Pinball game machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of enhancing interest in a game by increasing functions of a normal pattern operation gate.SOLUTION: A pinball game machine determines whether a game state when a jackpot lottery is won is a time-shortening state (step S1200). It advances to processing shown in step S1201 during a time-shortening game, and advances to processing shown in step S1202 when it is not during a time-shortening game. It designates a change to rightward shooting and performs processing for allowing a gate LED to emit light after T2 seconds in step S1202. The light emitting processing allows the gate LED to blink in red intensely. In the meantime, after the gate LED is allowed to light up yellow, processing for allowing it to blink red after T1 seconds is performed in step S1201. Red blinking processing in S1201 is performed at gentler frequency than blinking processing in S1202. When game balls pass a gate during red blinking, an accessory continuous operation device is operated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 32

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Typically, a pinball gaming machine has a game area equipped with a symbol display device, a jackpot opening, and one or more start openings, including a variable start opening, and executes a "special symbol win / loss determination" based on a game ball flowing down the game area winning (entering) a start opening. Then, after executing this win / loss determination, the symbol display device executes a variable display of special symbols for a certain period of time, and then a stopped symbol indicating the result of the win / loss determination is displayed as a fixed symbol. Furthermore, if the fixed and displayed stopped symbol is a jackpot symbol indicating that the result of the "special symbol win / loss determination" is a jackpot, a jackpot game is executed in which the jackpot opening is opened in a predetermined opening / closing pattern.

[0003] Among this type of pinball gaming machine, there are some that, when a predetermined trigger is achieved, provide a predetermined bonus in addition to the jackpot game. For example, there are pinball gaming machines that provide a bonus (a bonus called probability fluctuation) that increases the probability that the result of the hit / miss judgment will be a jackpot, as well as a bonus (a bonus called time-saving mode) that shortens the time that special symbols change or extends the opening time of the opening / closing start gate (see Patent Document 1). The opening and closing type starting gate is also called a normal electric device, and is opened when the operation detection unit provided on the game board detects the game ball and determines whether or not the normal symbol is a hit, and the result of the hit / miss determination is a hit. The operation detection unit provided on the game board is generally called a normal symbol activation gate (sometimes simply called a "gate"). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-137462 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] During a game in which the probability variation privilege is granted, the probability of winning a jackpot game increases, and during a game in which the time-shortening mode privilege is granted, the chances of winning a jackpot lottery increase, increasing the interest in the game. However, games go in and out of fashion, and there is a need to constantly increase the interest in games.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in the following forms. A pinball game machine in which an operation detection unit provided on the game board detects a game ball and determines whether a normal pattern has been won or lost based on the detection of the game ball, and a variable ball entry opening that can be changed from a closed state that makes it difficult for the game ball to enter to an open state that makes it easy for the game ball to enter is used as a starting opening, and a lottery is held based on the game ball entering the starting opening, and a pattern showing the result of the lottery is displayed in a variable manner, and a winning pattern that notifies the player that the lottery has been won is displayed, and then the player plays the winning game, a winning game execution means for executing the winning game when the operation detection unit detects a gaming ball after the lottery is won; a notification means 1 for notifying that the winning game execution means will operate if the operation detection unit detects a game ball when the lottery is won during a time-saving game in which the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened; a notification means 2 for notifying that the winning game execution means will operate if the operation detection unit detects a game ball when the lottery is won during a normal game that is not in the time-saving game mode; Equipped with The notification mode by the notification means 1 and the notification mode by the notification means 2 are made different. A pinball game machine characterized by the above (first feature).

