gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of easily attaching or detaching a board.SOLUTION: When exchanging a junction board 190 held by a junction board mounting part 174, the junction board 190 can be easily attached to or detached from the junction board mounting part 174 by performing operation for moving a nib part 179C of a movable engagement part 179 provided in the junction board mounting part 174 between an attachment / detachment permission position and a detachment inhibition position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002]

[0003] Gaming machines (pachinko machines) have been known in the past that have a gaming area in which gaming balls (gaming media) move and that launch gaming balls into the gaming area in response to player operation. This type of gaming machine has a start winning hole in the gaming area as a detection area for detecting gaming balls. When it detects that a gaming ball has entered the start winning hole, it conducts a special lottery and starts displaying a varying number of symbols on the display device. If the result of the special lottery is a jackpot, it displays the symbols stationary in a specific manner. This then transitions the gaming state to a special gaming state, in which multiple jackpot games are played. During each jackpot game, it opens a special winning hole in the gaming area and pays out gaming balls in response to the entry of the gaming ball into the special winning hole.

[0003] This type of gaming machine is provided with various boards for controlling the gaming machine, and these boards are attached to the gaming machine by screws (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-60613 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the board is attached with screws, when it becomes necessary to replace the board, the board must be detached by attaching and detaching the screws each time, which makes the work of attaching and detaching the board time-consuming.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which the base plate can be easily attached and detached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a game progresses according to the result of a lottery, the gaming machine comprising a board on which electronic components are mounted and an attachment portion to which the board is attached, the attachment portion having an engaging portion that can engage with the board to hold the board on the attachment portion, the engaging portion being provided on two opposing edge portions of the attachment portion, the engaging portion provided on at least one of the edge portions being movable between a detachment-permitting position that allows the board to be attached and detached and a detachment-preventing position that prevents the board from being detached, the board having a pattern-free area in which no pattern is formed at a position corresponding to the engaging portion, the pattern-free area being formed over a wider area than the area in which the engaging portion engages with the board when the board is attached to the attachment portion.

[0008] In this invention, the substrate can be easily attached to and detached from the mounting part by operating the engaging part that is movable between the attachment / detachment allowance position and the detachment prevention position. Furthermore, even if the engaging part comes into sliding contact with the substrate when attaching or detaching the substrate, the engaging part comes into sliding contact with the substrate in an area of ​​the substrate where no pattern is present, so damage to the pattern can be avoided.

[0009] (2) Also, in the present invention, the substrate may be attached to the mounting portion with a gap between at least one of the two edge portions and the substrate, and the pattern-free area may be formed in a range that is equal to or greater than the range in which the engaging portion engages with the substrate when the substrate is attached to the mounting portion plus the range of the gap.

[0010] In this way, even if the substrate moves within the gap when the substrate is attached or detached, the engaging portion will come into sliding contact with the pattern-free area of ​​the substrate, thereby preventing damage to the pattern. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the board can be easily attached to and detached from the gaming machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front frame of the embodiment of the present invention in an open state. [Figure 3] 1 is a front view showing the external configuration of a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a game board set according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the base portion according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A rear view of the performance board mounting portion and relay board mounting portion of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a rear view of an interconnection board mounting portion that holds an interconnection board according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an intermediate board attachment portion that holds an intermediate board according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] An exploded oblique view of an upper stage display according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] An enlarged oblique view showing the upper part of the upper stage of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] An enlarged oblique view showing the upper part of the upper stage of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] A front view of the upper part of the upper stage of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional blocks of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0014] 1. Configuration of the gaming machine 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior configuration of a gaming machine according to this embodiment. The gaming machine of this embodiment is used for playing games using gaming balls (gaming media) loaned from an amusement parlor. It includes an outer frame 2 (frame body) that forms the exterior of the gaming machine, a gaming board 6 that is provided inside the gaming machine and forms a gaming area 4 in which the gaming balls move, a main body 7 that holds the gaming board 6 and various control boards inside the gaming machine, a glass unit 8 that makes the gaming area 4 visible but inaccessible to players, and a front frame 10 (door body) that is formed on the front of the gaming machine to surround the gaming area 4. The front frame 10 forms a front frame opening 11 in an area corresponding to the gaming area 4 so that the player can see the gaming area 4. The glass unit 8 is attached from the rear side to close the front frame opening 11, thereby forming the front of the gaming machine together with the glass unit 8.

[0015] A portion of the front frame 10 is made of a translucent material that allows light to pass through, and inside the portion made of the translucent material are provided a plurality of front frame lamps 12 that output light effects to enhance the game. The front frame 10 also has a speaker 14 that outputs sound effects to enhance the game.

[0016] An upper tray 16 for storing game balls is provided in the center of the lower part of the front frame 10, and a payout opening 18 for paying out game balls from the gaming machine to a player is provided on the left side of the inner surface of the upper tray 16 at the back. A handle 20 is provided on the right side of the lower part of the front frame 10, and when a player turns the handle 20 clockwise facing the gaming machine, a launcher (not shown) provided inside the gaming machine is activated, and game balls are launched into the gaming area 4. The launcher of this embodiment can launch 99 game balls per minute (1.65 balls per second).

[0017] A supply port 22 is provided on the right side of the inner surface of the upper tray 16 at the back side for supplying game balls from the upper tray 16 to the launching device. Also, a lower tray 24 is provided below the upper tray 16 for storing surplus game balls when the upper tray 16 cannot store all the game balls.

[0018] In addition, a performance input device 25 (performance operation means) consisting of buttons, handles, etc. is provided in the center of the front side of the upper tray 16, and when the player operates the performance input device 25, the performance performed by the gaming machine changes.

[0019] Here, the front frame 10 is attached so as to be rotatable relative to the outer frame 2 around a frame rotation axis 26 that runs along the left edge of the front frame 10 and the left edge of the outer frame 2. When a key is inserted into the cylinder lock 27 provided on the right side of the upper tray 16 and rotated in one direction, the lock is released and the front frame 10 can be opened relative to the outer frame 2.

[0020] 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front frame 10 is open relative to the outer frame 2. As shown in FIG. 2, in the gaming machine of this embodiment, the main body 7, on which the game board 6 and various control boards are provided, is also attached rotatably to the outer frame 2 and the front frame 10 around the frame rotation axis 26, so that the front frame 10 can be opened relative to the outer frame 2 and the main body 7, and the main body 7 can be opened relative to the outer frame 2.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a front view showing the external configuration of the gaming board 6 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, a circular outer rail 28 is provided on the gaming board 6, and the area surrounded by the outer rail 28 is the gaming area 4 in which gaming balls move. An arc-shaped inner rail 30 is provided on the left end of the gaming area 4 so as to follow the outer rail 28, and the outer rail 28 and inner rail 30 guide gaming balls launched from a launcher (not shown) provided below the gaming board 6 into the gaming area 4.

[0022] A game board opening 36 is formed in the center of the game board 6 as an opening that allows the player to view the liquid crystal display 31 provided at the back of the game board 6. In this embodiment, game balls cannot pass through the front side of the game board opening 36, and game balls launched from the launching device fall into the game area 4 on the left side of the game board opening 36 or the game area 4 on the right side of the game board opening 36. A large number of game nails (not shown) are nailed into the game area 4 so as to intersect with the surface of the game board 6, so that the direction of movement of game balls moving through the game area 4 changes randomly.

