Gaming machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine which can enhance the attention degree on a game.SOLUTION: A game area PE is provided with a variable winning device including a first winning port part, a second winning port part, and an open / close member which can open and close the first winning port part and the second winning port part. The open / close member is provided with a first open / close plate which opens and closes the first winning port part, and a second open / close plate which can receive a game ball when the first winning port part is in a closed state. The second open / close plate is constituted such that it can move the game ball received by itself to a predetermined direction. The pachinko machine is equipped with a variability function which changes the easiness of moving the game ball to the predetermined direction in the second open / close plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In gaming machines such as pachinko machines, there are known ones that give benefits such as payout of game balls based on the entry of game balls into the entry means or entry section provided in the game area (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in gaming machines, a device for increasing the degree of attention to the game is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-exemplified circumstances and the like, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing the degree of attention to the game.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is launching means capable of launching a game ball into the game area based on a predetermined launching operation, and A first ball entry means and a second ball entry means into which a game ball can enter, a movable body that can be switched between a first state in which a game ball cannot enter or hardly enters the first ball entry means and a second state in which a game ball can enter or is more likely to enter the first ball entry means than in the first state, switching control means for executing switching control to change the movable body from the first state to the second state and then to the first state in a predetermined case, and comprising, the movable body having a ball receiving means capable of receiving a game ball in at least the first state, the second ball entry means being disposed in a predetermined region below the ball receiving means, configured such that entry of a game ball into the second ball entry means can be restricted in a situation where the movable body is in the first state, configured such that when the movable body is switched from the first state to the second state in a situation where a predetermined game ball is received by the ball receiving means, the predetermined game ball in the ball receiving means can flow downward below the ball receiving means, comprising means for making the predetermined game ball that has flowed downward below the ball receiving means movable to the second ball entry means in the predetermined region, the predetermined game ball that has flowed downward below the ball receiving means being capable of entering the second ball entry means, in a specific state in which the switching control is executed, having at least a period of a predetermined first state and a period of a specific first state different from the period of the predetermined first state, configured such that the lengths of the period of the predetermined first state and the period of the specific first state are different, comprising discharge means capable of discharging a game ball from the game area, the discharge means being provided on the downstream side of the ball receiving means characterized by the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the degree of attention to the game.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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[0009] [[The First Embodiment]] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a "pachinko machine"), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the main configuration of the pachinko machine 10 developed. Note that in FIG. 2, for convenience, the configuration within the gaming area of the pachinko machine 10 is omitted.

[0010] The pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine body 12 that is rotatably attached to the front of the outer frame 11. The gaming machine body 12 includes an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 disposed behind the inner frame 13.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, of the gaming machine body 12, the inner frame 13 is rotatably supported by the outer frame 11 with one of the left and right sides as the support side. Further, the front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13 and is rotatable forward with one of the left and right sides as the support side. Further, the back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13 and is rotatable backward with one of the left and right sides as the support side.

[0012] Note that the gaming machine body 12 is provided with a locking device 16 at its rotating tip end, and has a function of locking the gaming machine body 12 in a non-openable state with respect to the outer frame 11, and also has a function of locking the front door frame 14 in a non-openable state with respect to the inner frame 13. Each of these locked states is released by performing an unlocking operation using an unlocking key on a cylinder lock 17 provided to be exposed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 10.

[0013] A window portion 61 is formed in the front door frame 14 provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13, so that almost the entire gaming area described later can be visually recognized from the front. The window portion 61 has a substantially elliptical shape, and a window panel 62 is fitted therein. The window panel 62 is formed colorless and transparent by glass, but is not limited thereto and may be formed colorless and transparent by a synthetic resin.

[0014] Around the window portion 61, light-emitting means such as various lamp portions are provided. As a part of the various lamp portions, a display light-emitting portion 63 is provided above the window portion 61. Also, on both the left and right sides of the display light-emitting portion 63, speaker portions 64 that output effect sounds and the like according to the game situation are provided.

[0015] Below the window portion 61 in the front door frame 14, an upper bulging portion 65 and a lower bulging portion 66 that bulge forward are arranged side by side vertically. Inside the upper bulging portion 65, an upper tray 71 that opens upward is provided, and inside the lower bulging portion 66, a lower tray 72 that also opens upward is provided. The upper tray 71 has a function of temporarily storing the game balls paid out from the payout device 96 provided in the back pack unit 15 and guiding them toward the game ball launching mechanism 53 side while aligning them in a row. Also, the lower tray 72 has a function of storing the surplus game balls in the upper tray 71.

[0016] On the right side of the lower tray 72 in the front door frame 14, a launch handle 60 is provided. When the launch handle 60 is operated, a game ball is launched from the game ball launching mechanism 53 provided below the game area PE in the inner frame 13 toward the game area PE. In this case, by changing the rotational operation amount of the launch handle 60, the launch intensity of the game ball launched toward the game area PE, that is, the momentum of the launch, is changed.

[0017] The game area PE is formed on the game board 24 mounted on the inner frame 13. Hereinafter, the configuration of the game board 24 will be described based on FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a front view of the game board 24.

[0018] The game board 24 is plate-shaped, and an inner rail portion 51 and an outer rail portion 52 are attached to its surface (front surface). A game area PE is formed so as to be partitioned by these inner rail portion 51 and outer rail portion 52. Further, a guiding rail 54 for guiding a game ball to the game area PE is constituted by these inner rail portion 51 and outer rail portion 52, and the game ball launched from the game ball launching mechanism 53 when the player rotates the launching handle 60 is guided to the upper part of the game area PE by the guiding rail 54.

[0019] The guiding rail 54 is formed such that the exit portion thereof faces the upper center of the game area PE at one side portion of the game area PE. Therefore, as the rotation operation amount of the launching handle 60 by the player increases, the arrival position of the game ball at the upper part of the game area PE shifts from the side of the side portion where the exit portion of the guiding rail 54 is formed to the side of the opposite side portion. Incidentally, the exit portion of the guiding rail 54 is provided at the left side portion of the game area PE.

[0020] In the range partitioned as the game area PE on the game board 24, a plurality of large and small openings penetrating in the front-rear direction are formed by performing router processing. In each opening, a general winning port 31 (see FIG. 5), an upper operating port (first starting ball entrance portion) 33, a lower operating port (second starting ball entrance portion) 34, a variable winning device 201, a through gate 35, a variable display unit 36, a main display portion 43, a display portion 44 for accessory, etc. are respectively provided.

[0021] When a ball enters the general winning opening 31, the upper operating opening 33, the lower operating opening 34, the through gate 35, and the variable winning device 201, it is detected by the corresponding detection sensors (the winning sensor 31e for the general winning opening, the winning sensor 33b for the upper operating opening, the winning sensor 34c for the lower operating opening, the winning sensor 35a for the through, and the winning sensor 202a for the big winning opening) provided accordingly. And when a ball enters the general winning opening 31, the upper operating opening 33, the lower operating opening 34, and the variable winning device 201 is detected, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out. In this case, when a ball enters the upper operating opening 33, three prize balls are paid out; when a ball enters the lower operating opening 34, two prize balls are paid out; when a ball enters the general winning opening 31, ten prize balls are paid out; and when a ball enters the variable winning device 201, fifteen prize balls are paid out.

[0022] Note that the number of these prize balls is arbitrary. For example, the number of prize balls related to the lower operating opening 34 may be more than the number of prize balls related to the upper operating opening 33, or the number of prize balls for both operating openings 33 and 34 may be the same. Also, the number of prize balls related to the variable winning device 201 may be less than the number of prize balls related to the operating openings 33 and 34, or may be the same as the number of prize balls for both operating openings 33 and 34. However, in order to maintain the superiority of winning the variable winning device 201, it is preferable that the number of prize balls related to the variable winning device 201 is more than the number of prize balls related to the operating openings 33 and 34. In addition, the number of prize balls related to the general winning opening 31 may be the same as or more than the number of prize balls related to the variable winning device 201. As will be described later, the general winning opening 31 is an entrance part that has nothing to do with the game that conducts the jackpot lottery, which is the core of the game, or the game during the jackpot. However, it can be said that the prize balls based on the ball entering the general winning opening 31 play an auxiliary role in playing the game that forms this core. In that regard, the larger the number of prize balls related to the general winning opening 31 (or the easier it is for a ball to enter the general winning opening 31), the less the reduction of the held balls or the more the total prize balls obtained can be reduced when playing games such as the game that conducts the jackpot lottery.

[0023] In addition, the game board 24 is provided with an out port, and game balls that have not entered various winning ports or the like are discharged from the game area PE through the out port. Also, a large number of game nails 38 are implanted in the game board 24 to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various members (effect devices) such as windmills are arranged.

[0024] Here, "entering the ball" means that the game ball passes through a predetermined opening, and includes not only the mode of being discharged from the game area PE after passing through the opening, but also the mode of continuing to flow down in the game area PE without being discharged from the game area PE after passing through the opening. However, in the following description, in order to clearly distinguish from the entry of the game ball into the out port, the entry of the game ball into the general winning port 31, the upper operating port 33, the lower operating port 34, the through gate 35, or the variable winning device 201 is also expressed as "winning". Among the general winning port 31, the upper operating port 33, the lower operating port 34, the through gate 35, and the variable winning device 201, the through gate 35 is configured to return the winning game ball to the game area PE again, while the other winning parts 31, 33, 34, 201 are configured to guide the winning game ball to the back side of the game board 24 and not return it to the game area PE (not enter other winning parts or the out port again).

[0025] A variable display unit 36 is provided so as to include the central part of the game area PE. Due to the peripheral part of the variable display unit 36 protruding forward of the pachinko machine 10 from the surface of the game board 24, the area where the game ball can flow down is partitioned into a plurality of areas.

[0026] Specifically, in the game area PE, an upper area PE1 which is an area above a predetermined height position of the variable display unit 36, a left area PE2 which is continuous with the upper area PE1 below it and is to the left of the variable display unit 36, a right area PE3 which is continuous with the upper area PE1 below it and is to the right of the variable display unit 36, and a lower area PE4 which is continuous with each of the left area PE2 and the right area PE3 below it and is below the variable display unit 36 are partitioned.

[0027] Which of these regions PE1 to PE4 the game area flows down (passes through) is defined by the amount of rotation operation of the launch handle 60, that is, the launching force of the game ball. Specifically, when the player performs a rotation operation of the launch handle 60 with a rotation operation amount in a first range that is equal to or greater than a predetermined rotation amount and less than a reference rotation amount as a first launch operation, the launched game ball is more likely to be launched to the left of the horizontal center position in the upper region PE1. In this case, the game ball will flow down through the game area PE in the order of the upper region PE1 → the left region PE2 → the lower region PE4.

[0028] On the other hand, when the player performs a rotation operation of the launch handle 60 with a rotation operation amount in a second range that is equal to or greater than the reference rotation amount as a second launch operation, the launched game ball is more likely to be launched to the right of the horizontal center position in the upper region PE1. In this case, the game ball will flow down in the order of the upper region PE1 → the right region PE3 → the lower region PE4. That is, by adjusting the rotation operation amount of the launch handle 60, the player can select whether to play the game with the game ball flowing down through the left region PE2 (left route) or with the game ball flowing down through the right region PE3 (right route).

[0029] The reference rotation amount is the rotation operation amount at which the ratio of the game ball flowing down through the left region PE2 and the ratio of the game ball flowing down through the right region PE3 are the same or substantially the same. Also, the predetermined rotation amount is the rotation operation amount at which the launched game ball can pass through the guide rail 54 and enter the game area PE. In the rotation operation amount of the first range, the ratio of the game ball flowing down through the left region PE2 is high, and in the rotation operation amount of the second range, the ratio of the game ball flowing down through the right region PE3 is high.

[0030] The upper operation port 33 and the lower operation port 34 are unitized as an operation port device and installed on the game board 24. Both the upper operation port 33 and the lower operation port 34 are open upward. Also, the two operation ports 33, 34 are arranged in the vertical direction, specifically the vertical direction, with the upper operation port 33 above. The game ball can reach these upper operation port 33 and lower operation port 34 regardless of whether the player is performing the first shooting operation or the second shooting operation. An electric accessory 34a is provided at the lower operation port 34 as a guide piece (support piece) composed of a pair of left and right movable pieces.

[0031] The electric accessory 34a is configured to be switchable between an open state (support state or guide state) that allows the ball to enter the lower operation port 34 and a closed state (non - support state or non - guide state) that makes it more difficult or impossible for the ball to enter the lower operation port 34 than the open state. Here, a supplementary explanation of the electric accessory 34a will be given.

[0032] The operation port case 33a constituting the upper operation port 33 projects forward and has a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the front, with the upper side length < the lower side length. At this time, the upper side length of the operation port case 33a (that is, the left - right width of the upper operation port 33) is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball, and the lower side length is set to be larger than the distance between the left and right electric accessories 34a when the electric accessory 34a is in the closed state. Also, when the electric accessory 34a is in the closed state, the installation interval between the two operation ports 33, 34 is adjusted so that the interval between the operation port case 33a and the upper end of the electric accessory 34a is slightly shorter than the diameter of the game ball.

[0033] According to the above configuration, in the closed state of the electric accessory 34a, the game ball cannot win at the lower operation port 34, and when the electric accessory 34a is opened, it becomes possible to win at the lower operation port 34. In particular, at this time, during the operation of the electric accessory 34a shifting from the closed state to the open state, as described above, the operation port case 33a of the upper operation port 33 forms a substantially trapezoidal shape and this becomes an obstacle. Therefore, until the electric accessory 34a is fully opened, it is impossible for the game ball to win at the lower operation port 34, and it is only possible to win when the electric accessory 34a is in a substantially fully open state. That is, the game ball falling from above hits the side surface of the operation port case 33a and is bounced outward, and does not directly win at the lower operation port 34. As a result, when the electric accessory 34a is opened in an extremely short time, it becomes extremely difficult to win at the lower operation port 34, and it becomes easy to win at the lower operation port 34 only when the open state of the electric accessory 34a continues.

[0034] In addition to configuring the operation port case 33a of the upper operation port 33 to be substantially trapezoidal as described above, the operation port case 33a of the upper operation port 33 may be configured in a two-stage structure with a narrow upper width and a wide lower width, or an obstacle nail may be implanted diagonally below the operation port case 33a.

[0035] The variable winning device 201 is installed in the lower area PE4 on the game board 24. More specifically, it is installed at the center in the left-right direction at the very bottom of the game area PE. The variable winning device 201 includes a large winning port 202 (see FIG. 7(b)) that leads to the back side of the game board 24, and also includes an opening / closing door 203 that opens and closes the large winning port 202. The opening / closing door 203 is normally in a closed state where it is impossible or difficult for the game ball to win, and is switched to a predetermined open state where it is easy for the game ball to win when winning the transition to the opening / closing execution mode (opening / closing execution state) in the internal lottery.

[0036] Here, the opening / closing execution mode is a mode that will shift when a big win or a special loss occurs. The opening / closing execution mode will be described in detail later. As for the opening mode of the variable prize device 201, there is a mode in which the variable prize device 201 is repeatedly opened with a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) as an upper limit, with the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number of prizes (for example, 10 prizes) as one round.

[0037] On both the left and right sides of the lower region PE4 so as to sandwich the variable prize device 201, flow path forming parts 131 and 161 are installed. The left flow path forming part 131 forms a game ball flow path through which the game balls that have flowed down through the left region PE2 can flow down, and the right flow path forming part 161 forms a game ball flow path through which the game balls that have flowed down through the right region PE3 can flow down. These flow path forming parts 131 and 161 are configured to guide the game balls that have flowed down through each of the left region PE2 and the right region PE3 to the variable prize device 201, respectively, and are formed of a colorless transparent or colored transparent synthetic resin.

[0038] Both the flow path forming parts 131 and 161 protrude forward from the front surface of the game board 24 to the front of the gaming machine, and their front surfaces face the window panel 62 provided on the front door frame 14. The distance between the front surface of each of the flow path forming parts 131 and 161 and the window panel 62 is narrower than the size of one game ball, and the configuration is such that game balls cannot pass in front of the flow path forming parts 131 and 161. For this reason, each of the flow path forming parts 131 and 161 partitions a part of the outer edge in the game area PE (specifically, the outer edges of the lower left and lower right parts of the game area PE). Note that the front surface parts of each of the flow path forming parts 131 and 161 are shaped and colored in a predetermined manner and are decorated.

[0039] The right flow path forming portion 161 is provided with a main display portion 43 and an accessory display portion 44. The main display portion 43 and the accessory display portion 44 are provided so as to be exposed from the front surface of the right flow path forming portion 161. That is, the main display portion 43 and the accessory display portion 44 are visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the window panel 62 of the front door frame 14, and the falling of the game balls in front of these two display portions 43, 44 is prevented.

[0040] In the main display portion 43, when it becomes the opening / closing execution mode as a result of the internal lottery (or when it becomes the opening / closing execution mode), a round display portion RS for indicating the number of rounds in the opening / closing execution mode, a first result display portion AS for indicating the result of the internal lottery conducted based on winning at the upper operation port 33, and a second result display portion BS for indicating the result of the internal lottery conducted based on winning at the lower operation port 34 are set.

[0041] In the round display portion RS, the display of the number of rounds starts at the start of the opening / closing execution mode and ends at the end of the opening / closing execution mode.

[0042] In the first result display portion AS, a pattern change display is performed triggered by winning at the upper operation port 33, and as a stop result of the change display, the result of the internal lottery conducted based on winning at the upper operation port 33 is indicated by the display. When the result of the internal lottery based on winning at the upper operation port 33 is a winning result corresponding to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode, after a predetermined stop result is displayed on the first result display portion AS and the change display is stopped, the opening / closing execution mode is entered.

[0043] In the second result display portion BS, a pattern change display is performed triggered by winning at the lower operation port 34, and as a stop result of the change display, the result of the internal lottery conducted based on winning at the lower operation port 34 is indicated by the display. When the result of the internal lottery based on winning at the lower operation port 34 is a winning result corresponding to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode, after a predetermined stop result is displayed on the second result display portion BS and the change display is stopped, the opening / closing execution mode is entered.

[0044] Here, based on winning a prize at any of the operation ports 33, 34, variable display is started on the corresponding result display units AS, BS, and one game round corresponds to the period until a predetermined stop result is displayed and the variable display stops. However, one game round is not limited to the above content. For example, in a configuration where a single result display unit is provided and variable display is performed on the single result display unit regardless of which operation port 33, 34 a prize is won at, one game round is defined as the period from when variable display is started on the single result display unit until the variable display stops in a state where a predetermined stop result is displayed.

[0045] The accessory display unit 44 is a display unit for clarifying the result of an internal lottery conducted based on winning a prize at the through gate 35. In this case, on the accessory display unit 44, variable display of a pattern is performed triggered by winning a prize at the through gate 35, and as the stop result of the variable display, the result of the internal lottery conducted based on winning a prize at the through gate 35 is clarified by display. When the result of the internal lottery based on winning a prize at the through gate 35 is a winning result corresponding to a transition to an electric accessory release state, after a predetermined stop result is displayed on the accessory display unit 44 and the variable display stops, a transition is made to the electric accessory release state. In the electric accessory release state, the electric accessory 34a provided at the lower operation port 34 is in an open state in a predetermined manner.

[0046] Note that the main display unit 43 and the accessory display unit 44 are constituted by a segment display device having a plurality of segments, but are not limited thereto, and other display devices such as a liquid crystal display device may be used.

[0047] The variable display unit 36 is provided with a symbol display device 41 that variably displays (or variably displays or switches the display) a symbol which is a kind of pattern. Further, a center frame 42 is disposed around the symbol display device 41 in the variable display unit 36. The upper part of this center frame 42 extends forward of the pachinko machine 10. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game balls from falling in front of the display screen of the symbol display device 41, and a configuration is adopted in which an inconvenience such as a decrease in the visibility of the display screen due to the falling of the game balls does not occur.

[0048] The symbol display device 41 is configured as a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. Note that the symbol display device 41 is not limited to being a liquid crystal display device, and may be another display device such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, or a CRT.

[0049] For example, symbols are displayed side by side at the top, middle, and bottom on the symbol display device 41, and these symbols are variably displayed by being scrolled in the left - right direction. In this case, the variable display on the symbol display device 41 is started based on winning at the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34. That is, when variable display is performed in the main display unit 43, variable display is also performed on the symbol display device 41 accordingly. Then, for example, in a game round in which the game shifts to an opening / closing execution mode corresponding to 15 rounds in which the large winning opening 202 of the variable winning device 201 is opened 15 times as the opening / closing execution mode, a predetermined combination of symbols stops and is displayed on the effective line set in advance on the symbol display device 41.

[0050] On the upper left part of the front side of the center frame 42, a first result display unit AS and a first hold light-emitting unit 45 corresponding to the symbol display device 41 are provided. The number of game balls winning through the upper operation port 33 is held up to a maximum of 4, and the held number is displayed by lighting the first hold light-emitting unit 45. Further, on the upper right part of the front side of the center frame 42, a second result display unit BS and a second hold light-emitting unit 46 corresponding to the symbol display device 41 are provided. The number of game balls winning through the lower operation port 34 is held up to a maximum of 4, and the held number is displayed by lighting the second hold light-emitting unit 46. As described above, since the upper part of the center frame 42 extends forward of the pachinko machine 10, the visibility of the first hold light-emitting unit 45 and the second hold light-emitting unit 46 is not obstructed by the fall of the game balls.

[0051] On the lower part of the center frame 42, a third hold light-emitting unit 47 corresponding to the accessory display unit 44 is provided. The number of times the game balls pass through the through gate 35 is held up to a maximum of 4, and the held number is displayed by lighting the third hold light-emitting unit 47. Note that each of the hold light-emitting units 45 to 47 may be configured to be displayed as a part of the symbol display device 41.

[0052] Next, the configuration on the back side of the game machine main body 12 will be described.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, on the back surface of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24), a main control device 81 and a production control device 82 are mounted.

[0054] The main control device 81 includes a main control board having a function (main control circuit) for mainly controlling the game and a function (power failure monitoring circuit) for monitoring the power supply, and the main control board is housed in a board box 83 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box 83 includes a box base (front case body) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a box cover (rear case body) covering the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are inseparably connected by a box coupling portion 85 as separation prevention means (or coupling means), and thereby the board box 83 is sealed. And, by being inseparably connected by these box coupling portions 85, when opening the internal space of the board box 83, it is configured to require destruction or partial excision of the board box 83. A plurality of box coupling portions 85 are provided on the long side portion of the board box 83, and at least one of them is used for performing the coupling process.

[0055] The box coupling portion 85 can have any configuration as long as it non - releasably couples the box base and the box cover. However, the box base and the box cover are non - releasably coupled by inserting a locking claw into the long hole that constitutes the box coupling portion 85. The coupling process by the box coupling portion 85 prevents unauthorized opening after coupling and enables such a situation to be detected early and easily even if unauthorized opening occurs. It is possible to perform the opening process again even after once opening. That is, among the plurality of box coupling portions 85, the coupling process is performed by inserting a locking claw into at least one long hole. When opening the substrate box 83, such as when a problem occurs in the housed main control board or during inspection of the main control board, the connection portion between the box coupling portion 85 into which the locking claw is inserted and other box coupling portions 85 or the connection portion with the box body is cut. As a result, the box base and the box cover of the substrate box 83 are separated, and the internal main control board can be taken out. Then, when performing the coupling process again, a locking claw is inserted into the long hole of another box coupling portion 85. If a history indicating that the substrate box 83 has been opened is left on the substrate box 83, it is easy to find that unauthorized opening has been performed by looking at the substrate box 83.

[0056] On one short side portion of the substrate box 83, a plurality of coupling pieces 86 are provided so as to protrude laterally therefrom. These coupling pieces 86 correspond one - to - one with a plurality of coupled pieces 87 formed on the mounting base of the main control device 81, and the coupling process between the substrate box 83 and the mounting base is performed by the coupling pieces 86 and the coupled pieces 87.

[0057] In addition, as a trace means for detecting unauthorized opening of the substrate box 83, a configuration may be adopted in which a sealing label is affixed so as to straddle the boundary between the box base and the box cover. In this case, when the sealing label is peeled off from the affixed position, the adhesive layer of the sealing label remains on the substrate box 83 side, leaving a trace. Further, an IC tag may be provided on the sealing label for transmitting a response wave including identification information in response to a calling wave of a predetermined frequency. When the sealing label is peeled off, the antenna of the IC tag is cut off, making it impossible to transmit the response wave.

[0058] The effect control device 82 includes an effect control board that controls voice, lamp display, and a display control device (not shown) according to instructions from the main control device 81, and the effect control board is housed in a substrate box 84 made of a transparent resin material or the like.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 91, to which a payout mechanism unit 92 and a control device assembly unit 93 are attached. The back pack 91 is formed of a synthetic resin having transparency, and has a protective cover portion 94 that protrudes rearward and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to cover the main control device 81, the effect control device 82, etc. from the rear.

