Pachinko machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine for providing appropriate information to persons (for example, hall staff or the like) who use an external device by outputting it to the outside according to a situation.SOLUTION: A game machine includes error control means for detecting an error state and external output means for externally outputting first information pertaining to an error state toward a device outside the game machine, the error state includes a first error state (main board error) and a second error state (external output error) different from the first error state, a game is stopped in both of the first error state and the second error state, and the external output means externally outputs first information (security signal) when detecting the first error state, but does not externally output first information when detecting the second error state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Some gaming machines typified by pachinko machines output a signal (security signal) to an external device such as a hall computer when a specific error state occurs (for example, Patent Document 1 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the gaming machine as described above, the types of signals that can be output are limited. On the other hand, since the gaming machine is in various situations, there is a concern that appropriate information is not provided to the external device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that provides appropriate information to a person using an external device (for example, a hall staff, etc.) by externally outputting according to the situation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that externally outputs predetermined information to a device outside the gaming machine, and an error control means for detecting an error state Conditions related to and a notification means for notifying the error state After satisfying the conditions related to and first information related to the error state and special information related to the jackpot game External output means for externally outputting to a device outside the gaming machine, and in the error state, a first error state and a second error state different from the first error state are included, and both the first error state and the second error state are error states that cause the game to stop. Regarding at least one of the first error state and the second error state, when the conditions related to the error state are satisfied during the output of the special information, after the external output means finishes the output of the special information, the notification means gives an error notification corresponding to the condition and the game stops. Regarding at least a part of the period from when at least one of the conditions related to the first error state and the conditions related to the second error state is satisfied during the output of the special information until the start of the error notification, it is possible to execute a prior notification of the error state. The first error state Conditions related to When there is a detection of During the period when the external output means Externally output the first information is performing and the notification means gives an error notification And when there is a detection of the second error state Conditions related to When there is a detection of During the period when the external output means Externally output the first information does not perform and the notification means gives an error notification. A gaming machine characterized by the above is provided.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, by externally outputting according to the situation, a gaming machine that provides appropriate information to the person using the external device (for example, hall staff, etc.) is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, in the following description, "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the state of viewing the gaming machine 10 from the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1 unless otherwise specified. Note that "advantageous (degree of advantage)" in the following description means advantageous to the player, and further means advantageous with respect to the amount of prize balls obtained or its expected value unless otherwise specified.

[0010] <Features of the Present Invention> Before explaining the details of the gaming machine 10 in the present embodiment, the features of the invention (the present invention) described in the present embodiment will be explained. In explaining the feature, the configurations in parentheses illustrate the configurations of the present embodiment corresponding to the immediately preceding configuration, and in the description of the gaming machine 10 after this explanation, the configurations may be described in parentheses for the same purpose.

[0011] The present invention relates to a gaming machine 10 (so-called pachinko gaming machine) that can use a game ball by shooting it and awards a prize ball corresponding to the winning opening when a game ball wins in a winning opening (big winning opening 55, first starting opening 57, second starting opening 59, gate 63, general winning opening 67). The gaming machine 10 includes error control means (main error control means 165) for detecting an error state, notification means (first sub-control board 200 and second sub-control board 300) for performing error notification based on the detection of the error state, and external output means (external terminal board 600) for externally outputting first information (security signal) related to the error state to devices outside the gaming machine.

[0012] The error state includes a first error state (for example, main board error) and a second error state different from the first error state (for example, external output error), and both the first error state and the second error state are error states that cause the game to stop. The above external output means is characterized in that when a first error state is detected, it externally outputs first information (security signal), and when a second error state is detected, it does not externally output the first information. Further, the above notification means is characterized in that it performs error notification both when a first error state is detected and when a second error state is detected.

[0013] In the present embodiment, although both the first error state and the second error state are targets of error notification, depending on the importance of the error, the former is externally output while the latter is not. Thereby, the gaming machine 10 can realize a gaming machine that externally outputs appropriate information according to the situation. Furthermore, since the gaming machine 10 performs error notification when either the first error state or the second error state occurs, the occurrence of the error state can be recognized by this error notification.

[0014] The gaming machine 10 having the above features will be specifically described based on the following embodiments.

[0015] <Regarding the structure of the gaming machine 10> First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, FIG. 2 is a view showing the symbol display device 90 disposed in the area II shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the operation button group disposed in the area III shown in FIG. 1 and its periphery, FIG. 4 is a view showing the game board 50 installed in the gaming machine 10, and FIG. 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. In addition, each component illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is merely an example necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and components and functions not illustrated here may be added to the gaming machine 10. Further, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the components illustrated here, and some components or functions may be omitted as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

[0016] The gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, which fires a game ball into the front area of the game board 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "game area 50a") where a large number of game pins (not shown) are erected, and a prize ball is obtained when the game ball enters a winning hole (for example, the large winning hole 55, etc.). In the following description, the entry of the game ball into the winning hole may be simply expressed as "(winning at the winning hole)".

[0017] The gaming machine 10 includes a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 15 that is open front and rear, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds the game board 50 on the opening front side of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 that is configured to cover the front side of the game board 50.

[0018] The middle frame 17 is rotatably supported about its left end by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed in front of the outer frame 15. Note that the middle frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (insert a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turn the door key in a direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the front frame 20 (right in this embodiment)).

[0019] The front frame 20 is rotatably supported about its left end by a hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed with respect to the middle frame 17. Note that the front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (insert a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turn the door key in a direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)). In addition, the front frame 20 includes a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the game area 50a, and the transparent member 25 provides perspective protection for the game area 50a and the game board 50. In addition, the front frame 20 includes an upper ball receiver 27 and a lower ball receiver 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball receiver 27 and the lower ball receiver 29 are vertically spaced apart and provided integrally with the front frame 20. In addition, the front frame 20 includes an operation handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball receiver 29, and by rotating the operation handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball receiver 27 are launched toward the game area 50a.

[0020] Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the middle frame 17 has a middle frame door opening sensor 76 for detecting whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the outer frame 15, and a front frame door opening sensor 77 for detecting whether the front frame 20 is in an open state or a closed state with respect to the middle frame 17. In this embodiment, all of these door opening sensors are ON in the open state and OFF in the closed state. However, these door opening sensors may be configured to be OFF in the open state and ON in the closed state. Thereby, the gaming machine 10 can detect both the open / closed state of the middle frame 17 with respect to the outer frame 15 and the open / closed state of the front frame 20 with respect to the middle frame 17.

[0021] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation button group operated by the player is arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball receiving tray 27. In this operation button group, as a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to a main control board 100 to be described later, a ball lending button 39a and a return button 39b for receiving a return operation of a prepaid card are provided. As an operation unit electrically connected to a first sub-control board 200 to be described later, an effect button 37 that can receive an operation of the player to switch an effect generated during the game or to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (an upper cursor button 38a, a lower cursor button 38b, a left cursor button 38c, a right cursor button 38d, and a middle cursor button 38e) for instructing operations in the up, down, left, and right directions, etc. are included. Note that each operation unit is provided with a sensor for detecting an operation, and the control board to be connected detects the operation of each operation unit based on a change in the detection state of the sensor. Also, the effect button 37 and the cursor buttons 38 are also used for operations on the menu screen (including selection of a winning sound output from a speaker 33 to be described later). Furthermore, a movable decorative body 22 operated by an actuator such as a motor (not shown) is provided on the side of the upper ball receiving tray 27.

[0022] A ball discharging mechanism 36 for discharging the game balls stored in the lower ball receiving tray 29 downward is provided below the lower ball receiving tray 29. By operating this ball discharging mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 opens, and the game balls naturally fall and are discharged from the bottom opening. Although not shown in the figure, the upper ball receiving tray 27 is provided with a mechanism for moving the stored balls to the lower ball receiving tray 29 by operation, similar to the ball discharging mechanism 36. By operating both this mechanism and the ball discharging mechanism 36, it is possible to discharge the stored balls.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. Further, the upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed of a light-transmissive cover, and frame lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are respectively disposed inside thereof. The speakers 33 and the frame lamps 35 can emit sound, light up, or turn off in conjunction with effects generated during the game, error notifications, etc.

[0024] The effect display device 80 is composed of a main display portion 81 disposed substantially at the center of the game board 50 and sub-display portions 82 disposed around the main display portion 81. The sub-display portions 82 further include an upper sub-display portion 82a disposed above the main display portion 81, a left sub-display portion 82b disposed on the left side of the main display portion 81, and a right sub-display portion 82c disposed on the right side of the main display portion 81. Here, the main display portion 81 is a fixed liquid crystal display device, and the upper sub-display portion 82a, the left sub-display portion 82b, and the right sub-display portion 82c are movable liquid crystal display devices that operate by an actuator such as a motor (not shown).

[0025] The main display portion 81 can display a variable display of a symbol sequence that is performed in conjunction with the variable display in the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 described later, and can also display various other effects. In the variable display of the symbol sequence (decorative symbol) displayed on the main display portion 81, the displayed decorative symbols form three symbol sequences. Although the direction of the variable display of each symbol sequence in the present embodiment is downward, the direction is not particularly limited. For example, it may be any of upward, left-right, depth, or a combination thereof (diagonal). Here, the depth direction refers to a virtual direction recognized by the player in a display mode using a technique (for example, perspective method) that makes it seem as if the symbol sequence is variably displayed from the back to the front direction or the reverse direction of the main display portion 81, although it is actually a planar variable display on the display screen of the main display portion 81. In addition, the decorative patterns in this embodiment include a "1 pattern" imitating the number "1", a "2 pattern" imitating the number "2", a "3 pattern" imitating the number "3", a "4 pattern" imitating the number "4", a "5 pattern" imitating the number "5", a "6 pattern" imitating the number "6", a "7 pattern" imitating the number "7", an "8 pattern" imitating the number "8", and a "9 pattern" imitating the number "9". These patterns are provided in each pattern column. In the following description, the "1 pattern", "3 pattern", "5 pattern", "7 pattern", and "9 pattern" may be collectively referred to as "odd patterns", and the "2 pattern", "4 pattern", "6 pattern", and "8 pattern" may be collectively referred to as "even patterns".

[0026] Each of the sub-display units 82 is provided not only for displaying effect images mainly related to effects, but also configured to be movable. Note that the initial position of each is such that the upper sub-display unit 82a is on the upper side with respect to the main display unit 81, the left sub-display unit 82b is on the left side with respect to the main display unit 81, and the right sub-display unit 82c is on the right side with respect to the main display unit 81. Each of the sub-display units 82 is configured to be movable from these initial positions to a position where the entire display area of the sub-display unit 82 overlaps the display area of the main display unit 81.

[0027] In addition, although liquid crystal display devices are all adopted in the effect display device 80 (main display unit 81, upper sub-display unit 82a, left sub-display unit 82b, right sub-display unit 82c) in this embodiment, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices such as a drum type or a dot matrix type can be adopted as the effect display device 80.

[0028] A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter abbreviated as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the main display unit 81, and the display area of the pattern display device 90 is constituted by these LEDs. Special patterns and ordinary patterns are displayed on the pattern display device 90. In addition, the symbol display device 90 is disposed at a position where it is more difficult for the player to visually recognize than the main display unit 81, and the display area of the symbol display device 90 has a smaller area than the display area of the main display unit 81. Note that the arrangement and number of LEDs related to the symbol display device 90 in the present embodiment are as shown in FIG. 2, but this is only an example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs related to the symbol display device 90 are not limited to this example.

[0029] The special symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a special electric accessory (for example, special electric accessory 65). The special symbols in the present embodiment include the first special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display device 91 and the second special symbol displayed on the second special symbol display device 92. Note that the special symbol may be abbreviated as "special symbol", the first special symbol may be abbreviated as "special symbol 1", and the second special symbol may be abbreviated as "special symbol 2".

[0030] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of symbol variation that determines whether or not to operate a normal electric accessory (for example, normal electric accessory 61). The normal symbol in the present embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. Note that the normal symbol may be abbreviated as "normal symbol", and the normal electric accessory may be referred to as "electric chew".

[0031] In addition to the above-described display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol hold lamp 94, a second special symbol hold lamp 95, and a normal symbol hold lamp 96. The first special symbol hold lamp 94 can specify the number of symbol variations of the held special symbol 1, the second special symbol hold lamp 95 can specify the number of symbol variations of the held special symbol 2, and the normal symbol hold lamp 96 can specify the number of symbol variations of the held normal symbol. All of them can specify the number of corresponding symbol variations by the lighting modes of two LEDs (in the present embodiment, only the right LED always on = 1, both the left and right LEDs always on = 2, the right LED blinks + the left LED always on = 3, both the left and right LEDs blink = 4).

[0032] In the following description, the symbol variation in which the special symbol is variably displayed by the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 and then stopped is referred to as "symbol variation of the special symbol". In the following description, the symbol variation in which the normal symbol is variably displayed by the normal symbol display device 93 and then stopped may be referred to as "symbol variation of the normal symbol". Also, in the following description, the variable display of the symbol sequence (decorative symbol) displayed on the main display unit 81 described above may be referred to as "symbol variation of the decorative symbol" separately from "symbol variation of the special symbol" and "symbol variation of the normal symbol". In the following description, when simply referred to as "symbol variation", it means the symbol variation of the special symbol unless otherwise specified.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, on the front surface of the game board 50, a number of game nails (not shown), a windmill 52, and obstacles such as decorative members are arranged, so that a game area 50a is defined for the rolled game balls. Also, on the left side and the upper side of the game area 50a, a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 are arranged for guiding the game balls launched by the rotational operation of the operation handle 31 to the upper part of the game area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with respect to the center of the game area 50a. Here, the windmill 52 is a mechanism for changing the direction of the fall of the game ball and is in the shape of a nail.

[0034] The gaming machine 10 can adjust the strength of launching the game balls according to the magnitude of the rotational operation amount (for example, rotational angle) of the operation handle 31. Various obstacles are arranged in the game area 50a so that the game balls roll through either the first flow path X (so-called left shot) where the game balls launched more weakly roll or the second flow path Y (so-called right shot) where the game balls launched more strongly roll.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows major winning holes, including a big winning hole 55, a first starting hole 57, a second starting hole 59, a gate 63, and a general winning hole 67. However, the winning holes shown are just examples, and the number and arrangement thereof may be changed as appropriate.

