Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing an interest in a game.SOLUTION: There is provided displacement means displaceable to a first position in which game balls can enter second ball entry means and a second position in which game balls cannot easily enter the second ball entry means. The displacement means is displaced from the second position to the first position on the basis of satisfaction of a first condition in a specific game state occurring on the basis that a result of determination by determination means is a specific determination result, and the displacement means is displaced from the first position to the second position on the basis of satisfaction of a second condition in a situation in which the displacement means is positioned in the first position by first displacement control. When game balls enter first ball entry means, a predetermined game value is granted to a player. A first mode based on execution of determination, a second mode based on occurrence of a specific game state, and a third mode based on predetermined entry of game balls into the second ball entry means can at least occur. Accordingly, an interest in a game can be enhanced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For pachinko and other gaming machines The gaming machine includes a displacement means and a relative movement means configured to be capable of relative movement with respect to the displacement means. There is (Patent Document 1) . [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-116782 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional gaming machines have a problem that there is room for improvement in terms of optimizing the movement of the relative movement means.

[0005] The present invention relates to This has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and the movement of the relative movement means can be made preferable. The purpose is to provide gaming machines. do . [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine described in claim 1 is a gaming machine including a gaming board, a displaceable displacement means, a relative movement means having a first portion engaged with the displacement means and configured to be capable of relative movement with respect to the displacement means, and a support means for supporting a predetermined portion of a second portion of the relative movement means, the support means being fixed in position with respect to the gaming board. It is configured toThe displacement means is configured to be able to displace a first section and a second section, and the gaming machine is configured such that when the displacement means displaces the first section, a direction of a straight line connecting a first position and a second position, to which a central portion of the second section different from the specified portion of the second section is displaced, is different from a direction of a straight line connecting a third position and a fourth position, to which the central portion is displaced, when the displacement means displaces the second section, and displacement of the specified portion in a direction different from the displacement direction of the displacement means is suppressed, and when the displacement means is displaced, there are cases in which the direction in which the central portion is displaced is along the displacement direction of the displacement means and cases in which the direction in which the central portion is displaced is not along the displacement direction of the displacement means, and the displacement speed of the central portion is approximately uniform when the displacement means displaces from the first section to the second section, and the relative movement means rotates around the specified portion when displacing the displacement means. Effect of the Invention

[0009] Claim 1 stated According to the gaming machine, The movement of the relative movement means can be made preferable. . [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Diagram 5] A front oblique view of the variable prize-winning device and the allocation device. [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are front perspective views of the variable winning device. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9]An exploded front oblique view of the base plate, variable winning device, collection gutter and sorting device. [Figure 10] An exploded rear oblique view of the base plate, variable winning device, collection gutter and sorting device. [Figure 11] An exploded front oblique view of the variable winning device. [Figure 12] An exploded rear oblique view of the variable winning device. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] A cross-sectional view of the variable prize winning device and the distribution device along line XVI-XVI in Figure 15. [Figure 17] A cross-sectional view of the variable prize winning device and the distribution device along line XVII-XVII in Figure 15. [Figure 18] A cross-sectional view of the variable prize winning device and the distribution device along line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 15. [Figure 19] A cross-sectional view of the variable prize winning device and the distribution device along line XVII-XVII in Figure 15. [Figure 20] A cross-sectional view of the variable prize winning device and the distribution device along line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 15. [Figure 21] A front view of the variable prize-winning device and the allocation device. [Figure 22] This is an oblique view of the variable winning device and the distribution device as viewed in the direction of arrow XXII in Figure 16. [Figure 23] This is an oblique view of the variable winning device and the distribution device as viewed in the direction of arrow XXIII in Figure 16. [Figure 24] (a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ROM in the main control unit, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter and the jackpot type for special patterns, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter and winnings for normal patterns. [Diagram 25]This is a diagram showing the changes over time in the operation pattern of the opening and closing plate of the variable winning device and the operation pattern of the sliding displacement member of the distribution device in the first round for each jackpot type. [Figure 26] FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. [Figure 28] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Figure 29] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Diagram 30] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Diagram 31] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Diagram 32] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Diagram 33] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Diagram 34] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Diagram 35] 11 is a front view of the operation unit, showing an example of the operation of the operation unit. FIG. [Diagram 36] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a first operating unit. [Figure 37] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the first operating unit. [Figure 38] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a first operating unit. [Figure 39] FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the first operating unit. [Diagram 40] 13 is a front view of the first operating unit in a performance standby state. FIG. [Diagram 41] 13 is a rear view of the first operating unit in a performance standby state. FIG. [Diagram 42] 41 is a side view of the first operating unit as seen in the direction of arrow XLII in FIG. 40. [Diagram 43] A front view of the first action unit in an intermediate performance state. [Diagram 44] A rear view of the first action unit in the intermediate performance state. [Diagram 45] FIG. 11 is a front view of the first operating unit in the extended state. [Diagram 46] FIG. 11 is a rear view of the first operating unit in the extended state. [Figure 47] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing the amount and angle of displacement of a supported member caused by rotational displacement of a rotating member; [Figure 48] 5(a) and 5(b) are schematic diagrams showing the magnitude relationship of the displacement amount on the driven side of the supported member when the rotating member rotates in the tilting direction at a constant angular velocity. [Figure 49] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams showing changes in angle accompanying rotation of a rotating member. [Figure 50] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a rear case and a second operating unit. [Figure 51] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of a rear case and a second operating unit. [Figure 52] 28. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line LIIa-LIIa in FIG. 28, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line LIIb-LIIb in FIG. [Figure 53] 33. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line LIIIa-LIIIa in FIG. 33, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line LIIIb-LIIIb in FIG. [Figure 54] 30. (a) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line LIVa-LIVa in FIG. 30, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit and the center frame taken along line LIVb-LIVb in FIG. [Figure 55] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the lifting and reversing performance device. [Figure 56] FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the lifting and reversing performance device. [Figure 57]4A and 4B are front views of the transmission device holding plate, the up-down inversion member, the intermediate arm member, the linear motion plate member, and the shaft rotation member. [Figure 58] 57(a) is a cross-sectional view of the transmission device holding plate, the up-down inverted member, the intermediate arm member, the linear plate member and the axial rotation member taken along line LVIIIa-LVIIIa in Figure 57(a), and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the transmission device holding plate, the up-down inverted member, the intermediate arm member, the linear plate member and the axial rotation member taken along line LVIIIb-LVIIIb in Figure 57(b). [Figure 59] 13(a) to 13(c) are front views of the performance device. [Figure 60] FIG. 13 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of the configuration of a third operating unit. [Figure 61] FIG. 13 is an exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the configuration of a third operating unit. [Figure 62] FIG. 13 is an exploded front perspective view of a portion of the configuration of a third operating unit. [Figure 63] FIG. 13 is an exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the configuration of a third operating unit. [Figure 64] 13(a) and (b) are rear views of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Figure 65] 13(a) and (b) are rear views of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Figure 66] 4(a) and (b) are front views of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Figure 67] 4(a) and (b) are front views of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Figure 68] 5 is a timing chart showing an example of the arrangement of the lifting arm member, the driving mode of the drive motor, and the output of the detection sensor in a time series. [Figure 69] 29 is a cross-sectional view of the third operating unit taken along line LXIX-LXIX in FIG. 28. [Figure 70] 1A to 1D are schematic front views of the operational units for explaining examples of combined operations of the operational units in chronological order. [Figure 71]1A to 1D are schematic front views of the operational units for explaining examples of combined operations of the operational units in chronological order. [Figure 72] FIG. [Figure 73] A front view of the variable prize-winning device and the allocation device. [Figure 74] This is an oblique view of the variable winning device and the distribution device as viewed in the direction of arrow XXIII in Figure 16. [Figure 75] A cross-sectional view of the variable prize winning device and the distribution device along line LXXV-LXXV in Figure 73. [Figure 76] 76 is a cross-sectional view of the middle member, the sliding displacement member, the lower member, and the detection sensor of the sorting device taken along the line LXXVI-LXXVI in FIG. 75. [Figure 77] 1(a) to 1(d) are front perspective views of the inner member of the sorting device. [Figure 78] 1 is a top view of the middle member, the state switching device, the sliding displacement member and the lower member. FIG. [Figure 79] 78(a) is a cross-sectional view of the middle member, the sliding displacement member and the lower member taken along line LXXIXa-LXXIXa in Figure 78, (b) is a cross-sectional view of the middle member, the sliding displacement member and the lower member taken along line LXXIXb-LXXIXb in Figure 78, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of the middle member, the sliding displacement member and the lower member taken along line LXXIXc-LXXIXc in Figure 78. [Figure 80] 13(a) and (b) are side views of the slide displacement member and the ball resting on the upper surface of the ball guide portion. [Figure 81] 81(a) is a front view of the rotating member, (b) is a rear view of the rotating member, and (c) is a side view of the rotating member as viewed in the direction of arrow LXXXIc in FIG. 81(a). [Figure 82] FIG. 4 is a front view of a first operating unit. [Figure 83] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first operating unit. [Figure 84] FIG. 4 is a front view of a first operating unit. [Figure 85] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first operating unit. [Figure 86] 13A and 13B are rear views of the guide slot, the dish-shaped lid portion, the detection sensor, and the extension portion of the transmission gear cam. [Figure 87] 13A and 13B are rear views of the guide slot, the dish-shaped lid portion, the detection sensor, and the extension portion of the transmission gear cam. [Figure 88] 13 is a rear view of the guide slot, the dish-shaped lid portion, the detection sensor, and the extension portion of the transmission gear cam. FIG. [Figure 89] A front oblique view of a first decorative rotating member and a second decorative rotating member. [Figure 90] 13(a) and (b) are schematic front views showing the guide slots, the rectangular box portion, and the decorative protrusion portion. [Figure 91] 13(a) and (b) are schematic front views showing the guide slots, the rectangular box portion, and the decorative protrusion portion. [Figure 92] 1 is a schematic front view showing the guide slot, the rectangular box portion, and the protruding decorative portion. FIG. [Figure 93] 86 is a cross-sectional view of the first operating unit taken along line XCIII-XCIII in FIG. 85. [Figure 94] FIG. 11 is a front view of the second operating unit in the extended state. [Figure 95] 95 is a cross-sectional view of the second operating unit taken along line XCV-XCV in FIG. 94. [Figure 96] 1 is a front view of a transmission device holding plate, a top-bottom inversion member, an intermediate arm member, a linear motion plate member, and a shaft rotation member. FIG. [Figure 97] 1 is a front view of a transmission device holding plate, a top-bottom inversion member, an intermediate arm member, a linear motion plate member, and a shaft rotation member. FIG. [Figure 98] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the lifting and reversing performance device. [Figure 99] FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the intermediate arm member, and FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the intermediate arm member. [Figure 100] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a third operating unit, illustrating the displacement of a metal bar and an intermediate arm member. [Figure 101] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a third operating unit. [Figure 102]FIG. 4 is a front view of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Figure 103] 1A is a rear view of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the outer rotating member and the intermediate arm member. [Figure 104] FIG. 13 is a front view of a third operating unit. [Figure 105] FIG. 13 is a front view of a third operating unit. [Fig. 106] 106 is a cross-sectional view of the third operating unit taken along line CVI-CVI in FIG. 105. [Figure 107] 105 is a cross-sectional view of the third operating unit taken along line CVII-CVII in FIG. 104. [Figure 108] 16 is a cross-sectional view of the sorting device according to the second embodiment taken along a line corresponding to line XVI-XVI in FIG. [Figure 109] 17(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the sorting device in the third embodiment taken along a line corresponding to line XVII-XVII in FIG. 15. [Figure 110] 13(a) and (b) are schematic top views of the third flow path component, the probability change detection sensor, the normal detection sensor, and the slide displacement member, which are schematic views showing the configuration of the downstream side of the third flow path component in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 111] 110(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the third flow path component, the special rate detection sensor, the normal detection sensor, and the slide displacement member taken along line CXIa-CXIa in Figure 110(a), and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the third flow path component, the special rate detection sensor, the normal detection sensor, and the slide displacement member taken along line CXIb-CXIb in Figure 110(b). [Figure 112] 17(a) and (b) are partial cross-sectional views of a sorting device in a fifth embodiment taken along a line corresponding to line XVII-XVII in FIG. 15. [Figure 113] 17 is a cross-sectional view of the sorting device according to the sixth embodiment taken along a line corresponding to line XVII-XVII in FIG. [Fig. 114] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a sorting device according to a seventh embodiment. [Fig. 115] 115 is a cross-sectional view of the sorting device taken along line CXV-CXV in FIG. 114. [Fig. 116] FIG. 23 is a schematic front view showing the relationship between a guide elongated hole and a rotating member in the eighth embodiment. [Fig. 117] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view showing the relationship between a guide elongated hole and a rotating member in the ninth embodiment. [Figure 118] FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine in a first control example. [Figure 119] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine in the first control example. [Figure 120] 1A is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of area division settings and effective line settings on a display screen, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of an actual display screen. [Figure 121] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a jackpot performance executed during a jackpot game. [Fig. 122] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a jackpot performance executed during a jackpot game. [Figure 123] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a jackpot performance executed during a jackpot game. [Figure 124] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a win rate increase zone presentation executed after a big win game ends. [Fig. 125] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a win rate increase zone presentation executed after a big win game ends. [Fig. 126] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display form of a battle mode presentation. [Figure 127] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display form of a battle mode presentation. [Figure 128] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display form of a battle mode presentation. [Figure 129] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display form of a battle mode presentation. [Fig. 130] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of an operation presentation. [Fig. 131] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of an operation presentation. [Fig. 132] 11(a) to 11(e) are diagrams showing the flow of presentation from the big win to the big win game and thereafter. [Fig. 133] 11(a) to 11(d) are diagrams showing the flow of presentation from the big win to the big win game and thereafter. [Fig. 134] 13(a) to 13(d) are diagrams showing the flow of the presentation aspects of the operation presentation. [Fig. 135] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine in a first control example. [Fig. 136] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of various counters in the first control example. [Fig. 137] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the main control device in the first control example, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the first winning random number table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example, and (c) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the first winning type selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example. [Figure 138] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the second winning random number table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the variation pattern selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example, and (c) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the normal table in the first control example. [Fig. 139] 13(a) to 13(e) are diagrams showing the prescribed contents of various data tables contained in the variation pattern selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 140] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the variation pattern scenario selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 141] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the RAM of the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 142]1A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the first control example, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 143] 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the winning rate selection table set in the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the first control example. FIG. [Fig. 144] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a display control device in a first control example. [Fig. 145] 13(a) to 13(c) are explanatory diagrams illustrating images displayed when the power is turned on. [Fig. 146] 1A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the rear surface A, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the rear surfaces B to D. FIG. [Fig. 147] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display data table in the first control example. [Fig. 148] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transfer data table in the first control example. [Figure 149] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a drawing list in the first control example. [Fig. 150] 11 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a main control device in a first control example. [Fig. 151] 13 is a flowchart showing the special pattern change processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 152] 13 is a flowchart showing the special pattern variation start processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 153] A flowchart showing the start winning processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 154] 11 is a flowchart showing a read-ahead process executed by an MPU in a main control device in a first control example. [Fig. 155] 13 is a flowchart showing the normal pattern change processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 156] 11 is a flowchart showing a through gate passing process executed by an MPU in a main control device in a first control example. [Fig. 157] 11 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by an MPU in a main control device in a first control example. [Fig. 158] 11 is a flowchart showing the start-up process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 159] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 160] 13 is a flowchart showing the big win control processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the first control example. [Fig. 161] 11 is a flowchart showing the start-up process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a first control example. [Fig. 162] 11 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a first control example. [Fig. 163] 13 is a flowchart showing the frame button input monitoring and performance processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 164] 11 is a flowchart showing the press performance setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 165] 11 is a flowchart showing the performance update processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 166] 11 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a first control example. [Fig. 167] 13 is a flowchart showing the hit-related processing by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 168] 13 is a flowchart showing the round performance setting process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 169] 11 is a flowchart showing the variable display setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 170] A flowchart showing the presentation mode change processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 171] 13 is a flowchart showing the winning performance setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 172] A flowchart showing the prize ball related processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 173] A flowchart showing the additional performance mode setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 174] 11 is a flowchart showing the battle variation display setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a first control example. [Fig. 175] 11 is a flowchart showing the time-saving performance mode setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 176] 13 is a flowchart showing the performance setting process for the winning rate UP zone executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 177] A flowchart showing the performance setting process after the first time executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 178] 13 is a flowchart showing a final winning rate determination process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 179] 13 is a flowchart showing the battle performance setting process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the first control example. [Fig. 180] 11 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 181]11 is a flowchart showing a boot process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 182] 1A is a flowchart showing command interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the first control example, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing V interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 183] 11 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 184] 1A is a flowchart showing the variation pattern command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the stop type command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 185] 13(a) is a flowchart showing the opening command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example, and FIG. 13(b) is a flowchart showing the number of rounds command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 186] 11 is a flowchart showing an ending command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 187] 13(a) is a flowchart showing the background image change command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example, and (b) is a flowchart showing the error command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 188] 13 is a flowchart showing a number-addition related command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 189] 11 is a flowchart showing a display setting process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 190]13 is a flowchart showing a warning image setting process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 191] 13 is a flowchart showing a pointer update process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 192] 1A is a flowchart showing the transfer setting process executed by an MPU in a display control device in the first control example, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the resident image transfer setting process executed by an MPU in a display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 193] 13 is a flowchart showing a normal image transfer setting process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 194] 11 is a flowchart showing a drawing process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the first control example. [Fig. 195] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a jackpot performance executed during a jackpot game in the second control example. [Fig. 196] 13A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the second control example, and FIG. 13B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the second control example. [Figure 197] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the specified contents of the additional performance selection table set in the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the second control example. [Figure 198] 11 is a flowchart showing the performance update process 2 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second control example. [Figure 199] A flowchart showing the performance timer update processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a second control example. [Figure 200] A flowchart showing additional performance mode setting process 2 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a second control example. [Figure 201]13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a jackpot performance executed during a jackpot game in the third control example. [Fig. 202] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a jackpot performance executed during a jackpot game in the third control example. [Fig. 203] A block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Fig. 204] 13 is a flowchart showing the winning performance setting process 3 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the third control example. [Fig. 205] 13 is a flowchart showing a round performance setting process 3 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a third control example. [Fig. 206] A flowchart showing additional performance mode setting process 3 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a third control example. [Fig. 207] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of an effect executed in a winning rate increase zone in the fourth control example. [Fig. 208] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the effects executed during the winning rate increase zone in the fourth control example. [Fig. 209] A block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the fourth control example. [Fig. 210] 13 is a flowchart showing frame button input monitoring and performance processing 4 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a fourth control example. [Fig. 211] A flowchart showing the rapid-fire performance setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the fourth control example. [Fig. 212] 13 is a flowchart showing the performance update process 4 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the fourth control example. [Fig. 213] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a display form of a presentation executed in a battle mode in a fifth control example. [Fig. 214] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a display form of a presentation executed in a battle mode in a fifth control example. [Fig. 215] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the flow of performance control in the fifth control example. [Fig. 216] A block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the fifth control example. [Fig. 217] 13 is a flowchart showing command decision 5 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a fifth control example. [Fig. 218] 13 is a flowchart showing the confirmation processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a fifth control example. [Fig. 219] 13 is a flowchart showing the time-saving performance mode setting process 5 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the fifth control example. [Fig. 220] 13 is a flowchart showing the display point setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the fifth control example. [Fig. 221] 13 is a flowchart showing a number-of-times-increment-related command process 5 executed by an MPU in the display control device in the fifth control example. [Fig. 222] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of a presentation executed during battle mode in another example of the fifth control example. [Fig. 223] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of a presentation executed during battle mode in another example of the fifth control example. [Fig. 224] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of a presentation executed during battle mode in another example of the fifth control example. [Fig. 225] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of a presentation executed during battle mode in another example of the fifth control example. [Fig. 226] FIG. 2 is a front view of a pachinko machine in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 227] A front view of the game board of a pachinko machine in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 228]FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 229] A schematic diagram showing the V winning device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 230] A schematic diagram showing the V winning device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 231] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a movable guide member in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 232] 13(a) and (b) are figures showing an example of a variation mode that does not result in a pseudo-consecutive repetition displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 233] A figure showing an example of a variation pattern that does not result in a pseudo-consecutive pattern displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 234] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of the variation pattern of pseudo consecutive 1 displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 235] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of the change in the button presentation during pseudo consecutive development displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 236] A figure showing an example of the changing pattern of the button presentation during pseudo-consecutive development displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 237] (a) and (b) are figures showing an example of the fluctuation mode when the V attacker opens immediately after the pattern displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment stops. [Fig. 238] A figure showing an example of the fluctuation pattern when the V attacker opens immediately after the pattern displayed on the third pattern display device in the A1 embodiment stops. [Fig. 239] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a pachinko machine in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 240] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of various counters in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 241]FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 242] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first winning random number table set in the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the special pattern 1 random number table in the A1 embodiment, (c) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the special pattern 2 random number table in the A1 embodiment, and (d) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the normal pattern random number table in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 243] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first winning type selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing the typical contents of the special chart 1 jackpot type selection table in the A1 embodiment, and (c) is a diagram showing the typical contents of the special chart 2 jackpot type selection table in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 244] (a) is a block diagram showing the configuration of the small win type selection table set in the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing the schematic contents of the special chart 1 small win type selection table in the A1 embodiment, and (c) is a diagram showing the schematic contents of the special chart 2 small win type selection table in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 245] 1A is a block diagram showing the configuration of a variation pattern table set in the ROM of the main control device in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the specified contents of the normal variation pattern table in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 246] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the prescribed contents of the time-saving variation pattern table in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 247] 1A and 1B are diagrams explaining each winning type and the operation content of the winning game in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 248](a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the contents of the jackpot scenario table in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the contents of the small jackpot scenario table in the A1 embodiment, and (c) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an example of a jackpot scenario a in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 249] 13A is a diagram showing a schematic example of a winning scenario a in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a schematic example of a winning scenario b in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 250] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a winning scenario c in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 251] 1A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 252] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the game flow in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 253] 13(a) to 13(i) are timing charts showing the passage of a small winning V in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 254] 13(a) to 13(i) are timing charts showing when the small winning V does not pass in the A1 embodiment. [Figure 255] 13(a) to 13(i) are timing charts showing the time when the big win V passes in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 256] 13(a) to 13(i) are timing charts showing when the big win V does not pass in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 257] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 258] 13(a) to 13(c) are diagrams illustrating images displayed when the power is turned on in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 259] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display data table in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 260]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transfer data table in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 261] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drawing list in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 262] 11 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 263] 13 is a flowchart showing a special pattern variation process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 264] 13 is a flowchart showing the special pattern variation start processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 265] 13 is a flowchart showing the small win start setting process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 266] A flowchart showing the start winning processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 267] 13 is a flowchart showing a read-ahead process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 268] 11 is a flowchart showing the normal pattern change processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 269] 13 is a flowchart showing a through-gate passing process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 270] 13 is a flowchart showing a V inlet passing process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 271] 11 is a flowchart showing a V passing process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 272] 13 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 273]11 is a flowchart showing a start-up process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 274] 4 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 275] 13 is a flowchart showing the big win control processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 276] 13 is a flowchart showing a specific big win control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 277] 13 is a flowchart showing the big win ending control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 278] 13 is a flowchart showing the small win control processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 279] 13 is a flowchart showing the small win ending control process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 280] 11 is a flowchart showing the start-up process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 281] 11 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 282] 11 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 283] 11 is a flowchart showing a winning-related process executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 284] A flowchart showing a variable display setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 285]11 is a flowchart showing the frame button input monitoring and performance processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 286] 11 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 287] 11 is a flowchart showing a boot process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 288] 1A is a flowchart showing command interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing V interrupt processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 289] 13 is a flowchart showing a command determination process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 290] 1A is a flowchart showing the variation pattern command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the stop type command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 291] (a) is a flowchart showing rear image change command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment, (b) is a flowchart showing error command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment, and (c) is a flowchart showing chance eye command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 292] 13 is a flowchart showing a win-related command process executed by an MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 293](a) is a flowchart showing the jackpot start command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment, and (b) is a flowchart showing the round number command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 294] 1A is a flowchart showing the big win end command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the small win start command processing executed by the MPU in the display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 295] 1A is a flowchart showing the small win end command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing the V entrance pass command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 296] 11 is a flowchart showing V performance command processing executed by an MPU in a display control device in the A1 embodiment. [Fig. 297] A front view of the game board of a pachinko machine in the A2 embodiment. [Figure 298] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a sorting device according to the A2 embodiment. [Figure 299] 13(a) to 13(d) are diagrams illustrating the inside of a sorting device B700 in the A2 embodiment. [Figure 300] A3 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine in the embodiment. [Fig. 301] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a crane member in the A3 embodiment. [Fig. 302] FIG. 4 is a front view of the game board of a pachinko machine in the embodiment. [Fig. 303] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a flow path unit in the A4 embodiment. [Fig. 304] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a roulette chance displayed on a third pattern display device in the A4 embodiment. [Fig. 305] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a roulette chance displayed on a third pattern display device in the A4 embodiment. [Fig. 306] 13(a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a display mode of a roulette chance displayed on a third pattern display device in the A4 embodiment. [Fig. 307] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a RAM of a main control device in the fourth embodiment. [Fig. 308] 13A is a timing chart showing the roulette display timing when a small win V passes in the A4 embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a timing chart showing the roulette display timing when a big win V passes in the A4 embodiment. [Fig. 309] 10A is a timing chart showing the roulette display timing when a small win V does not pass in the A4 embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a timing chart showing the roulette display timing when a big win V does not pass in the A4 embodiment. [Fig. 310] 13 is a flowchart showing special pattern variation processing 2 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A4 embodiment. [Fig. 311] 13 is a flowchart showing a condition device determination process executed by an MPU in a main control device in the A4 embodiment. [Fig. 312] A diagram showing the V winning device in the A5 embodiment. [Fig. 313] 13 is a flowchart showing a specific big win control process 3 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A5 embodiment. [Fig. 314] 13 is a flowchart showing a specific big win control process 4 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the A5 embodiment. [Fig. 315] A front view showing a schematic diagram of the game board of a pachinko machine in the sixth control example. [Fig. 316] A transition diagram showing a schematic diagram of the change in the game state of a pachinko machine in the sixth control example. [Fig. 317] 13(a) and (b) are timing charts showing game content and a presentation mode of a series of presentations in the sixth control example. [Fig. 318] 13(a) and (b) are timing charts showing the game content and the presentation mode of the final variation presentation in the sixth control example. [Fig. 319] (a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the display content displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the presentation form of the normal pattern change presentation displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 320] (a) is a figure showing an example of a presentation mode in which a regular pattern change presentation is executed in the main display area of ​​the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of a presentation mode of a regular pattern winning screen displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 321] (a) is a figure showing an example of the presentation mode when special 2 is won during special 1 variation displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of the presentation mode during special 2 variation (challenge game) displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 322] 13(a) is a diagram showing an example of the presentation mode when a small win is won with the special 2 variation displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing an example of the presentation mode when a big win is won during the small win displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Figure 323] 13(a) is a diagram showing an example of the presentation mode when a special 2 is won while a special 1 is not changing and is displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing an example of the presentation mode when a small jackpot is won with a special 2 change and displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 324] 13(a) is a diagram showing an example of the presentation mode one second after the start of a normal winning game displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and 13(b) is a diagram showing an example of the presentation mode when the ball does not enter the second winning port during a normal winning game displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 325] (a) is a diagram showing an example of the presentation mode three seconds after the start of the small win game displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the presentation mode when the ball does not enter the V winning port during the small win game displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 326] (a) is a figure showing an example of a presentation pattern displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of a presentation pattern displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 327] (a) is a figure showing an example of the presentation mode during the time-saving state displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of the presentation mode of the final change in the time-saving state displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 328] (a) is a figure showing an example of the presentation mode of the first half of the final time-saving fluctuation displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of the presentation mode of the second half of the final time-saving fluctuation displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 329] (a) is a figure showing an example of a presentation mode showing the presentation result of the latter half of the final time-saving fluctuation displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of a result display mode of the final time-saving fluctuation presentation displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 330] (a) is a figure showing an example of the presentation mode when special 2 is hit after the time-saving feature has ended, as displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of the result display mode of the final time-saving feature change, as displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 331] A figure showing an example of a presentation mode indicating the end of the time-saving state displayed on the third pattern display device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 332] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an overview of various counters in the sixth control example. [Figure 333](a) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the ROM of the main control device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the RAM of the main control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 334] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the 1st winning random number 5 table in the 6th control example, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the special pattern 1 random number 5 table in the 6th control example, (c) is a schematic diagram showing the special pattern 2 random number 5 table in the 6th control example, and (d) is a schematic diagram showing the normal pattern winning random number 5 table. [Fig. 335] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the 1st winning type selection 5 table in the 6th control example, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the special chart 1 jackpot type selection 5 table in the 6th control example, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the special chart 2 jackpot type selection 5 table in the 6th control example. [Fig. 336] 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the normal winning type selection table 5 in the sixth control example, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing the opening operation of the electric device based on the normal winning type and the game status. [Figure 337] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the small win type selection 5 table in the sixth control example, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the small win type selection 5 table for special chart 1 in the sixth control example, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the small win type selection 5 table for special chart 2 in the sixth control example. [Figure 338] A schematic diagram showing the contents of the normal variation pattern selection table in the sixth control example. [Figure 339] 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing a variation pattern 5 table in the sixth control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a normal variation pattern 5 table in the sixth control example. FIG. [Fig. 340] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a time-saving fluctuation pattern 5 table, which is part of the fluctuation pattern selection table in the sixth control example. [Fig. 341](a) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 342] 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing five variation pattern selection tables in the sixth control example, and FIG. 13(b) is a schematic diagram showing five variation pattern selection tables for the final time-saving period in the sixth control example. [Figure 343] 13 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 344] 13 is a flowchart showing the special pattern change processing 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 345] 13 is a flowchart showing the special pattern variation start process 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 346] 23 is a flowchart showing a time-saving update process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 347] 13 is a flowchart showing a small win start setting process 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 348] A flowchart showing the start winning processing 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 349] 13 is a flowchart showing a read-ahead process 5 executed by an MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 350] 13 is a flowchart showing normal pattern change processing 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 351] 13 is a flowchart showing a through gate passing process 5 executed by an MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 352] 13 is a flowchart showing a map pre-reading process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 353]13 is a flowchart showing a V inlet passing process 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 354] 13 is a flowchart showing a V passing process 5 executed by an MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 355] 13 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by an MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 356] 13 is a flowchart showing the start-up process executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 357] 13 is a flowchart showing the main processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 358] 13 is a flowchart showing the big win control process 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 359] 13 is a flowchart showing the small win control process 5 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 360] 13 is a flowchart showing command determination processing 5 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a sixth control example. [Fig. 361] A flowchart showing the winning information command processing 5 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 362] A flowchart showing the winning status determination process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 363] 13 is a flowchart showing the variation pattern command processing 5 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 364] 13 is a flowchart showing a hit-related command processing 5 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 365] 13 is a flowchart showing the jackpot-related command processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 366] (a) is a flowchart showing small win related command processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a flowchart showing normal small win processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 367] A flowchart showing the small win processing for a series of performances executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 368] 13 is a flowchart showing a stop command processing 5 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 369] A flowchart showing variable display setting process 5 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 370] A flowchart showing the variable performance setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 371] A flowchart showing the general purpose performance setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 372] A flowchart showing the time-saving performance setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 373] A flowchart showing the winning variable performance setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Fig. 374] 13 is a flowchart showing the performance update process 5 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 375] A flowchart showing a series of performance update processes executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 376] 13(a) is a flowchart showing the update processing during a regular win game executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example, and (b) is a flowchart showing the update processing during a small win game executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the sixth control example. [Figure 377] A flowchart showing the final variable performance update processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the seventh control example. [Figure 378] A front view showing a schematic diagram of the game board of a pachinko machine in the seventh control example. [Figure 379] (a) is a figure showing an example of the presentation mode during the final time-saving fluctuation in the seventh control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of the presentation mode during the support time displayed on the third pattern display device in the seventh control example. [Figure 380] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the ROM of the main control device in the seventh control example. [Figure 381] 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing the 6 table for selecting the normal winning type in the seventh control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the opening operation of the electric device based on the normal winning type and the game status in the seventh control example. [Figure 382] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing normal variation pattern table 6 in the seventh control example. [Figure 383] (a) is a schematic diagram showing a general map fluctuation pattern table in the seventh control example, (b) is a schematic diagram showing a general map fluctuation pattern table for time saving A in the seventh control example, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing a general map fluctuation pattern table for time saving B in the seventh control example. [Figure 384] 13 is a flowchart showing normal pattern change processing 6 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the seventh control example. [Figure 385] A flowchart showing the general map performance setting process 6 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the seventh control example. [Figure 386] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of a game board of a pachinko machine in a second modified example of the sixth control example. [Figure 387] FIG. 13 is an enlarged schematic view of the right-side playing area of ​​the game board of a pachinko machine in the second modified example of the sixth control example. [Figure 388]FIG. 13 is an enlarged schematic view of the right-side playing area of ​​the game board of a pachinko machine in the second modified example of the sixth control example. [Figure 389] 13(a) and (b) are timing charts showing a schematic flow of the presentation of a pachinko machine in a second modified example of the sixth control example. [Figure 390] (a) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the ROM of the main control device in the second variant of the sixth control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the second variant of the sixth control example. [Figure 391] 13(a) is a schematic diagram showing a variation pattern 7 table in the second modified example of the sixth control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a normal variation pattern 7 table in the second modified example of the sixth control example. [Figure 392] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the general change pattern selection table 7 in the second modified example of the sixth control example. [Figure 393] 23 is a flowchart showing a stop command process 7 executed by an MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second modified example of the sixth control example. [Figure 394] 13 is a flowchart showing variable display setting process 7 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the second modified example of the sixth control example. [Figure 395] A flowchart showing a set performance setting process executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the second variant of the sixth control example. [Figure 396] A flowchart showing the general set performance setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second variant of the sixth control example. [Figure 397] 13 is a flowchart showing the performance update process 7 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the second variant of the sixth control example. [Figure 398] A figure showing a method of setting a series of performances in the second variant of the sixth control example. [Figure 399](a) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the eighth control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the eighth control example. [Figure 400] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the general scenario table in the eighth control example. [Fig. 401] This is a timing chart showing the flow in which normal winning scenario 2 is set as a series of performance scenarios in the eighth control example. [Fig. 402] This is a timing chart showing the flow in which normal winning scenario 4 is set as a series of performance scenarios in the eighth control example. [Fig. 403] A flowchart showing the winning information command processing 8 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the eighth control example. [Fig. 404] A flowchart showing a series of performance discrimination processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth control example. [Fig. 405] 13 is a flowchart showing a hit-related command processing 8 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the eighth control example. [Fig. 406] A flowchart showing the general-purpose related command processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the eighth control example. [Fig. 407] A flowchart showing the variable performance setting process 8 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the eighth control example. [Fig. 408] A flowchart showing the constant monitoring performance setting process executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the eighth control example. [Fig. 409] A flowchart showing the general purpose performance setting process 8 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the eighth control example. [Fig. 410] A flowchart showing a series of performance prediction setting processing executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in the eighth control example. [Fig. 411](a) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the 9th control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the 9th control example. [Fig. 412] 13A is a schematic diagram showing the final variable performance table in the ninth control example, and FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram showing the final table for winning in the ninth control example. [Fig. 413] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a final table for loss in the ninth control example. [Fig. 414] 13A is a schematic diagram showing a final performance variable setting table in the ninth control example, and FIG. 13B is a schematic diagram showing a winning setting table in the ninth control example. [Fig. 415] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a miss setting table in the ninth control example. [Fig. 416] 13 is a flowchart showing command determination processing 9 executed by an MPU in a voice lamp control device in a ninth control example. [Fig. 417] A flowchart showing the winning information command processing 9 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the 9th control example. [Fig. 418] A flowchart showing the final winning processing executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the 9th control example. [Fig. 419] A flowchart showing the time-saving performance setting process 9 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the 9th control example. [Fig. 420] A flowchart showing the final variable performance update process 9 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the 9th control example. [Fig. 421] A front view showing a schematic diagram of the game board of a pachinko machine in the tenth control example. [Fig. 422](a) is a figure showing an example of a right-hit notification screen in the first notification mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the tenth control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of a right-hit notification screen in the second notification mode displayed on the third pattern display device in the tenth control example. [Fig. 423] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of a game board of a pachinko machine in a modified example of the seventh control example. [Fig. 424] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the flow of presentation of a pachinko machine in a modified example of the seventh control example. [Fig. 425] A front view showing a schematic diagram of the game board of a pachinko machine in an eleventh control example. [Fig. 426] An enlarged view showing the V winning device of a pachinko machine in the 11th control example. [Fig. 427] An enlarged view showing the V winning device of a pachinko machine in the 11th control example. [Fig. 428] An enlarged view showing the V winning device of a pachinko machine in the 11th control example. [Fig. 429] An enlarged view showing the V winning device of a pachinko machine in the 11th control example. [Fig. 430] (a) is a figure showing an example of the start screen of time-saving performance A displayed on the third pattern display device in the 11th control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of the start screen of time-saving performance B displayed on the third pattern display device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 431] (a) is a figure showing an example of a time-saving performance A screen displayed on the third pattern display device in the 11th control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of a time-saving performance B screen displayed on the third pattern display device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 432] 13A is a diagram showing an example of a last chance presentation screen displayed on the third pattern display device in the 11th control example. FIG. [Fig. 433] A figure showing an example of a time-saving performance B screen displayed on the third pattern display device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 434] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the transition of the game state in the 11th control example. [Fig. 435] (a) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the ROM of the main control device in the 11th control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the RAM of the main control device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 436] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the first winning random number 11 table in the 11th control example, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the special pattern 1 random number 11 table in the 11th control example, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the special pattern 2 random number 11 table in the 11th control example. [Fig. 437] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the contents of the small win type selection 11 table in the 11th control example, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the special chart 1 small win type selection 11 table in the 11th control example, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the special chart 2 small win type selection 11 table in the 11th control example. [Fig. 438] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a time-saving granting table in an eleventh control example. [Fig. 439] (a) is a schematic diagram showing the fluctuation pattern 11 table in the 11th control example, (b) is a schematic diagram showing the normal use fluctuation pattern 11 table in the 11th control example, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the time-saving use fluctuation pattern 11 table in the 11th control example. [Fig. 440] 11A is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a small win scenario 11 table in the 11th control example, and FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a win scenario a in the 11th control example. [Fig. 441] 11(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a winning scenario b in the eleventh control example, and FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a winning scenario c in the eleventh control example. [Fig. 442] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of a winning scenario d in the 11th control example. [Figure 443](a) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the ROM of the voice lamp control device in the 11th control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the RAM of the voice lamp control device in the 11th control example. [Figure 444] 11(a) is a schematic diagram showing the variation pattern selection 11 table in the 11th control example, and FIG. 11(b) is a schematic diagram showing the variation pattern selection 11 table for the final time-saving period in the 11th control example. [Figure 445] 13 is a flowchart showing the special pattern variation process 11 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 446] 13 is a flowchart showing the special pattern variation start process 11 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the 11th control example. [Figure 447] 13 is a flowchart showing a start-time reduction update process executed by an MPU in the main control device in an eleventh control example. [Figure 448] 16 is a flowchart showing a time-saving update process executed by an MPU in the main control device in an eleventh control example. [Figure 449] 13 is a flowchart showing the big win control process 11 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 450] 13 is a flowchart showing the small win control process 11 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 451] A flowchart showing the winning information command processing 11 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 452] A flowchart showing the variable performance setting process 11 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 453] A flowchart showing the time-saving performance setting process 11 executed by the MPU in the voice lamp control device in the 11th control example. [Fig. 454] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a time-saving granting table in a modified example of the eleventh control example. [Fig. 455] (a) is a figure showing an example of a small win suggestion performance start screen displayed on the third pattern display device in the 12th control example, and (b) is a figure showing an example of a small win suggestion performance in progress screen displayed on the third pattern display device in the 12th control example. [Fig. 456] (a) is a diagram showing an example of a screen during a small win suggestion display displayed on the third pattern display device in the 12th control example, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of a screen during a small win suggestion display displayed on the third pattern display device in the 12th control example. [Fig. 457] (a) is a diagram showing an example of a screen during a small win suggestion display displayed on the third pattern display device in the 12th control example, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of a screen during a small win suggestion display displayed on the third pattern display device in the 12th control example. [Fig. 458] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the relationship between special chart changes and changing presentation in the 12th control example. [Fig. 459] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the relationship between special chart changes and changing presentation in the 12th control example. [Fig. 460] (a) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the ROM of the main control device in the 13th control example, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the contents of the RAM of the main control device in the 13th control example. [Fig. 461] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of a time-saving grant table 13 in a modified example of the thirteenth control example. [Fig. 462] 23 is a flowchart showing a start-time-shortening update process 13 executed by an MPU in the main control device in the thirteenth control example. [Fig. 463] 13 is a flowchart showing the big win control process 13 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the 13th control example. [Fig. 464] 23 is a flowchart showing main processing 13 executed by the MPU in the main control device in the thirteenth control example. [Fig. 465]13 is a flowchart showing the time-saving end processing executed by the MPU in the main control device in the 13th control example. [Fig. 466] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the game state and the flow of variable presentation in a modified example. [Fig. 467] A diagram showing a schematic diagram of the game state and the flow of variable presentation in a modified example. [Fig. 468] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the flow of presentation when a second special symbol lottery is executed immediately after a ball enters the second ball entrance 640 in the second modified example. [Fig. 469] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a presentation screen in a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. First, with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 71, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "pachinko machine") 10 will be described as a first embodiment. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10 in the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a front view of a game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, and Fig. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