[0023] Furthermore, to the left of the game board opening 36, a left opening 40 is formed through which game balls falling in the game area 4 on the left side of the game board opening 36 can pass, and game balls that pass through this left opening 40 pass through a passage 42 provided below and to the left of the game board opening 36 and fall onto a stage 44 provided below the game board opening 36. The top surface of this stage 44 is smoothly curved, and a gap is formed between the stage 44 and the glass unit 8 that allows game balls to fall downward from the stage 44, so that game balls that fall from the passage 42 onto the stage 44 move back and forth on the stage 44 before falling downward from near the center of the stage 44.

[0024] A first start winning opening 46 is provided below the center of the stage 44, into which a gaming ball that has fallen downward from near the center of the stage 44 can enter. This first start winning opening 46 has a built-in sensor (detection means) that detects the entry of a gaming ball, and is configured so that when a gaming ball enters, the gaming ball is collected inside the gaming machine, and each time a gaming ball enters the first start winning opening 46, a predetermined number of gaming balls (a specified number of one or more, for example, three) is paid out to the player, and a special lottery is held to obtain a random number value and determine whether or not the player has won a jackpot.

[0025] Furthermore, a passing gate 48 is provided in the gaming area 4 on the right side of the gaming board opening 36, through which gaming balls pass without being collected inside the gaming machine. This passing gate 48 has a built-in sensor that detects the passing of a gaming ball, and each time a gaming ball passes through the passing gate 48, a random number value is obtained and a regular lottery is held to determine whether or not a regular win has occurred.

[0026] In addition, in the gaming area 4 to the right of the gaming board opening 36, below the passing gate 48, there is provided a second start winning opening 50 through which a gaming ball is collected inside the gaming machine when it enters. This second start winning opening 50 has a built-in sensor (gaming medium detection means) that detects the entry of a gaming ball, and is provided with a normal role device 52 (auxiliary means) that has an auxiliary member that can operate between a reduced state (a state that does not assist entry, a non-assisted state) in which it is difficult for a gaming ball to enter the second start winning opening 50 and an expanded state (a state that assists entry, an auxiliary state) in which it is easy for a gaming ball to enter. The normal role device 52 has a built-in drive device such as a solenoid that operates the auxiliary member, and is controlled to enter the expanded state under predetermined conditions when a normal win is won in the normal lottery. Each time a game ball enters the second start winning port 50, a predetermined number of game balls (a prescribed number greater than one, for example, one) is paid out to the player, and a special lottery is held to obtain a random number value and determine whether or not the player has won the jackpot.

[0027] In addition, the number of game balls paid out to the player each time a game ball enters the first start winning port 46 and the number of game balls paid out to the player each time a game ball enters the second start winning port 50 may be the same or different numbers.

[0028] In addition, a jackpot opening 54 is provided in the game area 4 to the right of the game board opening 36. When a gaming ball enters the jackpot opening 54, the gaming ball is collected inside the gaming machine. The jackpot opening 54 has a built-in sensor that detects the entry of a gaming ball, and a special device 56 with a plate-like member that closes the jackpot opening 54. The special device 56 is configured to be operable between an open state (first state, entry-enabled state) in which the gaming ball can enter the jackpot opening 54 and a closed state (second state, entry-disabled state) in which the gaming ball cannot enter the jackpot opening 54. The special device 56 has a built-in drive device such as a solenoid that operates the plate-like member, and is controlled to open under predetermined conditions in a special game state that begins when a jackpot is won in a special lottery. Each time a gaming ball enters the jackpot opening 54, a predetermined number of gaming balls (e.g., 10) are paid out to the player.

[0029] In addition, at the bottom of the game area 4, an outlet 62 is provided for retrieving into the game machine game balls that have fallen through the game area 4 without entering any of the winning holes.

[0030] The game ball launching device is configured so that the launching force of the game ball can be changed by adjusting the amount of rotation of the handle 20 shown in Figure 1. When the amount of rotation of the handle 20 is small, the game ball is launched so that it falls into the game area 4 on the left side of the game board opening 36, and when the amount of rotation of the handle 20 is large, the game ball is launched so that it falls into the game area 4 on the right side of the game board opening 36.

[0031] Therefore, the player adjusts the amount of rotation of the handle 20 depending on the game situation, and launches the game ball so that it falls down the left-side game area 4, or passes through the left opening 40, the passage 42 and the stage 44, and enters the first starting winning port 46 (left hit), or so that it falls down the right-side game area 4, passes through the passing gate 48, or enters the second starting winning port 50, or enters the big winning port 54 (right hit).

[0032] In the gaming machine of this embodiment, when the gaming ball falls through the left-hand gaming area 4, it will not pass through the passing gate 48 and will not win the second starting winning opening 50 or the large winning opening 54, and when the gaming ball falls through the right-hand gaming area 4, it will not win the first starting winning opening 46.

[0033] In addition, at the bottom left of the game board 6, outside the game area 4, there is provided a status display device 70 that shows various states of the game machine, such as the results of the regular lottery, the results of the special lottery, and the game status, by turning on and off lamps, etc.

[0034] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a game board set 100 including a game board 6. As shown in Fig. 4, the game board set 100 has the game board 6, a base part 130 provided at the rear (deep side) of the game board 6, and a liquid crystal unit 200 attached to the base part 130 from the rear.

[0035] The base portion 130 has a large rectangular base opening 134 formed in the center, and the display area of ​​the liquid crystal display 31 of the liquid crystal unit 200, which is attached to the base portion 130 from the rear, can be seen from the front through the base opening 134.

[0036] An upper performance element 140 is provided on the upper part of the base part 130, a rear lower performance element 150 is provided on the lower part of the base part 130, and a front lower performance element 160 is attached in front of the rear lower performance element 150. The upper performance element 140, the rear lower performance element 150, and the front lower performance element 160 have a portion on the front made of a translucent material that allows light to pass through, and inside the portion made of the translucent material, multiple lamps are provided that output light to add excitement to the game.

[0037] The upper performance element 140 extends in the left-right direction as its longitudinal direction, and covers part of the display area of ​​the LCD display 31. In this embodiment, the upper performance element 140 is arranged to be movable between a state where it is not tilted in the left-right direction (see Figure 3) and a state where it is tilted downward to the right. The movement of the upper performance element 140 is performed by driving a motor or the like (not shown) provided on the base part 130.

[0038] The rear lower performance element 150 extends in the left-right direction as its longitudinal direction, and covers part of the display area of ​​the LCD display 31. In this embodiment, the rear lower performance element 150 is arranged to be movable between a state where it is hidden by the front lower performance element 160 and is difficult for the player to see (see FIG. 3), and a state where it is positioned higher than the front lower performance element 160 and is easily visible to the player. The rear lower performance element 150 is operated by driving a motor or the like (not shown) provided on the base part 130.

[0039] The front lower performance element 160 is attached to the base 130 so that its position does not move between the gaming board 6 and the rear lower performance element 150, but the attachment method is not limited to this and it may be attached in a state where it is rotatable or movable relative to the base 130. Furthermore, the front lower performance element 160 may be attached to the back side of the gaming board 6 rather than to the base 130.

[0040] The liquid crystal unit 200 has a liquid crystal display 31 and a control board unit 201 attached to the rear surface (back face) of the liquid crystal display 31. The control board unit 201 is provided with various control boards.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the base unit 130 shown in FIG. 4. The lower part of the rear surface of the base unit 130 is provided with a performance board mounting portion 173 for mounting the performance board 180 and a relay board mounting portion 174 (mounting portion) for mounting the relay board 190. Here, the performance board 180 is a circuit board for controlling performances by various performance elements, and the relay board 190 is a circuit board for relaying signal transmission between other circuit boards, for example, between circuit boards related to the type (specifications) of gaming machines associated with the main board. In this embodiment, different relay boards 190 are prepared depending on the type of gaming machine, and by replacing the relay board 190 according to the type of gaming machine, the gaming machine main body or base unit can be used with multiple types of gaming machines. Therefore, the relay board 190 is attached and detached more frequently than the performance board 180.

