is set for the special variable timer.

[0361] In the subsequent step S1216, "8" is set for the winning counter. Further, in step S1217, a first closing process for closing the first variable winning device 32a is performed. In step S1218, an interval command for transmitting information to start an interval to the sub-control device 262 is set. Then, this process ends.

[0362] Also, if the positive determination is made in step S1209, that is, if the opening period of the small winning state has ended, then in step S1219, "5" is set for the winning situation storage area. Then, in step S1220, a value "7500" corresponding to the round period time (30 seconds) is set for the special variable timer.

[0363] In the subsequent step S1221, a second opening process for opening the second variable winning device 32b is performed. Further, in step S1222, the distribution device 147 of the second variable winning device 32b is opened (with the slide piece 148 in the open position), and the specific ball entry part 145 is opened. Further, in step S1223, a small winning round command for transmitting information to start a small winning round to the sub-control device 262 is set. Then, this process ends.

[0364] Also, when the determination in step S1203 is negative, that is, when there is still time (opening time or closing time) to maintain the open state or closed state of the first variable prize device 32a or the second variable prize device 32b, the process proceeds to step S1224, and it is determined whether a game ball has entered the specific ball entry part 145 provided in the specific area 141 of the second variable prize device 32b. Although it will be described in detail later, in this process, it is determined whether a specific prize flag that is set to on when detected by a specific ball entry detection switch 226a that detects a game ball that has entered the specific ball entry part 145 is set to on, thereby determining whether a game ball has entered the specific ball entry part 145.

[0365] When the determination in step S1224 is negative, in step S1225, it is determined whether the value of a prize counter that measures the number of balls entering the first variable prize device 32a and the second variable prize device 32b is "0". The prize counter is set to "8", which is the upper limit (prescribed number) of the number of prizes per round, at the start of the jackpot state and at the start of the interval. And each time a game ball enters the first variable prize device 32a or the second variable prize device 32b, the value is decremented by 1.

[0366] When the determination in step S1225 is negative, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, when the determination in step S1225 is positive, that is, when the opportunity to end the round arrives without waiting for the elapse of the set period of the round, the process proceeds to step S1211 above. As a result, when the maximum number (8) of game balls has entered the first variable prize device 32a and the second variable prize device 32b during one round, the round will end immediately at that point even if the upper limit of the opening period (30 seconds) has not elapsed.

[0367] Also, when a positive determination is made in step S1224, that is, when, in a near-miss state, a winning ball enters the specific winning area 145 and as a result a big win state occurs (shifts to and continues in the big win state), in step S1226, specific winning processing for generating the big win state is performed, and then this processing ends. The details of the specific winning processing will be described later.

[0368] Also, when a positive determination is made in step S1213, that is, when all rounds in the big win state have been completed, the process proceeds to step S1227, and "3" is set in the winning situation memory area. After step S1227, in step S1228, a value "2500" corresponding to the ending time (10 seconds) is set for the special variable timer.

[0369] After step S1228, in step S1229, "7" is set for the winning counter. Incidentally, when the processing for setting the ending after step S1225 is positively determined is performed, the value of the winning counter is "0". And if the value of the winning counter is left as "0" at the start of the ending period, in the variable winning device control processing 4 msec later, it will be immediately positively determined in step S1225, and the ending period cannot be completed. For this reason, by setting a temporary numerical value other than "0" (in this example, "7") for the winning counter in step S1229, the ending period can be completed. Of course, it may be configured to complete the ending period in another way.

[0370] After step S1229, in step S1230, first closing processing for closing the first variable winning device 32a is performed, and in the subsequent step S1231, an ending command for transmitting information to the sub-control device 262 to start the ending is set. Then, this processing ends.

[0371] Also, when a positive determination is made in step S1210, that is, when the ending period has ended and the time has come to end the jackpot state, the process proceeds to step S1232 to perform end setting processing. In the end setting processing, settings are made for the mode storage area and the variation count counter.

[0372] Here, the end setting processing will be described with reference to FIG. 28. First, in step S1401, the execution area corresponding to the current winning state in either the first special variation reservation area or the second special variation reservation area is referred to, and it is determined whether either the special figure 1 jackpot in flag or the special figure 2 jackpot in flag is set to on. If a positive determination is made in step S1401, then in step S1402, the corresponding execution area is referred to, and it is determined whether either the 10RS flag or the 4RS flag is set to on.