[0060] The payout mechanism unit 92 is arranged so as to bypass the protective cover portion 94, and includes a tank 95 that is sequentially replenished with game balls supplied from the island equipment in the game hall, and a payout device 96 for paying out the game balls stored in the tank 95. The game balls paid out from the payout device 96 are discharged to the upper tray 71 or the lower tray 72 through a payout passage (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the payout device 96. In addition, the payout mechanism unit 92 is supplied with a main power supply of, for example, 24 volts AC, and is equipped with a back pack board provided with a power switch for turning the power supply on and off.

[0061] Further, on the back pack 91, an external output terminal 99 is provided on the rotation axis side of the back pack unit 15 and on the upper edge side. The external output terminal 99 is provided with an output terminal for outputting a signal when the game balls are insufficient in the tank 95 or the like, an output terminal for outputting a signal every time a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out, an output terminal for outputting a signal every time a predetermined number of game balls are lent out, an output terminal for outputting a signal when the game machine main body 12 is opened, an output terminal for outputting a signal when the front door frame 14 is opened, and an output terminal for outputting a signal during the state transition such as the opening / closing execution mode (or while the state is being transitioned). And through these output terminals, signals regarding the state of the frame side are output to the management control device on the game hall side. Note that the output terminal for outputting a signal every time a predetermined number of game balls are lent out is unnecessary in a so-called cash machine.

[0062] The control device assembly unit 93 includes a payout control device 97 and a power supply and launch control device 98. These payout control device 97 and power supply and launch control device 98 are arranged one on top of the other in the front-rear direction so that the payout control device 97 is at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

[0063] The payout control device 97 is configured by housing a payout control board for controlling the payout device 96 in a board box. In this case, the same anti-fraud means as the board box 83 of the main control device 81 may be applied to the board box of the payout control device 97.

[0064] The power supply and launch control device 98 is configured by housing a power supply and launch control board in a board box. By this board, predetermined power required by various control devices and the like is generated and output, and further, the control of the launching of the game balls accompanying the operation of the launch handle 60 by the player is performed. Also, this pachinko machine 10 has a function of storing and holding various data, and can hold the state at the time of a power failure even if a power failure occurs, and can return to the state at the time of the power failure when resuming from the power failure.

[0065] <Flow path forming portions 131, 161 and variable winning device 201> In the present embodiment, the channel forming portions 131 and 161, the variable winning device 201, and related configurations are characteristic. Therefore, hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the channel forming portions 131 and 161, the variable winning device 201, and related configurations will be supplementarily described. FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 4 showing the variable winning device 201 and its peripheral configuration enlarged, (a) of FIG. 6 is a front view of the variable winning device 201, (b) and (c) are cross-sectional views of the variable winning device 201, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the variable winning device 201 and its peripheral configuration.

[0066] First, the left channel forming portion 131 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The left channel forming portion 131 is disposed along the inner rail portion 51 in the left part of the lower region PE4. As already described, the left channel forming portion 131 protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 24, and the front of the left channel forming portion 131 is configured such that game balls cannot flow down. The upper surface portion 132 of the left channel forming portion 131 is a rolling surface on which game balls can roll, and forms a channel for guiding the game balls to the left and right central side of the lower region PE4.

[0067] The upper surface portion 132 is formed with a step in the vertical direction and is divided into an upstream first inclined portion 133 and a downstream second inclined portion 136. The first inclined portion 133 is inclined downward to the right in a front view, and forms a left first channel for guiding the game balls flowing down from the left region PE2 toward the left game pin group 134. The left game pin group 134 is composed of a plurality of game pins 38 arranged in a substantially straight line between the first inclined portion 133 and the lower operation port 34 disposed above the variable winning device 201, and forms a guide path for guiding the game balls from the first inclined portion 133 to the lower operation port 34.

[0068] Between the first inclined portion 133 and the left game nail group 134 and at an intermediate position of the left game nail group 134, a gap 135 through which one game ball can pass is formed, and the game ball can fall through these gaps 135. Below the gaps 135, general winning openings 31a and 31b that open upward are arranged, and one game ball can be won in each of these general winning openings 31a and 31b. A plurality of game nails 38 are arranged between the gaps 135 and the general winning openings 31a and 31b, and the game balls falling from the gaps 135 are randomly distributed by these game nails 38. For this reason, the game balls falling from the gaps 135 may or may not win in the general winning openings 31a and 31b. In the present embodiment, two general winning openings 31 are arranged, but the number of general winning openings 31 is arbitrary and may be one or three or more.

[0069] The second inclined portion 136 is inclined downward to the right in a front view, and its most downstream portion (terminal portion) is open toward the variable winning device 201. The second inclined portion 136 is arranged below the general winning openings 31a and 31b and forms a left second flow path that guides the game balls that did not win in the general winning openings 31a and 31b toward the variable winning device 201.

[0070] A first vertical wall portion 137 that forms the above-mentioned step and connects the two inclined portions 133 and 136 is formed between the second inclined portion 136 and the first inclined portion 133. The first vertical wall portion 137 extends in the vertical direction, and a left third flow path through which one game ball can pass is formed between the first vertical wall portion 137 and the general winning opening 31a. For this reason, when the game ball falling from the gap 135 passes by the left side of the general winning opening 31a, the game ball can reach the second inclined portion 136 through the above-mentioned third flow path.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the second inclined portion 136 is continuous with the lower end portion of the first vertical wall portion 137, and there is no passage for game balls such as an out-port between the connection portion with the first vertical wall portion 137 and the most downstream portion (the end portion on the variable winning device 201 side). Therefore, all the game balls that have passed through the left third flow path and the game balls that have fallen onto the second inclined portion 136 are to be led to the variable winning device 201 side. Note that the rolling surfaces of the game balls on the first inclined portion 133 and the second inclined portion 136 are flat surfaces without unevenness, enabling smooth rolling (flow-down) of the game balls.

[0072] Also, a plurality of game nails 38 are arranged in the region PE4a between the lower operation port 34 and the variable winning device 201 and in the region PE4b between the left game nail group 134 and the variable winning device 201. These game nails 38 are laid out so as to guide the game balls flowing into the regions PE4a and PE4b to the variable winning device 201. Therefore, the game balls flowing down bypassing the upper operation port 33 and the lower operation port 34 and the game balls that have fallen from the gap 135 and flowed into the region PE4b all flow down toward the variable winning device 201 side. Note that if the game balls in the regions PE4a and PE4b flow down toward the variable winning device 201, the game nails 38 in these regions may be omitted, or a synthetic resin passage member (guide member) may be provided instead of the game nails 38.

[0073] At the most downstream portion of the second inclined portion 136, a second vertical wall portion 138 extending downward (toward the inner rail portion 51) is provided. An out-port 141 through which a game ball can enter is provided at the upper portion of the second vertical wall portion 138. The game balls that have entered the out-port 141 are guided to the back side of the game board 24 and discharged from the game area PE. The out-port 141 opens in the lateral direction (rightward) of the gaming machine, and its size is such that one game ball can pass through.

[0074] At the front surface of the left flow path forming portion 131 at the out port 141 and its peripheral portion, that is, at the front surface of the left flow path forming portion 131, at least at the overlapping portion from the front of the gaming machine with respect to the guiding passage that guides the gaming balls entering the out port 141 to the back side of the game board 24, a predetermined decoration is applied by plating, sealing, etc., and coloring is performed. On the other hand, the second inclined portion 136 that becomes the rolling surface of the gaming ball is not colored, and the light transmittance of this portion is lower than that of the second inclined portion 136. As a result, in a front view from the front of the gaming machine, the opening of the out port 141 and the flow of the gaming balls entering the out port 141 are invisible or difficult to visually recognize. That is, the visibility of the out port 141 is lower than that of other ball entry parts (for example, the variable winning device 201), and it has a configuration that is not conspicuous.

[0075] At that time, in order for players, casino staff, etc. to grasp the existence of the out port 141, a display (for example, "OUT") that suggests or explicitly indicates the out port 141 may be provided on the front surface of the left flow path forming portion 131 at the out port 141 and its peripheral portion. Instead of the configuration of coloring the above portion, the portion may be formed of an opaque material or a material having a lower light transmittance than the second inclined portion 136, so as to reduce the visibility of the out port 141.

[0076] Incidentally, as already described, the left flow path forming portion 131 itself is formed of a transparent synthetic resin and has translucency. Therefore, by disposing a light emitting substrate on which a plurality of light emitting elements capable of emitting light toward the front or side (up and down, left and right) of the gaming machine is mounted behind the left flow path forming portion 131, it is possible to perform a light emitting effect such as illuminating the second inclined portion 136 brightly.

[0077] Next, the right flow path forming portion 161 will be described. The upper surface portion 162 of the right flow path forming portion 161 is a rolling surface on which the gaming balls can roll, and forms a flow path for guiding the gaming balls to the left and right center sides of the lower region PE4. The upper surface portion 162 of the right flow path forming portion 161 is symmetrical to the upper surface portion 132 of the left flow path forming portion 131, and has a first inclined portion 163, a second inclined portion 166, and a first vertical wall portion 167.

[0078] The first inclined portion 163 slopes downward to the left in a front view, and forms a right first flow path that guides the game balls flowing down in the right region PE3 toward the right game pin group 164. The right game pin group 164 forms a guide path capable of guiding the game balls to the lower operation port 34. A gap 165 through which one game ball can pass is formed between the first inclined portion 163 and the right game pin group 164 and at an intermediate position of the right game pin group 164. Further, below the gap 165, general winning ports 31c and 31d that open upward are arranged, and the game balls that have fallen from the gap 165 can win in the general winning ports 31c and 31d.

[0079] The second inclined portion 166 slopes downward to the left in a front view, and forms a right second flow path that guides the game balls toward the variable winning device 201. The second inclined portion 166 is arranged below the general winning ports 31c and 31d, and is configured to guide the game balls that have not won in the general winning ports 31c and 31d to the variable winning device 201. The first vertical wall portion 167 connects the first inclined portion 163 and the second inclined portion 166, and forms a right third flow path through which one game ball can pass between it and the general winning port 31d.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the second inclined portion 166 is continuous with the lower end portion of the first vertical wall portion 167, and there is no escape path for game balls such as an out port between the connection portion with the first vertical wall portion 167 and the end portion (the end portion on the side of the variable winning device 201). For this reason, all the game balls that have passed through the right third flow path and the game balls that have fallen onto the second inclined portion 166 are guided to the side of the variable winning device 201. Note that the rolling surfaces of the game balls on the first inclined portion 163 and the second inclined portion 166 are flat surfaces without irregularities, enabling smooth rolling (flowing down) of the game balls.

[0081] In the area PE4c between the right - hand game pins group 164 and the variable winning device 201, a plurality of game pins 38 are provided to guide the game balls flowing into the area PE4c to the variable winning device 201. All the game balls that have fallen from the gap 165 and flowed into the area PE4c flow downward toward the variable winning device 201. Incidentally, if the game balls in the area PE4c flow downward toward the variable winning device 201, the game pins 38 in the area PE4c may be omitted, or a synthetic resin passage member (guide member) may be provided instead of the game pins 38.

[0082] At the most downstream part of the second inclined part 166, a second vertical wall part 168 extending downward (toward the inner rail part 51) is provided. At the upper part of the second vertical wall part 168, an out - port 171 for discharging game balls from the game area PE is provided. The out - port 171 opens in the lateral direction (left - hand side) of the gaming machine, and its size is such that one game ball can pass through. The height position of the out - port 171 is the same as that of the out - port 141 of the left - hand flow path forming part 131, and the out - ports 141 and 171 face each other with the variable winning device 201 in between. Also, similar to the case of the out - port 141, the front surface of the right - hand flow path forming part 161 at the out - port 171 and its peripheral part is made opaque, so that the visibility from the front of the gaming machine is lower than that of other ball - in parts. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, no out - ports other than the out - ports 141 and 171 are provided.

[0083] Next, the variable winning device 201 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6(a), at the lowermost position on the game board 24, an opening 207 penetrating the game board 24 in the thickness direction is provided. The variable winning device 201 includes a plate - shaped base body 211, and is attached to the game board 24 by fitting the base body 211 into the opening 207.

[0084] The distance between the front surface portion 211a of the base body 211 and the window panel 62 is larger than the diameter of the game ball, and a passage portion 208 through which the game ball can pass is formed in front of the front surface portion 211a. The passage portion 208 is configured to include a side wall portion 213 formed by the second vertical wall portions 138 and 168 of the flow path forming portions 131 and 161, and a bottom portion 214 formed by the inner rail portion 51. A large winning opening 202 is formed in the upper portion of the passage portion 208 (see Fig. 7(b)). The large winning opening 202 opens upward and has a horizontally long rectangular shape extending left and right in plan view. The size (width dimension) of the large winning opening 202 is such that a plurality of game balls can pass through simultaneously.

[0085] A through hole 222 penetrating the base body 211 in the thickness direction is formed at the lower center of the passage portion 208. The through hole 222 has a horizontally long substantially elliptical shape in front view and has a size that allows a plurality of game balls to pass through simultaneously. As shown in Fig. 6(b), a ball passage 221 is provided on the back side of the base body 211, and the ball passage 221 communicates with the passage portion 208 through the through hole 222. The ball passage 221 extends rearward, and the game balls that reach the ball passage 221 are guided rearward along the passage bottom surface 221a. A winning sensor 202a for the large winning opening for detecting the game balls that have won the large winning opening 202 is disposed at an intermediate position therealong. The winning sensor 202a for the large winning opening is electrically connected to the main control device 81, and when the game ball passes through the detection area of the winning sensor 202a for the large winning opening, a predetermined detection information (detection signal) is input to the main control device 81. The main control device 81 determines the presence or absence of winning the large winning opening 202 based on this detection information.

[0086] A plate-shaped shutter 216 as an opening / closing door 203 is disposed so as to cover the large winning opening 202. The shutter 216 is configured to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and can be displaced between a protruding position protruding forward of the gaming machine from the front surface portion 211a (the front surface of the game board 24) of the base body 211 and a retracted position retracted rearward from the protruding position and suppressing the protrusion forward of the gaming machine.

[0087] When the shutter 216 is in the retracted position, as shown in FIG. 7(b), a receiving area RA capable of receiving game balls into the large winning opening 202 is formed above the passage portion 208. The receiving area RA is in the same position as the large winning opening 202 in plan view and has the same shape and size. By forming the receiving area RA, winning of game balls into the large winning opening 202 is permitted. Note that in the retracted position, the front end portion of the shutter 216 is flush with the front surface portion 211a of the base body 211 or is located on the back side of the gaming machine with respect to the front surface portion 211a. Thereby, not only can game balls pass in front of the shutter 216 in the retracted position, but also it is suppressed that game balls get caught at the boundary between the base body 211 and the shutter 216, and a smooth flow of game balls is ensured.

[0088] On the other hand, when the shutter 216 is in the protruding position, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the receiving area RA disappears because the large winning opening 202 is covered from above by the shutter 216. Thereby, the variable winning device 201 becomes a closed state, and winning of game balls into the large winning opening 202 is restricted. Note that it is not necessarily required to configure such that game balls cannot win into the large winning opening 202 in the closed state, and a configuration may be adopted in which winning is possible within a range where it is more difficult to win compared to the open state. In short, it is sufficient that the ease of winning into the large winning opening 202 differs between the open state and the closed state, and the degree of closing or opening is arbitrary.

[0089] Here, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the height positions of the left and right end portions 216a and 216b of the shutter 216 are set to positions lowered by at least the size of one game ball from the second inclined portions 136 and 166 of the respective flow path forming portions 131 and 161. In other words, step portions 204 are formed on both the left and right sides of the shutter 216 such that the left and right end portions 216a and 216b of the shutter 216 are lower than the second inclined portions 136 and 166 by at least the diameter of the game ball. The out ports 141 and 171 are arranged in a manner of opening toward the shutter 216 in these step portions 204. For this reason, when a game ball rolls over the shutter 216 in the protruding position, the game ball is guided to the out ports 141 and 171 by the shutter 216.

[0090] The shutter 216 is provided with a guiding function for guiding the game balls to the out ports 141 and 171. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(a), on the upper surface portion of the shutter 216, a first shutter inclined portion 217 that slopes downward toward the out port 141 is provided on the left side, and a second shutter inclined portion 218 that slopes downward toward the out port 171 is provided on the right side. These inclined portions 217 and 218 are symmetric about the left and right, and the game balls that reach the upper surface portion of the shutter 216 are guided to the out ports 141 and 171 by the respective inclined portions 217 and 218. Note that it is not necessarily required to incline the entire shutter 216, and it is sufficient if at least the upper surface portion thereof is inclined.

[0091] The shutter 216 extends in the left - right direction. Specifically, its left and right end portions 216a and 216b are located in the vicinity of the second vertical wall portions 138 and 168 of the respective flow path forming portions 131 and 161. The distances between the left and right end portions 216a and 216b of the shutter 216 and the respective out ports 141 and 171 are less than the diameter of the game ball, so that the game balls do not fall from between the shutter 216 located at the protruding position and the respective out ports 141 and 171. For this reason, all the game balls guided by the shutter 216 toward the out ports 141 and 171 enter the out ports 141 and 171 as long as the shutter 216 does not displace to the retracted position during the guiding process.

[0092] Note that when the shutter 216 is in the retracted position, in principle, the game balls do not enter the out ports 141 and 171, except when an event such as a change in the flowing - down direction of the game balls due to contact between the game balls occurs.

[0093] As shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c), a variable winning drive unit 219 for driving the shutter 216 is attached to the back side of the base body 211. The variable winning drive unit 219 includes a solenoid as a drive source and a link mechanism as a driving force transmission means for transmitting the driving force from the solenoid to the shutter 216. The solenoid is electrically connected to the main control device 81 and is driven based on a drive signal from the main control device 81. When the solenoid is driven, the shutter 216 retreats from the protruding position to the retracted position, and the variable winning device 201 switches from the closed state to the open state. When the output of the drive signal from the main control device 81 stops, the shutter 216 advances from the retracted position to the protruding position by the biasing force of a biasing means (such as a spring), and the variable winning device 201 switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0094] <Electrical Configuration of Pachinko Machine 10> Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. 8.

[0095] An MPU 112 is mounted on the main control board 111. The MPU 112 includes a ROM 113 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 112, a RAM 114 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 113, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, and various counter circuits as random number generators. Note that it is not an essential configuration that the ROM 113 and the RAM 114 are integrated into one chip with respect to the MPU 112, and they may be configured as individual chips. The same applies to the MPU of the control device other than the main control device 81.

[0096] The MPU 112 is provided with an input port and an output port, respectively. On the input side of the MPU 112, a power failure monitoring board 115 and a payout control device 97 provided in the main control device 81 are connected. In this case, a power supply and a firing control device 98 having a function of supplying operating power are connected to the power failure monitoring board 115, and power is supplied to the MPU 112 via the power failure monitoring board 115.

[0097] In addition, various sensors are connected to the input side of the MPU 112. The various sensors include a general winning port 31, an upper operation port 33, a lower operation port 34, a through gate 35, a winning sensor 31e for the general winning port for detecting winning in the variable winning device 201, a winning sensor 33b for the upper operation port, a winning sensor 34c for the lower operation port, a winning sensor 35a for the through, a winning sensor 202a for the big winning port, etc. The MPU 112 performs a winning determination (a ball entry determination) for each ball entry section, etc. based on the detection results of these various sensors 31e, 33b, 34c, 35a, 202a. Further, the MPU 112 executes a jackpot lottery based on winning in the upper operation port 33 and the lower operation port 34, and executes a support lottery based on winning in the through gate 35.

[0098] On the output side of the MPU 112, a power failure monitoring board 115, a payout control device 97, an effect control device 82, etc. are connected. To the payout control device 97, for example, a payout command is output based on a winning determination result for a winning ball corresponding ball entry section corresponding to payout of a winning ball.

[0099] Various effect commands are output to the effect control device 82. Details of these various commands will be described later. Incidentally, the effect control device 82 is electrically connected to the main control device 81 via a connector unit (connection unit) provided with connectors at both ends of a signal line.

[0100] On the output side of the MPU 112, as various drive units, an electric accessory drive unit 34b and a variable winning drive unit 219 are connected. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 111, and through the driver circuits, the MPU 112 executes drive control of various drive units. Specifically, when a transition to the opening / closing execution mode occurs, drive control of the variable winning drive unit 219 is executed in the MPU 112 so that the big winning opening 202 is opened and closed. Also, when the electric accessory 34a wins in the open state, drive control of the electric accessory drive unit 34b is executed in the MPU 112 so that the electric accessory 34a is opened and closed. Further, in each game round, the MPU 112 executes display control of the first result display unit AS or the second result display unit BS in the main display unit 43, and when in the opening / closing execution mode of the variable winning device 201, display control of the round display unit RS in the main display unit 43 is executed. And when indicating the lottery result of whether or not to set the electric accessory 34a in the open state, display control of the accessory display unit 44 is executed in the MPU 112.

[0101] Furthermore, an external output terminal 99 is connected to the output side of the MPU 112, and through this external output terminal 99, information regarding ball entry information to various ball entry parts and lottery results such as a big win is output to the management control device (hall computer HC) on the game hall side. Thereby, it is possible for the hall computer HC to grasp the state of the pachinko machine 10 and the like.

[0102] The power failure monitoring board 115 relays the main control board 111, the power supply, and the launch control device 98, and monitors the DC stabilized 24 - volt voltage output from the power supply and the launch control device 98. The payout control device 97 performs payout control of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 96 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 81.

[0103] The power supply and emission control device 98 is connected to, for example, a commercial power supply (external power supply) in a pachinko parlor or the like. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, it generates the necessary operating power for the main control board 111, the payout control device 97, etc. respectively, and supplies the generated operating power. Incidentally, the power supply and emission control device 98 is provided with a power supply unit for power failure such as a backup capacitor. Even when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is in the OFF state, power for storage retention is supplied from the power supply unit for power failure to the RAM 114 of the main control device 81.

[0104] Also, the power supply and emission control device 98 is responsible for the emission control of the game ball emission mechanism 53. The game ball emission mechanism 53 is driven when predetermined emission conditions are met. In this case, the game ball emission mechanism 53 includes an emission rail extending toward the guide rail 54 of the game board 24, a ball feeder that supplies the game balls stored in the upper tray 71 onto the emission rail, and a solenoid which is an electric actuator that emits the game balls supplied onto the emission rail toward the guide rail 54. When a drive signal is supplied from the power supply and emission control device 98 to the solenoid, the game balls are emitted.

[0105] Based on various commands input from the main control device 81, the effect control device 82 drives and controls each of the hold light emitting parts 45 to 47 provided in the variable display unit 36, the display light emitting part 63 and the speaker part 64 provided in the front door frame 14, and controls the display control device 212.

[0106] An MPU 242 is mounted on the effect control board 241 provided in the effect control device 82. The MPU 242 includes a ROM 243 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 242, a RAM 244 which is a memory for temporarily storing various data etc. when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 243, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, etc.

[0107] The MPU242 is respectively provided with an input port and an output port. The main control device 81 is connected to the input side of the MPU242. The main control device 81 receives hold display control commands (hold display control information) such as shift commands and hold commands. Also, it receives game turn control commands (game turn control information) such as variable commands, type commands, and variable end commands. Also, it receives open / close execution mode commands (open / close execution mode information) such as open commands, close commands, opening commands, and ending commands.

[0108] Based on various commands received from the main control device 81, the MPU242 performs processing for executing various effects. The received commands are stored in a command storage area provided in the RAM244 of the MPU242. Then, processing such as analyzing the stored commands is performed to execute various effects. In the ROM243 of the MPU242, various table storage areas are provided, and in the RAM244 of the MPU242, various flag storage areas and various counter areas are provided. When executing various effects, it is possible to perform processing using these areas.

[0109] On the output side of the MPU242, each hold light-emitting unit 45 to 47 provided in the variable display unit 36, the display light-emitting unit 63 and the speaker unit 64 provided in the front door frame 14 are connected, and the display control device 212 is connected.

[0110] The display control device 212 includes a display control board 271 on which an MPU272 in which a program ROM273 and a work RAM274 are integrally chipized, a video display processor (VDP) 275, a character ROM276, and a video RAM277 are respectively mounted.

[0111] The MPU 272 receives from the production control device 82 a hold display control command (hold display control information) for performing hold display control, a game turn control command (game turn control information) for performing variable display of symbols, an open / close execution mode command (open / close execution mode information) for performing video display during the open / close execution mode, and the like. Then, it analyzes the received commands or performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the received commands to control the VDP 275 (specifically, generate internal commands for the VDP 275).

[0112] The program ROM 273 is a memory for storing various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 272, and also stores and holds JPEG format image data for the background image.