[0042] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the performance board mounting portion 173 and relay board mounting portion 174 shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, ribs 175 are formed on the periphery of each of the performance board mounting portion 173 and relay board mounting portion 174 so as to protrude higher than the surrounding area on the front side in Figure 6, and the periphery of the performance board 180 mounted on the performance board mounting portion 173 and the periphery of the relay board 190 mounted on the relay board mounting portion 174 are supported by the ribs 175.

[0043] At the upper left and lower right corners of the performance board mounting portion 173, boss holes 175A for holding the performance board 180 are formed in the rib 175. Meanwhile, at the upper left and lower right corners of the performance board 180, hole portions (not shown) are formed, and the performance board 180 is attached to the performance board mounting portion 173 by screwing the performance board 180 in a state where each of the two hole portions of the performance board 180 is aligned with each of the corresponding two boss holes 175A.

[0044] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of the relay board mounting portion 174 with the relay board 190 attached. As shown in Fig. 7, the relay board mounting portion 174 is provided with a first corner restricting portion 176A (shown by a broken line), a second corner restricting portion 176B (shown by a broken line), an upper restricting portion 176C, a first lower restricting portion 176D, and a second lower restricting portion 176E (hereinafter, these will be collectively referred to as "restricting portions 176" as necessary) at multiple positions along the periphery of the relay board mounting portion 174 to restrict movement of the relay board 190 in the up-down and left-right directions. Specifically, the first corner restricting portion 176A is provided at the upper left corner of the periphery of the relay board mounting portion 174, the second corner restricting portion 176B is provided at the upper right corner of the periphery of the relay board mounting portion 174, the upper restricting portion 176C is provided at the center of the upper edge of the relay board mounting portion 174, the first lower restricting portion 176D is provided at the left end of the lower edge of the relay board mounting portion 174, and the second lower restricting portion 176E is provided at the right end of the lower edge of the relay board mounting portion 174. These restricting portions 176 are formed so as to protrude higher than the rib 175 on the front side in FIG.

[0045] As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 7 , the first corner restricting portion 176A is formed in an inverted L-shape when viewed from the rear. The first corner restricting portion 176A is capable of contacting the upper left corner of the relay board 190, restricting upward and leftward movement of the relay board 190. The second corner restricting portion 176B is formed in an inverted L-shape when viewed from the rear. The second corner restricting portion 176B is capable of contacting the upper right corner of the relay board 190, restricting upward and rightward movement of the relay board 190. The upper restricting portion 176C is capable of contacting the upper edge of the relay board 190, restricting upward movement of the relay board 190. The first lower restricting portion 176D is capable of contacting the lower edge of the relay board 190, restricting downward movement of the relay board 190. The second lower restricting portion 176E is capable of contacting the lower edge of the relay board 190, restricting downward movement of the relay board 190.

[0046] In this embodiment, the vertical dimensions between the lateral portions of the first corner restricting portion 176A, the lateral portions of the second corner restricting portion 176B, and the upper restricting portion 176C and the first lower restricting portion 176D and the second lower restricting portion 176E are set to be larger than the vertical dimension of the relay board 190. Therefore, when the relay board 190 is supported from below by the first lower restricting portion 176D and the second lower restricting portion 176E, a gap of a predetermined dimension P (referred to as "gap P" as necessary) is formed between the lateral portions of the first corner restricting portion 176A, the lateral portions of the second corner restricting portion 176B, and the upper restricting portion 176C and the upper edge of the relay board 190, as shown in FIG. 7 . This gap P is so-called play, and the relay board 190 is able to move up and down within the range of this gap P.

[0047] It is not essential to form the gap P as play in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the vertical portions of the first corner restriction portion 176A and the second corner restriction portion 176B and the edge of the relay board 190 are very close to each other in the left-right direction, and no gap as large as the gap P is formed, but instead, a gap large enough to provide play may be formed in the left-right direction as well.

[0048] 7, the relay board mounting portion 174 is provided with a first corner engagement portion 178A (engagement portion), a second corner engagement portion 178B (engagement portion), and an intermediate engagement portion 178C (engagement portion) (hereinafter, these will be collectively referred to as "fixed engagement portions 178" as necessary) on its upper edge, and a movable engagement portion 179 (engagement portion) on its lower edge. Specifically, the first corner engagement portion 178A is provided in the upper left corner of the relay board mounting portion 174, the second corner engagement portion 178B is provided in the upper right corner of the relay board mounting portion 174, the intermediate engagement portion 178C is provided in the center of the upper edge of the relay board mounting portion 174, and the movable engagement portion 179 is provided in a position shifted to the right of the center of the lower edge of the relay board mounting portion 174. In this embodiment, the relay board 190 is held in a detachable state on the relay board attachment portion 174 by engaging with the fixed engagement portion 178 and the movable engagement portion 179 .

[0049] 7, the first corner engagement portion 178A has a claw shape that protrudes downward and to the right from the first corner regulation portion 176A. The second corner engagement portion 178B has a claw shape that protrudes downward and to the left from the second corner regulation portion 176B. The intermediate engagement portion 178C has a claw shape that protrudes downward from the upper regulation portion 176C.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the first corner engagement portion 178A protrudes downward from the horizontal portion (shown by a dashed line) of the first corner restriction portion 176A by a predetermined protrusion dimension Q1 and protrudes rightward from the vertical portion (shown by a dashed line) of the first corner restriction portion 176A by a predetermined protrusion dimension R1. The second corner engagement portion 178B protrudes downward from the horizontal portion (shown by a dashed line) of the second corner restriction portion 176B by a predetermined protrusion dimension Q2 and protrudes rightward from the vertical portion (shown by a dashed line) of the second corner restriction portion 176B by a predetermined protrusion dimension R2. The intermediate engagement portion 178C protrudes downward from the upper restriction portion 176C by a predetermined protrusion dimension Q3. The fixed engagement portion 178 protrudes downward beyond the upper edge of the relay board 190 and abuts the upper edge of the component surface (front surface) of the relay board 190 from behind. In this embodiment, protrusion dimensions Q1, Q2, and Q3 are set equal to one another and larger than gap P. Furthermore, protrusion dimensions R1 and R2 are set equal to one another. In this embodiment, protrusion dimensions Q1, Q2, and Q3 are set larger than protrusion dimensions R1 and R2, and by setting these dimensions, the upper edge of relay board 190 can be reliably engaged with first corner engagement portion 178A, second corner restriction portion 176B, and intermediate engagement portion 178C, and it is possible to effectively prevent relay board 190 from coming off from above due to the generation of vibrations, etc.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, the movable engagement portion 179 extends from the lower edge of the relay board mounting portion 174 and has two elastically deformable elastic arms 179A, a connecting portion 179B extending in the left-right direction and connecting the lower ends of the two elastic arms 179A, and a claw portion 179C extending upward from the connecting portion 179B between the two elastic arms 179A.

[0052] 7, when the elastic arm portion 179A is in a free state without elastic deformation, the tip of the claw portion 179C protrudes upward by a predetermined protrusion dimension Q4 beyond the lower edge of the relay board attachment portion 174, and the tip of the claw portion 179C abuts against the lower edge of the component surface of the relay board 190. In this embodiment, the protrusion dimension Q4 is set to be larger than the gap P.