[0373] If a positive determination is made in step S1402, then in step S1403, the value "12" corresponding to the time-saving mode is set in the mode storage area. As a result, the time-saving mode will be applied after the jackpot state ends. In the subsequent step S1404, "1" is set in the first variation count counter and "100" is set in the second variation count counter as the upper limits of the time-saving mode. Further, in step S1405, processing to turn on the time-saving lamp is performed, and in step S1406, a time-saving jackpot end command for notifying the sub-control device 262 to start the time-saving mode is set.

[0374] Thereafter, in step S1407, the jackpot in flag is turned off, and in step S1408, "0" indicating that it is not in a winning state is set in the winning situation storage area, and then this processing ends.

[0375] On the other hand, if the negative determination is made in step S1402, in step S1409, the corresponding execution area is referred to, and it is determined whether the 4RN flag is set to on. If the positive determination is made in step S1409, in step S1410, the value "11" corresponding to the normal mode is set in the mode storage area. As a result, the normal mode will be given after the jackpot state ends. In the subsequent step S1411, a process of turning off the time-saving lamp is performed. Further, in step S1412, a normal jackpot end command for notifying the sub-control device 262 to start the normal mode is set. Thereafter, the jackpot-in progress flag is turned off in step S1407, and after setting "0" in the hit situation storage area in step S1408, this process ends.

[0376] Also, if the negative determination is made in step S1409, that is, if the "4RC flag" is set to on in the corresponding execution area, the process proceeds to step S1413, and the connection display flag for switching and displaying the display mode of the first special display device 43a until the end of the jackpot state is turned off. Further, in step S1414, it is determined whether the value in the mode storage area is "12" indicating the time-saving mode.

[0377] If the positive determination is made in step S1414, in step S1415, it is confirmed whether the value of the second variation count counter is "0". Note that the subtraction of the second variation count counter associated with the execution of the second variation display corresponding to the 4RC jackpot is performed at the end of the second variation display. Also, in the present embodiment, it is configured that even when the 4RC jackpot state occurs, the values of the first variation count counter and the second variation count counter are not reset, but at least the value of the second variation count counter may be reset (Regarding the value of the first variation count counter, since the first variation display executed when the 4RC jackpot state is started continues in the 4RC jackpot state and resumes when the 4RC jackpot state ends, resetting it is substantially the same, but in the present embodiment, it is not reset.).

[0378] If the determination in step S1415 is negative, that is, if the upper limit of the number of executions of the second variable display in the time-saving mode has not yet been reached, then in step S1416, a time-saving maintenance jackpot end command is set to tell the sub-control device 262 to start the time-saving mode in the same way as the time-saving mode before the jackpot state. Note that not only when the first variable display is forcibly terminated (aborted), but also when it is interrupted, a configuration may be adopted to store the remaining time of the interrupted first variable display, and processes such as comparing the stored time-saving time with the time of the special figure 1 display timer (and setting the value of the storage area to the first display timer if they are different) may be performed. After that, the jackpot in progress flag is turned off in step S1407, and after setting "0" to the jackpot situation storage area in step S1408, this process ends.

[0379] Also, if the determination in step S1415 is affirmative (in this example, the upper limit of the number of executions of the second variable display is set to 100 times and basically this upper limit is not reached), in step S1417, "11" is set in the mode storage area, in step S1418, a process of turning off the time-saving lamp is performed, and in step S1419, a normal jackpot end command is set to tell the sub-control device 262 to start the normal mode. After that, the jackpot in progress flag is turned off in step S1407, and after setting "0" to the jackpot situation storage area in step S1408, this process ends.

[0380] Also, if the determination in step S1414 is negative, that is, if the second variable display executed in the normal mode (the second variable display held in the time-saving mode) corresponds to a win of "4RC" and the jackpot state of the "4RC" ends, then in step S1424, a normal jackpot end command is set to tell the sub-control device 262 to start the normal mode. After that, the jackpot in progress flag is turned off in step S1407, and after setting "0" to the jackpot situation storage area in step S1408, this process ends.