[0017] In the following description, the front side of the paper will be referred to as the front (front) side and the back side of the paper will be referred to as the rear (rear) side with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in Fig. 1. Also, with respect to the pachinko machine 10 in the state shown in Fig. 1, the upper side will be referred to as the upper (upper) side, the lower side will be referred to as the lower (lower) side, the right side will be referred to as the right (right) side, and the left side will be referred to as the left (left) side. Furthermore, the arrows UD, LR, and FB in the figure (see Fig. 2, for example) indicate the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction of the pachinko machine 10, respectively.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, a pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 in which an outer shell is formed by wooden frames assembled into a substantially rectangular shape, and an inner frame 12 formed in substantially the same external shape as the outer frame 11 and supported so as to be openable and closable relative to the outer frame 11. Metal hinges 18 are attached to the outer frame 11 at two locations, top and bottom, on the left side as viewed from the front (see Fig. 1) in order to support the inner frame 12, and the inner frame 12 is supported so as to be openable and closable toward the front side, with the side where the hinges 18 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing.

[0019] A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having a number of nails and winning holes 63, 64, etc., is detachably attached to the back side of the inner frame 12. A pinball game is played by balls (game balls) flowing down the front of the game board 13. The inner frame 12 is equipped with a ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches balls to the front area of ​​the game board 13, a launching rail (not shown) that guides the balls launched from the ball launching unit 112a to the front area of ​​the game board 13, and the like.

[0020] On the front side of the inner frame 12, there is provided a front frame 14 that covers the upper side of the front, and a lower plate unit 15 that covers the lower side. Metal hinges 19 are attached to two locations, top and bottom, on the left side when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), in order to support the front frame 14 and the lower plate unit 15, and the front frame 14 and the lower plate unit 15 are supported so that they can be opened and closed toward the front front side, with the side where the hinges 19 are provided serving as the axis for opening and closing. The locks on the inner frame 12 and the front frame 14 can be released by inserting a special key into the keyhole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a specified operation.

[0021] The front frame 14 is fitted with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, etc., and has a window 14c formed in a substantially elliptical shape at its approximate center. A glass unit 16 having two glass sheets is disposed on the rear side of the front frame 14, and the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16.

[0022] In the front frame 14, the upper tray 17 for storing balls is formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top that protrudes to the front side, and prize balls and loan balls are discharged into this upper tray 17. The bottom surface of the upper tray 17 is formed with a downward inclination to the right side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and the balls inserted into the upper tray 17 are guided to the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) by this inclination. In addition, a frame button 22 is provided on the upper surface of the upper tray 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, when changing the stage of the performance displayed on the third pattern display device 81 (see FIG. 2) or when changing the content of the performance of the super reach.

[0023] The front frame 14 is provided with various light-emitting means such as lamps around it (for example, at the corners). The light-emitting modes of these light-emitting means are changed and controlled by lighting or blinking in response to changes in the game state such as when a jackpot is hit or when a predetermined reach is reached, and they play a role in enhancing the presentation effect during the game. The periphery of the window portion 14c is provided with illumination units 29-33 incorporating light-emitting means such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 10, these illumination units 29-33 function as presentation lamps such as jackpot lamps, and when a jackpot is hit or when a reach is reached, each illumination unit 29-33 lights up or blinks by lighting or blinking the built-in LEDs, thereby informing the player that a jackpot is being hit or that the player is in a reach just before a jackpot is being hit. In addition, the upper left part of the front frame 14 when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1) is provided with an indicator lamp 34 incorporating light-emitting means such as LEDs and capable of indicating that prize balls are being paid out and that an error has occurred.

[0024] Also, a small window 35 is formed by attaching transparent resin to the underside of the right-side illumination unit 32 from the back side so that the back side of the front frame 14 can be seen, and the certificate stamps and the like affixed to the attachment space K1 (see FIG. 2) on the front of the game board 13 can be seen from the front of the pachinko machine 10. Also, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of chrome-plated ABS resin is attached to the area around the illumination units 29-33 to create a more brilliant appearance.

[0025] A ball lending operation unit 40 is disposed below the window portion 14c. The ball lending operation unit 40 is provided with a number display unit 41, a ball lending button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball lending operation unit 40 is operated with bills, cards, etc. inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, balls are lent out in response to the operation. Specifically, the number display unit 41 is an area where the remaining balance information of the card, etc. is displayed, and a built-in LED is lit to display the remaining balance in numbers as the remaining balance information. The ball lending button 42 is operated to obtain loan balls based on information recorded on a card, etc. (recording medium), and loan balls are supplied to the upper tray 17 as long as there is a remaining balance on the card, etc. The return button 43 is operated when requesting the return of a card, etc. inserted into the card unit. In addition, in pachinko machines where balls are directly dispensed from a ball dispenser to the upper tray 17 without going through a card unit, i.e., in so-called cash machines, the ball dispensing operation unit 40 is not necessary, but in this case, a decorative sticker or the like may be added to the installation part of the ball dispensing operation unit 40 to make the parts configuration common. It is possible to commonize pachinko machines using a card unit and cash machines.

[0026] The lower tray unit 15, located below the upper tray 17, has a lower tray 50 on the left side formed in a roughly box-like shape with an open top for storing balls that cannot be stored in the upper tray 17. An operating handle 51 is provided on the right side of the lower tray 50 to be operated by the player to hit the ball into the front of the game board 13.

[0027] The operation handle 51 includes a touch sensor 51a for permitting the driving of the ball launching unit 112a, a launch stop switch 51b for stopping the launch of balls while the switch is being pressed, and a variable resistor (not shown) for detecting the rotation amount (rotation position) of the operation handle 51 by a change in electrical resistance. When the operation handle 51 is rotated clockwise by a player, the touch sensor 51a is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the rotation amount, and the ball is launched with a strength (launch strength) corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor, so that the ball is shot into the front of the game board 13 with a flight amount corresponding to the operation of the player. When the operation handle 51 is not being operated by the player, the touch sensor 51a and the launch stop switch 51b are turned off.

[0028] A ball removal lever 52 is provided on the lower front part of the lower tray 50 to be operated when discharging the balls stored in the lower tray 50 downward. This ball removal lever 52 is always biased to the right, and by sliding it to the left against this bias, a bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower tray 50 opens, and the balls fall naturally from the bottom opening and are discharged. This ball removal lever 52 is usually operated with a box (commonly called a "senryo box") for receiving the balls discharged from the lower tray 50 placed below the lower tray 50. As described above, the operating handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower tray 50, and an ashtray (not shown) is attached to the left side of the lower tray 50.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the game board 13 is constructed by assembling a number of nails for guiding balls (shown below the center frame 86, not shown in the upper half of the game area) and a windmill (not shown) on a base plate 60 that has been machined into a roughly square shape when viewed from the front, as well as rails 61, 62, a general prize opening 63, a first prize opening 64, a second prize opening 140, a variable prize device 65, a through gate 67, a variable display device unit 80, etc., and the peripheral portion of the board is attached to the back side of the inner frame 12 (see Figure 1).