[0053] Fig. 8(A) is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the IXA-IXA cross section in Fig. 7, and Fig. 8(B) is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the IXB-IXB cross section in Fig. 7. Here, Fig. 8(A) schematically shows a side cross-section of the relay board mounting portion 174 and the relay board 190 at the position of the intermediate engagement portion 178C in the left-right direction in Fig. 7, and Fig. 8(B) shows a side cross-section of the relay board mounting portion 174 and the relay board 190 at the position of the movable engagement portion 179 in the left-right direction in Fig. 7. Note that Figs. 8(A) and (B) also show a board cover 137 that covers the relay board 190 from behind.

[0054] As shown in Figures 8(A) and (B), elastic arm portion 179A extends at an incline rearward (to the right in Figures 8(A) and (B)) as it extends downward, and is elastically deformable in the front-to-rear direction with its upper end as a fulcrum. Claw portion 179C is folded back at the rear end of connecting portion 179B, and extends at an incline forward (to the left in Figures 8(A) and (B)) as it extends upward. As shown in Figure 8(A), no member is provided below claw portion 179C, and space 138 is formed that allows claw portion 179C to move downward. Therefore, when elastic arm portion 179A elastically deforms forward, claw portion 179C can move downward without interfering with other members.

[0055] In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the fixed engagement portions 178 (first corner engagement portion 178A, second corner engagement portion 178B, and intermediate engagement portion 178C) abut against the upper edge of the component surface of the relay board 190, and the claw portion 179C abuts against the lower edge of the component surface of the relay board 190, thereby preventing the relay board 190 from being detached from the relay board attachment portion 174. Hereinafter, the position of the movable engagement portion 179 when the elastic arm portion 179A is in a free state will be referred to as the "detachment prevention position." Furthermore, when the claw portion 179C of the movable engagement portion 179 in the detachment prevention position is pressed downward by an operator performing an operation to attach or detach the relay board 190, the elastic arm portion 179A elastically deforms forward, and the claw portion 179C moves downward below the lower edge of the relay board attachment portion 174. As a result, the claw portion 179C no longer abuts against the relay board 190, allowing the relay board 190 to be attached to or detached from the relay board attachment portion 174. Hereinafter, the position of the movable engagement part 179 when the elastic arm part 179A is in an elastically deformed state will be referred to as the “detachment permitted position.” In this manner, in this embodiment, the movable engagement part 179 is movable between the detachment prevention position and the detachment permitted position due to the elastic deformation of the elastic arm part 179A.

[0056] The relay board 190 is attached to and detached from the relay board attachment portion 174 in the following manner. When attaching the relay board 190 to the relay board attachment portion 174, first, tilt the relay board 190 and insert the upper edge of the relay board 190 from below into the gap (gap in the front-to-rear direction) between the rib 175 and the immovable engagement portion 178 (first corner engagement portion 178A, second corner engagement portion 178B, intermediate engagement portion 178C). Next, while maintaining the tilted state of the relay board 190, press down with a finger the claw portion 179C of the movable engagement portion 179, which is in the detachment prevention position, to elastically deform the elastic arm portion 179A and move the movable engagement portion 179 to the attachment / detachment permitted position. Then, while maintaining the movable engagement portion 179 in the detachable position, the lower edge of the relay board 190 is moved forward to bring the relay board 190 into a non-tilted state, i.e., a state in which the solder surface (back surface) of the relay board 190 abuts against the rib 175.

[0057] Next, the finger is released from claw portion 179C, releasing elastic arm portion 179A from its elastically deformed state, thereby returning claw portion 179C to the detachment prevention position. As a result, immovable engaging portion 178 abuts against the upper edge of the component surface of relay board 190, and movable engaging portion 179 abuts against the lower edge of the component surface of relay board 190, preventing detachment of relay board 190, i.e., holding relay board 190, and completing the attachment of relay board 190 to relay board attachment portion 174.

[0058] 8(A) and 8(B), when the relay board 190 is held, a gap corresponding to the protruding dimension of the rib 175 is formed between the relay board mounting portion 174 and the relay board 190 in the front-to-rear direction. The relay board 190 is positioned downward due to its own weight and is supported from below by the first lower restricting portion 176D and the second lower restricting portion 176E. Therefore, a gap (play) P is formed between the first corner restricting portion 176A, the second corner restricting portion 176B, and the upper restricting portion 176C and the relay board 190 in the up-down direction.

[0059] The operation of inserting the upper edge of relay board 190 and the operation of pressing down claw portion 179C may be performed in either order, or may be performed simultaneously. When removing relay board 190 from relay board mounting portion 174, the operations performed sequentially in the mounting work are performed in reverse order.

[0060] As described above, in this embodiment, the relay board 190 can be easily attached to and detached from the relay board attachment portion 174 by pressing down the claw portion 179C of the movable engagement portion 179. Furthermore, since the relay board 190 is not held to the relay board attachment portion 174 by screws, even if the relay board 190 is attached to and detached from the relay board attachment portion 174 every time the relay board 190 is replaced, the screw holes do not wear out and the relay board 190 can always be held in the appropriate position. Furthermore, since the relay board attachment portion 174 does not have screw holes, the relay board attachment portion 174 will not be damaged due to wear of the screw holes.

[0061] A conductive pattern (not shown) and a ground pattern are formed on the component side (the surface on the near side in FIG. 7) of relay board 190 shown in FIG. 7, and various electronic components (not shown) are mounted on it. In this embodiment, the ground pattern is formed as a so-called solid ground, and covers most of the area of ​​the component side. In addition, a resist is applied over almost the entire component side of relay board 190.

[0062] An outline 191 of the ground pattern area is shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, neither a conductive pattern nor a ground pattern is formed in the peripheral area of ​​the component side and in an area 192 corresponding to immovable engagement portion 178 and movable engagement portion 179. Hereinafter, the area where no conductive pattern or ground pattern is formed, i.e., the area outside outline 191 on the component side of relay board 190, will be referred to as pattern-absent area 192.

[0063] As shown in Figure 7, the pattern-absent region 192 includes a first corner region 192A formed slightly larger than the first corner engagement portion 178A at a position corresponding to the first corner engagement portion 178A, a second corner region 192B formed slightly larger than the second corner engagement portion 178B at a position corresponding to the second corner engagement portion 178B, an upper intermediate region 192C formed slightly larger than the intermediate engagement portion 178C at a position corresponding to the intermediate engagement portion 178C, a lower intermediate region 192D formed slightly larger than the claw portion 179C at a position corresponding to the claw portion 179C, and a peripheral region 192E extending thinly along the periphery of the relay substrate 190.