[0381] Still, in this example, when "4RC" is selected, the first change count counter, the second change count counter, and the mode memory area are not reset. However, when "4RC" is selected in the time-saving mode, "1" may be set in the first change count counter to continue the time-saving mode, and when "4RC" is selected in the normal mode, "0" may be set in the first change count counter to continue the normal mode. That is, for example, when a positive determination is made in step S1414, instead of the processes of steps S1415 to S1419, "1" is set in the first change count counter, and "100" is set in the second change count counter (it may be set to "12" again in the mode memory area). Further, after a negative determination is made in step S1414, before setting the normal big win end command in step S1424, "12" is temporarily set in the mode memory area, "0" is set in the first change count counter, and "100" is set in the second change count counter, and then it is determined whether the value of the first change count counter is "0", and when it is "0" (it becomes "0" because "0" was set immediately before), it may be configured to set "11" in the mode memory area. In this case, even if "4RC" is selected in the normal mode, it will substantially shift to the normal mode (it will not return to the time-saving mode if it does not correspond to either 10RS or 4RS regarding the second change display stored temporarily when the time-saving mode ends).

[0382] Also, when a negative determination is made in step S1401, that is, when it is in the small win state, in step S1425, the ball entry counter that counts the number of game balls existing in the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b is confirmed, and it is determined whether the number of game balls existing in the specific area 141 is "0". When a positive determination is made in step S1425, in step S1426, the corresponding execution area is referred to, and it is determined whether the 4RC flag is set to on. When a positive determination is made in step S1426, the connection display flag is turned off in step S1427.

[0383] After step S1427, or if a negative determination is made in step S1426, in step S1428, it is determined whether the value of the second variation count counter is "0". Note that when the variable display indicating a small win ends, the value of the second variation count counter is also decremented by "1", and the upper limit of the number of variations in the time-saving mode is not reset just because a small win state has occurred.

[0384] If a negative determination is made in step S1428, in step S1429, a small win end command for notifying the sub-control device 262 that the small win state has ended is set. Thereafter, the small win flag is turned off in step S1430, and after setting "0" in the win situation storage area in step S1431, this process ends.

[0385] If an affirmative determination is made in step S1428, in step S1432, the value "11" corresponding to the normal mode is set in the mode storage area, in step S1433, a process for turning off the time-saving lamp is performed, and in step S1434, a support end small win end command for notifying that the upper limit of the time-saving mode has been reached in the variable display teaching a small win is set. Thereafter, the small win flag is turned off in step S1430, and after setting "0" in the win situation storage area in step S1431, this process ends.

[0386] If a negative determination is made in step S1425, in step S1435, a remaining ball monitoring flag for continuously monitoring the game balls in the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b is turned on, and then this process ends. That is, if there are game balls remaining in the specific area 141, the small win state is configured not to end even at the timing when the small win state ends.

[0387] Here, the remaining ball monitoring process (step S307) of the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 12) will be described with reference to FIG. 29. First, in step S1301, it is determined based on the detection information of the second count switch 223b installed near the entrance of the specific area 141 whether a game ball has entered the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b. If the determination in step S1301 is affirmative, then in step S1302, the value of the ball entry counter that counts the game balls existing in the specific area 141 is incremented by 1. In the subsequent step S1303, for the monitoring timer used in the remaining ball monitoring process, a value corresponding to a predetermined time that is only natural for the game ball detected by the second count switch 223b to be discharged from the specific area 141 is set at present. In this embodiment, it is configured such that if there is no problem until the game ball that has entered the specific area 141 is discharged from the specific area 141, it will not exceed 2 seconds. In step S1303, "750" corresponding to 3 seconds is set for the monitoring timer.

[0388] After step S1303, or if the determination in step S1301 is negative, then in step S1304, it is determined based on the detection information of the specific ball entry detection switch 226a whether a game ball has entered the specific ball entry section 145. If the determination in step S1304 is affirmative, then in step S1305, the specific winning flag is set to on. In the subsequent step S1306, the value of the ball entry counter is decremented by 1.

[0389] After step S1306, or if the determination in step S1304 is negative, then in step S1307, it is determined based on the detection information of the non-specific ball entry detection switch 226b whether a game ball has entered the non-specific ball entry section 146. If the determination in step S1307 is affirmative, then in step S1308, the value of the ball entry counter is decremented by 1.

[0390] After step S1308, or if the determination in step S1307 is negative, in step S1309, it is determined whether the value of the incoming ball counter is "0". If the determination in step S1309 is negative, in step S1310, it is determined whether the value of the monitoring timer is "0". If the determination in step S1310 is negative, in step S1311, the value of the monitoring timer is decremented by 1, and then this process ends.

