gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of improving an attention degree to a game.SOLUTION: A pachinko machine includes an accessory device 150 provided with an open / close accessory 168. When being shifted to a second open / close execution mode, a round game in which variable ball entry control for opening / closing an open / close accessory 168 is performed at least once is executed. In the accessory device 150, a V winning sensor is provided. A game ball passing through the sensor triggers execution of a next round game. In the present pachinko machine, a game ball having entered the accessory device 150 for winning in a previous round game is allowed to pass through the V winning sensor in a round game to be executed after the previous round game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Gaming machines such as pachinko machines that are equipped with variable ball entry devices are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-325811 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, there is a need for innovations in gaming machines that can increase the attention paid to the game.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the circumstances exemplified above, and aims to provide a gaming machine that can increase attention to the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a launching means for launching a game ball based on a launching operation by a player; A variable ball entry means that can be switched between a first mode in which the game ball launched by the launching means can enter the ball or is easy to enter the ball, and a second mode in which the game ball cannot enter the ball or is more difficult to enter than the first mode; A variable entry control means for changing the variable entry means from the second mode to the first mode, and then executing variable entry control to change the variable entry means to the second mode; means for transitioning to a first specific state when a specific condition is met; Equipped with At least the first specific state is one in which the variable entry control by the variable entry control means can be executed, a means for enabling the first specific state to be set in a first state in which a transition from the first specific state to a second specific state is executed when a first predetermined condition is satisfied in the first specific state; a means for enabling the device to enter a second state in which, when the first predetermined condition and the second predetermined condition are satisfied in the first specific state, a transition to the second specific state and a transition to a third specific state subsequent to the second specific state are executed; Equipped with When neither the first predetermined condition nor the second predetermined condition is satisfied and the first specific state ends, transition to the second specific state is not executed, The present invention is characterized in that, when the first predetermined condition is not satisfied in the first specific state and the second predetermined condition is satisfied, a transition to the second specific state is executed based on the satisfaction of the second predetermined condition, a transition to the third specific state is not executed based on the satisfaction of the second predetermined condition, and a transition to the third specific state is possible when a transition trigger to the third specific state is satisfied in the second specific state to which a transition was made based on the satisfaction of the second predetermined condition. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the level of attention paid to the game. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the game board. [Figure 5] A front view of the back pack unit. [Figure 6] 1(a) is a perspective view showing the configuration of the accessory device, and FIG. 1(b) is a plan view showing the simplified configuration of the passage provided in the accessory device. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the accessory device. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a rotating body unit that constitutes the accessory device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the rotating body unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of various counters used in lotteries, etc. [Figure 12] 10A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a result table, FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a type table, and FIG. 10C is an explanatory diagram for explaining an opening timing table. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an NMI interrupt process executed by the MPU of the main control device. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process. [Figure 15] A flowchart showing the winning process for an operating port. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing an information acquisition process. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing an abnormality monitoring process. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a normal process. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a game stop determination process. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing a game control process. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing a data setting process. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing the pass / fail determination process. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart showing a control start process. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing a process during control. [Figure 26] This is a flowchart showing processing for the operation section within the reel. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart showing a prize winning process. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart showing a game state transition process. [Figure 29] 10 is a flowchart showing an opening / closing process. [Figure 30] 10 is a flowchart showing a setting process for each round. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a round pattern table. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an opening and closing pattern table. [Figure 33] 10 is a flowchart showing a setting process for each release. [Figure 34] (a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the first distribution pattern table, (b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the second distribution pattern table, and (c) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the distribution characteristics based on the combination of distribution patterns. [Figure 35] 10 is a flowchart showing an open-state process. [Figure 36] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a round update process. [Figure 37] This is a flowchart showing the processing for passing through a special device. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing a remaining ball determination process. [Figure 39] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of a game in the second opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 40] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the playability of each round of play. [Figure 41] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of remaining ball monitoring. [Figure 42] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of a game in a second opening and closing execution mode in the second embodiment. [Figure 43] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an opening and closing pattern table according to the third embodiment. [Figure 44] 10 is a flowchart showing a remaining ball determination process. [Figure 45] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of a game in the second opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 46] 13 is a flowchart showing an open-state process according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 47] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of the game in the second round of play. [Figure 48] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an opening timing table according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 49] 10A is a flowchart showing the remaining ball determination process, and FIG. 10B is a flowchart showing the normal process. [Figure 50] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of a game after the second opening / closing execution mode ends. [Figure 51] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of a game after the second opening / closing execution mode ends. [Figure 52] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the execution timing of the remaining ball determination. [Figure 53] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an opening timing table according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 54] 10A is a flowchart showing the game control process, and FIG. 10B is a flowchart showing the win / loss determination process. [Figure 55] 10 is a flowchart showing a remaining ball determination process. [Figure 56] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of a game when the waiting time for opening the shutter has elapsed without the first opening / closing execution mode occurring. [Figure 57] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of a game when the first opening / closing execution mode occurs before the waiting time for opening the shutter has elapsed. [Figure 58] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the relationship between the opening waiting time and the flow of a game in the first opening / closing execution mode. [Figure 59] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a rotating body unit constituting a role device according to a seventh embodiment. [Figure 60] 10(a) is a flowchart showing the setting process for each round, and FIG. 10(b) is a flowchart showing the setting process for the opening / closing member. [Figure 61] 10(a) and 10(b) are flowcharts showing the round update process, and 10(c) is a flowchart showing the process for the operation part within the reel. [Figure 62] 10 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of a game in the second opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 63] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a gaming machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment A first embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as "pachinko machine"), which is a type of gaming machine, will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the main components of the pachinko machine 10 in an expanded form. For convenience, Fig. 2 omits the components within the gaming area of the pachinko machine 10.

[0010] The pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main body 12 that is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be able to rotate forward. The gaming machine main body 12 has an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 that is arranged in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 that is arranged behind the inner frame 13.

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

[0012] The gaming machine main body 12 is provided with a locking device 16 at its rotating tip, which has the function of locking the gaming machine main body 12 so that it cannot be opened relative to the outer frame 11, and also has the function of locking the front door frame 14 so that it cannot be opened relative to the inner frame. Each of these locked states can be released by using an unlocking key to unlock a cylinder lock 17 that is exposed on the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0013] The front door frame 14, which is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13, is formed with a window section 61 that allows almost the entire area of the game area (described later) to be viewed from the front. The window section 61 is substantially oval in shape and has a window panel 62 fitted into it. The window panel 62 is made of colorless and transparent glass, but is not limited to this and may also be made of colorless and transparent synthetic resin.

[0014] Light-emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the window 61. As part of the various lamps, a display light-emitting unit 63 is provided above the window 61. In addition, speaker units 64 are provided on both the left and right sides of the display light-emitting unit 63 to output sound effects according to the game status.

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

[0016] A launch handle 60 is provided to the right of the lower tray 72 in the front door frame 14. By operating the launch handle 60, game balls are launched toward the game area from a game ball launch mechanism 53 provided below the game area in the inner frame 13. In this case, by changing the amount of rotation of the launch handle 60, the launch strength of the game balls launched toward the game area, i.e., the momentum of the launch, can be changed.

[0017] The play area is formed on a game board 24 mounted on the inner frame 13. The configuration of the game board 24 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a front view of the game board 24.

[0018] An inner rail portion 32 and an outer rail portion 33 are attached to the surface of the game board 24, and a game area is formed by being partitioned by these inner rail portion 32 and outer rail portion 33. Furthermore, these inner rail portion 32 and outer rail portion 33 form a guide rail 34 for game balls to the game area, and game balls launched from the game ball launching mechanism when the player rotates the launch handle 60 are guided to the upper part of the game area by the guide rail 34.

[0019] The guide rail 34 is formed with its exit portion facing the upper center of the play area on one side of the play area. Therefore, as the player rotates the launch handle 60 more, the arrival position of the game ball at the top of the play area shifts from the side where the exit portion of the guide rail 34 is formed to the opposite side. The exit portion of the guide rail 34 is provided on the left side of the play area.

[0020] In the area defined as the play area on the game board 24, multiple large and small openings that penetrate in the front-to-rear direction are formed by router processing. Each opening is provided with a general winning opening 35, a first operating opening (first starting ball entry section) 38, a second operating opening (second starting ball entry section) 39, a role device 150, a through gate 41, a variable display unit 42, a main display section 43, and a role display section 44, etc.

[0021] When a ball enters the general winning opening 35, the first actuation opening 38, the second actuation opening 39, or the accessory device 150, it is detected by detection sensors (first actuation sensor 38a, second actuation sensor 39c, entrance sensor 179 (see FIG. 10, etc.)) disposed on the back side of the game board 24, and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out based on the detection result. In this case, when a ball enters the first actuation opening 38 and when a ball enters the second actuation opening 39, seven prize balls are paid out, when a ball enters the general winning opening 35, eight prize balls are paid out, and when a ball enters the accessory device 150, fifteen prize balls are paid out. However, the number of prize balls is arbitrary, and the numbers of prize balls for both actuation openings 38 and 39 may be different, for example, the number of prize balls for the second actuation opening 39 may be greater than the number of prize balls for the first actuation opening 38.

[0022] In addition, an outlet 45 is provided at the bottom of the game board 24, and game balls that do not enter the various winning holes are discharged from the game area through the outlet 45. In addition, the game board 24 is provided with a large number of nails 46 for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various components (apparatuses) such as windmills are also provided.

[0023] Here, "entering" means that a gaming ball passes through a predetermined opening, and includes not only the case where the gaming ball is discharged from the gaming area after passing through an opening, but also the case where the gaming ball continues to flow down the gaming area after passing through an opening without being discharged from the gaming area. However, in the following explanation, in order to clearly distinguish from the case where a gaming ball enters the outlet 45, the entry of a gaming ball into the accessory device 150, the first operating port 38, the second operating port 39 or the through gate 41 will also be referred to as "winning."

[0024] The accessory device 150 is disposed approximately in the center of the gaming board 24. The first actuation port 38 and the second actuation port 39 are disposed side by side on the gaming board 24 below the accessory device 150. Two first actuation ports 38 are provided on the left and right sides of the accessory device 150, and the second actuation port 39 is disposed in a position sandwiched between these left and right first actuation ports 38. In relation to the accessory device 150, the left and right first actuation ports 38 are disposed so as to sandwich the accessory device 150, so that a gaming ball that does not enter the accessory device 150 can reach (win) either of the first actuation ports 38. In addition, the horizontal distance between the first actuation ports 38 and the accessory device 150 is equal to or greater than the diameter of one gaming ball, so that gaming balls can flow down between the first actuation ports 38 and the accessory device 150.

[0025] The second operating port 39 is disposed below the accessory device 150. The second operating port 39 is disposed slightly lower than both of the first operating ports 38, so that game balls that do not enter the accessory device 150 or the first operating port 38 can reach (enter) the second operating port 39.

[0026] An electric device 39a serving as a guide piece (support piece) consisting of a pair of left and right movable pieces is provided in the second operating port 39. The electric device 39a is connected to an electric device drive unit 39b mounted on the back side of the game board 24, and is driven by the electric device drive unit 39b to be placed in either a closed state (non-support state or non-guide state) or an open state (support state or guide state). When the electric device 39a is in the closed state, the game ball cannot enter the second operating port 39, but when the electric device 39a is in the open state, the game ball can enter the second operating port 39.

[0027] However, without being limited to this, the configuration may be such that the electric device 39a can be switched between a state in which it is easy for the game ball to enter the second operating port 39 and a state in which it is not impossible to win but it is less likely to win than the easy state. Also, the configuration may be such that the electric device 39a is disabled and the switching between the easy state and the less likely state is performed by the displacement of the second operating port 39 itself.

[0028] The main display unit 43 and the accessory display unit 44 are provided on a decorative member 47 arranged along the outer edge of the lower side of the game area. The decorative member 47 extends from the surface of the game board 24 to the front of the pachinko machine 10. More specifically, the front surface of the decorative member 47 faces a window panel 62 provided in the front door frame 14 to make the game area visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10, and the distance between the window panel 62 and the decorative member 47 is narrower than the width of one game ball. This prevents game balls from falling in front of the front surface of the decorative member 47.

[0029] The main display unit 43 and the display unit for bonuses 44 are provided so as to be exposed from the front of the decorative member 47. In other words, the main display unit 43 and the display unit for bonuses 44 are visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10 through the window panel 62 of the front door frame 14, and game balls are prevented from falling in front of these display units 43, 44.

[0030] In the main display section 43, the results of an internal lottery conducted based on the winnings at the operation ports 38, 39 are clearly displayed by displaying pictures or the like.

[0031] The main display unit 43 is configured as a segment display device in which a plurality of segment light-emitting elements are arranged in a predetermined manner, but is not limited to this and may be configured as other types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, a dot matrix, etc. The images displayed on the main display unit 43 may be configured to display a plurality of types of letters, a plurality of types of symbols, a plurality of types of characters, or a plurality of types of colors.

[0032] In the device display unit 44, a winning entry into the through gate 41 is used as a trigger to display a varying pattern, and as a result of stopping the varying display, the result of the internal lottery conducted based on the winning entry into the through gate 41 is displayed clearly. If the result of the internal lottery based on the winning entry into the through gate 41 is a winning result corresponding to a transition to an electric role open state, a predetermined stop result is displayed on the device display unit 44, the variable display is stopped, and then a transition to an electric role open state occurs. In the electric role open state, the electric device 39a provided in the second operating port 39 is opened in a predetermined manner.

[0033] The variable display unit 42 is provided with a pattern display device 51 that variably displays (or variably displays or switches between) a pattern, which is a type of picture. The pattern display device 51 is configured as a liquid crystal display device equipped with a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. Note that the pattern display device 51 is not limited to being a liquid crystal display device, and may be other display devices such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, or a CRT.

[0034] A first reserve light-emitting unit 54 and a second reserve light-emitting unit 55 corresponding to the main display unit 43 are provided below the main display unit 43 in the decorative member 47. The first reserve light-emitting unit 54 has multiple light-emitting units (four in detail) arranged side by side. Up to four game balls that have entered the first operating port 38 can be reserved, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting the first reserve light-emitting unit 54. The second reserve light-emitting unit 55 has multiple light-emitting units (four in detail) arranged side by side. Up to four game balls that have entered the second operating port 39 can be reserved, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting the second reserve light-emitting unit 55. In addition, a third reserve light-emitting unit 56 corresponding to the bonus device display unit 44 is provided below the bonus device display unit 44 in the decorative member 47. Up to four game balls can be reserved by passing through the through gate 41, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting the third reserve light-emitting unit 56. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which some or all of the reserved light emitting sections 54 to 56 are displayed as part of the pattern display device 51.

[0035] The accessory device 150 is opened on the condition that a gaming ball enters either of the operating ports 38, 39, and the gaming ball can enter the accessory device 150. When a gaming ball enters the accessory device 150 and then enters a V winning port provided in the accessory device 150, it is detected by a V winning sensor 192, which will be described later, and a jackpot state is entered.

[0036] Here, the configuration of the accessory device 150 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 6 to 9. Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the accessory device 150, Figure 6(b) is a plan view simply showing the configuration of the passage provided in the accessory device 150, Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the accessory device 150, Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the rotating body unit 180 that constitutes the accessory device 150, and Figure 9 is a plan view of the rotating body unit 180.

[0037] The accessory device 150 is broadly composed of an accessory unit 160 and a rotating body unit 180. As shown in Fig. 7, the accessory unit 160 has a base frame 161, and a flange 162 of the base frame 161 is fixed with screws to the game board 24. The base frame 161 is divided into upper and lower sections by a ball receiving plate 163 extending in the front-to-rear direction, and has an upper opening 164 and a lower opening 165 that penetrate from front to back.

[0038] A ceiling member 167 having a predetermined thickness is attached above the upper opening 164 on the front surface of the base frame 161. The variable display unit 42 is formed on the ceiling member 167, and the display screen G of the symbol display device 51 is installed so as to face the front of the gaming machine.

[0039] A pair of opening / closing accessory parts 168 having the same thickness as the ceiling member 167 are provided on both the left and right sides of the upper opening 164 in the base frame 161. A passage forming member 171 and a drive unit fixing plate 172 are provided on the back side of the base frame 161, and a pair of opening / closing accessory parts driving units 173 (electromagnetic solenoids) are attached to the back side of the drive unit fixing plate 172. One end of a link 176 that penetrates the passage forming member 171 and the drive unit fixing plate 172 is connected to the opening / closing accessory part driving unit 173, and the other end of the link 176 is connected to the shaft portion of the opening / closing accessory part 168. Therefore, the opening / closing accessory part 168 is opened by driving the opening / closing accessory part driving unit 173.

[0040] To explain the opening operation in detail, when the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is not driven (excited), each opening / closing device 168 stands upright, and the tip of each device is close to both the left and right ends of the ceiling member 167. On the other hand, when the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is driven (excited), each opening / closing device 168 opens outward, and a gap larger than the size of one game ball is formed between the tip of each opening / closing device 168 and both the left and right ends of the ceiling member 167. With this configuration, only when each opening / closing device 168 opens and the device 150 is in the open state can a game ball enter the device 150. Note that even when the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is not driven (excited) (when the opening / closing device 168 stands up), it is sufficient that the ball is more difficult to enter the device 150 than when the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is driven (excited) (when the opening / closing device 168 is open outward), and the configuration may be such that the ball can enter the device 150 when the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is not driven (excited). For example, a configuration may be considered in which when the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is driven, the gap between the tip of the opening / closing device 168 and both left and right ends of the ceiling member 167 is the width of about one game ball, and when the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is driven, the gap becomes larger than that.

[0041] In addition, the opening and closing device drive unit 173 is configured so that it cannot be seen from the front of the gaming machine due to the passage forming member 171 and the drive unit fixing plate 172, and the back side of the opening and closing device drive unit 173 is covered by a cover member 174.

[0042] A front frame 175 is attached to the edge of a lower opening 165 on the front surface of the base frame 161. An extension wall 175a formed on the upper part of the front frame 175 extends above the ball receiving plate 163 of the base frame 161, and this extension wall 175a prevents game balls that reach the ball receiving plate 163 from flying forward.

[0043] The passage forming member 171 is formed with a passage plate 177 that extends in the front-rear direction and is connected to the ball receiving plate 163, and further, a game ball passage 178 that extends in the up-down direction is formed on the rear side of the passage plate 177 (shown in FIG. 6(b)). The passage plate 177 is inclined downward toward the game ball passage 178 and is configured so that its width narrows toward the game ball passage 178, so that game balls that reach the ball receiving plate 163 are guided to the game ball passage 178. The game balls guided to the game ball passage 178 flow down the game ball passage 178. An entrance sensor 179 is provided on the entrance side of the game ball passage 178, and game balls that enter the accessory device 150 always and immediately pass through the entrance sensor 179. This allows the entry of a game ball into the accessory device 150 to be detected. The entrance sensor 179 is configured with a well-known proximity sensor.

[0044] A rotating body unit 180 is attached to the accessory unit 160 so as to be positioned below the passage forming member 171. As shown in FIG. 8, the rotating body unit 180 includes a guide passage forming member 181 and a discharge passage forming member 191.

[0045] The guide path forming member 181 has a recess 182 recessed downward at approximately its center. The recess 182 has a circular shape in a plan view. An annular guide path 183 is formed along the outer edge of the upper opening of the recess 182. The guide path 183 is symmetrical and slopes downward from the center of the back side toward the center of the front side. The center of the front side of the guide path 183 is located at the lower end of the lower opening 165 of the base frame 161. The center of the back side of the guide path 183 is located vertically below the game ball path 178 of the bonus unit 160. A path wall 183a forming the center of the back side of the guide path 183 is taller than the surrounding path walls 183a, and a path cover 184 extending horizontally is formed above the back side of the guide path 183. However, an entrance opening 184a is formed in the passage cover 184, and in plan view (see FIG. 9), only the center of the back side of the back portion of the guide passage 183 is exposed. Since this entrance opening 184a overlaps with the outlet of the game ball passage 178, game balls that flow down the game ball passage 178 reliably reach the center of the back side of the guide passage 183.

[0046] A ball distribution section 185 is formed in the center of the back side of the guide passage 183. The ball distribution section 185 has an inclined surface 185a that slopes downward from the right side to the left side. A game ball that reaches the ball distribution section 185 is guided to the guide passage 183 on the left side along the slope of the inclined surface 185a. The game ball then rolls along the slope of the guide passage 183 and is guided to the front side of the guide passage 183. A lead-out section 186 that slopes toward the recess 182 is formed on the front side of the guide passage 183.

[0047] A V winning opening 182a is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 182. The V winning opening 182a is connected to a V winning passage 191a formed in the discharge passage forming member 191, and a gaming ball that enters the V winning opening 182a is discharged through the V winning passage 191a to the outside of the accessory device 150. In this case, a V winning sensor 192 is provided in the V winning passage 191a, and a gaming ball passing through the V winning passage 191a is detected by the V winning sensor 192.

[0048] In addition, a miss opening 182b is formed on the side of the recess 182. The miss opening 182b is connected to a miss passage 191b formed in the discharge passage forming member 191, and game balls that enter the miss opening 182b are discharged to the outside of the accessory device 150 through the miss passage 191b. In this case, a miss sensor 193 is provided in the miss passage 191b, and game balls that pass through the miss passage 191b are detected by the miss sensor 193. The V winning sensor 192 and the miss sensor 193 are configured by well-known proximity sensors. In addition, game balls that are discharged to the outside of the accessory device 150 through the V winning passage 191a and the miss passage 191b are discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 through a discharge passage not shown.

[0049] Incidentally, in this embodiment, the reel device 150 is not provided with any discharge route other than the route passing through the V winning passage 191a or the losing passage 191b, and when a game ball that has won in the reel device 150 is discharged outside the reel device 150, it will always pass through either the V winning passage 191a or the losing passage 191b.

[0050] A rotating body drive unit 194 is attached to the discharge passage forming member 191 from below, and an output shaft 194a extending in the vertical direction of the rotating body drive unit 194 passes through the discharge passage forming member 191 and the guide passage forming member 181. A rotating body 201 is fixed to the output shaft 194a. The rotating body drive unit 194 may be a stepping motor.

[0051] The rotor 201 is generally disk-shaped and has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the recess 182 of the guide path forming member 181, and is positioned within the recess 182. The rotor 201 rotates clockwise as the rotor drive unit 194 is driven. Ten inwardly recessed ball guide portions 202 are formed on the outer periphery of the rotor 201, and these ball guide portions 202 are arranged at equal intervals. Of these, nine ball guide portions 202 are bottomed loss hole guide portions 203, and one ball guide portion 202 is a bottomless V-shaped winning hole guide portion 204. The bottom surfaces of the loss hole guide portions 203 are inclined so that they are lower toward the outside. Each ball guide portion 202 is large enough to accommodate one gaming ball, and a gaming ball led out from the lead-out portion 186 of the guide path 183 enters one of the ball guide portions 202. In this case, the game ball that entered the V winning opening guide portion 204 reaches the top of the V winning opening 182a as the rotating body 201 rotates, and falls from the V winning opening 182a into the V winning passage 191a. On the other hand, the game ball that entered the loss opening guide portion 203 reaches the side of the loss opening 182b as the rotating body 201 rotates, and enters the loss passage 191b from the loss opening 182b.

[0052] In this embodiment, a rotational position detection sensor 196 is provided to detect the rotational position of the rotor 201. The rotational position detection sensor 196 has a pair of arms 196a, 196b that face each other at a predetermined distance, with a light-emitting element disposed on one arm 196a and a light-receiving element disposed on the other arm 196b at a position facing the light-emitting element. The rotational position detection sensor 196 is provided on a sensor board 197, which is fixed to the discharge passage forming member 191 so that a tape 198 provided on the output shaft 194a of the rotor drive unit 194 is located between the arms 196a, 196b of the rotational position detection sensor 196 (between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element).

[0053] The band 198 is roughly doughnut-shaped and rotates with the rotation of the output shaft 194a. However, the notch 198a is formed so that it is discontinuous. Therefore, light from the light-emitting element of the rotational position detection sensor 196 is basically blocked by the band 198. Light from the light-emitting element reaches the light-receiving element only when the notch 198a passes between the arms 196a and 196b as the output shaft 194a rotates. The notch 198a is formed corresponding to the position of the V winning opening guide 204 on the outer periphery of the rotor 201, so the rotational position of the rotor 201 can be determined by monitoring whether the light-receiving element detects light from the light-emitting element. Incidentally, when the V winning opening guide 204 passes in front of the lead-out portion 186, the notch 198a passes between the arms 196a and 196b.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first sorting member 300 is provided on one of the left and right sides of guide passage 183, more specifically, on the left guide passage 183 where miss opening 182b is formed. First sorting member 300 is disposed above miss passage 191b as a bottom that constitutes part of the floor of guide passage 183. First sorting member 300 is connected to first sorting drive unit 300a (electromagnetic solenoid), and by driving and controlling first sorting drive unit 300a, first sorting member 300 switches between a non-sorting state in which it constitutes part of the floor of guide passage 183 and a sorting state in which it rotates downward around the rear end of first sorting member 300 as a rotation axis and slopes downward toward miss passage 191b.

[0055] With the above configuration, when the first sorting drive unit 300a is not driven (not in an excited state) and the first sorting member 300 is in a non-sorting state, the game balls sorted to the left side of the guide passage 183 pass over the first sorting member 300, using the first sorting member 300 as a floor, and reach one of the ball guide units 202 on the rotating body 201. On the other hand, when the first sorting drive unit 300a is driven (in an excited state) and the first sorting member 300 is in a sorting state, the first sorting member 300 tilts downward toward the loss passage 191b, and game balls passing over this first sorting member 300 are guided directly to the loss passage 191b without reaching the rotating body 201. Therefore, the V winning probability (the probability detected by the V winning sensor 192) changes depending on the state of the first sorting member 300.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a warp path 210 is provided that directly guides game balls that have passed through the game ball path 178 to the V winning path 191a. The warp path 210 includes a substantially cylindrical path cover 211 and a path forming portion 212 that divides the internal space of the path cover 211 into a path shape to form a ball path. The path cover 211 is formed from a transparent (translucent) synthetic resin, and inside thereof, a single spiral path 213 is formed by the inner peripheral wall surface of the path cover 211 and the path forming portion 212. One game ball can pass through the spiral path 213.