[0113] The work RAM 274 is a memory for temporarily storing work data, flags, etc. used when the MPU 272 executes various programs. These work data, flags, etc. are stored in respective areas of the work RAM 274.

[0114] The VDP 275 is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates an image processing device as a liquid crystal display driver incorporated in the symbol display device 41. Since the VDP 275 is integrated into an IC chip, it is also called a "drawing chip", and its entity should be said to be a microcontroller chip incorporating firmware dedicated to drawing processing. The VDP 275 adjusts the timings of the MPU 272, the video RAM 277, etc. and intervenes in data reading and writing, and reads out image data to be stored in the video RAM 277 from the character ROM 276 at a predetermined timing and displays it on the symbol display device 41.

[0115] The character ROM 276 serves as an image data library for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the symbol display device 41. This character ROM 276 holds bitmap format image data of various display symbols, a color palette table referred to when determining the representation color at each dot of the bitmap image, and the like.

[0116] Incidentally, it is also possible to provide a plurality of character ROMs 276 and store image data and the like in each character ROM 276 in a shared manner. Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the JPEG format image data for the background image stored in the program ROM 273 is stored in the character ROM 276.

[0117] The video RAM 277 is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the symbol display device 41, and the display content of the symbol display device 41 is changed by rewriting the content of the video RAM 277.

[0118] Here, the display content of the symbol display device 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing each symbol variably displayed on the symbol display device 41, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the display screen G of the symbol display device 41.

[0119] As shown in FIGS. 9(a) to (j), a symbol, which is a kind of picture pattern, is composed of nine main symbols each attached with a number from "1" to "9" and a sub-symbol consisting of a shell-shaped picture symbol. More specifically, the main symbols are constituted by attaching the numbers from "1" to "9" to nine types of character symbols such as octopuses.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 10(a), on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41, three symbol columns Z1, Z2, and Z3, namely, an upper column, a middle column, and a lower column, are set. Each symbol column Z1 to Z3 is configured by arranging main symbols and sub-symbols in a predetermined order. Specifically, in the upper symbol column Z1, nine types of main symbols from "1" to "9" are arranged in descending order of numbers, and one sub-symbol is arranged between each main symbol. In the lower symbol column Z3, nine types of main symbols from "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending order of numbers, and one sub-symbol is arranged between each main symbol. That is, the upper symbol column Z1 and the lower symbol column Z3 are composed of 18 symbols. On the other hand, in the middle symbol column Z2, nine types of main symbols from "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending order of numbers, and then an additional main symbol "4" is arranged between the main symbol "9" and the main symbol "1", and one sub-symbol is arranged between each of these main symbols. That is, only in the middle symbol column Z2, 10 main symbols are arranged and it is composed of 20 symbols. And on the display screen G, the symbols in each of these symbol columns Z1 to Z3 are variably displayed so as to scroll in a predetermined direction with periodicity. Further, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the display screen G is configured such that three symbols are stopped and displayed for each symbol column, and as a result, a total of 9 symbols in a 3×3 arrangement are stopped and displayed.

[0121] In addition, on the display screen G, five effective lines, namely, a left line L1, a middle line L2, a right line L3, a downward right line L4, and an upward right line L5, are set. Then, when the variable display stops in the order of the upper symbol column Z1 → the lower symbol column Z3 → the middle symbol column Z2, and when the variable display of all the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 ends in a state where a combination of symbols with the same number attached to any of the effective lines is formed, a jackpot video is displayed as a jackpot result.

[0122] In this pachinko machine 10, the main symbols with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) correspond to "specific symbols", and when a sure-win jackpot result occurs, a combination of the same specific symbols is stopped and displayed. Also, the main symbols with even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) correspond to "non-specific symbols", and when a normal jackpot result occurs, a combination of the same non-specific symbols is stopped and displayed.

[0123] Note that the mode of the variable display of symbols in the symbol display device 41 is not limited to the above and is arbitrary, and the number of symbol columns, the direction of the variable display of symbols in the symbol column, the number of symbols in each symbol column, etc. can be changed as appropriate.

[0124] On the left side at the lower part of the display screen G, a first hold display area Ga is set, and on the right side at the lower part of the display screen G, a second hold display area Gb is set.

[0125] The first hold display area (non-priority side hold display area) Ga is partitioned and displayed such that unit hold display areas Ga1 to Ga4, which are the same number as the maximum number of holds when a game ball wins the upper operation port 33, are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the maximum number of holds when a game ball wins the upper operation port 33 is 4, and correspondingly, in the first hold display area Ga, a first unit hold display area Ga1, a second unit hold display area Ga2, a third unit hold display area Ga3, and a fourth unit hold display area Ga4 are set.

[0126] For example, when the number of holds when a game ball wins the upper operation port 33 is 1, a predetermined hold image is displayed only in the first unit hold display area Ga1, and when the number of holds when a game ball wins the upper operation port 33 is 4, a predetermined hold image is displayed in all of the first unit hold display area Ga1 to the fourth unit hold display area Ga4.

[0127] Also, the second hold display area (priority side hold display area) Gb is partitioned and displayed such that unit hold display areas Gb1 to Gb4, which are the same number as the maximum number of holds when a game ball wins the lower operation port 34, are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. Specifically, the maximum number of holds when a game ball wins the lower operation port 34 is 4, and correspondingly, in the second hold display area Gb, a first unit hold display area Gb1, a second unit hold display area Gb2, a third unit hold display area Gb3, and a fourth unit hold display area Gb4 are set.

[0128] For example, when the number of held prizes is 1 when the game ball wins the lower operation port 34, the held image is displayed only in the first unit held display area Gb1. When the number of held prizes is 4 when the game ball wins the lower operation port 34, the held images are displayed in all of the first unit held display area Gb1 to the fourth unit held display area Gb4.

[0129] <Electrical configuration for performing various lotteries by the MPU112 of the main control device 81> Next, an electrical configuration for performing various lotteries by the MPU112 of the main control device 81 will be described with reference to FIG. 11.

[0130] The MPU112 uses various counter information during the game to perform jackpot generation lottery, setting of the display on the main display unit 43, setting of the production content of the symbol display device 41, setting of the display on the accessory display unit 44, etc. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, a jackpot random number counter C1 used for the lottery of jackpot generation, a jackpot type counter C2 used for determining the jackpot type, a reach random number counter C3 used for the reach generation lottery when the symbol display device 41 deviates and fluctuates, a random number initial value counter CINI used for setting the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1, and a variation type counter CS for determining the variation display time in the main display unit 43 and the symbol display device 41 are used. Further, an electric accessory release counter C4 used for the lottery of whether or not to put the electric accessory 34a of the lower operation port 34 in the electric accessory release state is used.

[0131] Each of the counters C1, C2, C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that is incremented by 1 from the previous value each time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value. Each counter is updated at short time intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in the lottery counter buffer 114a for the predetermined area of the RAM 114. In the lottery counter buffer 114a, information corresponding to the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counter CS is stored in the held ball storage area 114b as the acquisition information storage means when a winning occurs at the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34.

[0132] The holding ball storage area 114b includes a holding area RE composed of a holding area Ra for the first result display part and a holding area Rb for the second result display part, and an execution area AE. The holding areas Ra and Rb each include a first area, a second area, a third area, and a fourth area. In accordance with the winning history of the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34, the numerical information of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counter CS stored in the jackpot counter buffer 114a is stored as holding information in any of the areas. Note that the holding information corresponds to special information.

[0133] In this case, when multiple winnings occur consecutively at the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34, the numerical information is stored in chronological order in the order of the first area → the second area → the third area → the fourth area in the first area to the fourth area. By providing four areas in this way, the winning history of the game balls at the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34 can be stored and held up to a maximum of four each. In addition, a total holding number storage area is provided in the holding ball storage area 114b, and information for specifying the number of winning histories stored and held at the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34 is stored in the total holding number storage area.

[0134] Note that the number that can be stored and held is not limited to four and can be arbitrary, and can be other plural numbers such as two, three, or five or more, or can be a single number.

[0135] The execution area AE is an area for moving each value stored in the first area of the holding area RE when starting the variable display of the main display unit 43. At the start of one game round, a win / loss determination or the like is performed based on various numerical information stored in the execution area AE.

[0136] Regarding each counter, specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 599, and after reaching the maximum value (i.e., 599), it returns to 0. When the jackpot random number counter C1 completes one cycle, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. Note that the random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The jackpot random number counter C1 is updated periodically and is stored in the held ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins in the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34. More specifically, it is stored in the holding area Ra for the first result display section of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins in the upper operation port 33, and is stored in the holding area Rb for the second result display section of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins in the lower operation port 34.

[0137] The values of the random numbers for jackpot winning are stored as a win / loss table (win / loss information group) in the win / loss table storage area 113a as the win / loss information group storage means in the ROM 113. As the win / loss table, a win / loss table for the low probability mode (low probability win / loss information group) and a win / loss table for the high probability mode (high probability win / loss information group) are set. That is, in the pachinko machine 10, as the lottery mode in the win / loss lottery means, a low probability mode (low probability state) and a high probability mode (high probability state) are set. In each win / loss table, the values of the random numbers are set so that the probability of winning the jackpot is higher in the win / loss table for the high probability mode than in the win / loss table for the low probability mode.

[0138] Also, in each lottery mode, except for the values of the random numbers for jackpot winning, the lottery results are non-winning results.

[0139] The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within the range of 0 to 29, and return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (i.e., 29). Here, in the present embodiment, a plurality of jackpot results are set. These plurality of jackpot results are set by providing differences in two conditions: (1) the lottery mode in the win / loss lottery means after the opening / closing execution mode ends, and (2) the support mode in the electric accessory 34a of the lower operation port 34 after the opening / closing execution mode ends.

[0140] As the support mode in the electric accessory 34a of the lower operation port 34, when compared in a situation where the shooting of the game balls continues in a similar manner with respect to the game area PE, a low-frequency support mode (low-frequency support state or low-frequency guide state) and a high-frequency support mode (high-frequency support state or high-frequency guide state) are set so that the frequency of the electric accessory 34a of the lower operation port 34 being in the open state per unit time becomes relatively high or low.

[0141] Specifically, in the low-frequency support mode and the high-frequency support mode, the probability of winning the electric accessory open state in the electric accessory open lottery using the electric accessory open counter C4 is the same (for example, both are 1 / 2). However, in the high-frequency support mode, compared with the low-frequency support mode, when winning the electric accessory open state, the number of times the electric accessory 34a is in the open state is set to be larger, and further, the opening time for one time is set to be longer. In this case, when winning the electric accessory open state in the high-frequency support mode and the open state of the electric accessory 34a occurs multiple times, the closing time from the end of one open state to the start of the next open state is set to be shorter than the opening time for one time. Furthermore, in the high-frequency support mode, compared with the low-frequency support mode, the guaranteed time that is minimally ensured for the next electric accessory open lottery after one electric accessory open lottery is set to be shorter.

[0142] In the high-frequency support mode as described above, the probability of winning at the lower operation port 34 is higher than that in the low-frequency support mode. In other words, in the low-frequency support mode, the probability of winning at the upper operation port 33 is higher than that at the lower operation port 34, but in the high-frequency support mode, the probability of winning at the lower operation port 34 is higher than that at the upper operation port 33. And when winning at the lower operation port 34 occurs, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out. Therefore, in the high-frequency support mode, the player can play the game while not reducing the number of held balls too much.

[0143] Note that the configuration for making the high-frequency support mode have a higher frequency of the electric accessory release state per unit time than the low-frequency support mode is not limited to the above, and for example, it may be a configuration for increasing the probability of winning the electric accessory release state in the electric accessory release lottery. Furthermore, among the number of times, the release time, and the winning probability, a configuration for setting the high-frequency support mode and the low-frequency support mode by making any one condition or an arbitrary combination of conditions different may also be used.

[0144] The jackpot type counter C2 is updated periodically and is stored in the held ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins at the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34. More specifically, it is stored in the first result display part held area Ra of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins at the upper operation port 33, and is stored in the second result display part held area Rb of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins at the lower operation port 34.

[0145] The destination for distributing the game result for the jackpot type counter C2 is stored as a distribution table (distribution information group) in the distribution table storage area 113b as the distribution information group storage means in the ROM 113.

[0146] In this embodiment, as the types of jackpot results, a normal jackpot result and a probability-variable jackpot result are set. The normal jackpot result is a jackpot result in which, after the end of the opening / closing execution mode, the win / loss lottery mode becomes the low-probability mode and the support mode becomes the low-frequency support mode.

[0147] The jackpot result of the certain change is a jackpot result in which, after the end of the open / close execution mode, the win / loss lottery mode becomes the high-probability mode and the support mode becomes the high-frequency support mode. The high-frequency support mode continues until the lottery result in the win / loss lottery becomes a jackpot state win and a transition to the jackpot state occurs thereby.

[0148] The reach random number counter C3 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 238, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (i.e., 238). The reach random number counter C3 is updated periodically and is stored in the reserved ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins in the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34. More specifically, it is stored in the first result display part reserved area Ra of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins in the upper operation port 33, and is stored in the second result display part reserved area Rb of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins in the lower operation port 34. Then, it is determined whether or not to generate a reach based on the reach table stored in the reach table storage area of the ROM 113. However, in the game turn in which the open / close execution mode is entered, the MPU 112 determines whether or not to generate a reach regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. Note that the number of the reach random number counter C3 corresponding to the occurrence of the reach display is the same in each game state, but it may be set individually according to the game state. For example, when the support mode is the high-frequency support mode, the number of the reach random number counter C3 corresponding to the occurrence of the reach display may be set to be larger than that in the low-frequency support mode.

[0149] Here, the reach display (reach state) refers to a display state in a gaming machine that includes a symbol display device 41 capable of performing variable display (or variable display) of symbols (patterns), and in a game round that becomes the opening / closing execution mode of the variable winning device 201, the stop display result after variable display becomes a special display result. It is a display state for making the player think that it is a variable display state in which the special display result is likely to occur at a stage before the stop display result is derived and displayed after the variable display of the symbols (patterns) in the symbol display device 41 is started.

[0150] In other words, by stopping and displaying symbols for some of the symbol columns among the plurality of symbol columns displayed on the display screen of the symbol display device 41, it is a display state in which a combination of reach symbols that may form a winning symbol combination corresponding to the occurrence of the opening / closing execution mode is displayed, and variable display of symbols is performed in the remaining symbol columns in that state.

[0151] More specifically, as a stage before ending the variable display of symbols, a reach line is formed by stopping and displaying a combination of reach symbols that may form a winning symbol combination corresponding to the occurrence of the opening / closing execution mode on a preset effective line within the display screen of the symbol display device 41, and variable display of symbols is performed by the final stop symbol column in a situation where the reach line is formed.

[0152] Specifically explaining the display content of FIG. 10, first, high-speed variable display is started for all symbol columns Z1 to Z3. In this case, it is impossible or difficult to recognize which symbol is being displayed. Then, the variable display mode of the upper symbol column Z1 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display where it is easy or possible for the player to recognize the displayed symbol. And when the variable display of the upper symbol column Z1 ends, the variable display mode of the lower symbol column Z3 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display. Then, the variable display of the lower symbol column Z3 ends. In this case, a reach line is formed by the main symbols with the same number assigned to any of the effective lines L1 to L5 being stopped and displayed. And when the variable display of the middle symbol column Z2 switches from high-speed variable display to low-speed variable display and an opening / closing execution mode occurs, the variable display of the symbols in the middle symbol column Z2 is ended such that the main symbols with the same number as the main symbols forming the reach line are stopped and displayed on the reach line.

[0153] Also, for the reach display, in the state where the combination of reach symbols is displayed as described above, variable display of symbols is performed in the remaining symbol columns, and a reach effect is performed by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a video on the background screen. Or, after reducing or hiding the combination of reach symbols, a reach effect is performed by displaying a predetermined character or the like as a video over substantially the entire display screen. Also, the decision of whether to perform a preview display using a predetermined image such as a predetermined character when the reach display is being performed or before the reach display may be made using a reach random number counter C3 or other counters.

[0154] The variable type counter CS is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 198, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 198). The variable type counter CS is used in the MPU112 to determine the variable display time in the first result display section AS and the second result display section BS of the main display section 43, and the variable display time of the symbols in the symbol display device 41. The variable type counter CS is updated once each time the normal process described later is executed once, and is repeatedly updated even within the remaining time in the normal process. Then, the variable type counter CS is stored in the held ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins the upper operation port 33 or the lower operation port 34. More specifically, it is stored in the first result display section holding area Ra of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins the upper operation port 33, and is stored in the second result display section holding area Rb of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins the lower operation port 34.

[0155] The electric accessory release counter C4 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 250, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 250). The electric accessory release counter C4 is updated periodically, and is stored in the electric accessory holding area 114c of the RAM 114 at the timing when the game ball wins the through gate 35. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is conducted to determine whether to control the electric accessory 34a to the open state according to the value of the stored electric accessory release counter C4. For example, if C4 = 0 to 190, the electric accessory 34a is controlled to the open state, and if C4 = 191 to 250, the electric accessory 34a is not controlled to the open state.

[0156] In the MPU 112, the variable display time in the first result display unit AS and the second result display unit BS is determined using the value of the variable type counter CS stored in the execution area AE. When making this determination, the variable display time table storage area 113c of the ROM 113 is used. Also, in the MPU 112, the stop result in the first result display unit AS and the second result display unit BS is determined using the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the value of the jackpot type counter C2 stored in the execution area AE. When making this determination, the stop result table storage area of the ROM 113 is used.

[0157] <Regarding various processes executed by the main control device 81> Next, the timer interrupt process and the normal process executed by the MPU 112 in the main control device 81 to advance the game will be described. Note that in the MPU 112, in addition to the timer interrupt process and the normal process, a main process that is started when the power is turned on and an NMI interrupt process that is started by the input of a power failure signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal) are executed, but the description of these processes will be omitted.

[0158] <Timer interrupt process> First, the timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12. This process is periodically started by the MPU 112 (for example, at a cycle of 2 msec).

[0159] In step S101, the reading process of various detection sensors is executed. In this reading process, the states of various detection sensors 31e, 33b, 34c, 35a, and 202a are read, and a process of determining the states of these various detection sensors 31e, 33b, 34c, 35a, and 202a and storing the detection information is executed. Also, when a winning of a game ball is detected in various detection sensors 31e, 33b, 34c, and 202a corresponding to the occurrence of a prize ball, a prize ball command for giving a payout instruction of the prize ball to the payout control device 97 is set. For example, when a winning to the variable winning device 201 is detected by the big winning opening winning sensor 202a, a prize ball command for instructing 15 prize balls, which is the corresponding number of prize balls, is set. In the subsequent step S102, the update of the random number initial value counter CINI is executed.

[0160] In the subsequent step S103, the update of the big win random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 is executed. Specifically, the big win random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are each incremented by 1, and when their counter values reach the maximum value, they are each cleared to 0. Then, the updated values of the counters C1, C2, C3, and C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 114.

[0161] In the subsequent step S104, a through winning process associated with a winning to the through gate 35 is executed. In the through winning process, when a winning to the through gate 35 has occurred, the value of the electric accessory release counter C4 updated in the step S103 is stored in the electric accessory hold area 114c on the condition that the number of accessory hold memories stored in the electric accessory hold area 114c is less than the upper limit number (for example, "4"). Also, a process for lighting the third hold light emitting unit 47 corresponding to the number of accessory hold memories is executed for the effect control device 82.

[0162] After that, after executing the winning process for the operation ports at step S105, this timer interrupt process ends. In the winning process for the operation ports, based on a game ball winning in any of the operation ports 33, 34, a prize ball command for paying out game balls based on the winning is set, and information acquisition processing for storing the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counter CS is performed.

[0163] In the information acquisition processing, it is determined whether a game ball has won (start winning) in the upper operation port 33. If the game ball has won in the upper operation port 33, the number of hold information stored in the hold area Ra for the first result display unit is grasped, and the grasped number is set as the first start hold memory number RaN. On the other hand, if the game ball has not won in the upper operation port 33, it is determined whether the game ball has won (start winning) in the lower operation port 34. If the game ball has won in the lower operation port 34, the number of hold information stored in the hold area Rb for the second result display unit is grasped, and the grasped number is set as the second start hold memory number RbN. Then, it is determined whether the set start hold memory number N (RaN or RbN) is less than the upper limit value (4 in this embodiment). If the start hold memory number N is less than the upper limit value, the start hold memory number N in the corresponding hold area for the result display unit is updated to increase by 1. When the first start hold memory number RaN is set, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counter CS are stored in the first storage area among the empty storage areas of the hold area Ra for the first result display unit. When the second start hold memory number RbN is set, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the variation type counter CS are stored in the first storage area among the empty storage areas of the hold area Rb for the second result display unit. After that, for the effect control device 82, a process for lighting the first hold light emitting unit 45 or the second hold light emitting unit 46 corresponding to the start hold memory number is executed.

[0164] <Normal process> Next, the normal processing flow will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13. The normal processing is a process that starts after the main processing, which is activated when the power is turned on, is executed. In the normal processing, the main processing of the game is executed. As an overview, the processes of steps S201 to S206 are executed as periodic processes with a cycle of 4 msec, and the counter update processes of steps S209 and S210 are executed during the remaining time.

[0165] In the normal processing, first, the external signal output process is executed in step S201. In the external signal output process of step S201, output data such as timer interrupt processing or commands set in the previous normal processing is transmitted to each control device on the sub side. Specifically, it is determined whether there is a bonus ball command, and if the bonus ball command is set, it is transmitted to the payout control device 97. Also, if an effect command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control device 82.

[0166] Next, in step S202, the update of the variation type counter CS is executed. Specifically, the variation type counter CS is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value, the counter value is cleared to 0. Then, the updated value of the variation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 114.

[0167] In the subsequent step S203, a game round control process for advancing the game of each game round is executed. In this game round control process, a determination of winning or losing such as a big win and a distribution determination of the big win type are performed, and settings for the variable display of symbols by the symbol display device 41, settings for the variable display on the main display unit 43, etc. are performed.

[0168] After executing the game round control process of step S203, the process proceeds to step S204, and a game state transition process is executed. By this game state transition process, the game state transitions to an opening / closing execution mode or the like. The details of the game round control process of step S203 and the game state transition process of step S204 will be described later.

[0169] In the subsequent step S205, processing for electric device support for driving and controlling the electric device 34a provided at the lower operation port 34 is executed. In this processing for electric device support, an electric device release lottery for determining whether to set the electric device 34a to the open state is performed using numerical information obtained from the electric device hold counter C4 stored in the electric device hold area 114c of the RAM 114, and when the electric device release state is selected, opening / closing processing of the electric device 34a is executed. Also, display control of the device display unit 44 and the like is performed so as to teach the lottery result of the electric device release lottery.

[0170] Thereafter, in step S206, game ball launch control processing is executed. In the game ball launch control processing, on the condition that a launch permission signal is input from the power supply and launch control device 98, the solenoid of the game ball launch mechanism 53 is excited once every predetermined period (for example, 0.6 sec). Thereby, the game ball is launched toward the game area.

[0171] In the subsequent step S207, it is determined whether a power failure flag is set in the RAM 114. The power failure flag is a flag that is set when a power failure is confirmed in the power failure monitoring board 115 and a power failure signal is input from the power failure monitoring board 115 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 112, and is erased in the next main processing.

[0172] When the power failure flag is not set, since the last processing of a plurality of repeatedly executed processings has ended, it is determined in step S208 whether the execution timing of the next normal processing has arrived, that is, whether a predetermined time (4 msec in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the current normal processing. And within the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal processing arrives, updating of the random number initial value counter CINI and the variation type counter CS is repeatedly executed.

[0173] That is, in step S209, the update of the random number initial value counter CINI is executed. Specifically, the random number initial value counter CINI is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when its counter value reaches the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the random number initial value counter CINI is stored in the corresponding area of the RAM114. Also, in step S210, the update of the variation type counter CS is executed. Specifically, the variation type counter CS is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when their counter values reach the maximum value. Then, the updated value of the variation type counter CS is stored in the corresponding area of the RAM114.

[0174] Here, since the execution times of the processes in steps S201 to S206 change according to the game state, the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process arrives varies and is not constant. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the update of the random number initial value counter CINI using such remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (that is, the initial value of the big hit random number counter C1) can be randomly updated, and similarly, the variation type counter CS can also be randomly updated.

[0175] On the other hand, in step S207, when it is determined that the power failure flag is set, it means that a power cut has occurred, so the power cut time processing after step S211 is executed. That is, in step S211, the generation of the timer interrupt process is prohibited, and then, in step S212, the RAM determination value is calculated and saved, and after prohibiting the access to the RAM114 in step S213, an infinite loop is continued until the power is completely cut off and the process cannot be executed.