[0036] The big winning opening 55 is disposed at the lower right part of the game area 50a. A big winning opening sensor 72 is attached to the big winning opening 55, and based on the detection result of the big winning opening sensor 72, winning at the big winning opening 55 is determined, and a number (in this embodiment, 15) of prize balls corresponding to the big winning opening 55 are awarded. In this embodiment, compared with the case of rolling from the first flow path X, the respective obstacles are arranged such that more game balls roll toward the big winning opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[0037] Above the big winning opening 55, a special electric accessory 65 is disposed. The special electric accessory 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which winning at the big winning opening 55 is easy and a closed state in which it is difficult for balls to enter, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric accessory solenoid 66. More specifically, the special electric accessory 65 becomes open in part of a big win game started due to a big win being derived by a special figure win / loss determination described later, or in part of a small win game started due to a small win being derived by the special figure win / loss determination, and accordingly, winning at the big winning opening 55 is permitted. Thus, when the special electric accessory 65 is in the open state, since winning at the big winning opening 55 becomes easy, it can be said that a big win game or a small win in which the chance of obtaining prize balls is significantly increased is in an advantageous game state. Further, although details will be described later, the small win game in this embodiment can generate a big win game. In the big win game, the open state and the closed state of the special electric accessory 65 are alternately set, and one open state (which may be referred to as a "round game" in some cases, and the total number of round games occurring in one big win may be referred to as the "number of rounds" in some cases) ends based on a predetermined number (in this embodiment, 10) of game balls winning at the big winning opening 55, and the special electric accessory 65 becomes in the closed state. Further, one open state in the big win game also ends based on a predetermined amount of time (in this embodiment, 30 s (seconds)) having elapsed, which is sufficient for a predetermined number of game balls to win at the big winning opening 55. On the other hand, in the small win game, it ends when 1.8 seconds have elapsed since the special electric accessory 65 was opened, or when 10 game balls have won the big winning opening. Therefore, in the small win game, it is less likely for game balls to win the big winning opening compared to the big win game.

[0038] By the way, in one round, when the special electric accessory 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on the winning of a specified number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls, it cannot immediately enter the closed state. Therefore, in one round of the big win game or in the small win game, there may be a case where more game balls than the specified number win the big winning opening 55. This winning is called an over-win, and the period during which an over-win is allowed may be called the over-win allowance period.

[0039] The first start opening 57 is arranged at the lower center of the game area 50a. A first start opening sensor 70 is attached to the first start opening 57. The winning of the first start opening 57 is determined based on the detection result of the first start opening sensor 70, and the number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) associated with the first start opening 57 is awarded. In at least a part of the case where the winning of the first start opening 57 is determined, the symbol variation of FIG. 1 in the special drawing is performed. Note that the game area 50a according to this embodiment is provided with obstacles such as game nails so that more game balls roll toward the first start opening 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[0040] The second start opening 59 is arranged at the lower right of the game area 50a. A second start opening sensor 71 is attached to the second start opening 59. The winning of the second start opening 59 is determined based on the detection result of the second start opening sensor 71, and the number of prize balls (1 in this embodiment) associated with the second start opening 59 is awarded. In at least a part of the case where the winning of the second start opening 59 is determined, the symbol variation of FIG. 2 in the special drawing is performed. Note that, the game area 50a according to the present embodiment is provided with obstacles such as game pins so that more game balls roll toward the second starting port 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0041] An ordinary electric accessory 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The ordinary electric accessory 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state in which it is easy for a game ball to enter the second starting port 59 and a closed state in which it is difficult for a game ball to enter, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62. More specifically, the ordinary electric accessory 61 becomes open when the result of the general drawing validity determination described later is a general drawing win (hereinafter, may be simply expressed as "general drawing win"), and accordingly, winning at the second starting port 59 is permitted. Thus, when the ordinary electric accessory 61 is in the open state, winning at the second starting port 59 becomes possible, so that while suppressing the decrease of game balls by prize balls, the opportunity to execute the symbol variation of the special drawing 2 can be significantly increased.

[0042] The gate 63 is disposed at the right center of the game area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and winning at the gate 63 is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least a part of the case where winning at the gate 63 is determined, the symbol variation of the general drawing is performed.

[0043] The general winning port 67 is disposed at the lower left of the game area 50a. A general winning port sensor 73 is attached to the general winning port 67, and winning at the general winning port 67 is determined based on the detection result of the general winning port sensor 73, and the number (4 in this embodiment) of prize balls associated with the general winning port 67 is awarded. Note that, in the present embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning port 67 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y, but the obstacles may be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning port 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y. Also, a plurality of general winning ports 67 may be provided.

[0044] The out port 69 is arranged at the lowermost part of the game area 50a. The game balls that are launched into the game area 50a and do not enter any of the above-mentioned winning ports fall into the out port 69 and are treated as out balls. In this embodiment, an out ball sensor 75 (not shown) for detecting out balls, which are game balls that have entered the above-mentioned winning ports and out ports, is provided.

[0045] On the back surface of the game board 50, as shown in FIG. 5, a main control board case 109 storing the main control board 100, a first sub-control board case 209 storing the first sub-control board 200, a second sub-control board case 309 storing the second sub-control board 300, a power control board case 509 storing the power control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 storing the payout control board 400 are mounted. In addition to the back surfaces of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening / closing cover 45 that covers a part of the back surface of the main control board case 109 is detachably mounted. Note that the main control board 100 is provided with a RAM clear switch 43. Also, the board cases and covers covering each board are composed of members having transparency, and the corresponding boards are visible through each case and cover.

[0046] Also, on the back surface of the game board 50, above the opening / closing cover 45, a game ball tank 46 for storing game balls supplied from the ball supply facility of the game island is arranged. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 that leads to the upper ball receiving tray 27 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48. The balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out to the upper ball receiving tray 27 through the payout passage 49.

[0047] So far, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but these are just one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with another configuration.

[0048] <Control Configuration of Pachinko Machine 10> Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the control configuration of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the pachinko machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in FIG. 6 is necessary for explaining the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the pachinko machine 10 may include a control configuration not shown in FIG. 6.

[0049] The main control board 100 includes a CPU 101 that performs various arithmetic processes related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and a buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, an I / O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral board and each device, and a random number circuit 105 that operates in a system separate from the program processing by the CPU 101 to generate a random number (hard random number). These are interconnected via an internal bus.

[0050] The CPU 101 reads out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processes to execute various processes related to the main control of the game. The RAM 103 is backed up by the backup power supply generated in the backup power supply circuit described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information that enables the gaming machine 10 to return to the state just before the power failure using this data at the time of power-on (when power is restored) after the power failure occurs is configured to be backed up. For example, in addition to the data such as the stack pointer and each register held at the time of power failure, information related to the game such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time (game stop state or playable state), the current normal drawing lottery state, etc. is targeted for backup. Note that this information is cleared (initialized) by the RAM clear process. Therefore, after the RAM is cleared, the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA (normal drawing low probability described later) described later is newly set. Furthermore, when the RAM clear process is executed, the symbol sequence related to the decorative symbol becomes a state in which the initial symbol combination is stopped and displayed, and also becomes a state in which the initial symbol combination is stopped and displayed when the RAM clear process is not executed at the time of power-on and the symbol variation was not being executed at the time of the immediately preceding power failure. Also, this initial symbol combination is stopped and displayed only at the time of power-on and is not stopped and displayed by the execution of symbol variation.

[0051] In the present embodiment, at least in addition to the area where such information related to the game is stored (which may be referred to as the area related to the game of the RAM 103), the area where the complement of the checksum and the backup flag related to the area related to the game of the RAM 103 are stored (which may be referred to as the backup information area related to the game of the RAM 103) is backed up. Then, when the power is turned on, the gaming machine 10 returns using the various information stored in the backed-up area related to the game of the RAM 103 and the backup information area related to the game of the RAM 103. Note that there is no limitation on the specific method of backup in this embodiment. For example, the area to be backed up in the RAM 103 may be realized in a configuration capable of retaining data non-volatilely even in the power-off state. As another example, among the RAM 103, different hardware may be provided for a first memory configured to retain data non-volatilely even in the power-off state and a second memory referenced when the gaming machine 10 operates. In that case, the gaming machine 10 may evacuate information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is off, and recover the evacuated information from the first memory to the second memory when power is turned on.

[0052] Further, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to a first start port sensor 70, a second start port sensor 71, a big winning port sensor 72, a general winning port sensor 73, a gate sensor 74, an out ball sensor 75, a middle frame opening sensor 76, a front frame opening sensor 77, etc., and is configured to be able to input detection signals from these sensors to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104.

[0053] Also, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to a first special symbol display device 91, a second special symbol display device 92, a normal symbol display device 93, a first special symbol hold lamp 94, a second special symbol hold lamp 95, a normal symbol hold lamp 96, a normal electric accessory solenoid 62, and a special electric accessory solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I / O port 104. Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and the RAM clear switch 43, and is configured to be able to detect operations of the main operation unit 39.

[0054] The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are communicably connected only in a single direction from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various effect control commands are transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Note that data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured such that it cannot request data transmission to the main control board 100. Also, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is adopted for data transmission from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be adopted.

[0055] The first sub-control board 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processes related to game effects based on the effect control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores data such as an effect control program and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 that functions as a work area and a buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device. These are interconnected via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game effects according to the control program stored in the ROM 202. Note that the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the effect button 37 and the cursor button 38, and is configured to be able to detect operations of the operation unit.

[0056] Also, the first sub-control board 200 generates an image control command for instructing an image to be displayed on the second sub-control board 300, an audio control command for instructing an audio to be output to the audio control board 310, lamp control data for controlling lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35, movable control data for controlling movement of the movable decoration 22, the sub-display unit 82, etc. in the effect control process based on the effect control commands from the main control board 100. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 and the audio control board 310 so as to enable two-way communication. While each control command (image control command, audio control command) is transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300 or the audio control board 310, as a response thereto, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the control command has been received normally is transmitted from each control board (the second sub-control board 300, the audio control board 310) to the first sub-control board 200.

[0057] Also, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the frame lamp 35 and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. And the frame lamp 35 is configured to have its lighting controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the movable decoration 22 and the sub-display unit 82 and transmits movable control data via the I / O port 204. And the movable decoration 22 and the sub-display unit 82 are configured to have their movement controlled by the movable control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

[0058] The second sub-control board 300, although not shown in the figure, includes a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes related to image rendering based on the image control command from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM that stores an image control program and various data, etc., a RAM that functions as a work area and a buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral board and each device. It is configured such that the CPU executes main control related to image rendering according to the control program stored in the ROM. In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP that generates image data in accordance with the content of the effect determined by an effect content determination means 225 described later based on the control signal received from the CPU, and a sound source IC that generates acoustic data in accordance with the content of the effect based on the control signal received from the CPU. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads the image data stored in the image ROM in response to an instruction from the CPU, processes this image data, and transmits the generated image data to the main display unit 81 and the sub-display unit 82. Further, a high-speed VRAM used for the expansion and processing of the image data read from the image ROM is connected to this VDP.

[0059] The voice control board 310 includes a CPU 311 that performs various arithmetic processes related to voice effects based on the voice control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 312 that stores voice control programs, voice data, etc., a RAM 313 that functions as a work area and buffer memory serving as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 314 that inputs and outputs signals between the peripheral board and each device. The CPU 311 is configured to execute the main control related to voice effects according to the control program stored in the ROM 312. Therefore, the voice control board 310 reads the voice data stored in the ROM 312 in response to the voice control commands received from the first sub-control board 200, synthesizes the read voice data, and transmits the final synthesized voice data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier, enabling the speaker 33 to output voice.

[0060] The payout control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (all not shown in the drawings). In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be capable of two-way communication. Based on the payout control commands from the main control board 100, it executes control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls, and controls the launch of game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeder mechanism and the launch mechanism based on the operation amount of the operation handle 31.

[0061] The power control board 500 includes a normal power supply circuit (not shown) that generates a normal power supply to supply electronic components and electrical components such as the above-described control boards based on the primary power supply supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, a backup power supply circuit (not shown) that generates a backup power supply, and a power-off detection circuit (not shown) that detects a power-off (i.e., the supply voltage by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage). Also, a power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500. On the premise that the primary power supply is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, when the power switch 40 is turned on, the normal power supply circuit of the power control board 500 generates a normal power supply, and the power is supplied to the electronic components and electrical components including the above-described control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). Also, when a power-off is detected by the power-off detection circuit, the power control board 500 transmits a power-off signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400. Also, the backup power supply circuit is configured to be charged when the power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island to the gaming machine 10. Note that the backup power supply circuit may be provided on the payout control board 400, and the power-off detection circuit may not be provided on the power control board 500 but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400.

[0062] The external terminal board 600 is configured to output various signals to devices outside the gaming machine (data display machines and hall computers). The signals output by the external terminal board 600 include a start port signal whose output trigger is the winning of the start ports (first start port 57 and second start port 59), a security signal whose output trigger is the occurrence of a specific error state, a jackpot signal output during a jackpot game, a short-time signal output during the high-probability normal pattern (special pattern variation pattern derivation state PB and special pattern variation pattern derivation state PC), and the like. Note that the details of the security signal and the short-time signal among these signals will be described later.

[0063] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 includes external output means (external terminal board 600) for externally outputting first information (for example, a security signal) related to an error state to devices outside the gaming machine.

[0064] <Regarding the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in FIG. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may include functional configurations not shown in FIG. 7. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, FIGS. 8 to 12 will be referred to as necessary.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 includes a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special drawing lottery means 130, a general drawing lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a symbol display control means 145, an electric accessory control means 150, a game state control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power restoration process execution means 175, and a power-off process execution means 180. These means functionally represent what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0066] First, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided on the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (production control command) stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160 is transmitted to the sub-command management means 270 of the first sub-control board 200 described later by the command transmission means after being stored.

[0067] The ball entry determination means 110 determines winning at each winning port based on the detection results of sensors provided at each winning port.

[0068] The main random number generation means 115 can generate a plurality of types of random numbers with different update ranges by the random number circuit 105, and acquires (latches) one or a plurality of random numbers corresponding to the winning opening from the random number circuit 105 at the timing when winning at the winning opening is determined. More specifically, when winning at the first start opening 57 or the second start opening 59 is determined, the main random number generation means 115 acquires the random number for special figure win / loss determination, the random number for special figure stop symbol lottery, and the random number for special figure variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. When winning at the gate 63 is determined, the random number for general figure win / loss determination, the random number for general figure stop symbol lottery, and the random number for general figure variation pattern lottery, which will be described later, are stored in the corresponding storage area of the main information storage means 160. Note that the random number circuit 105 monitors whether a plurality of types of random numbers that it is updating are updated normally. When an update abnormality occurs in which the random numbers are not updated normally, information indicating that the abnormality has occurred is written into a specific storage area that the random number circuit 105 has. Therefore, the CPU 101 can grasp that an update abnormality has occurred in the random number circuit 105.