[0391] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1310 is affirmative, that is, if it is determined that there are still game balls remaining even at the timing when all the game balls should have been discharged from the specific area 141 of the second variable winning device 32b, in step S1312, error processing (for example, lighting of the error display lamp 104, error display on the data lamp, notification to the hall computer, etc.) is performed, and then this process ends.

[0392] Also, if the determination in step S1309 is affirmative, in step S1313, it is determined whether the remaining ball monitoring flag, which may be set when ending the small hit state (when the hit state ends while in the small hit state, or when shifting to the big hit state), is on. If the determination in step S1313 is negative, this process ends as it is.

[0393] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1313 is affirmative, in step S1314, the remaining ball monitoring flag is turned off. In the subsequent step S1315, it is determined whether the special figure 1 big hit in - flag or the special figure 2 big hit in - flag is set on. If the determination in step S1315 is affirmative, that is, if a game ball enters the specific ball - in part 145 in the small hit state and a big hit state occurs, in step S1316, "1" is stored in the hit situation memory area, and in step S1317, a value "250" corresponding to the interval time (1 second) is set for the special variable timer.

[0394] Thereafter, in step S1318, set "8" for the winning counter. Further, in step S1319, set an interval command for transmitting information to start an interval to the sub-control device 262. Thereafter, end this process.

[0395] Also, when the determination in step S1315 is negative, since the process of ending the small win state has not yet been performed, in step S1320, turn off the small win flag, and in step S1321, store "0" in the win status storage area.

[0396] Thereafter, in step S1322, refer to the execution area corresponding to the current winning state and determine whether the 4RC flag is set to ON. If the determination in step S1322 is affirmative, then in step S1323, turn off the continuous display flag. After step S1323, or if the determination in step S1322 is negative, then in step S1324, determine whether the value of the second variation count counter is "0". If the determination in step S1324 is negative, then in step S1325, set a small win end command and then end this process.

[0397] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1324 is affirmative, then in step S1326, set the value "11" corresponding to the normal mode in the mode storage area, and in step S1327, set a support end small win end command and then end this process.

[0398] Returning to the description of the variable prize device control process of FIG. 26, if a positive determination is made in step S1212, that is, if the round (the first round) in the near-miss state has ended, then in step S1233, a second closing process is performed to make the second variable prize device 32b in a closed state. Subsequently, in step S1234, it is determined whether the big win flag is set to on. If a negative determination is made in step S1234, that is, if it was not possible to let a game ball enter the specific ball entry part 145 of the second variable prize device 32b during the near-miss state, then in step S1241, the distribution device 147 of the second variable prize device 32b is closed (the slide piece 148 is set to the closed position and the specific ball entry part 145 is made in a closed state). After that, the end setting process of step S1232 for ending the winning state is performed, and then this process ends.

[0399] On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S1234, that is, if a transition (continuation) to the big win state occurs, then in step S1235, it is determined whether the value of the ball entry counter indicating the number of game balls existing in the specific area 141 of the second variable prize device 32b is "0". If a positive determination is made in step S1235, then in step S1236, "1" is stored in the winning situation memory area, and in step S1237, a value "250" corresponding to the interval time (1 second) is set for the special variable timer. Further, in step S1238, "8" is set for the prize counter, and in step S1319, an interval command for transmitting information to the sub-control device 262 to start the interval is set. After that, this process ends.

[0400] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1235, that is, if it is determined that the near-miss state has ended but there are still game balls remaining in the specific area 141 of the second variable prize device 32b, then in step S1240, the remaining ball monitoring flag is set to on, and then this process ends.

[0401] Next, regarding the specific winning process that is performed when it is determined in the variable winning device control process (at step S1224 in FIG. 26) that the specific winning flag indicating that a game ball has entered the specific ball entry unit 145 is set to on, an explanation will be given with reference to FIG. 27.

[0402] First, in step S1901, the specific winning flag is turned off. In the subsequent step S1902, it is determined whether the jackpot in - progress flag is set to on (in this example, when two game balls continuously enter the specific ball entry unit 145 during a small win, there is a possibility that the jackpot in - progress flag in FIG. 2 is set to on). If the determination in step S1902 is affirmative, this process ends as it is.

[0403] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1902 is negative, in step S1903, a process is performed to close the distribution device 147 (set the slide piece 148 to the closed position and make the specific ball entry unit 145 in a closed state). Further, in step S1904, the small win in - progress flag is turned off, and in step S1905, the jackpot in - progress flag in FIG. 2 is turned on.