[0030] The base plate 60 is made of a light-transmitting resin material, and allows the player to see from the front side thereof various structures arranged on the back side of the base plate 60. The general winning port 63, the first winning port 64, the second winning port 140, and the variable winning device 65 are arranged in through holes formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and are fixed from the front side of the game board 13 with tapping screws or the like.

[0031] The base plate 60 may be made of a wooden plate member. In this case, it is possible to shield various structures disposed on the outside of the center frame 86 from its front side to the rear side of the base plate 60 so that they cannot be seen by the player.

[0032] The front central portion of the game board 13 can be seen from the front side of the inner frame 12 through a window portion 14c (see FIG. 1) of the front frame 14. The configuration of the game board 13 will be described below mainly with reference to FIG.

[0033] An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a substantially arc shape is set up on the front of the game board 13, and an inner rail 61 formed of a strip-shaped metal plate similar to the outer rail 62 is set up on the inside of the outer rail 62. The outer rail 61 and the outer rail 62 surround the front outer periphery of the game board 13, and the game board 13 and the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1) surround the front and rear, forming a game area in front of the game board 13 where games are played based on the behavior of the ball. The game area is an area (an area where winning holes and the like are arranged and where shot balls flow down) that is formed in front of the game board 13 and is partitioned by the two rails 61, 62 and the resin outer edge member 73 that connects the rails.

[0034] The two rails 61, 62 are provided to guide the ball launched from the ball launching unit 112a (see FIG. 4) to the upper part of the game board 13. A return ball prevention member 68 is attached to the tip part of the inner rail 61 (upper left part of FIG. 2) to prevent a ball once guided to the upper part of the game board 13 from returning back into the ball guide passage. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip part of the outer rail 62 (upper right part of FIG. 2) at a position corresponding to the maximum flight part of the ball, and a ball launched with a certain amount of force or more hits the return rubber 69 and bounces back toward the center while its force is reduced.

[0035] The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, which are equipped with a plurality of LEDs and a 7-segment display as light-emitting means, are arranged in the lower left part of the game area when viewed from the front (lower left part of FIG. 2). The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are used to display information according to the controls performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and mainly display the game status of the pachinko machine 10. In this embodiment, the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B are configured to be used differently depending on whether the ball has won the first winning hole 64 or the second winning hole 140. Specifically, when the ball has won the first winning hole 64, the first symbol display device 37A is activated, and when the ball has won the second winning hole 140, the first symbol display device 37B is activated.

[0036] The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B use LEDs to indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in a special probability, time-saving, or normal state, whether it is fluctuating, whether the stopped symbols correspond to a special probability jackpot, a normal jackpot, or a miss, and the number of reserved balls, while displaying the number of rounds during a jackpot and errors using a 7-segment display device. The LEDs are configured to have different light colors (e.g., red, green, and blue), and the combination of light colors can suggest various game states of the pachinko machine 10 with a small number of LEDs.

[0037] In this pachinko machine 10, a lottery is held when a prize is won in the first prize slot 64 and the second prize slot 140. In the lottery, the pachinko machine 10 judges whether or not a jackpot has been won (jackpot lottery), and if a jackpot has been determined, it also judges the type of jackpot. The types of jackpots that can be judged here include a 15R variable jackpot, a 4R variable jackpot, and a 4R normal jackpot. The first symbol display devices 37A and 37B not only show whether or not the result of the lottery is a jackpot as the stopped symbol after the fluctuation ends, but also show a symbol according to the type of jackpot if a jackpot has been won.

[0038] Here, a "15R probability jackpot" refers to a probability jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 15, and a "4R probability jackpot" refers to a probability jackpot that transitions to a high probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 4. Also, a "4R normal jackpot" refers to a jackpot that transitions to a low probability state after a jackpot with a maximum number of rounds of 4, and is in a time-saving state for a predetermined number of variations (for example, 100 variations).

[0039] In addition, the "high probability state" refers to a state in which the probability of a jackpot increases after the jackpot has ended as an added value, that is, during a so-called probability fluctuation (during a probability fluctuation), in other words, a state of play in which it is easy to transition to a special game state. In this embodiment, the high probability state (during a probability fluctuation) includes a game state in which the probability of a jackpot increases during a predetermined number of fluctuations (100 fluctuations in this embodiment), and the probability of a hit of the second symbol described below increases, making it easy for a ball to enter the second winning hole 140. The "low probability state" refers to a time when the probability fluctuation is not in progress, and refers to a state in which the probability of a jackpot is normal, that is, a state in which the probability of a jackpot is lower than during a probability fluctuation. In addition, the time-saving state (during a time-saving state) in the "low probability state" refers to a game state in which the probability of a jackpot is normal, and the probability of a jackpot remains the same, but only the probability of a hit of the second symbol increases, making it easy for a ball to enter the second winning hole 140. On the other hand, the pachinko machine 10 is in a normal state when it is neither in a special mode nor in a time-saving mode (when neither the probability of a jackpot nor the probability of hitting the second symbol has increased).

[0040] In this embodiment, when it is determined that a game ball has passed through the through hole of the probability change detection sensor SE11 of the distribution device 300 in the first round of the jackpot game, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be in a high probability state for 100 fluctuations. If it is not determined that a game ball has passed through the through hole of the probability change detection sensor SE11, the game state after the jackpot game ends will be in a time-saving state for 100 fluctuations.

[0041] During the probability variation or time reduction, not only does the probability of winning the second symbol increase, but the time for which the electric role 140a (electric role) associated with the second winning port 140 is opened is also changed and set to a longer time than during normal play. When the electric role 140a is in an open state (open state), the ball is more likely to win the second winning port 140 than when the electric role 140a is in a closed state (closed state). Therefore, during the probability variation or time reduction, the ball is more likely to win the second winning port 140, and the number of times the big win lottery is held can be increased.

[0042] In addition, during the probability variation or time reduction, instead of changing the opening time of the electric role 140a associated with the second winning port 140, or in addition to changing the opening time, the number of times the electric role 140a opens with one win may be increased compared to normal. Also, during the probability variation or time reduction, the winning probability of the second symbol may not be changed, and at least one of the time when the electric role 140a associated with the second winning port 140 is opened and the number of times the electric role 140a opens with one win may be changed. Also, during the probability variation or time reduction, the time when the electric role 140a associated with the second winning port 140 is opened and the number of times the electric role 140a opens with one win may not be changed, and only the winning probability of the second symbol may be changed to be increased compared to normal.

[0043] In the game area, a plurality of general winning holes 63 are arranged, through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball wins. In addition, a variable display unit 80 is arranged in the center of the game area. The variable display unit 80 is provided with a third pattern display device 81 consisting of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply abbreviated as "display device") that performs a variable display of a third pattern while synchronizing with the variable display in the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, triggered by winning (initial winning) in the first winning hole 64 and the second winning hole 140, and a second pattern display device (not shown) consisting of an LED that displays a variable display of a second pattern, triggered by the passage of a ball through the through gate 67. In addition, a center frame 86 is arranged in the variable display unit 80 so as to surround the outer periphery of the third pattern display device 81.

[0044] In this embodiment, the third pattern display device 81 is fastened and fixed to the rear case 510 so as to fill an opening 511a of the rear case 510 described later, and the center frame 86 is arranged to frame the window portion of the base plate 60. That is, when viewed from the front, the center frame 86 appears to be arranged to surround the outer periphery of the third pattern display device 81, but in reality, the third pattern display device 81 and the center frame 86 are arranged separately in the front and rear.

[0045] The third symbol display device 81 is configured with a large liquid crystal display of, for example, 9 inches, and the display contents are controlled by the display control device 114 (see FIG. 4), so that, for example, three symbol rows, upper, middle, and lower, are displayed. Each symbol row is configured with a plurality of symbols (third symbols), and these third symbols are scrolled horizontally for each symbol row, so that the third symbols are variably displayed on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. The third symbol display device 81 of this embodiment performs decorative display according to the display of the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B, while the display of the game state according to the control of the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4) is performed by the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B. Note that, instead of a display device, the third symbol display device 81 may be configured using, for example, a reel or the like.

[0046] The second symbol display device performs a variable display in which a "circle" symbol and an "x" symbol as display symbols (second symbol (not shown)) are alternately lit for a predetermined period of time each time the ball passes through the through gate 67. In the pachinko machine 10, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the through gate 67, a winning lottery is held. If the winning lottery results in a winning, the second symbol display device displays a static "circle" symbol after the second symbol is displayed in a variable manner. If the winning lottery results in a losing, the second symbol display device displays a static "x" symbol after the third symbol is displayed in a variable manner.

[0047] The pachinko machine 10 is configured such that when the varying display in the second pattern display device stops at a predetermined pattern (in this embodiment, a "○" pattern), the electric device 140a attached to the second winning port 140 is activated (opened) for a predetermined period of time.

[0048] The time required for the second symbol to change is set to be shorter during the probability change or time reduction than during the normal game state. As a result, during the probability change and time reduction, the second symbol changes and is displayed in a short time, so that more winning lotteries can be held than during the normal game state. Therefore, since there are more chances to win in the winning lottery, the player can be given more chances to open the electric role 140a of the second winning hole 140. Therefore, during the probability change and time reduction, the second winning hole 140 can be easily entered.

[0049] In addition, if the state is made such that the ball is likely to enter the second winning slot 140 during the probability variation or time reduction by other methods such as increasing the probability of winning or increasing the opening time or number of openings of the electric device 140a for one win during the probability variation or time reduction, the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol may be constant regardless of the game state. On the other hand, if the time taken for the variable display of the second symbol is set shorter during the probability variation or time reduction than during normal play, the probability of winning may be constant regardless of the game state, and the opening time or number of openings of the electric device 140a for one win may be constant regardless of the game state.

[0050] The through gates 67 are attached to the game board 13 in the left and right areas of the variable display unit 80, and are configured to allow a part of the ball shot to the game board 13 to pass through. When the ball passes through the through gates 67, a lottery for a second symbol is held. After the lottery for a second symbol is held, a variable display is performed on the second symbol display device, and if the lottery for a second symbol is a win, a "○" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol of the variable display, and if the lottery for a second symbol is a miss, a "×" symbol is displayed as the stopping symbol of the variable display.

[0051] The number of times that the balls pass through the through gate 67 is reserved up to a maximum of four times in total, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by the above-mentioned first symbol display device 37A, 37B, and is also displayed by lighting the second symbol reserved lamp (not shown). Four second symbol reserved lamps are provided, the maximum number of reserved balls, and are arranged symmetrically below the third symbol display device 81.

[0052] In addition, the variable display of the second pattern may be performed by switching on and off a plurality of lamps in the second pattern display device as in this embodiment, or may be performed using a part of the first pattern display device 37A, 37B and the third pattern display device 81. Similarly, the second pattern reserved lamp may be lit by a part of the third pattern display device 81. In addition, the maximum number of reserved balls for the passage of the ball through the through gate 67 is not limited to four times, and may be set to three times or less, or five times or more (e.g., eight times). In addition, the number of the through gates 67 to be assembled is not limited to two, and may be, for example, one. In addition, the assembly position of the through gate 67 is not limited to the left and right of the variable display device unit 80, and may be, for example, below the variable display device unit 80. In addition, since the number of reserved balls is indicated by the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, the second pattern reserved lamp may not be lit.

[0053] A first winning hole 64 into which a ball can win is disposed below the variable display unit 80. When a ball wins into this first winning hole 64, a first winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the first winning hole switch is turned on, a lottery for a big win is performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37A.

[0054] On the other hand, a second winning hole 140 into which a ball can win is disposed below the first winning hole 64 as viewed from the front. When a ball wins into this second winning hole 140, a second winning hole switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and when the second winning hole switch is turned on, a lottery for a big win is performed by the main control device 110 (see FIG. 4), and a display according to the lottery result is shown on the first symbol display device 37B.

[0055] In addition, each of the first winning opening 64 and the second winning opening 140 is also one of the winning openings into which five balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters the winning opening. In this embodiment, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning opening 64 is the same as the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning opening 140, but the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning opening 64 and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning opening 140 may be different numbers, for example, the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the first winning opening 64 may be three, and the number of prize balls paid out when a ball enters the second winning opening 140 may be five.

[0056] The second winning port 140 is provided with an electric device 140a. This electric device 140a is configured to be openable and closable, and is usually in a closed state (reduced state), making it difficult for the ball to win the second winning port 140. On the other hand, when the second pattern display device displays a "○" pattern as a result of the variable display of the second pattern, which is triggered by the passage of the ball through the through gate 67, the electric device 140a is in an open state (expanded state), making it easy for the ball to win the second winning port 140.

[0057] As described above, during the probability of winning and the time-saving period, the probability of winning the second symbol is higher than during normal play, and the time it takes for the second symbol to change is also shorter, so the symbol "○" is more likely to be displayed in the change display of the second symbol, and the number of times the electric device 140a is in the open state (expanded state) increases. Furthermore, during the probability of winning and the time-saving period, the time for which the electric device 140a is open is longer than during normal play. Therefore, during the probability of winning and the time-saving period, a state in which the ball is more likely to win the second winning hole 140 can be created than during normal play.

[0058] Here, the probability of winning a jackpot when a ball enters the first winning slot 64 and when a ball enters the second winning slot 140 is the same in both low and high probability states. However, the probability of a 15R variable jackpot being selected as the type of jackpot when a jackpot occurs is set higher when a ball enters the second winning slot 140 than when a ball enters the first winning slot 64. On the other hand, the first winning slot 64 does not have an electric device like the second winning slot 140, and the ball is always in a state where it can win a jackpot.

[0059] Therefore, under normal circumstances, the electric device associated with the second winning slot 140 is often in a closed state, making it difficult to win at the second winning slot 140. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to aim for a jackpot by shooting the ball toward the first winning slot 64, which has no electric device, so that the ball passes to the left of the variable display unit 80 (the so-called "left shot") and by having the ball win at the first winning slot 64, thereby gaining more opportunities to win the jackpot lottery.

[0060] On the other hand, during the special bonus period or the time-saving period, the electric device 140a associated with the second winning slot 140 is likely to be opened by passing the ball through the through gate 67, making it easier to win at the second winning slot 140. Therefore, it is more advantageous for the player to shoot the ball toward the second winning slot 140 so that it passes to the right of the variable display device 80 (the so-called "right hit"), passing through the through gate 67 to open the electric device, and aiming for the ball to win at the second winning slot 140, resulting in a 15R special bonus jackpot.

[0061] In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, since the game board 13 is symmetrical, the player can aim for the first winning hole 64 by "hitting from the right" and the second winning hole 140 by "hitting from the left". Therefore, the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment does not require the player to change the way of shooting the ball between "hitting from the left" and "hitting from the right" depending on the game state of the pachinko machine 10 (whether it is in a special mode, in a time-saving mode, or in a normal mode). This eliminates the hassle of changing the way of shooting the ball.

[0062] A variable winning device 65 (see FIG. 2) is disposed below the first winning port 64, and a specific winning port 65a is provided in the approximate center of the device. In the pachinko machine 10, when a jackpot lottery performed due to winning in the first winning port 64 or the second winning port 140 results in a jackpot, after a predetermined time (variable time) has elapsed, the first symbol display device 37A or the first symbol display device 37B is turned on to show a jackpot stop pattern, and a stop pattern corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 to indicate the occurrence of the jackpot. After that, the game state transitions to a special game state (jackpot) in which a ball is likely to win. In this special game state, the specific winning port 65a, which is normally closed, is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have elapsed or until 10 balls win).

[0063] This specific winning opening 65a is closed after a predetermined time has passed, and after the closing, the specific winning opening 65a is opened again for a predetermined time. The opening and closing operation of this specific winning opening 65a can be repeated up to, for example, 15 times (15 rounds). The state in which this opening and closing operation is being performed is one form of a special game state that is advantageous to the player, and the player is paid out a larger amount of prize balls than usual as an addition of game value (game value).

[0064] The special game state is not limited to the above-mentioned form. A large opening that is opened and closed separately from the specific winning opening 65a may be provided in the game area, and when an LED corresponding to a big win is lit in the first pattern display device 37A, 37B, the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time, and a large opening provided separately from the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when a ball enters the specific winning opening 65a while the specific winning opening 65a is open. Also, the specific winning opening 65a is not limited to one, and one or more than two (for example, three) may be arranged, and the arrangement position is not limited to the lower right side of the first winning opening 64 or the lower left side of the first winning opening 64, but may be, for example, the left side of the variable display unit 80.

[0065] An attachment space K1 for attaching stamps, identification labels, etc. is provided in the right corner of the lower side of the game board 13, and the stamps, etc. attached to the attachment space K1 can be viewed through a small window 35 in the front frame 14 (see Figure 1).

[0066] The game board 13 is provided with an outlet 71. A ball that flows down the game area and does not win any of the winning holes 63, 64, 65a, 140 is guided to a ball discharge path (not shown) through the outlet 71. The outlets 71 are arranged in pairs on the left and right of the specific winning hole 65a.

[0067] A large number of nails are set on the game board 13 in order to appropriately distribute and adjust the direction in which the balls fall, and various components (gimmicks) such as windmills are also arranged on the game board (not shown).

[0068] As shown in Fig. 3, the rear side of the pachinko machine 10 is mainly equipped with control board units 90, 91 and a back pack unit 94. The control board unit 90 is unitized with a main board (main control device 110), a voice lamp control board (voice lamp control device 113) and a display control board (display control device 114). The control board unit 91 is unitized with a payout control board (payout control device 111), a launch control board (launch control device 112), a power supply board (power supply device 115) and a card unit connection board 116.

[0069] The back pack unit 94 is a unit formed by the back pack 92 forming the protective cover and the payout unit 93. In addition, each control board is equipped with an MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each part, a port for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. as necessary.

[0070] The main control device 110, the voice lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the launch control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are each stored in the board boxes 100 to 104. The board boxes 100 to 104 each include 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 to each other to store the respective control devices and boards.

[0071] In addition, the board box 100 (main control device 110) and the board box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) are connected (connected by a crimping structure) between the box base and the box cover by a sealing unit (not shown). In addition, a sealing seal (not shown) is affixed to the connection between the box base and the box cover, spanning the box base and the box cover. This sealing seal is made of a brittle material, and if an attempt is made to peel off the sealing seal to open the board box 100, 102 or to forcefully open the board box 100, 102, it will be cut into the box base side and the box cover side. Therefore, by checking the sealing unit or the sealing seal, it is possible to know whether the board box 100, 102 has been opened.

[0072] The payout unit 93 includes a tank 130 located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opening upward, a tank rail 131 connected to the bottom of the tank 130 and gently inclined toward the downstream side, a case rail 132 connected vertically to the downstream side of the tank rail 131, and a payout device 133 provided at the most downstream part of the case rail 132 and paying out balls by a predetermined electrical configuration of a payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). The tank 130 is successively replenished with balls supplied from the island equipment of the game hall, and the payout device 133 appropriately pays out the required number of balls. A vibrator 134 for applying vibration to the tank rail 131 is attached to the tank rail 131.

[0073] In addition, the payout control device 111 is provided with a state recovery switch 120, the launch control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob 121, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM erase switch 122. The state recovery switch 120 is operated to resolve ball jams (return to normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball jamming in the payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). The operation knob 121 is operated to adjust the launch force of the launch solenoid. The RAM erase switch 122 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine 10 to its initial state.

[0074] Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0075] The main control device 110 is equipped with an MPU 201 as a one-chip microcomputer that is a calculation device. The MPU 201 has a ROM 202 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 201, a RAM 203 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 202, and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit. In the main control device 110, the MPU 201 executes the main processes of the pachinko machine 10, such as a jackpot lottery, display settings in the first symbol display devices 37A and 37B and the third symbol display device 81, and a lottery for the display result in the second symbol display device.

[0076] In addition, in order to instruct sub-control devices such as the dispensing control device 111 and the voice lamp control device 113 to operate, various commands are sent from the main control device 110 to the sub-control devices via a data transmission / reception circuit, but such commands are sent only in one direction, from the main control device 110 to the sub-control devices.

[0077] The RAM 203 has various areas, counters, flags, a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201 and the return addresses of the control programs executed by the MPU 201 are stored, and a work area (working region) in which various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. are stored. The RAM 203 is configured so that it can retain (back up) data by receiving a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

[0078] When the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, the stack pointer and the values ​​of each register at the time of the power outage (including the time of the power outage; the same applies below) are stored in the RAM 203. On the other hand, when the power supply is turned on (including the time of the power supply being turned on due to the power outage being resolved; the same applies below), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power supply was cut off based on the information stored in the RAM 203. Writing to the RAM 203 is executed by the main processing (not shown) when the power supply is cut off, and the restoration of each value written to the RAM 203 is executed in the start-up processing (not shown) when the power supply is turned on. Note that the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 201 is configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 201, an NMI interrupt processing (not shown) is immediately executed as a processing during a power outage.

[0079] An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 is connected to the payout control device 111, the voice lamp control device 113, the first symbol display device 37A, 37B, the second symbol display device, the second symbol reservation lamp, a large opening solenoid for driving the opening and closing of the specific winning port 65a to the front side with the lower side of the opening / closing plate 65b (see FIG. 11) as an axis, and a solenoid for driving the electric role device, and the like. The MPU 201 transmits various commands and control signals to these via the input / output port 205.

[0080] In addition, the input / output port 205 is connected to various switches 208 consisting of a group of switches not shown and a group of sensors including a slide position detection sensor S and a rotation position detection sensor R, and a RAM erasure switch circuit 253 described below that is provided in the power supply device 115, and the MPU 201 performs various processes based on the signals output from the various switches 208 and the RAM erasure signal SG2 output from the RAM erasure switch circuit 253.

[0081] The payout control device 111 drives a payout motor 216 to control the payout of prize balls and loan balls. The MPU 211, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 212 that stores a control program executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 213 used as a work memory, etc.

[0082] The RAM 213 of the payout control device 111, like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, has a stack area in which the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211 and the return address of the control program executed by the MPU 211 are stored, and a work area (working area) in which the values ​​of various flags, counters, I / O, etc. are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to hold (back up) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power supply of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. In addition, like the MPU 201 of the main control device 110, the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 is configured to receive a power outage signal SG1 from the power outage monitoring circuit 252 when the power supply is cut off due to a power outage or the like, and when the power outage signal SG1 is input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (not shown) is immediately executed as a power outage process.

[0083] An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 215 is connected to the main control device 110, the payout motor 216, the launch control device 112, and the like. Although not shown, the payout control device 111 is connected to a prize ball detection switch for detecting the paid-out prize balls. The prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but is not connected to the main control device 110.

[0084] The launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of rotation of the operating handle 51 when the main control device 110 issues an instruction to launch a ball. The ball launch unit 112a is equipped with a launch solenoid and an electromagnet (not shown), and the launch solenoid and the electromagnet are permitted to be driven when a predetermined condition is met. Specifically, the touch sensor 51a detects that the player is touching the operating handle 51, and on condition that the launch stop switch 51b for stopping the launch of the ball is off (not operated), the launch solenoid is excited in response to the amount of rotation (rotation position) of the operating handle 51, and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the amount of operation of the operating handle 51.

[0085] The voice lamp control device 113 controls the output of voice in the voice output device (such as a speaker not shown) 226, the output of turning on and off the lamp display device (such as the illumination unit 29 to 33 and the display lamp 34) 227, and the setting of the display mode of the third pattern display device 81 performed by the display control device 114, such as variable performance (variable display) and advance notice performance. The MPU 221, which is a calculation device, has a ROM 222 that stores the control program executed by the MPU 221, fixed value data, etc., and a RAM 223 used as a work memory, etc.

[0086] An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the voice and lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 consisting of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 225 is connected to the main control device 110, the display control device 114, a voice output device 226, a lamp display device 227, other devices 228, frame buttons 22, etc. The other devices 228 include drive motors 631, 731, 782, and 861.

[0087] The voice lamp control device 113 determines the display mode of the third symbol display device 81 based on various commands (variation pattern command, stop type command, etc.) received from the main control device 110, and notifies the display control device 114 of the determined display mode by commands (display variation pattern command, display stop type command, etc.). In addition, the voice lamp control device 113 monitors input from the frame button 22, and when the frame button 22 is operated by the player, instructs the display control device 114 to change the stage displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or change the performance content at the time of super reach. When the stage is changed, a back image change command including information on the changed stage is sent to the display control device 114 so that the third symbol display device 81 displays a back image corresponding to the changed stage. Here, the back image is an image displayed on the back side of the third symbol, which is the main image to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81. The display control device 114 displays various images on the third symbol display device 81 according to the command sent from this voice lamp control device 113.