[0069] The main hold control means 120 performs control regarding the hold of the symbol variation of the special figure and the hold of the symbol variation of the general figure. Regarding the special figure 1, the random number for special figure win / loss determination, the random number for special figure stop symbol lottery, and the random number for special figure variation pattern lottery, which are acquired triggered by winning at the first start opening 57, are held (stored) as the operation hold information of the special figure 1. More specifically, each time the operation hold information in FIG. 1 is held, the main hold control means 120 increments a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "FIG. 1 hold counter") by 1, and each time the operation hold information in FIG. 1 is used (used in the lottery by the FIG. 1 lottery means 130), it decrements by 1. Until the value of the FIG. 1 hold counter reaches the upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), the operation hold information is stored in the storage area corresponding to the current FIG. 1 hold counter in the main information storage means 160. Each time the operation hold information is used, the used operation hold information is cleared, and the remaining operation hold information is moved (shifted) in order from the one with the smaller FIG. 1 hold counter to the storage area corresponding to the FIG. 1 hold counter that is 1 less than the current FIG. 1 hold counter from the current storage area. In addition, the main hold control means 120 performs the same control as described above separately from FIG. 1 for FIGS. 2 and the general drawing. The hold counter for FIG. 2 is referred to as the FIG. 2 hold counter, and the upper limit value of the value of the FIG. 2 hold counter in this embodiment is 4. In the following description, "holding of operation hold information" may be expressed as "holding of symbol variation" or simply "holding". In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (increments or decrements) the operation hold information (hold counter) of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, it generates an effect control command (hold command) including the FIG. 1 hold counter and the FIG. 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, when both the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 1 and the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 2 are held, a priority variation is performed in which the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 2 is preferentially used. However, instead of this priority variation, a simultaneous variation in which the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 1 and the operation hold information corresponding to FIG. 2 are used simultaneously may be adopted in this case.

[0070] The pre-determination means 125 executes a pre-determination for a pre-reading effect for at least a part of the case where the operation hold information of the special drawing is held at a predetermined pre-determination timing. More specifically, the pre-determination means 125 reads out each random number of the operation hold information held this time, and executes a pre-determination for each of the special figure validity determination, the special figure stop symbol lottery, and the special figure variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-determination, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used for the lottery corresponding to each pre-determination is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-determinations will be the same as the results of the lottery to be executed later. Further, the pre-determination means 125 generates a production control command (pre-determination command) including the derived pre-determination result, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Since the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160) at least in part at a predetermined pre-determination timing, it will be transmitted following the above-mentioned hold command. Here, the predetermined pre-determination timing refers to a timing when it is not during a big win game. For example, there is a timing when the operation hold information of the special figure is held. In this embodiment, when the operation hold information of special figure 1 is held during the general figure high probability described later, the pre-determination is regulated, so the transmission of the pre-determination command corresponding to the pre-determination is also regulated. On the other hand, regarding the case where the operation hold information of special figure 2 is held during the general figure low probability described later, the pre-determination may or may not be regulated.

[0071] The special figure lottery means 130 includes a special figure validity determination means 131, a special figure stop symbol lottery means 132, and a special figure variation pattern derivation means 133, and executes the processing by each means in the order of the special figure validity determination means 131, the special figure stop symbol lottery means 132, and the special figure variation pattern derivation means 133. When the variation start condition of the special figure is satisfied, the special figure lottery means 130 reads out the earliest operation hold information among the operation hold information held in the main information storage means 160. Note that "the conditions for starting the variation of the special figure are satisfied" means, as an example, that it is not during a jackpot game, that neither special figure 1 nor special figure 2 is in the process of executing a symbol variation (including during the stop display of the symbol variation related to special figure 1 or special figure 2), and that all conditions that there is operation hold information in at least one of special figure 1 and special figure 2 are satisfied.

[0072] Here, FIGS. 8 to 11 are diagrams schematically showing lottery tables used in the main control board 100, and are referred to as necessary in the following description. Note that, including those other than these lottery tables, in a lottery using a lottery table, for the read random number, the lottery values stored in the lottery table are sequentially added in a predetermined order (when there is only one target lottery value, the number of addition times is one), and the result corresponding to the lottery value at which a carry (digit overflow) occurs is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the description of the lottery table, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the lottery table is named, but it is sufficient that data such as lottery values included in the lottery table corresponding to the name are stored in each ROM in an identifiable manner, and these names do not specify the area where the data is stored. In the illustrated lottery table, if there are items described for the sake of convenience of explanation and cases where "-" or "0" is described as a lottery value, these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. And winning the result where "-" or "0" is described as a lottery value does not occur. Further, when the same lottery value as the random number range (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within the range) used in the lottery is described in the lottery table, since the result is derived 100%, it is not necessarily necessary to conduct the lottery. Also, when the total value of the lottery values used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur in the addition of the last lottery value, so it is not necessary to perform the addition, and in that case, the lottery value itself used for the addition is also unnecessary.

[0073] The special figure win / loss determination means 131 reads out a random number for special figure win / loss determination for each symbol variation, and uses the read random number and the lottery table for special figure win / loss determination to execute a special figure win / loss determination that determines whether to win a big win, a small win, or a loss by lottery. FIG. 8(a) is a diagram schematically showing the lottery table for special figure win / loss determination. The lottery table is different between special figure 1 and special figure 2, and the range of random numbers used in these determinations is 0 to 65535. Therefore, in the special figure win / loss determination for special figure 1, a big win is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (about 1 / 320), and otherwise it is a loss, and a small win is not derived. On the other hand, in the special figure win / loss determination for special figure 2, a big win is derived with a probability of 205 / 65536 (about 1 / 320), a small win is derived with a probability of 1100 / 65536 (about 1 / 59.6), and otherwise it is a loss. In addition, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, since a big win game can occur via a small win, the probability of deriving a big win in the special figure win / loss determination is set as the above-mentioned one probability.

[0074] The special figure stop symbol lottery means 132 uses a random number for special figure stop symbol lottery (in this embodiment, in the range of 0 to 999) and a lottery table for special figure stop symbol lottery to determine the stop symbol of the special figure by lottery when the result of the special figure win / loss determination is a big win or a small win. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(b), which is a diagram schematically showing the lottery table for stop symbol lottery used when a big win is derived in the special figure win / loss determination related to special figure 1, when a big win is derived in the special figure win / loss determination related to special figure 1, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 950 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.05), and symbol B is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20). Here, regardless of whether symbol A or symbol B is determined, after the end of the big win game, the general symbol high probability described later will occur. The number of symbol variations in which the general symbol high probability continues is 30 times after the end of the big win game when symbol A is determined, and 80 times after the end of the big win game when symbol B is determined. Here, symbol A has a round number of 4 and is a stop symbol that becomes a high-probability common pattern after the end of the big win game. The specified number of times (the maximum number of times of symbol variation execution during which the common pattern with high probability continues) related to the common pattern with high probability is 30 times. On the other hand, symbol B has a round number of 10 and is a stop symbol that becomes a high-probability common pattern after the end of the big win game. The specified number of times related to the common pattern with high probability is 80 times. Therefore, it can be said that symbol B is a more advantageous symbol than symbol A from the viewpoints of both the round number and the specified number of times related to the common pattern with high probability.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 8(c), which is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for stop symbol lottery used when a big win is derived in the special figure win / loss determination according to special figure 2, when a big win is derived in the special figure win / loss determination according to special figure 2, symbol a is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 250 / 1000 (1 / 4), and symbol b is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 750 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.33). Here, symbol a has a round number of 4 and is a stop symbol that becomes a high-probability common pattern after the end of the big win game. The specified number of times related to the common pattern with high probability is 80 times. On the other hand, symbol b has a round number of 10 and is a stop symbol that becomes a high-probability common pattern after the end of the big win game. The specified number of times related to the common pattern with high probability is 80 times. Therefore, it can be said that symbol b is a more advantageous symbol than symbol a from the viewpoint of the round number.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 8(d), which is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table for stop symbol lottery used when a small win is derived in the special figure win / loss determination according to special figure 2, when a small win is derived in the special figure win / loss determination according to special figure 2, symbol c is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 250 / 1000 (1 / 4), and symbol d is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 750 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.33). Here, when a big win game occurs in the small win game related to symbol c, the number of rounds in the big win game becomes 4, and after the end of the big win game, it is a stop symbol with a high probability of the general pattern, and the specified number of times related to the high probability of the general pattern is 80 times. On the other hand, when a big win game occurs in the small win game related to symbol d, the number of rounds in the big win game becomes 10, and after the end of the big win game, it is a stop symbol with a high probability of the general pattern, and the specified number of times related to the high probability of the general pattern is 80 times. Therefore, it can be said that symbol d is a more advantageous symbol than symbol c from the perspective of the number of rounds when a big win game occurs. Here, the number of rounds in the big win game when a big win game occurs in the small win game is the number converted with one time of the small win game as one round. Also, in the following description, the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to symbol c may be expressed as "big win game related to symbol c", and the big win game that occurs in the small win game related to symbol d may be expressed as "big win game related to symbol d".

[0077] In this embodiment, as described above, the ratio at which symbol a in which a big win game with 4 rounds occurs is determined when a big win is derived in the special pattern win / loss determination related to special pattern 2, and the ratio at which symbol c in which a big win game with 4 rounds occurs is determined when a small win is derived in the special pattern win / loss determination related to special pattern 2, are the same, and the ratio at which symbol b in which a big win game with 10 rounds occurs is determined when a big win is derived in the special pattern win / loss determination related to special pattern 2, and the ratio at which symbol d in which a big win game with 10 rounds occurs is determined when a small win is derived in the special pattern win / loss determination related to special pattern 2, are the same. Therefore, the degree of advantage of the big win game when a big win is derived in the special pattern win / loss determination related to special pattern 2, and the degree of advantage of the big win game that occurs when a small win is derived in the special pattern win / loss determination related to special pattern 2, are the same.

[0078] In addition, when the result of the special figure win / loss determination related to special figure 1 is a loss, the special figure stop symbol lottery means 132 determines symbol C as the stop symbol, and when the result of the special figure win / loss determination related to special figure 2 is a loss, it determines symbol e as the stop symbol.

[0079] As described above, in the present embodiment, the jackpot game that occurs in the symbol variation related to special figure 2 tends to have a higher degree of advantage than the jackpot game that occurs in the symbol variation related to special figure 1. Therefore, the gaming interest can be further enhanced by the transition from the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, which will be described later, to another special figure variation pattern derivation state.

[0080] The special figure variation pattern derivation means 133 has a plurality of types of special figure variation pattern lottery tables referred to when determining the special figure variation pattern. Based on the current special figure variation pattern derivation state and the result of this special figure win / loss determination, it selects one special figure variation pattern lottery table for determining the current special figure variation pattern, determines one special figure variation pattern using the selected special figure variation pattern lottery table and a random number for special figure variation pattern lottery, and determines the variation time based on the determined special figure variation pattern. Here, the variation time refers to the time from when the symbol variation related to the special figure (special figure 1 or special figure 2) starts until the symbol variation ends. Although the details of the transition conditions and the like will be described later, in the special figure variation pattern derivation state in the present embodiment, there are a special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, a special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, and a special figure variation pattern derivation state PC. And the above-described method for determining the special figure variation pattern is adopted in the symbol variation of special figure 1 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, and is adopted in the symbol variation of special figure 2 in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC. In addition, in the symbol variation related to the other special figure in each special figure variation pattern derivation state, one special figure variation pattern determined in advance according to the result of the special figure win / loss determination is determined.

[0081] FIG. 9(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special drawing variation pattern lottery table used for the symbol variation according to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the symbol variation according to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation pattern HNP to the special drawing variation pattern ASP-C can be determined. Specifically, in the symbol variation according to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, when the result of the special drawing pass / fail determination is a miss, the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11), the special drawing variation pattern HRP is determined with a probability of 52 / 1000 (about 1 / 19.2), HSP1-A is determined with a probability of 13 / 1000 (about 1 / 76.9), HSP1-B is determined with a probability of 11 / 1000 (about 1 / 90.9), HSP2-A is determined with a probability of 9 / 1000 (about 1 / 111), HSP2-B is determined with a probability of 7 / 1000 (about 1 / 143), HSP3-A is determined with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200), and HSP3-B is determined with a probability of 3 / 1000 (about 1 / 333). In this case, the special drawing variation patterns ASP1-A to ASP-C are not determined. Although the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 9(b), when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined, the special drawing variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation. On the other hand, in the symbol variation according to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, when the result of the special drawing pass / fail determination is a big win, the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-A is determined with a probability of 90 / 1000 (about 1 / 11.1), the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-B is determined with a probability of 110 / 1000 (about 1 / 9.09), the special drawing variation pattern ASP2-A is determined with a probability of 135 / 1000 (about 1 / 7.41), the special drawing variation pattern ASP2-B is determined with a probability of 165 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.06), the special drawing variation pattern ASP3-A is determined with a probability of 180 / 1000 (about 1 / 5.56), the special drawing variation pattern ASP3-B is determined with a probability of 220 / 1000 (about 1 / 4.56), and the special drawing variation pattern ASP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10). In this case, the special drawing variation patterns HNP to HSP3-B are not determined. As described above, in this embodiment, when the result of the special drawing validity determination fails in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, any one of the special drawing variation patterns HRP to HSP3 - B is determined at a ratio of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined at a ratio of 900 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.11). Further, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, any one of the special drawing variation patterns ASP1 - A to ASP - C is determined at a ratio of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Here, in the description of the special drawing variation pattern of this embodiment, when two special drawing variation patterns are described with "~" in between, the description of the special drawing variation patterns existing between the special drawing variation pattern described earlier and the special drawing variation pattern described later shall be omitted in accordance with the order described in the drawing related to the special drawing variation pattern lottery table for each special drawing variation pattern derivation state. Also, in the description of the special drawing variation pattern of this embodiment, regardless of whether there is a description of the corresponding variation time, if the names of the special drawing variation patterns are different, it means that the different special drawing variation patterns are different (the variation times are different).

[0082] FIG. 9(b) is a diagram schematically showing the special drawing variation pattern lottery table used when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA. The range of the random number used in this lottery (different from the random number used in the lottery related to the special drawing variation pattern lottery table shown in FIG. 9(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the special drawing variation pattern HNP that can be determined in the symbol variation related to Special Drawing 1 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA includes the special drawing variation pattern HNP - A with a variation time of 3200 ms (milliseconds), the special drawing variation pattern HNP - B with a variation time of 5600 ms, the special drawing variation pattern HNP - C with a variation time of 8000 ms, and the special drawing variation pattern HNP - D with a variation time of 11200 ms. The variation time becomes longer in this order. Specifically, when the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 3, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). Similarly, when the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 2, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.67), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.18). When the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 1, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-A is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.67), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 800 / 1000 (1 / 1.25). When the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation is 0, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-B is determined with a probability of 50 / 1000 (1 / 20), the special drawing variation pattern HNP-C is determined with a probability of 100 / 1000 (1 / 10), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-D is determined with a probability of 850 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.18). In the following description, when the value of the special drawing hold counter to be referred to is 3, it may be referred to as "hold 3", when the value of the special drawing hold counter is 2, it may be referred to as "hold 2", when the value of the special drawing hold counter is 1, it may be referred to as "hold 1", and when the value of the special drawing hold counter is 0, it may be referred to as "hold 0". In this way, when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation pattern (variation time) that is likely to be determined depends on the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation. More specifically, the smaller the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation, the longer the symbol variation that is likely to be determined (the larger the value of the special drawing 1 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation, the shorter the variation time that is likely to be determined). Also, such a special drawing variation pattern HNP (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "basic special drawing variation pattern") also exists in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC. In these special drawing variation pattern derivation states, the hold counter to be referred to is different from that in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and in each case, the value of the special drawing 2 hold counter is referred to.