[0008] The winning game execution means may be a means for executing a winning game due to the operation detection unit detecting a game ball after winning a lottery (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "jackpot lottery") which is held based on the game ball entering the starting hole, and may also be configured to determine the number of times (generally referred to as the "number of rounds" or "number of rounds") that the big prize hole, etc., which is opened or enlarged during the winning game, is opened or enlarged. The notification means 1 may be any means for notifying that the winning game execution means will be activated if the operation detection unit detects a game ball after a jackpot lottery is won during a time-saving game in which the normal symbol variation time is shortened, and the notification method is not limited. The notification may be made by a normal symbol display device, a winning symbol display device (special symbol display device), or a performance symbol display device as a notification device, or by a configuration in which a separate notification device such as an LED is provided near the operation detection unit. The notification may also be made by sound. Furthermore, the notification may be made by the lighting (light emission) color, flashing, or other lighting (light emission) pattern of the notification device. It is preferable that the notification that the winning game execution means will be activated if the operation detection unit detects a game ball be terminated when the winning game begins. The time-saving game is a game in which at least the time for which the normal symbols fluctuate is shortened, and the opening time of the variable ball entrance may also be lengthened, and the probability that the result of the hit / miss judgment regarding the normal symbols will be a hit may be increased, and further the probability of winning the jackpot lottery may be increased. Possible time-saving games include jackpot time-saving games that are performed after a winning game is executed, specific time-saving games that are performed after a predetermined specific losing pattern that does not win the jackpot lottery is displayed, and ceiling time-saving games that are performed when the number of times that the jackpot lottery is not won reaches a predetermined number. Generally, in jackpot time-saving games and specific time-saving games, the time for changing normal symbols is shortened and the opening time of the variable ball entrance is lengthened, and in jackpot time-saving games, the probability that the result of the hit / miss judgment regarding the normal symbols will be a hit is also increased, and in specific jackpot time-saving games, the probability of winning the jackpot lottery is further increased. However, this configuration is not limited to this. In addition, the time-saving game ends when the jackpot lottery is won, or when the jackpot lottery has been held a predetermined number of times. The notification means 2 may be any means that notifies the player that the winning game execution means will operate if the operation detection unit detects a game ball when the lottery is won during normal play that is not in time-saving play, and the notification method is not important, as with the notification means 1. Furthermore, the notification means 2 may be configured as the same device as the notification means 1, or may be configured as a different device. It is common for the variable ball entry port (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "variable starting port"), which is the starting port, to be located in the right area of ​​the game board, and for the regular winning ports that do not open or expand to be the other starting ports (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the "other starting ports") to be located in the left area, but this is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible for the variable starting port to be located in the left area, and the other starting ports to be located in the right area. In short, it is sufficient that the configuration allows the game ball to be hit into either the variable starting port or the other starting port by adjusting the launch strength.

[0009] In the pinball gaming machine of the first feature, after a jackpot lottery is won, if the operation detection unit detects a gaming ball, a winning game is executed by the winning game execution means, and if the operation detection unit detects a gaming ball after a winning symbol is displayed, it notifies the user that the winning game execution means will operate. In the pinball gaming machine of the first feature, this notification mode differs between when a win is won during normal play and when a win is won during time-saving play. The launch area of ​​the game balls differs during normal play and during time-saving play, and when a jackpot game is won during normal play, it is necessary to change the launch strength of the game balls toward the game area where the actuation detection unit is located so that the actuation detection unit can detect the game balls. On the other hand, during time-saving play, there is little need to change the launch area of ​​the game balls. The pinball game machine of the first feature differentiates the notification mode by notification means 1 and the notification mode by notification means 2 depending on the need for changing the launch area, thereby providing the effect that the player can easily understand whether or not there is a need to change the launch area. As a result, when a jackpot lottery is won during normal play, the launch area can be changed without delay.

[0010] In addition, the pinball gaming machine of the first feature can be said to have a large effect when a specific time-saving or ceiling time-saving game is executed. The jackpot time-saving game is executed after a winning game is executed, and the winning game is a game in which a game ball enters an opening large prize opening, and there is little need to change the launch area significantly, as when changing the launch area from another start opening to a variable start opening. Furthermore, in the case of a jackpot time-saving game, a player may acquire many prize balls during the jackpot game and have a large number of balls, but when the game shifts to the specific time-saving or ceiling time-saving game, the player may have a small number of balls. Therefore, while there is leeway when the game shifts to the jackpot time-saving game, there is a problem in that the player does not have leeway when the game shifts to the specific time-saving or ceiling time-saving game, and the player needs to reduce the number of wasted balls. However, the pinball game machine of the first feature is expected to be able to effectively address this problem because the notification mode by notification means 1 and the notification mode by notification means 2 are different.