[0088] Also, the voice lamp control device 113 receives a command (display command) representing the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the display control device 114. Based on the display command received from the display control device 114, the voice lamp control device 113 outputs a sound corresponding to the display content of the third pattern display device 81 from the voice output device 226 in accordance with the display content, and also controls the turning on and off of the lamp display device 227 in accordance with the display content.

[0089] The display control device 114 is connected to the voice lamp control device 113 and the third pattern display device 81, and controls the display of the third pattern display device 81, such as the variable performance of the third pattern, based on the command received from the voice lamp control device 113. The display control device 114 also transmits a display command to notify the display content of the third pattern display device 81 to the voice lamp control device 113 as appropriate. The voice lamp control device 113 can match the display of the third pattern display device 81 with the audio output from the audio output device 226 by outputting audio from the audio output device 226 in accordance with the display content indicated by the display command.

[0090] The power supply device 115 has a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each unit of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure or the like, and a RAM deletion switch circuit 253 provided with a RAM deletion switch 122 (see FIG. 3). The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies the necessary operating voltage to each of the control devices 110-114, etc. through a power supply path not shown. In summary, the power supply unit 251 takes in an AC voltage of 24 volts supplied from the outside, generates a voltage of 12 volts for driving various switches such as the various switches 208, solenoids such as the solenoid 209, motors, etc., a voltage of 5 volts for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, etc., and supplies the necessary voltages to each of the control devices 110-114, etc.

[0091] The power failure monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 and the MPU 211 of the dispensing control device 111 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 252 monitors the voltage of 24 volts DC, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and when this voltage becomes less than 22 volts, it judges that a power failure (power failure, power cut) has occurred and outputs the power failure signal SG1 to the main control device 110 and the dispensing control device 111. By outputting the power failure signal SG1, the main control device 110 and the dispensing control device 111 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute NMI interrupt processing. Note that the power supply unit 251 is configured to maintain the output of the voltage of 5 volts, which is the drive voltage of the control system, at a normal value for a sufficient time to execute the NMI interrupt processing, even after the voltage of 24 volts DC becomes less than 22 volts. Therefore, the main control unit 110 and the dispensing control unit 111 can normally execute and complete the NMI interrupt processing (not shown).

[0092] The RAM clear switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM clear signal SG2 to the main control device 110 to clear the backup data when the RAM clear switch 122 (see FIG. 3) is pressed. When the main control device 110 inputs the RAM clear signal SG2 when the pachinko machine 10 is powered on, it clears the backup data and transmits a payout initialization command to the payout control device 111 to clear the backup data in the payout control device 111.

[0093] Next, the structure around the variable winning device 65 will be described. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the variable winning device 65 and the sorting device 300, and FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b) are front perspective views of the variable winning device 65. FIG. 6(a) illustrates a closed state of the opening and closing plate 65b in which the opening and closing plate 65b is closed so as to restrict the flow of balls down to the specific winning opening 65a, and FIG. 6(b) illustrates an open state of the opening and closing plate 65b in which the opening and closing plate 65b is opened so as to allow the flow of balls down to the specific winning opening 65a. In addition, FIG. 2 will be referred to as appropriate in the explanation of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[0094] The variable winning device 65 is formed so that when the opening / closing plate 65b is in the open state (see Figure 6 (b)), the upper surface of the opening / closing plate 65b slopes downward toward the rear side so that it can receive a ball that lands on the opening / closing plate 65b and guide it to a specific winning opening 65a.

[0095] Since the electric device 140a is disposed above the center of the opening and closing plate 65b (see FIG. 2), the balls that land on the opening and closing plate 65b are limited to balls that deviate from the electric device 140a and flow down. That is, the balls do not land on the opening and closing plate 65b in the center of the left and right, but mainly in the parts on the left and right outer sides of the electric device 140a. In other words, the arrangement of the balls that land on the opening and closing plate 65b is limited to the positions near the outside of the opening and closing plate 65b.

[0096] However, this does not apply to the placement of the ball after it lands on the opening / closing plate 65b. That is, depending on the way the ball flows after it lands on the opening / closing plate 65b, the ball may end up being placed near the center of the opening / closing plate 65b.

[0097] In particular, in this embodiment, the front design member 141 (see FIG. 2) that covers the electric prop 140a from the front side is curved to secure space on the opening / closing plate 65b side (it is curved to jut out downward from the lower end of the front end that faces the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1) toward the rear side), so that the degree to which the momentum of the ball that bounces near the left-right center of the opening / closing plate 65b is reduced by colliding with the front design member 141 can be reduced. This increases the possibility that the ball will be positioned near the left-right center of the opening / closing plate 65b.

[0098] The center of the radius of curvature of the curved shape of the lower part of the front design member 141 may be located either in the front or the back. In this embodiment, the radius of curvature in a side view is formed to be located in the lower front, so that a larger space can be secured on the opening and closing plate 65b side. In addition, the front design member 141 is shaped so that the width of the front design member 141 becomes smaller toward the lower side at the left and right ends, so that it is easier to secure a space between the front design member 141 and the opening and closing plate 65b on the left and right sides.

[0099] When the opening / closing plate 65b is in the open state, the balls that land on the opening / closing plate 65b are guided almost without fail to the specific winning opening 65a. On the front side of the ball passage hole 163b of the detection sensor SE1, an inclined flow lower surface 163a1 that slopes downward toward the rear is disposed at a vertical position that can guide the ball to the ball passage hole 163b.

[0100] The inclined flow lower surface 163a1 is formed one step lower than the left and right ends of the lower surface 163a so that a ball rolling to the left and right outside by the lower surface 163a can move over with less resistance. In order to reduce the flow resistance of a ball that lands on the opening and closing plate 65b outside the left and right of this inclined flow lower surface 163a1, a guide plate portion 163a2 is formed on the left and right outside of the inclined flow lower surface 163a1.

[0101] The guide plate portion 163a2 is a plate-like portion extending forward and inward from the rear wall portion and the left and right inner wall portions of the receiving member 163, and its front end surface is formed as an inclined surface that is shifted rearward as it moves inward to the left and right.

[0102] As a result, when a ball rolling on the opening / closing plate 65b abuts against the front end surface of the guide plate portion 163a2, the ball can be guided down along the inclination of the inclined surface, so that the ball can be guided with little resistance to the inclined flow-down surface 163a1. Therefore, when the opening / closing plate 65b starts a closing operation with a ball on it, even if the ball is positioned on the left or right outer side of the inclined flow-down surface 163a1, the degree to which the closing operation of the opening / closing plate 65b is hindered can be reduced.

[0103] In other words, the possibility of malfunctions such as, for example, the flow of the ball becoming poor and the closing of the opening / closing plate 65b being delayed, or a ball being swept backwards by the closing action of the opening / closing plate 65b bouncing off the rear wall of the receiving member 163 and hitting the opening / closing plate 65b again, applying a load in the direction (forward) to open the opening / closing plate 65b and causing the opening / closing plate 65b to open unintentionally, can be reduced.

[0104] When the opening and closing plate 65b moves from the open state to the closed state, the opening and closing plate 65b closes by rising up. That is, the ball that lands on the opening and closing plate 65b is guided (swallowed) to the specific winning hole 65a by the movement of the opening and closing plate 65b, so that the ball on the opening and closing plate 65b is guided to the specific winning hole 65a almost without exception, regardless of the left or right position of the ball on the opening and closing plate 65b.

[0105] In this case, if the arrangement of the balls on the opening / closing plate 65b is on the outer left or right side, or if there are a large number of balls, the closing operation of the opening / closing plate 65b may be delayed. In contrast, in this embodiment, the shapes of the lower surface 163a of the receiving member 163, the inclined flow lower surface 163a1, and the guide plate portion 163a2 are devised, so that the flow of balls guided to the specific winning opening 65a is not stagnated, and the closing operation of the opening / closing plate 65b can be kept prompt.

[0106] Also, instead of modifying the shape of the receiving member 163, the rolling surface of the opening / closing plate 65b on which the ball rests in the open state is formed in a flat shape (see FIG. 6(b)). Therefore, when the opening / closing plate 65b is in the open state, the ball that lands on the opening / closing plate 65b flows backward once, and then flows left and right due to the effect of the shape of the receiving member 163 and is guided to the ball passage hole 163b of the detection sensor SE1, which makes it easier to avoid the collision of the ball on the opening / closing plate 65b.

[0107] That is, even if multiple balls land on the opening / closing plate 65b at the same time, the balls will move backward in parallel once, so it is possible to prevent the balls from colliding with each other on the opening / closing plate 65b. Therefore, compared to a case in which the rolling surface of the opening / closing plate 65b is shaped to have a lateral inclination like the lower surface portion 163a and a lateral flow is formed in the rolling balls, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the movement of the balls will become irregular on the opening / closing plate 65b, and it is possible to prevent unintended malfunctions in advance.

[0108] The receiving member 163 is formed with abutment surfaces 163a3 that come into contact with the pivot tips at both left and right ends of the opening / closing plate 65b when the opening / closing plate 65b is in the closed state, thereby improving the reproducibility of the arrangement of the opening / closing plate 65b. The abutment surfaces 163a3 are formed in a pair on the left and right, and are formed to be able to make surface contact rather than point contact due to a shape design that matches the shape of the opening / closing plate 65b. This makes it easier to stabilize the arrangement of the opening / closing plate 65b, and since stress concentration can be avoided by receiving the load at the time of abutment on the surface, durability can be improved.

[0109] Further, an auxiliary contact surface 163a4 is formed on the lower side of the contact surface portion 163a3, and is formed in a plane shape that is approximately parallel to the opening and closing plate 65b arranged opposite to the contact surface portion 163a3 with a slight gap therebetween. The auxiliary contact surface 163a4 is provided as a fail-safe in case the contact between the contact surface portion 163a3 and the opening and closing plate 65b becomes poor for some reason.

[0110] In this embodiment, a fixed member 161 that restricts the ball from flowing down is disposed on the front side of the contact surface 163a3, and the ball is basically configured not to collide with the contact surface 163a3. However, for example, if the pivot tip of the opening / closing plate 65b that contacts the contact surface 163a3 is chipped, it may become impossible to maintain the repeatability of the position of the opening / closing plate 65b in the closed state.

[0111] In contrast, in this embodiment, when normal contact between the opening / closing plate 65b and the contact surface 163a3 cannot be maintained, the front-rear width portions at the left and right ends of the opening / closing plate 65b come into surface contact with the auxiliary contact surface 163a4, thereby maintaining the stability of the arrangement of the opening / closing plate 65b. This improves the reproducibility of the arrangement of the opening / closing plate 65b in the closed state.

[0112] The auxiliary contact surface 163a4 may be configured to contact the opening / closing plate 65b when the shape of the contact surface portion 163a3 is normal. In this case, since the contact with the opening / closing plate 65b occurs when the shape of the contact surface portion 163a3 is normal, a disadvantage in that a load is likely to accumulate may occur. However, since the area for dispersing the load can be increased, the magnitude of the local load that the contact surface portion 163a3 receives due to the contact with the opening / closing plate 65b can be reduced.

[0113] When the opening / closing plate 65b moves from an open state to a closed state, the game ball that is in the process of being received by the opening / closing plate 65b can be configured to be received in a manner that pushes it into the opening / closing plate 65b due to the shape of the front design member 141 described above.

[0114] That is, when the ball comes into contact with the lower shape of the front design member 141 while being received (for example, while being sandwiched between the rotating tip of the opening / closing plate 65b and the opening frame of the specific winning opening 65a and sliding sideways), the ball can be guided by the curved shape to flow down to the inside of the specific winning opening 65a. This makes it easier to prevent the ball that has deviated from the opening / closing plate 65b from falling down the front side of the third flow path forming part 336, making it easier to ensure visibility to the third flow path forming part 336.

[0115] When the opening / closing plate 65b is in the closed state, balls do not land on the opening / closing plate 65b, so the position of the balls flowing down the front side of the opening / closing plate 65b when the opening / closing plate 65b is in the closed state is limited to the outside on the left and right of the electric device 140a.

[0116] Therefore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the arrangement of the balls that flow down without being guided to the specific winning port 65a when the opening and closing plate 65b is closed can be limited to the left and right outer positions of the electric role 140a. This makes it possible to ensure visibility at the left and right inner positions of the left and right ends of the electric role 140a below the electric role 140a.

[0117] Next, the configuration of the downstream side of the specific winning opening 65a (the side where the balls that have passed through the specific winning opening 65a flow) will be described. Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of the game board 13, and Fig. 8 is a rear perspective view of the game board 13. Figs. 7 and 8 show a state in which the configurations arranged on the base plate 60, other than the first winning opening 64, the second winning opening 140, and the variable winning device 65, have been removed.

[0118] As shown in Figure 8, a collecting gutter 150 is arranged at a rear position of the variable winning device 65 on the back side of the base plate 60, which forms a path for flowing balls that have entered the first winning port 64, the second winning port 140 and the general winning port 63 (see Figure 2) to a ball discharge path (not shown).

[0119] The collecting gutter 150 has a groove-like portion that forms a flow path, and the groove-like portion has an open front side that faces the base plate 60. When this open portion is closed by the base plate 60, a path for flowing the balls to the ball discharge passage is completed.

[0120] The collecting gutter 150 comprises a first flow path section 151 which forms a flow path for balls that enter the first winning opening 64, a second flow path section 152 which forms a path for balls that enter the second winning opening 140, and a plurality of third flow path sections 153 which form flow paths on the left and right sides for balls that enter the general winning openings 63 located on both the left and right sides.

[0121] The first flow path section 151 is configured as a flow path that slopes from the rear position of the first winning opening 64 to the lower left, and the second flow path section 152 is configured as a flow path that slopes from the rear position of the second winning opening 140 to the lower right. The third flow path section 153 is configured as a flow path that extends below the general winning opening 63.

[0122] Therefore, while the first winning opening 64 and the second winning opening 140 are arranged in the left-right center position of the play area when viewed from the front, the flow of balls that enter the first winning opening 64 and the second winning opening 140 is directed from the left-right center position to the left-right outer side by the collecting gutter 150. This allows a space to be provided below the first winning opening 64 and the second winning opening 140, and this space can be used to arrange the variable winning device 65 and the distribution device 300 described later.

[0123] Fig. 9 is an exploded front perspective view of the base plate 60, the variable winning device 65, the collecting gutter 150, and the sorting device 300, and Fig. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of the base plate 60, the variable winning device 65, the collecting gutter 150, and the sorting device 300. In Figs. 9 and 10, only the lower half of the base plate 60 is shown, and the illustration of other parts is omitted, and the illustration of other components assembled to the base plate 60 is omitted, so that the base of the base plate 60 can be seen. In Fig. 9, for convenience of explanation, the center frame 86 is shown in a state where it is assembled to the base plate 60.

[0124] The following describes the fixing of the variable winning device 65, the collecting gutter 150, and the sorting device 300. The variable winning device 65 is disposed in a through hole formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and is fixed from the front side of the game board 13 with a tapping screw or the like. The collecting gutter 150 is disposed in a through hole formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and is fixed from the back side of the game board 13 with a tapping screw or the like.

[0125] The insertion hole 311 of the sorting device 300 is fastened to the variable winning device 65 at the top, and the insertion hole 331 of the left and right parts is fastened to the collecting gutter 150. In other words, unlike the variable winning device 65 and the collecting gutter 150, which are directly fixed to the base plate 60, the presence or absence of the sorting device 300 does not affect the completion of the game board 13.

[0126] In other words, the variable winning device 65 and the collecting gutter 150 in this embodiment can be used as is whether the sorting device 300 is installed or not. This allows the variable winning device 65 and the collecting gutter 150 to be used in common regardless of whether the sorting device 300 is installed or not.

[0127] Next, the details of the variable winning device 65 and the sorting device 300 will be described. The variable winning device 65 is configured to be able to receive balls from the game area through the specific winning opening 65a, and the sorting device 300 configures a flow path along which the balls received by the variable winning device 65 flow. In this embodiment, the profits obtained by the player are controlled to change based on the detection results of the balls flowing through the flow path of the sorting device 300, which will be described in detail later.

[0128] 11 is an exploded front perspective view of the variable winning device 65, and FIG. 12 is an exploded rear perspective view of the variable winning device 65. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the variable winning device 65 includes a fixed member 161 fixed from the front side of the game board 13 by a tapping screw or the like, a front design member 162 arranged on the front side of the fixed member 161 and fastened to the fixed member 161, a receiving member 163 arranged on the back side of the fixed member 161, fastened to the fixed member 161, and configured to be able to receive a ball that has passed through the specific winning opening 65a, an intervening member 164 arranged on the back side of the receiving member 163, fastened to the receiving member 163, and intervening as a connecting part with the sorting device 300, and a state switching device 165 arranged on the back side of the receiving member 163, fastened to the receiving member 163, and configured to be able to switch the open / closed state of the opening / closing plate 65b depending on whether or not electricity is applied.

[0129] The fixed member 161 is made of a light-transmitting resin material, and its front side is flat except for the through holes for screw insertion, the fastening position with the front design member 162, and the specific winning hole 65a. On the other hand, the rear side of the fixed member 161 is three-dimensionally shaped, projecting toward the rear side inside the thin portion that abuts against the base plate 60 at the outer periphery.

[0130] In particular, the boundary portion 161a with the thin portion is formed in a horizontally elongated, generally elliptical frame shape, and a through hole large enough to accommodate this boundary portion 161a is formed through the base plate 60. That is, the boundary portion 161a is a portion that is inserted into the through hole of the base plate 60.

[0131] Inside the boundary portion 161a, a specific winning opening 65a and an extended support plate 161b are formed, which are configured as a pair of roughly T-shaped portions on the left and right sides, and include a horizontally elongated plate-shaped portion that extends rearward slightly below the lower edge of the specific winning opening 65a and is parallel to the lower edge of the specific winning opening 65a, and a vertically elongated plate-shaped portion that extends downward halfway down from the horizontally elongated plate-shaped portion.

[0132] The extended support plate 161b functions to support both the area behind the specific winning opening 65a and the flow path of the sorting device 300 described later. The protruding support part 161c protruding from the horizontally elongated plate part of the extended support plate 161b, the protruding support part 161d protruding from the vertically elongated plate part of the extended support plate 161b, and the protruding support part 161e protruding from the upper surface of the lower edge part of the boundary part 161a function as parts supporting the sorting device 300, and will be described in detail later.

[0133] A symmetrical protruding portion 161f protrudes symmetrically below the center position of the specific winning opening 65a inside the boundary portion 161a and has the function of contacting the balls flowing down the sorting device 300 and guiding the balls as they flow down.

[0134] A plurality of through holes 161g for inserting the fastening screws to be screwed into the front design member 162 are disposed on the inside and outside of the boundary portion 161a. A plurality of fastened portions 161h having female threads for inserting the fastening screws to be inserted into the receiving member 163 are disposed on the inside of the boundary portion 161a.

[0135] The fastening portion 161i, which has a female thread for screwing in the fastening screw inserted into the intervening member 164, is disposed outside the boundary portion 161a at the gap (center position between the left and right) of the boundary portion 161a. That is, the fastening portion 161i is disposed at the connection portion (see FIG. 9) between the through hole for inserting the boundary portion 161a and the through hole for inserting the second winning opening 140 and the electric role object 140a among the through holes formed in the base plate 60.

[0136] The front design component 162 is made of a light-transmitting resin material, and the front side is formed in a flat shape to make the distance to the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1) uniform. The balls can flow down in the range between the back side of the front design component 162 and the front side of the fixed component 161.

[0137] The rear side of the front design member 162 is provided with a plurality of fastened portions 162a which are arranged at a position matching the through hole 161g of the fixed member 161 and have a female threaded portion formed so that a fastening screw inserted into the through hole 161g can be screwed in, and a plurality of extension portions 162b, 162c which are extended toward the rear side in a shape that covers the fastened portions 162a from above.

[0138] The extension portions 162b and 162c prevent a ball flowing down between the fixed member 161 and the front design member 162 from directly colliding with the fastened portion 162a, thereby improving the durability of the fastened portion 162a.

[0139] Furthermore, the upper surfaces of the extensions 162b and 162c are formed as inclined surfaces, so that the flow path of the balls can be restricted. That is, the upper surfaces of the extensions 162b (two parts on the left and right central sides) that are extended near the left and right edges of the specific winning opening 65a are formed as inclined surfaces that slope downward toward the left and right outside, so that the balls on the extensions 162b can be prevented from flowing toward the specific winning opening 65a. That is, the balls on the extensions 162b fall downward on the left and right outsides of the extensions 162b, and then flow down toward the outlet 71 along the inner rail 61 (see FIG. 2).

[0140] In addition, by forming the upper surfaces of the extension parts 162c (two parts on both the left and right ends) that extend to both the left and right ends as inclined surfaces that slope downwards toward the inside of the left and right sides, the flow path of the balls flowing on the extension parts 162c can be unified with the flow path of the balls flowing on the extension parts 162b. This makes it possible to narrow the range in which the flowing balls are arranged compared to the number of balls flowing down (the arrangement density of the balls can be increased), and it is possible to secure an area where the visibility of the balls is not obstructed (a space where no flow path is formed).

[0141] In addition, the front design member 162 shown in Fig. 11 is plain and has good visibility on the back side, but the front design member 162 does not have to be plain. For example, the front side of the front design member 162 may be decorated by attaching a sticker with a pattern or character on it, or a groove may be dug in the front design member 162 with a geometric pattern, and the geometric pattern may be made visible by shining light on the groove. In addition, the front design member 162 may be configured to be non-transparent after being plain or decorated as described above.

[0142] The receiving member 163 is formed from a light-transmitting resin material into a horizontally elongated frame (or box) shape with the front side open, and is equipped with the above-mentioned guide plate portion 163a2, the abutment surface portion 163a3, the auxiliary abutment surface 163a4, a bottom surface portion 163a forming a flow down surface on the inside of the frame, a ball passing hole 163b arranged as a through hole through which a ball that has flowed down the bottom surface portion 163a can pass, a plurality of insertion holes 163c arranged at a position matching the fastening portion 161h of the fixed member 161 and through which fastening screws fastened to the fastening portion 161h are inserted from the back side, a pair of fastening portions 163d arranged on the left and right central sides as female threaded portions into which fastening screws inserted into the intervening member 164 are screwed, and a plurality of fastening portions 163e having female threaded portions into which fastening screws inserted into the state switching device 165 are screwed.

[0143] The lower surface portion 163a is formed as a left and right inclined surface that slopes downward to the left and right outward from the left and right central portion as an apex, and is provided with an inclined flow lower surface 163a1 that slopes downward to the rear at a position one step lower than the left and right outer ends of the left and right inclined surfaces, so that a ball flowing down the rear end of the inclined flow lower surface 163a1 can pass through the ball passage hole 163b with little resistance.

[0144] The ball passing hole 163b is a detection hole formed in the detection sensor SE1 that is engaged with the back side of the receiving member 163. That is, the passage of the ball through the ball passing hole 163b is detected by the detection sensor SE1.

[0145] The intervening member 164 is formed from a light-transmitting resin material and includes a main body portion 164a having a light refracting surface that slopes downward toward the rear, a pair of insertion holes 164b formed through the upper side of the main body portion 164a and into which fastening screws can be inserted that are screwed into the fastened portion 163d of the receiving member 163, a light-emitting board 164c arranged above the insertion holes 164b and on which an LED is arranged, a pair of fastened portions 164d formed at both left and right ends of the lower end side of the main body portion 164a and having female threaded portions into which fastening screws inserted into the distribution device 300 can be screwed, and an insertion hole 164e formed through the upper side of the main body portion 164a and into which a fastening screw can be inserted that is screwed into the fastened portion 161i of the fixed member 161 can be inserted.

[0146] The light emitting board 164c is disposed so that the surface on which the LEDs are arranged faces diagonally upward and forward, and in the assembled state, is disposed directly above the specific winning hole 65a when viewed from the front (see FIG. 6) and directly below the second winning hole 140. Due to this arrangement, the light from the light emitting board 164c easily enters the field of view of a player who is hoping for a ball to enter the second winning hole 140 or the specific winning hole 65a and is gazing diagonally downward and backward at these locations.

[0147] Therefore, by controlling the LED of the light-emitting substrate 164c to light up when a ball has entered the second winning port 140 or the specific winning port 65a, the player can easily understand whether or not a ball has entered the second winning port 140 or the specific winning port 65a.

[0148] With the above-mentioned configuration, the intervening member 164 is fastened to both the fixed member 161 and the receiving member 163. This makes it possible to more firmly fix the fixed member 161 and the receiving member 163 compared to a configuration in which the fixed member 161 and the receiving member 163 are only fastened to each other. In addition, since the arrangement of the sorting device 300, which is connected and fixed to the fixed member 161 and the receiving member 163 via the intervening member 164, can be stabilized, it is possible to suppress relative positional deviation between the fixed member 161 and the receiving member 163 and the sorting device 300.