[0083] Figure 10(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special drawing variation pattern lottery table used in the symbol variation according to Special Drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB. The range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in Figure 10(a), in the symbol variation according to Special Drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB, the special drawing variation patterns HNP to ASP-F can be determined. Specifically, in the symbol variation according to Special Drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a miss, the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 960 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.04), the special drawing variation pattern HSP-D is determined with a probability of 20 / 1000 (1 / 50), HSP-E is determined with a probability of 15 / 1000 (about 1 / 66.7), and HSP-F is determined with a probability of 5 / 1000 (1 / 200). In this case, the special drawing variation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F are not determined. Although the details will be described later with reference to Figure 10(b), when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined, the special drawing variation pattern is further specified using the value of the special drawing 2 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation. And the method of determining the special drawing variation pattern using this special drawing 2 hold counter is the same in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB described later. On the other hand, in the symbol variation according to Special Drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win or a small win, the special drawing variation pattern ASP-D is determined with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2), ASP-E is determined with a probability of 350 / 1000 (about 1 / 2.86), and ASP-F is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.67). In this case, the special drawing variation patterns HNP to HSP-F are not determined. Thus, in this embodiment, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a miss in the symbol variation according to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB, any one of the special drawing variation patterns HSP-D to HSP-F is determined at a rate of 40 / 1000 (1 / 25), and the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined at a rate of 960 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.04). Further, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win or a small win in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB, any one of the special drawing variation patterns ASP-D to ASP-F is determined at a rate of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1).

[0084] FIG. 10(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special drawing variation pattern lottery table used when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation according to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB. The range of the random number used in this lottery (different from the random number used in the lottery according to the special drawing variation pattern lottery table shown in FIG. 10(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 10(b), the special drawing variation pattern HNP that can be determined in the symbol variation according to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB includes the special drawing variation pattern HNP-E with a variation time of 3000 ms and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-F with a variation time of 15000 ms. Specifically, when the special drawing 2 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation = 3, when the special drawing 2 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation = 2, and when the special drawing 2 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation = 1, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-E is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). In these cases, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-F is not determined. On the other hand, when the special drawing 2 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation = 0, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-F is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). In these cases, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-E is not determined. Note that the special drawing variation pattern HNP-E and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-F are different from any of the special drawing variation patterns that can be determined when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 1 in the above-described special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and the special drawing variation patterns that can be determined when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC described later.

[0085] Fig. 11(a) is a diagram schematically showing a special drawing variation pattern lottery table used in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC. The range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 999. As shown in Fig. 11(a), the special drawing variation pattern lottery table used in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC may differ depending on the number of symbol variations executed without sandwiching a big win game in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state. In the symbol variation related to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, the special drawing variation patterns HNP to HSP-I can be determined. Specifically, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a miss in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined with a probability of 950 / 1000 (about 1 / 1.05), the special drawing variation pattern HSP-G is determined with a probability of 25 / 1000 (1 / 40), the special drawing variation pattern HSP-H is determined with a probability of 15 / 1000 (about 1 / 66.7), and HSP-I is determined with a probability of 10 / 1000 (1 / 100). In this case, the special drawing variation patterns ASP-G to ASP-I are not determined. On the other hand, when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win or a small win in the symbol variation related to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, regardless of the number of rotations in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, the special drawing variation pattern ASP-G is determined with a probability of 500 / 1000 (1 / 2), ASP-H is determined with a probability of 350 / 1000 (about 1 / 2.86), and ASP-I is determined with a probability of 150 / 1000 (about 1 / 6.67). In this case, the special drawing variation patterns HNP to HSP-I are not determined.

[0086] FIG. 11(b) is a diagram schematically showing a special drawing variation pattern lottery table used when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation according to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC. The range of the random number used in this lottery (different from the random number used in the lottery related to the special drawing variation pattern lottery table shown in FIG. 11(a)) is 0 to 999. As shown in FIG. 11(b), among the special drawing variation patterns HNP that can be determined in the symbol variation according to the special drawing 2 in the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC, there are a special drawing variation pattern HNP-G with a variation time of 2000 ms and a special drawing variation pattern HNP-H with a variation time of 10000 ms. Specifically, when the special drawing 2 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation = 3, when the special drawing 2 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation = 2, and when the special drawing 2 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation = 1, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-G is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). In these cases, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-H is not determined. On the other hand, when the special drawing 2 hold counter at the start of the current symbol variation = 0, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-H is determined with a probability of 1000 / 1000 (1 / 1). In these cases, the special drawing variation pattern HNP-G is not determined. Note that the special drawing variation pattern HNP-G and the special drawing variation pattern HNP-H are different from any of the special drawing variation patterns that can be determined when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation according to the special drawing 1 in the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, and the special drawing variation patterns that can be determined when the special drawing variation pattern HNP is determined in the symbol variation according to the special drawing 2 in the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB.

[0087] In addition, at the start of the symbol variation, the special drawing variation pattern derivation means 133 generates an effect control command (variation start command) including the stop symbol of the determined special drawing and the determined special drawing variation pattern as a result of the special drawing validity determination, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0088] Similar to the special drawing selection means 130, when the general drawing is not in the process of symbol variation, the general drawing lottery means 135 reads the earliest operation hold information among the operation hold information stored in the main information storage means 160, executes a general drawing win / loss determination to determine the win / loss of the general drawing using the read random number, and determines various parameters related to the general drawing (general drawing variation time, general drawing stop display time, etc.) based on the result of the general drawing win / loss determination and information such as the current special drawing variation pattern derivation state. In the general drawing win / loss determination, there are a state where the general drawing lottery state is a high-probability state (which may be abbreviated as "general drawing high probability") and a state where the general drawing lottery state is a low-probability state (which may be abbreviated as "general drawing low probability"). Although the illustration of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the general drawing high probability, the probability of winning the general drawing is 65535 / 65536, and the probability of losing is 1 / 65536. On the other hand, in the general drawing low probability, the probability of winning the general drawing is 1 / 65536, and the probability of losing is 65535 / 65536. Note that in the general drawing low probability, it may be set so that the general drawing is not won (losing with a probability of 65536 / 65536).

[0089] When the result of the special drawing win / loss determination is a big win or a small win, the big win game control means 140 determines the demo time related to the start demo and the demo time related to the end demo according to the determined symbol. Furthermore, at the start of the big win game, the big win game control means 140 generates an effect control command (big win start command) including information such as the demo time related to the start demo of the big win game, stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the big win game, generates an effect control command (big win end command) including the demo time related to the end demo of the big win game, and stores it in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. This is the same for the big win game caused by the small win game.

[0090] In addition, when the result of the special symbol win / loss determination is a minor win, the big win game control means 140 starts a minor win game. When the game ball passes through the V winning area (not shown) provided in the big winning opening 55 during the minor win game, the big win game corresponding to the minor win is started at the end of the minor win game (more precisely, at the end of the end demonstration of the minor win game). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the minor win game functions as a game that causes a big win game. If the game ball does not pass through the V winning area in the minor win game, the big win game is not started (activated) after the end of the minor win game.

[0091] The symbol display control means 145 variably displays the special symbol 1 on the first special symbol display device 91 according to the variation time corresponding to the determined special symbol variation pattern of the special symbol 1, and stops and displays the special symbol 1 with the stop symbol determined by the special symbol stop symbol lottery after the elapse of the variation time. Similarly, the special symbol 2 is variably displayed on the second special symbol display device 92 according to the variation time corresponding to the determined special symbol variation pattern of the special symbol 2, and the special symbol 2 is stopped and displayed with the stop symbol determined by the special symbol stop symbol lottery after the elapse of the variation time. Here, the stop display time of the symbol variation related to the special symbol refers to the time from when the special symbol is stopped and displayed until the symbol variation of the next special symbol can be started (when the result of the special symbol win / loss determination is a loss), or the time from when the symbol variation of the special symbol ends until the big win game or the minor win game is started (when the result of the general symbol win / loss determination is a general symbol win). The stop display time of the symbol variation related to the special symbol in the present embodiment is uniformly 300 ms regardless of the type of the special symbol or the result of the special symbol win / loss determination. In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a special symbol game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of the special symbol 1 and the special symbol 2. When stopping and displaying the special symbol (at the timing when the value of the special symbol game timer becomes "0"), an effect control command (variation stop command) for requesting the definite stop display of the decorative symbol is generated, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Here, the final stop display of the decorative pattern refers to the final stop display of the decorative pattern during the pattern variation, which is different from the temporary stop display of the decorative pattern that may occur during the execution of the pattern variation. In the temporary stop display of the decorative pattern, for example, the stopped decorative pattern has a small up-and-down swaying motion (so-called swaying variation), while in the final stop display of the decorative pattern, even when the same decorative pattern is stopped, such as the stopped decorative pattern not having a swaying variation, the stop display mode of the finally stopped decorative pattern is different from the stop display mode of the temporarily stopped decorative pattern. Therefore, the player can recognize whether the stop display of the decorative pattern is a final stop display or a temporary stop display.

[0092] Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 variably displays the general pattern on the general symbol display device 93 according to the variation time corresponding to the determined general pattern variation pattern of the general pattern, and after the elapse of the variation time, stops and displays the general pattern with the determined stop symbol. Note that the pattern display control means 145 has a general pattern game timer for managing the time related to the general pattern (such as the general pattern variation time, the general pattern stop display time, etc.).

[0093] The electric accessory control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 66 in the above-mentioned big win game or small win game, and releases the special electric accessory 65 according to the release pattern corresponding to the stop symbol of the special pattern. Also, when the result of the general pattern win / loss determination is a win in the general pattern, the electric accessory control means 150 outputs a control signal to the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 to put the normal electric accessory 61 in an open state. Note that the open state of the normal electric accessory 61 in this embodiment ends when either the time of the open state reaches a specified time (4000 ms in this embodiment) or a winning of a game ball into the second start port 59 occurs in the open state, and the normal electric accessory 61 becomes a closed state.

[0094] The game state control means 155 controls the normal drawing lottery state. Specifically, when starting a big win game, regardless of the stopped symbols of the special drawing related to the big win game, the normal drawing has a low probability. When specified conditions such as the end of the big win game are satisfied, until a specified number of symbol fluctuations are performed, the normal drawing has a high probability, and after the specified number of symbol fluctuations are performed, the normal drawing has a low probability. In the present embodiment, during a small win game, the normal drawing lottery state in the symbol fluctuation in which the small win game occurred is maintained. Therefore, when winning a small win during a high-probability normal drawing, the high-probability normal drawing is maintained during the small win game related to the small win, and when a big win game is triggered by the small win game, the normal drawing becomes low-probability when the big win game starts.

[0095] Such a normal drawing lottery state changes in linkage with the above-described special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state, and the transition of the special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state is managed by the game state control means 155. Hereinafter, the transition of the special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state will be described with reference to FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b). Note that FIG. 12(a) is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state, and FIG. 12(b) is a diagram showing the relationship of the average fluctuation time for each special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state. As shown in FIG. 12(a), in the special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state, as a special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state corresponding to a low probability of the normal drawing, there is a special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state PA, and as special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation states corresponding to a high probability of the normal drawing, there are a special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state PB and a special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state PC. Except during a big win game, any one of these special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation states is set. And for the transition conditions between the special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state PA to the special drawing fluctuation pattern derivation state PC, there are transition conditions (i) to (v).

[0096] Specifically, the transition condition (i) is the end of the big win game related to symbol A, the transition condition (ii) is the end of the big win game related to symbol B, the transition condition (iii) is the end of the big win games related to symbols a, b, c, and d, the transition condition (iv) is the end of the symbol variation when the number of symbol variations related to special figure 2 executed without sandwiching a big win game in the general figure high probability is 30 times (the specified number related to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB), and the transition condition (v) is the end of the symbol variation when the number of symbol variations related to special figure 2 executed without sandwiching a big win game in the general figure high probability is 80 times (the specified number related to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC). In addition, when a big win game occurs in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC, after the end of the big win game, it transitions back to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC again, and the number of symbol variations related to special figure 2 that can be executed until the specified number related to the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC is reset. Also, when a big win game does not occur in the small win game related to the transition condition (iii), the state at the time when the small win game occurs (general figure high probability and the number of symbol variations related to special figure 2 that can be executed until the specified number) is maintained.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 12(b), the average variation time of each of the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC becomes shorter in the order of the special figure variation pattern derivation state PA, the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB, and the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC. This is due to the length of the variation time related to the basic special figure variation pattern that is most easily determined in each special figure variation pattern derivation state. Here, the average variation time refers to the sum of the variation times obtained by multiplying the variation time related to each special figure variation pattern that can be selected in a certain special figure variation pattern derivation state by the appearance rate (derived by multiplying the winning probability of the special figure variation pattern by the probability of obtaining the result of the special figure win / loss determination, which is the probability that can occur in any symbol variation). However, in this embodiment, when there is only one special figure variation pattern that can be selected in a certain special figure variation pattern derivation state, the variation time related to the special figure variation pattern is treated as the average variation time.

[0098] In addition, when a transition occurs in the general drawing lottery state or the special drawing variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates an effect control command (game state designation command) including the state after the transition, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, in each special drawing variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 counts the number of executions of the symbol variation related to the transition to another special drawing variation pattern derivation state, and each time the symbol variation is started, generates an effect control command including the counted number of symbol variations, and stores the command in the transmission command area of the main information storage means 160. Note that the information included in the effect control command may be the same as that included in the above-described variation start command.

[0099] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 includes a game state control means (game state control means 155) that controls a first game state (special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA) and a second game state (special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC) that is more advantageous than the first game state.

[0100] As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing the data read by each means and the data derived by operations by each means, etc. in the corresponding storage areas.

[0101] The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I / O port 104 and determines whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. When it is determined that the gaming machine is in an error state, an effect control command (error command) including information capable of specifying the error state is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, the error states determined by the main error control means 165 include, for example, a main board error based on the occurrence of the above-described update abnormality, a magnetic error based on magnetic detection by a magnetic detection sensor, a radio wave error based on radio wave detection by a radio wave detection sensor, a right hit error based on detection of a game ball by the gate sensor 74 or the second start port sensor 71, a door opening error based on detection of the opening of the middle frame 17 by the middle frame door opening sensor 76 or detection of the opening of the front frame 20 by the front frame door opening sensor 77, a full error based on detection of a game ball by the full detection sensor, an external output error that occurs when a communication failure occurs between the external terminal board 600 and an external device, a ball out error that occurs when there are no game balls in the payout unit 48, an abnormal winning error that occurs when an illegal winning is detected, and the like. In this embodiment, an illegal winning refers to a general term for the detection of a game ball by the big winning opening sensor 72 when the big winning opening 55 is in a closed state (when the special electric accessory 65 is not operating) (big winning opening illegal winning), exceeding the allowable number of winnings when the big winning opening 55 is in an open state (when the special electric accessory 65 is operating) (big winning opening excessive winning), and the detection of a game ball by the second start port sensor 71 when the second start port 59 is in a closed state (when the normal electric accessory 62 is not operating) (second start port illegal winning), and they are treated without distinction. In the implementation of the present invention, the above illegal winnings may be distinguished, and error notifications and security signal outputs in different modes may be made for each of the distinguished illegal winnings.