[0176] <Game round control process> Next, the game round control process in step S203 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 14.

[0177] In the game round control process, first, at step S301, it is determined whether it is in the opening / closing execution mode. Specifically, it is determined whether an opening / closing execution mode flag is stored (memorized) in the various flag storage areas 114e of the RAM 114. The opening / closing execution mode flag is stored when the game state is shifted to the opening / closing execution mode in the game state transition process described later, and is erased when the opening / closing execution mode is terminated in the game state transition process as well.

[0178] If it is in the opening / closing execution mode, the process after step S302, that is, any of the game round start processing from step S303 to step S305 and the game round progress processing from step S306 to step S309 is not executed, and this game round control process is terminated. That is, if it is in the opening / closing execution mode, the game round is not started regardless of whether a winning has occurred in the operation ports 33 and 34.

[0179] If it is not in the opening / closing execution mode, at step S302, it is determined whether the main display unit 43 is in the variable display state. Specifically, it is determined whether either the first result display unit AS or the second result display unit BS is in the variable display state. Note that this determination is made by determining whether a variable display flag is stored in the various flag storage areas 114e of the RAM 114. The variable display flag is stored when the variable display is started for either the first result display unit AS or the second result display unit BS, and is erased when the variable display ends.

[0180] If the main display unit 43 is not in the variable display state, the process proceeds to the game round start processing from step S303 to step S305. In the game round start processing, first, at step S303, it is determined whether the common hold number CRN, which is the sum of the start hold memory numbers of the first result display unit AS and the second result display unit BS, is "0". The case where the common hold number CRN is "0" means that the start hold memory numbers RaN and RbN are "0" for both the upper operation port 33 and the lower operation port 34. Therefore, the game round control process is terminated as it is.

[0181] When the common reserve number CRN is not "0", a data setting process for setting the data stored in the reserve area Ra for the first result display unit or the reserve area Rb for the second result display unit for variable display is executed in step S304. Further, after executing a variable start process for starting the variable display on the main display unit 43 and the variable display on the symbol display device 41 in step S305, this game round control process is terminated. In the variable start process, a win / loss lottery is executed based on the data (reserve information) set in the data setting process, and the stop result is set so that the game round ends with the stop result corresponding to the result of the win / loss lottery. Also, the variable display time of the game round to be executed this time is set based on the variable type counter CS or the like. Further, in the variable start process, a variable command including game result information and a type command including variable display time information are output and set to the effect control device 82 so that an effect corresponding to the game round to be executed this time is performed. The variable command and the type command are transmitted to the effect control device 82 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 13). In the effect control device 82, the received command is transmitted to the display control device 212 while maintaining its information form. In the display control device 212, by receiving the command, display control of the symbol display device 41 and the like is executed to start the effect of that game round.

[0182] When the main display unit 43 is in variable display, the game round progress process of steps S306 to S309 is executed. In the game round progress process, first, in step S306, it is determined whether the variable display time of the current game round has elapsed. Specifically, it is determined whether the value of the variable display time information stored in the variable display time counter area of the RAM 114 has become "0". The value of the variable display time information is set in the variable start process at the start of the game round. Also, each time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12) is activated, the set value of the variable display time information is decremented by 1.

[0183] If the variable display time has not elapsed, the variable display process is executed in step S307. In the variable display process, the result display unit for this game round is display-controlled (light emission control of each display segment) so that each display segment lights up and goes out in a predetermined order in the result display unit, and this game round control process ends.

[0184] If the variable display time has elapsed, the variable end process is executed in step S308. In the variable end process, the information set based on the result of the success / failure lottery in the variable start process is specified, and the main display unit 43 is controlled so that the pattern corresponding to the information stops and is displayed on the main display unit 43.

[0185] In the subsequent step S309, a variable end command is set. Then, this game round control process ends. The variable end command set in step S309 is transmitted to the effect control device 82 in step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 13). In the effect control device 82, the received variable end command is transmitted to the display control device 212 while maintaining its information form. In the display control device 212, by receiving the variable end command, the combination of the final stop symbols in that game round is confirmed and displayed (final stop display).

[0186] <Game state transition process> Next, the game state transition process in step S204 in the normal process (FIG. 13) will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 15 to 16 and the like.

[0187] First, in step S401, it is determined whether it is in the opening / closing execution mode. If it is not in the opening / closing execution mode, the process proceeds to step S402, and it is determined whether it is the timing when the variable display of the pattern in the first result display unit AS or the second result display unit BS in one game round has ended. If it is not the timing when the variable display has ended, this game state transition process ends as it is.

[0188] If it is the timing when the variable display has ended, at step S403, it is determined whether the game result of the current game round corresponds to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode. If it does not correspond to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode, the game state transition process is terminated as it is.

[0189] If it corresponds to the transition to the opening / closing execution mode, at step S404, the start process of the opening / closing execution mode is executed. In the start process, it is checked whether the variable prize device 201 is in the closed state before the start of the opening / closing execution mode. Also, in the start process of the opening / closing execution mode, the setting process of the opening period for waiting without starting the opening of the variable prize device 201 at the start of the opening / closing execution mode is executed. In the setting process of the opening period, the standby time information for opening stored in advance in the ROM 113 is set in the timer counter T provided in each counter area 114d of the RAM 114. The value of the timer counter T is decremented by 1 at a predetermined cycle (for example, a 2 msec cycle, every time the timer interrupt process is activated).

[0190] In the subsequent step S405, as the start process of the round display, control is performed so that the number of rounds of the opening / closing execution mode to be executed this time (in this embodiment, "15" for any jackpot result) is displayed on the round display unit RS in the main display unit 43.

[0191] In the subsequent step S406, an opening command is set. This set opening command is transmitted to the effect control device 82 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 13). In the effect control device 82, based on the received opening command, the content of the effect corresponding to the opening / closing execution mode is determined, and various devices are controlled so that the determined content of the effect is executed. The content of this effect includes the display mode in the symbol display device 41, and this determined display mode is output as a display content command from the effect control device 82 to the display control device 212. In the display control device 212, based on the display content command received from the effect control device 82, the symbol display device 41 is display-controlled so that a display (for example, video display) corresponding to the current opening / closing execution mode is performed.

[0192] Then, in step S407, after executing the external signal setting process, this game state transition process is terminated. In the external signal setting process, the signal output state of the output terminal for the jackpot signal provided at the external output terminal 99 is set as the jackpot signal output state. Thereby, when the output terminal for the jackpot signal is connected to the management control device on the game hall side, a jackpot signal is output to the management control device, and the management control device can recognize that a jackpot has occurred in the pachinko machine 10.

[0193] On the other hand, if it is in the opening / closing execution mode, an affirmative determination is made in step S401, and the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, it is determined whether or not the standby time for the opening has elapsed. If the standby time for the opening has not elapsed, this game state transition process is terminated as it is. If the standby time for the opening has elapsed, the big winning opening opening / closing process is executed in step S409. Here, the big winning opening opening / closing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16.

[0194] First, in step S501, it is determined whether the variable winning device 201 is in an open state and the big winning opening 202 is open. Specifically, such determination is made based on the driving state of the variable winning driving unit 219. If the big winning opening 202 is not open, then in step S502, it is determined whether the value of the round counter RC is "0", and in step S503, it is determined whether the value of the timer counter T is "0".

[0195] If the value of the round counter RC is "0" or the value of the timer counter T is not "0", then this big winning opening opening / closing process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the value of the round counter RC is not "0" and the value of the timer counter T is "0", then it proceeds to step S504, and the variable winning driving unit 219 is set to a driving state to make the variable winning device 201 in an open state.

[0196] In the subsequent step S505, the setting process for the opening time of the round is executed. In the setting process for the opening time, "15000" (30 sec), which corresponds to the upper limit opening time (upper limit opening period) of the round, is input to the timer counter T.

[0197] In the subsequent step S506, the setting process for the upper limit number of winning prizes for each round is performed. In the setting process for the upper limit number of winning prizes for each round, the process of inputting "10", which corresponds to the upper limit number of winning prizes, to the winning counter PC provided in the various counter areas 114d of the RAM 114 is performed.

[0198] Then, in step S507, an opening command is set and this opening / closing process is terminated. This set opening command is transmitted to the effect control device 82 in step S201 in the normal process (Figure 13). In the effect control device 82, based on the received opening command, the content of the effect corresponding to each round is determined, and various devices are controlled so that the determined content of the effect is executed.

[0199] Also, when the variable winning device 201 is in the open state in step S501, the process proceeds to step S508 to determine whether the value of the timer counter T is "0". If the value of the timer counter T is not "0", in step S509, it is determined whether a game ball has won the variable winning device 201 based on the detection state of the winning sensor 202a for the big winning opening. If no winning has occurred, the present opening / closing process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if a winning has occurred, in step S510, the value of the winning counter PC is decremented by 1, and then in step S511, it is determined whether the value of the winning counter PC is "0". If it is not "0", the present opening / closing process is terminated as it is.

[0200] If the value of the timer counter T is "0" in step S508 and the upper limit opening time has elapsed, or if the value of the winning counter PC is "0" in step S511 and the winning of the upper limit number of winnings has occurred, it means that the end condition of the round is satisfied. In such a case, in step S512, the variable winning drive unit 219 is set to the non-driven state to close the variable winning device 201.

[0201] In the subsequent step S513, the value of the round counter RC is decremented by 1 and the update process of the round counter RC is executed. In the subsequent step S514, it is determined whether the value of the round counter RC is "0".

[0202] If the value of the round counter RC is not "0", in step S515, the setting process of the closing time between rounds, that is, from the open state to the closed state of the variable winning device 201 and then back to the open state, is executed. In the setting process of the closing time, the process of inputting "2000" (4 sec), which corresponds to the waiting time (interval) between rounds, to the timer counter T is performed.

[0203] After that, a closing command is set in step S516 to end this opening / closing process. The closing command is transmitted to the effect control device 82 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 13). Based on the received closing command, the effect control device 82 determines the content of the effect corresponding to the interval of the round game and controls various devices so that the determined effect content is executed.

[0204] If it is determined in step S514 that the value of the round counter RC is "0", then in step S517, the ending start process is executed. In this start process, an ending standby time for waiting without starting the next game round for the ending in the opening / closing execution mode is set. Specifically, the standby time information for the ending, which is stored in advance in the ROM 113, is set in the timer counter T. In this embodiment, the standby time for the ending is set to be 5 seconds, and in step S517, the process of inputting "2500" to the timer counter T is performed.

[0205] After that, after setting the ending command in step S518, this opening / closing process is ended. The ending command is transmitted to the effect control device 82 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 13). Based on the received ending command, the effect control device 82 determines the content of the effect corresponding to the end of the opening / closing execution mode and controls various devices so that the determined effect content is executed.

[0206] Returning to the description of the game state transition process (Fig. 15), after executing the big winning hole opening / closing process in step S409, it is determined in step S410 whether the round counter RC is "0". If the value of the round counter RC is not "0", this game state transition process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the value of the round counter RC is "0", it is determined in step S411 by the timer counter T whether the waiting time for ending has elapsed. If the waiting time for ending has not elapsed, this game state transition process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the waiting time for ending has elapsed, the transition process at the end of the opening / closing execution mode is executed in step S412.

[0207] In the transition process at the end of the opening / closing execution mode, the setting of the win / loss lottery mode and the support mode after the opening / closing execution mode is performed. Specifically, if the trigger for this opening / closing execution mode is a certain probability big win result, after the end of the opening / closing execution mode, the game state transitions to the high probability mode and the high frequency support mode. If it is a normal big win result, after the end of the opening / closing execution mode, the game state transitions to the low probability mode and the low frequency support mode with a limited number of times.

[0208] Then, in step S413, the process for ending the display of the round display unit RS is executed, and after executing the end process of the opening / closing execution mode in step S414, this game state transition process is terminated. In the end process of the opening / closing execution mode, the transition to the opening / closing execution mode and the deletion of various counters and flags used during the opening / closing execution mode are performed.

[0209] <Regarding the flow of the game> Next, regarding the flow of each game in the normal game state (game state not in the opening / closing execution mode) and the opening / closing execution mode, it will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the game in the normal game state, and FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the game in the opening / closing execution mode.

[0210] First, the flow of the game in the normal game state will be described with reference to FIG. 17. When the game ball that has flowed down in the left area PE2 (see FIG. 4) reaches the left flow path forming portion 131, the game ball descends along the first inclined portion 133 of the left flow path forming portion 131 and is guided toward the left game pin group 134. And when the game ball jumps over the gap 135 between the first inclined portion 133 and the left game pin group 134, the game ball is guided by the left game pin group 134 toward the lower operation port 34. When the game ball has passed over the left game pin group 134, if the electric accessory 34a is in the open state, the game ball wins at the lower operation port 34, and if the electric accessory 34a is in the closed state, the game ball falls toward the variable winning device 201 without winning at the lower operation port 34.

[0211] On the other hand, when the game ball falls from the gap 135 between the first inclined portion 133 and the left game pin group 134 or from the gap 135 provided at an intermediate position of the left game pin group 134, the game ball is guided above the general winning ports 31a, 31b or the general winning ports 31a, 31b. And when the game ball wins at the general winning ports 31a, 31b, the winning is detected by the winning sensor 31e for the general winning ports, and a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls are paid out. In contrast, when the game ball that has fallen from the gap 135 does not win at the general winning ports 31a, 31b, the game ball passes through the left third flow path formed between the first vertical wall portion 137 and the general winning port 31a or passes through between the general winning port 31a and the general winning port 31b, and then falls onto the second inclined portion 136 of the left flow path forming portion 131.

[0212] As already described, since the second inclined portion 136 is configured such that there is no escape path for game balls such as out ports between the connection portion with the first vertical wall portion 137 and the end portion (the end portion on the variable winning device 201 side), all the game balls that fall on the second inclined portion 136 are led to the variable winning device 201 side. Then, the game balls led to the variable winning device 201 side fall onto the upper surface of the shutter 216 that is located at the protruding position and closes the large winning port 202, and are guided to the out ports 141 and 171 by the inclined portions 217 and 218 provided on the shutter 216. Here, since the intervals between the left and right end portions 216a and 216b of the shutter 216 and the second vertical wall portions 138 and 168 of the left flow path forming portion 131 are less than the diameter of the game ball, the game balls rolling on the shutter 216 do not fall between the shutter 216 and the second vertical wall portions 138 and 168, and all enter the out ports 141 and 171.

[0213] Also, in the region PE4b between the left game pin group 134 and the variable winning device 201, game pins 38 are arranged so as to guide the game balls that have flowed into the region PE4b to the variable winning device 201. For this reason, even if the game balls that have passed through the gap 135 do not reach the second inclined portion 136, those game balls are led to the variable winning device 201 and fall onto the shutter 216. Then, similar to the above case, they roll on the shutter 216 and are guided to the out ports 141 and 171.

[0214] When the game ball is launched so as to flow down the right region PE3 (see FIG. 4), and the game ball that has flowed down the right region PE3 reaches the right flow path forming portion 161, the game ball is led by the first inclined portion 163 of the right flow path forming portion 161 toward the right game pin group 164. Also in this case, if the game ball does not reach the right game pin group 164, or if it falls through the gap 165 provided at an intermediate position of the right game pin group 164, the game ball is guided to the general winning ports 31c and 31d or above the general winning ports 31c and 31d.

[0215] Then, the game balls that did not win in the general winning openings 31c and 31d pass through the right third flow path formed between the first vertical wall portion 167 and the general winning opening 31d, or pass through between the general winning openings 31c and 31d, and fall onto the second inclined portion 166 of the right flow path forming portion 161. Also in the second inclined portion 166, since there is no escape route for the game balls such as the out openings between the connection portion with the first vertical wall portion 167 and the end portion (the end portion on the variable winning device 201 side), all the game balls that have fallen onto the second inclined portion 166 are led to the variable winning device 201 side and fall onto the upper surface of the shutter 216.

[0216] Also, even when game balls flow into the region PE4c between the right game pin group 164 and the variable winning device 201, they are led to the variable winning device 201 side by the game pins 38 arranged in the region PE4c and fall onto the upper surface of the shutter 216. Further, even for the game balls that have reached the vicinity of the upper operating opening 33 and the lower operating opening 34 but have not won in any of these operating openings 33 and 34 and have flowed into the region PE4a, they are led to the variable winning device 201 side and fall onto the upper surface of the shutter 216.

[0217] In this way, in the present embodiment, regardless of whether the game balls pass through either the left region PE2 or the right region PE3, all the game balls that have not won in the upper operating opening 33, the lower operating opening 34, and the general winning openings 31a to 31d are aggregated in the arrangement region of the variable winning device 201. The aggregated game balls, when the shutter 216 is in the protruding position and the variable winning device 201 is in the closed state, fall onto the shutter 216 and are then guided by the shutter 216 to the out openings 141 and 171.

[0218] Next, the flow of the game in the opening / closing execution mode will be described with reference to FIG. 18. Note that the flow of the game balls flowing down through the left region PE2 and the right region PE3 until they are aggregated in the arrangement region of the variable winning device 201 is the same as in the case of the normal game state, so the description thereof will be omitted.

[0219] As described above, when the open / close execution mode is entered, the variable prize device 201 is switched from the closed state to the open state, and then switching control (open / close control) to change from the open state to the closed state is performed at least once (15 times in this embodiment). In the open state of the variable prize device 201, the shutter 216 is located at the retracted position, thereby forming a receiving area RA (see FIG. 7(b)) where the game balls can be received into the big winning opening 202, and the winning of game balls into the big winning opening 202 is permitted. On the other hand, in the closed state, the receiving area RA disappears because the shutter 216 is located at the protruding position, and the winning of game balls into the big winning opening 202 is restricted.

[0220] Under such a configuration, in this embodiment, the second inclined portions 136 and 166 of each flow path forming portion 131 and 161 and the game balls flowing down to the regions PE4a to PE4c are configured to be aggregated in the region where the receiving area RA is formed. Therefore, when the game balls reach the formation region of the receiving area RA in a situation where the shutter 216 is at the retracted position (a situation where the variable prize device 201 is in the open state), all of those game balls flow into the receiving area RA and win into the big winning opening 202 (flow into the passage portion 208). As a result, the generation of out balls is suppressed, and it becomes possible to efficiently cause the game balls to win in the variable prize device 201.

[0221] On the other hand, when the game balls reach the formation region of the receiving area RA in a situation where the shutter 216 is at the protruding position (a situation where the variable prize device 201 is in the closed state), the game balls fall onto the shutter 216 and are guided to the out ports 141 and 171, similar to the case of the normal game state.

[0222] According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

[0223] Among the game balls flowing down in the game area PE, all of the game balls that did not win a prize at other ball entry parts (upper operating port 33, lower operating port 34, general winning ports 31a to 31d) on the upstream side of the variable winning device 201 are led to a predetermined area (the area where the receiving area RA is formed). In this case, when the player sees the flow of the game balls gathering in the predetermined area, when the variable winning device 201 is switched to the open state, it is possible to give an impression that the game balls can efficiently win a prize at the variable winning device 201.

[0224] Moreover, by providing the left flow path forming part 131 and the right flow path forming part 161, and configuring such that the game balls are led to the above-mentioned predetermined area regardless of whether they flow down in the left area PE2 or the right area PE3, the flow of the game balls gathering in the predetermined area can be generated daily, not limited to special game states such as when hitting the ball to the right. That is, by having the player always see the above flow, the awareness that the game balls can efficiently win a prize at the variable winning device 201 is promoted, and it becomes possible to enhance the pleasure of generating the opening and closing execution mode.

[0225] In addition, in this embodiment, when the variable winning device 201 is in the closed state, it is configured to lead the game balls led to the predetermined area to the out ports 141 and 171. In this case, in the normal game state, the game balls concentrated in the predetermined area can be appropriately released outside the game area PE. Thereby, it is suppressed that the game balls stay in the predetermined area, and ball jams in the predetermined area and its peripheral area are suppressed. For example, if ball jams frequently occur in these areas, there is a concern that the frequency of asking the staff in the game hall to eliminate the ball jam increases and the player feels annoyed, or an inconvenient game ball flow contrary to the design intention is constructed. However, according to this embodiment, it is possible to preferably suppress the occurrence of such inconveniences.

[0226] On the left and right sides of the game board 24, a left flow path forming portion 131 and a right flow path forming portion 161 are provided, and a variable winning device 201 is arranged between these flow path forming portions 131 and 161. In this case, a predetermined area for aggregating game balls can be set between the flow path forming portions 131 and 161, and it becomes possible to move the game balls to the left and right central portions of the lower area PE4. Thereby, for example, compared with the case where the predetermined area is set at the left corner or the right corner of the game board 24, it becomes possible to construct the flow of game balls gathering in the predetermined area at a location that is more likely to catch the player's eye. Also, since the variable winning device 201 is located between the flow path forming portions 131 and 161, due to the positional relationship among the three, it is possible to give the impression that game balls are likely to gather at the variable winning device 201 even without the player actually seeing the flow of the game balls, and it becomes possible to suitably arouse the player's gaming desire.

[0227] In each of the flow path forming portions 131 and 161, first inclined portions 133 and 163 are provided to lead out the game balls above the general winning openings 31a to 31d, and then to guide the game balls that did not win at the general winning openings 31a to 31d to the variable winning device 201. For example, if the configuration is such that game balls win at the variable winning device 201 too efficiently, the processing load inside the gaming machine for winning may increase, which may hinder the operation of the gaming machine. In this regard, in this configuration, by constructing the flow of the game balls so as to move them towards the general winning openings 31a to 31d and then towards the variable winning device 201, the number of game balls reaching the variable winning device 201 can be reduced, and it is possible to suppress the number of wins at the variable winning device 201 from becoming excessive. At that time, since the general winning openings 31a to 31d are utilized, it is possible to reduce the winning frequency at the variable winning device 201 while paying out the game balls. Therefore, for example, compared with the case of reducing the winning frequency at the variable winning device 201 by guiding the game balls to the out port or the like, it becomes easier to obtain the understanding of the player, and it becomes possible to suppress the decrease in the player's gaming desire.

[0228] Outlets 141 and 171 are arranged on the sides of the shutter 216. In this case, the game balls can be guided to the outlets 141 and 171 by utilizing the flow of the game balls on the shutter 216 at the protruding position, and the shutter 216 can be utilized as a guiding passage to the outlets 141 and 171. Moreover, since the distance between the shutter 216 and the outlets 141 and 171 is less than the diameter of the game balls, it is possible to avoid the game balls from falling downward from between the shutter 216 and the outlets 141 and 171. As a result, a separate guiding path for guiding the game balls from the shutter 216 to the outlets 141 and 171 becomes unnecessary, and the guiding path of the game balls to the outlets 141 and 171 can be simplified.

[0229] <Modification Example 1 of the First Embodiment> In this modification example, the configurations of the second inclined portions 136 and 166 in each of the flow path forming portions 131 and 161 and the variable winning device 201 are different from those in the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, the configurations of the second inclined portions 136 and 166 and the variable winning device 201 according to this modification example will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. In these figures, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0230] As shown in FIG. 19, in this modification example, outlets 231 and 232 are provided in the second inclined portions 136 and 166. Each of the outlets 231 and 232 is open upward, and one game ball can pass through.

[0231] The out ports 231 and 232 are provided at intermediate positions on the rolling surfaces of the game balls in the second inclined portions 136 and 166. Specifically, they are provided at the most upstream portions of the second inclined portions 136 and 166, that is, at the ends on the side of the first vertical wall portions 137 and 167. For this reason, game balls that have passed through the respective third flow paths formed between the first vertical wall portions 137 and 167 and the general winning ports 31a and 31d can enter the out ports 141 and 171. Incidentally, since the proportion of game balls flowing down in the game area PE that flow into the third flow path is small, in this modified example, almost all (nearly all) of the game balls that did not win at the operating ports 33 and 34 and the general winning ports 31a to 31d are led to the arrangement area of the variable winning device 201.

[0232] In this way, by providing the out ports 231 and 232 at intermediate positions of the second inclined portions 136 and 166, game balls can be discharged from the game area PE in the process of guiding the game balls toward the variable winning device 201. For this reason, compared with the above-described first embodiment in which game balls are uniformly guided toward the variable winning device 201, it becomes difficult to predict the whereabouts of the game balls, and it is possible to improve the degree of attention to the flow of the game balls.

[0233] In the above-described modified example, the out ports 231 and 232 are provided at the most upstream portions of the second inclined portions 136 and 166. However, the arrangement locations of the out ports 231 and 232 are not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to provide them at intermediate positions between the most upstream portion and the most downstream portion of the second inclined portions 136 and 166. Incidentally, the closer the out ports 231 and 232 are to the most downstream portions of the second inclined portions 136 and 166, the higher the ball entry rate of the game balls into the out ports 231 and 232 can be increased. That is, the out ports 231 and 232 can be utilized as adjustment means for adjusting the arrival rate of the game balls to the variable winning device 201.