[0149] The state switching device 165 has a plurality of insertion portions 165a through which fastening screws are inserted into the fastened portion 163e of the receiving member 163, and is equipped with a lower case portion 165b formed in a deep box shape with a plurality of openings for passing wiring and for dissipating heat and open at the top, an electromagnetic solenoid 165c housed in the lower case portion 165b, a sliding portion 165d which engages with the tip of the plunger of the electromagnetic solenoid 165c and slides together with the plunger, a rotating portion 165e which is rotatably supported on the lower case portion 165b in an arrangement such that the rotating tip protrudes from the front end portion of the lower case portion 165b and rotates as the sliding portion 165d slides, and an upper cover portion 165g which is fastened and fixed to the lower case portion 165b by fastening screws inserted into a plurality of insertion holes 165f.

[0150] The tip of the rotating part 165e is recessed so that the rod-shaped part can be engaged, and the transmission protrusion 65c protruding rightward from the right end of the opening / closing plate 65b enters and engages with this recess. The transmission protrusion 65c is disposed at a position eccentric to the metallic shaft rod part 65d that forms the rotation axis for the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing plate 65b. With this configuration, the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing plate 65b can be caused by the rotation of the rotating part 165e.

[0151] 13 and 14 are exploded front perspective views of the sorting device 300. Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of the sorting device 300 seen from above, and Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the sorting device 300 seen from below.

[0152] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the sorting device 300 includes an upper member 310 having a pair of insertion holes 311 formed therethrough so that a fastening screw that is screwed into the fastened portion 164d of the intervening member 164 can be inserted therethrough, a middle member 330 that is fastened and fixed to the upper member 310 in the vertical direction and has a pair of insertion holes 331 formed therethrough so that a fastening screw that is screwed into the female threaded portion of the collecting gutter 150 can be inserted therethrough, a substrate 350 that is accommodated between the middle member 330 and the upper member 310 and has a light emitting means 351 such as an LED disposed on the front side, and the middle member 330. The intermediate member 330 includes a state switching device 360 ​​housed at a position between the upper member 310 and configured to be able to switch states depending on whether or not electricity is applied; a sliding displacement member 370 arranged below the intermediate member 330 which slides back and forth between a front position and a rear position as the state switching device 360 ​​switches states; and a lower member 380 arranged below the intermediate member 330 so as to sandwich the sliding displacement member 370 between it and the intermediate member 330, and having an insertion hole 381 formed therethrough so as to be able to insert a fastening screw which is screwed into the female threaded portion of the collecting gutter 150.

[0153] Before describing the details of the configuration of each part, we will explain an overview of the function of the sorting device 300. The sorting device 300 is a device that configures a flow path along which balls that have passed through the ball passing hole 163b (see FIG. 12) of the detection sensor SE1 flow down.

[0154] The balls that pass through the ball passage hole 163b flow down through the inside of the upper member 310, the flow path configuration sections 334, 335, and 336 formed between the upper member 310 and the middle member 330, and the inside of the lower member 380, and the balls that flow down from the lower member 380 are discharged into a ball discharge path (not shown).

[0155] The balls flowing down inside the distribution device 300 are configured to be visible to the player, and the manner in which they flow down not only provides a dramatic effect that is pleasing to the player's eyes, but also has an effect related to gaming profits, such as bringing about changes in the profits that the player can obtain.

[0156] The difference in the flow pattern of the balls flowing down inside the sorting device 300 mainly results from the arrangement of the slide displacement member 370. That is, when the balls flow down from the middle member 330 to the lower member 380, the arrangement of the slide displacement member 370 causes a difference in which part of the lower member 380 the balls pass through.

[0157] Therefore, the player's gaze will naturally tend to be focused on the location where the ball flows down from the middle member 330 to the lower member 380 (the location of the slide displacement member 370, as described below), so in this embodiment, measures are taken with the assumption that the gaze will be concentrated.

[0158] Next, the configuration of each part of the sorting device 300 will be described in detail. The upper member 310 is a thin member that is U-shaped when viewed from above and is made of a light-transmitting resin material, and includes the above-mentioned insertion hole 311, a pair of openings 312 formed therethrough to be able to receive balls, a pair of colored (red in this embodiment) transparent seal members 313 that are attached as markers, a pair of upper surface parts 314 that extend from the lower edge of the openings 312 along the outer periphery to the front side, a plurality of insertion tube parts 315 that are formed with through holes through which the fastening screws that are screwed into the middle member 330 can be inserted, a fastened part 316 having a female thread through which the fastening screws inserted into the middle member 330 can be screwed, and the upper member 310. 10 from the underside of upper member 310, a pair of left and right inner protrusions 318 which are left and right elongated parts protruding downward from the underside of upper member 310 and are arranged side by side, a pair of left and right inner protrusions 318 which are left and right elongated parts protruding downward from the underside of upper member 310 and are arranged between the pair of front and rear long protrusions 317, a pair of left and right outer protrusions 319 which are left and right elongated parts protruding downward from the underside of upper member 310 and are arranged on the left and right outside of the pair of front and rear long protrusions 317, and an accommodating recess 320 which is formed as a recess of a size sufficient to accommodate the upper part of substrate 350.

[0159] The opening 312 is a passage-like portion (tunnel-like portion) that receives the balls that have passed through the ball passage hole 163b of the variable winning device 65 and allows them to flow downward, and the upper front edge is shaped as if it has been cut with an inclined surface so as to be flush with the back surface of the plate of the detection sensor SE1 (see FIG. 12) that is in an inclined position. This allows the upper front edge of the opening 312 to come into contact with the back surface of the plate of the detection sensor SE1.

[0160] In addition, the opening 312 is formed to an extent that it does not penetrate into the inside of the opening of the sphere passing hole 163b when viewed from the opening direction of the sphere passing hole 163b. This makes it possible to reduce the flow resistance when guiding the sphere that has passed through the sphere passing hole 163b to the opening 312.

[0161] The seal member 313 functions as a member that attracts the player's attention by being brightly visible when it receives light irradiated from the light emitting means 351 of the substrate 350, and will be described in detail later.

[0162] The upper surface portion 314 is a thin plate portion that is inclined to match the flow path of the ball below the upper member 310. The first upper surface portion 314a disposed on the front side of the opening 312 is formed to be inclined downward toward the front side, and the second upper surface portion 314b connected to the front end of the first upper surface portion 314a and disposed on the left and right inner sides is formed to be inclined downward toward the left and right inner sides. The left and right second upper surface portions 314b are configured so that the left and right distance between them becomes longer toward the front side, thereby ensuring the field of view of the player who sees the ball through the second upper surface portions 314b.

[0163] A counterbore for receiving the head of the fastening screw is formed on the upper surface of the insertion tube portion 315. Therefore, even though the fastening screw is inserted from above, it is possible to easily prevent the head of the fastening screw from being visible to the player.

[0164] The insertion tube portion 315 is disposed at a position that matches a fastened portion 332d having a female thread portion formed in the inner member 330. In particular, the fastened portion 332d corresponding to the left insertion tube portion 315 also serves as a support portion that supports the rotating portion 363, as will be described in detail later.

[0165] The fastening screw that is screwed into the fastening portion 316 is arranged with the screw portion facing upward and the screw head facing downward. Therefore, while the fastening portion 316 is arranged on the front side, the screw head is made less noticeable to a player viewing from diagonally above. This makes it possible to securely fasten the upper member 310 and the middle member 330 together, while avoiding the fastening screw from spoiling the appearance of the sorting device 300.

[0166] The reason why the fastening portion 316 is formed only on the right side is that since the insertion tube portion 315 is already provided in two places on the rear side, one fastening position on the front side is sufficient, and although the screw head is directed downward and is not easily noticeable, omitting the provision of the screw if it is unnecessary improves the appearance of the sorting device 300. Note that the arrangement of the fastening portion 316 is not limited to this. For example, it may be provided on the left side, or a pair of left and right portions may be provided.

[0167] The fastening portion 316 is positioned so as to avoid the path through which the balls flow down and to minimize any loss in the appearance of the sorting device 300, as will be described in more detail below.

[0168] The undersides of each pair of long front-rear protrusions 317, inner left-right protrusions 318, and outer left-right protrusions 319 are formed as curved surfaces that use the same point as a reference point and become lower the further away from that point. The curved surfaces of long front-rear protrusions 317, inner left-right protrusions 318, and outer left-right protrusions 319 have different shapes, and the difference in shape is intended to control the way the balls flow down.

[0169] The central member 330 comprises the pair of insertion holes 331 mentioned above, a rear frame-shaped portion 332 formed in a frame-like shape (approximately box-shaped) having a lower bottom at the rear side, a pair of front frame-shaped portions 333 formed in a frame-like shape (approximately box-shaped) having a lower bottom at the front side, a pair of first flow path forming portions 334 recessed on the left and right outer sides of the front frame-shaped portion 333 to form a flow path for the balls, a pair of second flow path forming portions 335 connected to the front ends of the first flow path forming portions 334 to form a flow path for the balls and recessed in the front side of the front frame-shaped portion 333, and a pair of third flow path forming portions 336 connected to the left and right inner ends of the second flow path forming portions 335 to form a flow path for the balls and recessed on the left and right inner sides of the front frame-shaped portion 333.

[0170] In addition, the central member 330 is provided with a discharge hole 337 which is elongated in the left-right direction and formed in the lower base at the rear side of the rear end of the third flow path component 336, and which functions as a discharge path for the balls, a partition plate portion 338 which is formed in the shape of a long plate in the front-to-rear direction so as to divide the discharge hole 337 and the third flow path component 336 into left and right parts, and a pair of alignment protrusions 339 which protrude as elongated rectangular protrusions in the left-right direction from the lower side surface at the rear end of the third flow path component 336.

[0171] Unlike the front portion which forms a path for the balls to flow down, the rear frame portion 332 does not form a path for the balls to flow down, but is mainly formed as a portion supporting the substrate 350 and the state switching device 360. The rear frame portion 332 includes an arrangement through hole 332a formed to penetrate in the up-down direction at the front end of the left-right center portion and configured to be able to arrange the slide displacement member 370, a guide hole 332b formed to penetrate in the lower bottom portion as a long through hole in the left-right direction and to guide the slide displacement of the guided portion 362c of the state switching device 360, a plurality of fastened portions 332c having female threaded portions formed so that a fastening screw inserted into the lower member 380 can be screwed in, and a cylindrical fastened portion 332d having a female threaded portion at its upper tip into which a fastening screw inserted into the insertion tube portion 315 of the upper member 310 can be screwed in.

[0172] The front frame portion 333 has a light diffusion treatment applied to the inside of the frame and the front and back surfaces of the lower bottom, which reduces visibility of the rear side of the front frame portion 333. The front frame portion 333 is formed in a substantially square frame shape when viewed from above, and includes an insertion hole 333a formed as a countersunk hole through which a fastening screw screwed into the fastened portion 316 of the upper member 310 can be inserted.

[0173] The first flow path component 334, the second flow path component 335 and the third flow path component 336 are each parts that constitute the flow path of the balls, and are designed to have different flow directions and inclination angles of the balls, etc., but details will be given later.

[0174] In addition, the opening 335a, which is open on the front side at the connection position between the second flow path component 335 and the third flow path component 336, is a gap that allows the symmetrical protruding portion 161f (see FIG. 12) of the variable winning device 65 to enter. In other words, the symmetrical protruding portion 161f is positioned to enter the inside of the flow path through the opening 335a so that it can abut against the balls flowing down the sorting device 300.

[0175] Discharge hole 337 is divided by partition plate portion 338 and is configured as a pair of left and right holes, and is formed in a size that allows the ball to be discharged in at least two paths. That is, it is configured with a left-right length at least twice the diameter of the ball. In this embodiment, since multiple detection sensors SE1 are arranged side by side on lower member 380 arranged below discharge hole 337, the shape of discharge hole 337 can be designed to match the arrangement of the ball through holes of the detection sensors SE1.

[0176] The partition plate portion 338, in addition to the function of dividing the third flow path forming portion 336 as described above, also functions as a guide portion that guides the displacement of the slide displacement member 370, as will be described in detail later. The alignment protrusion portion 339 is a portion that is fitted with the protrusion portion 383a of the lower member 380 to prevent misalignment between the middle member 330 and the lower member 380, as will be described in detail later.

[0177] The substrate 350 is formed in an inverted T shape with a lower portion 353 being laterally longer than an upper portion 352, and has a recessed portion 354 for positioning at the lower end portion on the left end side of the lower portion 353.

[0178] The recessed portion 354 engages with a corresponding portion of the internal shape of the middle member 330 to determine its position in the left-right direction, the long left-right lower portion 353 is supported by being sandwiched from the front and rear by the rear frame-shaped portion 332 of the middle member 330 to determine its position in the front-rear direction, and the upper portion 352 is accommodated in the accommodation recess 320 of the upper member 310 to prevent it from falling off upwards, thereby fixing the arrangement; details of this arrangement, along with the intention behind the arrangement of the light-emitting means 351, will be described later.

[0179] The state switching device 360 ​​is a device housed in the rear frame-shaped portion 332 of the central member 330, and includes an electromagnetic solenoid 361, a sliding portion 362 that engages with the tip of a plunger supported by the electromagnetic solenoid 361 for linear displacement in the left-right direction and slides together with the plunger, and a rotating portion 363 that is rotatably supported by being inserted into the left-hand fastened portion 332d and rotates in accordance with the sliding displacement of the sliding portion 362.

[0180] The slide portion 362 includes a recessed portion 362a that is recessed so as to be able to receive the disk portion 361a at the tip of the plunger of the electromagnetic solenoid 361 from above, a protruding portion 362b that protrudes to the right from the right side surface, and a guided portion 362c that protrudes downward from the center of the front-to-rear of the lower side surface and is formed with an oval cross-section that is long in the left-right direction.

[0181] Since the disc portion 361a supports the slide portion 362 from above from the direction in which the recessed portion 362a is formed, it is possible to prevent the slide portion 362 from falling off upward. Therefore, the arrangement of the slide portion 362 can be maintained between the disc portion 361a and the lower bottom portion of the inner member 330 without fixing the slide portion 362 to the disc portion 361a with an adhesive or the like.

[0182] The guided portion 362c is a portion for preventing the displacement direction of the sliding portion 362 from deviating from the left-right direction by being inserted into the guide hole 332b of the inner member 330. In particular, since the guided portion 362c is formed long in the left-right direction in this embodiment, the position of the sliding portion 362 can be maintained by engagement between the guided portion 362c and the guide hole 332b. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the guided portion 362c is not necessarily limited to this, and may be, for example, a circle or a rectangle.

[0183] The rotating portion 363 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from above, and includes a support tube portion 363a formed in a long cylindrical shape in the vertical direction at the connection portion of the L-shape and having a through hole of a size large enough to insert the fastened portion 332d of the central member 330, an upper cylindrical portion 363b protruding upward from the short side tip of the L shape in a cylindrical shape and inserted into the through hole of the extension portion 362b, and a lower cylindrical portion 363c protruding downward from the long side tip of the L shape in a cylindrical shape and inserted into the recessed portion 378 of the slide displacement member 370.

[0184] With the above-mentioned configuration, the rotating part 363 is configured to be rotatable around the support cylinder part 363a as a central axis. The displacement of this rotating part 363 occurs due to a change in the state of the electromagnetic solenoid 361. That is, when the plunger is slid and displaced by energizing the electromagnetic solenoid 361 and the slide part 362 is displaced in the left-right direction, the upper cylindrical part 363b inserted into the through-hole of the overhanging part 362b is displaced, and accordingly the lower cylindrical part 363c is displaced, resulting in the displacement of the slide displacement member 370.

[0185] The sliding displacement member 370 is a member supported so as to be slidably displaced in the front-rear direction at a position between the upper and lower members 330 and 380, and comprises a thin plate portion 371 supported by being sandwiched from above and below between the lower bottom portion of the rear frame-shaped portion 332 of the middle member 330 and the lower member 380, upper protruding portions 376 protruding upwardly in a pair on the left and right from the thin plate portion 371, and a recessed portion 378 recessed at the protruding end of the protruding portion protruding upwardly at the left-right center rearward of the upper protruding portions 376 and formed so as to be able to receive the lower cylindrical portion 363c of the rotating portion 363.

[0186] The thin plate portion 371 is provided with a pair of supported holes 371a formed on the left and right sides in the rear half, a recessed portion 372 recessed in a long front-to-rear direction from the front end at the left-to-right center with a left-to-right width shorter than the spacing of the upper protrusions 376, a pair of lower protrusions 373 protruding downward in a ridge shape along the edge of the recessed portion 372, a plurality of upper and lower protrusions 374 protruding in both the up and down directions in a ridge shape along the left and right edges of the rear half, and a cylindrical protrusion 375 protruding downward from the rear end in a cylindrical shape and inserted into a long guide hole 386 of the lower member 380.

[0187] The lower protrusion 373 and the upper and lower protrusions 374 are intended to face and slide against the central member 330 or the lower member 380 arranged above and below, and are protrusions for reducing the contact area with the central member 330 and the lower member 380 compared to flat contact. Reducing the contact area can reduce the displacement resistance of the sliding displacement member 370, and therefore can prevent the displacement speed of the sliding displacement member 370 from slowing down.

[0188] The upper protruding portion 376 is a columnar portion having a generally trapezoidal shape in a front view, and is disposed so as to pass through the arrangement through-hole 332a and enter above the lower bottom portion of the rear frame-shaped portion 332. The width length of the gaps on the left and right inner sides of the upper protruding portion 376 is designed to be slightly longer than the left and right thicknesses of the partition plate portion 338 of the central member 330. With this configuration, the partition plate portion 338 can guide the displacement of the upper protruding portion 376.

[0189] In other words, the upper protrusions 376 are disposed in the gaps on the left and right inside so as to sandwich the partition plate 338, and are configured to suppress misalignment in the left and right direction by abutting against the partition plate 338. This makes it possible to satisfactorily guide the displacement of the sliding displacement member 370, and to maintain the displacement direction of the sliding displacement member 370 in the front-rear direction.

[0190] The recessed portion 378 is formed as a long hole elongated in the left-right direction so as to accommodate the displacement of the lower cylindrical portion 363c of the rotating portion 363 required to cause the sliding displacement member 370 to displace in the front-rear direction.

[0191] The protruding portion in which the recessed portion 378 is formed is configured to pass through the placement through hole 332a and enter above the lower bottom portion of the rear frame-shaped portion 332, so that the lower cylindrical portion 363c of the rotating portion 363 can be easily inserted into the recessed portion 378.

[0192] In this way, the shape of the arrangement through hole 332a is designed as a through hole having a shape that includes inside the entire range in which the upper protruding portion 376, which is intended to be inserted, and the protruding portion in which the recessed portion 378 is formed are arranged.

[0193] The lower member 380 includes the above-mentioned insertion hole 381, a plate-like portion 382 formed as a long, thin plate on the left and right sides, and a sensor holding frame portion 389 formed in a frame shape on the lower side of the plate-like portion 382 so that multiple detection sensors SE1 (four in this embodiment) can be arranged side by side on the left and right sides.

[0194] The sensor holding frame portion 389 is formed in a frame shape with openings on the rear side where the detection sensor SE1 is inserted and on the top and bottom sides through which the ball passes through the through hole of the detection sensor SE1, and the other parts are closed.

[0195] The plate-shaped portion 382 has a through hole formed at a position that matches the through hole of the detection sensor SE1, in the same way that the sensor holding frame portion 389 has a through hole formed in the up-down direction. The plate-shaped portion 382 has a protruding portion 383 that protrudes upward in the front-rear direction at a midpoint between the two detection sensors SE1 on the left and right inside, a pair of protruding portions 383a that protrude from a front end of the protruding portion 383 at positions spaced apart from each other on the left and right, and a pair of protruding portions 383a that protrude from a front end of the protruding portion 383 at positions spaced apart from each other on the left and right sides. the inner member 330 is provided with a pair of guide protrusions 384 protruding at positions where the guide protrusions 384 can be inserted therethrough, a pair of guide protrusions 385 formed as long protrusions in the front-to-rear direction at both left and right positions outside the guide protrusions 384, a long guide hole 386 extending in the same straight line as the protrusions 383 when viewed from above, a curved surface portion 387 formed on the front side surface with a curved surface shape protruding rearward, and an insertion hole 388 formed therethrough so as to be able to insert a fastening screw screwed into the fastened portion 332c of the inner member 330.

[0196] The protruding portion 383 is formed as a protruding portion having a left-right thickness slightly shorter than the left-right gap width of the recessed portion 372 of the sliding displacement member 370, and the sliding displacement member 370 is disposed so as to sandwich the protruding portion 383 with the recessed portion 372. That is, the protruding portion 383 functions as a guide portion that guides the displacement of the sliding displacement member 370 in the front-rear direction.

[0197] The protrusions 383a are designed so that their left and right inner ends are at the same positions as the left and right outer ends of the alignment protrusions 339 of the middle member 330. That is, the left and right outer ends of the alignment protrusions 339 are fitted in contact with the left and right inner ends of the pair of protrusions 383a, so that the left and right position of the middle member 330 based on the lower member 380 can be appropriately determined. At the same time, the back side of the frame front part of the lower member 380 (the part connecting the protrusions 383 and the protrusions 383a at the front end side) is abutted against the front side of the alignment protrusions 339, so that the front and rear position of the middle member 330 based on the lower member 380 can be appropriately determined.

[0198] This makes it possible to easily avoid misalignment between the third flow path forming portion 336 as a component of the intermediate member 330 and the detection sensor SE1 as a component of the lower member 380.

[0199] The guide protrusion 384 is formed in an elliptical shape that is long in the left-right direction, and is inserted into the supported hole 371a of the sliding displacement member 370 to limit the displacement of the sliding displacement member 370. In other words, the displacement of the sliding displacement member 370 is limited to the displacement within the range in which the guide protrusion 384 is disposed inside the supported hole 371a.

[0200] This makes it possible to prevent collision between the sliding displacement member 370 and the protruding portion 383, and therefore improves the durability of the protruding portion 383, as compared with a configuration in which the forward displacement end is determined at the position where the sliding displacement member 370 collides with the protruding portion 383. Therefore, the guiding effect of the protruding portion 383 can be maintained for a long time.

[0201] In addition, even if the guide protrusion 384 is broken, it does not immediately affect the operation of the slide displacement member 370, but functions as a part for preventing collision with the protrusion 383. Therefore, while the guide protrusion 384 is usually designed to have a strength that allows it to be used for a set period (e.g., three years) without being broken, the strength of the guide protrusion 384 and the protrusion 383 may be designed in anticipation of the use in a state in which the protrusion 383 and the slide displacement member 370 collide after the guide protrusion 384 is broken. That is, the life of the guide protrusion 384 may be set to less than the set period (e.g., two years), and the remaining period may be designed to be withstood by the strength of the protrusion 383. In this case, the degree of freedom in setting the resin material used for the lower member 380 and the degree of freedom in the shape can be improved.

[0202] The guide protrusions 385 are disposed with a gap width slightly longer than the left-right width of the thin plate portion 371 of the sliding displacement member 370, and are formed so that the thin plate portion 371 can be disposed in the gap. Displacement of the sliding displacement member 370 is limited to displacement on the left-right inner side of the guide protrusions 385. This allows the sliding displacement member 370 to be displaced in the front-rear direction with little positional deviation in the left-right direction.

[0203] The elongated guide hole 386 is an elongated hole formed with a left-right width that allows the insertion of the cylindrical protrusion 375 of the sliding displacement member 370. The direction of displacement of the sliding displacement member 370 is limited to the front-rear direction by guiding the cylindrical protrusion 375 in the elongated guide hole 386.

[0204] The curved surface portion 387 is an abutment surface for guiding the ball flowing down below the central member 330. In this embodiment, the curved surface portion 387 guides the ball flowing down after entering the outlet 71, which will be described in detail later.

[0205] The fastening screw is inserted into the insertion hole 388 with the screw head facing downward. This makes it possible to prevent the fastening screw from being conspicuously visible. The insertion hole 388 is disposed on the left and right outer side and on the rear side of the range in which the multiple detection sensors SE1 are disposed. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the fastening screw inserted into the insertion hole 388 will block the view of the ball passing near the detection sensor SE1 or through the through hole of the detection sensor SE1.