[0404] After that, in step S1906, a specific winning command is set to the sub - control device 262 to inform that a jackpot state has occurred due to a game ball entering the specific ball entry unit 145, and then this process ends.

[0405] When shifting to the jackpot state (special item jackpot) based on the ball entry into the specific ball entry section 145, the decoration pattern display device 42 gives priority to other displays and performs a display instructing the shift to the jackpot state. Further, in the present embodiment, when the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state in the small win state, the specific ball entry section 145 is also in the open state. If no ball enters the specific ball entry section 145, it remains open during the period when the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state. If at least one game ball can be made to enter the second variable winning device 32b that is in the open state in the small win state, the game ball can be made to enter the specific ball entry section 145 to generate the jackpot state. However, the specific ball entry section 145 may be configured to open and close even during the period when the second variable winning device 32b is in the open state (the opening periods do not necessarily have to match), or a sorting mechanism may be provided separately from the sorting device 147 to sort the game balls that enter the second variable winning device 32b into the specific ball entry section 145 and the non-specific ball entry section 146, so that the jackpot state may not occur even if a game ball enters the second variable winning device 32b that is in the open state in the small win state.

[0406] Next, the normal display control process in step S208 of the normal process (FIG. 11) will be described with reference to FIG. 30. First, in step S2101, it is determined whether the value of the normal pattern interval timer for measuring the remaining time of the interval (normal pattern interval) set after the variable display of the normal pattern display device 41 is "0". If the determination in step S2101 is negative, that is, if it is the normal pattern interval, in step S2116, the value of the normal pattern interval timer is subtracted and then this process ends. That is, for example, if the normal pattern interval is 1 second (1000 msec) and "249" (or "250" in the case where step S2116 is performed before step S2101) is set in the normal pattern interval timer, in this process, the value of the normal pattern interval timer is subtracted by "1" every 4 msec and becomes "0" after 1 second.

[0407] On the other hand, if it is determined affirmatively in step S2101, that is, if it is not the general drawing interval period, then in step S2102, it is determined whether or not an opening / closing control in-progress flag indicating that the opening / closing control of the second start winning device 33c is in progress is set to on. If it is determined affirmatively in step S2102, this process ends as it is.

[0408] On the other hand, if it is determined negatively in step S2102, then in step S2103, it is determined whether or not a general drawing display in-progress flag indicating that the general drawing display device 41 is in variable display is on. Note that when the general drawing display in-progress flag is on, it is considered that the general drawing display device 41 is in variable display.

[0409] If it is determined negatively in step S2103, the process proceeds to step S2104, and it is determined whether or not the value of the normal hold counter Nc is greater than 0. If it is determined negatively in step S2104, that is, if no variable display of the general drawing display device 41 is held, this process ends as it is. Note that, for example, when it is determined negatively in step S2104, standby display setting for deriving a display mode corresponding to a variable standby state in which no variable display is performed may be performed in the general drawing display device 41. That is, after the variable display stops, the stopped mode is maintained (in a mode indicating the result of the ball entry support lottery) during the general drawing interval period, but when the general drawing interval period ends, it may be configured to switch to a display mode indicating a variable standby state.

[0410] On the one hand, if a positive determination is made in step S2104, then in step S2105, 1 is subtracted from the normal hold counter Nc. In the subsequent step S2106, a process of shifting the data stored in the normal variable hold area is executed. This data shift process is a process of shifting the data stored in the first to fourth hold areas of the normal variable hold area to the execution area side in order, that is, the data in the hold area 1 → execution area, hold area 2 → hold area 1, hold area 3 → hold area 2, hold area 4 → hold area 3, and so on, and the data in each area is shifted.

[0411] After that, in step S2107, the variable display of the normal symbol display device 41 is set, and a normal symbol variable setting process for starting it is executed.

[0412] Here, the normal symbol variable setting process will be described with reference to FIG. 31. First, in step S2301, a normal symbol display in progress flag indicating that the normal symbol in the normal symbol display device 41 is in variable display is set to on. In the subsequent step S2302, it is determined whether "12" is stored in the mode storage area, that is, whether it is in the high-in ball state (time-saving mode).