[0234] In addition, in the above-described modified example, although the outlet ports are provided in each of the second inclined portions 136 of the left flow path forming portion 131 and the second inclined portion 166 of the right flow path forming portion 161, a configuration may be adopted in which the outlet port is provided only in one of the second inclined portions 136 and 166. Furthermore, an outlet port that opens upward may be provided in the first inclined portions 133 and 163 of each of the flow path forming portions 131 and 161 or any one of the flow path forming portions, or an outlet port that opens laterally (in the left-right center side of the lower region PE4) may be provided in the first vertical wall portions 137 and 167.

[0235] Next, the variable prize device 201 according to this modified example will be described. As shown in FIG. 20, the variable prize device 201 according to this modified example is characterized by the configuration of the shutter 216.

[0236] In this modified example, the variable prize device 201 is provided with a deceleration means for reducing the moving speed of the game ball when the game ball moves on the shutter 216. Specifically, on the upper surface portion 216c of the shutter 216, a plurality of rib portions 215 extending in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the game ball are provided. Each rib portion 215 protrudes upward from the upper surface portion 216c of the shutter 216 and has a columnar shape with a semi-circular cross-section that bulges upward. These rib portions 215 are arranged so as to be aligned in the moving direction of the game ball (the left-right direction of the gaming machine) on the shutter 216, and are arranged at predetermined intervals.

[0237] By providing such a deceleration means, when a game ball is placed on the upper surface portion 216c of the shutter 216, the game ball moving toward the out ports 141 and 171 is decelerated, and the staying period of the game ball on the shutter 216 is prolonged. As a result, when a game ball reaches the shutter 216 during the standby period between round games (the period during which the variable prize device 201 is in the closed state), the probability that the next round game starts (the variable prize device 201 is switched to the open state) before the game ball crosses the shutter 216 increases. That is, not only the game balls that reach the variable prize device 201 when the variable prize device 201 is in the open state but also the game balls that reach the variable prize device 201 during the standby period can win the big winning opening 202, and more efficient winning can be expected. Note that since the convex rib portion 215 functions to impede the flow of the game ball on the shutter 216, it can also be referred to as an impeding portion or an obstacle portion.

[0238] <Second Embodiment> In the present embodiment, the variable prize device and its peripheral configuration are different from those in the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, the variable prize device 301 according to the present embodiment and its peripheral configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 21(a) is a front view of the variable prize device 301 and its peripheral configuration, FIGS. 21(b) and (c) are cross-sectional views of the variable prize device 301, FIG. 22(a) is a perspective view of the variable prize device 301 and its peripheral configuration, and FIG. 22(b) is a plan view showing the rear surface portion 305c of the opening / closing door 305. In these figures, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0239] In this embodiment, the large winning opening 302 of the variable winning device 301 is formed as an opening that is horizontally long and rectangular in a front view and opens forward, as shown in FIG. 21(a). The size (width dimension) of the large winning opening 302 is larger than that for two game balls when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, and is sized such that a plurality of game balls can pass through simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 21(c), behind the large winning opening 302, a ball passage 303 is formed that guides the game balls that have entered the large winning opening 302 to the back side of the game board 24 and then downward. At an intermediate position of the ball passage 303, a winning sensor 302a for the large winning opening that detects the game balls that have won at the large winning opening 302 is arranged.

[0240] The variable winning device 201 is provided with a plate-shaped opening / closing door 305 so as to correspond to the large winning opening 302. The opening / closing door 305 is rotatable in the front-rear direction about a rotation axis provided at the lower end of the large winning opening 302. By this front-rear rotation, it can be displaced to a protruding position (open position) that protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 24 and opens the large winning opening 302, and a retracted position (closed position) where the protrusion from the front surface of the game board 24 is suppressed and the large winning opening 302 is covered.

[0241] As shown in FIG. 21(b), when the opening / closing door 305 is in the retracted position, the large winning opening 302 is covered from the front by the opening / closing door 305, so that winning of game balls into the large winning opening 302 is restricted, and it becomes a closed state in which the large winning opening 302 is closed. At that time, the front surface portion 305b of the opening / closing door 305 is flush with the front surface of the game board 24 (the front surface portion 311a of the base body 311 of the variable winning device 301) or is located on the back side of the gaming machine with respect to the front surface of the game board 24. When the opening / closing door 305 rotates forward from this state and is displaced to the protruding position, a receiving area RA capable of receiving game balls is formed in front of the large winning opening 302. The receiving area RA has the same shape and size as the large winning opening 302 in a front view, and when the receiving area RA is formed, winning of game balls into the large winning opening 302 is permitted. As a result, it becomes an open state in which the large winning opening 302 is opened.

[0242] As shown in FIG. 21(a), the height position of the opening / closing door 305 is set such that the opening / closing door 305 and the outlet ports 141 and 171 formed in the respective flow path forming portions 131 and 161 are arranged side by side. Specifically, when the opening / closing door 305 is in the protruding position, the rear surface portion (ball receiving portion) 305c of the opening / closing door 305 is set to a position that is lowered downward by at least the size of one ball from the second inclined portions 136 and 166 of the respective flow path forming portions 131 and 161. In other words, a stepped portion is formed between the rear surface portion 305c of the opening / closing door 305 and the second inclined portions 136 and 166, where the rear surface portion 305c of the opening / closing door 305 is lower than the second inclined portions 136 and 166 by at least the diameter of the game ball, and the outlet ports 141 and 171 are arranged in this stepped portion. With such a configuration, when the opening / closing door 305 is in the protruding position, a part of the game balls moving on the opening / closing door 305 enters the outlet ports 141 and 171.

[0243] Note that the outlet ports 141 and 171 open to the opening / closing door 305 side, similar to the first embodiment, and their size is such that one game ball can pass through. Also, the front surfaces of the flow path forming portions 131 and 161 at the outlet ports 141 and 171 and their peripheral portions are made opaque, and the visibility from the front of the gaming machine is lower than that of the lower outlet port 321 described later.

[0244] As shown in FIG. 22(b), a protrusion 325 is provided on the rear surface portion 305c of the opening / closing door 305. The protrusion 325 protrudes upward from the rear surface portion 305c and is for adjusting the ease with which the game balls moving on the opening / closing door 305 reach the outlet ports 141 and 171. That is, the higher the protrusion 325 or the larger the number thereof, the more difficult it is for the game balls to reach the outlet ports 141 and 171. By adjusting them during the design of the gaming machine, it becomes possible to adjust the ease with which the game balls escape to the outlet ports 141 and 171, that is, the winning rate of the game balls entering the big winning opening 302.

[0245] In this embodiment, since the protruding portion 325 is arranged close to the front end portion 305f of the opening / closing door 305, it is possible to adjust the ease with which the game balls reach the payout openings 141 and 171 even by the so-called laying-down method when installing the pachinko machine 10 in the game hall. That is, by increasing the laying-down (front inclination degree) of the pachinko machine 10, it becomes easier for the game balls to pass through the front end portion 305f side of the opening / closing door 305 and they are more likely to be affected by the protruding portion 325. In this embodiment, the protruding portions 325 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the opening / closing door 305, but they may be arranged on only one of the left or right sides. Also, the number of the protruding portions 325 is arbitrary and may be one or three or more.

[0246] As shown in FIG. 21(a), the opening / closing door 305 extends in the left-right direction. Specifically, its left and right end portions 305d and 305e (see FIG. 22(b)) are located near the second vertical wall portions 138 and 168 of the respective flow path forming portions 131 and 161. The distances between the left and right end portions 305d and 305e of the opening / closing door 305 and the respective payout openings 141 and 171 are less than the diameter of the game ball, so that the game balls do not fall from between the opening / closing door 305 located at the protruding position and the respective payout openings 141 and 171.

[0247] As shown in FIG. 21(b), a variable winning drive portion 219 for driving the opening / closing door 305 is attached to the back side of the base body 311. The variable winning drive portion 219 has a solenoid as a drive source and a link mechanism as a drive force transmission means for transmitting the drive force from the solenoid to the opening / closing door 305. The solenoid is electrically connected to the main control device 81 and is driven based on a drive signal from the main control device 81. When the solenoid is driven, the opening / closing door 305 rotates from the retracted position to the protruding position, and the variable winning device 301 switches from the closed state to the open state. When the output of the drive signal from the main control device 81 stops, the opening / closing door 305 returns from the protruding position to the retracted position by the biasing force of a biasing means (such as a spring), and the variable winning device 301 switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0248] As shown in Fig. 21(a), a lower out-port 321 is disposed below the variable prize device 301. The lower out-port 321 opens forward and has a substantially elliptical shape that is horizontally long when viewed from the front. The size (width dimension) of the lower out-port 321 is larger than that for two game balls when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, and is sized such that a plurality of game balls can pass through simultaneously. Behind the lower out-port 321, a ball passage 322 is formed to guide the game balls that have entered the lower out-port 321 to the back side of the game board 24. In the present embodiment, the ball passage 322 corresponding to the lower out-port 321 and the ball passage 303 corresponding to the large winning port 302 merge, but they may be configured not to merge.

[0249] <Regarding the flow of the game> Next, the flow of each game in the normal game state and the opening / closing execution mode will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the game in the normal game state, and (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the game in the opening / closing execution mode. Note that in both the normal game state and the opening / closing execution mode, the flow of the game balls that have flowed down in the left region PE2 and the right region PE3 until they are aggregated in the arrangement region of the variable prize device 301 is the same as in the case of the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 18, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0250] First, the flow of the game in the normal game state will be described with reference to Fig. 23(a). In the normal game state, the opening / closing execution mode is not executed, and the variable prize device 301 continues to be in the closed state. In such a state, when the game balls passing through the second inclined portions 136 and 166 of the respective flow path forming portions 131 and 161 and the regions PE4a to PE4c are led out to the side of the variable prize device 301, all of these game balls pass in front of the opening / closing door 305 and flow downward toward the lower out-port 321. That is, all the game balls aggregated in the arrangement region of the variable prize device 301 in the normal game state enter the lower out-port 321 and are discharged from the game region PE.

[0251] Next, with reference to FIG. 23(b), the flow of the game in the opening / closing execution mode will be described. As already described, when shifting to the opening / closing execution mode, a round game is executed in which the variable winning device 301 is switched from the closed state to the open state and then from the open state to the closed state at least once (once in this embodiment), and in the opening / closing execution mode, such round games are performed a plurality of times (15 times in this embodiment). In the open state of the variable winning device 301, since the opening / closing door 305 is located at the protruding position, a receiving area RA (see FIG. 21(c)) where the game balls can be received into the big winning port 302 is formed, and the winning of the game balls into the big winning port 302 is permitted. On the other hand, in the closed state, since the opening / closing door 305 is located at the retracted position, the receiving area RA disappears, and the winning of the game balls into the big winning port 302 is restricted.

[0252] And in the game area PE, similar to the case of the first embodiment, it is configured to concentrate the game balls in the area where the receiving area RA is formed. Therefore, when the game balls reach the formation area of the receiving area RA in the situation where the opening / closing door 305 is at the protruding position and the variable winning device 301 is in the open state, all of those game balls flow into the receiving area RA. The game balls that have flowed into the receiving area RA in this way fall onto the rear surface portion 305c of the opening / closing door 305, and then advance rearward on the rear surface portion 305c and win into the big winning port 302. Also, some of the game balls move in the left-right direction on the rear surface portion 305c of the opening / closing door 305. And when they overcome the protrusion 325, they enter the out ports 141, 171 and are discharged from the game area PE. As already described, when the game balls win into the big winning port 302, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls are paid out, but when the game balls enter the out ports 141, 171, no game balls are paid out.

[0253] On the other hand, when the game balls reach the formation area of the receiving area RA in the situation where the opening / closing door 305 is at the retracted position and the variable winning device 301 is in the closed state, the game balls pass in front of the opening / closing door 305 and enter the lower out port 321, similar to the case of the normal game state.

[0254] According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

[0255] Since all the game balls that did not win a prize in other ball-in ports (upper operation port 33, lower operation port 34, general prize-winning ports 31a to 31d) upstream of the variable prize-winning device 301 are led to a predetermined area (the area where the receiving area RA is formed), the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0256] The lower out port 321 and the out ports 141 and 171 are provided, and when the variable prize-winning device 301 is in a closed state, the game balls enter the lower out port 321, and when the variable prize-winning device 301 is in an open state, the game balls enter the out ports 141 and 171. Thus, the following effects are expected.

[0257] If the game balls win prizes in the variable prize-winning device 301 too efficiently, it will be biased towards the player side and become advantageous, which may cause problems in the operation of the game hall. When such inconveniences are expected at the design stage of the gaming machine, the flow path of the game balls may be redesigned to adjust the winning rate of the variable prize-winning device 301. In this case, if the game balls are blatantly led to the out port side and the winning rate of the game balls in the variable prize-winning device 301 is reduced, there is a risk of causing a decrease in the player's enthusiasm, which is not desirable.

[0258] In this regard, in the present embodiment, in order to address the above problems, the configuration is such that the out port for discharging the game balls is switched according to the operating state of the variable winning device 301. That is, when the variable winning device 301 is in the closed state, since the game balls enter the lower out port 321, in a game state where the opening / closing execution mode is not executed, the game balls are discharged through the lower out port 321. In a game, since the period when the opening / closing execution mode is not performed is longer and more dominant than the period when it is performed, by the player routinely seeing the game balls being discharged through the lower out port 321, the awareness that the lower out port 321 is the out port for the game balls and that the game balls entering the lower out port 321 become out balls is promoted. Furthermore, when the variable winning device 301 is in the open state, the game balls are configured to be discharged through out ports 141, 171 different from the lower out port 321. Due to the preconception that the lower out port 321 is the out port, even if game balls enter the out ports 141, 171, it is suppressed that the player recognizes this as the discharge of the game balls. Therefore, it is possible to discharge the game balls that did not win in the variable winning device 301 in the open state while making the discharge less conspicuous. As a result, it becomes possible to adjust the winning rate of the game balls to the variable winning device 301 while suppressing a decrease in the gaming motivation.

[0259] Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the configuration is such that the game balls enter the out ports 141, 171 via the opening / closing door 305 in the protruding position, it is also possible to maintain the flow of the game balls that concentrates the game balls in the arrangement area of the variable winning device 301. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the winning rate of the game balls to the variable winning device 301 while giving the impression that the game balls are likely to approach the variable winning device 301.

[0260] The visibility of the out ports 141, 171 when viewed from the front (front view from the front of the gaming machine) is made lower than that of the lower out port 321. In this case, compared with the lower out port 321, the presence of the out ports 141, 171 is diluted, and it is suppressed that the attention of the player to the out ports 141, 171 increases. As a result, the discharge of the game balls through the out ports 141, 171 can be made even less conspicuous.

[0261] In addition, in order to emphasize the lower out-port 321 and weaken the presence of the out-ports 141 and 171, a display (such as "OUT") indicating that it is an out-port may be provided around the lower out-port 321, such as on the side of the lower out-port 321, or provided on the decorative body when a decorative body is arranged in front of the lower out-port 321, corresponding to the lower out-port 321. On the other hand, a configuration may be adopted in which such a display is not provided for the out-ports 141 and 171, or the display is made less conspicuous than that of the lower out-port 321 (for example, by making the display smaller or thinner).

[0262] The out-ports 141 and 171 are arranged upstream of the lower out-port 321. In a gaming machine, the out-port is often arranged at the lowermost part (the most downstream part) of the game area PE, and it is assumed that there are not a few cases where a player plays with such a preconception. This configuration utilizes this, and by arranging the out-ports 141 and 171 upstream of the lower out-port 321, it is possible to suppress the player from immediately recognizing the out-ports 141 and 171 as out-ports.

[0263] The out-ports 141 and 171 are arranged adjacent to the opening / closing door 305. When the opening / closing door 305 is in the protruding position, when a game ball moving on the rear surface portion 305c of the opening / closing door 305 passes through the opening / closing door 305, the game ball can be quickly introduced into the out-ports 141 and 171. As a result, it becomes difficult for the player to recognize the flow of the game ball from passing through the opening / closing door 305 to reaching the out-ports 141 and 171, and the introduction of the game ball into the out-ports 141 and 171 becomes even less conspicuous. In addition, by making the out-ports 141 and 171 adjacent to the opening / closing door 305, the distance between the opening / closing door 305 and the large winning port 302 can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to introduce the game ball into the out-ports 141 and 171 while making it look as if the game ball has won the large winning port 302, and it is possible to make the discharge less conspicuous.

[0264] The distance between the outlets 141 and 171 and the opening / closing door 305 is made less than the diameter of the game ball. For example, if the configuration is such that the game ball drops from between the outlets 141 and 171 and the opening / closing door 305, there is a risk that the player will visually recognize the game ball spilling out from the opening / closing door 305, and thus may easily get the impression that the game ball is likely to spill. In this regard, in this configuration, since it is possible to avoid the game ball dropping from between the outlets 141 and 171 and the opening / closing door 305, it is possible to make it difficult to give the player the impression that the game ball is likely to spill, and it is possible to suitably suppress a decrease in the gaming motivation.

[0265] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the game ball cannot enter the lower outlet 321 when in the open state, but it may also be configured such that the game ball can enter within a range where it is more difficult to enter compared to when in the closed state. Also, in the closed state, the configuration is basically such that the game ball does not enter the outlets 141 and 171, but it may also be configured such that the game ball can enter within a range where it is more difficult to enter compared to when in the open state.

[0266] <Third Embodiment> In this embodiment, the variable winning device and its peripheral configuration are different from those in the above-described embodiments. Hereinafter, the variable winning device 401 and its peripheral configuration according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26. FIG. 24(a) is a front view of the variable winning device 401 and its peripheral configuration, (b) is a cross-sectional view thereof, FIG. 25(a) is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401, (b) is a plan view of the opening / closing member 431 and its peripheral configuration, and FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the variable winning device 401 and its peripheral configuration. In these figures, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Also, in FIGS. 24(b) and 25(a), the illustration of the left flow path forming portion 131 is omitted for convenience.

[0267] As shown in FIG. 24(a), the variable prize device 401 includes a plate-shaped base body 411, and is attached to the game board 24 by fitting the base body 411 into an opening formed at the lowermost part of the game board 24. As shown in FIG. 24(b), the distance between the front surface portion 411a of the base body 411 and the window panel 62 is larger than the diameter of the game ball, and the game ball can pass through the front of the front surface portion 411a.

[0268] As shown in FIGS. 24(a) and (b), a first winning opening 403 is formed at the upper part of the base body 411 so as to open toward the front of the gaming machine. The first winning opening 403 has a horizontally long rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and its size (width dimension) is larger than that of two game balls when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, and a plurality of game balls can pass through simultaneously.

[0269] Behind the first winning opening 403, as shown in FIG. 25(a), a first ball passage 405 is formed to guide the game ball that has entered the first winning opening 403 to the back side of the game board 24 and then downward. At an intermediate position of the first ball passage 405, a first jackpot winning sensor 403a for detecting the game ball that has won the first winning opening 403 is arranged.

[0270] As shown in FIG. 24(b), in front of the base body 411 below the first winning opening 403, a passage portion 408 through which the game ball can pass is formed. The bottom of the passage portion 408 is partitioned by the inner rail portion 51, and out ports 441 and 442 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the passage portion 408 (see FIGS. 24(a) and 26(a)). These out ports 441 and 442 are provided below the out ports 141 and 171 in the second vertical wall portions 138 and 168 of the respective flow path forming portions 131 and 161, and both open laterally so as to face the passage portion 408 side.

[0271] At the lower center of the passage portion 408, a second winning opening 404 is formed so as to penetrate the base body 411 in the thickness direction. The second winning opening 404 is formed as a horizontally long substantially elliptical opening that opens forward, and its size (width dimension) is larger than that of two game balls when viewed from the front of the gaming machine, and a plurality of game balls can pass through simultaneously.

[0272] As shown in FIG. 25(a), a second ball passage 421 is provided on the back side of the base body 411 so as to communicate with the second winning opening 404. The second ball passage 421 extends rearward, and the game balls that have won the second winning opening 404 flow into the second ball passage 421 and are then guided rearward along the passage bottom surface 421a. At an intermediate position of the second ball passage 421, a second large winning opening winning sensor 404a for detecting game balls that have won the second winning opening 404 is arranged.

[0273] Thus, in the variable winning device 401 of the present embodiment, two winning openings 403 and 404 are provided as winning openings into which game balls can win, and the large winning opening 402 is constituted by these winning openings 403 and 404. The first large winning opening winning sensor 403a and the second large winning opening winning sensor 404a are electrically connected to the main control device 81, and when the game balls pass through the detection areas of the respective large winning opening winning sensors 403a and 404a, predetermined detection information (detection signal) is input to the main control device 81. The main control device 81 determines the presence or absence of winning in the large winning opening 402 based on this detection information.

[0274] As shown in FIGS. 26(a) and (b), an opening / closing member 431 is provided in the variable winning device 401 so as to correspond to the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404.

[0275] The opening and closing member 431 includes a first opening and closing plate 432 that opens and closes the first winning opening 403, and is rotatable in the front-rear direction about a rotation shaft provided at the lower end of the first winning opening 403. By this front-rear rotation, the first opening and closing plate 432 can be displaced between a protruding position (see FIGS. 25(a) and 26(b)) where it protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 24 (the front surface portion 411a of the base body 411) and a retracted position (see FIGS. 24(b) and 26(a)) where the protrusion from the front surface of the game board 24 is suppressed.

[0276] When the first opening and closing plate 432 is in the retracted position, the first winning opening 403 is covered from the front by the first opening and closing plate 432, thereby restricting the winning of the game ball into the first winning opening 403 and bringing it into a closed state where the first winning opening 403 is closed. At that time, the front surface portion 432b of the first opening and closing plate 432 is flush with the front surface of the game board 24 or is located on the back side of the game machine relative to the front surface of the game board 24. When the opening and closing member 431 rotates forward from this state and the first opening and closing plate 432 is in the protruding position, the winning of the game ball into the first winning opening 403 is permitted, and it becomes an open state where the first winning opening 403 is opened. Note that it is not necessarily required to configure such that a game ball cannot definitely win the first winning opening 403 in the closed state, and it may be configured to be able to win within a range where it is less likely to win compared to the open state.

[0277] As shown in FIG. 26(a), a second opening and closing plate 433 that opens and closes the second winning opening 404 is provided on the front surface portion 432b of the first opening and closing plate 432. The second opening and closing plate 433 is formed to protrude forward from the front surface portion 432b of the first opening and closing plate 432 when the first opening and closing plate 432 is in the retracted position. The depth dimension of the second opening and closing plate 433 (the forward protruding amount from the first opening and closing plate 432) is equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball, and it is possible for the game ball to rest on the second opening and closing plate 433.

[0278] The second opening / closing plate 433 is integrated with the first opening / closing plate 432 and is configured to rotate back and forth as the opening / closing member 431 rotates. Due to this back-and-forth rotation, the second opening / closing plate 433 protrudes forward from the front surface of the game board 24 (the front surface portion 411a of the base body 411), and its upper surface portion 433b faces upward in the protruding position (see FIGS. 24(b) and 26(a)), and the protrusion of the second opening / closing plate 433 is suppressed, and the upper surface portion 433b is displaceable to the retracted position where it tilts forward (see FIGS. 25(a) and 26(b)).

[0279] The second opening / closing plate 433 extends in the left-right direction. Specifically, its left and right end portions are located near the second vertical wall portions 138 and 168 of the respective flow path forming portions 131 and 161. Further, as shown in FIG. 24(b), the depth dimension of the second opening / closing plate 433 (the protruding length from the first opening / closing plate 432) is set such that the distance D1 between the front end portion 433a of the second opening / closing plate 433 and the window panel 62 at the protruding position is less than the diameter of the game ball. Therefore, when the second opening / closing plate 433 is located at the protruding position and the passage portion 408 is covered from above by the second opening / closing plate 433, the game ball cannot flow into the passage portion 408 from either the front or the side of the second opening / closing plate 433, and the inflow of the game ball into the passage portion 408 is restricted. As a result, the winning of the game ball into the second winning port portion 404 is restricted, and it enters the closed state of closing the second winning port portion 404. Note that it is not necessarily required to configure such that the game ball cannot always win into the second winning port portion 404 in the closed state, and it may be configured to be able to win within a range where it is less likely to win compared to the open state.

[0280] Also, when the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the protruding position, since the second opening / closing plate 433 protrudes forward of the gaming machine, it is possible to receive the game balls on the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433. That is, the second opening / closing plate 433 functions not only as an opening / closing portion that opens and closes the second winning port portion 404 but also as a ball receiving portion that receives the game balls. The game balls received on the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 fall downward from the upper surface portion 433b in the process in which the second opening / closing plate 433 is displaced from the protruding position to the retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 26(a) and (b). Thereby, the game balls flow into the passage portion 408, and winning at the second winning port portion 404 becomes possible. A plurality of ridge portions 215 (deceleration means) are provided on the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433, and the staying period of the game balls on the second opening / closing plate 433 is prolonged.