[0102] In this embodiment, among these error states, main board errors, magnetic errors, radio wave errors, external output errors, ball depletion errors, and abnormal winning errors are treated as error states with relatively high importance (hereinafter simply referred to as "error states with high importance"). Therefore, when these error states with high importance occur, in addition to the process of turning on the security signal, the main error control means 165 executes a game progress restriction process for not advancing the game, such as causing the payout control board 400 to restrict the launch of game balls, and sets the gaming machine 10 to the game stop state. Turning on the security signal means starting the output of the security signal, and turning off the security signal means ending the output of the security signal. Note that the main board error ends by turning on the power with RAM clearing processing after a power failure. The magnetic error and radio wave error end by turning on the power (regardless of the presence or absence of RAM clearing processing) after a power failure. The external output error ends when the normality of communication from the external terminal board 600 to an external device can be confirmed in the initial processing performed by turning on the power (regardless of the presence or absence of RAM clearing processing) after a power failure. The ball depletion error ends when the ball depletion is resolved. The abnormal winning error ends when the execution of error notification related to the error state is completed. Also, when these error states with high importance occur, error notifications that can identify which error state has occurred are executed by the first sub-control board 200 and the second sub-control board 300. Note that the above-described error states with high importance (main board errors, magnetic errors, radio wave errors, external output errors, ball depletion errors, and abnormal winning errors) are merely examples and can be appropriately changed within a range not contrary to the object of the present invention. Other error states not exemplified may also be used as error states with high importance. For example, those regarded as error states with low importance in this embodiment may be used as error states with high importance (error states accompanied by game stop). In addition, in the present embodiment, it is described on the premise that when an error state with high importance is detected, the game is immediately stopped. However, there may be a time difference from the detection of the error state until the game is stopped. For example, when the conditions related to the error state are satisfied during the symbol variation, the game may be stopped at the end of the symbol variation or at the start of the next symbol variation after the symbol variation. Alternatively, when the conditions related to the error state are satisfied during the big win game, the game may be stopped after the end of the big win game. Also, regarding the mode of error notification (including start timing and end timing) related to each error state described later, it can be appropriately changed within a range not contrary to the object of the present invention. For example, for a part of the error states with high importance, error notification may be made after the conditions related to the error state are satisfied (when the conditions related to the error state are satisfied during the symbol variation, error notification may be started at the end of the symbol variation or at the start of the next symbol variation after the symbol variation. Alternatively, when the conditions related to the error state are satisfied during the big win game, error notification may be started after the end of the big win game). In this modification, for at least a part of the period from when the conditions related to the error state are satisfied until error notification is started, prior notification of the error state (notification in a mode different from error notification) may be made. When the game machine 10 is powered off during this prior notification, regardless of whether there is RAM clear processing, it may be in a mode where it does not resume when the power is turned on later (a mode where the prior notification is ended by power off and the ended state is maintained after the power is turned on).

[0103] On the other hand, for the right hitting error, door opening error, and full error, which are error states with relatively low importance (hereinafter simply referred to as "error states with low importance"), the firing of the game balls is not restricted, and the state where the game can proceed is maintained. Among these error states with low importance, for some, the security signal becomes ON, and for some, the security signal does not become ON (OFF is maintained). Those corresponding to the error states where the security signal becomes ON will be described later. Also, when these error states occur, error notification that can identify which error state has occurred is executed by the first sub-control board 200 or the second sub-control board 300. Also, the right hitting error ends when the execution of the error notification related to the error state ends. The door opening error ends when the middle frame opening / closing sensor 76 detects the closed state of the middle frame 17 or the front frame opening / closing sensor 77 detects the closed state of the front frame 20. The full-ball error ends when the full-ball detection sensor no longer detects the game balls. When the end conditions for these error states are satisfied, an effect control command (return command) indicating that the end conditions have been satisfied is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160. Also, the above-described error states with low importance (right hitting error, door opening error, and full-ball error) and the end conditions for each error state are examples, and can be appropriately changed within a range not contrary to the object of the present invention. Other error states not exemplified may be error states with low importance. For example, those regarded as error states with high importance in the present embodiment may be error states with low importance (error states not accompanied by game stop).

[0104] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 includes error control means (main error control means 165) for detecting error states. Also, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 includes notification means (the first sub-control board 200 and the second sub-control board 300) for performing error notification based on the detection of error states.

[0105] When an effect control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the effect control command to the first sub-control board 200. In principle, each effect control command is transmitted in the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the main information storage means 160.

[0106] The power restoration process execution means 175 includes a return state setting means 176 and a playable state transition means 179.

[0107] The return state setting means 176 executes a return state setting process for setting a return state based on whether there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at power-on, the state at the time of power-off immediately before the restoration of power, the state of the RAM clear switch 43 at power-on, and the state of the middle frame opening door sensor 76 at power-on. The return states set by this process include a game stop state and a playable state (which may or may not involve the execution of a RAM clear process). Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 at power-on, the game stop state is set regardless of the state of the RAM clear switch 43 and the middle frame opening door sensor 76 at power-on. Also, if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 at power-on and the RAM clear switch 43 at power-on is ON (pressed state), the RAM clear process is executed on the condition that the middle frame opening door sensor 76 at power-on is ON and the playable state is set (if the middle frame opening door sensor 76 at power-on is OFF, the playable state is set without executing the RAM clear process), and if there is no abnormality in the RAM 103 at power-on and the RAM clear switch 43 at power-on is OFF (not pressed state), the playable state is set without executing the RAM clear process. Here, the game stop state is a return state in which the progress of the game becomes impossible by not executing the process according to the detection result of the sensor provided at each winning port (it is not necessary to consider the detection result of the sensor itself). On the other hand, the playable state is a return state in which the progress of the game becomes possible by executing the process according to the detection result of the sensor provided at each winning port. In particular, when the RAM clear process is not executed at power-on, it returns to the playable state at the time of the immediately preceding power-off. For example, if the immediately preceding power-off was during the execution of a big win game or a small win game, it returns to the big win game or small win game that was being executed, and if the immediately preceding power-off was during the execution of a symbol variation, it returns to the symbol variation that was being executed.

[0108] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 includes RAM clearing means (return state setting means 176) that executes RAM clearing processing when power is turned on based on a predetermined operation (pressing of the RAM clear switch 43).

[0109] Also, whether there is an abnormality in the RAM 103 is determined by executing RAM abnormality check (specifically, determining whether a backup flag is stored in the backup information area related to the target area (whether the backup flag is ON), and when the backup flag is stored (when the backup flag is ON), deriving the checksum of the complement stored in the target area and the backup information area related to the area, and when the calculation result is 0, determining that the target area is normal, and otherwise determining that the target area is abnormal) at the beginning of the return state setting process for the area of the RAM 103 related to the game.

[0110] The playable state transition means 179 executes a playable state transition process for transitioning to the playable state when the playable state is set. Specifically, in the playable state transition process, when the output of the security signal is ON, the process of turning off the output of the security signal and the initial setting of the device are executed. Also, in the initial setting of the device, processes such as transmitting a firing permission command for permitting the firing of game balls to the payout control board 400, setting a state in which ball entry into each winning port is valid, and setting data for starting the random number circuit 105 are executed.

[0111] The power-off process execution means 180 executes a power-off process based on receiving a power-off signal from the power control board 500. Specifically, for the area related to the game in the RAM 103, a checksum of the area is derived, and a process of storing the complement of the checksum in the backup information area related to the game in the RAM 103, and a process of turning on a backup flag indicating that the power-off process for the area has been executed (storing the backup flag in the backup information area related to the game in the RAM 103) are executed.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 7, the first sub-control board 200 includes a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal effect control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a lamp control means 240, a movable accessory control means 250, a sub-information storage means 260, and a sub-command management means 270. These means functionally represent what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, the sub-information storage means 260 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in corresponding storage areas. Also, the effect control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270. In the following description, the fact that the effect control command transmitted from the main command management means 170 is stored in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260 by the sub-command management means 270 may sometimes be simply expressed as the reception of the effect control command.

[0113] The sub-random number generation means 210 can generate a random number (software random number) updated by program processing by the CPU 201, and acquires the random number at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) by the normal effect control means 220 is executed.

[0114] The normal effect control means 220 includes an effect mode control means 221, an effect route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a pre-reading effect control means 224, an effect content determination means 225, a decorative symbol control means 226, and a big win effect control means 227.

[0115] When the performance mode control means 221 receives a game state designation command, it controls the transition of the performance mode in a manner that ensures consistency with the special drawing variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The performance modes in this embodiment are generally classified into the normal, RUSH challenge, and RUSH modes. The special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA generally corresponds to the normal mode, the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB corresponds to the RUSH challenge mode, and the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC corresponds to the RUSH mode.

[0116] When the performance route determination means 222 receives a pre-determination command, it determines (sets) the performance route corresponding to the symbol variation held this time based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command (in this embodiment, the special drawing variation pattern). Note that when the special drawing variation pattern corresponding to the symbol variation is the above-mentioned special drawing variation pattern HNP, the performance route is not determined when the pre-determination command is transmitted. Instead, at the start of the symbol variation, the performance route is determined based on the special drawing variation pattern included in the variation start command (for example, if it is the special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA, the special drawing variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D). Here, the performance route is the performance from the start to the end of the symbol variation, and it defines the process of the performance that notifies the result of the special drawing hit / miss determination in the symbol variation. The content of the performance executed in the symbol variation will be determined according to the performance route corresponding to the symbol variation by the performance content determination means 225 described later.

[0117] The production route in this embodiment is roughly classified into a losing production route that notifies that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a loss (i.e., the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is neither a big win nor a small win), and a big win production route that notifies that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a big win or a small win. Further, the losing production route includes a non-developing losing production route where the development production is not executed, and a developing losing production route where the development production is executed. As will be described later, when the big win production route is determined, the development production is executed unless otherwise specified. Here, the development production is an effect that is executed after the decorative symbols enter the reach state (a state in which the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed except for one symbol column, and the remaining symbol columns are variably displayed), and refers to an effect that notifies whether the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a big win or a small win at the end of the production. Therefore, in the development production corresponding to the developing losing production route, a series of productions corresponding to the development production are executed, and it is notified at the end of the production that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is neither a big win nor a small win. On the other hand, in the development production corresponding to the big win production route, a series of productions corresponding to the development production are executed, and it is notified at the end of the production that the result of the special drawing validity determination in the current symbol variation is a big win or a small win. Also, as will be described later, in this embodiment, in one production mode, for each determined special drawing variation pattern, a different production route corresponds. Therefore, in the following description, the production route for the special drawing variation pattern may sometimes be simply expressed by the special drawing variation pattern. However, a plurality of production routes may be associated with one special drawing variation pattern. In this case, one production route may be determined from the plurality of production routes corresponding to the determined special drawing variation pattern. Hereinafter, the content of the production route corresponding to each special drawing variation pattern determined in each production mode will be described.

[0118] First, for the production routes corresponding to special figure variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D and special figure variation pattern HRP determined in the normal state (special figure variation pattern derivation state PA), the above-described non-development losing production route corresponds. Specifically, for special figure variation patterns HNP-A to HNP-D, an effect route is corresponding that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a loss by the decorative symbol being stopped and displayed in a scattered state (a state where all symbol columns are stopped and the same decorative symbol is not stopped and displayed in each symbol column) without the decorative symbol reaching the reach state. Here, the same decorative symbol refers to a decorative symbol imitating the same number, and even if the parts other than the numbers constituting the decorative symbol are different, it may be in a different form. Similarly, different decorative symbols refer to decorative symbols imitating different numbers. For special figure variation pattern HRP, an effect route is corresponding that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this symbol variation is a loss by the decorative symbol reaching the reach state without going through pseudo-variation and then the decorative symbol being stopped and displayed in a scattered state without the development effect described later being executed. Here, pseudo-variation refers to a period delimited by, for example, the stop of a decorative symbol based on a certain rule (such as the stop of a decorative symbol where the same decorative symbol stops in the middle symbol column and the right symbol column like "5 symbols - 6 symbols - 6 symbols") during the period before the start of the development effect. Therefore, it can also be said that pseudo-variation occurs for the first time when the number of pseudo-variations becomes 2 times. That is, when the variation of the decorative symbol until the reach state is constituted is 1 time, it can be said that pseudo-variation does not occur, and in that case, it can also be said that 1 time of pseudo-variation is executed. Note that the maximum number of pseudo-variations in this embodiment is 3 times, but the maximum number of pseudo-variations is not limited to this, and any number of 2 or more times may be adopted.

[0119] For special figure variation patterns HSP1-A to HSP3-B, the above-described development losing production route corresponds. Specifically, for the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without passing through pseudo-variation, and then a development effect that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a miss is executed. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state corresponds. Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, the development effect HEA corresponds, and for the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the development effect HEB corresponds. For the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through two pseudo-variations, and then a development effect that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a miss is executed. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state corresponds. Note that, similar to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A, the development effect HEA corresponds, and for the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, the development effect HEB corresponds. For the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through three pseudo-variations, and then a development effect that notifies that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a miss is executed. After the end of the development effect, an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state corresponds. Note that, similar to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A and the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A, the development effect HEA corresponds, and for the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B, the development effect HEB corresponds.

[0120] For the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A and the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B, the above-mentioned big win effect route corresponds. Specifically, for special figure variation pattern ASP1-A and special figure variation pattern ASP1-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without passing through pseudo-variation, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a pattern alignment state (a state in which all pattern rows are stopped and the same decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in each pattern row). Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For special figure variation pattern ASP1-A, development effect HEA corresponds, and for special figure variation pattern ASP1-B, development effect HEB corresponds. For special figure variation pattern ASP2-A and special figure variation pattern ASP2-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through two pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a pattern alignment state. Note that, similar to special figure variation pattern ASP1-A and special figure variation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For special figure variation pattern ASP2-A, development effect HEA corresponds, and for special figure variation pattern ASP2-B, development effect HEB corresponds. For special figure variation pattern ASP3-A and special figure variation pattern ASP3-B, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state through three pseudo-variations, and then a development effect is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a pattern alignment state. Note that, similar to special figure variation pattern ASP1-A and special figure variation pattern ASP1-B, the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For special figure variation pattern ASP3-A, development effect HEA corresponds, and for special figure variation pattern ASP3-B, development effect HEB corresponds. For special figure variation pattern ASP-C, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without passing through pseudo-variation, and then development effect HEC is executed to notify that the result of the special figure validity determination in this figure variation is a big win. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern is stopped and displayed in a pattern alignment state.