[0064] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , the vertical dimension S1 of the first corner region 192A is set to be larger than the downward protrusion dimension Q1 of the first corner engagement portion 178A. That is, the vertical dimension S1 of the first corner region 192A is set to be larger than the dimension of the range of engagement with the first corner engagement portion 178A plus the dimension of the gap P. Furthermore, the left-right dimension T1 of the first corner region 192A is set to be larger than the rightward protrusion dimension R1 of the first corner engagement portion 178A. The vertical dimension S2 of the second corner region 192B is set to be larger than the downward protrusion dimension Q2 of the second corner engagement portion 178B. That is, the vertical dimension S2 of the second corner region 192B is set to be larger than the dimension of the range of engagement with the second corner engagement portion 178B plus the dimension of the gap P. Furthermore, the left-right dimension T2 of the second corner region 192B is set to be larger than the leftward protrusion dimension R2 of the second corner engagement portion 178B. The up-down dimension S3 of the upper intermediate region 192C is set to be larger than the downward protrusion dimension Q3 of the intermediate engagement portion 178C. In other words, the up-down dimension S3 of the upper intermediate region 192C is set to be larger than the dimension of the range of engagement with the intermediate engagement portion 178C plus the dimension of the gap P. Furthermore, the left-right dimension T3 of the upper intermediate region 192C is set to be larger than the left-right dimension R3 of the intermediate engagement portion 178C. The up-down dimension S4 of the lower intermediate region 192D is set to be larger than the upward protrusion dimension Q4 of the claw portion 179C. In other words, the up-down dimension S4 of the lower intermediate region 192D is set to be larger than the dimension of the range of engagement with the claw portion 179C plus the dimension of the gap P. Furthermore, the left-right dimension T4 of the lower intermediate region 192D is set to be larger than the left-right dimension R4 of the claw portion 179C.

[0065] For example, when the upper edge of the relay board 190 is inserted from below into the gap between the rib 175 and the immovable engagement portion 178 during the installation of the relay board 190 to the relay board installation portion 174, the relay board 190 is in an inclined position, and therefore the component surface of the upper edge of the relay board 190 often comes into sliding contact with the immovable engagement portion 178. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vertical dimensions S1, S2, and S3 of the first corner region 192A, the second corner region 192B, and the upper intermediate region 192C of the relay board 190 are set to be larger than the vertical protrusion dimensions Q1, Q2, and Q3 of the corresponding immovable engagement portion 178, i.e., the first corner engagement portion 178A, the second corner engagement portion 178B, and the intermediate engagement portion 178C. Therefore, the immovable engaging portion 178 slides against the first corner region 192A, the second corner region 192B, and the upper middle region 192C on the component surface of the relay board 190, which are part of the pattern-absent region 192, so the ground pattern of the relay board 190 does not slide against the immovable engaging portion 178, and damage to the ground pattern is effectively avoided.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the vertical dimension S4 of the lower intermediate region 192D is set to be larger than the upward protrusion dimension Q4 of the claw portion 179C. Therefore, when the relay board 190 attached to the relay board attachment portion 174 is in the lowest position due to its own weight, that is, when the relay board 190 is supported by the first lower restricting portion 176D and the second lower restricting portion 176E, the claw portion 179C does not extend beyond the lower intermediate region 192D in the vertical direction and does not reach the area of ​​the ground pattern 191. Therefore, the claw portion 179C does not come into contact with the ground pattern 191, and damage to the ground pattern 191 is effectively avoided.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the vertical dimensions of first corner region 192A, second corner region 192B, upper intermediate region 192C, and lower intermediate region 192D are set to be larger than the protruding dimensions of corresponding immovable engagement portion 178 or claw portion 179C, but instead, they may be set to be the same dimensions as the protruding dimensions. Even when the vertical dimensions are set in this manner, immovable engagement portion 178 or claw portion 179C does not extend beyond first corner region 192A, second corner region 192B, upper intermediate region 192C, or lower intermediate region 192D and into the area of ​​the ground pattern, thereby effectively avoiding damage to the ground pattern.

[0068] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the upper performance element 140 shown in FIG. 4. The upper performance element 140 has an upper performance main body 149 (holding body) and an upper performance ornament 141 (held body) that can be attached and detached to the upper performance main body 149. The upper performance ornament 141 has an outer lens that forms the front of the upper performance element 140 and allows light to pass through. A display area 142A is formed on the front of the outer lens to display display content (not shown) such as the gaming machine logo. In this embodiment, upper performance ornaments 141 are provided with different logos formed depending on the type of gaming machine, and by changing the upper performance ornament 141 according to the type of gaming machine, the gaming machine main body can be used with multiple types of gaming machines.

[0069] The upper design body 149 comprises a design sheet 144 that makes it difficult to see inside the upper performance 140 while allowing light to pass through, a substrate (not shown) on which multiple LEDs are mounted, a reflector that reflects light emitted from the LEDs, and an inner lens (not shown) that transmits the light reflected by the reflector.

[0070] Bosses 142B that protrude rearward are formed on the upper right and upper left parts of the upper design ornament 141, and these bosses 142B are designed to be inserted from the front into boss holes 146B formed on the upper right and upper left parts of the upper design main body 149.

[0071] A first raised portion 142D is provided at the upper left of the upper decorative design 141, and a second raised portion 142E is provided at the upper right of the upper decorative design 141. The first raised portion 142D has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that rises upward and extends in the left-right direction, with a plate-shaped first protrusion 142D-2 protruding from its upper surface. The second raised portion 142E has a configuration similar to that of the first raised portion 142D, with a plate-shaped second protrusion 142E-2 protruding from its upper surface.

[0072] Although not shown, a lower locking piece is provided at the lower part of the back surface of the upper decorative ornament 141, which locks into a lower locking hole formed at the lower part of the front surface of the upper decorative body 149. A lower locking protrusion that protrudes downward is provided at the tip of the lower locking piece, and this lower locking protrusion enters the lower locking hole from above, thereby locking into the lower locking hole.

[0073] 9, a first locking piece 146D that engages with the first raised portion 142D of the upper design ornament 141 is provided at the upper left of the upper design main body 149, and a first locking portion 147 is provided to the left of the first locking piece 146D to maintain the engagement between the first locking piece 146D and the first raised portion 142D. A second locking piece 146E that engages with the second raised portion 142E of the upper design ornament 141 is provided at the upper right of the upper design main body 149, and a second locking portion 148 is provided to the left of the second locking piece 146E to maintain the engagement between the second locking piece 146E and the second raised portion 142E.

[0074] 10(A) and (B) are enlarged perspective views showing the upper left portion of the upper performance piece 140, with the upper decorative ornament 141 removed from the upper decorative body 149. As shown in FIGS. 10(A) and (B), the first locking piece 146D rises from the upper surface of the upper decorative body 149 and extends forward, and is formed as an elastic piece that can elastically deform in the vertical direction. A first locking protrusion 146D-1 that protrudes upward is formed at the front end of the first locking piece 146D. The first locking protrusion 146D-1 enters from below into a first locking hole portion 142D-1 formed in the first raised portion 142D of the upper decorative ornament 141 and locks into the first locking hole portion 142D-1. The upper part of the upper design body 149 is cut out in the area directly below the first locking piece 146D, which allows the first locking piece 146D to elastically deform downward with a sufficient amount of elastic deformation without interfering with the upper part of the upper design body 149.

[0075] 10(B)。 First locking part 147 has a first movable member 147A that can slide left and right between the unlocked position shown in Fig. 10(A) and the locked position shown in Fig. 10(B), and a first guide member 147E for guiding the sliding movement of first movable member 147A. In other words, first movable member 147A moves to the locked position by sliding rightward from the unlocked position, and moves to the unlocked position by sliding leftward from the locked position.

[0076] First movable member 147A has first operating portion 147B (position display portion) that is slid by the operator, first restricting portion 147C extending rightward from first operating portion 147B, and first guided portion 147D connected to the rear edge (edge ​​extending in the left-right direction) of first operating portion 147B. When first operating portion 147B is in the locked position shown in Fig. 10(B), it abuts against the left end surface of first locking piece 146D and is prevented from sliding further rightward.