[0057] An entrance guide 215 is provided on the upper part of the passage cover 211 to guide game balls that have passed through the game ball passage 178 into the spiral passage 213. The entrance guide 215 is arranged in correspondence with a portion of the passage wall 183a of the guide passage 183 that is behind the ball dividing section 185. Specifically, an opening (not shown) that opens rearward is formed in the portion of the passage wall 183a that is behind the ball dividing section 185, and the entrance section of the entrance guide 215 is connected to this opening. The exit section of the entrance guide 215 is connected to the spiral passage 213 through the warp entrance 214, and the floor surface of the entrance guide 215 is inclined downward toward the spiral passage 213.

[0058] A warp exit section 216 is formed at the bottom of the passage cover 211 to discharge game balls that have passed through the spiral passage 213 to the outside of the passage cover 211. In front of the warp exit section 216, an exit guide section 217 is provided, which extends forward at a downward slope and guides game balls discharged from the warp exit section 216 to the discharge passage forming member 191. A V guide passage 260 is formed in the discharge passage forming member 191 to guide game balls toward the V winning passage 191a, and a rear end section 261 of the V guide passage 260 is connected to the exit section of the exit guide section 217. The V guide passage 260 is formed to slope downward toward the V winning passage 191a, and a front end section 262 of the V guide passage 260 is connected to the V winning passage 191a. The warp entrance section 214, the entrance guide section 215, the warp exit section 216, the exit guide section 217 and the V guide passage 260 are each configured to allow one gaming ball to pass through.

[0059] With the above configuration, when the gaming ball reaches the guide passage 183 and is guided to the warp passage 210 side, it passes through the spiral passage 213 in the warp passage 210 and is led out to the V guide passage 260. Then, the gaming ball passes through the V guide passage 260, enters the V winning passage 191a, and is detected by the V winning sensor 192 (makes a V winning).

[0060] Here, in front of the entrance guide section 215 in the warp passage 210, a second sorting member 310 is provided that can sort game balls that have passed through the game ball passage 178 to either the entrance guide section 215 (warp passage 210) side or the ball sorting section 185 (left guide passage 183) side. The second sorting member 310 is connected to a second sorting drive section 310a (electromagnetic solenoid), and by driving and controlling the second sorting drive section 310a, the second sorting member 310 switches between a non-sorting state in which it is positioned in front of the entrance guide section 215 and a sorting state in which it is positioned higher than that and not positioned in front of the entrance guide section 215.

[0061] Furthermore, a shutter 221 that switches whether or not game balls can flow into the warp entrance 214 is provided at a midpoint of the entrance guide 215 between the second sorting member 310 and the warp entrance 214 of the warp passage 210. The shutter 221 is connected to a shutter drive unit 221a (electromagnetic solenoid), and by driving and controlling the shutter drive unit 221a, the shutter 221 switches between a closed state in which it is located in front of the entrance guide 215 and restricts the flow of game balls into the warp entrance 214 (closing the warp entrance 214), and an open state in which it is located above that and allows the flow of game balls into the warp entrance 214 (opening the warp entrance 214).

[0062] With the above configuration, when the second distribution drive unit 310a is not driven (not in an excited state) and the second distribution member 310 is in a non-distribution state, the gaming balls cannot flow into the entrance guide unit 215, and after being distributed to the ball distribution unit 185 side, they go down the left guide passage 183. On the other hand, when the second distribution drive unit 310a is driven (in an excited state) and the second distribution member 310 is in a distribution state, the gaming balls can flow into the entrance guide unit 215 and are distributed to the entrance guide unit 215 side.

[0063] At that time, when the shutter drive unit 221a is driven (in an excited state) and the shutter 221 is in an open state, the gaming ball on the entrance guide unit 215 passes through the warp entrance unit 214, enters the spiral path 213, and is guided to the V winning path 191a through the exit guide unit 217 and the V guide path 260. In other words, the gaming ball directly enters the V winning path 191a without being sorted by the rotor 201. Conversely, when the shutter drive unit 221a is not driven (not in an excited state) and the shutter 221 is in a closed state, the gaming ball stops by coming into contact with the shutter 221, and the inflow of gaming balls into the warp entrance unit 214 is restricted. This state continues until the shutter 221 is in an open state, and the gaming balls are stored in the accessory device 150.

[0064] Here, both the second distribution member 310 and the rotating body 201 are visible from the front of the pachinko machine 10, but the second distribution member 310 is arranged behind the rotating body 201, and is less visible from the front than the rotating body 201. With this configuration, the second distribution member 310 can be prevented from being targeted by someone timing the distribution to the entrance guide section 215 side. On the other hand, the rotating body 201 makes it easier to see how the game balls are distributed, which increases interest in the rotating body 201 and makes it possible to improve its presence.

[0065] The ball distribution section 185 at the center of the back side of the guide passage 183 has a downwardly sloping surface facing backward so that it can not only guide the game balls to the left but also distribute them backward. In this case, the second distribution member 310 in the non-distributing state is positioned relative to the downwardly sloping surface so that it is located on the near side (forward) of the downwardly sloping surface. This prevents the game balls from remaining halfway along the downwardly sloping surface due to the second distribution member 310 in the non-distributing state.

[0066] In this embodiment, the passage length is set so that it takes about 2 seconds for a gaming ball stored in front of the warp entrance section 214 to pass through the warp passage 210 (spiral passage 213) and reach the V winning sensor 192. Also, the passage length and the rotation speed of the rotating body 201 are set so that it takes about 3 seconds for a gaming ball that has won in the accessory device 150 to pass through the left guide passage 183 and the rotating body 201 and reach the V winning sensor 192. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the miss opening 182b is located closer to the lead-out section 186 than the V winning opening 182a when viewed in the rotation direction (clockwise) of the rotating body 201. Therefore, the period during which a game ball that has entered the special device 150 passes through the left-hand guide passage 183 and the rotating body 201 to reach the loss sensor 193 (the period during which the game ball passes through the loss sensor 193 and is discharged from the special device 150) is shorter than the period during which the game ball passes through the left-hand guide passage 183 and the rotating body 201 to reach the V entry sensor 192.

[0067] A gaming ball that has entered the above-described accessory device 150 rolls on the ball receiving plate 163 and enters the gaming ball passage 178. In this case, the gaming ball is detected by the entrance sensor 179. The gaming ball that has flowed down the gaming ball passage 178 reaches the ball distribution section 185 formed in the center of the back side of the guide passage 183. Then, on condition that the second distribution member 310 is in a non-distributing state, the gaming ball is distributed to the left guide passage 183. Thereafter, the gaming ball is guided to the lead-out section 186 by rolling along the left guide passage 183. The gaming ball guided to the lead-out section 186 is guided into the recess 182 by rolling along the slope of the lead-out section 186. However, the gaming ball rolling along the left guide passage 183 can reach the recess 182 only on condition that the first distribution member 300 is in a non-distributing state. That is, the game ball guided to the left guide passage 183 may be guided to the recess 182 side, or may be guided directly to the outlet 182b.

[0068] A rotating body 201 rotates in the recess 182, and a gaming ball that is guided into the recess 182 and enters the loss port guide section 203 is guided to the loss port 182b. In this case, the gaming ball is detected by the loss sensor 193. On the other hand, a gaming ball that is guided into the recess 182 and enters the V winning port guide section 204 is guided to the V winning port 182a. In this case, the gaming ball is detected by the V winning sensor 192.

[0069] When a gaming ball reaches the ball sorting section 185, if the second sorting member 310 is in the sorting state, the gaming ball is sorted toward the entrance guide section 215. In this embodiment, the shape of the ball sorting section 185 is set so that when a gaming ball reaches the ball sorting section 185 while the second sorting member 310 is in the sorting state, the gaming ball is always sorted toward the entrance guide section 215. When the shutter 221 is in the closed state after the gaming ball is sorted toward the entrance guide section 215, as already explained, the gaming ball stops at the position where it abuts the shutter 221 (upstream of the warp entrance section 214) and is stored in the accessory device 150 in that state. Thereafter, when the shutter 221 is displaced to the open state, the gaming ball flows into the spiral path 213 through the warp entrance section 214 and moves toward the V winning sensor 192.

[0070] Since one of the ten ball guide sections 202 is the V winning port guide section 204, a gaming ball that enters the recess 182 of the accessory device 150 will enter the V winning port 182a with a probability of 1 / 10. When the gaming ball is detected by the V winning sensor 192 and the loss sensor 193, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the upper tray 71. Furthermore, the movement of the gaming ball on the rotating unit 180 can be seen from the front of the gaming machine through the opening in the front frame 175 and the lower opening 165 of the base frame 161.

[0071] However, the number of ball guide sections 202 and the number of V winning port guide sections 204 are not limited to those described above, and for example, there may be one V winning port guide section 204 for six ball guide sections 202, resulting in a 1 / 6 probability of winning a V prize, or there may be other probabilities of winning a V prize.

[0072] The power lines and signal lines of the sensors 179, 192, 193, 196, etc. and the drive units 173, 221a, 300a, 310a, 194, etc. in the above-mentioned prop device 150 are connected to a relay terminal board 199 attached to the guide path forming member 181. These signal lines are bundled together as a harness and connected to a main control device (described later), which detects the ball entering the stadium and controls the drive units. However, some or all of these functions may be performed by a sub-controller (described later) on the performance control device side.

[0073] The symbol display device 51 notifies the player when a game ball enters one of the operating ports 38, 39 and the accessory device 150 is in an open state, notifies the player when a game ball enters the accessory device 150, notifies the result of the allocation, notifies the allocation status at the rotor 201, notifies the player when a game ball is detected by the V winning sensor 192 and notifies the player of a jackpot state during the normal game state, but also notifies the player of a round effect during the jackpot state and notifies the player of an error when an abnormality is detected. The content of these effects may be such that the player can clearly grasp the respective game states.

[0074] 4, the game board 24 is provided with a vibration detection sensor 240 and a magnet detection sensor 241 as abnormality detection means. The vibration detection sensor 240 and the magnet detection sensor 241 are installed around the accessory device 150. These detection sensors 240, 241 are electrically connected to the main control device 81, and detect vibrations and magnets (magnetism) when operating power (operating voltage) is being supplied from the main control device 81, and output the detection results to the main control device 81.

[0075] As already explained, since the bonus device 150 allocates the game balls to the V winning, it is conceivable that fraudulent acts may be committed by vibrating the bonus device 150 or attracting the game balls with a magnet, thereby changing the flow of the game balls and guiding the game balls to the V winning port guide section 204. In response to this, the provision of the detection sensors 240 and 241 makes it possible to grasp the fraudulent acts when they are committed.

[0076] The positions of the detection sensors 240 and 241 are arbitrary as long as they can detect vibrations and magnetism. However, from the viewpoint of preventing fraudulent acts against the accessory device 150, it is preferable that the sensors be located closer to the accessory device 150.

[0077] The main control device 81 to which the detection sensors 240, 241 are connected has a game stop function that stops the subsequent game when the detection sensors 240, 241 detect vibrations or magnets.

[0078] Next, the configuration of the rear side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 3, a main control device 81 and a performance control device 82 are mounted on the back surface of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24).

[0080] The main control device 81 includes a main control board that has the function of controlling the main game (main control circuit) and the function of monitoring the power supply (power outage monitoring circuit), and the main control board is housed in a board box 83 made of a transparent resin material or the like. The board box 83 includes a box base (front case body) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a box cover (rear case body) that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and box cover are inseparably connected by box joints 85 that serve as separation prevention means (or connecting means), thereby sealing the board box 83. Because the box base and box cover are inseparably connected by these box joints 85, opening the internal space of the board box 83 requires the destruction or partial removal of the board box 83. Multiple box joints 85 are provided on the long sides of the board box 83, and at least one of them is used for the connection process.

[0081] The box coupling part 85 can have any configuration as long as it connects the box base and box cover together in an unopenable manner. The box base and box cover are connected in an unopenable manner by inserting a locking claw into the elongated hole that constitutes the box coupling part 85. The coupling process using the box coupling part 85 prevents unauthorized opening after the coupling and allows early and easy detection of any unauthorized opening that may occur. Even after the box has been opened, the re-opening process is possible. That is, the coupling process is performed by inserting a locking claw into the elongated hole of at least one of the multiple box coupling parts 85. When the board box 83 is opened, for example, when a malfunction occurs in the housed main control board or when inspecting the main control board, the connection part between the box coupling part 85 with the locking claw inserted and the other box coupling parts 85 and the box body are cut. This separates the box base and box cover of the board box 83, allowing the main control board inside to be removed. If the re-coupling process is then performed, a locking claw is inserted into the elongated hole of the other box coupling part 85. If a history of the board box 83 being opened is left in the board box 83, it is possible to easily find out that an unauthorized opening has been performed by looking at the board box 83.

[0082] A plurality of connecting pieces 86 are provided on one short side of the board box 83 so as to protrude laterally. These connecting pieces 86 correspond one-to-one to a plurality of connectable pieces 87 formed on the mounting base of the main control device 81, and the connecting pieces 86 and the connectable pieces 87 connect the board box 83 to the mounting base.

[0083] As a trace means for detecting unauthorized opening of the board box 83, a seal may be attached across the boundary between the box base and the box cover. In this case, when the seal is peeled off from the attachment point, the adhesive layer of the seal will remain on the board box 83, leaving a trace. Furthermore, the seal may be provided with an IC tag that transmits a response wave containing identification information in response to a call wave of a predetermined frequency, so that when the seal is peeled off, the antenna of the IC tag is cut off, making it impossible to transmit the response wave.

[0084] The performance control device 82 is equipped with a performance control board that controls audio and lamp displays, as well as a display control device not shown, in accordance with instructions from the main control device 81, and the performance control board is housed in a board box 84 made of a transparent resin material or the like.

[0085] 3 and 5, the back pack unit 15 includes a back pack 91, to which a dispensing mechanism 92 and a control device assembly unit 93 are attached. The back pack 91 is made of a transparent synthetic resin, and has a protective cover part 94 that protrudes rearward and has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape so as to cover the main control device 81, performance control device 82, etc. from behind.

[0086] The payout mechanism 92 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover 94, and includes a tank 95 to which game balls are successively replenished from the island equipment of the gaming parlor, and a payout device 96 for paying out the game balls stored in the tank 95. The game balls paid out from the payout device 96 are discharged into the upper tray 71 or the lower tray 72 through a payout passage (not shown) provided downstream of the payout device 96. The payout mechanism 92 also includes a back pack substrate 92a (see FIG. 5). A main power supply of, for example, 24 volts AC is supplied to the back pack substrate 92a, and the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on or off by switching the power switch 92b.

[0087] The rear pack 91 is provided with an external output terminal 99 on the upper edge side, near the pivot axis of the rear pack unit 15. The external output terminal 99 includes an output terminal for outputting a signal when there are insufficient game balls in the tank 95, an output terminal for outputting a signal each time a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out, an output terminal for outputting a signal each time a predetermined number of game balls are dispensed, an output terminal for outputting a signal when the gaming machine main body 12 is opened, an output terminal for outputting a signal when the front door frame 14 is opened, and an output terminal for outputting a signal during a state transition such as an open / close execution mode (or while a state transition is occurring). Signals regarding the state of the frame side are output to the gaming facility's management and control device through these output terminals. Note that an output terminal for outputting a signal each time a predetermined number of game balls are dispensed is not necessary in so-called cash machines.

[0088] The control device aggregate unit 93 is equipped with a payout control device 97 and a power supply and firing control device 98. The payout control device 97 and the power supply and firing control device 98 are stacked in front and behind each other so that the payout control device 97 is at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

[0089] The dispensing control device 97 is configured such that a dispensing control board that controls the dispensing device 96 is housed in a board box. In this case, the board box of the dispensing control device 97 may be provided with the same fraud prevention means as the board box 83 of the main control device 81.

[0090] The power supply and launch control device 98 is configured with a power supply and launch control board housed in a board box. This board generates and outputs the required power for various control devices, and also controls the launch of game balls in response to the player's operation of the launch handle 60. The power supply and launch control device 98 is equipped with a RAM erase switch 98a (see Figure 5). The pachinko machine 10 has a function for storing various data, so that in the event of a power outage, the state at the time of the power outage is retained and can be restored to the state at the time of power recovery. Therefore, for example, if the power is turned off by operating only the power switch 92b, such as when the gaming parlor is closed, the state before the power outage is retained. However, if the power switch 92b is operated while pressing the RAM erase switch 98a and the power is turned on, the RAM data is initialized.

[0091] <Electrical configuration of pachinko machine 10> Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0092] The rear side of the inner frame is equipped with a main control device 81, a performance control device 82, and a display control device 100. As already explained, a back pack unit is provided on the rear side of the inner frame, and the back pack unit is equipped with a payout mechanism including a payout device 96, a payout control device 97, and a power supply and launch control device 98.

[0093] The main control device 81 includes a main control board 111 that handles the main control of the game and a power outage monitoring board 115 that monitors the power supply. The board box housing the main control board 111 and other components in the main control device 81 may be provided with a marking means or a marking structure for leaving a trace of its opening. Possible marking means include a joint (crimped portion) that inseparably connects the multiple case bodies constituting the board box and requires destruction of a specific portion for separation, or a seal that straddles the boundaries between the multiple case bodies, leaving a mark of its removal by leaving an adhesive layer on the bonded object when peeled off. Another possible marking structure is to apply adhesive to the boundaries between the multiple case bodies constituting the board box.

[0094] The main control board 111 is equipped with an MPU 112. The MPU 112 incorporates a ROM 113 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 112, a RAM 114 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when the control programs stored in the ROM 113 are executed, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, various counter circuits such as a random number generator, etc. Note that it is not essential that the ROM 113 and RAM 114 be integrated into a single chip for the MPU 112; they may each be integrated into a separate chip. This also applies to the MPUs of control devices other than the main control device 81.

[0095] The MPU 112 is provided with an input port and an output port. The input side of the MPU 112 is connected to a power outage monitoring board 115 and a dispensing control device 97 provided in the main control device 81. In this case, the power outage monitoring board 115 is connected to a power supply and launch control device 98 having the function of supplying operating power, and power is supplied to the MPU 112 via the power outage monitoring board 115.

[0096] Various sensors are also connected to the input side of the MPU 112. The various sensors include a first actuation sensor 38a and a second actuation sensor 39c that detect winning entries into both actuation ports 38 and 39, as well as winning detection sensors that detect winning entries into other ball entry sections, such as a sensor 35a that detects winning entries into general winning port 35 and a sensor 41a that detects winning entries into through gate 41. The various sensors also include an entrance sensor 179, a V winning sensor 192, a loss sensor 193, and a rotation position detection sensor 196 in the bonus device 150. Based on the detection results of these various sensors 38a, 39c, 35a, 41a, 179, 192, 193, and 196, the MPU 112 determines whether a ball has won in each ball entry section (ball entry determination) and grasps the position of the rotating body 201. Furthermore, the MPU 112 executes various lotteries based on winning entries in the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39. Furthermore, the various sensors include a vibration detection sensor 240 that detects vibrations and a magnet detection sensor 241 that detects magnets. The MPU 112 monitors for abnormalities based on the detection results of these detection sensors 240 and 241.

[0097] The output side of the MPU 112 is connected to a power outage monitoring board 115, a payout control device 97, a performance control device 82, etc. A prize ball command is output to the payout control device 97 based on the winning determination result for the winning ball entry section, for example.

[0098] Various commands for performance are output to the performance control device 82. Details of these various commands will be explained later. Incidentally, the performance control device 82 is electrically connected to the main control device 81 via a connector unit (connection unit) having connectors on both ends of a signal line.

[0099] Additionally, various drive units, such as the electric role drive unit 39b, the opening / closing role drive unit 173, the first distribution drive unit 300a, the second distribution drive unit 310a, the shutter drive unit 221a, and the rotating body drive unit 194, are connected to the output side of the MPU 112. Various driver circuits are provided on the main control board 111, and the MPU 112 controls the drive of the various drive units through these driver circuits. Specifically, when a win occurs in either of the operating ports 38, 39, or when the system transitions to an opening / closing execution mode based on a win in the V winning sensor 192, the opening / closing role drive unit 173 of the role device 150 is controlled to open or close the opening / closing role 168. In these cases, the drive of both distribution drive units 300a, 310a is controlled, and the drive of the rotating body drive unit 194 is controlled.

[0100] Furthermore, when a lottery is held based on winning or losing entries in both actuation ports 38, 39, the MPU 112 controls the display of the main display unit 43. Furthermore, when the lottery result as to whether or not the electric accessory 39a is to be opened is to be displayed, the MPU 112 controls the display of the accessory display unit 44.

[0101] The power outage monitoring board 115 relays between the main control board 111 and the power supply and launch control device 98, and also monitors the 24-volt DC stabilized voltage output from the power supply and launch control device 98. When the output voltage from the power supply and launch control device 98 falls below 22 volts, the power outage monitoring board 115 determines that a power outage (power shutdown) has occurred, and outputs a power outage signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) provided on the MPU 112 of the main control device 81. This causes the main control device 81 to recognize the occurrence of a power outage and immediately execute NMI interrupt processing, and further execute power outage processing based on this. The payout control device 97 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls using the payout device 96 based on the prize ball command input from the main control device 81.

[0102] The power supply and firing control device 98 is connected to a commercial power supply (external power supply) in, for example, an amusement facility or the like. Then, based on the external power supplied from the commercial power supply, it generates the operating power required for the main control board 111, the payout control device 97, etc., and supplies the generated operating power. Incidentally, the power supply and firing control device 98 is provided with a power supply unit for use in the event of a power outage, such as a backup capacitor, and even when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, power for maintaining memory is supplied from the power supply unit for use in the event of a power outage to the RAM 114 of the main control device 81.

[0103] The power supply and launch control device 98 is responsible for controlling the launch of the game ball launching mechanism 53, and the game ball launching mechanism 53 is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met. In this case, the game ball launching mechanism 53 includes a launch rail extending toward the guide rail 34 of the game board 24, a ball feeder that supplies game balls stored in the upper tray 71 onto the launch rail, and a solenoid that is an electric actuator that launches the game balls supplied onto the launch rail toward the guide rail 34, and the game balls are launched when a drive signal is supplied from the power supply and launch control device 98 to the solenoid.

[0104] The performance control device 82 is equipped with a performance control board 141 equipped with an MPU 142. The MPU 142 has built-in ROM 143 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 142, RAM 144 that is memory for temporarily storing various data when the control programs stored in the ROM 143 are executed, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, and the like.

[0105] The MPU 142 drives and controls the various light-emitting units 54 to 56, 63 and the speaker unit 64 based on commands received from the main control unit 81. It also analyzes these commands and transmits the resulting commands to the display control device 100. Incidentally, the performance control device 82 is electrically connected to the display control device 100 via a connector unit (connection unit) having connectors on both ends of a signal line.

[0106] The display control device 100 includes a display control board 151 on which are mounted an MPU 152, which is an element in which a program ROM 153 and a work RAM 154 are integrated into a chip, a video display processor (VDP) 155, a character ROM 156, and a video RAM 157.

[0107] The MPU 152 analyzes various commands received from the performance control device 82 or performs predetermined calculation processing based on the various received commands, thereby controlling the VDP 155 (specifically, generating internal commands for the VDP 155).

[0108] The program ROM 153 is a memory for storing various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 152, and is a non-volatile storage means that does not require an external power supply to retain the stored information. The work RAM 154 is a memory for temporarily storing work data, flags, etc. used when the MPU 152 executes various programs, and is a volatile storage means that requires an external power supply to retain the stored information.

[0109] VDP 155 is a type of drawing circuit that directly operates an image processing device that serves as a liquid crystal display driver built into pattern display device 51. Because VDP 155 is an IC chip, it is also called a "drawing chip," and its actual form should be described as a microcomputer chip with built-in firmware dedicated to drawing processing. VDP 155 adjusts the timing of MPU 152, video RAM 157, etc. to mediate data reading and writing, and also reads image data to be stored in video RAM 157 from character ROM 156 at a predetermined timing and displays it on pattern display device 51.

[0110] The character ROM 156 serves as an image data library for storing character data such as the designs to be displayed on the design display device 51. The character ROM 156 stores bitmap image data of various display designs, a color palette table to be referenced when determining the color to be displayed for each dot of the bitmap image, and the like.

[0111] The video RAM 157 is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the pattern display device 51, and the display content of the pattern display device 51 is changed based on rewriting the content of the video RAM 157.

[0112] <Electrical configuration for performing various lotteries using the MPU 112 of the main control device 81> Next, the electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the MPU 112 of the main control device 81 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0113] During play, the MPU 112 uses various counter information to perform a lottery for determining whether a jackpot occurs, set the display of the main display unit 43, set the symbol display of the symbol display device 51, set the display of the device display unit 44, etc. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the MPU 112 uses a jackpot random number counter C1 used to perform a lottery for determining whether a jackpot occurs, a jackpot type counter C2 used to determine the type of jackpot, such as whether to open or close the opening / closing device 168, an opening type counter CS for setting a waiting period from the winning of a prize to the opening of the opening / closing device 168 when the opening / closing device 168 is opened based on the winning of a prize in the operating ports 38, 39, and a random number initial value counter CINI used to set the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. Furthermore, the MPU 112 uses an electric device opening counter C4 used to perform a lottery for determining whether to open the electric device 39a of the second operating port 39.

[0114] Each of the counters C1, C2, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching its maximum value. Each counter is updated at short intervals, and the updated value is appropriately stored in a lottery counter buffer 114a set in a predetermined area of RAM 114. In the lottery counter buffer 114a, information corresponding to the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the opening type counter CS is stored in a reserved ball storage area 114b, which serves as acquired information storage means, when a win occurs in the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39.