[0121] Thus, in this embodiment, by corresponding the same development effects, the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-A is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-A, the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP1-B is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP1-B, the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-A is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP2-A, the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP2-B is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP2-B, the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP3-A is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-A, and the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern ASP3-B is associated with the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern HSP3-B. As a result, the contents of the effects of the associated effect routes will match from the start to near the end (the timing when the result of the special figure validity determination is shown by the development effect related to the effect route). Therefore, in the symbol variation in which the development effects HEA and HEB are executed, the player can be given an expectation of a big win. In addition, the above-mentioned special figure variation patterns in which the effect routes in which the development effects HEA and HEB are executed are determined can also be said to be special figure variation patterns that expect a big win. The same applies to other effect modes described later. Note that there is no corresponding development losing effect route for the special figure variation pattern ASP-C. Therefore, when the development effect HEC is executed in the symbol variation, the player can be definitely made to recognize a big win. Therefore, it can be said that the effect route corresponding to the special figure variation pattern is an effect route in which a big win is confirmed, and it can also be said that the special figure variation pattern is a special figure variation pattern in which a big win is confirmed.

[0122] Also, as shown in Fig. 9(a), when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a miss, within the range where the number of pseudo fluctuations is the same, it becomes difficult to determine in the order of the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the development production HEA is executed (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP1-A), and the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the development production HEB is executed (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP1-B). When the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win, within the range where the number of pseudo fluctuations is the same, it becomes easier to determine in the order of the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the development production HEA is executed (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-A), and the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the development production HEB is executed (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-B). And as described above, the development production HEC is executed only when a big win is selected. Therefore, the anticipation of a big win can be enhanced in the order of the development production HEA, the development production HEB, and the development production HEC. Note that the level of anticipation of a big win regarding such development productions is the same in the relationships between the development production HED, the development production HEE, and the development production HEF, and between the development production HEG, the development production HEH, and the development production HEI, which will be described later.

[0123] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9(a), when the result of the special drawing validity determination is a miss, within the range of the same type of development production, it becomes difficult to determine in the order of the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where no pseudo fluctuations occur (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP1-A), the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the number of pseudo fluctuations is 2 (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP2-A), and the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the number of pseudo fluctuations is 3 (for example, the special drawing variation pattern HSP3-A). When the result of the special drawing validity determination is a big win, within the range of the same type of development production, it becomes easier to determine in the order of the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where no pseudo fluctuations occur (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP1-A), the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the number of pseudo fluctuations is 2 (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP2-A), and the special drawing variation patterns corresponding to the production routes where the number of pseudo fluctuations is 3 (for example, the special drawing variation pattern ASP3-A). Therefore, as the number of times the pseudo-variation is executed increases, the expectation of a big win can be enhanced.

[0124] Also, as described above, in the special figure variation patterns HSP1-A, HSP1-B, ASP1-A, ASP1-B, and ASP-C, a reach state is achieved without going through pseudo-variation. In the special figure variation patterns HSP2-A, HSP2-B, ASP2-A, and ASP2-B, a reach state is achieved with two pseudo-variations. In the special figure variation patterns HSP3-A, HSP3-B, ASP3-A, and ASP3-B, a reach state is achieved with three pseudo-variations. Therefore, the time until the reach state is reached becomes longer in the order of the special figure variation pattern that reaches the reach state without going through pseudo-variation, the special figure variation pattern that reaches the reach state with two pseudo-variations, and the special figure variation pattern that reaches the reach state with three pseudo-variations. However, in the symbol variation in which the special figure variation pattern ASP-C is determined, the time until the reach state is reached is longer than that of the special figure variation patterns (special figure variation patterns HSP1-A, HSP1-B, ASP1-A, and ASP1-B) that reach the reach state without going through other pseudo-variations.

[0125] Next, the above-described non-developed losing effect route corresponds to the effect routes corresponding to the basic special figure variation patterns (special figure variation patterns HNP-E and HNP-F) that can be determined in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PB. Specifically, for the special figure variation patterns HNP-E and HNP-F, there corresponds an effect route that notifies that the result of the special figure win / loss determination in this symbol variation is a loss by having the decorative symbol stop displaying in a scattered state without reaching the reach state. Since this is the same for the basic special figure variation patterns in the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC described later, the explanation is omitted in this special figure variation pattern derivation state.

[0126] For Special Figure Variation Patterns HSP-D to HSP-F, the above-described development miss performance route corresponds to them. Specifically, for Special Figure Variation Patterns HSP-D to HSP-F, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without going through pseudo-variation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special figure hit or miss determination in this pattern variation is a miss. After the end of the development performance, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a scattered state. Note that the types of development performances corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For Special Figure Variation Pattern HSP-D, development performance HED corresponds; for Special Figure Variation Pattern HSP-E, development performance HEE corresponds; and for Special Figure Variation Pattern HSP-F, development performance HEF corresponds. Also, for Special Figure Variation Patterns ASP-D to ASP-F, the above-described jackpot performance route corresponds to them. Specifically, for Special Figure Variation Patterns ASP-D to ASP-F, the decorative pattern reaches the reach state without going through pseudo-variation, and then a development performance is executed to notify that the result of the special figure hit or miss determination in this pattern variation is a jackpot or a minor win. After the end of the development performance, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative pattern stops and is displayed in a pattern-aligned state. Note that the types of development performances corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For Special Figure Variation Pattern ASP-D, development performance HED corresponds; for Special Figure Variation Pattern ASP-E, development performance HEE corresponds; and for Special Figure Variation Pattern ASP-F, development performance HEF corresponds.

[0127] The special figure variation patterns HSP-G to HSP-I that can be determined by the special figure variation pattern derivation state PC correspond to the above-described development losing effects route. Specifically, in the special figure variation patterns HSP-G to HSP-I, the decorative symbol reaches the reach state without going through pseudo-variation, and then a development effect that notifies that the result of the special figure win / loss determination in this symbol variation is a loss is executed. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative symbol stops and is displayed in a scattered state. Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern HSP-G, the development effect HEG corresponds; for the special figure variation pattern HSP-H, the development effect HEH corresponds; and for the special figure variation pattern HSP-I, the development effect HEI corresponds. Also, the special figure variation patterns ASP-G to ASP-I correspond to the above-described big win effect route. Specifically, in the special figure variation patterns ASP-G to ASP-I, the decorative symbol reaches the reach state without going through pseudo-variation, and then a development effect that notifies that the result of the special figure win / loss determination in this symbol variation is a big win is executed. After the end of the development effect, there corresponds an effect route in which the decorative symbol stops and is displayed with the symbols aligned. Note that the types of development effects corresponding to each special figure variation pattern are different from each other. For the special figure variation pattern ASP-G, the development effect HEG corresponds; for the special figure variation pattern ASP-H, the development effect HEH corresponds; and for the special figure variation pattern ASP-I, the development effect HEI corresponds.

[0128] When the sub-hold control means 223 receives a hold command (hereinafter, sometimes simply expressed as the occurrence of a hold win), based on the information of the special figure 1 hold counter and the special figure 2 hold counter included in the command, it sets effect data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 1 hold counter and the number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 2 hold counter in the hold display area (not shown) of the main display unit 81. Note that the hold image is an image that is the target of a hold prediction effect that changes in various forms suggesting the degree of advantage such as the probability of a big win game occurring.

[0129] When the pre-reading effect control means 224 receives a pre-judgment command, it determines the content of the pre-reading effect based on the result of the pre-judgment included in the command. The pre-reading effect is an effect that, for the purpose of enhancing the gaming interest, suggests the degree of expectation for the result of the special symbol hit determination in the symbol variation of the pre-reading target or the content of the effect to be executed in the symbol variation of the pre-reading target before the symbol variation of the pre-reading target starts. The symbol variation of the pre-reading target refers to the symbol variation related to the main special symbol (in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PA, it is special symbol 1; in the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PB and the special symbol variation pattern derivation state PC, it is special symbol 2), which is the symbol variation held in the states of hold 1 to hold 3, or the symbol variation held in the state of hold 0 and during the execution of the symbol variation related to the special symbol.

[0130] When the effect content determination means 225 receives a variation start command, it determines the content of the effect to be executed in the current symbol variation according to the effect route already determined by the effect route determination means 222. More specifically, the effect content determination means 225 determines the content (effect pattern) of the effect for each effect execution timing in the symbol variation by lottery or the like using an effect pattern lottery table corresponding to the effect route determined by the effect route determination means 222. By doing so, it is possible to change the content of the effect related to (executed according to) the determined effect route, and to give a connection to the effect in one symbol variation. Also, even when the same effect route is determined, the executed effects can be made diverse. The timing for determining the content of the effect includes, for example, the start time of the symbol variation.

[0131] When the decorative symbol control means 226 receives a variation start command, it determines the combination of the final (definitely stopped and displayed) decorative symbols (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) based on the stop symbol of the determined special symbol.

[0132] When the jackpot effect control means 227 receives a jackpot start command, it determines the content of the jackpot game effect that notifies that the jackpot game is in progress based on the information included in the command and the like. Note that the jackpot game effects include a start demo effect that notifies the start of the jackpot game, a round effect that notifies that the round game is in progress, and an end demo effect that notifies the end of the jackpot game. Also, the jackpot effect control means 227, in the same manner as when it receives a jackpot start command, when it receives an effect control command related to a minor jackpot game, determines the content of the minor jackpot game effect that notifies that the minor jackpot game is in progress based on the information included in the command and the like. Furthermore, when an over-win occurs during the jackpot game (over-win allowable period), the jackpot effect control means 227 is configured to be able to execute the output of a predetermined winning sound and the display of the number of bonus balls generated during the over-win allowable period, and the details will be described later.

[0133] The normal effect control means 220 reads out the effect data of each device corresponding to each effect at the execution timing of each effect according to the content of the effect determined by the above-described means provided in the first sub-control board 200. When there is effect data related to an image in the read effect data, an image control command is generated based on the effect data, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Furthermore, when there is effect data related to sound in the read effect data, a voice control command related to sound is generated based on the effect data, and the command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. In particular, when the return state at power-on becomes a playable state with the execution of the RAM clear process, the normal effect control means 220 reads out the effect data for notifying that the playable state has been achieved with the execution of the RAM clear process, and when the return state at power-on becomes a playable state without the execution of the RAM clear process, the normal effect control means 220 reads out the effect data for notifying that the playable state has been achieved without the execution of the RAM clear process. Furthermore, when the return state at power-on is the game stop state, the normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for notifying that in addition to the game stop state, it is necessary to execute the RAM clear process. Although the details of these notifications are omitted, it is preferably executed continuously for a certain period of time (for example, 30 s) after the execution starts, and the performance device for executing the notification is not limited.

[0134] When an error command is transmitted, the sub-error control means 230 determines an error notification pattern and reads out performance data for executing the error notification according to the error notification pattern. Note that the error notification is executed with priority over the variation performance related to the symbol variation. Here, the fact that the error notification is executed with priority means that when the device related to the execution of the error notification and the device related to the execution of the variation performance are the same device, only the error notification is executed on the device (the execution of the variation performance is restricted by the execution of the error notification), and it includes that the error notification is executed in a manner that is more easily recognized than the variation performance on the device. In addition, the sub-error control means 230 may independently (independently of the main error control means 165) determine whether the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, and read out performance data for executing the error notification when it is determined that the gaming machine is in an error state.

[0135] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the frame lamp 35. For example, when there is performance data corresponding to the lamp in the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the performance data and transmits the read lamp control data to the lamp to be the execution target.

[0136] When there is production data corresponding to the movable accessory in the production data read by the normal production control means 220, the movable accessory control means 250 reads out movable control data for controlling the movement of the movable decoration 22 or the sub-display unit 82 from the ROM 202 based on the production data, transmits the read movable control data to the movable decoration 22 or the sub-display unit 82, and controls the movement of the movable decoration 22 or the sub-display unit 82.

[0137] As described above, the sub-information storage means 260 is means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, and the like in storage areas corresponding to each of them.

[0138] The sub-command management means 270 receives the production control command transmitted from the main control board 100 and stores the received production command in the received command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260. Further, when an image control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260, the sub-command management means 270 transmits the image control command to the second sub-control board 300. Furthermore, when an audio control command or a volume adjustment command is stored in the storage area, the sub-command management means 270 transmits these commands to the audio control board 310. In principle, these commands are transmitted in the order stored in the transmission command storage area of the sub-information storage means 260.

[0139] As described above, the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment can detect various error states, execute error notifications in different modes according to each error state, and output security signals in different modes. Hereinafter, the specific content will be described in detail.

[0140] <Regarding the mode of error notification> First, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, the mode of error notification executed by the gaming machine 10 (the first sub-control board 200 and the second sub-control board 300) will be described. Note that the error sounds 1 to 5 shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 represent voices in different modes, and all of them are emitted from the speaker 33.

[0141] FIG. 13(a) illustrates a mode of error notification executed when a main board error is detected. In the case illustrated in FIG. 13(a), the gaming machine 10 notifies the occurrence of the main board error in a specificable manner by displaying "Main board error in progress" at the center of the main display unit 81 and emitting error sound 1 from the speaker 33. However, the content illustrated in FIG. 13(a) is a specific example of a mode of error notification related to the main board error, and at least one of the display and sound emission related to the error notification may not be executed, or other notifications (for example, notification by the lighting mode of the frame lamp 35) may be executed.

[0142] FIG. 13(b) illustrates a mode of error notification executed when a magnetic error is detected. In the case illustrated in FIG. 13(b), the gaming machine 10 notifies the occurrence of the magnetic error in a specificable manner by displaying "Magnetic error in progress" at the center of the main display unit 81 and emitting error sound 2 from the speaker 33. However, the content illustrated in FIG. 13(b) is a specific example of a mode of error notification related to the magnetic error, and at least one of the display and sound emission related to the error notification may not be executed, or other notifications (for example, notification by the lighting mode of the frame lamp 35) may be executed.

[0143] FIG. 14(a) illustrates a mode of error notification executed when an external output error is detected. In the case illustrated in FIG. 14(a), the gaming machine 10 notifies the occurrence of the external output error in a specificable manner by emitting error sound 3 from the speaker 33. In this case, the main display unit 81 does not display a display that enables the external output error to be specified. However, the content shown in FIG. 14(a) is a specific example of the mode of error notification related to an external output error, and the display related to the error notification may be executed, the sound output related to the error notification may not be executed, or other notifications (for example, notifications by the lighting mode of the frame lamp 35) may be executed.