[0206] As described above, the sliding displacement member 370 is guided by a plurality of portions, namely, the guide protrusion 385 for the thin plate portion 371, the guide protrusion portion 384 for the supported hole 371a, the protrusion portion 383 for the recessed portion 372 and the lower protrusion portion 373, the guide long hole 386 for the cylindrical protrusion portion 375, the partition plate portion 338 for the upper protrusion portion 376, etc., and is displaced in the front-rear direction. This allows the load during guiding to be shared among a plurality of positions, making it possible to prevent the load from being applied locally and to prevent damage to the sliding displacement member 370 and the guiding portion that guides the sliding displacement member 370.

[0207] As can be seen from this, the sliding displacement member 370 is not guided by a single member, but is guided by a plurality of members, at least the middle member 330 and the lower member 380. That is, the sliding displacement member 370 has at least a pair of upper protruding portions 376 guided by the partition plate portion 338 of the middle member 330, and the recessed portion 372 guided by the protruding portion 383 of the lower member 380.

[0208] Therefore, if the assembly between the middle member 330 and the lower member 380 is poor and there is a large displacement, the movement of the sliding displacement member 370 is hindered. Here, since the middle member 330 and the lower member 380 are parts that continuously configure the ball flow path, it is preferable to keep the displacement small, and since the displacement of the sliding displacement member 370 is good, it can be guaranteed that the displacement is small.

[0209] In other words, if the misalignment of the lower member 380 with respect to the middle member 330 becomes excessively large, the displacement of the sliding displacement member 370 will not be performed properly, and by detecting that the displacement of the sliding displacement member 370 is poor, it is possible to control so as to execute an error notification that the relative positioning of the middle member 330 and the lower member 380 may be poor.

[0210] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the game from being continued with the relative positioning of the middle member 330 and the lower member 380 remaining in an improper state, thereby reducing the possibility that the player will suffer an unexpected disadvantage.

[0211] Next, a detailed description will be given of the internal structure of sorting device 300. Note that here, the description will mainly focus on the configuration related to the flow of balls inside sorting device 300 and the configuration entering the ball flow path side.

[0212] Figure 15 is a front view of the receiving member 163 and the sorting device 300, Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 65 and the sorting device 300 taken along line XVI-XVI in Figure 15, Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 65 and the sorting device 300 taken along line XVII-XVII in Figure 15, and Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 65 and the sorting device 300 taken along line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 15.

[0213] 15 to 18, the opening / closing plate 65b is shown in a closed state, and the slide displacement member 370 is shown in a state of being disposed at the front position. First, the flow path of the balls flowing down inside the sorting device 300 will be described in detail.

[0214] When the opening / closing plate 65b is in the open state (see FIG. 6(b)), a ball that lands on the opening / closing plate 65b rolls on the lower surface 163a of the receiving member 163 and is guided to the ball passing hole 163b. The ball that passes through the ball passing hole 163b passes through the opening 312 of the upper member 310 and is guided to the first flow path forming portion 334 of the middle member 330. The first flow path forming portion 334, the subsequent second flow path forming portion 335, and the subsequent third flow path forming portion 336 are all configured as inclined flow paths that slope downward, and the connected flow paths are formed into a spiral shape that forms an angle of 90 degrees when viewed from above.

[0215] That is, the first flow path component 334 is formed as an inclined flow path that causes the balls to flow down to the front side in the front-to-rear direction, the second flow path component 335 is formed as an inclined flow path that causes the balls to flow down in left-to-right directions rotated 90 degrees based on the flow direction of the balls flowing down the first flow path component 334, and the third flow path component 336 is formed as an inclined flow path that causes the balls to flow down to the rear side in the front-to-rear direction rotated 90 degrees in the same direction as the previous rotation direction based on the flow direction of the balls flowing down the second flow path component 335.

[0216] In this way, by forming the flow path into a spiral shape with a right-angled bend angle, it is possible to reduce the degree to which the flow velocity of the ball increases as it moves downstream. In more detail, the ball flows down the first flow path component 334 and accelerates toward the front side, but the flow direction in the subsequent second flow path component 335 does not have a front-rear component, so that it is possible to realize a flow mode in which the influence of the acceleration in the first flow path component 334 is suppressed. Furthermore, in the third flow path component 336 subsequent to the second flow path component 335, the ball flows down toward the rear, which is the opposite direction to the acceleration in the first flow path component 334, so that it is possible to realize a flow mode in which the influence of the acceleration in the front-rear direction is suppressed.

[0217] Therefore, unlike a ball that flows down in the same direction (e.g., to the left) from start to finish, it is easy to prevent the ball from flowing down too fast downstream. In other words, it is easy to make the ball flow down at a uniform speed throughout the entire flow path, which helps keep the player's attention on the ball high and helps prevent the player from losing sight of the ball.

[0218] Also, for example, it is possible not to form the second flow path forming section 335, but forming the second flow path forming section 335 makes it easier to prevent clogging and backflow of the balls. When the second flow path forming section 335 is not formed (when the left-right length of the second flow path forming section 335 is 0), that is, when the first flow path forming section 334 and the third flow path forming section 336 are connected, it becomes necessary to reverse the flow direction of the balls by 180 degrees from the flow toward the front to the flow toward the rear at the connection point. In this case, the switching angle of the flow direction of the balls is large, and in particular, the speed direction needs to be reversed back and forth, so it is difficult to make the balls flow smoothly, and the balls are likely to become stuck, clogged, or flow back, which may cause problems.

[0219] In contrast, in the present embodiment, if the angle at which the flow direction is switched is 90 degrees or less (90 degrees in this embodiment), the ball's speed direction does not reverse, allowing the ball to flow smoothly, making it easier to avoid the ball becoming stuck, clogging, or flowing back.

[0220] We will now explain the shape of the flow path at the connection end of each of the flow path constituent parts 334 to 336. At the connection end of the second flow path constituent part 335 and the third flow path constituent part 336, the above-mentioned symmetrical protruding part 161f is disposed as a part that guides the flow of the balls in a manner that bends the flow direction of the balls.

[0221] The symmetrical protrusions 161f are formed such that a portion disposed downstream of the ball is further back from the path of the ball than a portion disposed upstream of the ball. For example, the width of the symmetrical protrusions 161f disposed opposite each other is formed to be longer than the width of the adjacent partition plate portions 338. Also, the rear end portions of the left and right ends of the symmetrical protrusions 161f disposed opposite each other are disposed closer to the front than the flow path side surface of the second flow path forming portion 335 near the opening portion 335a (see FIG. 17).

[0222] This makes it possible to prevent the ball from being excessively decelerated or from flowing backwards when the ball collides with the symmetrical protruding portion 161f.

[0223] Furthermore, at the connection end between the second flow path component 335 and the first flow path component 334, side wall portions 334a which are curved and formed at the front left and right ends of the central member 330 are formed as portions which guide the flow of the ball by bending the flow direction of the ball.

[0224] In addition, at the upstream end of the first flow path forming portion 334, a curved protrusion 334b ​​protruding upward from the flow down surface portion of the first flow path forming portion 334 with a curved surface shape (see Figure 16) that descends toward the front side is formed as a part that guides the flow down of the ball in a manner that bends the flow down direction of the ball.

[0225] That is, the ball that passes through opening 312 rolls around curved protrusion 334b, flows down first flow path forming portion 334, and while flowing down, the ball abuts against side wall portion 334a, changing the flow direction, flows down second flow path forming portion 335, and while flowing down, the ball abuts against symmetrical protrusion portion 161f, changing the flow direction, flows down third flow path forming portion 336, and reaches discharge hole 337.

[0226] The side wall portion 334a is formed from a shape that can be engaged with and aligned with the protruding support portion 161d of the fixed member 161. That is, the side wall portion 334a is supported so as to be sandwiched between the left and right protruding support portions 161d, and positional deviation in the left-right direction is restricted, so that the variable winning device 65 and the sorting device 300 can be aligned in the left-right direction.

[0227] The longitudinal inclination angle and length ratio of each of the flow path forming portions 334 to 336 will be described. Regarding the longitudinal inclination angle, the first flow path forming portion 334 has an inclination angle of about 7 degrees with respect to the horizontal, the second flow path forming portion 335 has an inclination angle of about 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal, and the third flow path forming portion 336 has an inclination angle of about 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal. That is, the inclination angle is set to the maximum in the first flow path forming portion 334, and a slightly gentler common inclination angle is set in the second flow path forming portion 335 and the third flow path forming portion 336.

[0228] Regarding the length, each of the flow path forming portions 334 to 336 is formed so that the front frame portion 333, which has an outer shape of a square in top view, forms an inner side surface, and a large square having the same center as the center of the square formed by the front frame portion 333 forms an outer side surface. Here, in this embodiment, the length of one side of the front frame portion 333 is 21 mm, and the length of one side of the large square described above is 45 mm, thereby forming a flow path with a width of 12 mm around the periphery.

[0229] Therefore, for a normally used 11 mm diameter sphere, the clearance between the flow path is set to 1 mm on both sides of the sphere, so the sphere flows down with almost no misalignment in the width direction. Considering that the distance between the base plate 60 (see Figure 2) and the glass unit 16 (see Figure 1) is set at about 19 mm, this is a small clearance, and it is possible to suppress misalignment of the sphere as it flows down.

[0230] Of the portions that form the ends of each of the flow path forming portions 334-336 arranged on a square surrounding the periphery of the square-shaped front frame portion 333, only the curved protrusion 334b ​​that forms the upstream end of the first flow path forming portion 334 is arranged inside (on the front side) the apex of the square, and therefore the first flow path forming portion 334 is shorter than the second flow path forming portion 335 and the third flow path forming portion 336.

[0231] In terms of actual measurements when viewed from above, the flow paths formed by the second flow path component 335 and the third flow path component 336 are approximately the same length (33 mm center-to-center spacing of the spheres), and this length is approximately 1.5 times the length of the flow path formed by the first flow path component 334 (22 mm center-to-center spacing of the spheres).

[0232] It can be explained that the time required for a ball to pass through each of the flow path configuration parts 334-336 is not constant from the longitudinal inclination angle and length ratio of each of the flow path configuration parts 334-336 described above. That is, the time required for a ball to pass through the first flow path configuration part 334, which has the maximum inclination angle and the shortest flow path length, is shorter than the time required for a ball to pass through the second flow path configuration part 335 and the third flow path configuration part 336, which have a gentler inclination angle and a path length 1.5 times longer.

[0233] In this embodiment, by configuring it in this way, the position of the ball moves to the rear side when passing through the ball passage hole 163b of the detection sensor SE1, and part of the detection sensor SE1 is hidden by the non-transparent resin part, so that the ball can be displaced to the front side early, and the state can be switched to a state where the ball is closer to the player and has high visibility. This makes it easier to avoid the situation where the player loses sight of the ball that has passed through the ball passage hole 163b.

[0234] Furthermore, when the visibility of the ball is high, the speed at which the ball flows down can be slowed down, eliminating the need for the player to quickly move their gaze toward the ball, thereby reducing the burden on the player who is focusing on the ball (eye strain caused by eye movement).

[0235] When focusing on a ball flowing down the second flow path component 335 and the third flow path component 336, which have thus high visibility, the amount of displacement of the ball in a front-to-back view is smaller when the ball flows down the third flow path component 336 in a front-to-back direction compared to when the ball flows down the second flow path component 335 in a left-to-right direction. Therefore, the gaming burden on the player focusing on the ball can be minimized when focusing on the ball flowing down the third flow path component 336.

[0236] In other words, since the lengths and inclination angles are equivalent, the time required for a ball to pass through second flow path component 335 and the time required for a ball to pass through third flow path component 336 are equivalent. However, since the amount of displacement of the ball when viewed from the front is different, the apparent flow speed of the ball (the displacement speed of the ball when viewed from the front) is slower for a ball flowing down third flow path component 336 than for a ball flowing down second flow path component 335.

[0237] The ball's flow path only changes at the rear end of the third flow path forming section 336, where the burden on the player is minimized and the player is likely to pay attention to the ball, and in other parts the ball's flow path is common to each of the flow path forming sections 334 to 336. Therefore, the player's line of sight is naturally likely to be concentrated on the rear end of the third flow path forming section 336, and the game burden on the player who concentrates his or her line of sight in this way can be effectively reduced.

[0238] Also, in order to ensure the player's field of vision focusing on the rear end of the third flow path component 336, in this embodiment, an opening 335a is formed on the front side surface of the second flow path component 335 (see Figure 17), thereby making it possible to prevent the flesh of the second flow path component 335 from obstructing the line of sight toward the third flow path component 336.

[0239] Furthermore, the symmetrical protruding portion 161f disposed inside the open portion 335a is formed only with a portion necessary for contacting and guiding the flowing down ball, and the formation of a shaped portion is omitted above and below it. In other words, the symmetrical protruding portion 161f is formed as a thin plate-like portion on the top and bottom, and a space is secured above and below it (see FIG. 18). Therefore, compared to a case where the symmetrical protruding portion 161f is formed with a thickness on the top and bottom, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the line of sight toward the rear end portion of the third flow path forming portion 336 is obstructed by the symmetrical protruding portion 161f, and visibility can be improved.

[0240] Also, the third flow path forming portion 336 is configured so that balls that deviate from the opening / closing plate 65b and head toward the outlet 71 gather toward the field of view centered on the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336 (see FIG. 5). In particular, in this embodiment, a ball that enters the outlet 71 flows downward below the third flow path forming portion 336, comes into contact with the curved surface portion 387 of the lower member 380, and is discharged downward.

[0241] Therefore, assuming that the balls flowing down third flow path constituent part 336 are viewed from diagonally above the front, the balls entering outlet 71 flow down the back side of third flow path constituent part 336. As a result, the balls flowing down third flow path constituent part 336 and the balls entering outlet 71 are viewed as overlapping from the front to the back, and the total number of balls entering the field of view focusing on the rear end part of third flow path constituent part 336 increases.

[0242] In other words, regardless of whether the ball enters the specific winning port 65a and flows down the third flow path constituent portion 336, or whether the ball does not enter the specific winning port 65a and enters the outlet port 71, the ball will enter a field of view that draws attention to the rear end portion of the third flow path constituent portion 336.

[0243] Therefore, regardless of the ease with which the balls can head toward the specific winning hole 65a, that is, the nail configuration (so-called quality of the gauge) set in the base plate 60, the rear end portion (the portion that attracts the player's attention) of the third flow path forming portion 336 is located at a position that overlaps in the front-rear direction with the position where most of the shot balls (except for the balls that have entered the other winning holes 63, 64, 140) gather. This allows the line of sight to be efficiently guided to the rear end portion of the third flow path forming portion 336 by the balls flowing down.

[0244] As described above, the visibility at positions closer to the front side has been improved. In addition, in this embodiment, the visibility at positions closer to the back side is reduced except for the rear end portion of the third flow path configuration portion 336.

[0245] For example, a light diffusion surface 333b having a shape similar to a prism and for diffusing light is formed on the inner surface of the front frame portion 333 of the inner member 330. In Fig. 17, the portion visually recognized as having a sawtooth shape is the light diffusion surface 333b, which is formed on almost the entire inner circumference of the inner surface and from top to bottom.

[0246] When the light diffusion effect occurs, the light is diffused in multiple directions, so that the entire surface appears to be shining, and while the surface can be made to shine brilliantly, the light blocks the line of sight, making the visibility of the back side poor. According to this embodiment, when light is irradiated from the light emitting means 351 of the substrate 350, the visibility is poor, and conversely, when light is not irradiated, the visibility can be improved at least compared to when light is irradiated.

[0247] On the other hand, if there is an object blocking the light, the shadow of the object will be visually recognized as a black dot, making its position easier to determine.

[0248] Other processed surfaces similar to light diffusion processed surface 333b are also formed in other portions, such as light diffusion processed surface 319a formed on the rear side surfaces of left and right outer protruding portions 319 and light diffusion processed surface 332e formed on the rear side surface of the front portion of rear frame portion 332 (see FIG. 17).

[0249] Examples of processed surfaces formed in a similar shape include light diffusion processed surface 314c, which is a plate-like portion extending to the rear side of the second upper surface portion 314b of the upper member 310 and is formed on the upper surface side of the portion that covers the front frame-shaped portion 333 of the middle member 330 in the assembled state, and light diffusion processed surface 340, which is formed over the entire lower side of the portion of the middle member 330 that is forward of the rear frame-shaped portion 332.

[0250] With these configurations, in this embodiment, light diffusing surfaces are formed on the back side, bottom side, inner surface of the vortex, and upper surface of the vortex of the flow path formed in a spiral shape from each flow path component 334-336, thereby achieving the effect of changing visibility due to light irradiation.

[0251] When no light is irradiated onto the light diffusion processed surface, from the player's line of sight looking at the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336 from the front side, a ball that has changed direction to the left or right from the third flow path forming portion 336 is hidden by the front frame-shaped portion 333, making it difficult to immediately see.

[0252] Furthermore, even if a player tries to see the ball after it has passed through the detection sensor SE1 held in the sensor holding frame 389 and fallen from the player's line of sight when viewed from diagonally above, the line of sight passes through the light diffusion processed surface 340, and because light is irradiated onto the light diffusion processed surface 340, it becomes difficult to identify the ball after it has passed through the detection sensor SE1 and fallen.

[0253] In this embodiment, as will be described later, the advantage that the player can obtain is controlled to change depending on how the ball flows down the rear end portion of the third flow path configuration portion 336.

[0254] Therefore, in order to understand how the ball flows down from the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336, it becomes necessary to check the behavior of the ball at the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336, which further improves the attention to the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336.

[0255] On the other hand, if light is emitted from the light emitting means 351, a state can be created in which the shadow of the ball is easily visible as a black spot. In this way, by switching the presence or absence of light irradiation according to the situation, the visibility of the ball can be switched between good and bad. Also, depending on whether or not a ball is placed in front of the black spot, it is possible to create a state in which the black spot is hidden by the ball and a state in which the black spot is visible and not hidden by the ball.

[0256] As described above, the light diffusion processed surfaces 319a, 332e, 333b, 340 are formed in the vicinity of each flow path component 334-336, but are consistently formed on the side that does not come into contact with the spheres flowing down the flow paths formed by each flow path component 334-336.

[0257] This prevents the light diffusion processed surfaces 319a, 332e, 333b, 340 from being scraped off by contact with the spheres, so that the shape of the light diffusion processed surfaces 319a, 332e, 333b, 340 can be maintained for a long period of time, and the light diffusion effect can be maintained.

[0258] Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the ball from being obstructed in flowing down or from being slowed down by the ball coming into contact with the light diffusion processed surfaces 319a, 332e, 333b, and 340. In addition, by ensuring visibility inside the flow path, it is possible to prevent the visibility of the ball from decreasing even while the ball is flowing down the flow path formed by each of the flow path components 334 to 336.

[0259] Alternatively, the light diffusion processed surfaces 319a, 332e, 333b, and 340 may be formed on the flow path side. In this case, depending on the size of the prism, it is possible to achieve both the effect of diffusing light and the effect of decelerating the ball by colliding with it.

[0260] In the front frame portion 333 of the inner member 330, the formation of the light diffusion processed surface 333b is omitted at the fastening position with the fastened portion 316 due to the difficulty of processing, and there is a possibility that the visibility will remain high without any measures. Therefore, in this embodiment, the visibility due to the fastening screw is reduced.

[0261] That is, the fastening screw screwed into the fastened portion 316 is made of metal and is non-transparent, so that it can be used to conceal the area where it is difficult to form the light diffusion processed surface 333b. When light is irradiated onto the front frame portion 333, the light diffusion processed surface 333b shines brilliantly, and in the area where the light diffusion processed surface 333b is omitted, the fastening screw reflects the light and shines, so that it is possible to reduce the visibility of the back side of the front frame portion 333 when viewed from the front side, including the area where the light diffusion processed surface 333b is omitted.

[0262] The light diffusion processed surface 332e of the inner member 330 is formed on the back side of each of the flow path forming parts 334-336, and the purpose of this is to provide a function of hiding the board 350 and the state switching device 360 ​​arranged on the back side in addition to making them shine brilliantly. In particular, since the state switching device 360 ​​is arranged on the back side of the board 350 (see FIG. 17), the board 350 acts as a screen, making it easier to prevent the state switching device 360 ​​from being seen by the player.

[0263] The substrate 350 is accommodated in a state in which it is supported by the rear frame-shaped portion 332 of the inner member 330, but is disposed with a gap between the substrate 350 and the lower bottom portion of the rear frame-shaped portion 332 at the left-right center, and the sliding displacement member 370 is disposed in the gap (see FIG. 18). That is, the substrate 350 is disposed at a position where the sliding displacement member 370 is sandwiched between the substrate 350 and the lower bottom portion of the rear frame-shaped portion 332.

[0264] More specifically, the substrate 350 is supported such that the lower portion 353 is sandwiched from the front and rear by the rear frame portion 332 at the left and right ends (see FIG. 17). At this support location, the lower bottom of the rear frame portion 332 has a thick portion 332f (see FIG. 16), and near the left and right central position, a gap is created due to the absence of this thick portion, and the sliding displacement member 370 can be disposed in the gap (see FIG. 18).

[0265] As shown in FIG. 18, an upper portion 352 of the substrate 350 enters the inside of the accommodating recess 320 of the upper member 310, and is disposed opposite to the light diffusion processed surface 164f formed on the intervening member 164 in the front and rear directions.

[0266] Therefore, by irradiating light from the light-emitting means 351 arranged on the upper portion 352, the light diffusion processed surface 164f of the intervening member 164 can have a brilliant shining effect, and further, the visibility of the area on the back side of the intervening member 164 can be reduced.

[0267] Here, the light emitting means 351 arranged on the upper side portion 352 irradiates light near the lower end of the light diffusion processed surface 164f, and since the light diffusion processed surface 164f has a cross-sectional shape imitating a prism formed all along the surface in the vertical direction, the light irradiated from the light emitting means 351 is visually recognized as a light with a wide vertical width. Therefore, from the player's line of sight, it can be made to look as if light is being emitted from above and below the specific winning opening 65a.

[0268] In addition, when viewed from the front, the light diffusion processed surface 164f is positioned at the center position on the left and right of the receiving member 163. However, even if it is positioned on the rear side of the detection sensor SE1, the detection sensor SE1 will obstruct the view and make it difficult to see clearly. Therefore, a sufficient effect can be achieved if it is formed within the placement gap of at least one pair of detection sensors SE1.

[0269] It should be noted that lower portion 353 of substrate 350 is positioned so as to irradiate light onto sealing member 313 and the portion disposed below it through which the balls flow downward, as will be described in detail later.

[0270] Next, the switching of the flow path of the balls that have passed through the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336 and its significance will be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. In the description of Figures 19 and 20, Figures 15 to 18 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0271] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 65 and the sorting device 300 taken along line XVII-XVII in Fig. 15, and Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 65 and the sorting device 300 taken along line XVIII-XVIII in Fig. 15. In Figs. 19 and 20, the opening and closing plate 65b is shown in a closed state, and the slide displacement member 370 is shown in a state of being disposed at the rear position.

[0272] Here, the four detection sensors SE1 on the left and right sides supported by sensor holding frame portion 389, the flow of balls to each detection sensor SE1, and the function of each detection sensor SE1 will be described.

[0273] The four detection sensors SE1 are arranged symmetrically in two sets, and include a probability change detection sensor SE11 and a normal detection sensor SE12, which have the same function. The probability change detection sensor SE11 is arranged on the inside in the left-right direction, and the normal detection sensor SE12 is arranged on the outside in the left-right direction.

[0274] The function of these four detection sensors SE1 is different from that of the detection sensor SE1 arranged behind the opening and closing plate 65b. The detection sensor SE1 arranged behind the opening and closing plate 65b is a ball entry sensor that generates the payout of prize balls. That is, when a ball that has entered the specific winning opening 65a is detected as entering the detection sensor SE1 behind it, a predetermined number of prize balls (in this embodiment, 10 balls for each detection) are paid out to the player by the payout control device 111 (see FIG. 4).

[0275] On the other hand, the detection sensor SE1 supported by the sensor holding frame portion 389 does not function as a detection sensor that pays out prize balls, but rather as a detection sensor that detects the entry of a ball and thereby changes the game state after the end of the jackpot game.

[0276] As described later, in this embodiment, the detection sensor SE1 disposed in the sensor holding frame 389 is used to switch whether or not the game will transition to the probability variable state, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the detection sensor SE1 may function as a ball entry sensor to switch whether or not the next big win will be obtained.

[0277] When the slide displacement member 370 is disposed at the front position (see Figs. 17 and 18), the slide displacement member 370 is disposed so that the thin plate portion 371 covers the upper side of the probability change detection sensor SE11, and the ball is prevented from passing through the through hole of the probability change detection sensor SE11. Therefore, the ball passing through the rear end portion of the third flow path configuration portion 336 is guided by the upper protruding portion 376 of the slide displacement member to the through hole of the normal detection sensor SE12.