[0011] Furthermore, since there are fewer opportunities for winning the jackpot during normal play than during time-saving play, it can be said that the joy of winning the jackpot lottery is greater for the player. Therefore, it is considered preferable to make the appeal to the player greater when winning the jackpot lottery during normal play than when winning during time-saving play. This is the second characteristic of the pinball gaming machine. Here, the notification mode by notification means 2 having a greater appeal to the player than the notification mode by notification means 1 means that the notification mode by notification means 2 can make a stronger impression on the player than the notification mode by notification means 1 due to differences in light color, light intensity, light duration, blinking interval, etc. For example, possible configurations include a configuration in which the LED near the operation detection unit emits red light in notification means 2 and yellow light in notification means 1, a configuration in which the light duration of the red light is lengthened in notification means 2 and the light duration is shortened in notification means 1, a configuration in which the blinking interval of the red light is shortened in notification means 2 and the blinking interval is lengthened in notification means 1, etc.

[0012] The pinball game machine with the second feature has a greater appeal to the player when the jackpot game lottery is won during normal play than when the jackpot game is won during time-saving play, so it is expected to double the player's joy and increase their interest in the game. In addition, the pinball gaming machine with the second feature is also expected to be effective in effectively resolving the issue of the need to reduce the number of wasted balls fired when transitioning to a specific time-saving or ceiling time-saving game.

[0013] A pinball gaming machine of a third feature is a pinball gaming machine of the first or second feature, When a big win lottery is won during a time-saving game in which the normal pattern variation time is shortened, if an operation detection part detects a game ball after an elapsed time T1, a winning game execution means is operated.

[0014] During time-saving play, the game ball is fired toward the variable start port. Therefore, when a jackpot lottery is won during time-saving play, there is a risk that the fired game ball will enter the variable start port against the player's intention, resulting in a jackpot game. Therefore, there is a problem that it cannot be handled appropriately when the player has few balls when winning the jackpot lottery or when the player wants to enjoy the jackpot game with ease. However, the pinball game machine with the third feature can solve this problem because when a jackpot lottery is won during time-saving play, the operation detection unit activates the winning game execution means if it detects a game ball after the elapsed time T1. If the operation detection unit detects a game ball after the elapsed time T1, the fact that the winning game execution means will be operated may be notified by the notification means 1 or by other notification means such as an effect screen.

[0015] The fourth feature of the pinball game machine is the third feature of the pinball game machine, When a big lottery is won during a normal game that is not in a time-shortening game, if an operation detection part detects a game ball after an elapsed time T2 that is shorter than the elapsed time T1, a winning game execution means is operated.

[0016] During normal play when the time-saving play is not in progress, game balls are shot toward other starting ports, so there is little risk of game balls unintentionally entering other starting ports. For this reason, if the operation detection unit detects a game ball after an elapsed time T2, which is shorter than the elapsed time T1, the winning game execution means is activated. The fact that the winning game execution means will be activated if the operation detection unit detects a gaming ball after the elapsed time T2 may be notified by the notification means 2 or by other notification means such as an effect screen. Also, the time when the notification means 2 notifies that the winning game execution means will be activated if the operation detection unit detects a gaming ball may correspond to the elapsed time reduction T2. ​​In other words, the time from when the jackpot lottery is won to when the notification means 2 notifies may be the elapsed time T2.

[0017] The pinball game machine having the first to third features has been explained above, and the related inventions of the present invention will be described below. [Fourth feature of pinball gaming machines] A fourth feature of the pinball game machine is a pinball game machine in which an operation detection unit provided on the game board detects a game ball and determines whether a normal pattern has been won or lost based on the detection of the game ball, and a variable ball entry opening that can be changed from a closed state that makes it difficult for the game ball to enter to an open state that makes it easy for the game ball to enter based on the result of the determination being a win is used as one starting opening, and a lottery is held based on the game ball entering the starting opening, and a pattern showing the result of the lottery is displayed in a variable manner, and a winning pattern that notifies the player that the lottery has been won is displayed, and then the player executes the winning game, a winning game execution means for executing the winning game when the operation detection unit detects a gaming ball after the lottery is won; When the lottery is won during the time-saving game in which the variation time of the normal symbols is shortened, the winning game execution means is activated if the operation detection unit detects a game ball after an elapsed time T1.