[0144] FIG. 14(b) illustrates the mode of error notification executed when an abnormal winning error is detected. In the case shown in FIG. 14(b), the gaming machine 10 notifies the occurrence of an abnormal winning error in a manner that enables identification by outputting an error sound 4 from the speaker 33. In this case, the main display unit 81 does not display a display that enables identification of the abnormal winning error. However, the content shown in FIG. 14(b) is a specific example of the mode of error notification related to an abnormal winning error, and the display related to the error notification may be executed, the sound output related to the error notification may not be executed, or other notifications (for example, notifications by the lighting mode of the frame lamp 35) may be executed.

[0145] FIG. 15 illustrates the mode of error notification executed when a ball depletion error is detected. In the case shown in FIG. 15, the gaming machine 10 notifies the occurrence of a ball depletion error in a manner that enables identification by displaying "The balls have run out. Please call the staff" at the lower part of the main display unit 81 and outputting an error sound 5 from the speaker 33. However, the content shown in FIG. 15 is a specific example of the mode of error notification related to a ball depletion error, and at least one of the display and sound output related to the error notification may not be executed, or other notifications (for example, notifications by the lighting mode of the frame lamp 35) may be executed.

[0146] As described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15, even when any of a main board error, a magnetic error, an external output error, an abnormal winning error, and a ball depletion error is detected, the mode of error notification to be executed is different. Therefore, it can be said that the notification means (the first sub-control board 200 and the second sub-control board 300) performs error notification both when a first error state (for example, main board error) is detected and when a second error state (for example, external output error) is detected. Thus, the occurrence of each error state can be identified by the error notification executed by the gaming machine 10. Note that it is desirable that the error notification mode when a plurality of error states occur repeatedly is the same as the error notification mode performed when at least one of the plurality of error states exists. For example, in the case where an abnormal winning error and a ball depletion error occur repeatedly based on a single winning as described later, after the error notification related to the abnormal winning error (the output of the error sound 4 shown in FIG. 14(b)) is executed, the error notification related to the ball depletion error (the display shown in FIG. 15 and the output of the error sound 5) is executed, and a configuration is continuous in the same mode as the mode in which each is executed independently.

[0147] <Regarding the mode related to external output when an error occurs> Next, with reference to FIGS. 16 to 21, the mode related to external output when an error occurs will be described. FIGS. 16 to 21 are all time charts on the premise that each error state has occurred in the general drawing high probability middle (special drawing variation pattern derivation state PB and special drawing variation pattern derivation state PC). In FIGS. 16 to 21, the notation "〇〇 error" indicates the presence or absence of the occurrence (detection) of the error state corresponding to the notation, the notation "security" indicates the ON / OFF of the security signal, and the notation "during time shortening" indicates the ON / OFF of the time shortening signal.

[0148] FIG. 16(a) illustrates the mode related to external output when a main board error occurs. In the case illustrated in FIG. 16(a), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time shortening signal before the occurrence of the main board error. When the main board error is detected, the gaming machine 10 stops outputting the time shortening signal and outputs a security signal. Since the main board error is an error state that can be resolved by power-on with RAM clearing processing (it cannot be resolved by power-on without RAM clearing processing), it is maintained without being resolved after the detection timing of the main board error shown in the figure. When the main board error is detected, the gaming machine 10 outputs a security signal for a period T1 and stops outputting the security signal after the elapse of the period T1. Also, after the detection timing of the main board error shown in the figure, the gaming machine 10 continues to stop outputting the time shortening signal.

[0149] Figure 16(b) illustrates the mode related to the external output when a magnetic error occurs. In the case shown in Figure 16(b), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time shortening signal before the magnetic error occurs. When the magnetic error is detected, the gaming machine 10 maintains the output of the time shortening signal and outputs a security signal. Since the magnetic error is an error state that can be resolved by power-on regardless of whether RAM clearing is performed, it is maintained without being resolved after the detection timing of the magnetic error shown in the figure. Also, after the detection timing of the main board error shown in the figure, the gaming machine 10 continues to output the security signal and continues to maintain the output of the time shortening signal.

[0150] Figure 17(a) illustrates the mode related to the external output when an external output error occurs. In the case shown in Figure 17(a), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time shortening signal before the external output error occurs. Since the external output error is an error state in which there is a problem in communication from the external terminal board 600 to an external device, the gaming machine 10 stops outputting the time shortening signal when the external output error is detected and does not output a security signal. In addition, since an external output error is an error state that can be resolved by turning on the power regardless of whether RAM is cleared or not, it is maintained without being resolved after the detection timing of the external output error illustrated in the figure. After the detection timing of the main board error illustrated in the figure, the gaming machine 10 continues to stop outputting the time shortening signal.

[0151] FIG. 17(b) illustrates the mode related to the external output when an abnormal winning error occurs. In the case illustrated in FIG. 17(b), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time shortening signal before the occurrence of the abnormal winning error. Even if the gaming machine 10 detects an abnormal winning error, it maintains the output of the time shortening signal. In addition, the gaming machine 10 outputs a security signal over a period T2 triggered by the detection of an abnormal winning error, and stops outputting the security signal after the elapse of the period T2. In the present embodiment, the period T2 is set to be shorter than the period T1 illustrated in FIG. 16(a), but the present invention may be implemented in a mode where the lengths are reversed. The abnormal winning error is resolved when the error notification related to the error ends. In FIG. 17(b), the period during which the abnormal winning error occurs (that is, the execution period of the error notification related to the error) is illustrated as being shorter than the period T2, but the present invention may be implemented in a mode where the lengths are reversed.

[0152] Regarding the mode of the external output when a main board error, a magnetic error, an external output error, and an abnormal winning error occur in the normal drawing low probability middle (special drawing variation pattern derivation state PA), it is the same as the mode illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 except that the time shortening signal is not output (maintained in the OFF state), so illustration is omitted.

[0153] Therefore, the error states include a first error state (e.g., main board error) and a second error state (e.g., external output error) different from the first error state. Both the first error state and the second error state are error states that cause the game to stop. The external output means (external terminal board 600) can be said to externally output first information when the first error state is detected and not to externally output the first information when the second error state is detected. Furthermore, the above external output means can externally output first information (security signal) and second information (time shortening signal) related to the game state to devices outside the gaming machine. Then, when a first error state is detected in the first gaming state (normal drawing, low probability), the external output means externally outputs the first information and does not externally output the second information. When a first error state is detected in the second gaming state (normal drawing, high probability), the external output means externally outputs the first information and does not externally output the second information. When a second error state is detected in the first gaming state, the external output means does not externally output the first information and does not externally output the second information. When a second error state is detected in the second gaming state, the external output means does not externally output the first information and does not externally output the second information. It can be said that this is the case. In this way, even for the first error state and the second error state, both of which are error states that cause the game to stop, the output / non-output of the first information and the second information are separated according to the situation, so that they can be identified by external devices.

[0154] The error states include a third error state (e.g., magnetic error) different from both the first error state and the second error state, and the third error state is also an error state that causes the game to stop. When a third error state is detected in the first gaming state (normal drawing, low probability), the above external output means (external terminal board 600) externally outputs the first information (security signal) and does not externally output the second information (time shortening signal). When a third error state is detected in the second gaming state (normal drawing, high probability), the external output means externally outputs the first information and externally outputs the second information. It can be said that this is the case. Thus, in addition to the distinction between outputting and not outputting the first information and the second information related to the above-described first error state and second error state, the modes of outputting and not outputting the first information and the second information for the third error state are also different. Therefore, in an external device, each error state can be identified.

[0155] FIG. 18(a) illustrates the mode related to external output when power is cut off immediately after the occurrence of a main board error and power is turned on without RAM clear processing. In the case illustrated in FIG. 18(a), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time shortening signal before the occurrence of the main board error, stops outputting the time shortening signal upon detection of the main board error, and outputs a security signal. Here, when power cut does not occur, as illustrated in FIG. 16(a), the gaming machine 10 outputs a security signal for a period T1 upon detection of the main board error. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 18(a), when power is cut off before the elapse of the period T1 from the detection of the main board error and power is turned on without RAM clear processing, the gaming machine 10 outputs a security signal for a period T1 upon turning on the power in order to notify the external device of the occurrence of the main board error again, and stops outputting the security signal after the elapse of the period T1. Also, since the main board error is an error state that cannot be resolved by turning on the power without RAM clear processing, it is maintained without being resolved after the power cut-off timing illustrated in the figure. Also, the gaming machine 10 continues to stop outputting the time shortening signal after the power-on timing illustrated in the figure.

[0156] FIG. 18(b) illustrates the mode related to external output when power is cut off immediately after the occurrence of a main board error and power is turned on with RAM clear processing. In the case illustrated in FIG. 18(b), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time shortening signal before the occurrence of the main board error, stops outputting the time shortening signal upon detection of the main board error, and outputs a security signal. 18(a), if the power is cut off before the period T1 has elapsed since the detection of the main board error, and the power is turned on with a RAM clear process after the power is turned off, the main board error is resolved. At this time, in order to enable an external device to identify that the main board error has been resolved as a result of the power being turned on, the gaming machine 10 outputs a security signal for a period T3 as a result of the power being turned on, and stops outputting the security signal after the period T3 has elapsed. In addition, since the gaming state (normal, high probability) of the gaming machine 10 is initialized by the above-mentioned RAM clearing process, the output of the time-saving signal continues to be stopped after the power-on timing shown in the figure.

[0157] 18(b) shows an example in which a main board error (i.e., an update abnormality in the random number circuit 105) is eliminated by powering on with a RAM clear process, but in rare cases, the main board error may not be eliminated even if the power is turned on with a RAM clear process. In this case, the gaming machine 10 may output a security signal in response to the power-on for a period T1.

[0158] In this embodiment, the time (period T3) from external output to stopping in the case shown in Figure 18(b) is longer than the time (period T1) from external output to stopping in the case shown in Figure 18(a), but the present invention may be implemented in a manner in which the long / short relationship is reversed.

[0159] FIG. 19(a) shows the state of the external output when the power is turned off immediately after the occurrence of a magnetic error and then turned on again without performing a RAM clear process. In the case shown in FIG. 19(a), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time-shortening signal before the occurrence of a magnetic error, and outputs a security signal when the magnetic error is detected. Here, if no power interruption occurs, the gaming machine 10 will continue to output the security signal after the timing of detection of the magnetic error, as shown in Fig. 16(b). On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 19(a), if power is interrupted immediately after detection of the magnetic error and power is turned on without RAM clear processing, the gaming machine 10 will not output the security signal after the timing of power-on because the magnetic error is eliminated (the stopped state due to the power interruption will be maintained). Furthermore, since the power-on of the gaming machine 10 does not involve a RAM clear process, the gaming state (normal, high probability) is maintained, and a time-saving signal is output in response to the power-on shown in the figure (the output of the time-saving signal that was stopped due to a power outage is resumed by the power-on).

[0160] FIG. 19(b) shows the state of the external output when the power is turned off immediately after the occurrence of a magnetic error and then turned on again with the RAM clear process. In the case shown in FIG. 19(b), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time-shortening signal before the occurrence of a magnetic error, and outputs a security signal when the magnetic error is detected. Here, the magnetic error is eliminated even if the power is turned off immediately after the detection of the magnetic error as in the case shown in Fig. 19(a) and then turned on with RAM clear processing after the power is turned off. In this case, the security signal is not output after the power is turned on as in the case shown in Fig. 19(a) (the state stopped by the power cut is maintained). In addition, since the gaming state (normal, high probability) of the gaming machine 10 is initialized by the above-mentioned RAM clearing process, the output of the time-saving signal continues to be stopped after the power is cut off as shown in the figure.

[0161] FIG. 20(a) illustrates a state of the external output when the power is turned off immediately after the occurrence of an external output error, and then turned on again without performing a RAM clear process. In the case shown in Figure 20(a), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time-saving signal before the occurrence of an external output error, and upon detection of the external output error, it stops outputting the time-saving signal, but does not output a security signal. Here, if a power outage occurs and normal communication of the external terminal board 600 is confirmed when the power is turned on, the gaming machine 10 will not output a security signal even after the power is turned on (the stopped state will be maintained for the period shown in Figure 20(a)). Furthermore, since the power-on of the gaming machine 10 does not involve RAM clearing processing, the gaming state (normal, high probability) is maintained, and a time-saving signal is output in response to the power-on shown in the figure.

[0162] FIG. 20(b) illustrates the state of the external output when the power is turned off immediately after the occurrence of an external output error, and then turned on again with the RAM clear process. In the case shown in Figure 20 (b), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time-saving signal before the occurrence of an external output error, and upon detection of the external output error, it stops outputting the time-saving signal, but does not output a security signal. Here, as in the case shown in Figure 20(a), if a power outage occurs and normal communication of the external terminal board 600 is confirmed when the power is turned on, the gaming machine 10 will not output a security signal even after the power is turned on (the stopped state will be maintained for the period shown in Figure 20(b)). In addition, since the gaming state (normal, high probability) of the gaming machine 10 is initialized by the above-mentioned RAM clearing process, the output of the time-saving signal continues to be stopped after the power-on timing shown in the figure.

[0163] In addition, in Figures 20(a) and 20(b), it is assumed that communication of the external terminal board 600 is confirmed to be normal when the power is turned on. However, if a communication malfunction of the external terminal board 600 continues even after the power is turned on, the gaming machine 10 will not output a security signal or a time-saving signal after the power is turned on.

[0164] FIG. 21(a) illustrates the state of the external output when the power is cut off immediately after the occurrence of an abnormal winning error and then turned on again without performing a RAM clear process. In the case shown in FIG. 21(a), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time-saving signal before the occurrence of an abnormal winning error, and outputs a security signal when the abnormal winning error is detected. Here, if no power interruption occurs, the gaming machine 10 will output a security signal for a period T2 upon detection of the abnormal winning error, as shown in Fig. 17(b). On the other hand, in the example shown in Fig. 21(a), power is interrupted before the period T2 has elapsed since detection of the abnormal winning error, and power is turned on without RAM clear processing. In this case, since the occurrence of the abnormal winning error (i.e., the error notification related to the error) has already ended, the gaming machine 10 does not need to notify an external device of the occurrence of the abnormal winning error again, and does not output a security signal upon power-on (it maintains the state stopped by the power interruption). Furthermore, since the power-on of the gaming machine 10 does not involve a RAM clear process, the gaming state (normal, high probability) is maintained, and a time-saving signal is output in response to the power-on shown in the figure (the output of the time-saving signal that was stopped due to a power outage is resumed by the power-on).

[0165] FIG. 21(b) illustrates the state of the external output when the power is cut off immediately after the occurrence of an abnormal winning error and then turned on again with a RAM clear process. In the case shown in FIG. 21(b), the gaming machine 10 outputs a time-saving signal before the occurrence of an abnormal winning error, and outputs a security signal when the abnormal winning error is detected. Here, as in the case shown in Figure 21(a), if the power is cut off before the period T2 has elapsed since the detection of the abnormal winning error, but the power is turned on accompanied by a RAM clear process, as in the case shown in Figure 21(a), the gaming machine 10 does not need to notify an external device of the occurrence of the abnormal winning error again, and does not output a security signal in response to the power being turned on (it will maintain the state stopped due to the power cut). In addition, since the gaming state (general drawing high probability) of the gaming machine 10 is initialized by the above RAM clear process, after the timing of power-off shown in the figure, the output of the time shortening signal continues to be stopped.