[0115] The reserved ball storage area 114b includes a reserved area RE consisting of a first result display section reserved area Ra and a second result display section reserved area Rb, and an execution area AE. The reserved areas Ra and Rb each include a first area, a second area, a third area, and a fourth area, and the numerical information of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the opening type counter CS stored in the lottery counter buffer 114a is stored in one of the areas as reserved information according to the winning history of the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39. Note that this reserved information corresponds to special information.

[0116] In this case, when multiple consecutive wins occur in the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39, the first to fourth areas store the numerical information in chronological order in the order of the first area → the second area → the third area → the fourth area. By providing four areas in this manner, up to four winning histories of game balls entering the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39 can be reserved and stored for each area. In addition, reserved ball storage area 114b is provided with a total reserved number storage area, and information for specifying the number of winning histories entering the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39 that are reserved and stored is stored in this total reserved number storage area.

[0117] The execution area AE is an area for moving each value stored in the first area of the reserve area RE when the variable display of the main display unit 43 begins, and when one game round begins, a win / loss determination is made based on the various numerical information stored in the execution area AE.

[0118] Regarding each counter in detail, the jackpot random number counter C1 is configured to increment by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 99, and return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (i.e., 99). When the jackpot random number counter C1 completes one cycle, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the jackpot random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 99). The jackpot random number counter C1 is periodically updated and stored in the reserved ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39. More specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1 is stored in the first result display reserve area Ra of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the first actuation port 38, and is stored in the second result display reserve area Rb of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the second actuation port 39.

[0119] The random number value that results in a jackpot win is stored as a result table (game result information group) in a result table storage area 113a in the ROM 113, which serves as a win / loss information group storage means.

[0120] Here, the contents of the result table will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 12(a), the result table includes game results set as miss results, direct hit results, and normal opening results. A normal opening result is a game result in which the opening / closing device 168 of the accessory device 150 is set to an open state (open / close execution mode) based on a winning entry into the actuation openings 38 and 39. In this embodiment, the opening / closing device 168 is set to a one-time open state when a winning entry into the first actuation opening 38 occurs, and the opening / closing device 168 is set to a two-time open state when a winning entry into the second actuation opening 39 occurs. A miss result is a result in which the opening / closing device 168 does not open even when a winning entry into the actuation openings 38 and 39 occurs. In this case, a winning entry into the accessory device 150 is not possible, and a transition to the jackpot state (open / close execution mode) is not expected. A direct hit result is a result in which a transition to the jackpot state (open / close execution mode) occurs simply when a winning entry into the actuation openings 38 and 39 occurs. The transition to the jackpot state occurs as described above even without a winning entry into the accessory device 150 or a V winning entry.

[0122] In the following, in order to distinguish between the opening / closing execution mode based on the normal opening result and the opening / closing execution mode based on the jackpot result (including both that based on a direct hit result and that based on the occurrence of a V prize), the former will be referred to as the "first opening / closing execution mode" and the latter will be referred to as the "second opening / closing execution mode."

[0123] Of the jackpot random number counter C1 (0 to 99), the number of random numbers that result in a miss is 1, the number of random numbers that result in a direct hit is 1, and the rest are values that correspond to normal opening results. Therefore, in this embodiment, based on winning at both operating ports 38, 39, the opening of the opening and closing device 168 in the number corresponding to the operating ports 38, 39 is performed with a probability of 98 / 100, the opening of the opening and closing device 168 is not performed with a probability of 1 / 100, but the transition to the opening and closing execution mode is performed without going through a V winning, and the opening and closing device 168 is not opened and the transition to the opening and closing execution mode is not performed with a probability of 1 / 100.

[0124] It is also possible to have a configuration in which direct hit results and miss results are not provided. However, by including these results, the game can be diversified, and in particular, if a direct hit result is provided, even in a gaming machine in which winnings on the accessory device 150 do not occur frequently due to pin adjustment or the like, it is possible to expect the occurrence of a jackpot state, and it is also possible to expect the effect of increasing motivation to play even in such a gaming machine.

[0125] The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by one in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 99, and to return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (i.e., 99). The jackpot type counter C2 is periodically updated, and is stored in the reserved ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 at the time when a gaming ball enters the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39. More specifically, the jackpot type counter C2 is stored in the reserved area Ra for the first result display section of the RAM 114 at the time when a gaming ball enters the first actuation port 38, and is stored in the reserved area Rb for the second result display section of the RAM 114 at the time when a gaming ball enters the second actuation port 39.

[0126] The value of the random number that sets the type of the jackpot result is stored as a type table (game type information group) in the various table storage area 113d that serves as a win / loss information group storage means in the ROM 113.

[0127] Here, the contents of the type table will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0128] As shown in Figure 12(b), the type table has a 16R (round) continuation mode and a continuation rate variable mode set as types of jackpot results. The 16R continuation mode is a mode in which 16 rounds of play are played, and the continuation rate variable mode is a mode in which the continuation rate to the next round of play fluctuates during round play.

[0129] Here, a round game is a game that continues until one of the following conditions is met: (1) the opening and closing device 168 has been opened a predetermined maximum number of times (in other words, the total opening time reaches the predetermined maximum opening time), or (2) the total number of winning game balls in the device device 150 reaches the predetermined maximum number. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the opening and closing device 168 is opened and closed 19 times in one round game, and the maximum number of winning balls in one round game is set to 9.

[0130] The maximum number of rounds of play is predetermined for each jackpot type. Specifically, the maximum number of rounds is set to 16 regardless of the jackpot result in any mode. In this case, in the 16R continuation mode, 16 rounds of play are set to continue unconditionally. On the other hand, in the continuation rate variable mode, the round is set to continue when a predetermined continuation condition is met. The continuation condition is that a game ball enters the bonus device 150 during the round and that game ball enters the V-shaped slot.

[0131] The release type counter CS is configured to be incremented by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 99, and to return to 0 after reaching a maximum value (i.e., 99). The release type counter CS is periodically updated. However, this update timing is set to be different from that of the jackpot random number counter C1 and the jackpot type counter C2. This makes it difficult to commit fraud by somehow reading the update timing of each counter value. The updated release type counter CS, like the other counters C1 and C2, is stored in the reserved ball storage area 114b of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39. More specifically, the updated release type counter CS is stored in the reserved area Ra for the first result display of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the first actuation port 38, and is stored in the reserved area Rb for the second result display of the RAM 114 when a gaming ball enters the second actuation port 39.

[0132] The value of the random number that sets the waiting time (opening timing) from when the winning jackpot enters the operating port 38, 39 until the opening / closing device 168 opens is stored as an opening timing table (waiting period information group) in the opening timing table memory area 113c, which serves as a waiting information group storage means in ROM 113.

[0133] Here, the contents of the release timing table will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0134] As shown in FIG. 12(c), as the opening timing, a plurality of types of waiting times (waiting periods) from the timing of winning into the operating ports 38, 39 (or the timing of the previous closing of the opening / closing device 168) are set. More specifically, 20 types of waiting times are set in increments of 0.1 seconds, from 0.5 seconds to 2.4 seconds. The intervals between these times (0.1 seconds) are set to be shorter than the shooting cycle of the game balls (0.6 seconds), making it difficult to intentionally change (increase) the probability of winning into the device 150 by, for example, stopping the ball.

[0135] The electric accessory opening counter C4 is configured to be incremented by 1 in the range of 0 to 250, for example, and to return to 0 after reaching the maximum value (i.e., 250). The electric accessory opening counter C4 is periodically updated and stored in the electric accessory holding area 114c of the RAM 114 at the timing when a gaming ball enters the through gate 41.

[0136] Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is performed to determine whether or not to control the electric accessory 39a to the open state based on the value of the stored electric accessory opening counter C4. For example, if C4 = 0 to 190, the electric accessory 39a is controlled to the open state, and if C4 = 191 to 250, the electric accessory 39a is not controlled to the open state.

[0137] In the present embodiment, the opening / closing mode of the electric accessory 39a is set so as not to vary depending on the gaming state. That is, modes such as a state (so-called high-frequency support mode) where the opening time and the number of opening times are large when it is easy to win or when winning in the opening lottery of the electric accessory 39a, or a state (so-called low-frequency support mode) where the winning probability in the opening lottery is low or the opening time and the number of opening times when winning are small are not provided. If the configuration has these modes, the range of increase and decrease in the ball output can be large, and thus the interest can be enhanced. On the other hand, in order to adjust the ball output during the high-frequency support mode, a specification such as setting the winning frequency to the both operation ports 38 and 39 during the low-frequency support mode to be low may occur inevitably. Therefore, during the low-frequency support mode, winning to the operation ports 38 and 39 may be difficult to occur, and the motivation for the game may be reduced. Thus, by setting the opening mode of the electric accessory 39a regardless of the gaming state as in the present embodiment, winning to the operation ports 38 and 39 can be expected to some extent even during the normal gaming state, and it becomes possible to avoid the reduction of the motivation for the game.

[0138] <Regarding various processes executed by the main control device 81> Next, each control process executed by the MPU 112 of the main control device 81 will be described. The processes of such MPU 112 are roughly classified into a main process that is started with the power-on, a timer interrupt process and a normal process that are executed to advance the game, and an NMI interrupt process that is started by the input of a power failure signal to the NMI terminal. For convenience of explanation, first, the NMI interrupt process and the timer interrupt process will be described, and then the main process and the normal process will be described.

[0139] <NMI interrupt process> First, the NMI interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13. This processing is executed when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like. That is, when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to a power outage or the like, a power outage signal is output from the power outage monitoring board 115 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 112, and the MPU 112 suspends the control currently being executed and starts the NMI interrupt processing. In the NMI interrupt processing, in step S100, a power outage flag is set in the power outage flag storage area provided in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114, and this processing ends. Thereafter, it is confirmed that the power outage flag has been set in the normal processing described below, and the power outage processing is executed. This processing will be described later.

[0140] <Timer interrupt processing> Next, the timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 14. This process is started by the MPU 112 periodically (for example, every 2 msec).

[0141] In step S101, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated. In the following step S102, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the electric accessory release counter C4 are each incremented by 1, and when their counter values reach their maximum values, they are each cleared to 0. Then, the updated values of each counter C1, C2, and C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of RAM 114.

[0142] In the following step S103, it is determined whether or not the game progress has been stopped (game stop state). The determination of whether or not the game is stopped is made on the condition that a game stop flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. If it is determined that the game is stopped, this timer interrupt process is terminated.

[0143] On the other hand, if it is determined that the game is not stopped, in step S104, a reading process of the various detection sensors is executed. In this reading process, the status of the various detection sensors 38a, 39c, 35a, 41a, 179, 192, 193, 196, 240, and 241 is read, the status of these various detection sensors is determined, and the detection information is saved. Also, if the entry of a game ball is detected by the various detection sensors 38a, 39c, 35a, and 179 corresponding to the occurrence of a prize ball, a prize ball command is set to instruct the payout control device 97 to pay out the prize balls. For example, if the entrance sensor 179 detects the entry of a game ball into the bonus device 150, a prize ball command is set to instruct the corresponding number of prize balls, 15.

[0144] In the following step S105, a winning process for through is executed in response to a winning at the through gate 41. In the winning process for through, if a winning at the through gate 41 has occurred, the value of the electric role release counter C4 updated in step S102 is stored in the electric role hold area 114c on the condition that the number of reserved roles stored in the electric role hold area 114c is less than the upper limit number (for example, "4"). Also, a process is executed for the performance control device 82 to light up the third reserved light emitting unit 56 corresponding to the number of reserved roles stored.

[0145] In the next step S106, a winning process for the actuation port is executed. In the winning process for the actuation port, it is determined whether or not a gaming ball has entered either of the actuation ports 38, 39. If it is determined that a winning has occurred, numerical information such as that of the jackpot random number counter C1 at that time is obtained, and the numerical information is stored in the lottery counter buffer 114a. The winning process for the actuation port will be described in detail later.

[0146] Thereafter, in step S107, an abnormality monitoring process is executed, and then this timer interrupt process is terminated. In the abnormality monitoring process, the presence or absence of vibration detection or magnet detection is determined by referring to the detection results of the vibration detection sensor 240 and the magnet detection sensor 241, and the presence or absence of an abnormality in the remaining balls in the role device 150 is determined. The details of the abnormality monitoring process will be described later.

[0147] Next, the winning process for the operating port in step S106 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0148] In step S201, whether or not a gaming ball has entered the first actuation opening 38 (start entry) is determined based on the detection state of the detection sensor corresponding to the first actuation opening 38. If it is determined that a gaming ball has entered the first actuation opening 38, in step S202, a prize ball command for dispensing seven gaming balls is set in the payout control device 97. In the following step S203, an external signal setting process is performed to output a signal to the gaming facility's management control device that a gaming ball has entered the first actuation opening 38. In step S204, the value stored in the reserved number storage area of the first result display unit reserved area Ra is read, and the reserved number RaN of start reserved balls stored in the first result display unit reserved area Ra is set (hereinafter also referred to as the first start reserved number RaN). In the following step S205, a process is executed to set the number of times the opening / closing device 168 is opened to one. Specifically, the process executes a process of setting "1" to the opening count counter provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114. After that, in step S206, an information acquisition process is executed to store the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the opening type counter CS, and this winning process is terminated.

[0149] If it is determined in step S201 that the gaming ball has not entered the first actuation port 38, then in step S207, it is determined whether the gaming ball has entered the second actuation port 39 (start entry) based on the detection state of the detection sensor corresponding to the second actuation port 39. If it is determined that the gaming ball has entered the second actuation port 39, then in step S208, a prize ball command for dispensing seven gaming balls is set in the payout control device 97. In the following step S209, an external signal setting process is performed to output a signal to the gaming facility's management control device that the gaming ball has entered the second actuation port 39. In step S210, the value stored in the reserve number storage area of the second result display reserve area Rb is read, and the start reserve memory number RbN stored in the second result display reserve area Rb is set (hereinafter also referred to as the second start reserve memory number RbN). In the following step S211, a process is executed to set the number of times the opening / closing device 168 has been opened to two. Specifically, a process is executed to set the opening count counter to "2". Even if the number of times the opening has been set in the processes of step S205 or step S211, there is a possibility that the opening / closing device 168 will not be opened depending on the value of the jackpot random number counter C1 as described above. Thereafter, in step S206, an information acquisition process is executed, and this winning process is terminated.

[0150] On the other hand, if both step S201 and step S207 are NO, that is, if the gaming ball has not entered either the first actuation port 38 or the second actuation port 39, this winning process is ended.

[0151] The prize ball command set in steps S202 and S208 is sent to the payout control device 97 in the external output process of step S603 in the normal process (see FIG. 19) described later.

[0152] The information acquisition process in step S206 will now be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0153] In the information acquisition process, first, in step S301, it is determined whether the start pending memory count N (RaN or RbN) set in the above-mentioned step S204 or step S210 is less than the upper limit value (4 in this embodiment). If the start pending memory count N is the upper limit value, the information acquisition process is terminated as is, and if it is less than the upper limit value, in step S302 the start pending memory count N in the corresponding result display unit hold area is incremented by 1, and in step S303 the value stored in the total hold count memory area (hereinafter referred to as the common hold count CRN) is incremented by 1.

[0154] In the following step S304, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1 and jackpot type counter C2 updated in step S102 above, and the opening type counter CS updated in the normal processing described below, are stored in the first memory area among the free memory areas in the corresponding result display section holding area, i.e., the memory area corresponding to the number of held memories incremented by 1 in step S302 above.

[0155] In other words, when the start pending memory number RaN for the first operating port is set, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2 and the opening type counter CS are stored in the first memory area among the empty memory areas in the holding area Ra for the first operating port, i.e., the holding area Ra corresponding to the start pending memory number RaN for the first operating port incremented by 1 in step S302 above.

[0156] Also, if the start pending memory number RbN for the second operating port is set, the values of the jackpot random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the release type counter CS are stored in the first free memory area of the reserve area Rb for the second operating port, that is, the reserve area Rb corresponding to the start pending memory number RbN for the second operating port incremented by 1 in step S302. After executing the process of step S304, the information acquisition process is terminated.

[0157] Next, the abnormality monitoring process in step S107 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0158] First, in step S401, it is determined whether or not vibration has been detected by the vibration detection sensor 240. If vibration has been detected, in step S402, a vibration detection flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. In the following step S403, a vibration detection command is set as a command to be sent to the performance control device 82. The vibration detection command is a command for making the performance control device 82 recognize that the MPU 112 has identified the detection of vibration. The vibration detection command is sent to the performance control device 82 in the external output processing of the normal processing, which will be described later. In the following step S404, external output processing for an abnormality is executed to output a signal to the management control device on the gaming facility side that the detection of vibration has been identified.

[0159] If no vibration is detected in step S401, or after executing the external output process for an abnormality in step S404, it is determined in step S405 whether or not a magnet has been detected by the magnet detection sensor 241. If a magnet has been detected, a magnet detection flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114 in step S406, and a magnet detection command is set as a command to be sent to the performance control device 82 in the following step S407. The magnet detection command is a command for making the performance control device 82 recognize that the MPU 112 has identified the detection of a magnet. The magnet detection command is sent to the performance control device 82 in the external output process of the normal process, which will be described later. In the following step S408, external output process for an abnormality is executed to output a signal to the management control device on the gaming facility side that the detection of a magnet has been identified.

[0160] If no magnet is detected in step S405, or after executing the external output process for an abnormality in step S408, it is determined in step S409 whether or not a remaining ball flag is stored in the various flags storage area 114e of the RAM 114. The remaining ball flag indicates that a gaming ball remains in the accessory device 150, and is stored when the presence of a gaming ball is confirmed despite the situation in which no gaming ball should be present in the accessory device 150. If the remaining ball flag is not stored, the abnormality monitoring process ends.

[0161] On the other hand, if the remaining ball flag is stored, in step S410, a remaining ball detection command is set as a command to be sent to the presentation control device 82. The remaining ball detection command is a command for making the presentation control device 82 recognize that the detection of remaining balls has been identified by the MPU 112. The remaining ball detection command is sent to the presentation control device 82 in the external output process of the normal process, which will be described later. In the following step S411, external output process for an abnormality is executed to output a signal to the management control device on the gaming facility side that the detection of remaining balls has been identified, and the abnormality monitoring process ends.

[0162] <Main processing> Next, the main processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0163] First, in step S501, an initial setting process is performed when the power is turned on. Specifically, a wait process is performed for, for example, about one second to wait for the sub-controller (dispensing control device 97, etc.) to become operable. In the following step S502, access to RAM 114 is permitted.

[0164] Then, in step S503, it is determined whether the RAM erase switch 98a provided on the power supply and launch control device 98 is turned on, and in the following step S504, it is determined whether a power outage flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. If a power outage flag is stored, a RAM judgment value is calculated in step S505, and in the following step S506, it is determined whether the RAM judgment value matches the RAM judgment value saved when the power was shut off, i.e., the validity of the stored data. The RAM judgment value is, for example, a checksum value at a work area address of the RAM 114. It is also possible to determine the validity of the stored data by determining whether a keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 114 is saved correctly.

[0165] As already explained, in this pachinko machine 10, when the RAM data is initialized at power-on, the power is turned on while pressing the RAM clear switch 98a. Therefore, if the RAM clear switch 98a is pressed (the result of step S503 is YES), the process proceeds to steps S507 to S509. Also, if a power outage flag is not stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114 and information on the occurrence of a power outage is not set (the result of step S504 is NO), or if an abnormality in the stored data is confirmed by the RAM judgment value (checksum value, etc.) (the result of step S506 is NO), the process proceeds to steps S507 to S509.

[0166] In step S507, an initialization command is output to initialize the sub-side control device (dispensing control device 97, etc.). In the following step S508, the used area of RAM 114 is cleared to 0, and in step S509, initialization processing of RAM 114 is executed. Thereafter, in step S516, interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to normal processing, which will be described later.

[0167] On the other hand, if the RAM clear switch 98a has not been pressed, on the condition that the power outage flag is stored and the RAM determination value (checksum value, etc.) is normal, in step S510 the power outage flag stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114 is cleared. In the following step S511, a power restoration command is output to return the sub-side control device (payout control device 97, etc.) to the gaming state before the power was cut off.

[0168] In the following step S512, it is determined whether or not an abnormality detection flag (vibration detection flag, magnet detection flag, remaining ball flag) is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. If an abnormality detection flag is stored, in step S513 the abnormality detection flag is cleared and the abnormality detection state is released.

[0169] If the abnormality detection flag is not stored in step S512, or after the abnormality detection state is released in step S513, it is determined in step S514 whether or not a game stop state has been set based on the game stop flag in RAM114.

[0170] If the game stop state is set, in step S515, the game stop flag in RAM 114 is cleared to cancel the game stop state. Specifically, the launch stop process that prohibits the launch of game balls and the payout stop process that stops the payout of game balls by the payout device 96 are canceled. After that, in step S516, interrupt permission is set and the process proceeds to normal processing, which will be described later. This restores the state before the power was cut off. At this time, if vibration, magnet, or remaining ball detection and the game stop state were set before the power was cut off, these are reset and the system returns to the state where they were released.

[0171] <Normal processing> Next, the flow of normal processing will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 19. In normal processing, the main processing of the game is executed. In summary, the processing of steps S601 to S610 is executed as a regular processing at a cycle of 4 msec, and the counter update processing of steps S612 and S613 is executed in the remaining time.

[0172] In the normal processing, first, in step S601, a game stop determination process is executed. In the game stop determination process, it is determined whether or not the situation is such that the progress of the game should be stopped, and if the situation is such that the progress of the game should be stopped, a game stop process is executed. The game stop process will be described in detail later.

[0173] In the following step S602, it is determined whether or not the game is stopped, and if the game is not stopped, the processing of steps S603 to S609 is executed. In step S603, an external signal output process is executed. In the external signal output process, output data such as the timer interrupt process or the command set in the previous normal process is sent to each control device on the sub-side. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is a prize ball command, and if a prize ball command is set, it is sent to the payout control device 97. Furthermore, if a performance command, vibration detection command, magnet detection command, or remaining ball detection command is set, it is sent to the performance control device 82.

[0174] Next, in step S604, the release type counter CS is updated. Specifically, the release type counter CS is incremented by 1, and when the counter value reaches its maximum value, the counter value is cleared to 0. Then, the updated value of the release type counter CS is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 114.

[0175] In the following step S605, a game control process is executed to progress the game. In the game control process, drive control (first opening / closing execution mode) of each drive unit of the accessory device 150 is performed based on winning at the actuation ports 38, 39. After the game control process in step S605 is executed, the process proceeds to step S606, where a game state transition process is executed. This game state transition process transitions the game state to the second opening / closing execution mode. The game control process in step S605 and the game state transition process in step S606 will be described in detail later.

[0176] In the following step S607, a remaining ball determination process is executed to identify the remaining status of game balls in the accessory device 150. In the remaining ball determination process, it is determined whether or not a game ball that entered the accessory device 150 upon transition to the open / close execution mode was not properly discharged and remains in the accessory device 150. The remaining ball determination process will be described in detail later.

[0177] After executing step S607, in step S608, an electric role support process is executed to drive and control the electric role 39a provided in the second operating port 39. In the electric role support process, an electric role release lottery is executed to determine whether or not the electric role 39a is to be opened using numerical information acquired from the electric role release counter C4 stored in the electric role reserve area 114c of the RAM 114, and if the electric role open state is selected, an opening and closing process of the electric role 39a is executed. In addition, display control of the role display unit 44 is performed so as to inform the result of the electric role release lottery.

[0178] Thereafter, in step S609, a game ball launch control process is executed. In the game ball launch control process, the solenoid of the game ball launch mechanism 53 is excited once every predetermined period (for example, 0.6 seconds) on the condition that a launch permission signal is input from the power supply and launch control device 98. This causes the game ball to be launched toward the play area.

[0179] If it is determined in step S602 that the game is stopped, or after the game ball launch control process in step S609 has been executed, it is determined in step S610 whether or not a power outage flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of RAM 114.

[0180] If the power outage flag is not stored, in step S611, it is determined whether the timing for executing the next normal process has arrived, that is, whether a predetermined time (4 msec in this embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the previous normal process. Then, within the remaining time until the timing for executing the next normal process, the random number initial value counter CINI and the open type counter CS are repeatedly updated (steps S612 and S613). That is, in step S612, the random number initial value counter CINI is updated, and in step S613, the open type counter CS is updated.

[0181] Here, the execution time of each process of steps S601 to S609 changes depending on the state of the game, so the remaining time until the execution timing of the next normal process is not constant but fluctuates. Therefore, by repeatedly updating the random number initial value counter CINI using this remaining time, the random number initial value counter CINI (i.e., the initial value of the jackpot random number counter C1) can be randomly updated, and similarly, the opening type counter CS can also be randomly updated.

[0182] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S610 that the power outage flag is stored, it means that the power supply has been cut off due to a power outage, and so power outage processing from step S614 onwards is executed. That is, in step S614, the occurrence of each interrupt process is prohibited, and then in step S615, a power outage command indicating that the power supply has been cut off is output to the sub-side control device (dispensing control device 97, etc.).

[0183] Then, in step S616, a RAM determination value is calculated and saved, and in step S617, access to RAM 114 is prohibited, and the infinite loop continues until power is completely cut off and processing can no longer be executed. Note that even after power is completely cut off, power for maintaining data storage in RAM 114 (power during power outage) is supplied from power supply and launch control device 98, so the information stored in RAM 114 before power was cut off is retained in its original state for a predetermined period of time (for example, one or two days).

[0184] <Game stop determination process> Next, the game stop determination process in step S601 in the normal process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0185] In the game stop determination process, in each of steps S701 to S703, it is determined whether a vibration detection flag, a magnet detection flag, or a remaining ball flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. This determines whether the state is vibration detected, whether the state is magnet detected, or whether the presence of a remaining ball has been identified, respectively. If a negative determination is made in any of steps S701 to S703, the game stop determination process is terminated.