[0278] Upper protrusion 376 has a front surface 376a that faces the ball and is formed in an arc shape with a concave flow path side, so that the flowing ball can be smoothly guided toward the through-hole of normal detection sensor SE12.

[0279] On the other hand, when the slide displacement member 370 is disposed at the rear position (see Figs. 19 and 20), the slide displacement member 370 retreats rearward from above the probability change detection sensor SE11, allowing the ball to pass through the through hole of the probability change detection sensor SE11.

[0280] That is, which detection sensor SE1 the ball passes through corresponds to the arrangement (front position or rear position) of the slide displacement member 370. When it is detected that the ball has passed through the through hole of the probability variation detection sensor SE11 during a jackpot game, the game state after the jackpot game is controlled to be the probability variation state. In other words, when it is not detected that the ball has passed through the through hole of the probability variation detection sensor SE11, and the ball has passed only through the through hole of the normal detection sensor SE12, the game state after the jackpot game is controlled to be the normal state (or time-saving state).

[0281] Here, in this embodiment, as described above, the probability variable jackpot and the normal jackpot are prepared as the jackpot types. In order to realize this, in this embodiment, different operation patterns are prepared as the operation patterns of the slide displacement member 370 for each jackpot type.

[0282] In other words, in the case of a special jackpot, the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to operate in an operating pattern that makes it easy for the ball to pass through the through hole of the special jackpot detection sensor SE11, and in the case of a normal jackpot, the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to operate in an operating pattern that makes it difficult for the ball to pass through the through hole of the special jackpot detection sensor SE11 and makes it easy for the ball to pass through the through hole of the normal detection sensor SE12; details of this control will be described later.

[0283] In this way, the arrangement of the sliding displacement members 370 is directly related to the profits that the player can obtain, and the arrangement naturally attracts the attention of the player. On the other hand, there have been many cases of fraudulent acts of illegally changing the arrangement of the sliding displacement members 370, and it is important to take measures against such fraud.

[0284] As a premise, the position of the slide displacement member 370 is switched depending on whether or not current is applied to the electromagnetic solenoid 361 of the state switching device 360. That is, when no current is applied to the electromagnetic solenoid 361, the plunger and slide portion 362 of the electromagnetic solenoid 361 are disposed on the right side by a biasing spring (not shown), and the lower cylindrical portion 363c of the rotating portion 363 is disposed on the front side, so that the slide displacement member 370 is maintained in the front position.

[0285] On the other hand, when the electromagnetic solenoid 361 is energized, the plunger and slide portion 362 of the electromagnetic solenoid 361 are moved to the left by electromagnetic force, and the lower cylindrical portion 363c (see FIG. 13, the portion inserted into the recessed portion 378 of the slide displacement member 370) of the rotating portion 363 is displaced toward the rear side, so that the slide displacement member 370 is maintained at the rear position. This is the normal operating mode, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the energization of the electromagnetic solenoid 361 and the arrangement of the slide displacement member 370.

[0286] A person committing the above-mentioned fraudulent acts may, for example, insert a thin metal wire such as a piano wire into the inside of the sorting device 300 through the ball dispensing opening or the gap between the outer frame 11 and the front frame 14 (see Figure 1), and press the thin metal wire against the sliding displacement member 370, thereby pushing the sliding displacement member 370 toward the back, in an attempt to fraudulently create a state in which a ball can enter the probability change detection sensor SE11.

[0287] In contrast, in this embodiment, the sliding displacement member 370 is disposed such that the thin plate portion 371 is disposed below the lower bottom portion of the third flow path forming portion 336 (see FIG. 18), and therefore, when a thin metal wire is passed through the third flow path forming portion 336 and pressed against the sliding displacement member 370, it is difficult to press the thin plate portion 371 against the front end portion thereof, and the thin plate portion 371 is pressed against the upper protruding portion 376. The front side surface 376a of the upper protruding portion 376 is formed into a curved surface shape that releases a load to the left and right outside as described above, and therefore, even if a thin metal wire is pressed against the front side surface 376a, the load can be released to the left and right outside, making it easier to avoid a situation in which the sliding displacement member 370 is improperly displaced to the rear side position.

[0288] In addition, the path taken to reach the sliding displacement member 370 is not straight but spirals, and the sliding displacement member 370 itself is positioned far away (approximately 10 cm) from the front side to the rear side of the glass unit 16 (see Figure 1), making it difficult for the thin metal wire to reach the sliding displacement member 370 in the first place.

[0289] These configurations also have the effect of improving the degree of freedom in designing the configuration of the state switching device 360. That is, in the past, in order to deal with the above-mentioned fraudulent acts, the arrangement of the sliding displacement member 370 was often maintained by mechanically devising (displacement regulation) a mechanism for transmitting a driving force, and in such cases, the configuration of the state switching device 360 ​​was limited. In contrast, in this embodiment, by configuring the sliding displacement member 370 so that it is difficult to apply a load to it in the first place, it is possible to partially omit the conditions required for the state switching device 360, and the degree of freedom in designing the state switching device 360 ​​can be increased.

[0290] Furthermore, when a pressing load is applied to the slide displacement member 370 by using a thin metal wire threaded through the third flow path component 336, the thin metal wire itself will obstruct the flow of the ball attempting to flow down the third flow path component 336, making it difficult for the ball to reach the probability change detection sensor SE11.

[0291] As mentioned above, the profit a player can obtain varies greatly depending on whether the ball passes through the through hole of the special rate detection sensor SE11 or the through hole of the normal detection sensor SE12, so it is desirable to avoid errant balls as much as possible.

[0292] In conventional models, it was common to configure the machine to restrict balls from entering the normal detection sensor SE12 when balls are permitted to enter the special rate detection sensor SE11. However, in this embodiment, no movable part is provided to restrict balls from entering the normal detection sensor SE12 when balls are permitted to enter the special rate detection sensor SE11 (see Figures 19 and 20), and the machine is configured to allow balls to enter the normal detection sensor SE12 as well.

[0293] Even with this configuration, if at least one of the ten balls flows down and passes through the through hole of the probability change detection sensor SE11, the probability change state after the big win game is ensured. In this embodiment, based on this concept, the movable member that opens and closes the normal detection sensor SE12 is omitted, thereby reducing material costs and product costs. Furthermore, as a result of not arranging the movable member, there is no need for maintenance due to the malfunction or failure of the movable member, and the service life of the pachinko machine can be extended beyond the life of the movable member.

[0294] On the other hand, as a measure separate from the movable member, the shape of the flow path and the arrangement and shape of the fixed protrusions 317, 318, 319 are designed to guide the ball to the detection sensor SE1 on the appropriate side. That is, a mechanism is implemented to prevent more balls than expected from flowing to the normal detection sensor SE12 when the slide displacement member 370 is located at the rear position by using the shape of the parts (i.e., the protrusions 317, 318, 319) fixed inside the flow path. This will be described below.

[0295] First, the design of the flow path shape will be described. The lower bottom surface 336a of the third flow path forming portion 336 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes downward at an angle of 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal toward the center in the left-right direction (the partition plate portion 338 side) in the short side direction (see FIG. 15).

[0296] This inclination angle is set to be the same angle and direction as the longitudinal inclination of second flow path component 335, thereby reducing the bouncing of the balls (bouncing away from partition plate portion 338) when they flow from second flow path component 335 to third flow path component 336.

[0297] This inclination in the short side direction allows the arrangement of the balls flowing down the third flow path forming portion 336 to be closer to the partition plate portion 338. Therefore, the balls flowing down from the rear end portion of the third flow path forming portion 336 to the detection sensor SE1 side can be arranged on the side close to the partition plate portion 338, so that it is possible to reduce the possibility of the balls erroneously passing through the through hole of the normal detection sensor SE12 (detection sensor SE1 arranged away from the partition plate portion 338) when the slide displacement member 370 is arranged at the rear position.

[0298] Furthermore, regardless of the inclination of the short side of the lower bottom surface 336a, the flow path formed by each of the flow path components 334-336 has a left-right path formed only by the second flow path component 335, and the inclination direction is toward the left-right center (the partition plate portion 338 side), so that the left-right velocity occurs inwardly to the left and right. This also makes it possible to reduce the possibility of the ball erroneously passing through the through hole of the normal detection sensor SE12 (detection sensor SE1 arranged away from the partition plate portion 338).

[0299] Next, the arrangement and shape of the fixed protrusions 317, 318, 319 will be described. The left and right inner protrusions 318 are the first to be positioned adjacent to the ball that has flowed down the third flow path forming portion 336. The left and right inner protrusions 318 are the smallest protrusions among the protrusions 317, 318, 319, but are positioned closer to the front than the center of the detection sensor SE1 and closer to the front than the upper protrusion 376 of the sliding displacement member 370. Therefore, the left and right inner protrusions 318 come into contact without leakage with the ball that passes the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336 while sliding on the partition plate portion 338.

[0300] The protruding tip surfaces of the left and right inner protruding portions 318 are configured as a curved surface concave downward when viewed from the front (see FIG. 15), and the rear end side of the protruding portion is formed to expand outward and downward to the left and right than the front end side of the protruding portion, and the front and rear ends are connected by a concave curved surface (see FIG. 17). Therefore, a ball that passes through the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336 and abuts against the left and right inner protruding portions 318 receives a load in a direction that is a mixture of a left and right outward component and a downward component, and flows down.

[0301] On the other hand, since the left and right inner protruding parts 318 are formed small, the direction of the flow of the ball is not determined to be downward or outward to the left or right only by the load received from the left and right inner protruding parts 318, but rather they merely function as a momentum imparting part. Also, since the left and right inner protruding parts 318 are disposed upstream of the slide displacement member 370, the momentum imparting part described above occurs regardless of the arrangement of the slide displacement member 370.

[0302] The flow of the ball downward after contacting the left and right inner protrusions 318 will be described separately for each case. When the slide displacement member 370 is disposed at the front position, the ball rolls on the thin plate portion 371 of the slide displacement member 370 while contacting the upper protrusion 376 and the front-rear long protrusion 317 (see FIG. 18), and flows toward the normal detection sensor SE12.

[0303] The protruding end of the long front-rear protrusion 317 has the same use as the upper protrusion 376. That is, since it is formed as a curved surface for switching the flow direction of the ball, the radius of curvature of the curved surface is made to be approximately the same as the radius of curvature of the front side surface 376a of the upper protrusion 376. As a guideline, the upper protrusion 376 forms a curved surface starting from the left and right inner side and ending at a rear position of the center position of the through hole of the probability change detection sensor SE11 when viewed from above (see FIG. 17), while the long front-rear protrusion 317 forms a curved surface starting from the ceiling surface of the flow path and ending at a position close to the end position (rear end position) of the front side surface 376a at the front position of the slide displacement member 370 when viewed in the left and right direction (see FIG. 18).

[0304] Here, the upper surface of the thin plate portion 371 is formed as an inclined surface that slopes downward outward to the left and right, and the ball is forced outward to the left and right by contact with the left and right inner protruding portions 318, and uses that momentum to flow downward in the outward left and right direction, thereby enabling the ball to flow smoothly downward.

[0305] Furthermore, the left and right outer protrusions 319 are formed above the ball flowing down in the left and right outward direction, and the ball bounce is suppressed, so the ball can flow down smoothly. Since the purpose of the left and right outer protrusions 319 is not to change the direction of the ball flowing down, but to suppress the ball bounce, its shape is significantly different from the front and rear long protrusions 317, and its protruding end is formed as a curved surface with a large radius of curvature that is formed from above the probability change detection sensor SE11 to above the normal detection sensor SE12.

[0306] In particular, in this embodiment, since the left and right outer protrusions 319 are disposed on the front side of the center of the opening of the detection sensor SE1 (i.e., the center of the flow path) (see FIG. 19), when the left and right outer protrusions 319 and the ball come into contact with each other in the vertical direction, the center of the ball is likely to be disposed rearward of the center of the thickness of the left and right outer protrusions 319. Therefore, when the left and right outer protrusions 319 and the ball come into contact with each other in the vertical direction, a load having a rearward component can be easily applied to the ball, and the ball can be prevented from flowing back toward the front side.

[0307] These configurations make it easier to prevent ball clogging and backflow when multiple balls are flowing down.

[0308] When the slide displacement member 370 is disposed at the rear position, the thin plate portion 371 and the upper protrusion 376 are retracted rearward of the long protrusion 317, so that the ball abuts against the long protrusion 317 and flows.

[0309] The front-rear long protruding portion 317 has a surface shape of a protruding end (curved surface) with a normal line passing through the center of the third flow path forming portion 336, and the thickness center is located directly behind the center position of the through hole of the probability change detection sensor SE11, so it is easy to apply a load with a suppressed left-right component to the abutting ball. This load functions as a load that flows the ball diagonally downward toward the front, since the protruding tip of the front-rear long protruding portion 317 has a concave curved surface shape (see FIG. 20).

[0310] Therefore, if the ball does not go all the way to the right due to the momentum from the left and right inner protrusions 318, it will be subjected to a load from the front and rear long protrusions 317 diagonally downward and forward, and will flow toward the probability change detection sensor SE11.

[0311] Here, depending on the point of impact with the front-to-rear long protrusion 317, there is a concern that the ball may bounce back to the front side (causing a backflow), but in this embodiment, as described above, the ball is given momentum diagonally downward to the left and right by abutting against the left and right inner protrusions 318, so that even if the ball bounces back to the front side, it will only collide with the rear end of the lower bottom of the third flow path forming portion 336 (see Figure 20) or the rear side surface of the front frame-shaped portion 333 (see Figure 19), making it easier to avoid the ball flowing back through the third flow path forming portion 336.

[0312] What is unique about this embodiment is that even when the slide displacement member 370 is positioned at the rear side and the ball flows toward the variable probability detection sensor SE11 side, the ball is displaced toward the left and right outward due to the load from the left and right inner protrusions 318 in the same way as when the slide displacement member 370 is positioned at the front side and the ball flows toward the normal detection sensor SE12 side. This use will be described later.

[0313] The sliding displacement member 370 is configured to be able to slide between a front position and a rear position, and when the sliding displacement member 370 performs a closing operation (movement from the rear position to the front position) while the ball is flowing down the third flow path forming portion 336 toward the sliding displacement member 370, a forward load may be applied to the ball, and a load may be applied to the ball in a direction that causes it to flow backward through the third flow path forming portion 336 (forward).

[0314] To prevent this, it is preferable to control the displacement operation of the slide displacement member 370. For example, if the closing operation is controlled to be completed before the ball reaches the slide displacement member 370, the possibility of the ball colliding with the slide displacement member 370 during operation can be eliminated, and the possibility of the ball flowing back can be reduced.

[0315] In addition, by forming the front surface of the upper protruding portion 376 of the slide displacement member 370 as a curved surface facing outward to the left and right, and by arranging the left and right inner protruding portions 318 so as to collide with all balls, it is possible to produce an action of guiding the balls that have reached the rear end portion of the third flow path forming portion 336 outward to the left and right. This makes it possible to make it difficult for the balls to flow back.

[0316] In addition, the opening operation of the sliding displacement member 370 (operation from the front position to the rear position) is not an operation in a direction opposite to the ball, but an operation away from the ball, so that, for example, even if the operation is performed when a ball is resting on the thin plate portion 371 of the sliding displacement member 370, a load that pushes the ball back toward the front side is unlikely to be generated. Therefore, it is considered that the opening operation will not easily cause the ball to flow back, even if it is controlled to be performed at an arbitrary timing without considering the position of the ball.

[0317] When the ball rolls on the thin plate portion 371 while rotating forward on the upper surface of the sliding displacement member 370 (still in the stage before it flows outward to the left or right), the opening operation of the sliding displacement member 370 applies a load to the ball in a direction that suppresses the rotation (in the direction that causes the ball to roll backwards), so that the rotation of the ball can be stopped, the flow of the ball can be halted, and it becomes easy to move into free fall.

[0318] Therefore, when the slide displacement member 370 performs an opening operation while the ball is rolling on the thin plate portion 371, it is possible to easily avoid the ball being guided to the normal detection sensor SE12 by the momentum of its rolling up to that point, and it is possible to easily guide the ball to the special chance detection sensor SE11.

[0319] In the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment equipped with the above-mentioned sorting device 300, how the sorting device 300 appears from the player's line of sight will be described. In the following, as an example, cases where the angle of the line of sight with respect to the horizontal direction is different will be described separately.

[0320] Figure 21 is a front view of the variable winning device 65 and the distribution device 300, Figure 22 is an oblique view of the variable winning device 65 and the distribution device 300 as viewed in the direction of arrow XXII in Figure 16, and Figure 23 is an oblique view of the variable winning device 65 and the distribution device 300 as viewed in the direction of arrow XXIII in Figure 16.

[0321] As a premise, a player who operates the pachinko machine 10 can play in any posture he / she likes, except for gripping and rotating the operating handle 51 (see FIG. 1). For example, a player may play the game by keeping his / her head sufficiently away from the pachinko machine 10 and looking at the inside of the glass unit 16 (see FIG. 1) with his / her line of sight horizontally or in a direction inclined downward by about 5 degrees from the horizontal (see FIG. 22), or by bringing his / her head closer to the pachinko machine 10 and looking at the inside of the glass unit 16 with his / her line of sight in a direction inclined downward by about 30 degrees from the horizontal (see FIG. 23). In general, the former ensures a wider field of view, but it is difficult to notice small parts, while the latter narrows the field of view, but it is easy to notice small parts in that field of view.

[0322] Fig. 21 is shown as a reference, and the following description will be mainly made in comparison with Fig. 22 and Fig. 23. For convenience, Figs. 21 to 23 show the opening state of the opening / closing plate 65b.

[0323] In Fig. 21, the light emitting means 351 is shown by imaginary lines. Although the light emitting means 351 are arranged symmetrically (see Fig. 13), only the left half is shown for ease of understanding. The function of the light emitting means 351 arranged at the top has been described above, so here, the three light emitting means 351 arranged in the lower part 353 and in the left half will be described.

[0324] First, the upper light emitting means 351 irradiates light toward the seal member 313. As described above, the seal member 313 is formed to be red and transparent, so when light is irradiated from the light emitting means 351, the periphery of the seal member 313 is illuminated in red. This can improve the player's attention to the seal member 313 and its surroundings. The seal member 313 is disposed directly above the third flow path forming portion 336 (see FIG. 18), so it can draw attention to the third flow path forming portion 336.

[0325] In addition, the light diffusion surface 332e is omitted on the front side of the upper light emitting means 351 (see FIG. 18). This prevents the light from the light emitting means 351 from being visually stretched in the vertical direction by the light diffusion surface 332e, and allows the periphery of the sealing member 313 to be illuminated in a concentrated manner.

[0326] Although there is no limitation on the light emission control, for example, during a jackpot game, in a situation where it is desired to draw attention to the ball flowing down the third flow path component 336, it is possible to control the light to be irradiated onto the sealing member 313, thereby drawing attention to the sealing member 313 and naturally guiding the gaze to the rear end of the third flow path component 336 located below it.

[0327] Next, the light emitting means 351 arranged side by side on the lower side correspond to the positions directly above the probability change detection sensor SE11 and the normal detection sensor SE12, respectively. That is, the light emitting means 351 is controlled so that when the ball enters the probability change detection sensor SE11, the light emitting means 351 arranged directly above the probability change detection sensor SE11 emits light, whereas when the ball enters the normal detection sensor SE12, the light emitting means 351 arranged directly above the normal detection sensor SE12 emits light, thereby notifying the player of the passage of the ball.

[0328] The light emitted from these light emitting means 351 arranged side by side on the lower side is directed toward the light diffusion processed surface. That is, the light emitting means 351 on the left and right central side is arranged to face the light diffusion processed surface 332e (see FIG. 18), and the light emitting means 351 on the left and right outer sides is arranged to face the light diffusion processed surface 319a (see FIG. 17). The light diffusion processed surfaces 319a, 332e are formed across the top and bottom of each part.

[0329] Therefore, the position where the light from the light emitting means 351 is visible is not limited to the height position of the LED of the light emitting means 351, but is formed as a range that spreads vertically (visualized as a strip-like light extending vertically). Therefore, as shown in Figures 21 to 23, even if the angle of the player's line of sight changes, the visibility of the light from the light emitting means 351 can be improved.

[0330] The angle of the downward inclination from the horizontal in Fig. 22 (5 degrees) is the same as the inclination angle of the third flow path configuring portion 336. Therefore, in Fig. 22, it is possible to visually confirm the outer shape of the slide displacement member 370 disposed at the rear end portion of the third flow path configuring portion 336. However, since the slide displacement member 370 displaces in the front-rear direction, it is difficult to grasp the change due to the displacement of the slide displacement member 370 from this field of view.

[0331] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 23, when viewed from a direction at an angle of 30 degrees from the horizontal, the vertical width of the field of view at the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336 is narrowed, so it is more difficult to confirm the change in the flow-down mode of the balls at the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336 than when viewed from the direction of Fig. 22. However, in this field of view, it is easy to grasp the displacement of the upper protruding portion 376 when the slide displacement member 370 is displaced in the front-rear direction.

[0332] Furthermore, since the placement through hole 332a of the central member 330 is formed as an opening of a minimum size sufficient to pass the upper protruding portion 376 of the sliding displacement member 370 through, the state switching device 360 ​​(see Figure 17) placed inside the rear frame-shaped portion 332 can be hidden so as to be difficult to see.

[0333] During an actual big win game, multiple balls are guided to the specific winning port 65a during a round of play, and flow down each of the flow path configuration parts 334 to 336 in order. When multiple balls are placed in each of the flow path configuration parts 334 to 336 at the same time, there is a possibility that the line of sight to the ball at the back will be obstructed by the ball at the front.

[0334] For example, when multiple spheres are arranged in the third flow path configuration portion 336, those spheres are arranged at the same position in Fig. 22. Therefore, the sphere on the front side hides the sphere on the back side.

[0335] Furthermore, when the ball flows toward the normal detection sensor SE12, it flows outward in the left-right direction from the rear end of the third flow path forming part 336. After the ball leaves the third flow path forming part 336 in the left-right direction, visibility is reduced by the light diffusion processed surface 333b of the front frame part 333, so it is preferable to grasp the movement of the ball in the process of leaving the third flow path forming part 336 in the left-right direction. However, if there is a ball (a ball slightly deviating in the left-right direction from the third flow path forming part 336) flowing from the downstream end position (position of sphere P1) of the second flow path forming part 335 to the upstream end position (position of sphere P2) of the third flow path forming part 336, the ball will hide the ball in the process of leaving the rear end of the third flow path forming part 336 in the left-right direction.

[0336] In other words, whether the ball has flowed to the probability change detection sensor SE11 or the normal detection sensor SE12 can be grasped by visually checking whether the flow direction of the ball has switched to the left or right outside at the rear end of the third flow path configuration part 336, and it is sufficient to pay attention to the inside and right edge periphery of the third flow path configuration part 336. In contrast, in this embodiment, at the connection position of the third flow path configuration part 336 and the second flow path configuration part 335 on the upstream side in the line of sight direction, it is configured so that the ball can flow down a route including the inside and right edge periphery of the third flow path configuration part 336 (movement from the position of ball P1 to the position of ball P2). Therefore, depending on the arrangement of the ball flowing down the upstream side, it may be impossible to grasp whether the ball has flowed to the probability change detection sensor SE11 or the normal detection sensor SE12.

[0337] 23, the spheres flowing through the rear end of the third flow path configuring portion 336 and the spheres flowing through the second flow path configuring portion 335 are clearly separated in the vertical arrangement, making it easy to avoid a situation in which the spheres on the upstream side are hidden. On the other hand, since the vertical width of the flow path visible at the rear end of the third flow path configuring portion 336 is narrow, the area of ​​the spheres visible in the direction is small.

[0338] In particular, as described above, the ball that has passed through the rear end of the third flow path component 336 flows diagonally downward to the right once, regardless of the arrangement of the slide displacement member 370, and then switches between a flow path toward the probability change detection sensor SE11 and a flow path toward the normal detection sensor SE12. Therefore, the area of ​​the ball visible at the switching position becomes smaller compared to when the ball flows straight down or the flow direction of the ball switches to the right as the flow path of the ball.

[0339] As another example of the switching mode, the switching position may be located further upstream, such as when the ball's flow path switches between flowing straight down and to the right. For example, if the left and right inner protrusions 318 are not formed and the ball heading to the probability change detection sensor SE11 flows straight down from the rear end of the third flow path component 336, the switching position is at least a position behind the center line of the third flow path component 336.