[0077] The first limiting portion 147C has a flat band shape extending rightward from the lower right end of the first operating portion 147B. The thickness of the first limiting portion 147C is set smaller than the height of the first locking piece 146D, and as shown in FIG. 10(B), when the first movable member 147A slides to the locked position, the first limiting portion 147C is inserted directly below the first locking piece 146D. As a result, downward elastic deformation of the first locking piece 146D is limited (regulated), and the locked state between the first locking protrusion 146D-1 and the first locked hole portion 142D-1 is maintained.

[0078] 10(A) and 10(B), the first guided portion 147D has an oval outer shape extending in the left-right direction. An oval guided hole 147D-1 that is slightly smaller than the outer edge of the first guided portion 147D is formed in the first guided portion 147D, and the sliding movement is guided by the first guide member 147E at the inner edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the guided hole 147D-1. In this embodiment, the inner edge extending in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the guided hole 147D-1 is straight throughout.

[0079] 10(A) and 10(B), the first guide member 147E is formed of, for example, a screw member, and is attached from above to the upper part of the upper design main body 149. The first guide member 147E is inserted from above into the guided hole portion 147D-1 of the first guided portion 147D, and guides the first guided portion 147D with its shaft portion, while restricting the upward movement of the first guided portion 147D with its head portion.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 9, the second locking portion 148 has the same configuration as the above-described first locking portion 147. In Fig. 9, each part of the second locking portion 148 is indicated by a reference numeral obtained by adding "1" to the reference numeral of each part of the first locking portion 147.

[0081] 9, a plurality of heat dissipation holes 146F for dissipating heat inside the upper design body 149 are provided on the rear side of the upper part of the upper design body 149, penetrating the upper part of the upper design body 149. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation holes 146F are elongated holes, and their width (the dimension in the short direction of the elongated holes) is smaller than the outer diameter of the head of a screw member (not shown) provided above the upper design body 149. Therefore, for example, when attaching or detaching a component or device provided by a screw above the upper design body 149, even if the screw member falls onto the upper design body 149, the head of the screw member will not pass through the heat dissipation holes 146F, and therefore the screw member can be prevented from entering the upper design body 149.

[0082] Furthermore, if a washer (not shown) is inserted into the shank of a screw provided above the upper design body 149, the width dimension of the heat dissipation hole 146F may be set to a dimension smaller than the outer diameter of the washer. In this case, even if the screw falls onto the upper design body 149 together with the washer, the washer will not pass through the heat dissipation hole 146F, so the screw and washer can be prevented from getting inside the upper design body 149.

[0083] Next, the method for attaching the upper design ornament 141 to the upper design main body 149 will be explained with reference to Figures 10 to 12. Figures 11(A) and (B) are enlarged perspective views showing the upper left part of the upper performance 140 as seen diagonally from above, with Figure 11(A) showing the first locking part 147 in the unlocked position and Figure 11(B) showing the first locking part 147 in the locked position. Figures 12(A) and (B) are front views of the upper part of the upper performance 140, with Figure 12(A) showing the first locking part 147 and the second locking part 148 in the unlocked position and Figure 12(B) showing the first locking part 147 and the second locking part 148 in the locked position.

[0084] First, the first movable member 147A of the first locking portion 147, which is in the locked position shown in Figure 10(B), is slid leftward to move it to the unlocked position shown in Figure 10(A). The second locking portion 148 is similarly moved to the unlocked position. Next, the upper decorative ornament 141 is brought closer to the upper decorative body 149 from above and from the front, and the locking protrusions 146D-1 and 146E-1 of the locking pieces 146D and 146E of the upper decorative body 149 are inserted from below into the locking hole portions 142D-1 and 142E-1 of the upper decorative ornament 141. In addition, the lower locking protrusions (not shown) of the lower locking pieces of the upper decorative ornament 141 are inserted from above into the lower locking hole portions (not shown) of the upper decorative body 149. As a result, as shown in Figure 11 (A), the first locking protrusion 146D-1 is locked into the first locking hole portion 142D-1. Similarly, the second locking protrusion 146E-1 is locked into the second locking hole portion 142E-1. In addition, the lower locking protrusion is locked into the lower locking hole portion. In this way, the upper decorative ornament 141 is temporarily held in the upper decorative body 149.

[0085] When the upper design ornament 141 is temporarily held, as shown in Figure 12 (A), a portion (left portion) of the operating parts 147B, 148B in the unlocked position is exposed from the raised parts 142D, 142E and can be seen from the front.

[0086] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(B), the first movable member 147A is slid to the right to move to the locked position. This causes the first limiting portion 147C of the first movable member 147A to be inserted directly below the first locking piece 146D, restricting the downward elastic deformation of the first locking piece 146D. The second movable member 148A is also slid to the right to move to the locked position. This causes the second limiting portion 148C of the second movable member 148A to be inserted directly below the second locking piece 146E, restricting the downward elastic deformation of the second locking piece 146E, similar to the first movable member 147A. As a result, the locking state between the locking protrusions 146D-1 and 146E-1 and the locking hole portions 142D-1 and 142E-1 is maintained, preventing the upper decorative ornament 141 from coming off the upper decorative body 149. By moving the movable members 147A and 148A to the locking position in this manner, the attachment of the upper design ornament 141 to the upper design main body 149 is completed.

[0087] When the upper decorative design 141 is completely attached, as shown in FIG. 12(B), the operating parts 147B and 148B in the locked position are hidden by the raised parts 142D and 142E and cannot be seen from the front.

[0088] In this way, operating units 147B, 148B are visible from the front when in the unlocked position, and are not visible from the front when in the locked position. Therefore, when attaching upper design ornament 141 to upper design main body 149, by looking at upper performance object 140 from the front and checking whether operating units 147B, 148B are visible, it is possible to easily determine whether movable members 147A, 148A are in the unlocked position and are still in a temporary holding state and the attachment work has not yet been completed, or whether movable members 147A, 148A are in the locked position and the attachment work has already been completed.

[0089] If it is determined that the movable members 147A, 148A are in the unlocked position, the installation work can be easily completed by pressing the left portions of the operating units 147B, 148B to slide the movable members 147A, 148A to the locked position. At this time, the left portions of the operating units 147B, 148B operated by the worker are visible, allowing the worker to quickly perform the sliding operation. In particular, after the upper performance element 140 is attached to the base 130, the locking units 147, 148 are hidden by the peripheral walls of the base 130 and are difficult to see from above or from the left and right sides. Therefore, since portions of the operating units 147B, 148B in the unlocked position are visible from the front, it is easy to determine whether the movable members 147A, 148A are in the locked or unlocked position, even when the upper performance element 140 is attached to the base 130. As described above, according to this embodiment, the upper decorative element 141 can be easily and reliably replaced.

[0090] 3. Functional Blocks 13 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine of this embodiment. The gaming machine of this embodiment is controlled by a control board including a main board 500 and a sub-board 600. The main board 500 receives input signals from input means such as a passing gate sensor 502, a first start winning opening sensor 504, a second start winning opening sensor 505, a special winning opening sensor 506, and a payout sensor 508, performs various calculations to execute a game, and controls the operation of output means such as a normal role drive device 520, a special role drive device 522, and a payout device 524 based on the calculation results.

[0091] Furthermore, the sub-board 600 receives signals sent from the main board 500 and input signals from the effect input device switch 602, performs various calculations to execute effects that match the progress of the game, and controls the operation of effect devices 626, such as effect display device 620, sound device 622, and movable object drive device 624, based on the calculation results. The functions of each board, such as the main board 500 and the sub-board 600, are realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), ROM (an example of an information storage medium), or RAM, or by software consisting of a given program pre-stored in the ROM, etc.