[0186] On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in any of steps S701 to S703, the process proceeds to step S704. In step S704, a closing control process is executed to shift the electric role 39a and the role device 150 (opening / closing role 168) to a closed state. As a result, if the electric role 39a or the role device 150 is open, it is forcibly closed.

[0187] In the following step S705, a launch permission signal to the power supply and launch control device 98 is switched to a LOW level to execute a launch stop process that prohibits the launch of game balls, and further, in step S706, other release processes are executed. For example, a game stop command is output to the payout control device 97 to stop the payout of game balls by the payout device 96. Also, a game stop command is output to the effect control device 82 to stop the effect display on the symbol display device 51. After execution of step S706, in step S707, a game stop flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114 to set the game stop state. Thereafter, this game stop determination process is terminated.

[0188] By setting the game stop state in the game stop determination process as described above, step S103 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 14) and step S602 of the normal process (FIG. 19) executed thereafter will both be determined to be positive. If a positive determination is made in these steps, the processes of steps S104 to S107 and steps S604 to S609 will be skipped. These processes are essentially processes for progressing the game, and skipping such processes will allow the progress of the game to be stopped.

[0189] Incidentally, even in a gaming stopped state, the process of updating the counters C1, C2, CS, CINI, and C4 for various lotteries continues without being skipped (see steps S101 and S102 in FIG. 14 and steps S612 and S613 in FIG. 19). This allows the counters C1, C2, CS, CINI, and C4 for various lotteries to be continuously updated even in a gaming stopped state. This configuration is more effective when applied to a configuration in which initialization of the counters C1, C2, CS, CINI, and C4 for various lotteries is not executed even when the RAM erase switch 98a is operated and the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, or a configuration in which initialization of the RAM 114 is not essential when the gaming stopped state is released. <Game control processing> Next, the game control process in step S605 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0190] In the game control process, first, in step S801, it is determined whether or not the second opening and closing execution mode (opening and closing execution mode based on the occurrence of a direct hit result or a V winning) is being executed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a second opening and closing execution mode flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. The second opening and closing execution mode flag indicates that the second opening and closing execution mode is being executed, and is stored when the game state is shifted to the second opening and closing execution mode in the game state shift process described later, and is erased when the second opening and closing execution mode is terminated in the game state shift process.

[0191] If the second opening / closing execution mode is in progress, the game control process is terminated without executing any of the processes from step S802 onwards, i.e., the game start process of steps S803 to S806, the game progress process of steps S808 to S810, and the game end process of steps S811 to S813. In other words, if the second opening / closing execution mode is in progress, the game will not start (the opening of the accessory device 150 triggered by a win in the operating openings 38, 38) regardless of whether a win has occurred in the operating openings 38, 39 or not.

[0192] If the second opening / closing execution mode is not in progress, in step S802, it is determined whether the first opening / closing execution mode (opening / closing execution mode based on a normal opening result) is in progress. Specifically, it is determined whether a first opening / closing execution mode flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. The first opening / closing execution mode flag indicates that the first opening / closing execution mode is in progress, and is stored when the game result based on winning into the operating ports 38, 39 is an opening result (in this embodiment, a normal opening result), and is erased when the operation of the accessory device 150 based on that result (including the standby period after closing) ends.

[0193] If the first opening / closing execution mode is not in progress, the process proceeds to game start processing in steps S803 to S806. In the game start processing, first in step S803, it is determined whether the common reserve number CRN is "0". If the common reserve number CRN is "0", it means that the start reserve memory numbers RaN, RbN are "0" for both the first actuation port 38 and the second actuation port 39. Therefore, the game control processing is terminated as is. If the common reserve number CRN is not "0", in step S804, a data setting process is executed to set the data stored in the first result display unit reserve area Ra or the second result display unit reserve area Rb for lottery processing, and further in step S805, a win / loss determination process is executed to determine the game result of the data set in the data setting process. Thereafter, in step S806, a control start process is executed to start control of the accessory device 150, and then the game control processing is terminated.

[0194] The data setting process in step S804, the success / failure determination process in step S805, and the control start process in step S806 will now be described in detail.

[0195] First, the data setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0196] In the data setting process, first in step S901, it is determined whether the second start pending memory count RbN reserved and stored in the second result display unit reserve area Rb is 0. If the second start pending memory count RbN is 0, the data setting process for the first result display unit in steps S902 to S907 is executed, and if the second start pending memory count RbN is not 0, the data setting process for the second result display unit in steps S908 to S913 is executed.

[0197] Here, as already explained, the case where the data setting process is executed is when the common hold number CRN is 1 or more. In this case, the data setting process determines whether the second start hold memory number RbN is "0", and if it is not "0", that is, if hold information for variable display is stored for the second result display unit BS, the data stored in the second result display unit hold area Rb is set as for the lottery process regardless of whether the first start hold memory number RaN is 1 or more. As a result, if hold information is stored in both the first result display unit hold area Ra and the second result display unit hold area Rb, the hold information stored in the second result display unit hold area Rb corresponding to the second actuation port 39 is given priority.

[0198] In the data setting process for the first result display section, first in step S902, the first start hold memory number RaN in the holding area Ra for the first result display section is decremented by 1. In the following step S903, the common hold number CRN is decremented by 1. After that, in step S904, the data stored in the first area of the holding area Ra for the first result display section is moved to the execution area AE.

[0199] Then, in step S905, a process is executed to shift the data stored in the storage area of the first result display section reserve area Ra. This data shift process shifts the data stored in the first to fourth areas sequentially to the lower areas, clearing the data in the first area and shifting the data in each area from the second area to the first area, the third area to the second area, and the fourth area to the third area, etc.

[0200] In the next step S906, if a second result display unit flag (second result display unit information) is stored in the second result display unit flag storage area (second result display unit information storage means) provided in the various flag storage area 114e of RAM 114, it is erased, and if not, the state is maintained. The second result display unit flag is information for identifying whether the subject of this pass / fail judgment corresponds to the reserved information in the first result display unit reserve area Ra or the second result display unit reserve area Rb.

[0201] In the next step S907, a shift command (shift occurrence information) is set, which is information for making the performance control device 82, which is the sub-side control device, recognize that a shift of data in the hold area has occurred. In this case, a shift command including information that the hold area that is the target of this data shift corresponds to the hold area Ra for the first result display unit, i.e., information that it corresponds to the first actuation port 38, is selected from the command information storage area of ROM 113, and the selected shift command is set as the command to be sent to the performance control device 82. Thereafter, this data setting process ends.

[0202] The shift command set in step S907 is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S603 of the normal processing (FIG. 19). Based on the received shift command, the performance control device 82 executes processing to change the display on the first reserved light emitting unit 54 in accordance with the decrease in the number of reserved items.

[0203] In the data setting process for the second result display section, first in step S908, the second start hold memory number RbN in the second result display section hold area Rb is decremented by 1. In the following step S909, the common hold number CRN is decremented by 1. Then, in step S910, the data stored in the first area of the second result display section hold area Rb is moved to the execution area AE.

[0204] Then, in step S911, a process is executed to shift the data stored in the storage area of the second result display section reserve area Rb. This data shift process shifts the data stored in the first to fourth areas sequentially to the lower areas, clearing the data in the first area and shifting the data in each area from the second area to the first area, the third area to the second area, and the fourth area to the third area, etc.

[0205] In the following step S912, if the second result display unit flag (second result display unit information) is not stored in the second result display unit flag storage area (second result display unit information storage means) provided in the various flag storage area 114e of RAM 114, the second result display unit flag is stored, and if it is stored, that state is maintained.

[0206] In the next step S913, a shift command (shift occurrence information) is set, which is information for making the performance control device 82, which is the sub-side control device, recognize that a shift of data in the hold area has occurred. In this case, a shift command including information that the hold area that is the target of this data shift corresponds to the hold area Rb for the second result display unit, i.e., information that it corresponds to the second actuation port 39, is selected from the command information storage area of ROM 113, and the selected shift command is set as the command to be sent to the performance control device 82. Thereafter, this data setting process ends.

[0207] The shift command set in step S913 is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S603 of the normal processing (FIG. 19). Based on the received shift command, the performance control device 82 executes processing to change the display on the second reserved light emitting unit 55 in accordance with the decrease in the number of reserved items.

[0208] Next, the pass / fail determination process in step S805 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0209] First, in step S1101, the data (jackpot random number counter C1) shifted to the current execution area AE and the result table of the ROM 113 are referenced to determine whether the current game result is a direct hit result. If it is a direct hit result, the process proceeds to step S1102, where a process of storing a V winning flag in the various flag storage area 114e is executed. The V winning flag originally indicates that the V winning sensor 192 has detected the passage of a gaming ball, but here it functions as a flag for the MPU 112 to grasp the occurrence of the second opening execution mode.

[0210] In the following step S1103, the direct hit command is set as a command to be sent to the performance control device 82. Also in step S1103, a process is executed to switch the display on the main display unit 43 to a display corresponding to a direct hit. After that, the true / false determination process is terminated.

[0211] The direct hit command set in step S1103 is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S603 in the normal processing (FIG. 19). The performance control device 82 executes processing for the start performance of the opening and closing execution mode based on the received direct hit command.

[0212] If the result of step S1101 is not a direct hit, the process proceeds to step S1104. In step S1104, the data (jackpot random number counter C1) currently shifted to the execution area AE and the result table in ROM 113 are referenced to determine whether the result of the current game is a loss. If the result is a loss, the process proceeds to step S1105, where the value set in the opening count counter in step S205 or step S211 in the winning process for the operating port (FIG. 15) is cleared to "0."

[0213] Then, in step S1106, the miss command is set as a command to be sent to performance control device 82. Also in step S1106, processing is executed to switch the display on main display unit 43 to a display corresponding to the miss result. Thereafter, the true / false determination processing is terminated.

[0214] The miss command set in step S1106 is sent in step S603 in the normal processing (FIG. 19) to the performance control device 82. Based on the received miss command, the performance control device 82 executes processing to notify that the role device 150 will not be in the open state.

[0215] If the result in step S1104 is not a loss, it means that the result of this hit / miss judgment is a normal opening result. In this case, in step S1107, a normal opening command is set as a command to be sent to the performance control device 82. Also, in step S1107, a process is executed to switch the display on the main display unit 43 to a display corresponding to the normal opening result. Thereafter, the true / false judgment process is terminated.

[0216] The normal opening command set in step S1107 is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S603 of the normal processing (FIG. 19). Based on the received normal opening command, the performance control device 82 executes processing for notifying that the accessory device 150 is in the open state. That is, in this embodiment, the result of the win / loss determination (game result) is immediately notified based on the winning of the operation ports 38, 39.

[0217] Next, the control start process in step S806 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0218] In the control start process, first, in step S1201, the opening count counter in RAM 114 is referenced to execute a process for determining the number of times the opening / closing device 168 has been opened. In the following step S1202, an opening / closing timing setting process is executed. In the opening / closing timing setting process, the opening timing of the current opening / closing device 168 is set by reference to data related to the opening timing, i.e., the value of the opening type counter CS, among the data shifted to the execution area AE in the data setting process (FIG. 22), and the opening timing table stored in ROM 113. Specifically, a numerical value corresponding to how many seconds after this process the opening / closing device 168 is to be put into the open state (when drive control of the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is to be started) is read from the opening timing table, and input to a standby counter provided in the various counter area 114d of RAM 114. This standby counter is updated (decremented) at a predetermined cycle, and when it reaches a predetermined value (e.g., "0"), it becomes possible to determine that it is time to open the opening / closing device 168.

[0219] In the following step S1203, a first distribution setting process is executed to set the operation mode of the first distribution member 300 (see FIG. 8). In the first distribution setting process in step S1203, the operation mode is set so that the first distribution member 300 maintains a non-distribution state (a state in which game balls are not distributed toward the loss opening 182b) during execution of the first opening and closing execution mode. That is, in this embodiment, during execution of the first opening and closing execution mode, all game balls that have entered the accessory device 150 and have been guided to the left-side guide passage 183 by the ball distribution unit 185 will reach the rotor 201. Note that this is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the first distribution member 300 is in a distribution state during part of the execution period of the first opening and closing execution mode, providing an opportunity for game balls that have entered the accessory device 150 to be guided to the loss opening 182b without reaching the rotor 201.

[0220] Next, in step S1204, a second distribution setting process is executed to set the operation mode of the second distribution member 310 (see FIG. 8), and further, in step S1205, a shutter setting process is executed to set the operation mode of the shutter 221 (see FIG. 8). In the second distribution setting process in step S1204, the operation mode of the second distribution member 310 is set so that the second distribution member 310 maintains a non-distributing state (a state in which game balls are not distributed toward the entrance guide section 215) while the first opening and closing execution mode is being executed. Also, in the shutter setting process in step S1205, the operation mode of the shutter 221 is set so that the shutter 221 maintains a closed state (a state in which the warp entrance section 214 is closed) while the first opening and closing execution mode is being executed.

[0221] That is, in this embodiment, in the first opening and closing execution mode, the route via the warp passage 210 is blocked, and the ball is subjected to a distribution lottery to determine whether or not it will win a V prize, solely by the rotating body 201. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, during a part of the execution period of the first opening and closing execution mode, the route via the warp passage 210 may be opened (the second distribution member 310 is in the distribution state and the shutter 221 is in the open state), and an opportunity may be provided for the game ball that has won the accessory device 150 to be guided to the V prize opening 182a without passing through the rotating body 201.

[0222] After step S1205 is executed, a setting process for the rotating body is executed in step S1206 to set the operation mode of the rotating body 201. The setting process for the rotating body in step S1206 sets the settings for returning the rotating body 201 to its initial position (the position where the V winning opening guide unit 204 faces the lead-out unit 186), the rotation start timing at which the rotating body 201 starts rotating after returning to the initial position, the rotation speed of the rotating body 201 after it has started rotating, etc. In this embodiment, the operation mode of the rotating body 201 is set so that the rotating body 201 starts rotating from its initial position when a predetermined period (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed since the winning of the winning ball into the actuation opening 38, 39 that triggered the execution of the first opening / closing execution mode, and then the rotating body 201 continues to rotate once every approximately 5 seconds, at least until the end of the first opening / closing execution mode. After step S1206 is executed, the control start process is terminated.

[0223] Returning to the explanation of the game control process in Fig. 21, if it is determined in step S802 that the first opening / closing execution mode is in progress, it is determined in step S807 whether or not the end waiting time has elapsed. The end waiting time is a period for waiting for the end of the first opening / closing execution mode after the opening / closing device 168 has finished opening and closing. The process for setting the end waiting time will be described later.

[0224] If the waiting time at the end has not elapsed, the game progress process of steps S808 to S810 is executed. In the game progress process, the control process is executed in step S808, the process for the operation part in the accessory is executed in step S809, and the winning process is executed in the following step S810, and then the game control process is terminated.

[0225] First, the control process in step S808 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0226] In step S1301, it is determined whether it is the timing to open the opening / closing device 168. In this determination, by referring to the value of the standby counter set in step S1202, it is possible to confirm whether it is the timing to open. If it is the timing to open in step S1301, an opening control process is executed in step S1302. In this process, the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is driven and controlled to displace the opening / closing device 168 into the open state. Also, in step S1302, a process is executed to input a value corresponding to the current opening period (uniformly 0.5 seconds in this embodiment) into an opening period counter provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114. The opening period counter is updated (decremented) at a predetermined cycle, and when it reaches a predetermined value (for example, "0"), it becomes possible to know that it is the timing to close the opening / closing device 168.

[0227] Then, in the following step S1303, the opening count counter in RAM 114 is decremented by "1". In the following step S1304, the opening count counter in RAM 114 is referenced to determine whether or not this is the first opening in the first opening and closing execution mode. If this is the first opening, in step S1305, a first opening and closing execution mode flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of RAM 114, and then this control in progress processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1305 that this is not the first opening, that is, if this is the second opening of a two-time opening, this control in progress processing is terminated.

[0228] If it is not the timing to open the opening / closing device 168 in step S1301, the process proceeds to step S1306. In step S1306, it is determined whether it is the timing to close the opening / closing device 168. In this process, it is possible to check whether it is the timing to close by referring to the value of the open period counter input in step S1302 above. If it is the timing to close in step S1306, a close control process is executed in step S1307. In this process, the drive control of the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is terminated, thereby displacing the opening / closing device 168 into the closed state.

[0229] In the next step S1308, the opening number counter in RAM 114 is referenced to determine whether the remaining opening number is "0." If it is "0," in step S1309, processing is executed to set a waiting time at the end.

[0230] As already explained, the end waiting time is a period for waiting for the end of the first opening / closing execution mode after the opening / closing device 168 has finished opening and closing. The waiting time is set taking into consideration the period until the game ball that has entered the bonus device 150 is discharged from the bonus device 150. In this embodiment, the period until the game ball that has entered the bonus device 150 passes through the left guide passage 183 and the rotor 201 and reaches the V winning sensor 192 is set to about 3 seconds, while the end waiting time is set to a predetermined period longer than this (uniformly 3.5 seconds in this embodiment). With this configuration, even if the game ball enters just before the bonus device 150 closes, it is possible to expect the occurrence of a jackpot based on the V winning.

[0231] In step S1309, a process is executed in which a value corresponding to 3.5 seconds is input to the end-of-wait time counter provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114. The end-of-wait time counter is updated (decremented by 1) each time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 14) is executed, so that it becomes possible to know that the end-of-wait time has elapsed when the end-of-wait time counter reaches a predetermined value (for example, "0").

[0232] If the number of openings is not "0" in step S1308, that is, if the second opening of the two openings remains, then in step S1310, a process for setting the waiting time (closed time) until the second opening is executed is executed. In the process of step S1310, a process for inputting a value corresponding to the current waiting time (uniformly 1 sec in this embodiment) into a waiting time counter in RAM 114 is executed.

[0233] If it is not the timing to close in step S1306, the process during control is terminated after the process of step S1309 is executed or after the process of step S1310 is executed.

[0234] Next, the processing for the operation part in the accessory in step S809 in the game control processing (FIG. 21) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0235] In step S1401, it is determined whether it is time to displace the first sorting member 300. If it is time to displace, in step S1402, a first sorting control process is executed. In this process, a process is performed to change the drive state of the first sorting driver 300a. Specifically, the drive state of the first sorting driver 300a is determined, and if it is in a driven state, the drive is terminated, and the first sorting member 300 is displaced from the sorting state to the non-sorting state. Furthermore, if the first sorting driver 300a is not in a driven state, the drive is initiated, and the first sorting member 300 is displaced from the non-sorting state to the sorting state.

[0236] If it is not time to displace the first sorting member 300 in step S1401, or after the processing of step S1402 has been executed, the process proceeds to step S1403. In step S1403, it is determined whether it is time to displace the second sorting member 310. If it is time to displace, in step S1404, a second sorting control process is executed. In this process, a process is performed to change the drive state of the second sorting drive unit 310a. Specifically, the drive state of the second sorting drive unit 310a is determined, and if it is in a driven state, its drive is terminated, and the second sorting member 310 is changed from the sorting state to the non-sorting state. Furthermore, if the second sorting drive unit 310a is not in a driven state, its drive is started, and the second sorting member 310 is changed from the non-sorting state to the sorting state.

[0237] As already explained, in this embodiment, in the first opening / closing execution mode, both the first distributing member 300 and the second distributing member 310 are set to be maintained in a non-distributing state (steps S1203 and S1204 in Figure 24), so the judgments in the above steps S1401 and S1403 in the first opening / closing execution mode always return a negative judgment, and the processing of the above steps S1402 and S1404 is not executed.

[0238] If it is not the timing to displace the second dividing member 310 in step S1403, or after the processing of step S1404 has been executed, the process proceeds to step S1405. In step S1405, it is determined whether it is the timing to displace the shutter 221. If it is the timing to displace the shutter 221, shutter control processing is executed in step S1406. In this processing, processing to change the driving state of the shutter driver 221a is performed. Specifically, the driving state of the shutter driver 221a is grasped, and if it is in a driving state, the driving is terminated and the shutter 221 is displaced from the open state to the closed state. Furthermore, if the shutter driver 221a is not in a driving state, the driving is started and the shutter 221 is displaced from the closed state to the open state.

[0239] In addition, since the shutter 221 is set to be maintained in a closed state in the first opening / closing execution mode (step S1205 in Figure 24), the judgment in step S1405 above in the first opening / closing execution mode will always be a negative judgment, and the processing of step S1406 above will not be executed.

[0240] After step S1406 is executed, a rotating body control process is executed in step S1407. In the process of step S1407, the driving state of the rotating body driving unit 194 is controlled to drive and control the rotating body 201 according to the setting contents already described (step S1206 in FIG. 24). After step S1407 is executed, the process for the internal operating unit of this role object is terminated.

[0241] Next, the winning process in step S810 in the game control process (FIG. 21) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0242] In step S1501, the detection state of the entrance sensor 179 is grasped to determine whether or not the gaming ball has entered the bonus device 150. If a winning ball has entered the bonus device 150, in step S1502, a bonus device winning command is set as a command to be sent to the performance control device 82. The bonus device winning command set in step S1502 is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S603 of the normal processing (FIG. 19). Based on the bonus device winning command received, the performance control device 82 executes processing to notify that a winning ball has entered the bonus device 150 (a notification to draw attention to the movement of the gaming ball inside the bonus device 150).

[0243] In the next step S1503, a process is executed to increment the remaining ball counter RPC provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114 by 1. This remaining ball counter RPC is used by the MPU 112 to grasp the number of game balls present in the accessory device 150.

[0244] If it is determined in step S1501 that no winning has occurred in the accessory device 150, or after the processing of step S1503 has been executed, it is determined in step S1504 whether or not the passage of a gaming ball (occurrence of a V winning) has been detected by the V winning sensor 192. If the occurrence of a V winning has been detected, a V winning flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114 in step S1505. In the following step S1506, a process is executed to decrement the remaining ball counter RPC provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114 by 1. In other words, if the occurrence of a V winning has been detected in step S1504, in addition to the occurrence of a V winning, this also means that a gaming ball has been discharged from the accessory device 150, so the remaining ball counter RPC is decremented to update the number of gaming balls in the accessory device 150. After execution of step S1506, this winning process is terminated.

[0245] On the other hand, if the occurrence of a V winning is not detected in step S1504, it is determined in step S1507 whether or not the passage (miss) of a gaming ball is detected by the loss sensor 193. If a miss is detected, the process proceeds to step S1506, where a process of decrementing the remaining ball counter RPC by 1 is executed. In other words, even if a miss is detected, not only is a miss for the gaming ball confirmed, but it also means that the gaming ball has been discharged from the accessory device 150, so the number of gaming balls in the accessory device 150 is updated by decrementing the remaining ball counter RPC. On the other hand, if a miss is not detected in step S1507, that is, if neither a V winning nor a miss has been identified, the winning process ends without updating the remaining ball counter RPC.

[0246] Returning to the explanation of the game control process in Fig. 21, if it is determined in step S807 that the end waiting time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S811, and the game end process of steps S811 to S813 is executed. Note that, in a situation where the end waiting time has not been set, a negative determination is made in step S807, and the game progress process of steps S808 to S810 described above is executed.

[0247] In the game termination process, first, in step S811, a process is executed to clear the first opening / closing execution mode flag stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. In the following step S812, a control termination process is executed. In this process, a process for terminating the control (first opening / closing execution mode) of the accessory device 150 for one pending information is executed. Specifically, the presence or absence of an error in each of the drive units 173, 300a, 310a, 194 is checked, and a process for returning to the initial position is executed.

[0248] Next, in step S813, the control end command is set as a command to be sent to the performance control device 82, and then this game control process is terminated. The control end command set in step S813 is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S603 in the normal process (FIG. 19). Based on the received control end command, the performance control device 82 executes a process to notify that control of the accessory device 150 will end.

[0249] <Game status transition processing> Next, the gaming state transition process in step S606 in the normal process (FIG. 19) will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS.

[0250] First, in step S1601, it is determined whether the second opening / closing execution mode (opening / closing execution mode based on the result of a jackpot) is being executed. If the second opening / closing execution mode is not being executed, the process proceeds to step S1602, where it is determined whether the first opening / closing execution mode (opening / closing execution mode based on the result of a normal opening) is being executed. If the first opening / closing execution mode is being executed, the game state transition process is terminated.

[0251] On the other hand, if the first opening / closing execution mode is not being executed, it is determined in step S1603 whether the current game result corresponds to a transition to the second opening / closing execution mode. Specifically, it is determined whether a V winning flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. If the V winning flag is not stored, the game state transition process is terminated.

[0252] If the V winning flag is stored, in step S1604, a process for starting the second opening / closing execution mode is executed. In this process, the V winning flag stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114 is erased, and a second opening / closing execution mode flag is stored in the same area 114e. In addition, in step S1604, an opening waiting time (start waiting period) for waiting without starting to open the opening / closing role 168 of the role device 150 for the opening of the opening / closing execution mode is set. Specifically, opening waiting time information stored in advance in the ROM 113 is set in a waiting time counter area provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114. The value of the waiting time information set here is decremented by 1 each time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 14) is executed.

[0253] In the next step S1605, a type determination process is executed to determine the type of the current opening / closing execution mode. Specifically, the value of the jackpot type counter C2 is grasped from the reserved information stored in the current execution area AE, and the type table in the ROM 113 is referenced to determine whether the type of the current opening / closing execution mode is the 16R continuation mode or the continuation rate variable mode.

[0254] In the following step S1606, it is determined based on the processing result of step S1605 whether the current opening / closing execution mode is the 16R continuation mode. If it is the 16R continuation mode, in step S1607, a continuation flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. The continuation flag is a flag that allows the MPU 112 to know that the current opening / closing execution mode is the 16R continuation mode.