[0018] [Fifth feature of pinball gaming machines] The pinball game machine of the fifth feature is characterized in that, in the pinball game machine of the fourth feature, when a lottery is won during normal play when no time-saving play is in progress, if the operation detection unit detects a game ball after an elapsed time T2 that is shorter than the elapsed time T1, the winning game execution means is activated.

[0019] [Sixth feature of pinball gaming machines] A sixth feature of the pinball game machine is a pinball game machine according to the fourth or fifth feature, characterized in that, if the operation detection unit does not detect a game ball within a time limit T3 after a lottery is won, a prohibition means is provided to prevent the winning game from being played even if the operation detection unit detects a game ball thereafter.

[0020] The pinball gaming machine having the fourth to sixth features has the effect of solving the problem that arises when a jackpot lottery is won during time-saving play, and the launched game ball may enter the variable start port against the player's intention, resulting in the execution of a jackpot game. As a result, the pinball gaming machine having the fourth to sixth features has the effect of further increasing the interest in the game. If the operation detection unit detects a game ball after the elapsed time T1, the fact that the winning game execution means will be operated may be notified by the notification means 1 or by other notification means such as an effect screen. If the operation detection unit detects a game ball after the elapsed time T2, the fact that the winning game execution means will be operated may be notified by the notification means 2 or by other notification means such as an effect screen. The time limit T3 is longer than the elapsed time T1. The elapsed time T1 may be set to about 5 to 10 seconds, the elapsed time T2 to 2 to 3 seconds, and the time limit T3 to about 10 minutes, but this is not a limitation. It is sufficient that the elapsed time T2 < the elapsed time T1 < the time limit T3. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of a pachinko machine connected to a card unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the card unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a pachinko machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the game board. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 8] 3 is a flowchart showing a "main routine" executed by the main control device. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart showing the "start-up winning process" executed by the main control unit. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing the "special drawing correctness determination process" executed by the main control unit. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart showing the "special drawing correctness determination process" executed by the main control unit. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart showing the "special drawing correctness determination process" executed by the main control unit. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing the "special drawing correctness determination process" executed by the main control unit. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing the "special game processing" executed by the main control device. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing the "special game processing" executed by the main control device. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing the "special game processing" executed by the main control device. [Figure 17] This is a flowchart showing the "winning confirmation process" executed by the main control unit. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing "each output process" executed by the main control device. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing the "ball possession management process" executed by the frame control device. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing an "information output process" executed by the frame control device. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing the "ball holding display process" executed by the sub-integrated control device. [Figure 22] An explanatory diagram showing a screen illustrating an example of a display on a performance pattern display device. [Figure 23]10 is a flowchart showing a "frame-side error notification process" executed by the sub-integrated control device. [Figure 24] An explanatory diagram showing a screen illustrating an example of a display on a performance pattern display device. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing a "card notification process" executed by the sub-integrated control device. [Figure 26] An explanatory diagram showing a screen illustrating an example of a display on a performance pattern display device. [Figure 27] This is a chart showing the operation details such as the number of time reductions. [Figure 28] 10 is a chart showing the symbol selection rate. [Figure 29] 10 is a chart showing the pattern change time and operation time, etc. [Figure 30] 10 is a flowchart showing the "missing fluctuation number HN counting process" executed by the main control device. [Figure 31] 10 is a flowchart showing the "ceiling time reduction priority processing" executed by the main control device. [Figure 32] 10 is a flowchart showing a "gate LED light emission process" of a second embodiment as a modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] [First embodiment] [Overall overview] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a pachinko machine 10 connected to a card unit 80. The pachinko machine 10 is a sealed pinball game machine that circulates game balls sealed inside and uses them for play. The pachinko machine 10 is configured to be able to realize games using game balls by cooperating with the card unit 80. The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a firing strength fixing function (handle lock function) that fixes the firing strength of the game balls.