[0092] The main board 500 is configured to include a random number generating means 540, a normal lottery means 542, a normal drive control means 544, a special lottery means 546, a game state transition control means 548, a special drive control means 550, a payout control means 552, a communication control means 554, and a main memory 570.

[0093] The random number generating means 540 is a means for generating random numbers for the lottery, and is realized by a random number generator that generates hardware random numbers, or a program that generates software random numbers. Software random numbers can be generated, for example, based on the count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts numbers so as to circulate within a predetermined count range). In this embodiment, the term "random number" includes not only values ​​that are generated randomly in the mathematical sense, but also values ​​that are generated regularly but can actually function as random numbers because the timing of their acquisition is irregular.

[0094] The normal lottery means 542 acquires a random number value (random number value for lottery) from the random number generating means 540 based on a detection signal from the passing gate sensor 502, which is activated each time a game ball passes through the passing gate 48, and performs a normal lottery to determine whether or not the acquired random number value is a normal win.

[0095] When a normal win is won in the normal lottery, the normal drive control means 544 controls the normal accessory drive device 520 so that the normal accessory 52 is expanded under predetermined conditions.

[0096] The special lottery means 546 acquires a random number value (random number value for lottery) from the random number generating means 540 based on a detection signal from the first start entry port sensor 504, which is activated each time a game ball enters the first start entry port 46, or based on a detection signal from the second start entry port sensor 505, which is activated each time a game ball enters the second start entry port 50, and determines whether the acquired random number value will result in a jackpot, and if a jackpot is won, a special lottery is held to determine which of multiple types of jackpot patterns has won.

[0097] The game state transition control means 548 performs game state transition control processing to transition the game state among the normal state, the special game state, the probability variable state, and the time-shortened state based on the establishment of a predetermined transition condition.

[0098] The normal state is a game state that corresponds to the initial state among a plurality of game states, and it is possible to transition from the normal state to a special game state.

[0099] The special game state is initiated when a jackpot is won in a special lottery in the normal state, the probability variable state, or the time-saving state, and ends when a predetermined number of rounds (number of executions) of jackpot games are played depending on the type of jackpot symbol. If the jackpot symbol is a probability variable symbol, the game will transition to the probability variable state when the special game state ends, and if the jackpot symbol is a normal symbol, the game will transition to the time-saving state when the special game state ends.

[0100] The probability variable state is a game state in which a special lottery is conducted to increase the probability of winning a jackpot compared to the normal state, and a normal lottery is conducted to increase the probability of winning a normal jackpot compared to the normal state. In the probability variable state, the time required for one special lottery and one normal lottery is shortened compared to the normal state, thereby controlling the timing of special and normal lottery draws to occur more frequently. While it is possible to transition from the probability variable state to the special game state, the game ends and transitions to the normal state once 9,999 special lotteries have been performed in the probability variable state. However, because the probability of winning a jackpot in the special lottery is set to approximately 1 / 50 in the probability variable state, the special game state begins before 9,999 special lotteries have been performed in the probability variable state, making it almost impossible to transition from the probability variable state to the normal state.

[0101] The time-saving state is a game state in which a special lottery is held so that the probability of winning a jackpot is the same as in the normal state, but a normal lottery is held so that the probability of winning a normal jackpot is higher than in the normal state. In the time-saving state, the time required for one special lottery and one normal lottery is shortened compared to the normal state, so that the special lottery and normal lottery opportunities occur more frequently. It is possible to transition from the time-saving state to the special game state, but the state ends and the game transitions to the normal state when the number of special lotteries held in the time-saving state reaches 100.

[0102] The special drive control means 550 controls the drive of the special feature drive device 522 so that the special feature 56 is opened in a predetermined manner according to the type of jackpot symbol during each jackpot game in the special game state.

[0103] The payout control means 552 controls the payout device 524 to pay out a number of game balls equivalent to a predetermined number of prize balls for each detection signal based on the detection signal from the first start winning port sensor 504, the second start winning port sensor 505, or the large winning port sensor 506.

[0104] The communication control means 554 controls the transmission of signals to the sub-board 600. In the gaming machine of this embodiment, the main board 500 and the sub-board 600 are connected in a communication manner such that only one-way communication from the main board 500 to the sub-board 600 is possible, and signals cannot be transmitted from the sub-board 600 to the main board 500.

[0105] Next, a description will be given of the sub-substrate 600. The sub-substrate 600 is configured to include a performance control means 640 and a sub-memory 670.

[0106] The performance control means 640 controls the performance display device 620 to light or blink the front frame lamp 12, display a performance image on the liquid crystal display 31, control the sound device 622 to output a performance sound from the speaker 14, and drive the movable object drive device 624 to operate a movable object, based on a notification signal sent from the main board 500, an input signal from the performance input device switch 602, and performance data stored in the sub-memory 670, thereby controlling the performance device 626 to execute performances to liven up or assist the game.

[0107] For example, in response to the occurrence of a game event such as a game ball entering the first start winning port 46 or the second start winning port 50, an operation on the effect input device 25, or a change in the game state, a special lottery effect process, a state effect process, etc. are performed.

[0108] In the special lottery effect processing, the effect control means 640 causes the effect device 626 to execute a special variable effect that effects a special lottery, based on a notification signal transmitted from the main board 500. In this embodiment, the effect control means 640 causes the liquid crystal display 31 to variably display a special pattern image, and then causes the liquid crystal display 31 to statically display the special pattern image in a manner according to the result of the special lottery, and also causes the liquid crystal display 31 to display a variable effect image that moves a character image or changes a background image, thereby executing a special variable effect on the liquid crystal display 31.

[0109] In this embodiment, the execution types of the special variable effect are Premium Reach, Super Reach 1, Super Reach 2, Normal Reach, and No Reach, and the effect control means 640 determines which of the execution types to use for the special variable effect based on the results of the special lottery. The special variable effect of each execution type has different display patterns for the special symbol images and variable effect images, different movement patterns for the movable objects, different probabilities of selection depending on the results of the special lottery, and different execution times from start to finish. As a result, the special variable effect of each execution type has different expectations for winning a jackpot when the special variable effect of each execution type is executed, and different expectations for winning a probability variable or normal symbol.

[0110] Furthermore, as a special variable effect, the effect control means 640 controls the movable object drive device 624 in accordance with the progression of the special symbol image and variable effect image, to operate movable objects such as the upper effect 140 and the rear lower effect 150. In detail, in this embodiment, the effect control means 640 (control means) controls the movable object drive device 624 such as a solenoid or motor, to, for example, rotate the upper effect 140 from a reference position to a rotationally lowered position, raise the rear lower effect 150 from the reference position to a raised position, or return the upper effect 140 or the rear lower effect 150 from the rotationally lowered position or the raised position to the reference position.

[0111] In the status presentation process, the presentation control means 640 performs status presentation that indicates the current game status to the player by moving the character image on the LCD display 31, changing the background image, or moving movable objects according to the current game status, based on the notification signal sent from the main board 500.

[0112] For example, when the current game state is the normal state, the presentation control means 640 performs a presentation state transition lottery under predetermined conditions to determine which of a plurality of presentation states the presentation state should be set to. The presentation control means 640 then causes the liquid crystal display 31 to display a normal state image corresponding to the set presentation state. When the current game state is the probability variable state, the presentation control means 640 causes the liquid crystal display 31 to display a probability variable state image suggesting that the current game state is the probability variable state. When the current game state is the time-saving state, the presentation control means 640 causes the liquid crystal display 31 to display a time-saving state image suggesting that the current game state is the time-saving state and indicating the number of times the special lottery has been performed until it reaches 100. When the current game state is the special game state, the presentation control means 640 causes the liquid crystal display 31 to display a special game state image indicating that the current game state is the special game state and indicating the number of rounds that have been played and the number of rounds that are remaining.