[0255] If the 16R continuation mode is not selected in step S1606, or after the processing of step S1607 has been executed, the process proceeds to step S1608. In step S1608, a first round counter RC1 provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114 is set to "15," and a second round counter RC2 provided in the same various counter area 114d is set to "19." The first round counter RC1 is a counter for counting the number of times a round of play has been played in one second opening / closing execution mode, and the second round counter RC2 is a counter for counting the number of times the opening / closing device 168 has been opened in one round of play.

[0256] In this embodiment, the first opening / closing execution mode when a direct hit or V winning occurs corresponds to the first round of 16 rounds of play, and the second opening / closing execution mode starts from the second round onwards. In other words, the second round is the first round in the second opening / closing execution mode.

[0257] After step S1608 is executed, a setting process for the rotating body is executed in step S1609. In the setting process for the rotating body, settings are made to return the rotating body 201 to its initial position (the position where the V winning opening guide portion 204 faces the lead-out portion 186), the rotation start timing at which the rotating body 201 starts to rotate after returning to the initial position, the rotation speed of the rotating body 201 that has started to rotate, etc. In this embodiment, the operation mode of the rotating body 201 is set so that it starts to rotate from its initial position when a predetermined period (for example, 1 second) has elapsed from the start timing of the opening, and then rotates once every approximately 5 seconds, continuously repeating this rotation at least until the end of the second opening / closing execution mode.

[0258] In the following step S1610, an opening command is set. This set opening command is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S603 of the normal processing (FIG. 19). This opening command includes information indicating whether the 16R continuation mode or the continuation rate variable mode is selected. The performance control device 82 determines the content of the performance corresponding to the opening / closing execution mode based on the received opening command, and controls various devices so that the determined content of the performance is executed. The content of this performance includes the display mode of the pattern display device 51, and this determined display mode is output from the performance control device 82 to the display control device 100 as a display content command. The display control device 100 controls the display of the pattern display device 51 so that a display (e.g., a moving image display) corresponding to the current opening / closing execution mode is performed based on the display content command received from the performance control device 82.

[0259] In the next step S1611, an external signal setting process is executed, and then the game state transition process is terminated. In the external signal setting process, the signal output state of the output terminal for the jackpot signal provided in the external output terminal 99 is set to the jackpot signal output state. As a result, if the output terminal for the jackpot signal is connected to a management control device on the gaming facility side, a jackpot signal is output to the management control device, and the management control device can know that a jackpot has occurred in the pachinko machine 10.

[0260] On the other hand, if the second opening / closing execution mode is in progress, an affirmative determination is made in step S1601, and the process proceeds to step S1612. In step S1612, it is determined whether the opening waiting time has elapsed. If the opening waiting time has not elapsed, the game state transition process is terminated. If the opening waiting time has elapsed, the opening / closing process is executed in step S1613.

[0261] The opening and closing process will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0262] First, in step S1701, it is determined whether the value of the first round counter RC1 is "0". If the value of the first round counter RC1 is "0", this opening / closing process is terminated, whereas if the value is not "0", it is determined in step S1702 whether a round game is in progress. Specifically, it is determined whether a round flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. The round flag is a flag indicating that a round game is being played, and is stored in the various flag storage area 114e at the start of a round game and is erased at the end of the round game.

[0263] If it is determined in step S1702 that the round flag is not stored and that a round of play is not in progress, it is determined in step S1703 whether the value of the timer counter T provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114 is "0." The processing of this step corresponds to the processing of determining whether the closing time (waiting time) between rounds of play, which will be described later, has elapsed.

[0264] If the value of the timer counter T is not "0", the opening / closing process is terminated, whereas if it is "0", the process proceeds to step S1704, where the setting process for each round is executed.

[0265] Specifically, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 30, the setting process for each round is performed as follows: first, in step S1801, it is determined whether a continuation flag is stored in RAM 114. That is, it is determined whether the current opening and closing execution mode is the 16R continuation mode. If the continuation flag is not stored and the current opening and closing execution mode is the continuation rate variable mode, in step S1802, a process for determining the number of rounds is performed. In this process, the value of the first round counter RC1 is referenced to determine which round in the opening and closing execution mode the round to be set in the setting process for the current round is. Then, in step S1803, a round pattern table stored in the various table storage area 113d of ROM 113 is referenced.

[0266] In the round pattern table, the opening and closing patterns for each round are determined in one second opening and closing execution mode, as shown in Fig. 31. A plurality of opening and closing patterns for the opening and closing accessory 168 for each round are set, and opening and closing patterns A, B, C, and D are set.

[0267] Specific opening and closing modes for each of the opening and closing patterns A to D are defined in an opening and closing pattern table stored in the various table storage area 113d of the ROM 113. As shown in Fig. 32(a) to (d), the opening and closing pattern table stores the opening and closing modes of the opening and closing device 168 in association with the number of times the opening and closing device 168 is opened in each round of play. The opening and closing pattern table defines the opening and closing mode of the opening and closing device 168 for each game section, after dividing the round of play into three game sections (play periods): a first game section in the early stage (opening from the first to the sixth time), a second game section in the middle stage (opening from the seventh to the thirteenth time), and a third game section in the late stage (opening from the fourteenth to the nineteenth time).

[0268] For example, in pattern A, as shown in FIG. 32(a), during the 19 openings in one round of play, the first through sixth openings (RC2 = 19-14) in the first game zone and the seventh through thirteenth openings (RC2 = 13-7) in the second game zone are opened for 1.5 seconds, which is longer than the game ball launch cycle (0.6 seconds), and then closed for 0.5 seconds (also referred to as pattern P1). Furthermore, the fourteenth through nineteenth openings (RC2 = 6-1) in the third game zone are opened for 0.5 seconds and then closed for 1.5 seconds (also referred to as pattern P2). In the case of P1, winning the bonus device 150 is relatively likely due to the launch cycle, while in the case of P2, winning is possible but less likely than A1. In other words, pattern A makes it easier for game balls to enter the bonus device 150 in the first and second game zones.

[0269] As shown in Fig. 32(b), the opening and closing pattern B is set so that the second game zone is the opening and closing pattern P1, and the first game zone and the third game zone are the opening and closing pattern P2. In other words, the opening and closing pattern B is set so that the game ball is likely to enter the accessory device 150 in the second game zone.

[0270] As shown in Fig. 32(c), the opening and closing pattern C is set so that the first game zone is the opening and closing pattern P1, and the second game zone and the third game zone are the opening and closing pattern P2. In other words, the opening and closing pattern C is set so that the game ball is likely to enter the accessory device 150 in the first game zone.

[0271] 32(d), the opening and closing pattern D is set so that the third game zone is the opening and closing pattern P1, and the first game zone and the second game zone are the opening and closing pattern P2. In other words, the opening and closing pattern D makes it easier for the game ball to enter the accessory device 150 in the third game zone.

[0272] Taking these points into consideration, the winning characteristics of each round game will be explained as follows: as shown in Figure 32(e), the second round game in which opening and closing pattern A is set is a round game with winning characteristics A that make it easier for the game ball to enter the special device 150 in the first and second game sections (1st to 13th openings), and the third to seventh rounds in which opening and closing pattern B is set are round games with winning characteristics B that make it easier for the game ball to enter the special device 150 in the second game section (7th to 13th openings). Furthermore, the round games from the 8th round to the 11th round, for which opening and closing pattern D is set, are round games with winning characteristics D that make it easier for the game ball to enter the special device 150 in the third game section (14th to 19th openings), and the round games from the 12th round to the 16th round, for which opening and closing pattern C is set, are round games with winning characteristics C that make it easier for the game ball to enter the special device 150 in the first game section (1st to 6th openings).

[0273] Returning to the explanation of the setting process for each round (FIG. 30), after referring to the round pattern table in step S1803, a process for setting the corresponding round pattern (opening and closing pattern of the round) is executed in step S1804. Specifically, the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114 has flag storage areas corresponding to the patterns A to D, and for example, for the opening and closing pattern A, a flag is stored in the corresponding area.

[0274] If the continuation flag is stored in step S1801, or after the processing of step S1804 has been executed, the process proceeds to step S1805. In step S1805, "9" is set in the winning counter PC provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114. The winning counter PC indicates the number of winning balls in one round of play, and in this embodiment, the round of play ends when nine game balls enter the accessory device 150 in one round of play. In the following step S1806, the second round counter RC2 is set to "19", and then in step S1807, the round flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. After execution of step S1807, this setting process ends.

[0275] Returning to the explanation of the opening and closing process (FIG. 29), after the process in step S1704 is executed, the setting process for each opening is executed in step S1705.

[0276] Specifically, in the setting process for each opening, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 33, first, in step S1901, it is determined whether or not a continuation flag is set. This process is the same as the process of step S1801 above. If the continuation flag is not set and the continuation rate variable mode is in effect, the process proceeds to step S1902. In step S1902, the second round counter RC2 is determined to determine which opening of the opening / closing device 168 this time has occurred in one round. Then, in step S1903, the opening / closing pattern table (FIGS. 32(a) to (d)) stored in the various table storage area 113d of the ROM 113 is referenced, and in step S1904, opening / closing patterns P1 and P2 corresponding to the opening number determined in step S1902 are set.

[0277] In the following step S1905, a sorting pattern table stored in the various table storage area 113d of the ROM 113 is referenced. The sorting pattern table will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0278] The sorting pattern tables include a first sorting pattern table (FIG. 34(a)) for the first sorting member 300 and a second sorting pattern table (FIG. 34(b)) for the second sorting member 310. First, the first sorting pattern table will be described.

[0279] As shown in Fig. 34(a), the first distribution pattern table stores the operation mode of the first distribution member 300 in association with the number of times the opening / closing device 168 is opened in each round of play. As in the case of the opening / closing pattern table (Fig. 32), the first distribution pattern table divides the round of play into three game zones: a first game zone in the early stage (opening from the first to the sixth time), a second game zone in the middle stage (opening from the seventh to the thirteenth time), and a third game zone in the late stage (opening from the fourteenth to the nineteenth time), and specifies the operation mode of the first distribution member 300 for each game zone.

[0280] In each opening of the first game section (1st to 6th times) and the third game section (14th to 19th times), the operation mode of the first distributing member 300 is set to operation pattern MA. In operation pattern MA, the first distributing member 300 changes to the distributing state after a period TM1 (0.5 seconds) from the start of opening of the opening / closing device 168, and then changes to the non-distributing state after a period TM2 (0.1 seconds) from that displacement, and thereafter the non-distributing state is maintained until the opening / closing device 168 is closed.

[0281] In addition, in each opening of the second game section (7th to 13th times), the operation mode of the first distributing member 300 is set to operation pattern MB. Operation pattern MB is such that the first distributing member 300 changes to the distributing state after a period TM3 (0.5 seconds) from the start of opening of the opening / closing device 168, and then changes to the non-distributing state after a period TM4 (0.5 seconds) from that change, and thereafter the non-distributing state is maintained until the opening / closing device 168 is closed.

[0282] That is, in the second game zone, the period during which the first sorting member 300 is in the sorting state is longer than in the first game zone and the third game zone. Therefore, game balls flowing down the left guide passage 183 are more likely to be sorted into the deviation opening 182b by the first sorting member 300 in the second game zone, and are less likely to reach the rotor 201.

[0283] Next, the second distribution pattern table will be described. As shown in Fig. 34(b), the second distribution pattern table stores the operation mode of the second distribution member 310 in association with the number of times the opening / closing device 168 is opened in each round of play. As with the first distribution pattern table, the second distribution pattern table divides the round of play into three game zones: a first game zone in the early stage (opening from the first to the sixth times), a second game zone in the middle stage (opening from the seventh to the thirteenth times), and a third game zone in the late stage (opening from the fourteenth to the nineteenth times), and specifies the operation mode of the second distribution member 310 for each game zone.

[0284] In each opening of the first game section (1st to 6th times), the operation mode of the second distribution member 310 is set to operation pattern SA. In operation pattern SA, the second distribution member 310 changes to a distribution state after a period TS1 (0.5 seconds) from the start of opening of the opening / closing device 168, and changes to a non-distribution state after a period TS2 (0.1 seconds) from that change, and thereafter the non-distribution state is maintained until the opening / closing device 168 is closed.

[0285] Furthermore, in each opening of the second game zone (7th to 13th times) and the third game zone (14th to 19th times), the operation mode of the second distribution member 310 is set to operation pattern SB. Operation pattern SB is such that the state changes to the distribution state after a period TS3 (0.5 seconds) from the start of opening of the opening / closing device 168, and changes to the non-distribution state after a period TS4 (0.3 seconds) from that change, and thereafter the non-distribution state is maintained until the opening / closing device 168 is closed.

[0286] That is, in the second and third game zones, the period during which the second distribution member 310 is in the distribution state is longer than in the first game zone. Therefore, winning balls are more likely to be distributed to the entrance guide portion 215 side when winning in the second and third game zones than when winning in the accessory device 150 in the first game zone.

[0287] Here, in this embodiment, the operation mode of the shutter 221 is set so that the shutter 221 is in a closed state (a state in which the warp entrance section 214 is closed) during the period in which the second sorting member 310 is in the sorting state. For this reason, the game balls sorted by the second sorting member 310 to the entrance guide section 215 side cannot pass through the warp passage 210, and are stored as they are in the accessory device 150. Therefore, by setting the operation mode of the second sorting member 310 as described above, game balls that have won in the accessory device 150 are more likely to be stored in the accessory device 150 when the opening number related to the winning is between the 7th and 13th times (second game section) and the 14th and 19th times (third game section).

[0288] Next, we will explain the distribution characteristics resulting from the combination of the first distribution member 300 and the second distribution member 310. As shown in Figure 34 (c), in the first game section (first to sixth openings), the operation mode of the first distribution member 300 is set to operation pattern SA, and the operation mode of the second distribution member 310 is set to operation pattern MA. Therefore, the game balls that enter the accessory device 150 in the first game section are less likely to be accumulated in the accessory device 150 and are more likely to reach the rotor 201.

[0289] In the second game zone (the 7th to 13th openings), the operation mode of the first distribution member 300 is set to the operation pattern SB, and the operation mode of the second distribution member 310 is set to the operation pattern MB. Therefore, the game balls that enter the accessory device 150 in the second game zone are likely to be accumulated in the accessory device 150 and are unlikely to reach the rotor 201.

[0290] In the third game zone (14th to 19th openings), the operation mode of the first distribution member 300 is set to operation pattern SA, and the operation mode of the second distribution member 310 is set to operation pattern MA. Therefore, the game ball that enters the accessory device 150 in the third game zone is likely to be stored in the accessory device 150, and if it is not stored, it is likely to reach the rotor 201.

[0291] The operation modes of the first distributing member 300 and the second distributing member 310 are common to all rounds (2nd round to 16th round), unlike the opening and closing patterns of the opening and closing device 168. In other words, the operation modes of the distributing members 300, 310 are uniquely determined for each round.

[0292] Returning to the explanation of the setting process for each release (FIG. 33), after referring to the distribution pattern table in step S1905, in step S1906, an operation pattern corresponding to the release number determined in step S1902 is set for each of the distribution members 300, 310. Specifically, for the first distribution member 300, a value equivalent to the period TM1 (0.5 sec) is set in the first distribution counter provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114. Also, for the second distribution member 310, a value equivalent to the period TS1 (0.5 sec) is set in the second distribution counter provided in the same area 114d. The first distribution counter and the second distribution counter are updated (decremented by 1) each time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 14) is executed, and when each of these counters becomes a predetermined value (e.g., "0"), it becomes possible to determine the displacement timing of each of the distribution members 300, 310.

[0293] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S1901 that the continuation flag is stored, the process proceeds to step S1907, and the opening / closing pattern for the current round is set to P1. That is, in the case of the 16R continuation mode, the opening / closing pattern that results in the longest opening time in all rounds (RC1) and all opening times (RC2) is set. Therefore, in the 16R continuation mode, it is easier to win the maximum number of prizes in each round. In this embodiment, in the opening / closing execution mode of the 16R continuation mode, the game continues to the next round even if no V wins (even if the continuation condition is not met).

[0294] In the next step S1908, the operation mode (allocation pattern) of each of the allocation members 300, 310 is set. As in the first opening / closing execution mode, the allocation pattern in the 16R continuation mode is set so that each of the allocation members 300, 310 is maintained in a non-allocation state throughout the entire period from the start to the end of each opening (in other words, the entire period from the start to the end of a round game).

[0295] After the process of step S1906 or the process of step S1908 is executed, this setting process ends.

[0296] Returning to the explanation of the opening / closing process (FIG. 29), after the setting process for each opening is executed in step S1705, the opening process is executed in step S1706. Specifically, drive control of the opening / closing role drive unit 173 is started to set the opening / closing role 168 in the open state. Then, in step S1707, an opening command is set, and the opening / closing process ends. This set opening command is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S603 of the normal process (FIG. 19). This opening command includes information on whether or not the 16R continuation mode is in effect, as well as which round the opening is in (information on the first round counter RC1), which number of times the opening has occurred in one round (information on the second round counter RC2), and information on the opening / closing patterns A to D. Based on the received opening command, the performance control device 82 determines the content of the performance that notifies the opening / closing pattern, the winning rate for the role device 150, etc., and controls various devices so that the determined content of the performance is executed.

[0297] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S1702 that the round flag has been stored and a round of play is in progress, the process proceeds to step S1708, where it is determined whether the opening / closing device 168 is being opened or not. Specifically, this determination is made based on the drive state of the opening / closing device drive unit 173. If the opening / closing device 168 is being opened or closed, open processing is executed in step S1709, and then this opening / closing processing is terminated.

[0298] Here, the open state process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0299] In the opening process, first, in step S2101, it is determined whether the value of the timer counter T is "0." The process of this step is a process of determining whether the opening time per one time of the opening / closing device 168, that is, the elapsed time since the opening of the opening / closing device 168 started, has reached the opening time (upper limit opening time) set by referring to the opening / closing pattern table (Fig. 32).

[0300] If the value of the timer counter T is not "0" and the opening time of the opening / closing device 168 has not reached the upper limit opening time, the process proceeds to step S2102, where it is determined whether or not a gaming ball has entered the device 150 based on the detection state of the entrance sensor 179. If no winning has occurred, the opening / closing process is terminated. On the other hand, if a winning has occurred, the value of the winning counter PC is decremented by "1" in step S2103, and then the remaining ball counter RPC is incremented by 1 in step S2104. After step S2104 is executed, it is determined in step S2105 whether or not the winning counter PC is "0". If it is not "0" and the maximum number of winnings in one round (upper limit number of winnings) has not been reached, the opening / closing process is terminated.

[0301] On the other hand, if the winning counter PC is "0" and the number of winning game balls in the accessory device 150 has reached the maximum number of winning games in one round, the process proceeds to step S2106. In step S2106, a process is executed to clear the second round counter RC2 to "0" to end the current round of play.

[0302] Also, if the value of the timer counter T is "0" in step S2101 above, that is, if the opening time of the opening / closing device 168 has reached the upper limit opening time, proceed to step S2107 and execute the process of subtracting "1" from the second round counter RC2.

[0303] After step S2106 or step S2107 is executed, a closing process is executed in step S2108. In this process, drive control of the opening / closing device drive unit 173 is terminated, and the opening / closing device 168 is placed in a closed state. In the following step S2109, it is determined whether the second round counter RC2 is "0." If the second round counter RC2 is not "0," this means that there are remaining openings in the current round of play. In this case, the process proceeds to step S2110, where a setting process for the closing time (closing period, waiting period) between each opening is executed. In this process, the current closing time (closing period, waiting period) is determined by referring to the value of the second round counter RC2 and the opening / closing pattern table (Figure 32), and a value corresponding to that time is entered into the timer counter T.

[0304] On the other hand, if the second round counter RC2 is "0" in step S2109 and there are no remaining openings, the process proceeds to step S2111, where a process for setting a waiting time at the end of the round game is executed. The waiting time at the end of the round game is used to wait for the end of the round game after the final opening and closing in the round game is completed. In other words, in this embodiment, the end of the round game is determined when the waiting time at the end of the round game has elapsed. The waiting time at the end of the round game is set, similar to the waiting time at the end for the first opening and closing execution mode (step S1309 in FIG. 25), taking into consideration the period until the game ball that has entered the accessory device 150 is discharged from the accessory device 150. In other words, the waiting time at the end of the round game is set to a predetermined period (uniformly 3.5 seconds in this embodiment) that is longer than the period (approximately 3 seconds) until the game ball that has entered the accessory device 150 passes through the left guide passage 183 and the rotor 201 and reaches the V winning sensor 192. Therefore, at the end of a round of play, all of the game balls that have entered the bonus device 150, except for the game balls stored in the bonus device 150, will have been discharged from the bonus device 150.

[0305] In step S2111, a process is executed in which a value corresponding to 3.5 seconds is input to a termination standby time counter provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114. The termination standby time counter is updated (decremented by 1) every time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 14) is executed, so that it becomes possible to know that the termination standby time has elapsed when the counter reaches a predetermined value (for example, "0").

[0306] In the following step S2112, a shutter setting process is executed to set the operation mode of the shutter 221. In this process, the operation mode of the shutter 221 is set so that the shutter 221 transitions from the closed state to the open state after a period TT1 (0 sec) has elapsed from the timing of the end of the round of play, and returns to the closed state at a timing when a period TT2 (0.3 sec) has elapsed from the transition. In this embodiment, since the period TT1 is set to 0 sec, the shutter 221 transitions to the open state at the timing of the end of the round of play. Furthermore, except for the period (period TT2) during which the open state is maintained, the shutter 221 is set to maintain the closed state during the execution of the second opening / closing execution mode.

[0307] In step S2112, a value corresponding to the above-mentioned period TT1 is set in a shutter counter provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114. The shutter counter is updated (decremented by 1) each time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 14) is executed, so when the shutter counter reaches a predetermined value (for example, "0"), it becomes possible to know the displacement timing of the shutter 221.

[0308] After step S2110 or step S2112 is executed, a close command is set in step S2113, and this opening / closing process is terminated. This set close command is sent to the performance control device 82 in step S603 of the normal process (FIG. 19). This close command includes information as to whether each process for this closing corresponds to the end of one round, or whether it corresponds to each opening / closing during one round. Based on the received close command, the performance control device 82 determines the content of the performance corresponding to each piece of information, and controls various devices so that the determined content of the performance is executed.

[0309] Returning to the explanation of the opening / closing process (Fig. 29), if it is determined in step S1708 that the opening / closing device 168 is not open, that is, that the opening / closing device 168 is closed, the process proceeds to step S1710, where it is determined whether the value of the timer counter T is "0." The process of this step is a process of determining whether the closing time between each opening set in step S2110 (Fig. 35) above or the end waiting time set in step S2111 above has elapsed.

[0310] If the value of the timer counter T is not "0," the opening / closing process is terminated. If the value is "0," step S1711 determines whether the second round counter RC2 is "0." If the second round counter RC2 is not "0," this means that the closing time between the above-mentioned openings has elapsed. In this case, the process from step S1705 onward is executed to execute the remaining openings in this round of play. On the other hand, if the second round counter RC2 is "0," this means that the above-mentioned end wait time has elapsed, in other words, it is time to end the round of play. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1712 and executes round update processing. Then, the opening / closing process is terminated.

[0311] Here, the round update process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0312] In the round update process, first, in step S2201, it is determined whether the value of the first round counter RC1 is 1. The round update process is executed at the timing of the end of a round, and in step S2201, it is determined whether the current timing of the end of the round is that of the final round in the second opening / closing execution mode.

[0313] If the value of the first round counter RC1 is not "1" and corresponds to the end timing of a round game other than the final round, the process proceeds to step S2202, where it is determined whether or not a continuation flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. This process is the same as the process of step S1801 above. If a continuation flag is not stored, that is, if the execution mode of the second opening / closing execution mode is the continuous fluctuation mode, it is determined in step S2203 whether or not a V winning flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. That is, in step S2203, it is determined whether or not a continuation condition for the next round game is established. If a V winning flag is stored and the continuation condition is established, the process proceeds to step S2204, where a process is executed to clear the V winning flag stored in the various flag storage area 114e.

[0314] If a positive determination is made in step S2202 (if the execution mode of the second opening / closing execution mode is the 16R continuation mode) or after the processing of step S2204 is executed, the first round counter RC1 is decremented by "1" to update the number of rounds. In the following step S2206, a process for setting the closing time between rounds (round interval period) is executed. In this process, a value corresponding to a predetermined time (e.g., 1.5 seconds) is input to the timer counter T. The elapsed timing of the closing time between rounds set here can be grasped by executing the determination process of step S1703 (FIG. 29) in the next or subsequent normal processing (opening / closing processing).

[0315] After step S2206 is executed, a round update command is set in step S2207. This set round update command is sent to the effect control device 82 in step S603 of the normal processing (FIG. 19). This round update command includes information such as the closing time between rounds set in step S2206 above and the round number of the next round game (which round game it is). Based on the received round update command, the effect control device 82 determines the content of the effect corresponding to the end of the round game or the start of the next round, and controls various devices so that the determined content of the effect is executed.

[0316] On the other hand, if the value of the first round counter RC1 is "1" in step S2201 (the timing of the end of the final round), or if the V winning flag is not stored in step S2203 (the continuation condition is not met), the process proceeds to step S2208. In step S2208, a process is executed to clear the value of the first round counter RC1 to "0" to end the second opening and closing execution mode. In the following step S2209, an ending start process is executed. In this start process, a waiting time for the ending of the opening and closing execution mode is set. Specifically, waiting time information for the ending stored in advance in ROM 113 is set in a waiting time counter provided in the various counter area 114d of RAM 114. The value of the waiting time information set here is subtracted by "1" each time the timer interrupt process (FIG. 14) is executed.

[0317] Then, in step S2210, an ending command is set. This set ending command is sent to the effect control device 82 in step S603 of the normal processing (FIG. 19). This ending command includes information such as the waiting time for the ending set in step S2209, the type of the second opening / closing execution mode, and the number of rounds of play to continue. The effect control device 82 determines the content of the effect corresponding to the end of the opening / closing execution mode based on the received ending command, and controls various devices so that the determined content of the effect is executed. The content of this effect includes the display mode of the pattern display device 51, and this determined display mode is output from the effect control device 82 to the display control device 100 as a display content command. The display control device 100 controls the display of the pattern display device 51 so that a display (e.g., a moving image display) corresponding to the current opening / closing execution mode is performed based on the display content command received from the effect control device 82.