[0413] If a positive determination is made in step S2302, then in step S2306, it is determined whether the value of the hit situation storage area is "0". If a positive determination is made in step S2306, that is, if it is not in the hit state, the process proceeds to step S2303. In step S2303, "100" is set for the normal symbol display timer that measures the variable display time (remaining time) of the variable display performed by the normal symbol display device 41 so that the variable display time of the normal symbol is 0.4 seconds.

[0414] After that, in step S2304, it is determined whether the value of the normal symbol random number counter C4 in the execution area of the normal variable hold area is "0".

[0415] If a positive determination is made in step S2304, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S2304, that is, if the player wins the ball entry support lottery for whether to keep the second start winning device 33c in the open state, then in step S2305, the ball entry support flag indicating that the player has won the ball entry support lottery is set to on. After step S2305, this process ends.

[0416] Also, if a negative determination is made in step S2302, that is, if it is in the low ball entry state, or if a negative determination is made in step S2306, that is, if it is in the winning state, then the process proceeds to step S2307. In step S2307, "15000" is set for the normal symbol variation display timer to set the variation display time of the normal symbol to 60 seconds.

[0417] Furthermore, in step S2308, it is determined whether the normal symbol random number counter C4 in the execution area of the normal variation hold area is "0". If a negative determination is made, this process ends as it is. If a positive determination is made, then in step S2309, after setting the ball entry support flag to on, this process ends. That is, in this embodiment, the variation display time of the normal symbol during the winning state is set relatively long as in the time shortening mode, and it is difficult to win the ball entry support lottery during the winning state. Note that the variation display time of the normal symbol, the winning probability in the ball entry support lottery, etc. can be appropriately set for each model of the pachinko machine.

[0418] Returning to the description of FIG. 30, after step S2107, in step S2108, a subtraction display process of the normal hold display device 44 (normal hold lamp) corresponding to the reduction of the number of hold displays in the variable display of the normal symbol display device 41 by one is performed. That is, when both of the pair of left and right normal hold lamps are in a blinking state, the right normal hold lamp is turned on while the left normal hold lamp remains blinking. When the left normal hold lamp is in a blinking state and the right normal hold lamp is in a lit state, both the left and right normal hold lamps are turned on. When both the left and right normal hold lamps are in a lit state, the right normal hold lamp is turned off while the left normal hold lamp remains lit. When the left normal hold lamp is in a lit state and the right normal hold lamp is in an off state, a process for turning off both the left and right normal hold lamps is performed. After step S2108, this process ends.

[0419] Also, when a positive determination is made in step S2103, that is, when the normal symbol display device 41 is in variable display, the process proceeds to step S2109, and a process of subtracting the normal symbol display timer is performed. Each time this process is performed, the count value of the normal symbol display timer is decremented by 1.

[0420] Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S2110 to determine whether the count value of the normal symbol display timer is "0", that is, whether the variable time has elapsed. When a positive determination is made in step S2110, in step S2111, the normal symbol display in progress flag is turned off, and in step S2112, a normal symbol stop display setting for performing a stop display on the normal symbol display device 41 is performed. That is, when winning the ball entry support lottery (when the ball entry support flag is set to on), both of the pair of left and right normal symbol lamps of the normal symbol display device 41 are turned on, and when it is a miss, only the left normal symbol lamp is turned on.

[0421] Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S2113 to perform a normal symbol discrimination information setting process. Here, the normal symbol discrimination information setting process will be described with reference to FIG. 32.

[0422] First, in step S2401, it is determined whether the incoming ball support flag is set to on. If the determination in step S2401 is negative, this process ends as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2401 is positive, in step S2402, a normal variable flag for determining whether the second start winning device 33c is in an open state is set to on.

[0423] In the subsequent step S2403, it is determined whether "12" is stored in the mode memory area, that is, whether it is in a high winning state. If the determination in step S2403 is positive, in step S2404, it is determined whether the value in the winning situation memory area is "0". If the determination in step S2404 is negative, that is, if it is not in a winning state, in step S2405, "450" is set for the normal variable timer for measuring the opening time (remaining time) of the second start winning device 33c so that the opening time of the second start winning device 33c becomes 1.8 seconds.

[0424] Furthermore, in step S2406, "2" is set for the opening times counter that counts the number of times (remaining times) to open the second start winning device 33c so that the second start winning device 33c is opened twice. After step S2406, in step S2409, the incoming ball support flag is turned off, and in step S2410, the opening / closing control in-progress flag is turned on. Furthermore, in step S2411, after setting the second start winning device 33c to an open state, this process ends.