[0113] Furthermore, the performance control means 640 controls the output of specific performance sounds from the speaker 14, the display of specific performance images on the liquid crystal display 31, and the operation of movable objects based on operations performed on the performance input device 25 at predetermined timing.

[0114] 4. Variations The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, and modifications are introduced below. Note that the above-described embodiment and the various methods described below as modifications can be appropriately combined and adopted as a control method for realizing the present invention.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the fixed engagement portion 178 is provided on the upper edge of the relay board mounting portion 174 that holds the relay board 190, and the movable engagement portion 179 is provided on the lower edge. However, instead, the movable engagement portion 179 may be provided on the upper edge of the relay board mounting portion 174 and the fixed engagement portion 178 on the lower edge. Furthermore, the portions of the relay board mounting portion 174 where the fixed engagement portion 178 and the movable engagement portion 179 are provided are not limited to the upper and lower edges, but may be any edges that face each other, such as the right and left edges. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, three fixed engagement portions 178 and one movable engagement portion 179 are provided, but the number of fixed engagement portions 178 and movable engagement portion 179 is not limited to this and can be set appropriately. For example, a movable engagement portion 179 may be provided on each of the facing edges, or multiple movable engagement portions 179 may be provided on one edge.

[0116] In the above embodiment, pattern-absent regions 192 of relay board 190 are formed corresponding to all of the engagement portions, i.e., first corner engagement portion 178A, second corner engagement portion 178B, intermediate engagement portion 178C, and movable engagement portion 179. However, instead, pattern-absent regions 192 may be formed corresponding to only some of engagement portions among first corner engagement portion 178A, second corner engagement portion 178B, intermediate engagement portion 178C, and movable engagement portion 179. For example, if the degree of sliding contact with the component surface of relay board 190 when connecting or disconnecting relay board 190 varies depending on the engagement portion, damage to the pattern can be avoided by forming pattern-absent regions only in regions corresponding to engagement portions with a greater degree of sliding contact.

[0117] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the circuit board that is detachably held on the relay board mounting portion 174 by a configuration including the fixed engagement portion 178 and the movable engagement portion 179 is the relay board 190, but the above configuration is also applicable to cases in which other types of circuit boards different from the relay board are held.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the upper performance element 140 is provided with movable members 147A, 148A that can move between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a configuration is adopted in which the installation status, i.e., whether or not the installation work has been completed, can be determined based on whether or not the movable members 147A, 148A can be seen. However, this configuration for determining the installation status may also be used in other performance elements, for example, the rear lower performance element 150. The above configuration may also be used in a configuration for attaching the upper performance element 140 or the rear lower performance element 150 to the base part 130. In this case, the upper performance element 140 or the rear lower performance element 150 becomes the held body, and the base part 130 becomes the holding body.

[0119] In the above embodiment, the display content formed on the front of the upper design decoration 141 is the logo of the gaming machine, etc., but the display content is not limited to letters such as a logo, and may be a design corresponding to the type of gaming machine, such as a picture or figure of a character, etc.

[0120] In the above embodiment, when the movable members 147A, 148A are in the locked position, the operating units 147B, 148B are entirely hidden by the raised portions 142D, 142E and cannot be seen. However, it is not essential that the operating units 147B, 148B be entirely hidden. For example, when the movable members 147A, 148A are in the locked position, a portion of the operating units 147B, 148B may be exposed from the raised portions 142D, 142E with a smaller area when viewed from the front than when the movable members 147A, 148A are in the unlocked position. In this configuration, the operator can determine whether the movable members 147A, 148A are in the locked position or the unlocked position based on the area (area when viewed from the front) of the portion of the operating units 147B, 148B exposed from the raised portions 142D, 142E.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the inner edges of the guided holes 147D-1, 148D-1 of the movable members 147A, 148A are straight throughout the longitudinal direction, but instead, a protrusion that protrudes slightly inward of the guided holes 147D-1, 148D-1 may be formed at a position closer to the left end of the inner edges. By providing such a protrusion, a so-called snap mechanism is formed, and in the locked position, the protrusion of the movable members 147A, 148A engages with the shafts of the guide members 147E, 148E, making it easier to maintain the movable members 147A, 148A in the locked position.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the locking sections 147, 148 of the upper stage 140 are moved to the locked position by sliding both movable members 147A, 148A to the right, but the direction of movement to the locked position can be set as appropriate for each movable member. For example, both movable members may be moved to the locked position by sliding to the left, or both movable members may be moved to the locked position by sliding in directions toward or away from each other. In the above embodiment, two locking sections are provided, but the number of locking sections can be set as appropriate, and may be one, or may be three or more.

[0123] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the present invention was applied to a pachinko gaming machine that has a gaming area in which gaming balls move and that launches gaming balls into the gaming area in response to player operation, but the present invention may also be applied to a slot machine that has multiple reels with patterns arranged on their outer surfaces, that rotates the multiple reels in response to player operation, and that stops the multiple reels in a manner in response to the results of a lottery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 2 outer frame, 4 playing area, 6 playing board, 7 main body, 8 glass unit, 10 front frame, 11 front frame opening, 12 front frame lamp, 14 speaker, 16 upper tray, 18 dispensing outlet, 20 handle, 22 supply port, 24 bottom tray, 25 performance input device, 26 Frame pivot, 27 Cylinder lock, 28 outer rail, 30 inner rail, 31 LCD display, 40 left opening, 42 passage, 44 stage, 46 first starting winning gate, 48 Passing gate, 50 Second starting winning gate, 52 Regular role, 54 Big winning gate, 56 Special features, 62 Outlet, 70 Status display device, 500 main board, 502 passing gate sensor, 504 first start winning port sensor, 505 second start winning port sensor, 506 large winning port sensor, 508 payout sensor, 520 Ordinary device drive device, 522 Special device drive device, 524 Payout device, 540 random number generating means, 542 normal lottery means, 544 normal drive control means, 546 special lottery means, 548 game state transition control means, 550 special drive control means, 552 payout control means, 554 communication control means, 570 main memory, 600 sub-board, 602 performance input device switch, 620 performance display device, 622 Sound equipment, 624 Moving object driving equipment, 626 Stage equipment, 640 performance control means, 670 sub-memory

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine that progresses a game according to the result of a lottery, a substrate on which electronic components are provided; a mounting portion to which the substrate is attached; the mounting portion has an engaging portion that can engage with the substrate to hold the substrate in the mounting portion, the engaging portions are provided on two opposing edge portions of the mounting portion, the engaging portion provided on at least one of the edges is a movable engaging portion that is movable between a detachment allowance position that allows the substrate to be attached or detached and a detachment prevention position that prevents the substrate from being detached, the movable engagement portion has an elastic arm portion that is elastically deformable in a direction intersecting the surface of the substrate, a fulcrum of elastic deformation of the elastic arm portion is within the range of the substrate in the direction in which the two edge portions face each other, the substrate has a pattern absent region where no pattern is formed at a position corresponding to the engagement portion, A gaming machine characterized in that the pattern-free area is formed over a range wider than the range in which the engaging portion engages with the substrate when the substrate is attached to the mounting portion.

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