[0318] After step S2207 or step S2210 is executed, the process proceeds to step S2211, where the round flag stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114 is cleared, and then the round update process is terminated.

[0319] Returning to the explanation of the game state transition process (Fig. 28), after executing the opening and closing process of step S1613, execute the process for the operation part in the accessory in step S1614. The process of this step is the same as the process for the operation part in the accessory in Fig. 26, so it will be explained with reference to the same figure.

[0320] In the processing for the role object operating unit in step S1614, first in step S1401, it is determined whether it is time to displace the first distribution member 300. This determination can be made by referring to the value of the first distribution counter set in step S1906 (FIG. 33) above. Then, if the first distribution counter is at a predetermined value (for example, "0"), that is, if it is time to displace, in step S1402, the first distribution control processing is executed.

[0321] In this process, a process for changing the drive state of the first sorting driver 300a is performed. Specifically, the drive state of the first sorting driver 300a is determined, and if it is in a drive state, the drive is stopped and the first sorting member 300 is changed from the sorting state to the non-sorting state. Furthermore, if the first sorting driver 300a is not in a drive state, the drive is started and the first sorting member 300 is changed from the non-sorting state to the sorting state. When the sorting state is set, a value corresponding to the duration TM2 (0.5 sec or 0.1 sec) for which the sorting state is maintained is input to the first sorting counter.

[0322] If it is not time to displace the first distributing member 300 in step S1401, or after the process of step S1402 has been executed, the process proceeds to step S1403. In step S1403, it is determined whether it is time to displace the second distributing member 310. This determination can be made by referring to the value of the second distributing counter set in step S1906. If it is time to displace the second distributing member 310, then in step S1404, a second distributing control process is executed. In this process, a process is performed to change the drive state of the second distributing drive unit 310a. Specifically, the drive state of the second distributing drive unit 310a is determined, and if it is in a driven state, its drive is terminated, and the second distributing member 310 is displaced from the distributing state to the non-distributing state. Furthermore, if the second distributing drive unit 310a is not in a driven state, its drive is initiated, and the second distributing member 310 is displaced from the non-distributing state to the distributing state. When the distribution state is set, a value corresponding to the period TS2 (0.3 sec or 0.1 sec) during which the distribution state is maintained is input to the second distribution counter.

[0323] If it is not the timing to displace the second dividing member 310 in step S1403, or after the process of step S1404 has been executed, the process proceeds to step S1405. In step S1405, it is determined whether it is the timing to displace the shutter 221. This determination can be made by referring to the value of the shutter counter set in step S2112 (FIG. 35) above. If it is the timing to displace the shutter, then in step S1406, shutter control processing is executed. In this processing, processing to change the drive state of the shutter driver 221a is performed. Specifically, the drive state of the shutter driver 221a is determined, and if it is in the drive state, the drive is terminated and the shutter 221 is displaced from the open state to the closed state. Furthermore, if the shutter driver 221a is not in the drive state, the drive is started and the shutter 221 is displaced from the closed state to the open state. If the open state is set, a value corresponding to the open state maintenance period TT2 (0.3 sec) is input to the shutter counter.

[0324] If it is not the timing to move the shutter 221 in step S1405, or after the processing of step S1406 has been executed, a rotating body control processing is executed in step S1407. In the processing of step S1407, the driving state of the rotating body driving unit 194 is controlled to drive and control the rotating body 201 in accordance with the settings set in the rotating body setting processing (FIG. 28) of step S1609 above. After execution of step S1407, the processing for the internal operating unit of this role object is terminated.

[0325] Returning to the explanation of the game state transition process (Figure 28), after executing the processing for the operation part within the reel in step S1614, processing for passing through the reel in order to determine whether or not a V win has occurred and whether the game ball has been discharged from the reel device 150 is executed in step S1615.

[0326] Here, the processing for passing through the special object will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 37.

[0327] In the processing for passing through a special device, first, in step S2301, it is determined whether or not the passage of a gaming ball (occurrence of a V winning) has been detected by the V winning sensor 192. If the occurrence of a V winning has been detected, in step S2302, a V winning flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. In the following step S2303, a process is executed to decrement the remaining ball counter RPC provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114 by 1. In other words, if the occurrence of a V winning has been detected in step S2303, this means that in addition to the occurrence of a V winning, a gaming ball has been discharged from the special device 150, so the remaining ball counter RPC is decremented to update the number of gaming balls in the special device 150. After step S2303 is executed, the processing for passing through a special device is terminated.

[0328] On the other hand, if the occurrence of a V winning is not detected in step S2301, it is determined in step S2304 whether or not the passage (miss) of a gaming ball is detected by the loss sensor 193. If a miss is detected, the process proceeds to step S2303, where a process of decrementing the remaining ball counter RPC by 1 is executed. In other words, even if a miss is detected, not only is a miss for the gaming ball confirmed, but it also means that the gaming ball has been discharged from the accessory device 150, so the number of gaming balls in the accessory device 150 is updated by decrementing the remaining ball counter RPC. On the other hand, if a miss is not detected in step S2304, that is, if neither a V winning nor a miss has been identified, the process for passing through the accessory device is terminated without updating the remaining ball counter RPC.

[0329] Returning to the explanation of the game state transition process (FIG. 28), after executing the process of step S1615, it is determined in step S1616 whether the value of the first round counter RC1 is "0" or not, and it is determined in step S1617 whether the waiting time for the ending has elapsed. If the value of the first round counter RC1 is not "0" or if the waiting time for the ending has not elapsed, this game state transition process is terminated.

[0330] On the other hand, if the value of the first round counter RC1 is "0" and the waiting time for the ending has elapsed, a transition process is executed at the end of the opening and closing execution mode in step S1618. In this process, a process is executed to return the game state after the opening and closing execution mode to the normal game state (normal game state). For example, the distribution members 300, 310, the shutter 221, and the rotating body 201 in the accessory device 150 are placed in their initial positions.

[0331] In addition, if the normal game state includes a game state in which the opening and closing mode of the electric device 39a provided in the second operating port 39 changes (for example, the opening and closing mode becomes one that makes it easier to win at the second operating port 39 than in other states), or a game state in which the type and probability of the game result when a prize is won at the operating ports 38, 39 changes (for example, the probability of a direct hit result changes), it is preferable to configure the transition process at the end of the opening and closing execution mode to set to one of these game states.

[0332] After the transition process for terminating the opening / closing execution mode in step S1618 is completed, the game state transition process is terminated after the closing / closing execution mode termination process is executed in step S1619. In the closing / closing execution mode termination process, the continuation flag and the like used during the opening / closing execution mode are erased. Also, in step S1619, the jackpot signal output in step S1611 is stopped, and information indicating the end of the first opening / closing execution mode is output to the outside. This allows the gaming center's hall computer (management control device) to know when the first opening / closing execution mode has begun and ended.

[0333] Next, the remaining ball determination process in step S607 in the normal process (FIG. 19) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0334] In the remaining ball determination process, first, in step S2401, it is determined whether or not the first opening and closing execution mode is in effect. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the first opening and closing execution mode flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114.

[0335] If the first opening / closing execution mode flag is stored and the first opening / closing execution mode is active, then in step S2402, it is determined whether the end-of-operation waiting time set in step S1309 (FIG. 25) has elapsed. Specifically, it is determined whether the value of the end-of-operation waiting time counter is a predetermined value (for example, "0").

[0336] If the end waiting time has not elapsed, the remaining ball determination process is terminated, whereas if the end waiting time has elapsed, in step S2403, it is determined whether the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is "0." If the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is not "0" and the number of winning balls in the accessory device 150 does not match the number of balls discharged from the accessory device 150, the process proceeds to step S2404, where a remaining ball flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. The remaining ball flag is a flag indicating that game balls remain in the accessory device 150. When the remaining ball flag is stored in this way, it is determined that game balls remain in the abnormality monitoring process (FIG. 17) in step S107 of the timer interrupt process, and the process transitions to a game stop state via the game stop determination process (FIG. 20) in step S601 of the normal process.

[0337] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2403 that the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is "0", it is determined that there are no game balls remaining in the accessory device 150, and the remaining ball determination process is terminated.

[0338] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2401 that the first opening / closing execution mode is not in effect, the process proceeds to step S2405, where it is determined whether the second opening / closing execution mode is in effect. Specifically, it is determined whether a second opening / closing execution mode flag is stored in the various flags storage area 114e of the RAM 114.

[0339] If the second opening and closing execution mode flag is stored and the second opening and closing execution mode is in progress, step S2405 determines whether the value of the first round counter RC1 is "0." If the value of the first round counter RC1 is "0," the process proceeds to step S2407, where it is determined whether the ending has ended (whether the waiting time for the ending has elapsed). If the ending has ended, that is, if it is time to end the second opening and closing execution mode, the process proceeds to step S2403, where it is determined whether the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is "0" and a remaining ball determination is performed. Note that if a negative determination is made in any of steps S2405 to S2407, the remaining ball determination process is terminated.

[0340] <About the game flow> Next, the flow of the game in the second opening / closing execution mode will be explained, mainly with reference to the timing chart in Figure 39. Here, the explanation will proceed assuming that the execution mode of the second opening / closing execution mode is the continuous variation mode. Note that in Figure 39, the numbers in square brackets indicate the number of times the opening / closing device 168 is opened in one round of play. For example, [1] in the second round of play means the first opening in that round of play.

[0341] When the second round of play (the first round of play in the second opening / closing execution mode) starts at timing t1, the first opening of the opening / closing device 168 begins (Fig. 39(a), (b)). In the second round of play, the opening and closing state of the opening / closing device 168 is controlled by opening / closing pattern A (see Fig. 31), so the open state of the opening / closing device 168 is maintained from timing t1 until timing t3, when 1.5 seconds (see Fig. 32(a)) have elapsed. At timing t3, the opening / closing device 168 is switched to a closed state, and this state is maintained until timing t4, 0.5 seconds later.

[0342] Furthermore, when the first opening of the opening / closing device 168 is initiated, the operation mode of the second distributing member 310 is controlled based on the start timing (timing t1) (FIG. 39(d)). During the first to sixth openings (first game section), the operation pattern of the second distributing member 310 is set to operation pattern SA (see FIG. 34(b)). Therefore, at timing t2, which is 0.5 seconds after timing t1, the second distributing member 310 is switched from a non-distributing state (a state in which game balls are distributed toward the ball distributing section 185) to a distributing state (a state in which game balls are distributed toward the entrance guide section 215). When the operation pattern of the second distributing member 310 is operation pattern SA, the distributing state is maintained for 0.3 seconds. The operation mode of the first distributing member 300 is also controlled based on the start timing of the opening / closing device 168, but this is not shown for convenience.

[0343] Thereafter, for example, at timing t5, which is midway through the second opening, when a game ball enters the accessory device 150 (strictly speaking, when the winning game ball reaches the second sorting member 310) while the second sorting member 310 is switched to the sorting state, the game ball is sorted by the second sorting member 310 toward the entrance guide section 215 (FIGS. 39(c) and (d)). At this time, the shutter 221 disposed in front of the warp entrance section 214 is in a closed state that closes the warp entrance section 214 (FIG. 39(e)). Therefore, the game ball sorted by the second sorting member 310 toward the entrance guide section 215 is stored in the accessory device 150 without reaching the warp entrance section 214.

[0344] Thereafter, when another winning ball is distributed by the second distribution member 310 to the ball distribution section 185 side and heads toward the rotor 201 through the left guide passage 183, for example, at timing t6, which is midway through the fifth opening, the rotor 201 distributes the winning ball to the V winning port guide section 204 and passes through the V winning port 182a, which is detected by the V winning sensor 192 and the V winning flag is turned on (stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114) (Fig. 39(g)). This establishes the round continuation condition, and the implementation of the third round of round play (the next round play) is confirmed.

[0345] At timing t7, which is midway through the 14th opening, when the second distribution member 310 is switched to the distribution state and a game ball enters the accessory device 150, the game ball is distributed to the entrance guide section 215 side by the second distribution member 310. However, because game balls are already stored there, the game ball distributed to the entrance guide section 215 side is bounced off by the stored game balls and distributed to the guide passage 183 side. In this way, even if multiple game balls are distributed to the entrance guide section 215 side at good timing, the number of game balls stored is limited to one.

[0346] At a subsequent timing t8, when the number of winning game balls in the accessory device 150 reaches nine, which is the upper limit of winning game balls per round, the opening of the opening / closing accessory 168 for the second round of round play ends, and the opening / closing accessory 168 is switched to a closed state. After that, the end of the round play is awaited with the opening / closing accessory 168 in the closed state, and this state is maintained from the closing timing (timing t7) of the opening / closing accessory 168 until timing t9 when the end waiting time (3.5 seconds) has elapsed.

[0347] As already explained, the end waiting time is set taking into account the period until the game balls that entered the accessory device 150 are discharged from the accessory device 150. Therefore, the second round of game play ends with all of the game balls that entered the accessory device 150 having been discharged, except for the game balls stored just before the warp entrance 214. This prevents the round game from ending before the last winning ball passes through either the V winning opening 182a or the outgoing opening 182b (before the result for the last winning ball is determined). Therefore, even if the number of winning balls entering the accessory device 150 reaches the upper limit per round, and a V winning has not yet occurred and the continuation condition (the condition for executing the third round of game play) is not yet established, the continuation condition can be established by the last winning ball passing through the V winning opening. Therefore, it is possible to expect the continuation condition to be established until the last winning ball is discharged.

[0348] In addition, if the gaming ball passes the V winning sensor 192 after the end-time waiting time has elapsed, it is not treated as a V winning, and the continuation condition is not met. In other words, a V winning occurs only if the gaming ball passes the V winning sensor 192 before the end-time waiting time has elapsed. In that sense, the end-time waiting time can also be said to be the valid period for a V winning.

[0349] When the second round of play ends at timing t9, the opening and closing device 168 is closed and the start of the third round of play is awaited. This state is maintained from timing t9 until the waiting time between rounds (1.5 seconds) has elapsed.

[0350] Also, at timing t9, the shutter 221 arranged in front of the warp entrance 214 is switched from a closed state in which the warp entrance 214 is closed to an open state in which the warp entrance 214 is opened (Fig. 39(e)). As a result, the game ball stored in the accessory device 150 at the entrance guide 215 advances to the warp entrance 214 and enters the warp passage 210. The game ball that has entered the warp passage 210 travels down the spiral passage 213, and is then guided to the V guide passage 260 through the warp exit 216 and the exit guide 217, and is led to the V winning passage 191a (V winning sensor 192).

[0351] As already explained, it takes about 2 seconds for the game ball stored in front of the warp entrance 214 to pass through the warp passage 210 and reach the V winning sensor 192. Therefore, the game ball released from storage at timing t9 reaches the V winning sensor 192 after the waiting period (1.5 seconds) set between the second and third rounds has elapsed.

[0352] At timing t10 when the standby period has elapsed, the third round of play begins, and the first opening of the opening / closing device 168 begins (FIGS. 39(a), (b)). In the third round of play, the opening and closing state of the opening / closing device 168 is controlled by opening / closing pattern B (see FIG. 31), so the open state of the opening / closing device 168 continues until 1.5 seconds (see FIG. 32(b)) have elapsed since timing t3.

[0353] At timing t11, which is approximately 0.5 seconds later than timing t10, the gaming ball that has flowed down the warp passage 210 reaches the V winning sensor 192. As mentioned above, this gaming ball is a gaming ball that was stored in the accessory device 150 during the second round of play and was released from storage at the end of that round of play. In other words, the gaming ball stored during the second round of play passes the V winning sensor 192 at a timing after the start of the third round of play and before the end of the third round of play. As a result, the V winning flag is turned on during the third round of play, and the implementation of the fourth round of play is confirmed (Figure 39(g)).

[0354] In this manner, in this embodiment, the game ball stored in the accessory device 150 in the second round of game continues through the round game without being discharged from the accessory device 150, and passes through the V winning sensor 192 (V winning) in the third round of game. In other words, the game ball that enters the accessory device 150 in the second round of game affects not only the third round of game, which is the next round game, but also the fourth round of game, which is the round game after that. Therefore, while playing the second round of game, the player can play with the aim of playing the fourth round of game.

[0355] Incidentally, if no accumulation occurs in the second round of play, the accumulated balls will not win the V prize even if the accumulation is released. In this case, if the balls are allocated by the rotating body 201 in the third round of play and a V prize is won, the fourth round of play will be played.

[0356] Here, when we look at the methods for playing the fourth round, there are two options: storing game balls in the second round of play, and generating a V-winning shot by the route of the rotating body 201 in the third round of play. In other words, the opportunity to acquire the right to play the fourth round can be given not only in the third round, but also in the second round. This allows the period during which players can play with the aim of playing the fourth round to be provided over multiple rounds, including the second and third rounds, and makes it possible to maintain anticipation for the continuation of the rounds for a long time.

[0357] Furthermore, even if a player is unable to collect winning balls in the second round, if the winning balls in the third round pass through the V in that round, the player can still play the fourth round, so the third round can be positioned as a retry round. This gives the impression that the fourth round is easy to play, and can stimulate the player's desire to play.

[0358] In this embodiment, the stored game balls always pass through the warp passage 210 to reach the V entry sensor 192. Therefore, if the game balls are successfully stored, the probability of a V entry is significantly higher than if the balls pass through the rotating body 201. This not only strongly stimulates anticipation of the game balls being stored, but also allows the player to play with peace of mind once the game balls are stored. Additionally, the number of game balls required for storage can be reduced, thereby contributing to a smaller storage area within the accessory device 150. The accessory device 150 is equipped with numerous game components, such as the guide passage 183 through which the game balls flow and the rotating body 201 for distributing the game balls, and securing a storage area requires balancing these components. Therefore, by reducing the size of the storage area, the accessory design can be simplified.

[0359] On the other hand, the period during which the second distributing member 310 is in the distributing state is shorter than the period during which it is in the non-distributing state, and the probability that a winning ball entering the accessory device 150 will be distributed by the second distributing member 310 to the entrance guide section 215 side is lower than the probability that it will be distributed to the ball distributing section 185 side. This prevents the player from gaining an excessive advantage.

[0360] In this embodiment, even if a V win occurs, the round game continues until the number of times the opening / closing device 168 is opened reaches the upper limit of openings or the total number of winning game balls in the accessory device 150 reaches the upper limit. With this configuration, even if the game balls released from storage are configured to win a V win early in the round game, it is possible to play with the aim of winning up to the upper limit. Not only that, it is also possible to appropriately secure the period of time for playing with the aim of new storage.

[0361] Moreover, in this embodiment, the storage is released before the start of the third round of play, and the storage area (entrance guide section 215) for game balls in the accessory device 150 is empty at the start of the round of play. Therefore, it is possible to expect the occurrence of new storage from the beginning of the round of play. For example, in a configuration in which storage is released in the middle of a round of play, it is inevitable that the aim is to generate storage in the remaining time, but according to this embodiment, it is possible to aim for the generation of storage using the entire round of play.

[0362] It is also possible to configure the device so that the distance between the second distribution member 310 and the shutter 221 is more than twice the diameter of the game ball, allowing for multiple game balls to be stored. In this case, if the number of stored balls is less than the upper limit, new game balls can be stored without releasing the storage, so even if the storage is released in the middle of a round of play, it is possible to anticipate the occurrence of new storage from the beginning of the round of play. However, in addition to making the design of the device more difficult due to the expansion of the storage area, it is necessary to devise a way to prevent new stored balls from being released when the storage is released. Taking these factors into consideration, the configuration of this embodiment is preferable.

[0363] Furthermore, the release of the game balls stored in the second round is executed before the second sorting member 310 is first switched to the sorting state in the third round. In this case, after securing space in the storage area, the game balls can be sorted toward the entrance guide section 215. This makes it possible to prevent the inconvenience of game balls that have already been stored from obstructing the storage of a game ball that has entered the accessory device 150 and been directed toward the entrance guide section 215.

[0364] Furthermore, the stored game balls are not released when the opening / closing device 168 is in the open state, but when it is in the closed state. In the open state, when game balls are likely to win in the game ball device 150, the player's attention is likely to be focused on whether or not the game balls will win. For this reason, if the storage is released when the device is in the open state, the player may miss the release of the storage. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the storage is released when the device is in the closed state, when it is unlikely that the game balls will win in the game ball device 150, so it is possible to prevent the player from missing the release.

[0365] After the above, for example, at timing t12, which is midway through the third opening, when the second distribution member 310 is switched to the distribution state, if a game ball enters the accessory device 150, the game ball is distributed by the second distribution member 310 to the entrance guide section 215 side (FIGS. 39(c), (d)). At this time, the shutter 221 arranged in front of the warp entrance section 214 is in a closed state that closes the warp entrance section 214 (FIG. 39(e)). Therefore, the game ball distributed by the second distribution member 310 to the entrance guide section 215 side is stored in the accessory device 150 without reaching the warp entrance section 214.

[0366] Then, when the third round of play ends at timing t13, the shutter 221 is switched from the closed state to the open state (Fig. 39(e)), and the storage is released. The game balls whose storage is released reach the V winning sensor 192 at timing t15, which is slightly delayed from the start timing of the fourth round of play (timing t14). As a result, the V winning flag is turned on in the fourth round of play, and the implementation of the fifth round of play is confirmed (Fig. 39(g)).

[0367] <About the playability of each round> Next, the gameplay of each round game in the second opening / closing execution mode will be described with reference to Fig. 40. Fig. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing the gameplay of each round game.

[0368] The winning characteristic of the accessory device 150 in the second round of play is winning characteristic A (see FIG. 32(e)), which makes it easy for game balls to enter the accessory device 150 in each of the first to thirteenth openings. On the other hand, the distribution characteristics of the first distribution member 300 and the second distribution member 310 in each of the first to thirteenth openings are distribution characteristic A (see FIG. 34(c)), which makes it easy for winning balls to reach the rotating body 201 in the first half, from the first to sixth openings, and distribution characteristic B, which makes it easy for winning balls to accumulate in the accessory device 150 in the second half, from the seventh to thirteenth openings. Therefore, in the second round of play, it is easy to expect both a V-winning (self-continuation) via the rotating body 201 and accumulation of winning balls.

[0369] Since the second round is the first round in the second opening / closing execution mode, there are no winning balls carried over from the previous round due to the stored balls. Therefore, in order to play the third round, it is necessary to win a V prize via the rotor 201 in the second round. Therefore, by making the game play as described above, it becomes easier to win a V prize, and the difficulty of playing the third round is prevented from becoming excessively high.

[0370] The round game is configured to end when the number of winning balls in the accessory device 150 reaches the upper limit (9 balls). Therefore, the round game may end in the middle of the second game zone. In this case, if the state in which winning balls are likely to accumulate in the accessory device 150 occurs before the state in which winning balls are likely to reach the rotating body 201, the round game may end early before or after the latter state occurs, and the opportunity for self-continuation (a V win to play a third round) may not be provided satisfactorily. As a result, even if a player has accumulated game balls in the second round and earned the right to play a fourth round, the third round may not be played, and the accumulation may be for naught, resulting in a disappointing outcome.

[0371] In this regard, in this embodiment, in the second round, a state in which the winning ball is likely to reach the rotor 201 occurs before a state in which the winning ball is likely to be stored in the accessory device 150 occurs. This configuration ensures an opportunity for self-continuation, making it easier to play the third round. This makes it easier to provide a gameplay in which, after the third round is confirmed, players can also aim to win the right to play the fourth round.

[0372] The winning characteristic of the accessory device 150 in the third round of play is winning characteristic B (see FIG. 32(e)), which makes it easy for game balls to win in the accessory device 150 in each of the seventh to thirteenth openings. On the other hand, the distribution characteristic of the first distribution member 300 and the second distribution member 310 in each of the seventh to thirteenth openings is distribution characteristic B, which makes it easy for winning balls to accumulate in the accessory device 150, just like in the second round. For this reason, the third round of play is a play that places emphasis on the game of accumulating winning balls in the accessory device 150.

[0373] In this case, if a winning ball is successfully stored in the second round, the stored ball will enter the V in the third round, confirming the execution of the fourth round, and if a winning ball is successfully stored in the third round, the right to execute the fifth round will be acquired. On the other hand, if a winning ball is not successfully stored in the second round, even if a winning ball is stored in the third round, there is a possibility that the fourth round will not be executed, and therefore the fifth round will not necessarily be executed. In this way, in a round game that places emphasis on the execution of winning balls in the accessory device 150, the game results of the previous round (whether or not the ball was successfully stored) have a large impact.

[0374] It is not impossible to win a prize on the accessory device 150 in the first to sixth and fourteenth to nineteenth openings in the third round. Therefore, although it is more difficult than in the second round, it is possible to win a V prize via the rotating body 201 in the third round of round play. The gameplay of the fourth to seventh rounds of round play is the same as that of the third round.

[0375] The winning characteristic of the accessory device 150 in the round games from the 8th round to the 11th round is a winning characteristic D (see FIG. 32(e)) in which the game ball is likely to win in the accessory device 150 in each of the 14th to 19th openings. In other words, in the round games from the 8th round to the 11th round, it is difficult for the game ball to win in the accessory device 150 in each of the 1st to 13th openings. For this reason, in these round games, both the accumulation of game balls and the V winning via the rotating body 201 are unlikely to occur until the end of the round game, which creates a sense of impatience that the round game will end without either of these occurring.

[0376] On the other hand, the distribution characteristics of the first distribution member 300 and the second distribution member 310 in each of the 14th to 19th openings are distribution characteristics C in which winning balls are likely to be accumulated in the accessory device 150 and also likely to reach the rotating body 201. In other words, at the end of the round when winning balls in the accessory device 150 are likely to occur, both accumulation of game balls and V winning via the rotating body 201 are likely to occur.