[0425] Also, when the negative determination is made in step S2403 (when in the low input spherical state), or when the positive determination is made in step S2404 (when in the winning state), in step S2407, "50" is set for the normal variable timer so that the opening time of the second start winning device 33c is 0.2 seconds. Subsequently, in step S2408, "2" is set for the opening count counter so that the second start winning device 33c is opened twice. After step S2408, in step S2409, the ball entry support flag is turned off, in step S2410, the opening / closing control in-progress flag is turned on, and in step S2411, after setting the second start winning device 33c to the open state, this process ends.

[0426] Returning to the description of FIG. 30, after step S2113, in step S2114, a value corresponding to the normal drawing interval period (for example, 1 second) is set for the normal drawing interval timer, and then this process ends.

[0427] Also, when the negative determination is made in step S2110, in step S2115, a switching display setting is performed to continue the variable display (alternate lighting of a pair of left and right normal drawing lamps) of the normal symbol display device 41. Note that based on the setting content of the switching display setting, in the external output process in the next normal process, a control signal indicating that the switching display is to be performed on the normal symbol display device 41 is output. Thereby, the timing of the normal display control process, that is, the switching display (variable display) of the normal symbol display device 41 is realized every 4 ms. After step S2115, this process ends.

[0428] In the present embodiment, even during the winning state, variable display of the normal symbol (general symbol variable display) is performed. The general symbol variable display during the winning state has the same length as the variable time in the time-saving mode, and the winning probability of the winning ball support lottery during the winning state is also the same as the winning probability in the time-saving mode. However, the opening mode of the second start winning device 33c when winning the winning ball support lottery during the winning state is the same as when winning the winning ball support lottery during the normal mode (although the variable display of the normal symbol display device 41 is quickly completed, it is relatively difficult to enter a game ball into the second start winning device 33c).

[0429] Next, the start winning device control process in step S209 of the normal process (FIG. 11) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 33.

[0430] First, in step S2201, it is determined whether the opening / closing control flag is on. If the determination in step S2201 is negative, this process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2201 is positive, in step S2202, the value of the normal variable timer is decremented by 1.

[0431] In the subsequent step S2203, it is determined whether the value of the normal variable timer is "0". If the determination in step S2203 is negative, that is, when it is the period to maintain the opening / closing state of the second start winning device 33c, this process is terminated as it is.

[0432] On the other hand, if the determination in step S2203 is positive, in step S2204, it is determined whether the normal variable flag is on. If the determination in step S2204 is positive, that is, when the second start winning device 33c is currently in the open state and the timing to close it has arrived, in step S2205, the normal variable flag is turned off. In the subsequent step S2206, the value of the opening return counter is decremented by 1, and in step S2207, the second start winning device 33c is set to the closed state.

[0433] Thereafter, in step S2208, it is det...

Claims

【Claim 1】 Specific state generation means for determining to shift to a specific state based on the fulfillment of a first condition; First display means for executing a first display corresponding to the determination result of the specific state generation means; Special game generation means for performing a winning or losing lottery to determine whether to generate a special game state based on the fulfillment of a second condition; Second display means for executing a second display corresponding to the result of the winning or losing lottery; and The first display by the first display means and the second display by the second display means are configured to be executable in parallel, In the gaming machine configured such that the second display can be executed a plurality of times during the period in which the first display is being executed, the specific state is The gaming machine is When the second display corresponding to the result of winning the winning or losing lottery ends in the state where the first display is being executed, the first display is ended based on the end of the second display, and after the end of the special game state corresponding to the second display, a first means for enabling the start of a first display different from the first display that has been executed until the special game state is executed; When the second display corresponding to the result of winning the winning or losing lottery ends in the state where the first display is being executed, the first display is ended based on the end of the second display, and after the end of the special game state corresponding to the second display, a second means for enabling the execution of the first display that has been executed until the special game state is executed; and When the execution period of the first display has elapsed and the first display ends in the specific state, it shifts to, or may shift to, a normal state in which it is difficult or impossible to fulfill the second condition, Means capable of executing a third display indicating the end of the execution period of the first display in the specific state; Means capable of teaching which of the normal state and the specific state will be the state when the first display ends in the specific state; and The teaching is characterized in that it is set by reflecting the result of the winning or losing lottery corresponding to the second display being executed in the situation where the third display is executed and the execution period of the first display has elapsed and ended. A gaming machine.

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