[0340] In contrast, when the switching position is displaced to the right of the rear of the center line of the third flow path component 336, as in this embodiment, the ball falls below the lower bottom of the third flow path component 336 (it falls by the vertical difference between the upper surface of the lower bottom of the third flow path component 336 and the upper surface of the thin plate portion 371 of the slide displacement member 370, see Figure 18), so that in addition to the effect of part of the ball being hidden by the third flow path component 336 itself, the ball is displaced to the left and right outward from the range visible through the third flow path component 336, so that part of the ball is hidden by the front frame-shaped portion 333.

[0341] Therefore, the area that can be seen from the player's line of sight of the ball that has passed the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336 becomes smaller, making it difficult to grasp which flow path the ball has flowed down. This can further increase the attention to the ball flowing down near the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336.

[0342] Thus, according to this embodiment, advantages and disadvantages are set for each of the multiple directional views (see Figs. 22 and 23) described as directional views for identifying the flow direction of the balls flowing down the rear end of the third flow path forming portion 336. As a result, even in the way of viewing the sorting device 300, the player is not required to play in a one-sided manner, but can be allowed to adjust and select the viewing method he / she prefers, and a variety of play modes can be provided, thereby preventing the player from becoming bored with the game.

[0343] Ensuring the player's visibility can be achieved in various ways, but in this embodiment, in particular, by forming a gap between the second upper surface portions 314b of the upper member 310, it is possible to create a state in which the roof portion of the third flow path forming portion 336 is removed, making it easier to view the third flow path forming portion 336.

[0344] 22 and 23, visibility on the front side of the sorting device 300 will be described. Although not shown in Fig. 22 and 23, the fixed member 161 and the front design member 162 (see Fig. 5) are arranged on the front side of the sorting device 300, and the light transmitted is reduced due to the thickness of the members, so the view is obstructed.

[0345] Since the area obstructed by the front design member 162 is narrower, it may be easier to see the balls flowing down inside the sorting device 300 when viewed in the direction of Figure 23 than when viewed in the direction of Figure 22.

[0346] The fixed member 161 and the front design member 162 are basically flat as described above, and are configured to prevent light refraction (see FIG. 12). This makes it possible to prevent the visibility of the sorting device 300 from being impaired.

[0347] Even in the portions that cannot be made flat for functional reasons, they are formed so as to have a small effect on visibility. For example, the protruding support portions 161c-161e for positioning and engaging the sorting device 300 are arranged outside the line of sight of the player looking at the flow path configuration portions 334-336 (upper rear, left and right outer sides, left and right lower sides) so as not to block the line of sight of the player looking diagonally downward.

[0348] Also, for example, the symmetrical protrusion 161f is formed at the height of the center of the ball, and is formed thin with a minimum thickness necessary for strength (see FIG. 18). This prevents the entire ball from being hidden even if the symmetrical protrusion 161f is placed between the ball and the player's eyes, so that the visibility of the ball flowing down the flow path configuration parts 334-336 can be ensured.

[0349] Between the fixed member 161 and the front design member 162, balls that have deviated from the specific winning opening 65a flow down toward the outlet 71. The effect of balls flowing down toward the outlet 71 on visibility will be described.

[0350] 22 and 23 show an example of the arrangement of balls flowing down toward the outlet 71 when the opening / closing plate 65b is open. When the opening / closing plate 65b is open, balls flowing down from above the opening / closing plate 65b land on the opening / closing plate 65b and are guided toward the specific winning port 65a, so balls flowing down toward the outlet 71 are balls that deviate to the left or right of the opening / closing plate 65b. These balls flow down between the extension parts 162b and 162c, and are guided by the inner rail 61 to flow down toward the outlet 71.

[0351] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, from the player's point of view, the position of the ball flowing on the inner rail 61 is lower than each of the flow path components 334-336, which makes it easier to avoid the visibility of the balls flowing down each of the flow path components 334-336 being reduced by the balls flowing on the inner rail 61.

[0352] On the other hand, the balls flowing down the inner rail 61 flow toward the left-right center of the play area at a gentle angle, similar to the balls flowing down the second flow path component 335, so that the balls flowing down the inner rail 61 have the effect of guiding the player's line of sight to the left-right center of the play area, similar to the balls flowing down the second flow path component 335. This effect guides the player's line of sight to the outlet 71 and also to the third flow path component 336. That is, since the outlet 71 and the third flow path component 336 are located in the same left-right position (left-right center position), the player can move his / her line of sight up and down to guide the line of sight to a state where both the outlet 71 and the third flow path component 336 are visible.

[0353] Therefore, regardless of whether the ball shot toward the game area is likely to enter the specific winning port 65a efficiently (meaning fewer wasted balls during a jackpot game) or whether balls frequently deviate and flow down between the extension portions 162b and 162c (meaning frequent wasted balls during a jackpot game), the flowing down balls can have the effect of guiding the player's gaze to the third flow path configuration portion 336.

[0354] In other words, when the ball enters the specific winning opening 65a, the player's gaze can be guided to the third flow path component 336 as the ball flows down the second flow path component 335, and when the ball misses the specific winning opening 65a, the player's gaze can be guided to the third flow path component 336 as the ball flows down the inner rail 61.

[0355] Normally, a ball heading toward the outlet 71 is treated as a wasted ball and has no effect on the game, but in this embodiment, by configuring as described above, the ball heading toward the outlet 71 can have the role of guiding the player's gaze toward the third flow path configuration section 336.

[0356] In addition, when the opening / closing plate 65b is in the closed state, the ball may flow along the front side of the opening / closing plate 65b and pass through the front side of the second flow path configuration portion 335, potentially reducing the visibility of the second flow path configuration portion 335.

[0357] On the other hand, according to the configuration of this embodiment in which the second winning opening 140 and the electric device 140a are disposed above the center position of the specific winning opening 65a, and the third flow path component 336 is disposed below the center position of the specific winning opening 65a, the second winning opening 140 and the electric device 140a can prevent the balls from flowing down, so that the balls can be prevented from flowing down the front side of the third flow path component 336. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation in which the visibility of the third flow path component 336 and the periphery of its rear end is reduced by the balls flowing down the front side of the opening and closing plate 65b.

[0358] In this embodiment, the time required for the ball entering the specific winning opening 65a to reach the slide displacement member 370 can be secured by the length of the flow path configuration parts 334-336, but the increase in the arrangement space that is likely to occur as a drawback of this can be avoided. That is, as shown in Figures 22 and 23, the arrangement distance between the specific winning opening 65a of the variable winning device 65 and the slide displacement member 370, which serves as a guide for the arrangement of the third flow path configuration part 336, is formed short from the player's line of sight.

[0359] Furthermore, since the sliding displacement member 370 is positioned at the lower rear of the specific winning opening 65a (see Figure 18), when the player's line of sight is directed diagonally downward and rearward, which is a frequent line of sight as shown in Figure 23, it appears to be positioned so close that the outer shape of the sliding displacement member 370 is embedded into the outer shape of the specific winning opening 65a.

[0360] In addition, the flow path of the ball that enters the specific winning opening 65a configured to be long in the left and right direction and passes through the ball passage hole 163b of the detection sensor SE1 arranged at both left and right ends of the specific winning opening 65a is collected at the lower left and right center side of the specific winning opening 65a via each of the left and right symmetrical flow path components 334 to 336. This makes it possible to shorten the time until the ball reaches the slide displacement member 370 compared to when the ball flows down the left and right width of the specific winning opening 65a in the left and right direction. In addition, the structure required for the flow path of the ball can be made to have a structure in which the left and right length becomes shorter toward the bottom, making it easier to arrange it near the lower edge of the curved inner rail 61.

[0361] In particular, in this embodiment, the design concept is to position the specific winning opening 65a close to the outlet 71, and instead of a structure in which the balls flow directly downward from the left and right inner ends of the second flow path forming part 335, a structure in which the balls flow backward from the left and right inner ends of the second flow path forming part 335 by the third flow path forming part 336 is adopted, so that the outlet 71 (an opening disposed on the front side (upstream side) of the curved surface part 387) can be formed directly below the second flow path forming part 335. This shortens the vertical distance between the specific winning opening 65a and the outlet 71.

[0362] In this way, by being able to shorten the vertical and horizontal widths of the specific winning opening 65a and the sliding displacement member 370 from the player's line of sight, it is possible to shorten the vertical width of the area occupied by the specific winning opening 65a and the sliding displacement member 370 when designing a play area whose size when viewed from the front is limited to certain standards, thereby improving the design freedom of the play area.

[0363] For example, as in this embodiment, the specific winning opening 65a can be arranged near the lower end of the play area, so that the variable winning device 65 can be effectively used in a left-right symmetrical play area.

[0364] Next, an example of the flow of the balls after they enter the distribution device 300 and the operation pattern of the movable parts (variable winning device 65, slide displacement member 370) taking this flow into consideration will be described.

[0365] First, as a premise, a ball that has passed through opening 312 flows down through first flow path constituent portion 334, second flow path constituent portion 335, and third flow path constituent portion 336 in that order (see FIGS. 16 and 17). The time required for the ball to pass through each of flow path constituent portions 334-336 can be set arbitrarily, but in this embodiment, it is designed so that the ball passes through each of flow path constituent portions 334-336 in approximately 0.3 seconds.

[0366] In other words, after the ball enters the specific winning port 65a, it takes 0.3 seconds to pass through the first flow path component 334, 0.3 seconds to pass through the second flow path component 335, and 0.3 seconds to pass through the third flow path component 336.

[0367] Therefore, even if a ball enters the specific winning port 65a immediately after the opening / closing plate 65b of the variable winning device 65 is opened, the ball is configured not to reach the detection sensor SE1 arranged at the rear end of the third flow path configuration part 336 for 0.9 seconds. As a result, for 0.9 seconds after the opening / closing plate 65b is opened, the ball does not approach the position of the slide displacement member 370 and cannot pass through either the special detection sensor SE11 or the normal detection sensor SE12, so the operation pattern of the slide displacement member 370 can be designed without worrying about the ball entering the prize by mistake.

[0368] Therefore, for example, it is possible to eliminate the need for a control (which involves unnatural operation of the opening and closing plate) that opens the opening and closing plate for a short time at the start of a round game R to prevent erroneous winning into the V winning sensor, as is commonly seen in pachinko machines equipped with a V probability change attacker. This makes the operation of the opening and closing plate that opens and closes the specific winning port a natural operation, providing an environment in which players can enjoy playing with peace of mind.

[0369] Furthermore, in the pachinko machine equipped with the V-type special attacker in the above example, a ball that enters the V-type special attacker immediately after it is opened is likely to result in an erroneous winning entry, but in the variable winning device 65 of this case, as will be described later, a ball that enters the V-type special attacker immediately after it is opened can actually have a favorable effect (for example, the effect of hiding the operation of the slide displacement member 370 with the ball), making it unnecessary to take measures to prevent a ball from entering the V-type special attacker immediately after it is opened.

[0370] The time required for the ball to pass through can be set arbitrarily depending on the length and inclination of each of the flow path components 334-336, the shape of the inner wall of the flow path (whether it is smooth or uneven, etc.).

[0371] The contents of the ROM 202 (see FIG. 4) in the first control example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 24. FIG. 24(a) is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ROM 202 in the main control device 110, FIG. 24(b) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the first winning type counter C2 and the big winning type in the special pattern, and FIG. 24(c) is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the second winning random number counter C4 and the winning in the normal pattern.

[0372] As shown in FIG. 24(a), the ROM 202 of the main control device 110 stores at least a first winning random number table 202a, a first winning type selection table 202b, a second winning random number table 202c, and a variation pattern selection table 202d as part of the fixed value data described above.

[0373] The first winning random number table 202a is a data table in which the jackpot determination value of the first winning random number counter, which is updated periodically (for example, every 2 msec), is stored. When the value of the first winning random number counter acquired based on the start winning coincides with any of the determination values ​​defined in the first winning random number table 202a, it is determined that the special symbol is a jackpot.

[0374] The first winning type selection table 202b (see FIG. 24(b)) is a data table in which a judgment value for determining a jackpot type is stored, and the judgment value of the first winning type counter C2 is specified in correspondence with each jackpot type and the type of winning slot that triggered the drawing of the special symbol. In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, when a jackpot with a special symbol is judged to be a jackpot, the value of the first winning type counter C2 obtained based on the start winning is compared with the first winning type selection table 202b, and the jackpot type corresponding to the value of the first winning type counter C2 is selected.

[0375] Specifically, when a jackpot is reached in the lottery for special pattern 1 (a lottery based on the ball entering the first winning port 64), the value of the first winning type counter C2 is in the range of "0 to 9", and is associated with jackpot A1 (see 202b1 in Figure 24(b)).

[0376] When a jackpot A1 is obtained, four rounds of jackpot play are executed in the first operation pattern of the variable winning device 65 (details of which will be described later), and the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to be displaced in the operation pattern X (details of which will be described later).

[0377] The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "10 to 19" is defined to correspond to the big winning A2 (see 202b2 in FIG. 24(b)).

[0378] When a jackpot A2 is obtained, four rounds of jackpot play are executed in the first operation pattern of the variable winning device 65 (details will be described later), and the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to be displaced in the operation pattern Y (details will be described later).

[0379] The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "20 to 39" is defined to be associated with the big winning B1 (see 202b3 in FIG. 24(b)).

[0380] In the event of a jackpot B1, four rounds of jackpot play are executed in the second operation pattern of the variable winning device 65 (details of which will be described later), and the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to be displaced in the operation pattern X (details of which will be described later).

[0381] The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "40 to 49" is defined to correspond to the big winning B2 (see 202b4 in FIG. 24(b)).

[0382] In the event of a jackpot B2, four rounds of jackpot play are executed in the second operation pattern of the variable winning device 65 (details will be described later), and the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to be displaced in the operation pattern Y (details will be described later).

[0383] The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "50 to 79" is defined to correspond to the big winning C1 (see 202b5 in FIG. 24(b)).

[0384] In the event of a jackpot C1, four rounds of jackpot play are played in the third operation pattern of the variable winning device 65 (details of which will be described later), and the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to be displaced in the operation pattern X (details of which will be described later).

[0385] The range of the value of the first winning type counter C2 from "80 to 99" is defined to be associated with the big winning C2 (see 202b6 in FIG. 24(b)).

[0386] In the event of a jackpot C2, four rounds of jackpot play are played in the third operation pattern of the variable winning device 65 (details of which will be described later), and the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to displace in operation pattern Y (details of which will be described later).

[0387] As described above, if a jackpot is awarded in the drawing of special symbol 1 (a drawing based on a ball entering the first winning slot 64), a 4-round jackpot game is selected in either case. Therefore, a large number of prize balls cannot be expected compared to the case of a jackpot awarded in the drawing of special symbol 2, which will be described later. On the other hand, a 4-round jackpot game ends in a short time compared to a 15-round jackpot game, so balls can be shot early in order to win the subsequent jackpot.

[0388] On the other hand, when a jackpot is awarded in the lottery for special pattern 2 (a lottery based on the ball entering the second winning port 140), the value of the first winning type counter C2 is in the range of "0 to 99", and is associated with jackpot a (see 202b7 in Figure 24(b)).

[0389] In the event of a jackpot a, 15 rounds of jackpot play are played in the third operation pattern of the variable winning device 65 (details of which will be described later), and the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to displace in the operation pattern X (details of which will be described later).

[0390] As described above, if the lottery for special symbol 2 (lottery based on balls entering the second winning port 140) results in a jackpot, 15 rounds of jackpot play will be selected in either case. Therefore, if the player wins the jackpot in the lottery for special symbol 2, they can get a larger number of payout balls compared to winning the jackpot in the lottery for special symbol 1, so the player's motivation to play the game for the lottery for special symbol 2 (a game in which balls are fired to enter the second winning port 140) can be increased.

[0391] In addition, since the operation pattern of the slide displacement member 370 is fixed to the operation pattern X, there is little possibility that the disadvantage caused to the player will become large even if the visibility of the slide displacement member 370 is not ensured. Therefore, when there is a third operation pattern as an operation pattern that has the disadvantage of slightly worsening the visibility of the slide displacement member 370 but the advantage of easily causing a ball to enter the specific winning hole 65a, by setting the operation pattern of the variable winning device 65 for the jackpot in the lottery of the special symbol 2 to the third operation pattern, the effect of the disadvantage can be reduced and only the advantage of being able to shorten the time required for the jackpot game can be highlighted.

[0392] In other words, since the possibility of the big win game in the lottery of the special pattern 2 being drawn out can be reduced, a big win game that is pleasant for the player (good time efficiency in paying out prize balls) can be realized.

[0393] The setting of the jackpot type of the special symbol 2 is not limited to this. For example, as the jackpot type of the special symbol 2, a jackpot type in which the slide displacement member 370 is displaced and controlled by the operation pattern Y may be set. In addition, this jackpot type may be set at a small rate (for example, about 20%).

[0394] This can improve the player's ability to pay attention to the sliding displacement member 370, and can prevent the player from playing the big win game aimlessly. In other words, the player can visually confirm the displacement movement of the sliding displacement member 370, and the player can be excited or depressed depending on the timing of the displacement movement, thereby enhancing the player's interest.

[0395] As described above, during the special symbol probability change, the probability of winning the normal symbol increases, the normal symbol variation time becomes shorter (3 seconds), and the opening time of the electric accessory 140a when the normal symbol wins becomes longer (1 second x 2 times). Therefore, it becomes easier to get the ball into the second winning hole 140, so that the lottery for the special symbol 2 is more likely to be held. Therefore, once the special symbol probability change state is reached, the special symbol probability change state, which is more likely to result in a jackpot for the special symbol and is more likely to result in a jackpot a (a jackpot with a good profit balance) when a jackpot is reached, becomes more likely to be repeated, so that the player can easily win a large number of prize balls. This allows the player to play while strongly expecting the special symbol probability change state to be reached, thereby improving the player's interest in the game.

[0396] The second winning random number table 202c (see FIG. 24(c)) is a data table in which the winning judgment value of the normal symbol is stored. Specifically, in the normal state of the normal symbol, "5 to 28" is specified as the judgment value for the winning of the normal symbol (see 202c1 in FIG. 24(c)). Also, in the high probability state of the normal symbol, "5 to 204" is specified as the judgment value for the winning of the normal symbol (see 202c2 in FIG. 24(c)). In the pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment, the value of the second winning random number counter C4 acquired based on the ball passing through the normal winning hole 67 and the second winning random number table 202c are referenced to determine whether or not the normal symbol is a winning symbol. The variation pattern selection table 202d is a data table in which the judgment value of the variation type counter for determining the display mode of the variation pattern is specified for each display mode.

[0397] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the change over time in the operation pattern of the opening / closing plate 65b of the variable winning device 65 and the operation pattern of the slide displacement member 370 of the sorting device 300 in the first round for each big win type.

[0398] When the MPU 201 (see FIG. 4) determines a jackpot in the special symbol determination, it starts controlling the jackpot game (of the determined type) after the special symbol variation display (symbol variation performance) ends. Hereinafter, the operation control of the opening and closing plate 65b of the variable winning device 65 and the slide displacement member 370 of the distribution device 300, which is performed when a jackpot game is awarded, will be described. In addition, in the explanation of FIG. 25, FIG. 24 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0399] In this control example, the driving mode differs depending on the type of big win only in the first round, and the driving mode is the same from the second round onwards. Therefore, the driving mode in the first round for each type of big win will be explained.

[0400] In the case of the big win A1 or the big win A2, the MPU 201 drives and controls the electromagnetic solenoid 165c (see FIG. 11) so that the opening and closing plate 65b operates based on the first operation pattern. When the special pattern variation display (pattern variation performance) ends, the MPU 201 drives and controls the electromagnetic solenoid 165c so that the timer means (not shown) keeps the opening and closing plate 65b in a closed state until a predetermined opening time OP (10 seconds) has elapsed, and after the opening time OP has elapsed, the first round of round play R starts.

[0401] That is, the timer means starts measuring the first operation time T1 (maximum 30 seconds), and the opening / closing plate 65b is displaced from the closed state to an open state where a ball can enter the specific winning hole 65a. The initial open state is maintained for 0.2 seconds. In the first operation pattern, the electromagnetic solenoid 165c is driven and controlled so that this 0.2 second opening operation is performed at 1.0 second intervals, causing the opening / closing plate 65b to perform a long-term operation.

[0402] The initial opening time is set to a period longer than the period during which at least one game ball can enter the specific winning port 65a if the game balls are continuously fired, and shorter than the period required for a specified number of game balls (10 in this embodiment) to enter the specific winning port 65a.

[0403] Then, when the round end condition (the round play time (30 seconds, which is the maximum value of the first operating time T1) has elapsed or a specified number of pachinko balls (10 in this embodiment) have won) is met in the first round of the round game R, the electromagnetic solenoid 165c is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing plate 65b to a closed state and close the specific winning port 65a, and the first round of the round game R ends.

[0404] The opening time of 0.2 seconds in the first operation pattern is set to limit the number of balls that enter the specific winning opening 65a to one on either the left or right side while the opening / closing plate 65b is open. This is an opening time setting to prevent multiple balls from entering the specific winning opening 65a in succession (hereinafter also referred to as "entering in succession"), and is not intended to limit the number of balls that enter the specific winning opening 65a to one. In other words, even with an opening time of 0.2 seconds, it is possible that one ball will arrive at each side of the specific winning opening 65a, and that two balls will enter the specific winning opening 65a at the same time.

[0405] In the case of a big win A1, the MPU 201 controls the electromagnetic solenoid 361 (see FIG. 17) so that the slide displacement member 370 operates based on the operation pattern X. The drive control of the electromagnetic solenoid 361 is set based on the drive control of the opening / closing plate 65b, and in this embodiment, the drive control is performed so that the slide displacement member 370 is displaced from the front position to the rear position at the same time that the opening / closing plate 65b is displaced to the open state.

[0406] Therefore, the ball that enters the specific winning port 65a passes through each of the flow path configuration parts 334 to 336 (see FIG. 19), passes in front of the slide displacement member 370, and passes through the probability change detection sensor SE11 (see FIG. 20).

[0407] At this time, the number of balls placed in each of the flow path configuration parts 334-336 on the left or right side is limited to one, so the visibility of other balls is not reduced. Therefore, the player can easily see the situation where the ball passes through the probability change detection sensor SE11.

[0408] In the case of a big win A2, the MPU 201 controls the electromagnetic solenoid 361 (see FIG. 17) so that the slide displacement member 370 operates based on the operation pattern Y. The drive control of the electromagnetic solenoid 361 is set based on the drive control of the opening and closing plate 65b, and in this embodiment, the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to be displaced from the front position to the rear position at the same time that the opening and closing plate 65b is displaced to the open state, and after 0.8 seconds has elapsed, the slide displacement member 370 is controlled to be displaced from the rear position to the front position.

[0409] As described above, the time required for the ball to pass through each flow path component 334-336 (see FIG. 17) is set to approximately 0.9 seconds, so that the slide displacement member 370 is displaced to the front position before the ball reaches the slide displacement member 370.

[0410] Therefore, the ball that enters the specific winning hole 65a passes through each of the flow path configuration parts 334 to 336 (see FIG. 17), passes above the slide displacement member 370, and passes through the normal detection sensor SE12 (see FIG. 17).

[0411] At this time, the number of balls placed in each of the flow path configuration parts 334-336 on the left or right side is limited to one, so the visibility is not reduced by other balls. Therefore, the player can easily see the ...

Claims

【Claim 1】 A gaming machine comprising: a game board; displacement means configured to be displaceable; relative movement means having a first part engaged with the displacement means and configured to be relatively movable with respect to the displacement means; and support means for supporting a predetermined part of a second part of the relative movement means, wherein the support means is configured such that its position with respect to the game board is fixed, the displacement means is configured to be displaceable in a first section and a second section, the gaming machine is configured such that a direction of a straight line connecting a first position and a second position, at which a central part of the second part different from the predetermined part is displaced when the displacement means displaces in the first section, is different from a direction of a straight line connecting a third position and a fourth position, at which the central part is displaced when the displacement means displaces in the second section, displacement of the predetermined part in a direction different from a displacement direction of the displacement means is suppressed, when the displacement means is displaced, there are cases where a displacement direction of the central part follows the displacement direction of the displacement means and cases where the displacement direction of the central part does not follow the displacement direction of the displacement means, is configured such that a displacement speed of the central part when the displacement means displaces from the first section to the second section is made substantially uniform, wherein the relative movement means is rotated about the predetermined part when displacing the displacement means.

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