[0377] The winning characteristic of the accessory device 150 in the round games from the 12th round to the 16th round is winning characteristic C (see FIG. 32(e)), which makes it easy for the game ball to win the accessory device 150 in each of the first to sixth openings. On the other hand, the distribution characteristic of the first distribution member 300 and the second distribution member 310 in each of the first to sixth openings is distribution characteristic A, which makes it easy for the winning ball to reach the rotating body 201. For this reason, in these round games, the gameplay is such that emphasis is placed on V winning (self-continuation) via the rotating body 201.

[0378] In this way, the gameplay is structured to vary depending on the round, with emphasis being placed on the accumulation of winning balls in some rounds, and emphasis being placed on the self-continuation of the game in other rounds. This allows players to enjoy multiple games in one second opening / closing execution mode, preventing the game from becoming monotonous.

[0379] In this case, the operation patterns of the distribution members 300, 310 and the rotating body 201 are made common to each round, and the open / close pattern of each round provides different gameplay. In this case, it is not necessary to set both the operation patterns of the distribution members 300, 310 and the rotating body 201 and the open / close pattern in detail for each round; it is sufficient to set only the open / close pattern. This reduces the processing load of the main control device 81 and the workload during the design of the pachinko machine 10.

[0380] The above configuration is also expected to have the following effect. In a configuration in which a winning ball entering the accessory device 150 results in an advantageous state (round continuation) when it enters a V-shaped area, players' attention is likely to be drawn to the fate of the game ball that entered the accessory device 150. In this case, it is assumed that players will show strong interest in the distribution members 300, 310 and the rotating body 201, which influence the flow of winning balls, and will closely watch their movements. In such a situation, if the movement patterns of the distribution members 300, 310 and the rotating body 201 are different in each round, players may notice this and understand that the changes in their characteristics are pre-planned, which could ruin their enjoyment. In this regard, in this embodiment, the movements of the distribution members 300, 310 and the rotating body 201 are the same in each round, which can prevent players from noticing this. This makes it easier to perceive differences in the ease of accumulation between rounds as being due to chance, thereby providing an enjoyable experience of enjoying the behavior of the game balls.

[0381] <Remaining ball monitoring procedure> Next, the flow of remaining ball monitoring will be described with reference to Fig. 41. Fig. 41 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of remaining ball monitoring.

[0382] As already explained, in this embodiment, winning balls in the accessory device 150 can be stored in the accessory device 150 during each round of play, and the stored balls are discharged from the accessory device 150 during a subsequent round of play. Therefore, in a round of play in which storage occurs, the number of discharged balls at the end of the round will be fewer than the number of winning balls. In this case, if the remaining balls determination process is performed for each round, there is a risk that remaining balls will frequently become abnormal even when play is being performed properly, hindering the progress of the game.

[0383] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 41, in this embodiment, the remaining ball determination process is not performed for each round, but is performed only once at the end of the second opening / closing execution mode (timing t18). This prevents the game balls that have entered the accessory device 150 from being discharged in the next round, but prevents the remaining balls from becoming abnormal frequently, allowing the game to proceed smoothly.

[0384] Here, the flow of remaining ball monitoring using the remaining ball determination process can be summarized as follows: As already explained, remaining ball monitoring in the second opening and closing execution mode is performed based on the remaining ball counter RPC (see step S2411 in Figure 38). This remaining ball counter RPC is not cleared during the second opening and closing execution mode, but is updated throughout the entire second opening and closing execution mode from the start to the end of that mode. Then, at the end of the ending, it is determined whether the remaining ball counter RPC is 0, and if it is not 0 (if the number of winning balls and the number of dispensed balls do not match), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the remaining balls.

[0385] In other words, in this embodiment, the remaining balls are monitored from the start to the end of the second opening / closing execution mode, specifically, from the time when the first winning ball enters the special device 150 in the second round to the time when the final winning ball is discharged from the special device 150 in the 16th round, which is the final round.

[0386] However, even if the number of balls discharged from the accessory device 150 is counted, it is not possible to identify which discharged ball is the final ball, and therefore in this embodiment, the remaining balls are determined at the end of the ending when it is expected that all winning balls have been discharged into the accessory device 150. If the second opening / closing execution mode does not continue to 16 rounds and ends midway through, that round becomes the final round, and the remaining balls are determined at the end of the ending that is performed after the end of that round.

[0387] Here, an example of an event that results in an abnormal remaining ball is when an illegal ball with a string attached is placed into the accessory device 150 and manipulated through the string to illegally cause the illegal ball to enter the V prize. In this case, if the illegal ball is manipulated by repeatedly pulling and loosening the string to repeatedly pass the V prize sensor 192, the number of balls discharged from the accessory device 150 will be greater than the number of balls that enter the device, resulting in a discrepancy between the two.

[0388] If an abnormality in the remaining balls is detected due to such an event, the game will be stopped and the game will stop. Also, if an abnormality in the remaining balls is detected, an external signal indicating the occurrence of an abnormality in the remaining balls will be output to the management control device of the gaming facility. These processes will suppress the above-mentioned fraudulent behavior.

[0389] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0390] The game balls that have won in the accessory device 150 can be stored in the accessory device 150, and the stored balls can pass through the V winning sensor 192 (V winning port 182a) in the next round of play. Normally, the round of play for which the right to play can be acquired by a winning ball in one round of play is the next round from the round of play in which the winning occurred, but in this embodiment, the right to play the round after that can be acquired by the winning ball, thereby realizing novel gameplay.

[0391] In this case, if the winning game ball is not stored in the accessory device 150, the winning ball can pass through the V winning sensor 192 in the round game in which the winning occurred. In this case, for example, when focusing on the execution of the fourth round, the opportunity to acquire the right to execute that round is given over multiple rounds, including the second and third rounds. This makes it possible to prolong the sense of anticipation for the continuation of the round and increase the enjoyment.

[0392] <Second embodiment> This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the distribution mode of the second distribution member 310 and the timing of the remaining ball determination. This embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 42. Figure 42 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of play in the second opening and closing execution mode.

[0393] The distribution mode of the second distribution member 310 in the second to fourth rounds is the same as that in the first embodiment. That is, after 0.5 seconds have elapsed from the start timing of each opening in each round game, the distribution state is switched to distribute the game balls that have entered the accessory device 150 to the entrance guide section 215 side, and then this state is maintained for 0.3 seconds (see FIG. 34(b)).

[0394] On the other hand, in the fifth round of the round game, as shown in Fig. 42, the second distribution member 310 is maintained in a non-distribution state in which the game balls that have entered the accessory device 150 are distributed to the guide passage 183 throughout the entire round game from the start to the end of the round game. That is, in the fifth round of the round game, the second distribution member 310 is not switched to the distribution state (see Fig. 42(b)).

[0395] For this reason, in the fifth round of play, the game ball that has entered the accessory device 150 cannot move to the entrance guide section 215, and the accumulation of game balls in the accessory device 150 is restricted. Although not shown in Fig. 42, the opening and closing manner of the opening and closing accessory device 168, the distribution manner of the first distribution member 300, and the operating manner of the rotating body 201 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0396] In this embodiment, the remaining balls are determined at the end of the fifth round of play. Specifically, after the final opening and closing in the fifth round is completed, it is determined whether the remaining ball counter RPC is 0 at the timing when the end waiting time has elapsed. If the remaining ball counter RPC is not 0, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the remaining balls, and a remaining ball flag is stored in the various flag storage area of RAM 114. In other words, in this embodiment, the remaining balls are determined during the second opening and closing execution mode.

[0397] Here, an example of the flow of round games from the second round to the fifth round will be described. Here, in each of the second round to the fifth round, it is assumed that the same number of game balls as the upper limit number (9 balls) enters the accessory device 150. Furthermore, in each of the second round to the fourth round, it is assumed that the timing when the second distribution member 310 is switched to the distribution state matches the timing when the game balls enter the accessory device 150, and the game balls are stored in the accessory device 150.

[0398] When a game ball is stored in the second round of play (timing t21), the game ball remains stored until the end of the round. Then, at timing t22 when the second round of play ends, the shutter 221 is switched to the open state, and the storage is released. Since it takes a predetermined travel time (approximately 2 seconds) for the game ball whose storage has been released to reach the V winning sensor 192, the game ball reaches the V winning sensor 192 after the start of the third round of play (timing t23).

[0399] In other words, the stored game balls are not discharged from the accessory device 150 until the start of the third round of play. Therefore, at timing t22, which is the end of the second round of play, the number of game balls discharged from the accessory device 150 is one less than the number of game balls that have entered the accessory device 150.

[0400] In the third round of play, the game balls released from storage in the second round of play reach the V winning sensor 192, and the number of balls discharged is incremented by one. However, at timing t24, game balls are stored, and the game balls that entered the accessory device 150 during the third round are carried over to the fourth round. Since the carried-over balls offset the above-mentioned increment, even at timing t25, which is the end of the third round of play, the number of game balls discharged from the accessory device 150 is still one less.

[0401] Similarly, at timing t27 at the end of the fourth round of play, winning balls are accumulated in the middle of the fourth round (timing t26), so the number of game balls dispensed from the accessory device 150 is one less. In other words, at the end of each of the second to fourth rounds, even if the game is played properly, the number of winning balls and the number of dispensed balls will not match, so the remaining balls determination is not performed at these timings.

[0402] In the fifth round of play, the game ball released from storage in the fourth round of play reaches the V winning sensor 192, and the number of balls dispensed is incremented by one (timing t28). Furthermore, since storage of game balls is restricted in the fifth round of play, all game balls that won during the fifth round are dispensed during the fifth round. Therefore, when comparing the number of winning balls and the number of dispensed balls for the fifth round alone, the number of dispensed balls exceeds the number of winning balls by one. This surplus makes up for the shortfall in the number of dispensed balls that occurred at the end of the fourth round, and the total number of winning balls and the total number of dispensed balls match.

[0403] From the player's perspective, although ball storage was possible up until the fourth round, in the fifth round, the second distribution member 310 suddenly becomes unable to switch to the distribution state, making it impossible to store game balls. This may lead to the player mistaking that a malfunction has occurred in the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, it is preferable to configure the system to notify the player by an announcement that while ball storage is possible in the second to fourth rounds, it is impossible in the fifth round. Such a configuration may be such that, in the second to fourth rounds of round play, a specific announcement such as a text display, character display, or background display is made on the display screen G of the accessory device 150 to indicate that ball storage is possible, but that this is not made in the fifth round of round play, or that different announcements are made in the second to fourth rounds and the fifth round of round play.

[0404] At timing t29, which is the end of the fifth round of play, a remaining ball determination is made. In other words, the remaining ball determination is made over the monitoring period from the second round to the fifth round. As described above, if the game is being played legitimately, the number of winning balls and the number of balls dispensed will normally match, and the remaining ball counter RPC will be 0. In this case, no remaining ball abnormality is recognized, and play continues from the sixth round onwards. In contrast, if, for example, an illegal ball with a string attached is repeatedly passed through the V winning sensor 192, the number of dispensed balls will be greater than the number of winning balls, resulting in a remaining ball abnormality.

[0405] In this way, according to this embodiment, a round game in which accumulation is restricted is provided, and the remaining balls are determined at the end of the round game, so even though the winning balls are discharged in the next round, the remaining balls determination can be performed during the second opening and closing execution mode. This allows for the rapid detection of remaining ball abnormalities and prevents damage to the gaming facility from becoming too great if fraudulent activity is detected.

[0406] As in the second to fourth rounds, game balls are permitted to be stored in the accessory device 150 during the sixth to ninth rounds of play, but storage is restricted during the tenth round. Furthermore, game balls are permitted to be stored in the accessory device 150 during the eleventh to fifteenth rounds of play, but storage is restricted during the sixteenth round. At the end of the tenth and sixteenth rounds of play (timings t30 and t31), a remaining ball determination is made. That is, in one second opening / closing execution mode, a remaining ball determination is made every predetermined number of rounds.

[0407] The round in which the storage restriction and remaining ball determination are performed is set as desired, and is not limited to the 5th, 10th, or 16th rounds. The number of rounds in which storage restriction is performed is also desired, and for example, storage restriction and remaining ball determination may be performed only once in the 8th round.

[0408] If a remaining ball abnormality is determined, the game is stopped as in the first embodiment. However, a remaining ball abnormality may occur not only due to fraudulent behavior, but also when the storage is not properly released due to a malfunction of the shutter 221. For example, if for some reason the shutter 221 is not switched to the open state at the end of the fourth round, game balls remain in the accessory device 150, and at the end of the fifth round, the number of dispensed balls will be one less than the number of winning balls.

[0409] In this way, since remaining ball abnormalities are not necessarily caused by cheating, it is desirable to be able to change the response when a remaining ball abnormality occurs depending on whether it is due to cheating or not. Therefore, this embodiment has the following configuration.

[0410] After the transition to the game stop state, in order to cancel it, the power switch 92b is operated by an attendant of the game parlor or the like to turn the power of the pachinko machine 10 off and on, but at that time, if the power is turned on while the RAM erase switch 98a is pressed, the initialization process (step S509) of the RAM 114 is executed in the main process (Fig. 18). As a result, the V winning (timing t28 in Fig. 42) in the round game of the fifth round is invalidated, and it becomes impossible to play the continuation of the second opening and closing execution mode (round game of the sixth round).

[0411] On the other hand, if the power is turned on without pressing the RAM erase switch 98a, the initialization process of RAM 114 (step S509) is not executed. Also, the process of steps S512 and S513 in the main process also cancels the remaining ball abnormality state, and the game state before the transition to the game stop state is restored. As a result, the V winning of the fifth round becomes valid, and it becomes possible to continue playing.

[0412] With this configuration, if a gaming parlor attendant or the like rushes to the pachinko machine 10 and finds that fraudulent activity has occurred, the attendant can turn on the power while operating the RAM clearing switch 98a, thereby preventing the fraudster from continuing to receive unfair benefits thereafter.On the other hand, if it is found that no fraudulent activity has occurred or if no fraudulent activity has been confirmed, the power can be turned on without operating the RAM clearing switch 98a, allowing the player to continue playing and preventing the player's benefits from being damaged.

[0413] Furthermore, in order to distinguish between legitimate players and those who have committed fraud, the following configuration may be adopted.

[0414] First, when transitioning to a game stop state, the shutter 221 is closed. That is, if the shutter 221 is in a closed state when transitioning to a game stop state, the operation of the shutter 221 is controlled so that the closed state is maintained even after transition to the game stop state. As a result, if game balls are stored in the accessory device 150, the state transitions to a game stop state without releasing the stored state.

[0415] Thereafter, in order to release the game stop state, an attendant at the gaming facility or the like operates the power switch 92b to turn off the power to the pachinko machine 10, but even in this case, the shutter 221 remains in the closed state. In other words, the storage state is maintained even after the power is turned off. Incidentally, in this embodiment, as explained in the first embodiment above, the shutter 221 is configured to be in the closed state when the shutter drive unit 221a is not driven. For this reason, it is not necessary to supply backup power to the shutter drive unit 221a in the event of a power outage. Note that in a configuration in which the shutter 221 is in the closed state when the shutter drive unit 221a is driven, it is preferable to supply backup power to the shutter drive unit 221a and set it in an excited state.

[0416] Then, after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, if the power is turned on without pressing the RAM erase switch 98a, the pachinko machine 10 is started up without switching the shutter 221 to the open state. In this case, the processing of steps S512 and S513 in the main processing (FIG. 18) cancels the remaining ball abnormality state, and the game state before transitioning to the game stop state is restored. In this case, the storage state is maintained without switching the shutter 221 to the open state.

[0417] This configuration makes it possible to cancel the remaining ball abnormality and game stop state while leaving the balls in storage. This allows the player to continue playing the game that was interrupted by the game stop process, using the remaining balls as service balls. In other words, the sixth round would normally be a round without balls carried over from the previous round, but if the game is stopped due to a malfunction of the shutter 221, etc., it is possible to play the sixth round with the carried-over balls.

[0418] On the other hand, if the power is turned on while the RAM clearing switch 98a is pressed, RAM initialization processing is executed, making it impossible to continue playing, and therefore the service balls described above cannot be provided. Also, if the power is turned on while the RAM clearing switch 98a is pressed, the shutter drive unit 221a is driven and the shutter 221 is switched to the open state. Specifically, after a positive determination is made in step S503 of the main processing (FIG. 18), processing is executed to switch the shutter 221 to the open state before setting interrupt permission in step S516. This makes it possible to prevent fraudulent acts using the stored balls when a foreign object such as a wire is inserted into the accessory device 150 to operate the second distribution member 310 and illegally store game balls.

[0419] At that time, the interrupt permission setting process (step S516) is executed after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed. That is, when the shutter 221 is switched to the open state upon startup of the pachinko machine 10, the V winning is enabled after the predetermined waiting time has elapsed since the RAM erase switch 98a was operated. In this case, the predetermined waiting time is set to be longer than the period required for the released game ball to reach the V winning sensor 192. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a V winning or a V winning error (an error that occurs when a V winning occurs at a time when a V winning does not occur) due to the game ball released from storage passing the V winning sensor 192 at startup.

[0420] In addition, instead of the above-mentioned waiting process, it is also possible to configure the setting process of interrupt permission after performing the discharge confirmation process. That is, based on detecting the passage of the V winning sensor 192, it is possible to grasp that the game ball released from the storage has been discharged from the accessory device 150, and then to configure the setting of interrupt permission.

[0421] Furthermore, by configuring the shutter 221 to switch to the open state when the power is turned on while the RAM clear switch 98a is pressed, it is possible for an attendant or the like to check the operation of the shutter 221. In other words, if no fraudulent activity has been discovered but it is necessary to check whether the shutter 221 is operating correctly, this can be done by operating the RAM clear switch 98a.

[0422] In the above embodiment, the remaining ball determination is performed at the end of the fifth round, but the remaining ball determination may also be performed during the waiting period (round interval period) between the fifth and sixth rounds. Essentially, the remaining ball determination only needs to be performed in response to the end of the fifth round, and the timing of the remaining ball determination can be any timing after the end of the fifth round and before the start of the sixth round. The same applies to the remaining ball determination performed at the end of the tenth and sixteenth rounds.

[0423] <Third embodiment> This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in the opening and closing pattern of the opening and closing device 168 in the second opening and closing execution mode, the distribution mode of the second distribution member 310, and the execution timing of the remaining ball determination. This embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 43. Fig. 43 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the opening and closing pattern table of the opening and closing device 168 according to this embodiment. In this figure, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted.

[0424] In this embodiment, opening and closing patterns B' to D' shown in Figures 43(a) to (c) are set instead of opening and closing patterns B to D shown in Figures 32(b) to (d). These opening and closing patterns B' to D' are defined in an opening and closing pattern table stored in the various table storage area 113d of the ROM 113.

[0425] As shown in Figures 43(a) to (c), each opening / closing pattern table divides the round game into a first game section corresponding to the first to second opening, a second game section corresponding to the third to eighth opening, a third game section corresponding to the ninth to thirteenth opening, and a fourth game section corresponding to the fourteenth to nineteenth opening, and specifies the opening and closing mode of the opening / closing device 168 for each game section.

[0426] In the opening / closing patterns B' to D', during the 19 openings in one round of play, the first to second openings (RC2 = 19 to 18) belonging to the first play section are opened for 0.1 seconds, which is shorter than the game ball launch cycle (0.6 seconds), and then closed for 0.5 seconds (also referred to as the short opening mode). Then, in the subsequent play sections, as in the case of FIG. 32, either the opening / closing pattern P1 or P2 is set. Both of these opening / closing patterns P1 and P2 have longer opening times than the short opening mode. That is, in the present embodiment, in each of the opening / closing patterns B' to D', the opening / closing device 168 is controlled in the short opening mode, in which the period of time in the open state is relatively short, until a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the round of play. After that, the opening / closing device 168 is controlled in the opening / closing pattern P1 or P2, in which the period of time in the open state is relatively long.

[0427] Here, in the short-open mode, the period during which the device is in the open state is very short, at 0.1 seconds. Furthermore, the period during which the device is in the closed state in the short-open mode is 0.5 seconds, which is relatively longer than the open period. In other words, under circumstances in which the opening / closing device 168 is controlled in the short-open mode, it is in the closed state most of the time, and is switched to the open state only for a moment. Therefore, in the short-open mode, no game balls will win in the device 150. In this sense, the short-open mode can also be called a prize-winning restriction mode that restricts winning in the device 150.

[0428] Next, the remaining ball determination process executed by MPU 112 of main control device 81 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 44. Fig. 44 is a flowchart showing the remaining ball determination process according to this embodiment. Note that the processes of steps S2701 to S2703 shown in Fig. 44 are executed when a positive determination is made in step S2405 in Fig. 38, and are executed in place of the processes of steps S2406 and S2407 in Fig. 38.

[0429] If it is determined in step S2405 that the second opening and closing execution mode is in progress, it is determined in step S2701 whether it is time to perform a remaining ball determination. In this embodiment, when the second opening and closing execution mode is in progress, a remaining ball determination is performed for each round. Specifically, the remaining ball determination is performed when a predetermined period (1 second) has elapsed since the start of each round of play.

[0430] The time that has elapsed since the start of a round of play is grasped using a determination counter provided in the various counter area 114d of the RAM 114. That is, a value corresponding to 1 second is set in the determination counter, and this value is updated (subtracted) at a predetermined period by timer interrupt processing, etc. Then, when the determination counter reaches a predetermined value (for example, "0"), it can be grasped that the timing for executing the remaining ball determination has arrived.

[0431] If it is determined in step S2701 that it is not time to perform a remaining ball determination, the remaining ball determination process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is time to perform a remaining ball determination, the process proceeds to step S2702, where it is determined whether the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is "0" or not, and a remaining ball determination is performed. In this case, the remaining ball determination covers the period from when one remaining ball determination is performed to when the next remaining ball determination is performed. Incidentally, the remaining ball counter RPC is incremented by 1 each time a winning entry into the accessory device 150 is detected (step S2104 in FIG. 35), and is decremented by 1 each time the discharge of a game ball from the accessory device 150 is detected (step S2303 in FIG. 37).

[0432] If it is determined that the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is not "0", the process proceeds to step S2703, where it is determined that game balls remain in the accessory device 150, and a remaining ball flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. Thereafter, this remaining ball determination process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2703 that the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is "0", it is determined that no game balls remain in the accessory device 150, and this remaining ball determination process is terminated.

[0433] <About the game flow> Next, the flow of the game according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Fig. 45. Fig. 45 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of the game in the second opening and closing execution mode. Here, the explanation will be given assuming that game balls are stored in the accessory device 150 during the second round.

[0434] When the second round of play ends at timing t41, the shutter 221 switches from a closed state to an open state, and the game balls stored in the entrance guide section 215 move toward the warp passage 210. At the same time, a standby state (round interval) is entered to wait for the start of the third round of play, and this standby state continues for 1.5 seconds. Here, it takes about 2 seconds for the game balls whose storage has been released to reach the V winning sensor 192, which is about 0.5 seconds longer than the duration of the round interval. Therefore, the game balls whose storage has been released will reach the V winning sensor 192 about 0.5 seconds after the start of the third round of play (timing t43).

[0435] When the third round of play starts at timing t42, the opening / closing device 168 is controlled to open and close in the short opening mode. The short opening mode is a mode in which an open state for 0.1 seconds and a closed state for 0.5 seconds are repeated twice, so the execution period of the short opening mode is 1.2 seconds in total (timing t45).

[0436] Furthermore, at timing t44, one second after the start of the third round of play, a remaining ball determination corresponding to the second round of play is performed. That is, it is determined whether or not all of the game balls that entered the accessory device 150 in the second round of play have been discharged from the accessory device 150. In other words, in this embodiment, the remaining ball determination corresponding to the second round of play is performed after a predetermined period of time (2.5 seconds, which is the sum of the round interval period of 1.5 seconds and the above 1 second) has elapsed since the end of the second round. Then, if, in this determination process, the number of game balls that entered the accessory device 150 and the number of game balls that were discharged from the accessory device 150 do not match, it is treated as a remaining ball abnormality.

[0437] Similarly, at the end of the third round of play, the storage is released (timing t46), and the released game balls reach the V winning sensor 192 approximately 0.5 seconds after the start of the fourth round of play (timing t48). Furthermore, the opening / closing device 168 is controlled to open and close in a short-open mode until 1.2 seconds have elapsed since the start of the fourth round (timing t50), and then, at timing t49, one second after the start of the fourth round, a remaining ball determination is made. This remaining ball determination corresponds to the third round of play. That is, it is a process of checking whether all of the game balls that entered the device 150 during the third round of play have been discharged from the device 150.

[0438] Here, we will explain the relationship between the number of winning game balls in the accessory device 150 and the number of game balls discharged from the accessory device 150. Here, we will explain the relationship for the period from timing t45 to t50.

[0439] When the short opening mode ends at timing t45, the opening / closing control of the opening / closing device 168 is switched to either the opening / closing pattern P1 or P2. In these opening / closing modes, winning is permitted in the accessory device 150, and therefore winning occurs between timings t45 and t46. Then, of the game balls that have won in the accessory device 150, game balls other than the game balls that are stored are discharged from the accessory device 150 by timing t46 when the third round ends. Therefore, at timing t46, the number of game balls discharged from the accessory device 150 is one less than the number of game balls that have won in the accessory device 150.

[0440] When the fourth round starts at timing t47, the opening and closing accessory 168 is controlled to open and close in the short opening mode until timing t50, which is 1.2 seconds after timing t47. In the short opening mode, the game ball cannot enter the accessory device 150, so no new wins occur between timing t47 and t50.

[0441] Here, the execution period of the short release mode, 1.2 seconds, is longer than the elapsed time (approximately 0.5 seconds) from the start of the fourth round until the storage release ball reaches the V winning sensor 192. Therefore, the storage release ball reaches the V winning sensor 192 while the short release mode is being executed. As described above, since no new winning occurs while the short release mode is being executed, the number of winning game balls into the accessory device 150 and the number of game balls discharged from the accessory device 150 match at timing t48 when the storage release ball reaches the V winning sensor 192.