[0166] As described above, when a main board error occurs, a magnetic error occurs, an external output error occurs, or an abnormal winning error occurs, the output modes of the security signal and the time shortening signal can differ according to the respective situations. Therefore, it becomes possible for external devices that receive the respective signals (information) from the external terminal board 600 to identify the respective situations and the types of error states that have occurred.

[0167] Note that, as illustrated and described in FIGS. 18(b), 19(b), 20(b), and 21(b), in the present embodiment, a main board error that can be eliminated only by power-on accompanied by RAM clear processing (cannot be eliminated by power-on without RAM clear processing) is limited to the case where it is eliminated by power-on accompanied by RAM clear processing. When the power-on is triggered, the security signal is output over a period T3, and for other error states (error states that can be eliminated at power-on regardless of the presence or absence of RAM clear processing), when they are eliminated by power-on accompanied by RAM clear processing, the security signal is not output at the trigger of the power-on. However, the present invention may be implemented by an embodiment in which, regardless of the occurrence of any error state, when power-on accompanied by RAM clear processing is performed, the security signal is output at the trigger of the power-on.

[0168] <Regarding external output related to abnormal winning error and external output related to ball depletion error> Next, with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, the external output related to the abnormal winning error and the external output related to the ball depletion error will be described. Note that in the following description, it is assumed that the winning balls awarded in the event of an abnormal winning do not become invalid. On this premise, there may be an irregular case where both an abnormal winning error and a ball depletion error occur based on a single winning.

[0169] Figure 22(a) is a time chart showing the mode of external output when an abnormal winning error occurs alone. As already described with reference to FIG. 17(b), in this case, upon detection of the abnormal winning error, the gaming machine 10 outputs a security signal for a period T2 and stops outputting the security signal after the elapse of the period T2.

[0170] On the other hand, FIG. 22(b) is a time chart showing the mode of external output when a ball depletion error occurs alone. In this case, upon detection of the ball depletion error, the gaming machine 10 outputs a security signal for a period T4 and stops outputting the security signal after the elapse of the period T4. The period T4 is longer than the above-mentioned period T2. As described above, the ball depletion error continues until the payout unit 48 is supplied with game balls and the ball depletion is resolved.

[0171] Figure 23(a) is a time chart showing the mode of external output when both an abnormal winning error and a ball depletion error occur based on a single winning in a gaming state other than a big win game (special figure variation pattern derivation state PA to special figure variation pattern derivation state PC). Note that FIG. 23(a) illustrates a situation where a ball depletion error is detected after the abnormal winning error is detected (a situation where a payout process for the prize balls awarded by the abnormal winning is performed and a ball depletion occurs during the process). However, the detection timings of the respective error states do not necessarily have to be different, and even if they coincide, the output mode of the security signal will be the same.

[0172] In the irregular case illustrated in FIG. 23(a), when the gaming machine 10 detects an abnormal winning error, it starts outputting a security signal (turns on the security signal). Before the output period of the security signal related to the abnormal winning error (period T2) elapses, a ball depletion error is detected, and without stopping the security signal (without providing a period to turn it off), the gaming machine 10 starts the output period of the security signal related to the ball depletion error (period T4). As a result, the output period of the security signal in this irregular case becomes period T5, which is equal to the sum of period T2 and period T4, and the gaming machine 10 stops outputting the security signal after the elapse of period T5.

[0173] FIG. 23(b) is a time chart showing the mode of external output when both an abnormal winning error and a ball depletion error occur based on a single winning during a big win game. Although the end timing of the big win game is not explicitly shown in FIG. 23(b), for the case where a single winning that triggers both error states occurs during the big win game, the time chart shown in the same figure applies in all cases, and it is allowed that the timing to stop the security signal (the timing to turn it off) is after the end timing of the big win game. Similar to the irregular case illustrated in FIG. 23(a), in the irregular case illustrated in FIG. 23(b), the detection timing of each error state does not necessarily have to be different, and even if they match, the output mode of the security signal will be the same.

[0174] In the irregular case illustrated in FIG. 23(b), compared with the irregular case illustrated in FIG. 23(a), the gaming machine 10 starts outputting the security signal when detecting an abnormal winning error, and before the output period of the security signal related to the abnormal winning error (period T2) elapses, a ball depletion error is detected, and without stopping the security signal, the gaming machine 10 starts outputting the security signal related to the ball depletion error. This point is common. On the other hand, in the irregular case illustrated in FIG. 23(a), the output period of the security signal is a period T5 equal to the sum of the periods T2 and T4, whereas in the irregular case illustrated in FIG. 23(b), the output period of the security signal is a period T6 longer than the period T5, which is different. Due to this difference in the length of the output period of the security signal, the gaming machine 10 can notify the external device in a distinguishable manner whether it is an irregular case that occurred during the big win game or an irregular case that occurred in other gaming states.

[0175] In order to achieve the same effect as described above, for example, in the irregular case illustrated in FIG. 23(a), the external device is notified in a manner of bundling the output of the security signal related to each error state (that is, the manner of outputting the security signal once), while in the irregular case illustrated in FIG. 23(b), a modified example may be adopted in which the external device is notified in a manner of providing a gap in the output of the security signal related to each error state (that is, the manner of outputting the security signal in two times). In this modified example, the time length from the start of the output of the first security signal to the stop of the output of the second security signal in the latter irregular case is longer than the time length from the start of the output of the security signal to the stop of the output in the former irregular case. Therefore, it can be said that the former security signal has more external output times than the latter security signal, and it can also be said that the former security signal has a longer external output time length than the latter security signal.

[0176] In an irregular case where both an abnormal winning error and a ball depletion error occur based on a single winning during a big win game, when implementing the above-described modification example, it is allowed that the timing (the timing when it becomes ON) for starting the first security signal is before the end of the big win game, and the timing (the timing when it becomes OFF) for stopping the first security signal is after the end of the big win game. Further, it is allowed that the timing (the timing when it becomes OFF) for stopping the first security signal is before the end of the big win game, and the timing (the timing when it becomes ON) for outputting the second security signal is after the end of the big win game.

[0177] Also, in an irregular case where both an abnormal winning error and a ball depletion error occur based on a single winning during a big win game, when implementing the above-described modification example, it is not necessary for the output modes of both the first security signal and the second security signal to be the same as the output modes of the security signals when each error state occurs alone, but it is preferable that at least one of them has an output mode different from that when it occurs alone (for example, the length of the output period may be changed, the number of outputs may be changed, etc.).

[0178] <Regarding other modification examples> Regarding modification examples not described in the above explanation, they are listed below.

[0179] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the main board error corresponds to the first error state according to the present invention, the external output error corresponds to the second error state according to the present invention, and the magnetic error corresponds to the third error state according to the present invention. However, the combination of error states corresponding to each is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed within a range not contrary to the object of the present invention. Moreover, the error states corresponding to the first error state, the second error state, and the third error state according to the present invention are not limited to the error states listed in the above embodiments, and at least one of the first error state, the second error state, and the third error state according to the present invention may correspond to an error state accompanied by a game stop not described in the above embodiments. For example, a state in which a so-called complete function (a function that causes a game stop when the maximum number of difference balls MY exceeds a predetermined value), which is not described in the above embodiments, is activated may correspond to at least one of the first error state and the second error state according to the present invention. Alternatively, an error state implemented in a so-called smart pachinko (a pachinko gaming machine in which game balls circulate inside), which is not described in the above embodiments, may correspond to at least one of the first error state and the second error state according to the present invention.

[0180] In the above embodiments, specific examples of the "high-importance error state" that causes a game stop when detected and the "low-importance error state" that allows the game to proceed even when detected have been listed and described. However, in the gaming machine implementing the present invention, it is not necessarily required to handle the error states as in the above embodiments. For example, when something corresponding to some of the error states regarded as the "high-importance error state" in the above embodiments is detected, the game may still be allowed to proceed. Or, when something corresponding to some of the error states regarded as the "low-importance error state" in the above embodiments is detected, the game may be stopped.

[0181] In the above embodiments, it has been exemplified that both the first information and the second information according to the present invention are information transmitted by pulse signals (security signals and time-shortening signals). However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. The method of outputting the first information and the second information according to the present invention depends on the communication method between the device that realizes the external output means according to the present invention and the external device that is the output destination, and the mode can be changed as appropriate.

[0182] In the above-described embodiment, when illustrated in Fig. 18(a), after externally outputting first information (security signal) upon power-on without executing RAM clear processing, the external output of the first information is stopped after the elapse of a first time (period T1). When illustrated in Fig. 18(b), after externally outputting the first information upon power-on with execution of RAM clear processing, the external output of the first information is stopped after the elapse of a second time (period T3) different from the first time. Although the embodiment has been described, the following modification examples also have the same effects. The external output means externally outputs the first information after power-on without executing RAM clear processing in the same situation as illustrated in Fig. 18(a), and then stops the external output of the first information after the elapse of a predetermined time. In the same situation as illustrated in Fig. 18(b), the external output means externally outputs the first information upon power-on with execution of RAM clear processing and then stops the external output of the first information after becoming playable (that is, by making the stop conditions of the external output different), so that the former case and the latter case can be distinguishable to an external device.

[0183] The present invention described above is not limited to the above description, and includes various modifications, improvements, etc. as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

[0184] <Appendix> This embodiment includes the following technical idea. (1) A gaming machine that can use game balls by firing them and awards prize balls corresponding to a winning opening when a game ball wins through the winning opening, the gaming machine comprising error control means for detecting an error state, notification means for giving an error notification based on the detection of the error state, and external output means for externally outputting first information related to the error state to a device outside the gaming machine, wherein the error state includes a first error state and a second error state different from the first error state, both the first error state and the second error state being error states that result in a game stop, the external output means externally outputs the first information when the first error state is detected, and does not externally output the first information when the second error state is detected, and the notification means gives an error notification both when the first error state is detected and when the second error state is detected. A gaming machine characterized by this. (2) The gaming machine according to (1), further comprising gaming state control means for controlling a first gaming state and a second gaming state that is more advantageous than the first gaming state, wherein the external output means can externally output the first information and second information related to the gaming state to a device outside the gaming machine, when the first error state is detected in the first gaming state, the first information is externally output and the second information is not externally output, when the first error state is detected in the second gaming state, the first information is externally output and the second information is not externally output, when the second error state is detected in the first gaming state, neither the first information nor the second information is externally output, and when the second error state is detected in the second gaming state, neither the first information nor the second information is externally output. (3) The error state includes a third error state different from both the first error state and the second error state, the third error state also being an error state that results in a game stop, the external output means externally outputs the first information and does not externally output the second information when the third error state is detected in the first gaming state, and externally outputs both the first information and the second information when the third error state is detected in the second gaming state. The gaming machine according to (2).

Explanation of Symbols

[0185] 10 Gaming Machine 15 Outer Frame 17 Middle Frame 20 Front Frame 21 Hinge Mechanism 22 Movable Decorative Body 23 Cylinder Lock 25 Transparent Member 27 Upper Ball Receiver 29 Lower Ball Receiver 31 Operation Handle 32 Upper Frame Portion 33(33a, 33b) Speaker 34a, 34b Left and Right Side Frame Portions 35(35a, 35b, 35c) Frame Lamp 36 Ball Discharge Mechanism 37 Effect Button 38 Cursor Button 38a Upper Cursor Button 38b Lower Cursor Button 38c Left Cursor Button 38d Right Cursor Button 38e Middle Cursor Button 39 Main Operation Section 39a Ball Lending Button 39b Return Button 40 Power Switch 43 RAM Clear Switch 46 Game Ball Tank 47 Tank Rail 48 Payout Unit 49 Payout Passage 50 Game Board 50a Game Area 51 Outer Rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner Rail 54 Protection Member 55 Big Winning Opening 57 First Start Opening 59 Second Start Opening 61 Normal Electric Gaming Device 62 General Electric Actuator Solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special Electric Actuator 66 Special Electric Actuator Solenoid 67 General Winning Opening 69 Out Port 70 First Start Opening Sensor 71 Second Start Opening Sensor 72 Big Winning Opening Sensor 73 General Winning Opening Sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out Ball Sensor 76 Middle Frame Door Opening Sensor 77 Front Frame Door Opening Sensor 80 Effect Display Device 81 Main Display Section 82 Sub Display Section 82a Upper Sub Display Section 82b Left Sub Display Section 82c Right Sub Display Section 90 Symbol Display Device 91 First Special Symbol Display Device 92 Second Special Symbol Display Device 93 Normal Symbol Display Device 94 First Special Symbol Hold Lamp 95 Second Special Symbol Hold Lamp 96 Normal Symbol Hold Lamp 100 Main Control Board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 I / O Port 105 Random Number Circuit 109 Main Control Board Case 110 Ball Entry Judgment Means 115 Main Random Number Generation Means 120 Main Hold Control Means 125 Pre-Judgment Means 130 Special Symbol Lottery Means 131 Special Symbol Success / Failure Judgment Means 132 Special Symbol Stop Symbol Lottery Means 133 Special Symbol Variation Pattern Derivation Means 135 Normal Symbol Lottery Means 140 Big win game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric accessory control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power restoration process execution means 176 Return state setting means 179 Game playable state transition means 180 Power-off process execution means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 I / O port 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generation means 220 Normal performance control means 221 Performance mode control means 222 Performance route determination means 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Anticipatory performance control means 225 Performance content determination means 226 Decoration symbol control means 227 Big win performance control means 230 Sub-error control means 240 Lamp control means 250 Movable accessory control means 260 Sub-information storage means 270 Sub-command management means 300 Second sub-control board 309 Second sub-control board case 310 Audio control board 311 CPU 312 ROM 313 RAM 314 I / O port 400 Payout control board 409 Payout control board case 500 Power supply control board 509 Power control board case 600 External terminal board

Claims

【Claim 1】 A gaming machine that externally outputs specified information to a device outside the gaming machine, comprising: error control means for detecting conditions related to an error state; notification means for performing error notification after conditions related to the error state are satisfied; external output means for externally outputting the first information related to the error state and special information related to a jackpot game to a device outside the gaming machine; and the error state includes a first error state and a second error state different from the first error state; both the first error state and the second error state are error states that cause the game to stop; for at least one of the first error state and the second error state, when the conditions related to the error state are satisfied during the output of the special information, after the output of the special information by the external output means ends, the notification means performs error notification corresponding to the conditions and the game stops; it is possible to perform prior notification of the error state for at least a part of the period from when at least one of the conditions related to the first error state and the conditions related to the second error state is satisfied until the start of error notification; when the conditions related to the first error state are detected, the notification means performs error notification during the period when the external output means externally outputs the first information; when the conditions related to the second error state are detected, the external output means does not externally output the first information, and the notification means performs error notification; A gaming machine characterized by the above.

Images