[0281] As shown in FIG. 25(a), when the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the retracted position, the first opening / closing plate 432 is in the protruding position. At this time, in the present embodiment, the distance D2 between the upper end portion 432a of the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62 is equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball, and the game ball can pass in front of the first opening / closing plate 432. At this time, in the second opening / closing plate 433, as shown in FIG. 25(b), the central portion 433c thereof protrudes forward of the first opening / closing plate 432, and the interval from the window panel 62 becomes narrow, but the portions on both the left and right sides are located behind the first opening / closing plate 432. The interval from the window panel 62 in these portions is larger than the diameter of the game ball, and the game balls that have passed in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 flow into the passage portion 408 through this portion.

[0282] Thus, when switching from the protruding position to the retracted position of the second opening / closing plate 433 and during the period in which the second opening / closing plate 433 is maintained in the retracted position, winning of a game ball at the second winning opening 404 is permitted, and it becomes an open state in which the second winning opening 404 is opened. However, in addition to the fact that winning at the second winning opening 404 due to the fall from the second opening / closing plate 433 occurs only when switching from the protruding position to the retracted position of the second opening / closing plate 433, winning at the second winning opening 404 occurs during the period of maintenance in the retracted position only when the game ball passes near the window panel 62. For this reason, the winning probability of the game ball at the second winning opening 404 is lower than the winning probability at the first winning opening 403.

[0283] Here, as shown in FIG. 24(a), the second opening / closing plate 433 has a gable shape in a front view, and similar to the shutter 216 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to guide the game ball received on the upper surface portion 433b to the out ports 141 and 171. Regarding the positional relationship between the two, such as the height position of the second opening / closing plate 433 with respect to the out ports 141 and 171 and the distance between the out ports 141 and 171 and the second opening / closing plate 433, since it is the same as in the case of the shutter 216 and the out ports 141 and 171 according to the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

[0284] As shown in FIG. 24(b), a variable winning drive unit 419 for driving the opening / closing member 431 is attached to the back side of the base body 411. The variable winning drive unit 419 includes a solenoid as a drive source and a link mechanism as a drive force transmission means for transmitting the drive force from the solenoid to the opening / closing member 431. The solenoid is electrically connected to the main control device 81 and is driven based on a drive signal from the main control device 81. When the solenoid is driven, the opening / closing member 431 rotates from a state where the first opening / closing plate 432 is in the retracted position and the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the protruding position to a state where the first opening / closing plate 432 is in the retracted position and the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the retracted position, and the opening / closing member 431 switches from a closed state where the respective winning ports 403, 404 (big winning port 402) are closed to an open state where they are opened. When the output of the drive signal from the main control device 81 stops, the opening / closing member 431 returns to a state where the first opening / closing plate 432 is in the retracted position and the second opening / closing plate 433 is in the protruding position by the biasing force of the biasing means (such as a spring), and switches from the open state to the closed state.

[0285] In this embodiment, since a part of the game balls flowing into the passage portion 408 can be discharged through the out ports 441, 442, the through hole provided at the lower center of the passage portion 408 functions as the second winning port 404. However, as shown in FIG. 27, the out ports 441, 442 may be omitted, and the second winning port 404 may be configured to open upward. In FIG. 27, the illustration of the second opening / closing plate 433 is omitted for clarity of the second winning port 404.

[0286] Next, the distribution of jackpot types according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 28. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the distribution table. The distribution table is a table for distributing the types of jackpot results based on the value of the jackpot type counter C2, and is stored in the distribution table storage area 113b (see FIG. 8) of the ROM 113.

[0287] As shown in FIG. 28, in the present embodiment, for the distribution table, as types of jackpot results, an explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result (a game result corresponding to an explicit high probability), a non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result (a game result corresponding to a non-explicit high probability or a result in a latent probability-variable state), and a 15R normal jackpot result are set.

[0288] The explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result is a jackpot result in which, after the end of the opening / closing execution mode, the win / loss lottery mode becomes the high probability mode and the support mode becomes the high frequency support mode. The high frequency support mode continues until the lottery result in the win / loss lottery becomes a jackpot state win and a transition is made to the opening / closing execution mode due to that. The non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result is a jackpot result in which, after the end of the opening / closing execution mode, the win / loss lottery mode becomes the high probability mode and the support mode becomes the low frequency support mode. The 15R normal jackpot result is a jackpot result in which, after the end of the opening / closing execution mode, the win / loss lottery mode becomes the low probability mode and the support mode becomes the low frequency support mode.

[0289] In the case of the non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result, after the end of the opening / closing execution mode, although the win / loss lottery mode transitions to the high probability mode, the support mode becomes the low frequency support mode as in the case of the 15R normal jackpot result. Then, as a game state, it is possible to create a game state in which the win / loss lottery mode becomes the high probability mode even though the support mode of the electric accessory 34a is commonly the low frequency support mode. Thereby, it is possible to make the non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result and the 15R normal jackpot result indistinguishable or difficult to distinguish for the player, and it becomes possible to impart an interesting aspect of predicting whether the win / loss lottery mode is in the high probability mode or the low probability mode.

[0290] In the distribution table shown in FIG. 28, among the values of "0 to 29" of the jackpot type counter C2, "0 to 9" correspond to the explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result, "10 to 19" correspond to the non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result, and "20 to 29" correspond to the 15R normal jackpot result, but the distribution of these numerical values is arbitrary.

[0291] Next, each control process executed by the MPU 112 of the main control device 81 in the present embodiment will be described.

[0292] FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the variation start process. This process is executed in step S305 of the game turn control process (FIG. 14).

[0293] In the variation start process, first, in step S701, an acceptance determination process for determining whether the reservation information referred to in the current variation start process corresponds to a jackpot win is executed. Specifically, information for jackpot determination among the information stored in the execution area AE, that is, information obtained from the information updated by the jackpot random number counter C1 is grasped. Then, when the acceptance lottery mode is the low probability mode, the acceptance table for the low probability mode stored in the acceptance table storage area 113a of the ROM 113 is referred to, and it is specified whether the grasped information is included in the information corresponding to the jackpot win. When the acceptance lottery mode is the high probability mode, the acceptance table for the high probability mode stored in the acceptance table storage area 113a of the ROM 113 is referred to, and it is specified whether the grasped information is included in the information corresponding to the jackpot win.

[0294] In the subsequent step S702, it is determined whether the result of the acceptance determination process in step S701 is a result corresponding to a jackpot win. If it is a result corresponding to a jackpot win, a type determination process is executed in step S703.

[0295] In the type determination process, information for type determination among the information stored in the execution area AE, that is, information obtained from the information updated by the jackpot type counter C2 is grasped. Also, the distribution table (FIG. 28) stored in the distribution table storage area 113b of the ROM 113 is referred to, and it is specified whether the grasped information for type determination is included in the information corresponding to the sure change jackpot result.

[0296] In the subsequent step S704, it is determined whether the type of the current jackpot win is a probability-variable jackpot result based on the information specified in the type determination process in step S703. If it is a probability-variable jackpot result, the stop result setting process for the probability-variable jackpot is executed in step S705. If it is not a probability-variable jackpot result, the stop result setting process for the normal jackpot is executed in step S706. Also, when it is determined in step S702 that there is no jackpot win, the stop result setting process for when losing is executed in step S707.

[0297] In each of the stop result setting processes in steps S705 to S707, the information on the pattern form to be finally stopped and displayed on the main display unit 43 is specified by referring to the stop result table stored in the stop result table storage area of the ROM 113, and the specified information is stored in the RAM 114. Also, in steps S705 and S706, information (explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot flag, non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot flag, 15R normal jackpot flag) for the MPU 112 to specify that the win / loss determination result of the current game round is a jackpot result is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114.

[0298] After executing any of the processes in steps S705 to S707, in step S708, the setting process for the variable display time for performing the variable display is executed. In the subsequent step S709, the variable command and the type command are set. The variable command includes information on the presence or absence of a jackpot, the presence or absence of a reach occurrence, and the variable display time. Also, the type command includes information on the game result. That is, the type command includes information on the game result such as the information on the explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result, the information on the non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot, the information on the 15R normal jackpot result, and the information on the losing result.

[0299] The variable command and the type command set in step S709 are transmitted to the effect control device 82 in step S201 of the normal process (FIG. 13). The effect control device 82 transmits the variable command and the type command to the display control device 212 while maintaining their information forms. The display control device 212 grasps the variable display pattern on the symbol display device 41 in the game round based on the received variable command and type command, and controls the display of the symbol display device 41 so that the grasped variable display pattern is executed. After that, after starting the variable display of the picture pattern on the main display unit 43 in step S710, this variable start process is terminated.

[0300] FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the big winning opening / closing process in the present embodiment. Here, the processes of steps S801 and S802 shown in FIG. 30 are executed between step S509 and step S510 in the big winning opening / closing process of FIG. 16. Note that step S509 determines whether or not a game ball has won the variable winning device 401 based on the detection states of the big winning opening winning sensors 403a and 404a, and step S510 is a process of updating the value of the winning counter PC.

[0301] If an affirmative determination is made in step S509, that is, if it is detected that a game ball has won the variable winning device 401, then in step S801, it is determined whether or not the detection of the winning is that a game ball has been detected by the second big winning opening winning sensor 404a. As a result of the determination, if a game ball has been detected by the second big winning opening winning sensor 404a, then in step S802, it is shown that a game ball has been detected by the second big winning opening winning sensor 404b, that is, a game ball has won the second winning opening 404, and a second winning opening command is set. The second winning opening command set in step S802 is output to the effect control device 82 in the external output process of step S201 in the normal process (FIG. 13).

[0302] After the execution of step S802 or when a negative determination is made in step S801, the process proceeds to step S510, and the value of the winning counter PC is decremented by 1.

[0303] As described above, in this embodiment, when a winning of a game ball into the variable winning device 401 (big winning opening 402) is detected, it is determined whether it is a winning into the second winning opening 404. However, the update of the winning counter PC is based on a winning into the big winning opening 402 as a unit, and is updated without distinguishing between the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404. For this reason, when the total number of winnings into these respective winning openings 403, 404 reaches a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 10; refer to step S506 in FIG. 16), the variable winning device 401 is switched from the open state to the closed state.

[0304] <Notification performance control process> Next, the notification performance control process executed by the MPU 242 of the performance control device 82 will be described with reference to FIG. 31. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the notification performance control process.

[0305] The notification performance control process is a process for performing a notification performance during the execution of the opening / closing execution mode, and is activated at a predetermined cycle (for example, 2 msec). In the notification performance control process, it is determined whether or not a predetermined execution condition for the notification performance is satisfied, and when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, control is performed so that the notification performance is executed on the symbol display device 41.

[0306] Specifically, first, in step S901, it is determined whether or not the opening / closing execution mode is being executed. This determination is made based on whether or not an opening command from the main control device 81 has been received. When it is determined that the opening / closing execution mode is not in progress, this notification performance control process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the opening / closing execution mode is in progress, in step S902, it is determined whether or not the current jackpot result is a non-explicit probability-variable jackpot result or a normal jackpot result. This determination is made based on a type command from the main control device 81.

[0307] As a result of the determination, if the current jackpot result is neither a non-explicit probability-variable jackpot result nor a normal jackpot result, that is, if it is an explicit probability-variable jackpot result, this notification performance control process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the current jackpot result is either a non-explicit probability-variable jackpot result or a normal jackpot result, the process proceeds to step S903 to determine whether it is during the opening period. If it is determined that it is during the opening period, the introduction performance setting process is executed in step S904.

[0308] Here, the introduction performance will be described with reference to FIG. 32(a). The introduction performance is a game performance executed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41, and is executed as a pre-performance of a notification performance that indicates whether the game state (lottery mode) after the opening execution mode ends will be either the high probability mode or the low probability mode. In the introduction performance, an egg image 461 with a "?" display and a warrior character image 462 holding a sword are displayed. Although not shown in the figure, character displays such as "Something good might happen if 20 or more game balls are won at the second winning opening 404..." are also performed.

[0309] Also, in the introduction performance, a jackpot symbol image 463 showing the main symbols stopped and displayed on the effective lines L1 to L5 in the game round that resulted in a jackpot is displayed. In the case of a non-explicit probability-variable jackpot result in this embodiment, similar to the case of a normal jackpot result, it is configured such that the same even symbol is stopped and displayed on any of the effective lines L1 to L5. For this reason, the player cannot distinguish whether it is a probability-variable jackpot result or a normal jackpot result from the stop results on the effective lines L1 to L5.

[0310] Furthermore, in the introductory presentation, a count image 464 indicating the number of winning balls in the second winning opening 404 is displayed. In the present embodiment, when a winning in the second winning opening 404 is detected, a display is made in which the warrior character image 462 swings down a sword toward the egg image 461, and the numerical value displayed in the count image 464 is incremented. These displays serve as notifications corresponding to the occurrence of a winning in the second winning opening 404.

[0311] Returning to the description of the notification presentation control process in FIG. 31, in step S904 (introductory presentation setting process), an output command to the display control device 212 is set so that the derived presentation in FIG. 32(a) is performed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41. The display control device 212 controls the display of the symbol display device 41 based on the command.

[0312] After the execution of step S904 or when a negative determination is made in step S903, in step S905, it is determined whether a notification presentation or an end presentation, which will be described later, has been executed. If those presentations have been executed, this notification presentation control process ends. On the other hand, if they have not been executed, in step S906, it is determined whether a second winning opening command from the main control device 81 has been received. The second winning opening command is output when the main control device 81 detects a winning of a game ball in the second winning opening 404. If the second winning opening command has been received, in step S907, the value of the second winning counter SPC is incremented by 1 and updated. The second winning counter SPC is for the presentation control device 82 to manage the number of winning game balls in the second winning opening 404 and is stored in the RAM 244. Also, in step S907, an output command to the display control device 212 is set to update the display of the above-described count image 464.

[0313] After the execution of step S907 or when a negative determination is made in step S906 (when a new second winning port command has not been received), the process proceeds to step S908 to determine whether the value of the second winning counter SPC is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 20). If it is determined that the value of the second winning counter SPC is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the notification performance setting process is executed in step S909.

[0314] Here, the notification performance will be described with reference to FIGS. 32(b) and (c). The notification performance is a game performance that notifies (explicitly) whether the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends is the high-probability mode. When the jackpot result is a non-explicit probability-variable jackpot result, that is, when the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends is the high-probability mode, as shown in FIG. 32(b), an image 465 in which the character "probability-variable" appears from inside the cracked egg is displayed, and a warrior character image 462 showing a happy look is displayed. On the other hand, when the jackpot result is a normal jackpot result, that is, when the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends is the low-probability mode, as shown in FIG. 32(c), an image 466 in which the character "normal" appears from inside the cracked egg is displayed, and a warrior character image 462 showing a standing still look is displayed. By seeing these displays, the player can clearly know whether the lottery mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode will be the high-probability mode or the low-probability mode.

[0315] Returning to the description of the notification performance control process in FIG. 31, in step S909 (notification performance setting process), an output command to the display control device 212 is set so that the notification performance in FIG. 32(b) or FIG. 32(c) is performed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41 according to the type of jackpot result.

[0316] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S908, that is, if the value of the second winning counter SPC is less than a predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S910 to determine whether the current round game is a round game of a predetermined round number (for example, the 10th round). If it is determined that it is not the predetermined round number, the present notification effect control process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the predetermined round number, the end effect setting process is executed in step S911.

[0317] In the end effect, as shown in FIG. 32(d), an egg image 461 in an unbroken state is displayed, and a warrior character image 462 in a bowed state is displayed. In this case, the egg image 461 is marked with "?", so that the player cannot identify whether the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends is the high probability mode or the low probability mode. In this case, after the end of the opening / closing execution mode, the player will proceed with the game with the uncertainty of whether it is the high probability mode or not. In step S911 of FIG. 31, an output command to the display control device 212 is set so that the above end effect is performed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41.

[0318] As described above, in this embodiment, if the number of winning game balls at the second winning opening 404 does not reach the predetermined number before the round game of the predetermined round number ends, an end effect is displayed as if the time has run out. Therefore, the player strongly desires that the winning at the second winning opening 404 be achieved quickly, and a sense of impatience and tension is preferably evoked. As a result, compared with the case where the opening / closing execution mode is merely completed indifferently, the game can be livened up.

[0319] After the execution of step S909 or step S911, in step S912, "0" is input to and cleared from the value of the second winning counter SPC. Then, the present notification effect control process ends.

[0320] <Regarding the game flow> Next, the flow of each game in the normal game state and the opening / closing execution mode will be described. Note that, in both the normal game state and the opening / closing execution mode, the flow of the game balls flowing down in the left area PE2 and the right area PE3 until they are aggregated in the arrangement area of the variable winning device 301 is the same as that in the case of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 18, so the description thereof will be omitted.

[0321] First, the flow of the game in the normal game state will be described with reference to FIG. 26(a). In the normal game state, the opening / closing execution mode is not executed, and the variable winning device 401 continues to be in the closed state. The closed state in this case is a state in which the rotation position of the opening / closing member 431 is set such that the first opening / closing plate 432 closes the first winning opening 403 and the second opening / closing plate 433 closes the second winning opening 404. In this state, as already described, the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving part and can receive the game balls flowing down in the game area PE. Then, the game balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 are guided by the second opening / closing plate 433 toward the out ports 141, 171 and enter the out ports 141, 171. That is, the game balls aggregated in the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401 in the normal game state enter either the left or right out ports 141, 171 and are discharged from the game area PE.

[0322] Next, the flow of the game in the opening / closing execution mode will be described with reference to FIG. 33. Note that in FIG. 33, the "arrival balls" mean the game balls that have reached the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401.

[0323] When shifting to the opening / closing execution mode, a round game is executed in which the variable winning device 401 is changed from the closed state to the open state and then switched back to the closed state at least once (once in this embodiment), and in the opening / closing execution mode, such round games are performed a plurality of times (15 times in this embodiment).

[0324] In the open state of the variable winning device 401, since the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward (see Fig. 26(b)), the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404 are each opened, and winning of game balls into each winning opening 403, 404 is permitted. For this reason, game balls that reach the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401 at the timing when the variable winning device 401 is in the open state win in either the first winning opening 403 or the second winning opening 404 (timings t1 to t4 in Fig. 33). In this case, as described above, the winning probability of game balls into the second winning opening 404 is lower than the winning probability into the first winning opening 403.

[0325] When the variable winning device 401 is in the closed state, both the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404 are closed, while the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving portion. That is, game balls that reach the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401 at the timing which is the standby period set between the front and rear round games (the period of waiting for the start of the next round game with the variable winning device 401 in the closed state) fall onto the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433. Then, when the next round game is started before the game ball on the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 reaches the out ports 141, 171, that is, when the variable winning device 401 is switched to the open state again, the game ball falls downward and wins in the second winning opening 404 (timings t5, t6 in Fig. 33).

[0326] In addition, when the game ball on the second opening / closing plate 433 reaches the out ports 141, 171 before the start of the next round game, the game ball is discharged from the game area PE through the out ports 141, 171 without winning in the second winning opening 404. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the second opening / closing plate 433 is provided with the convex strip portion 215 as a deceleration means, and the staying period of the game ball on the second opening / closing plate 433 is prolonged. That is, game balls that reach the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401 during the standby period are given preferential treatment so that they are more likely to win in the second winning opening 404.

[0327] In the above description, the standby period between rounds has been explained. However, the same applies to the game balls that reach the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401 during the closing period (the period during which the variable winning device 401 is in the closed state immediately before the start of the first round) before the execution of the first round. That is, when the first round game is started with the game ball existing on the second opening / closing plate 433, the game ball will win the second winning opening 404.

[0328] As described above, in this embodiment, not only when the variable winning device 401 is in the open state, but also when the variable winning device 401 is in the closed state, the game balls that reach the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401 can win the variable winning device 401. And when the number of winnings at the second winning opening 404 reaches 20 or more before the end of the round game of the 10th round, a notification effect (FIG. 32) is executed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41, and a notification corresponding to the lottery mode (game state) after the end of the opening / closing execution mode is performed.

[0329] According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

[0330] The second opening / closing plate 433 is provided on the opening / closing member 431, and when the variable winning device 401 is in the closed state, the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving portion. Further, based on the switching from the closed state to the open state, the game balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 can win the second winning opening 404.

[0331] When the opening / closing execution mode is executed, it is desirable for the player that winning the big winning opening efficiently is achieved and wasteful consumption of game balls is suppressed. For this reason, some players may perform so-called stopping, such as refraining from firing game balls at a timing when it is difficult to win the big winning opening. However, if such technical intervention is excessively performed, the fairness of the game is impaired, which is not desirable.

[0332] In this regard, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, even if it is a game ball launched at a timing when winning at the first winning opening 403 is unlikely to occur, it is possible to cause the game ball to win at the second winning opening 404 via the second opening / closing plate 433 (ball receiving portion). As a result, it becomes possible to efficiently obtain a privilege while suppressing the generation of waste balls, and a configuration suitable for the needs of the player can be achieved. Moreover, it is also possible to suppress the prevalence of stopping shots, which is also advantageous in ensuring the fairness of the game.

[0333] Moreover, the configuration is such that the game ball received by the second opening / closing plate 433 can win at the second winning opening 404 instead of the first winning opening 403. For example, if the configuration is such that the game ball falling from the second opening / closing plate 433 wins at the first winning opening 403, since the winning game ball and the winning destination are the same when the first winning opening 403 is opened, in the pachinko machine 10, there is a risk that it becomes difficult to identify by which route the game ball won. In this regard, in the present embodiment, since the winning destination of the game ball is different between the case of winning by falling from the second opening / closing plate 433 and the case of winning without going through the fall, in the pachinko machine 10, it becomes possible to easily identify by which route the ball won. For this reason, the former case can be made more advantageous than the latter case more easily, and a configuration advantageous in evoking a special feeling for winning through the fall from the second opening / closing plate 433 can be achieved.

[0334] Also, for example, in a configuration where the game ball received by the second opening / closing plate 433 (ball receiving portion) wins at the first winning opening 403, there is a concern that the game ball heading toward the first winning opening 403 through the ball receiving portion and the game ball heading directly toward the first winning opening 403 without passing through the ball receiving portion interfere with each other, and the respective winnings are inhibited. In this regard, in the present configuration, since the winning opening through the ball receiving portion and the winning opening without passing through it are separated, such inconveniences can be suitably suppressed.

[0335] By causing the game balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 to fall downward, a configuration is adopted in which the balls are made to win at the second winning port portion 404. In this case, the game balls on the second opening / closing plate 433 can be guided to the second winning port portion 404 by utilizing the forward rotation of the opening / closing member 431, and the configuration can be simplified. Further, by switching from the closed state to the open state, along with the winning of the game balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 at the second winning port portion 404, the reset of the ball receiving state in the second opening / closing plate 433 can be achieved. As a result, when the variable winning device 401 is returned from the open state to the closed state, it becomes possible to start a new ball receiving with no game balls remaining on the second opening / closing plate 433.

[0336] Furthermore, the second winning port portion 404 is arranged below the second opening / closing plate 433 and has an upward opening configuration. In this case, it is possible to make it easier for the game balls falling from the second opening / closing plate 433 to win at the second winning port portion 404. Moreover, the passage of the game balls from the second opening / closing plate 433 to the second winning port portion 404 can be simplified, and the occupied area of the passage in the game area PE can be kept smaller compared to the case where the passage becomes complicated. That is, it can be an optimal configuration for a gaming machine in which the game area PE is limited.

[0337] When the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward to make the variable winning device 401 in the open state, the distance D2 between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62 is set to be equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball. In this case, the game balls can pass in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 and win at the second winning port portion 404. That is, it is possible to expect double winning at the first winning port portion 403 and the second winning port portion 404, and the interestingness can be improved compared to a uniform game where it only depends on whether a game ball enters a single winning port.

[0338] The structure is such that the game balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 are led out to the out ports 141 and 171. In this case, when the opening / closing execution mode is not executed and the variable winning device 401 continues to be in the closed state, the game balls received by the second opening / closing plate 433 can be led to the out ports 141 and 171 and appropriately discharged from the game area PE. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the game balls from staying on the second opening / closing plate 433 and to suppress ball jams in the second opening / closing plate 433 and its peripheral area.