[0442] This state is maintained until the timing t50 when the short release mode ends. Therefore, by performing a remaining ball determination at timing t49, which is the timing after the storage release ball reaches the V winning sensor 192 and before the short release mode ends, it is possible to properly determine whether there is an abnormality in the remaining balls.

[0443] In this way, during the period when the opening / closing device 168 is controlled to open and close in the short-open mode, the game balls stored in the previous round of play are configured to pass through the V winning sensor 192, so the storage release balls can pass through the V, avoiding the period when game balls enter the device 150. This prevents the storage release balls and winning balls from being mixed in the device 150, making it easy to see which game balls have passed through the V.

[0444] Furthermore, since the remaining balls are judged during the short release mode and after the storage release balls have passed through V, the remaining balls can be judged for each round even while game balls are carried over, making it possible to make the pachinko machine 10 resistant to abnormal remaining balls. Also, since the remaining balls are judged in conjunction with the round game, the game can proceed more smoothly than if the round game was started after the remaining balls were judged.

[0445] It should be noted that even in the short-open mode, the opening / closing device 168 is in an open state, so winning may occur depending on the flow of game balls. In this case, if a mismatch between the number of winning balls and the number of dispensed balls is immediately determined to be an abnormality in the remaining balls, the game is likely to be interrupted due to an erroneous determination. Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which a single mismatch between the number of winning balls and the number of dispensed balls is not determined to be an abnormality in the remaining balls, but a mismatch occurring multiple times (for example, twice) in a row is determined to be an abnormality in the remaining balls.

[0446] <Fourth embodiment> In the second opening / closing execution mode, the second round, which is the first round, does not carry over (store) game balls from the previous round, so the third round and beyond cannot be played unless a V win (self-continuation) is achieved via the rotating body 201 during the second round. For this reason, compared to the third round and beyond, where carryover balls can be expected, it is more difficult to acquire the right to play the next round, and it is more likely that the second opening / closing execution mode will end before the second round.

[0447] In particular, if the player is able to store game balls in the accessory device 150 in the second round but is unable to achieve self-continuation, not only will the second opening / closing execution mode end prematurely, but the balls that have been stored will be wasted. In this case, the player may be very disappointed and lose interest in playing. This embodiment aims to provide relief in such cases, and its configuration will be described in detail below.

[0448] This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in the switching manner of the shutter 221. Figure 46 is a flowchart showing the open-period processing executed by the MPU 112 of the main control device 81 in this embodiment. Here, the processing of steps S2801 to S2804 shown in Figure 46 is executed between steps S2104 and S2105 in the open-period processing in Figure 35. Note that the open-period processing in Figure 35 is processing for switching the opening / closing element 168 from the open state to the closed state in the second opening / closing execution mode.

[0449] After updating the remaining ball counter RPC in step S2104, it is determined in step S2801 whether the value of the first round counter RC1 is 15. The first round counter RC1 counts the number of rounds of play, and in step S2801 it is determined whether the round play being played is the first round (second round) in the second opening / closing execution mode.

[0450] If the value of the first round counter RC1 is "15" and the current round game is the second round, the process proceeds to step S2802, where it is determined whether the value of the prize counter PC is "1." The prize counter PC counts the number of game balls that have won into the accessory device 150, and its value indicates the number of prizes remaining up to the upper limit of prizes (9 balls). In step S2802, it is determined whether there is one prize ball remaining up to the upper limit of prizes in the accessory device 150.

[0451] If the value of the winning counter PC is "1" and there is one winning ball remaining in the accessory device 150 until the upper limit of winning balls is reached, in step S2803, it is determined whether or not a V winning flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. In other words, it is determined whether or not a V winning (self-continuation) via the rotating body 201 has been achieved in the second round of play.

[0452] If the V winning flag is not stored and self-continuation has not been achieved, a shutter opening process is executed in step S2804. In step S2804, the shutter drive unit 221a is driven to switch the shutter 221 from the closed state to the open state. As a result, if a game ball has been stored in the entrance guide unit 215 (see FIG. 8), the storage is released and the game ball moves toward the V winning sensor 192 through the warp passage 210.

[0453] After step S2804 is executed, the process proceeds to step S2105, where a process is performed to determine whether the value of the prize counter PC is 0. Also, if a negative determination is made in steps S2801 and S2802, or if a positive determination is made in step S2803, the process proceeds to step S2105.

[0454] <About the game flow> Next, the flow of the game according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Fig. 47. Fig. 47 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of the game in the second round of the round game. Here, the explanation will be given assuming that the game balls are stored in the accessory device 150 at timing t51, which is in the middle of the second round.

[0455] At timing t52, when the eighth game ball enters the accessory device 150 (FIG. 47(c)), it is determined whether or not a V prize flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. In the example shown in FIG. 47, since the V prize flag is not stored (FIG. 47(g)), the shutter 221 is also switched from the closed state to the open state at timing t52 (FIG. 47(e)). As a result, the storage of game balls is released (FIG. 47(f)).

[0456] The travel time for the storage release ball to reach the V winning sensor 192 is approximately 2 seconds, and a 3.5-second waiting time is provided for each round of play in the second opening / closing execution mode. Therefore, the storage release ball passes through the V winning sensor 192 at timing t53, which is before timing t54 when the second round ends (Figure 47(g)). As a result, a V winning occurs during the second round of round play, and the right to play the third round is acquired.

[0457] In this way, at a specific timing in the second round (when there is one ball remaining until the maximum number of winnings), it is determined whether or not V has been passed (whether self-continuation has been achieved), and if V has not been passed, the shutter 221 is opened to release the storage, and V is passed during the second round of round play, thereby avoiding the inconvenience of not being able to play the third round even though game balls have been stored.

[0458] Since the opening process of the shutter 221 is performed regardless of whether or not balls are stored, the shutter 221 is opened at timing t52 even if there are no stored balls in the second round of play. However, since there are no stored balls, no V prize will be awarded. In other words, the above rescue measures only function if storage is achieved in the second round of play, and there is a difference in the degree of preferential treatment between when storage is not achieved and when storage is not achieved.

[0459] 47, if the V winning flag is set at timing t52, i.e., if self-continuation has been achieved, the shutter 221 is not opened at timing t53, and similarly to the first embodiment, the shutter 221 is opened at timing t54 when the second round ends. As a result, the storage release ball passes through the V winning sensor 192 in the third round, thereby acquiring the right to play the fourth round. In other words, this configuration is more advantageous for the player than if self-continuation had not been achieved in the second round.

[0460] <Fifth embodiment> This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in the opening waiting time (opening timing) in the first opening / closing execution mode, the switching manner of the shutter 221, and the execution timing of the remaining ball determination.

[0461] To briefly explain this embodiment, in this embodiment, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the second opening and closing execution mode (opening and closing execution mode based on the jackpot result) has ended, the storage of game balls stored in the accessory device 150 is released. If the timing at which the storage release ball passes through the V winning sensor 192 and the execution timing of the first opening and closing execution mode (opening and closing execution mode based on the normal opening result) after the second opening and closing execution mode has ended match well, the second opening and closing execution mode is generated by the storage release ball. Note that in this embodiment, for convenience, the explanation will proceed assuming that the upper limit of the common reserve number is 1.

[0462] 48 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the release timing table according to this embodiment. The release timing table is stored in the release timing table storage area 113c in the ROM 113.

[0463] In the opening timing table, the opening waiting time is defined in association with the opening type counter CS. Here, if there is no reserved information, the opening waiting time is the waiting time from the entry into the operating port 38, 39 to the opening of the opening / closing device 168, and if there is reserved information, it is the waiting time from the time when the reserved information is consumed (when the win / loss determination process of step S805 (Fig. 21) for the reserved information is performed) to the opening of the opening / closing device 168.

[0464] As shown in Fig. 48, the open table according to this embodiment has two types of open waiting times set: 0.5 seconds and 2.5 seconds. The 0.5 second open waiting time corresponds to "0" to "89" in the open type counter CS, and the 2.5 second open waiting time corresponds to "90" to "99" in the open type counter CS. In other words, the probability that the 0.5 second open waiting time will be selected is 9 / 10, and the probability that the 2.5 second open waiting time will be selected is 1 / 10, making the latter probability lower.

[0465] Next, the remaining ball determination process executed by the MPU 112 of the main control device 81 will be described with reference to Figure 49(a). The process of Figure 49(a) is executed in place of the remaining ball determination process of Figure 38 according to the first embodiment.

[0466] In the remaining ball determination process according to this embodiment, first, in step S3001, it is determined whether or not a determination standby flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114. The determination standby flag indicates that the remaining ball determination process is on standby after the second opening and closing execution mode ends, and is set when the second opening and closing execution mode ends.

[0467] If the determination standby flag is not stored, in step S3002, it is determined whether the first opening and closing execution mode is being executed. If the first opening and closing execution mode is being executed, the process proceeds to step S3003, and the processes of steps S3003 to S3005 are executed. These processes are the same as the processes of steps S2402 to S2404 in Figure 38, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0468] On the other hand, if the first opening and closing execution mode is not being executed, the process proceeds to step S3006, where it is determined whether the second opening and closing execution mode is being executed. If the second opening and closing execution mode is being executed, it is determined in step S3007 whether the value of the first round counter RC1 is "0." If the value of the first round counter RC1 is "0," the process proceeds to step S3008, where it is determined whether the ending has ended, i.e., whether the waiting time for the ending has elapsed.

[0469] If the ending has ended, shutter setting processing is executed in step S3009. In this processing, the operation mode of the shutter 221 is set so that the shutter 221 switches from the closed state to the open state after a predetermined period (3.5 seconds) has elapsed since the end timing of the second opening / closing execution mode (end timing of the ending). Note that the period for which the open state is maintained is arbitrary, but is set to, for example, 0.3 seconds, as in the first embodiment.

[0470] In the next step S3010, a process for setting a judgment waiting time is executed. The judgment waiting time specifies the execution timing of the remaining ball judgment process, and in this embodiment, it is the waiting time from the timing of ending the second opening / closing execution mode. The judgment waiting time is a predetermined time longer than the time (approximately 5.5 seconds) until the shutter is opened (set in step S3009) plus the travel time (approximately 2 seconds) until the storage release ball reaches the V winning sensor 192, and is set to, for example, 6 seconds.

[0471] After step S3010 is executed, in step S3011, a determination standby flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of the RAM 114, and then the remaining ball determination process is terminated.

[0472] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3001 that the judgment standby flag is stored, the process proceeds to step S3012, where it is determined whether it is time to perform a remaining ball judgment. This process determines whether the judgment standby time set in step S3010 has elapsed. If it is not time to perform a remaining ball judgment, the remaining ball judgment process is terminated. If it is time to perform a remaining ball judgment, the process proceeds to step S3013, where it is determined whether the first opening and closing execution mode is being executed. By executing this process, it is determined whether the timing to perform the remaining ball judgment and the execution period of the first opening and closing execution mode overlap.

[0473] If the first opening / closing execution mode is not being executed, in step S3014, it is determined whether the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is "0" or not, and a remaining ball determination is performed. In this case, the remaining ball counter RPC covers the period from the start of the second opening / closing execution mode to the execution timing. Incidentally, the remaining ball counter RPC is incremented by 1 each time a winning entry into the accessory device 150 is detected (step S2104 in FIG. 35 or step S1503 in FIG. 27), and is decremented by 1 each time the discharge of a game ball from the accessory device 150 is detected (step S2303 in FIG. 37 or step S1506 in FIG. 27).

[0474] If it is determined in step S3014 that the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is not "0," the process proceeds to step S3015, where it is determined that game balls remain in the accessory device 150, and a remaining ball flag is stored in the various flag storage area 114e of RAM 114. After step S3015 is executed, or if it is determined in step S3014 that the value of the remaining ball counter RPC is "0," the determination standby flag stored in the various flag storage area 114e of RAM 114 is erased in step S3016. Thereafter, this remaining ball determination process ends.

[0475] Furthermore, if the determination in step S3013 is affirmative, i.e., if it is determined that the first opening and closing execution mode is in progress, the processes of steps S3014 and S3015 (remaining ball determination) are skipped, and the process of step S3016 is executed. In this case, the remaining ball determination is executed in step S3004. That is, if the execution timing of the remaining ball determination overlaps with the execution period of the first opening and closing execution mode, the remaining ball determination is executed at the end of the first opening and closing execution mode.

[0476] Next, normal processing will be explained with reference to Figure 49(b). Figure 49(b) is a flowchart showing normal processing. Note that Figure 49(b) illustrates only the parts that differ from the normal processing in Figure 19, and the processing of step S3101 in Figure 49(b) is performed after step S606 (game state transition processing) in Figure 19 is executed.

[0477] In step S3101, shutter processing is executed. This processing is for driving and controlling the shutter 221 under circumstances where neither the first opening / closing execution mode nor the second opening / closing execution mode is being executed. Specifically, when the drive timing of the shutter 221 set in the above step S3009 arrives, if the first opening / closing execution mode is not being executed, this processing switches the shutter 221 from the closed state to the open state. Note that if the first opening / closing execution mode is being executed when the drive timing of the shutter 221 arrives, the shutter 221 is switched from the closed state to the open state in the processing for the operation part inside the role object in step S809 of FIG. 21.

[0478] <About the game flow> Next, the flow of the game according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 50 and 51. Figures 50 and 51 are timing charts for explaining the flow of the game after the end of the second opening and closing execution mode, the former showing a case where 2.5 seconds is selected as the opening waiting time, and the latter showing a case where 0.5 seconds is selected as the opening waiting time. Here, in both cases of Figures 50 and 51, the explanation will proceed assuming that game balls are stored in the accessory device 150 at the end of the second opening and closing execution mode, and the number of common reserves is one.

[0479] First, referring to Figure 50, we will explain the case where an opening waiting time of 2.5 seconds is selected. When the second opening / closing execution mode ends at timing t61, the reserved information that was reserved in the first result display unit reserve area Ra or the second result display unit reserve area Rb is shifted to the execution area AE, and a success / failure determination is made. In this case, the result of the success / failure determination is assumed to be a normal opening result. After the success / failure determination is made, the opening / closing device 168 begins waiting to open, and this state continues until the opening waiting time (2.5 seconds) has elapsed.

[0480] When the opening standby time has elapsed at timing t62, the opening / closing device 168 is switched to the open state. Also, at timing t62, the first opening / closing execution mode is initiated as the opening of the opening / closing device 168. At timing t63, when the opening time (0.5 seconds) has elapsed since timing t62, the opening / closing device 168 is switched from the open state to the closed state. After the opening / closing device 168 has been switched to the closed state, the end of the first opening / closing execution mode is awaited until timing t66, when the end standby time (3.5 seconds) has elapsed. During the first opening / closing execution mode, when a gaming ball passes through the V winning sensor 192, it is activated and a V winning occurs. The time elapsed from the end timing of the second opening / closing execution mode (timing t61) to the end of the first opening / closing execution mode is 6.5 seconds, which is the sum of the opening waiting time of 2.5 seconds, the opening time of the opening / closing device 168 of 0.5 seconds, and the waiting time at the end of the first opening / closing execution mode of 3.5 seconds.

[0481] At timing t64, 3.5 seconds after the end of the second opening / closing execution mode (timing t61), the shutter 221 is switched from the closed state to the open state. This releases the storage state of the game balls in the accessory device 150, and the storage release balls start moving toward the V winning sensor 192. The storage release balls reach the V winning sensor 192 at timing t65, approximately 2 seconds after the storage release.

[0482] In this case, the arrival timing is 5.5 seconds after the end timing of the second opening and closing execution mode, and before the end timing (timing t66) of the first opening and closing execution mode, which is 6.5 seconds after the end timing of the second opening and closing execution mode. Therefore, when the storage release ball passes through the V winning sensor 192, a V winning occurs, and a new second opening and closing execution mode is started.

[0483] In this way, the game balls stored during the second opening and closing execution mode remain even after the second opening and closing execution mode ends, and are released from storage after a predetermined period of time has passed, so the stored balls can be used to play the second opening and closing execution mode consecutively. This increases the joy of storing winning balls and makes it possible to increase the game's enjoyment.

[0484] In addition, when waiting for the release of storage after the end of the second opening / closing execution mode, a configuration may be adopted in which the pattern display device 51, the display light-emitting unit 63, the speaker unit 64, or the like notifies the user of the timing of the release of storage and the waiting time until that timing. For example, when notifying the user using the pattern display device 51, a specific display may be displayed at the timing of the release of storage, or the waiting time may be displayed. When the waiting time is displayed, the remaining waiting time until the release of storage may be displayed not only at the end of the second opening / closing execution mode, but also at a predetermined timing after the end of the second opening / closing execution mode. Furthermore, for example, a countdown display or a level gauge may be used to indicate the change in the remaining time, or a notification may be made indicating the elapsed time since the end of the second opening / closing execution mode. Control of these notifications may be performed by the display control device 100 that controls the pattern display device 51, or the performance control device 82 that controls the display light-emitting unit 63 and the speaker unit 64.

[0485] Next, referring to Figure 51, we will explain the case where an opening waiting time of 0.5 seconds is selected. When the second opening / closing execution mode ends at timing t71, a success / failure determination is made based on the reserved information reserved in the first result display unit reserve area Ra or the second result display unit reserve area Rb. It should be noted that the result of the success / failure determination in this case is assumed to be a normal opening result. After the success / failure determination is made, the opening / closing device 168 begins waiting to open, and this state continues until the opening waiting time (0.5 seconds) has elapsed. At timing t72 when the opening waiting time has elapsed, the opening / closing device 168 is switched to the open state, and the first opening / closing execution mode is started.

[0486] At timing t73, 3.5 seconds after the end of the second opening / closing execution mode (timing t71), the shutter 221 is switched from the closed state to the open state. This releases the storage state of the game balls in the accessory device 150, and the storage release balls start moving toward the V winning sensor 192. The storage release balls reach the V winning sensor 192 at timing t75, approximately 2 seconds after the storage release.

[0487] On the other hand, the first opening / closing execution mode, which started at timing t72, ends at timing t74, four seconds after the start of the mode (the combined time of 0.5 seconds, which is the opening time of the opening / closing device 168, and 3.5 seconds, which is the waiting time at the end of the first opening / closing execution mode). Here, the end timing of the first opening / closing execution mode is 4.5 seconds after the end timing of the second opening / closing execution mode, while the timing at which the storage release ball reaches the V winning sensor 192 is 5.5 seconds after the end timing of the second opening / closing execution mode. In other words, the storage release ball passes the V winning sensor 192 after the end of the first opening / closing execution mode. In this case, even if the storage release ball passes the V winning sensor 192, it is not valid, and no V winning occurs. Therefore, a new second opening / closing execution mode is not started.

[0488] In this way, when a 0.5-second open wait time is selected, the second opening / closing execution mode will not continue even if the first opening / closing execution mode is executed, so even if there are balls stored and on hold at the end of the second opening / closing execution mode, consecutive wins in the second opening / closing execution mode are not guaranteed. As a result, even if game balls are stored and on hold, you cannot relax, and it is possible to continue paying attention to the development of the game until a new second opening / closing execution mode is initiated.

[0489] In addition, since the likelihood of winning consecutive games in the second opening / closing execution mode differs depending on the opening waiting time selected, it is possible to generate strong interest in which opening waiting time is selected after the second opening / closing execution mode ends, thereby increasing attention to the game.

[0490] In this case, if an alert is issued based on the consumption of reserved balls or a winning entry into the operating port 38, 39 (if no reserved balls are present), the notification mode may be configured to be the same or indistinguishable depending on whether a 2.5-second waiting time is selected or a 0.5-second waiting time is selected. In this case, it becomes difficult to estimate the waiting time from the alert, making it difficult to predict whether a consecutive win will occur. This allows the suspense to be maintained until the reserve release ball passes through the V winning sensor 192 and it becomes clear whether a consecutive win will occur. The alert may be issued as a display effect using the symbol display device 51 or the display light-emitting unit 63, or as an audio effect using the speaker unit 64.

[0491] In the above description with reference to Figures 50 and 51, it was assumed that game balls were stored in the accessory device 150 at the end of the second opening / closing execution mode. However, there may be cases where no storage occurs. That is, in the final round of the second opening / closing execution mode, the second distribution member 310 is not fixed to the distribution state, but is controlled to switch between the distribution state and the non-distribution state according to the distribution pattern table shown in Figure 34(b). Therefore, depending on the timing of the game balls entering the accessory device 150, the final round (second opening / closing execution mode) may end without the winning balls being distributed to the entrance guide section 215. This configuration creates a sense of tension that the second opening / closing execution mode may end without any storage, making it more interesting than simply playing the second opening / closing execution mode.

[0492] Next, the execution timing of the remaining ball determination will be described with reference to Figure 52. Figure 52 is a timing chart for explaining the execution timing of the remaining ball determination.

[0493] In this embodiment, the timing of the remaining ball determination differs between (1) when the first opening and closing execution mode is not being executed when the determination waiting time has elapsed and (2) when the first opening and closing execution mode is being executed when the determination waiting time has elapsed.

[0494] (1) If the first opening / closing execution mode is not being executed when the judgment standby time has elapsed, as shown in Figure 52(a), the remaining ball determination is executed at timing t77 when the judgment standby time (6 seconds) set at the end of the second opening / closing execution mode has elapsed. In this case, even if the first opening / closing execution mode is executed after the end of the second opening / closing execution mode and before the judgment standby time has elapsed, the remaining ball determination is executed after all of the following have been completed: the discharge of game balls from the accessory device 150 in the second opening / closing execution mode, the discharge of game balls from the accessory device 150 in the first opening / closing execution mode, and the discharge of game balls stored at the end of the second opening / closing execution mode from the accessory device 150 (see the flow from step S3010 to YES in step S3001 in Figure 49). Therefore, under normal game conditions, the number of winning balls and the number of balls dispensed will match, and the number of remaining balls can be appropriately determined by summarizing the input and output of game balls in each of the situations of the second opening / closing execution mode, the subsequent first opening / closing execution mode, and the discharge of the released balls after the first opening / closing execution mode has ended.

[0495] 52(a) illustrates a case in which the first opening and closing execution mode is executed after the second opening and closing execution mode has ended, but the remaining balls can be determined appropriately even if the first opening and closing execution mode is not executed. In other words, since the remaining balls are determined after waiting for the release of the stored balls, the situation in which one ball is discharged when the second opening and closing execution mode ends can be resolved before the remaining balls are determined.

[0496] On the other hand, (2) if the first opening / closing execution mode is being executed when the judgment standby time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 52(b), the remaining ball determination is performed not at timing t77 when the judgment standby time has elapsed, but at timing t78 when the first opening / closing execution mode has ended. For example, in a configuration in which the remaining ball determination is performed at timing t77, if a winning ball enters the bonus device 150 just before timing t77 in the first opening / closing execution mode and the winning ball is dispensed after timing t77, the remaining ball determination will be performed with fewer dispensed balls than the number of winning balls, which may result in an erroneous determination that there is an abnormal remaining ball count. In this regard, with the configuration shown in FIG. 52(b), the remaining ball determination is performed after the dispense of the winning game balls in the first opening / closing execution mode has finished, thereby preventing such erroneous determination.

[0497] Sixth Embodiment This embodiment differs from the above-described embodiments in that game balls can be stored in the accessory device 150 in the first opening / closing execution mode.

[0498] To briefly explain this embodiment, in this embodiment, winning balls are stored in the accessory device 150 in the first opening / closing execution mode (opening / closing execution mode based on the normal opening result), and the storage state is maintained for a predetermined period after the mode ends. If a new first opening / closing execution mode occurs during the period in which the storage state is maintained, the storage state is released and a V winning is generated by the storage release ball. In this embodiment, for convenience, the explanation will be given assuming that the upper limit of the common reserve number is 0, that is, that there is no reserve function.

[0499] 53 is a diagram showing the release timing table according to this embodiment. The release timing table is stored in the release timing table storage area 113c in the ROM 113.

[0500] In the opening timing table, the opening waiting time is defined in association with the opening type counter CS. Here, the opening waiting time is the waiting time from the winning of the operation opening 38, 39 to the opening of the opening and closing device 168.

[0501] As shown in Fig. 53, the open table according to this embodiment has two types of open waiting times set: 0.5 seconds and 2 seconds. The 0.5 second open waiting time corresponds to "0" to "39" in the open type counter CS, and the 2 second open waiting time corresponds to "40" to "99" in the open type counter CS. In oth...

Claims

[Claim 1] a launching means for launching a game ball based on a launching operation by a player; A variable ball entry means that can be switched between a first mode in which the game ball launched by the launching means can enter the ball or is easy to enter the ball, and a second mode in which the game ball cannot enter the ball or is more difficult to enter than the first mode; A variable entry control means for changing the variable entry means from the second mode to the first mode, and then executing variable entry control to change the variable entry means to the second mode; a means for transitioning to a first specific state when a specific condition is met; Equipped with At least the first specific state is one in which the variable entry control by the variable entry control means can be executed, a means for enabling the first specific state to be set in a first state in which a transition from the first specific state to a second specific state is executed when a first predetermined condition is satisfied in the first specific state; a means for enabling the vehicle to enter a second state in which, when the first predetermined condition and the second predetermined condition are satisfied in the first specific state, a transition to the second specific state and a transition to a third specific state subsequent to the second specific state are executed; Equipped with When neither the first predetermined condition nor the second predetermined condition is satisfied and the first specific state ends, transition to the second specific state is not executed, A gaming machine characterized in that, when the first predetermined condition is not met and the second predetermined condition is met in the first specific state, a transition to the second specific state is executed based on the fulfillment of the second predetermined condition, a transition to the third specific state is not executed based on the fulfillment of the second predetermined condition, and a transition to the third specific state is possible when a transition trigger to the third specific state is met in the second specific state to which a transition was made based on the fulfillment of the second predetermined condition.

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