[0339] Furthermore, the out ports 141 and 171 are arranged adjacent to the side of the opening / closing member 431. In this case, it is possible to facilitate the leading out of the game balls from the second opening / closing plate 433 to the out ports 141 and 171. Also, since the distance between the second opening / closing plate 433 and the out ports 141 and 171 becomes shorter, it is possible to visually confirm whether game balls remain on the second opening / closing plate 433 or have already entered the out ports 141 and 171 without shifting the line of sight, and it becomes possible to achieve concentration of the attention points. Thereby, compared with the case where visual recognition of various locations is required, it is possible to suppress the dispersion of attention and to configure the game machine so that the player can easily concentrate on the game.

[0340] In addition, the out ports 141 and 171 are configured to open toward the opening / closing member 431 side. In this case, it is possible to smoothly let the game balls enter the out ports 141 and 171 by utilizing the momentum of the game balls moving on the second opening / closing plate 433, and it becomes possible to suppress the flow of the game balls from stagnating on the second opening / closing plate 433. Also, since the game balls can enter the out ports 141 and 171 as they are without changing the moving direction of the game balls, it is possible to simplify the leading-out structure of the game balls to the out ports 141 and 171.

[0341] When a predetermined number of winning detections are made at the second winning opening 404, a notification effect is executed to notify whether it is a jackpot result with increased probability or a normal jackpot result. The configuration is such that it is more advantageous for the player to win at the second winning opening 404 than to win at the first winning opening 403. In this case, not only does the second opening / closing plate 433 receive the game balls to suppress the generation of waste balls, but depending on whether the game balls win at the first winning opening 403 or the second winning opening 404, the subsequent progress of the game can be made different (whether to proceed with the game knowing whether it is in the high-probability mode or to proceed with the game while it remains uncertain). That is, which of the winning openings 403, 404 the game balls win at becomes a major concern for the player, and it becomes possible to suitably increase the degree of attention to the game.

[0342] In other words, regarding the relationship between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433 in the present embodiment, it can also be said that the first opening / closing plate 432 stands up or protrudes upward on the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 when the opening / closing member 431 is in the closed state and extends in the passage direction of the upper surface portion 433b (the direction toward the out ports 141, 171). In this case, by rotating the opening / closing member 431, while dropping the game balls on the upper surface portion 433b and flowing them downward below the opening / closing member 431, the first opening / closing plate 432 can suppress new game balls from flowing into the opening / closing member 431. Thereby, the opportunity for the game balls to flow downward below the opening / closing member 431 can be restricted, and the joy when the game balls drop can be increased.

[0343] Further, the first opening / closing plate 432 is disposed at a distance greater than the diameter of the game ball from the rotating tip of the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433, and more specifically, is disposed at the end of the upper surface portion 433b opposite to the rotating tip. For this reason, when the opening / closing member 431 is in the closed position (FIG. 24(b)), a game ball can be placed in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 on the upper surface portion 433b, and when the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward (when located at the open position in FIG. 25(a)), it is possible to suppress the first opening / closing plate 432 from inhibiting the fall of the game ball from the upper surface portion 433b. That is, it is possible to satisfactorily achieve both the function of dropping the game ball received on the upper surface portion 433b and the function of suppressing the fall of further game balls.

[0344] Furthermore, the first opening / closing plate 432 extends over the entire length in the passage direction of the upper surface portion 433b. In this case, when the opening / closing member 431 is in the open position, it is possible to suppress the game ball from passing by the side of the first opening / closing plate 432 and flowing into the passage portion 408.

[0345] Note that when the opening / closing member 431 is in the open position and a game ball is placed on the first opening / closing plate 432, and in this state, the opening / closing member 431 returns to the closed position, the first opening / closing plate 432 may rotate backward with the game ball still placed thereon. In this case, there is a risk that the game ball may be sandwiched between the first opening / closing plate 432 and an object behind the first opening / closing plate 432, resulting in ball jamming. In this regard, in the above configuration, since a space portion (the first winning port portion 403 and the first ball passage 405) capable of accommodating one or more game balls is provided behind the first opening / closing plate 432, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ball jamming.

[0346] <Modification Example 1 of the Third Embodiment> In this modification example, the configuration of the opening / closing member 431 is different from that of the third embodiment. Specifically, when the opening / closing member 431 is located at the open position, the gap dimension with the window panel 62 is narrower than that in the case of the third embodiment. Hereinafter, this modification example will be described with reference to FIG. 34. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401 in the open state. In this figure, the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0347] In this modification example, when the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward from the closed position (FIG. 24(b)) and is displaced to the open position, the depth dimension of the first opening / closing plate 432 is set such that the distance D2 between the upper end portion 432a of the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62 is less than the diameter of the game ball. Therefore, the game ball cannot pass in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 (opening / closing member 431) and is not allowed to flow into the passage portion 408 below the opening / closing member 431.

[0348] As described above, in this modification example, even when the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward to the rotation position for opening the first winning port portion 403, the second winning port portion 404 is not opened, and only the first winning port portion 403 is opened. In this case, the winning opportunity for the second winning port portion 404 can be restricted only when switching from the closed state to the open state, and it becomes possible to emphasize the game of dropping the game ball from the second opening / closing plate 433 and winning the second winning port portion 404.

[0349] <Fourth Embodiment> In this embodiment, the operation mode of the opening / closing member 431 is different from that of the third embodiment. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 37. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401 in the closed state, FIG. 36(a) is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401 in the open state A, (b) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the variable winning device 401 in the open state B. In these figures, the same components as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0350] In the variable winning device 401 of the present embodiment, there are two open states as open states. Specifically, there are an open state A (FIG. 36) in which the second winning opening 404 is in an open state, and an open state B (FIG. 37) in which the first winning opening 403 is in an open state. Each of these open states A and B is realized by adjusting the rotation amount (rotation angle) of the opening / closing member 431 in the variable winning device 401. As a state other than the open states A and B, a closed state (FIG. 35) in which both the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404 are in a closed state can be taken, but since this closed state is the same as the closed state (FIG. 24(b)) according to the above-described third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. In the closed state shown in FIG. 35, the distance D1 between the front end portion 433a of the second opening / closing plate 433 and the window panel 62 is less than the diameter of the game ball.

[0351] As shown in FIGS. 36(a) and (b), in the open state A, by setting the rotation amount of the opening / closing member 431 forward of the gaming machine from the closed state as the first rotation amount, while allowing a game ball to enter the second winning opening 404, it does not allow a game ball to enter the first winning opening 403. That is, the first rotation amount suppresses the opening degree of the first winning opening 403 within a range where a game ball cannot enter the first winning opening 403, and rotates the opening / closing member 431 so that the distance D3 between the upper end portion 432a of the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62, and the distances D4 between the left and right end portions 433d and 433e of the second opening / closing plate 433 and the window panel 62 are equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball. When the distances D3 and D4 are equal to or greater than the diameter of the game ball, first, a game ball flowing down from above the opening / closing member 431 passes in front of the first opening / closing plate 432 and lands on the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433. The game ball that has landed on the upper surface portion 433b moves along the inclination of the upper surface portion 433b toward the left end portion 433d or the right end portion 433e, and falls below the opening / closing member 431 through the front region of those end portions 433d and 433e. In this way, a ball passage 471 through which a game ball can pass is formed, and a game ball can be won at the second winning opening 404.

[0352] Also, when a game ball is placed on the second opening / closing plate 433 immediately before switching from the closed state to the open state A, the game ball drops downward from the second opening / closing plate 433 during the process of switching to the open state A, and it becomes possible for the game ball to win a prize at the second winning opening 404.

[0353] As shown in FIG. 37(a), in the open state B, the rotation amount of the opening / closing member 431 forward from the closed state toward the front of the gaming machine is set to a second rotation amount larger than the first rotation amount, so that while allowing a prize at the first winning opening 403, it does not allow a game ball to win a prize at the second winning opening 404. That is, the second rotation amount is such that the first opening / closing plate 432 opens the first winning opening 403 to an extent that allows a game ball to win a prize at the first winning opening 403, and the passage portion 408 (see FIG. 24(b)) leading to the second winning opening 404 is covered from above by the first opening / closing plate 432 when the opening / closing member 431 is rotated. In the present embodiment, the first opening / closing plate 432 is sized such that when the opening / closing member 431 rotates to the rotation position where the open state B is achieved, the distance D5 between the upper end portion 432a of the first opening / closing plate 432 and the window panel 62 is less than the diameter of the game ball.

[0354] Here, since the second rotation amount is to make the forward rotation amount of the opening / closing member 431 from the closed state larger than the first rotation amount, the switching from the closed state to the open state B is configured to be performed via the open state A. At that time, the period in the open state A is configured to be shorter than the period in the open state B (the period maintained in the open state B).

[0355] Also, as shown in FIG. 37(b), when a game ball is placed on the second opening / closing plate 433 immediately before switching from the closed state to the open state B, the game ball drops downward during the process of switching to the open state B, and it becomes possible for the game ball to win a prize at the second winning opening 404. That is, in the situation where the variable winning device 401 is in the open state B, winning a prize at the second winning opening 404 is not allowed, but winning a prize at the second winning opening 404 is allowed when switching to the open state B.

[0356] In the present embodiment, the variable prize drive unit 419 includes a stepping motor as a drive source. The stepping motor is electrically connected to the main control device 81 and is driven based on a drive signal from the main control device 81. Specifically, when a first drive signal is output from the main control device 81, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated so that the variable prize device 401 is in the open state A, and when a second drive signal is output from the main control device 81, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated so that the variable prize device 401 is in the open state B. Further, when a return signal is output from the main control device 81, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated so that the variable prize device 401 is in the closed state.

[0357] Next, the distribution of jackpot types according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 38(a). FIG. 38(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the distribution table.

[0358] In the distribution table of the present embodiment, two types, namely, non-explicit 15R probability jackpot result A and non-explicit 15R probability jackpot result B, are set corresponding to the non-explicit 15R probability jackpot result. Also, two types, namely, normal jackpot result A and normal jackpot result B, are set corresponding to the 15R normal jackpot result.

[0359] When the jackpot type is the non-explicit 15R probability jackpot result A and when it is the non-explicit 15R probability jackpot result B, the symbols stopped and displayed on the main display unit 43 are different, but there are cases where the same symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 41 (for example, the symbol combination of "444" can be displayed in both the non-explicit 15R probability jackpot result A and the non-explicit 15R probability jackpot result B). As a result, it is made impossible or difficult to identify which jackpot result it is from the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 41, and it is suppressed that the player can easily grasp the jackpot type. The same applies to the normal jackpot results A and B. The symbols stopped and displayed on the main display unit 43 are different, but there are cases where the same symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 41.

[0360] Regarding the explicit 15R sure-change jackpot result, it is the same as the distribution table (Figure 28) of the third embodiment above.

[0361] Next, the relationship between the jackpot type and the open state of the variable winning device 401 will be described with reference to FIG. 38(b). FIG. 38(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining their correspondence.

[0362] When the jackpot type is a non-explicit 15R sure-change jackpot result A or a 15R normal jackpot result A, in the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to those jackpot results, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state A. The open state A is such that the second winning port part 404 is in an open state. When a game ball wins a prize at the second winning port part 404, it is detected by the second big winning port prize sensor 404a in the same manner as in the case of the third embodiment. Then, during the execution of the opening / closing execution mode, when it is detected that a predetermined number or more of game balls have won a prize at the second winning port part 404, the notification performance shown in FIGS. 32(b) and (c) is executed, and the lottery mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode is notified. As a result, the player can clearly know whether the lottery mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode is a high-probability mode or a low-probability mode.

[0363] On the other hand, when the jackpot type is a non-explicit 15R sure-change jackpot result B or a 15R normal jackpot result B, in the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to those jackpot results, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state B. Although a prize can be expected at the second winning port part 404 when switching from the closed state to the open state B, after the transition to the open state B, winning a prize at the second winning port part 404 is not allowed. Therefore, compared with the open state A, it is less likely that a prize will occur at the second winning port part 404. For this reason, when the jackpot type is a non-explicit 15R sure-change jackpot result B or a 15R normal jackpot result B, the end performance shown in FIG. 32(d) is likely to be executed, and the possibility that the game proceeds after the end of the opening / closing execution mode increases while the player cannot clearly grasp whether the lottery mode is a high-probability mode.

[0364] Thus, in this embodiment, the probability of being able to know the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends is increased, and the open state A is more advantageous than the open state B. For this reason, an interesting aspect of playing the game while expecting the variable prize device 401 to be opened in the open state A is given, and the degree of attention to the game is suitably increased.

[0365] Note that the open state shown in FIG. 38(b) may be targeted at all round games executed in the opening / closing execution mode, or may be targeted at some round games. For example, when the jackpot type is non-explicit 15R probability variable jackpot result B or 15R normal jackpot result B, the variable prize device 401 is opened in the open state B in all round games during the opening / closing execution mode, and when the non-explicit 15R probability variable jackpot result A or 15R normal jackpot result A is obtained, the variable prize device 401 is opened in the open state A in the round games from the first round to the tenth round, and the remaining round games can be opened in the open state B.

[0366] According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

[0367] It has a plurality of states in the open state, and can be switched to a closed state in which both the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404 are closed, an open state A in which the second winning opening 404 is in the open state, and an open state B in which the first winning opening 403 is in the open state. Thereby, compared with a uniform game where only whether a game ball enters a single winning opening or not, the winning modes of the game balls can be diversified, and the interestingness can be improved. Moreover, since such switching is realized by a single opening / closing member 431, when the opening / closing member 431 operates, the winning opening that switches to the open state is not uniquely determined, and an interestingness of predicting which of the winning openings 403, 404 will be in the open state can be imparted. In addition, since it is more advantageous for the player that the game ball wins at the second winning opening 404 than at the first winning opening 403, which of the open states A and B will be becomes a major concern for the player. Thereby, it is expected that the player will pay stronger attention to the behavior of the opening / closing member 431, and it becomes possible to suitably increase the degree of attention to the game.

[0368] When the variable winning device 401 switches from the closed state to the open state B, it is configured to pass through the open state A. In this case, the behavior of the opening / closing member 431 until midway through the switch to the open state B can be made to coincide with the behavior of the opening / closing member 431 when switching from the closed state to the open state A. At this time, during the period when the behaviors of the opening / closing member 431 coincide, it will not be determined from the player's perspective which of the open states A and B will be. Thereby, a situation where the winning openings 403, 404 that become the open state are quickly determined from the behavior of the opening / closing member 431 is avoided, and the interestingness of predicting which of the winning openings 403, 404 will be in the open state can be enhanced.

[0369] When switching from the open state A to the open state B, the period in the open state A is configured to be shorter than the period in the open state B. For example, if the period in the open state A is longer than the period in the open state B, it becomes easier for the game balls to win at the second winning opening 404. As a result, the difference from the open state B becomes ambiguous, and the significance of providing the open state B may be impaired. In this regard, according to this configuration, although it is a configuration that allows passing through the open state A, the winning probability of the game balls at the second winning opening 404 can be kept low, and appropriate differentiation from the open state B becomes possible.

[0370] <Modification Example 1 of the Fourth Embodiment> In this modification example, it is different from the fourth embodiment in that the open state of the variable winning device 401 is changed during one round of the game. Hereinafter, this modification example will be described with reference to FIG. 39(a). FIG. 39(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the opening and closing pattern of the variable winning device 401 during one round of the game.

[0371] In this modification example, when one round of the game is started, first, the variable winning device 401 is switched from the closed state to the open state A (see FIG. 36) in which the second winning opening 404 is in the open state. Then, during the one round of the game, the variable winning device 401 is switched from the open state A to the open state B (see FIG. 37) in which the first winning opening 403 is in the open state. After that, based on the establishment of the end condition of the round game (the number of game balls winning at the variable winning device 401 reaches a predetermined upper limit number or the open period reaches a predetermined upper limit period), the variable winning device 401 is switched from the open state B to the closed state, and the round game ends.

[0372] Since the open state of the variable winning device 401 changes during the round game in this way, it is expected that the player will carefully observe the behavior of the opening and closing member 431, and it becomes possible to suitably increase the degree of attention to the game. In addition, compared with the conventional gaming machine that only determines whether the variable winning device 401 opens or not, the flow of the game balls and the winning modes at the variable winning device 401 can be diversified, and the interestingness can be improved.

[0373] In the above case, the switching from the open state A to the open state B is arbitrary as long as a certain period of maintaining the open state A (the period during which the second winning opening 404 remains open) is ensured. For example, it can be performed based on the fact that the number of winning game balls in the variable winning device 401 reaches a predetermined number less than the upper limit number, or based on the fact that the execution period of the open state A (the period during which the second winning opening 404 is in the open state) reaches a predetermined period shorter than the upper limit period, or based on the establishment of both of these conditions.

[0374] Also, when switching from the open state A to the open state B, the variable winning device 401 is shifted from the open state A to the open state B without returning it to the closed state. In this case, compared with the case of returning the variable winning device 401 to the closed state and then shifting to the open state B, the rotation amount of the opening / closing member 431 until reaching the open state B can be reduced, enabling a quick state switch. Further, by not intervening the closed state, the generation of waste balls (the occurrence of an event in which game balls enter the out ports 141 and 171) is suppressed, and it becomes possible to efficiently award game balls to the variable winning device 401.

[0375] Note that the change in the open state does not necessarily need to be performed in all round games in the opening / closing execution mode. For example, as shown in FIG. 39(b), it may be configured to be performed only in some round games. That is, the change in the open state may be configured to be performed in at least some round games in the opening / closing execution mode.

[0376] Also, as shown in FIG. 39(c), when changing the open state of the variable winning device 401 in a plurality of round games, the change patterns of the open state may be made different. In this case, the way of changing the open state differs depending on the round, which is effective in diversifying the winning modes of game balls to the variable winning device 401.

[0377] <Modification Example 2 of the Fourth Embodiment> In this modification example, it is different from the fourth embodiment and its modification example 1 in that the open state of the variable winning device 401 is changed in round units. Hereinafter, this modification example will be described with reference to FIG. 40. FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between each round and the opening / closing pattern of the variable winning device 401.

[0378] When the opening / closing execution mode is executed, in the first-round game, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state A, and in the second-round game, it is opened in the open state B, which is different from the first-round case. Also, in the third-round game, the variable winning device 401 is opened in the open state A, and in the fourth-round game, it is opened in the open state A as in the third-round case.

[0379] Since the open state of the variable winning device 401 thus differs depending on the round, the winning mode of the game balls into the variable winning device 401 also differs according to the round. As a result, compared to the case where the same round games are simply repeated as the opening / closing execution mode progresses, the ways of enjoying the round games can be diversified, and the interestingness can be improved.

[0380] In the above case, when switching from the first round to the second round, the variable winning device 401 is shifted from the open state A to the open state B without returning it to the closed state. That is, since the first winning port 403 is in the open state in the second-round game, its closed state is required as a prior state. However, in this modification example, it is considered that this is achieved by the open state A implemented in the first-round game (in the open state A, the first winning port 403 is in the closed state (see FIG. 36)), and it is shifted to the open state B without returning to the closed state.

[0381] In this case, compared with the case of returning the variable prize device 401 to the closed state and then shifting to the open state B, the amount of rotation of the opening / closing member 431 until reaching the open state B can be reduced, enabling rapid state switching. Also, due to the open state A in the first round, the standby period immediately before starting the second round (the period of waiting for the start of the second-round round game with the first winning opening 403 in the closed state) is also utilized, so it is possible to shift seamlessly from the first round to the second round, or to immediately start the second round after the end of the first round, eliminating or making the substantial standby period extremely short.

[0382] As a result, the occurrence of wasted balls (the event of game balls entering the out ports 141, 171) can be suppressed, and efficient winning in the variable prize device 401 can be promoted. In addition, the opening / closing execution mode can be advanced smoothly, improving the time efficiency when playing the game.

[0383] Also, when switching from the second round to the third round, the variable prize device 401 is shifted from the open state B to the open state A without returning it to the closed state. Thus, the same effects as in the above case can be expected.

[0384] <Modification Example 3 of the Fourth Embodiment> In this modification example, it is different from Modification Examples 1 and 2 of the Fourth Embodiment in that the switching between the open states A and B is performed by switching the rotation direction of the opening / closing member 431 from the closed state. Hereinafter, this modification example will be described with reference to FIGS. 41 and 42. FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the opening / closing member 431 according to this modification example, and FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation mode of the opening / closing member 431. In these figures, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0385] As shown in FIG. 41, in this modified example, the second opening / closing plate 483 of the opening / closing member 431 has a flat plate shape. That is, the second opening / closing plate 483 is configured such that its upper surface portion 483b extends linearly (substantially horizontally) in the left-right direction when viewed from the front in front of the gaming machine. The second opening / closing plate 483 covers the passage portion 408 (see FIG. 24(b)) leading to the second winning opening 404 from above, and has a size capable of closing the passage portion 408.

[0386] The opening / closing member 431 is rotatable in the front-rear direction about a rotation shaft portion 431a provided at the lower end portion of the first opening / closing plate 432, and the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 483 rotate integrally with this front-rear rotation. Although not shown, the game board 24 is provided with flow path forming portions 131 and 161 in the same manner as in other embodiments, and out ports 141 and 171 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the opening / closing member 431.

[0387] Next, the operation mode of the opening / closing member 431 will be described with reference to FIG. 42. Also in this modified example, in the open state, an open state A in which the second winning opening 404 is in an open state and an open state B in which the first winning opening 403 is in an open state are included, and switching between the closed state, the open state A, and the open state B is possible.

[0388] As shown in FIG. 42(a), the closed state is a state in which the first opening / closing plate 432 covers the first winning opening 403 from the front and the second opening / closing plate 483 covers the passage portion 408 from above. As a result, winning of game balls into the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404 is not allowed, and both winning openings 403 and 404 are closed. In the closed state, the second opening / closing plate 483 protrudes forward, so that game balls flowing down from above can be received by the upper surface portion 483b of the second opening / closing plate 483. The game balls received by the upper surface portion 483b move in the left-right direction by moving along the upper surface portion 483b, and are guided to the out ports 141 and 171.

[0389] As shown in FIG. 42(b), when the opening / closing member 431 rotates forward from the closed state, it becomes the open state B. In the open state B, the first opening / closing plate 432 falls forward, so that the first winning opening 403 is in an open state, and winning of a game ball into the first winning opening 403 is permitted. Further, since the first opening / closing plate 432 that has fallen forward covers the passage portion 408 from above, the second winning opening 404 is in a closed state.

[0390] When a game ball exists on the upper surface portion 483b of the second opening / closing plate 483 when switching from the closed state to the open state B, as the second opening / closing plate 483 rotates downward along with the forward rotation of the opening / closing member 431, the game ball drops downward and can win into the second winning opening 404. That is, the game ball on the second opening / closing plate 483 can win into the winning opening (the second winning opening 404) on the side opposite to the winning opening (the first winning opening 403) that becomes the open state when switched to the open state B. Further, such winning is not permitted after the switching to the open state B is completed, and is a limited one permitted only during the switching process.

[0391] As shown in FIG. 42(c), when the opening / closing member 431 rotates backward from the closed state, it becomes the open state A. In the open state A, the second opening / closing plate 483 stands up, so that the passage portion 408 opens upward, and winning of a game ball into the second winning opening 404 is permitted. Further, since the standing second opening / closing plate 483 covers the first winning opening 403 from the front, the first winning opening 403 is in a closed state.

[0392] When a game ball exists on the upper surface portion 483b of the second opening / closing plate 483 when switching from the closed state to the open state A, as the second opening / closing plate 483 rotates toward the first winning opening 403, the game ball is guided to the first winning opening 403 and can win into the first winning opening 403. Such winning is not permitted after the switching to the open state A is completed, and is a limited one permitted only during the switching process.

[0393] In this modified example, the second opening / closing plate 483 is formed in a flat plate shape to prevent the game balls on the second opening / closing plate 483 from moving to the left and right end portions of the second opening / closing plate 483 and spilling out when guiding the game balls on the second opening / closing plate 483 toward the first winning port portion 403. However, as long as such spilling does not occur or is unlikely to occur, the configuration may be inclined toward the out ports 141 and 171 as in the fourth embodiment.

[0394] As described above, in this modified example, since the opening / closing member 431 is configured to be in the open state B when it rotates forward and in the open state A when it rotates backward, the player's interest in the direction in which the opening / closing member 431 operates increases, and it is expected that the player will pay attention to the behavior of the opening / closing member 431. Therefore, it is possible to suitably increase the degree of attention to the game. In addition, since whether it is in the open state A or B is associated with the operating direction of the opening / closing member 431, it becomes easier for the player to intuitively grasp which state it is in, and the ease of play is improved.

[0395] In the above modified example, when the switching to the open state A is completed, the winning of game balls into the first winning port portion 403 is made impossible. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which winning is possible within a range where it is more difficult to win than the second winning port portion 404 may be employed. Similarly, even when the switching to the open state B is completed, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which winning of game balls into the second winning port portion 404 is made impossible, and a configuration in which winning is possible within a range where it is more difficult to win than the first winning port portion 403 may be employed.

[0396] <Fourth Embodiment Modified Example 4> This modified example is based on the third modified example of the fourth embodiment and devises the switching mode to the open states A and B during the opening / closing execution mode. Hereinafter, this modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 43(a). FIG. 43(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the jackpot type and the open state of each round, and FIG. 43(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the jackpot type and the number of times of switching to the open state A in the opening / closing execution mode.

[0397] In this modified example, even if a winning of a game ball occurs at the second winning opening 404, the notification effect shown in FIG. 32 is not executed (of course, the introduction effect and the ending effect are not executed either), and from the effect image displayed on the display screen G of the symbol display device 41 during the execution of the opening / closing execution mode, it is impossible or difficult to identify whether the lottery mode after the end of the opening / closing execution mode is the low probability mode or the high probability mode. Further, when the opening / closing member 431 is switched to either the open state A or B in one round of the game, the state continues until the end of the round of the game. Furthermore, for the jackpot types in this modified example, as in the case of the modified example 1 of the third embodiment, an explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result, a non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result, and a 15R normal jackpot result are set (see FIG. 28).

[0398] As shown in FIG. 43(a), in the opening / closing execution mode when the jackpot type is allotted to the non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result, in the round games from the 1st round to the 4th round and from the 10th round to the 15th round, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated forward to be in the open state B, and in the round games from the 5th round to the 9th round, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated backward to be in the open state A. On the other hand, in the opening / closing execution mode when the jackpot type is allotted to the 15R normal jackpot result, in the round games of the 1st round, the 3rd round, the 5th round, and from the 7th round to the 15th round, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated forward to be in the open state B, and in the round games of the 2nd round, the 4th round, and the 6th round, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated backward to be in the open state A.

[0399] That is, the number of times the variable winning device 401 is switched to the open state A is different between the case where the jackpot type is allotted to the non-explicit 15R probability-variable jackpot result and the case where it is allotted to the 15R normal jackpot result. Specifically, in the former case, the number of times of switching to the open state A is more than a predetermined number of times (4 times in this modified example), and in the latter case, the number of times of switching to the open state A is configured to be equal to or less than the predetermined number of times.

[0400] Such control is realized, for example, by the main control device 81 setting the opening mode of the opening and closing member 431 in each round based on information regarding the result of the jackpot type distribution, such as the value of the jackpot type counter C2 obtained and the flag indicating the distribution result of the jackpot type.

[0401] With the above configuration, it is possible to impart an interesting aspect of inferring the lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode has ended from the number of times of switching to the open state A (the behavior of the opening and closing member 431). As a result, the player's interest in the behavior of the opening and closing member 431 can be significantly increased, and the degree of attention to the game can be suitably improved.

[0402] In this modification, the jackpot type and the number of times of switching to the open state A are made to correspond one-to-one. However, as shown in FIG. 44, when the jackpot type is distributed to the non-explicit 15R certain-variable jackpot result, the number of times of switching to the open state A is likely to exceed a predetermined number, and when it is distributed to the normal 15R jackpot result, the number of times of switching to the open state A may be less than or equal to the predetermined number.

[0403] Also, when the jackpot type is distributed to the non-explicit 15R certain-variable jackpot result, the number of times of switching to the open state B may exceed a predetermined number, and when it is distributed to the normal 15R jackpot result, the number of times of switching to the open state B may be less than or equal to the predetermined number.

[0404] Furthermore, in this modification, for the sake of convenience of explanation, when the opening and closing member 431 is switched to either the open state A or B in one round game, the state is continued until the end of the round game. However, as in the first modification of the fourth embodiment, the opening mode of the opening and closing member 431 may be changed during one round game. In this case, the number of times (total number) of switching to the open state A during the opening and closing execution mode may be different between when it is distributed to the non-explicit 15R certain-variable jackpot result and when it is distributed to the 15R normal jackpot result, or the number of rounds including the switching to the open state A may be different.

[0405] <Modification Example 5 of the Fourth Embodiment> This modification example targets the round game of a predetermined round, and is different from the above modification example 4 in that the open state of the variable winning device 401 is made different when the jackpot type is assigned to the non-explicit 15R sure-win jackpot result and when it is assigned to the 15R normal jackpot result. Hereinafter, this modification example will be described with reference to FIG. 45(a). FIG. 45(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the jackpot type and the open state of the 15th round.

[0406] In the opening / closing execution mode when the jackpot type is assigned to the non-explicit 15R sure-win jackpot result in this modification example, in the round game of the 15th round, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated backward to the open state A. On the other hand, in the opening / closing execution mode when the jackpot type is assigned to the 15R normal jackpot result, in the round game of the 15th round, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated forward to the open state B. In addition, in either the case of the non-explicit 15R sure-win jackpot result or the 15R normal jackpot result, in the round games other than the 15th round, the opening / closing member 431 is rotated forward to the open state B.

[0407] With such a configuration, it is possible to give an interesting aspect of guessing the lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends from the open state of the variable winning device 401 in the 15th round. As a result, similar to the case of the above modification example 4, the player's interest in the behavior of the opening / closing member 431 can be greatly enhanced, and the degree of attention to the game can be suitably improved. In addition, since it is sufficient to pay attention to the behavior of the opening / closing member 431 in a predetermined round, the load on the player can be reduced compared to the case of targeting all the round games performed in the opening / closing execution mode.

[0408] In addition, in this modified example, the predetermined round is set as the 15th round (the final round), but it is not limited to this, and it can be any round. However, if the player can guess a normal jackpot result at a relatively early stage of the opening / closing execution mode, there is a risk that the player will be discouraged and unable to fully enjoy the remaining opening / closing execution mode. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined round be a round game at the end of the opening / closing execution mode (the final round or the round game immediately before it).

[0409] Also, in this modified example, the predetermined round is set as one round game, but it may be composed of a plurality of round games. Further, as in the case of FIG. 45(b), the jackpot type and the opening mode (whether it is the opening state A or B) in the predetermined round are not made to correspond one-to-one. When the jackpot type is allocated to the non-explicit 15R sure-win jackpot result, the variable winning device 401 is more likely to be in the opening state A in the predetermined round game than when it is allocated to the 15R normal jackpot result. Such a configuration may be adopted.

[0410] <Fifth Embodiment> In this embodiment, it is different in that the variable winning device 401 according to the fourth embodiment is configured as a variable winning unit in which a plurality of variable winning devices are integrated. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47. FIG. 46(a) is a front view of the variable winning unit 501 and its peripheral configuration, and FIGS. 46(b) and 47 are cross-sectional views of the variable winning unit 501. In these figures, the same components as those in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0411] As shown in Fig. 46(a), the variable prize unit 501 includes a base body 411 similar to the variable prize device 401 according to the fourth embodiment. An upper large prize opening 505 that opens forward is formed at the upper part of the base body 411, and a lower large prize opening 506 that opens forward is formed at the lower part of the base body 411. These upper large prize opening 505 and lower large prize opening 506 have the same configuration as the first prize opening part 403 and the second prize opening part 404 according to the fourth embodiment, and are opened and closed by an opening / closing member 431. That is, an upper variable prize device 502 is constituted by the upper large prize opening 505 and the opening / closing member 431, and a lower variable prize device 503 is constituted by the lower large prize opening 506 and the opening / closing member 431.

[0412] The operation of the specific opening / closing member 431 for opening and closing the upper large prize opening 505 and the lower large prize opening 506 is the same as the case of opening and closing the first prize opening part 403 and the second prize opening part 404 in the fourth embodiment. As shown in Figs. 46(b) and 47(a), (b), it is possible to switch between a closed state in which both large prize openings 505, 506 are closed, an open state A in which the lower large prize opening 506 is opened, and an open state B in which the upper large prize opening 505 is opened.

[0413] In the open state B shown in Fig. 47(b), when a game ball wins a prize through the upper large prize opening 505, it is detected by a prize sensor 403a for the first large prize opening provided in the first ball passage 405 behind the upper large prize opening 505. When the winning of the game ball through the upper large prize opening 505 is detected in this way, the first number (for example, 10) of game balls are paid out from the payout control device 97.

[0414] On the one hand, in the open state A shown in FIG. 47(a), when a game ball wins a prize at the lower large winning opening 506, it is detected by the winning sensor 404a for the second large winning opening provided in the second ball passage 421 behind the lower large winning opening 506. When the winning of the game ball at the lower large winning opening 506 is detected in this way, a second number (for example, 15) of game balls more than the first number are paid out from the payout control device 97. That is, in the present embodiment, by winning a game ball at the lower large winning opening 506, a large number of prize balls can be obtained, and it is more advantageous for the player to win at the lower large winning opening 506 than at the upper large winning opening 505.

[0415] Also, when a game ball was placed on the second opening / closing plate 433 immediately before the change from the closed state to the open states A and B, the game ball falls downward during the process of changing to the open states A and B and becomes capable of winning a prize at the lower large winning opening 506. For this reason, in the opening / closing execution mode, it becomes possible to make the game ball that reached the variable winning unit 501 during the standby period (the period in the closed state) between the previous round game and the next round game win a prize at the lower large winning opening 506.

[0416] Incidentally, when the open state A is set in the previous round game and the open state B is set in the next round game, similar to the case of Modification 2 (FIG. 40) of the fourth embodiment, it may be shifted from the open state A to the open state B without returning to the closed state. Thereby, it is possible to shift to the next round without interruption from the previous round, or to immediately start the next round immediately after the end of the previous round, and the substantial standby period can be eliminated or made extremely short.

[0417] In this modification example, since the upper variable winning device 502 and the lower variable winning device 503 are treated as separate variable winning devices, for example, when a round game is played in the open state B (the state in which the upper large winning opening 505 is open), the round game ends based on the number of winning game balls in the upper large winning opening 505 reaching a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 10), or the continuous period of the open state B reaching a predetermined upper limit period (for example, 30 seconds). Similarly, when a round game is played in the open state A (the state in which the lower large winning opening 506 is open), the round game ends based on the number of winning game balls in the upper large winning opening 505 reaching the above-mentioned predetermined upper limit number, or the continuous period of the open state B reaching the above-mentioned predetermined upper limit period.

[0418] Note that in this modification example, a notification effect (FIG. 32) based on the winning of game balls in the lower large winning opening 506 may or may not be performed.

[0419] <Modification Example 1 of the Fifth Embodiment> This modification example is different from the above-mentioned fifth embodiment in that it does not include the open state A (the state in which the lower large winning opening 506 is open) shown in FIG. 47(a). In this modification example, the open state is only the open state B (the state in which the upper large winning opening 505 is open), and it has a configuration that can be switched between two modes: the closed state (FIG. 46(b)) and the open state B. That is, similar to the case of the modification example 1 (FIG. 34) of the above-mentioned third embodiment, the opportunity to win game balls in the lower large winning opening 506 is limited only when switching to the open state B. Thereby, it is possible to emphasize the gaming property that is more advantageous to the player as the number of game balls on the second opening / closing plate 433 is larger at the time of the above-mentioned switching.

[0420] <Sixth Embodiment> This embodiment is based on the above-described third embodiment and devises the configuration of the ball receiver in the closed state. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 48 and 49. FIGS. 48(a) and (b) are perspective views of the opening / closing member 631 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 49 is a side view. In these figures, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. However, in this embodiment, even when a game ball wins a prize at the second winning opening 404, the notification effect is not executed, and the number of game balls paid out is the same as when a game ball wins a prize at the first winning opening 403. That is, the degree of advantage for the player is the same when a prize is won at the first winning opening 403 and when a prize is won at the second winning opening 404.

[0421] As shown in FIG. 48(a), the opening / closing member 631 of this embodiment includes a long plate-shaped movable plate 651. The movable plate 651 is arranged with the longitudinal direction in the left-right direction of the gaming machine, similar to the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433, and is disposed between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433 in the rotation direction of the opening / closing member 631. A cylindrical shaft portion (not shown) extending in the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 651 is provided at one long side portion 652 of the movable plate 651, and the shaft portion is rotatably connected to a bearing portion 653 provided on the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433. That is, as shown in FIG. 49, the movable plate 651 is configured to be rotatable between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433 about a rotation axis extending in the same direction as the rotation axis of the opening / closing member 431. Thereby, the movable plate 651 can be switched between a state of overlapping the front surface portion 432b of the first opening / closing plate 432 from the front (FIG. 48(a)) and a state of overlapping the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 from above (FIG. 48(b)). The movable plate 651 has a size that can cover substantially the entire upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433, as shown in FIG. 48(b). In this embodiment, a drive source such as a solenoid for driving the movable plate 651 is not provided.

[0422] In the present embodiment, as a closed state for closing the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404, there are a closed state A shown in FIG. 48(a) and a closed state B shown in FIG. 48(b). These closed states A and B differ in whether or not the movable plate 651 overlaps the second opening / closing plate 433 from above. Specifically, when the movable plate 651 does not overlap the second opening / closing plate 433, it is the closed state A, and when it overlaps, it is the closed state B.

[0423] As shown in FIG. 48(a), in the closed state A, since the movable plate 651 is in an upright state, the first surface portion 654 located on the second opening / closing plate 433 side of the movable plate 651 is exposed forward, and the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 is exposed upward. In this case, the first surface portion 654 of the movable plate 651 is flush with the front surface portion 411a of the base body 411 (the front surface of the game board 24. Refer to FIG. 24(b)) or is located on the back side of the game machine with respect to the front surface portion 411a, and game balls can pass through in front of the first surface portion 654.

[0424] Therefore, in the above case, the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving portion in the first aspect. The upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 has a smooth planar shape, and it is difficult for game balls to get caught when moving on the upper surface portion 433b. Also, the first surface portion 654 of the movable plate 651 also has a smooth planar shape, which also suppresses the catching of game balls.

[0425] Note that an engaging portion 656 is provided on the surface portion 655 at the rotation tip side of the movable plate 651 so as to project in the radial direction of the rotation radius of the movable plate 651 from the surface portion 655. This engaging portion 656 is configured to engage with an engaged portion 657 (refer to FIG. 49) provided on the base body 411 side of the variable winning device 401 when the movable plate 651 is in an upright posture, thereby enabling the movable plate 651 to be held in the upright posture.

[0426] As shown in FIG. 48(b), in the closed state B, since the movable plate 651 is tilted toward the second opening / closing plate 433, the front surface portion 432b of the first opening / closing plate 432 is exposed forward, and the second surface portion 658 of the second opening / closing plate 433 located on the side of the first opening / closing plate 432 is exposed upward. In this case, the second surface portion 658 of the movable plate 651 functions as a ball receiving portion in the second aspect. A plurality of rib portions 660 extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the movable plate 651 are provided on the second surface portion 658 of the movable plate 651, and these rib portions 660 function as deceleration means in the same manner as the rib portions 215 according to other embodiments. That is, when a game ball is placed on the second surface portion 658, the movement of the game ball in the direction toward the out ports 141 and 171 is inhibited by the rib portions 660, and the game ball is decelerated.

[0427] A plurality of groove portions 661 are provided on the front surface portion 432b of the first opening / closing plate 432 so as to correspond to the rib portions 660. When the opening / closing member 631 is in the closed state A, these groove portions 661 can accommodate the respective rib portions 660.

[0428] Next, the operation mode of the opening / closing member 631 in the normal game state and the opening / closing execution mode will be described. Although not shown, in this embodiment as well, flow path forming portions 131 and 161 (see FIG. 5) are provided on the game board 24, and the game balls flowing down in the game area PE are aggregated in the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401.

[0429] First, the case of the normal game state will be described with reference to FIGS. 48(a) and 49. In the case of the normal game state, the state of the opening / closing member 631 is maintained in a closed state that closes the first winning opening 403 and the second winning opening 404. In this case, the movable plate 651 is held in an upright posture by the engagement between the engaging portion 656 and the engaged portion 657, and the opening / closing member 631 is set in the closed state A. Under this closed state A, since the upper surface portion 483b of the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving portion, the game balls aggregated in the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401 in the game area PE fall onto the upper surface portion 483b of the second opening / closing plate 433 and roll on the upper surface portion 483b. As already described, since the upper surface portion 483b is a smooth planar shape, the game balls move smoothly on the upper surface portion 483b and are promptly guided to the out ports 141 and 171 arranged on both the left and right sides of the opening / closing member 431.

[0430] Next, the case where the opening / closing execution mode is executed will be described with reference to FIG. 50. FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation mode of the opening / closing member 631 in the opening / closing execution mode. Here, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that the number of opening times of the variable winning device 401 in one round of the game is 1 time.

[0431] In the first-round game, first, the opening / closing member 631 is rotated forward from the closed state A described above, and the first winning opening 403 is opened (FIGS. 50(a) and (b)). At this time, the first opening / closing plate 432 presses the movable plate 651 from the rear, so that the engagement between the engaging portion 656 and the engaged portion 657 is released, and the movable plate 651 rotates forward together with the opening / closing member 631. Then, when the first opening / closing plate 432 rotates to the open position, the movable plate 651 rotates downward by its own weight. As a result, the movable plate 651 is separated from the first opening / closing plate 432 and comes into contact with the second opening / closing plate 433.

[0432] After that, when the end condition of the round game (the number of winning game balls entering the variable winning device 401 reaches a predetermined upper limit or the opening period reaches a predetermined upper limit period) is satisfied, the opening and closing member 631 rotates in the direction opposite to the above case and returns to the closed state (Fig. 50(c)). At this time, the movable plate 651 rotates together with the opening and closing member 631 so as to lean on the second opening and closing plate 433. As a result, at the time of returning to the closed state, the movable plate 651 overlaps the second opening and closing plate 433 from above, and the closed state of the opening and closing member 631 switches to the closed state B.

[0433] In the closed state B, since the second surface portion 658 of the movable plate 651 functions as a ball receiving portion, the game balls concentrated in the arrangement area of the variable winning device 401 in the game area PE fall onto the second surface portion 658 of the movable plate 651 and roll on the second surface portion 658. As already described, since the convex rib portion 660 as a deceleration means is provided on the second surface portion 658, the moving speed of the game ball moving on the second surface portion 658 is decelerated by the convex rib portion 660. For this reason, the time until the game ball reaches the out ports 141 and 171 becomes longer than in the case of the closed state A, and the staying period on the opening and closing member 631 becomes longer.

[0434] Then, when the second-round round game is started, the opening and closing member 631 rotates forward again and is switched from the closed state to the open state (Fig. 50(d)). Along with this, the game balls on the movable plate 651 fall downward and win at the second winning port 404. As described above, in the standby period immediately before the second round, the closed state B is established, and the staying period of the game balls on the opening and closing member 631 (movable plate 651) is prolonged. For this reason, the probability that the opening and closing member 631 switches to the open state earlier than the game balls on the ball receiving portion reach the out ports 141 and 171 increases, and the winning probability of the game balls at the second winning port 404 increases. That is, the closed state B is a more advantageous mode for the player than the closed state A.

[0435] After that, when the end condition of the round game is satisfied, the opening / closing member 631 is rotated in the reverse direction again to return to the closed state (Fig. 50(e)). Also in this case, it becomes the closed state B as in the case of the end of the first round, and the staying period of the game ball on the opening / closing member 631 (movable plate 651) is prolonged. Thereafter, the same process is repeated until the end of the 14th round.

[0436] When the 15th round game is started, the opening / closing member 631 is rotated backward from the closed state B (Fig. 50(e)) (Fig. 50(f)). Thereby, the first winning port portion 403 is closed by the second opening / closing plate 433, and the second winning port portion 404 is opened. In this case, the game ball that was placed on the second surface portion 658 of the movable plate 651 at the start of the backward rotation wins the first winning port portion 403. Also, as the opening / closing member 631 rotates backward, the movable plate 651 falls backward and rotates toward the first opening / closing plate 432 side. Thereafter, when the end condition of the round game is satisfied, the opening / closing member 631 rotates forward from the state of Fig. 50(f) and returns to the closed state (Fig. 50(g)). In this case, the movable plate 651 rises together with the first opening / closing plate 432 so as to lean against the first opening / closing plate 432, whereby the switching to the closed state A is made.

[0437] According to the present embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

[0438] It is possible to switch between the case where the upper surface portion 433b of the second opening / closing plate 433 functions as a ball receiving portion (closed state A) and the case where the second surface portion 658 of the movable plate 651 functions as a ball receiving portion (closed state B), and the configuration is such that it is possible to change the ease of movement of the game ball in the ball receiving portion in a predetermined direction (the direction toward the out ports 141, 171).

[0439] In order to increase the winning efficiency of game balls into the big winning opening 402 (reduce the number of out balls) in the opening / closing execution mode, it is desirable to reduce the moving speed of the game balls passing through the ball receiving part and increase the period during which the game balls stay on the ball receiving part. However, if the ball receiving part is structured to significantly decelerate the game balls, its effect will also be exerted in the normal game state. Therefore, in the normal game state, the flow of the game balls on the ball receiving part will stagnate, and there is a risk of ball jams in the ball receiving part and its surrounding areas. For this reason, it is necessary to keep the degree of deceleration low or configure the game balls not to pass over the ball receiving part in the normal game state, which poses a constraint in game machine design.

[0440] In this regard, in the present embodiment, by switching between the closed state A and the closed state B, the ease of movement of the game balls on the ball receiving part can be changed, and the above constraints can be relaxed. As a result, in the opening / closing execution mode, while stagnating the flow of the game balls on the ball receiving part, in the normal game state, the flow of the game balls on the ball receiving part can be smoothed. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the winning efficiency of the game balls into the big winning opening 402 in the opening / closing execution mode while avoiding affecting the normal game state.

[0441] A movable plate 651 is disposed between the first opening / closing plate 432 and the second opening / closing plate 433 in a rotatable state, and the mode of the ball receiving part is switched mechanically in conjunction with the switching of the rotation direction of the opening / closing member 631. In this case, the switching control of the opening / closing member 631 (the opening / closing control of the variable winning device 401) and the switching control of the ball receiving part can be performed together. As a result, compared with the case where these switching controls are performed separately, the control process can be simplified, and the processing load on the main control device 81 can be reduced. Note that "mechanically in conjunction" means in conjunction without the intervention of an electric actuator.

[0442] As a transition mode from the closed state to the open state, the opening / closing member 631 is provided with forward rotation and backward rotation. When the opening / closing member 631 rotates forward, it becomes the closed state B, and when it rotates backward, it becomes the closed state A. In this case, since the rotation direction of the opening / closing member 631 corresponds to the mode of the closed state, it is considered that a player who is interested in which of the closed states A and B will be obtained will pay attention to the movement of the opening / closing member 631, and it becomes possible to suitably increase the degree of attention to the game. Also, by controlling whether to perform forward rotation or backward rotation in each execution of the opening / closing control, it is possible to control which of the closed states A and B will be set. Thereby, for example, it is possible to suppress the standardization of the switching pattern of the closed state such that the closed states A and B are alternately switched each time the opening / closing control is performed, and it becomes possible to diversify the switching pattern of the state. Further, in the final round of the opening / closing execution mode, by rotating the opening / closing member 631 backward, it is possible to start the normal game state after the end of the opening / closing execution mode in the state of returning to the closed state A. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress the inconvenience that the game ball becomes difficult to pass through the ball receiving portion in the normal game state and that ball jams or the like are induced.

[0443] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, only the 15th round (final round) is set as the closed state A, and all the other rounds are set as the closed state B. However, a configuration may be adopted in which th...

Claims

【Claim 1】 Launch means capable of launching a game ball into the game area based on a predetermined launch operation; First and second ball entry means into which the game ball can enter; A movable body that can be switched between a first state in which it is impossible or difficult for a game ball to enter the first ball entry means and a second state in which a game ball can enter the first ball entry means or is more likely to enter than in the first state; Switching control means for, in a predetermined case, changing the movable body from the first state to the second state and then executing switching control to return to the first state; Comprising: The movable body has ball receiving means capable of receiving a game ball in at least the first state; The second ball entry means is disposed in a predetermined region below the ball receiving means; The structure is such that the entry of a game ball into the second ball entry means can be restricted when the movable body is in the first state; When the movable body is switched from the first state to the second state in a situation where a predetermined game ball is received by the ball receiving means, the predetermined game ball in the ball receiving means can flow downward from the ball receiving means; Means for moving the predetermined game ball that has flowed downward from the ball receiving means to the second ball entry means in the predetermined region; The predetermined game ball that has flowed downward from the ball receiving means can enter the second ball entry means; In a specific state in which the switching control is executed, it has at least a period of the predetermined first state and a period of a specific first state different from the period of the predetermined first state; The lengths of the period of the predetermined first state and the period of the specific first state are configured to be different; Discharge means capable of discharging a game ball from the game area; A gaming machine, characterized in that the discharge means is provided on the downstream side of the ball receiving means.

Images