[0023] The card unit 80 is a lending unit that controls the lending of game balls. The card unit 80 is configured to be able to lend game balls that can be used for playing in the pachinko machine 10 based on the bills received from the player or information read from a recording card, which is a recording medium. When the player finishes playing with game balls that can be used for playing remaining, the card unit 80 returns to the player a recording card that records information indicating the number of balls that the player has.

[0024] The card unit 80 includes a user interface 810, a card insertion slot 820, and a bill insertion slot 830. The user interface 810 exchanges information regarding the rental of game balls with the player. The card insertion slot 820 of the card unit 80 is configured to be able to receive and return recording cards from the player. The bill insertion slot 830 of the card unit 80 is configured to be able to receive bills from the player.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the card unit 80. In this embodiment, the user interface 810 is a touch panel. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the user interface 810 includes a balance display unit 811, a ball lending button 812, a return button 813, and a handle lock display unit 816. The balance display unit 811 displays the balance of gaming balls available for loan to a player based on bills and a recording card. The ball lending button 812 accepts an instruction from the player to lend gaming balls. The return button 813 accepts an instruction from the player to return the recording card recording the balance of gaming balls to the player. The handle lock display unit 816 displays the operating status of the handle lock function. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the handle lock display unit 816 displays a status in which the handle lock function is operating.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a front view showing the configuration of the pachinko machine 10. Fig. 4 is a rear view showing the configuration of the pachinko machine 10. The pachinko machine 10 comprises an outer frame 110, an inner frame 120, a front frame 140, and a handle 150.

[0027] The outer frame 110 of the pachinko machine 10 has a vertically long rectangular shape. The outer frame 110 is fixed to the equipment on which the pachinko machine 10 is installed. The outer frame 110 has a pair of hinges 115 that support the inner frame 120 so that it can be opened and closed.

[0028] The inner frame 120 of the pachinko machine 10 has a rectangular shape that fits inside the outer frame 110. The inner frame 120 holds the various parts of the pachinko machine 10, including the game board 200. The inner frame 120 is provided with a pair of hinges 145 that support the front frame 140 so that it can be opened and closed.

[0029] A counting switch 162 and a ball count display device 164 are provided below the front frame 140 in front of the inner frame 120. The counting switch 162 receives an operation input from the player to transfer information about the balls held that is managed by the pachinko machine 10 to a recording card in the card unit 80. The ball count display device 164 displays the number of balls held that is managed by the pachinko machine 10.

[0030] The front frame 140 of the pachinko machine 10 is configured to be able to open and close in front of the game board 200. The front frame 140 includes a transparent plate 143 located in front of the game board 200. This allows the player to see the game board 200 through the transparent plate 143. In this embodiment, the transparent plate 143 is glass, and the front frame 140 is also called a glass frame. In this embodiment, the front frame 140 includes a speaker 142 that outputs sound in accordance with the progress of the game, a light-emitting unit 144 that emits light in accordance with the progress of the game, and an effect button 146 that receives operation inputs from the player for simulated effects.

[0031] The handle 150 of the pachinko machine 10 is a firing operation unit that receives operation inputs from a player to fire game balls. The handle 150 is provided on the lower right side of the front frame 140 in front of the inner frame 120. In this embodiment, the handle 150 includes a rotating portion 152 and a fixed button 154.

[0032] The rotating portion 152 of the handle 150 is a firing intensity adjustment means that adjusts the firing intensity of the gaming balls from the launching device 310 from an initial intensity to a desired intensity based on the player's operation. The rotating portion 152 receives an operation input from the player through a rotational movement to adjust the firing intensity of the gaming balls. In this embodiment, the rotating portion 152 is biased in a direction returning to its initial position by a well-known spring structure. As a result, when the player releases the rotating portion 152 without operating the locking button 154, the rotating portion 152 returns to its initial position. In this embodiment, when the rotating portion 152 is in its initial position, the firing intensity (initial intensity) of the gaming balls is an intensity at which the gaming balls are not fired onto the gaming board 200. In this embodiment, the spring structure (not shown) of the rotating portion 152 functions as an initial setting means that sets the firing intensity to the initial intensity in response to the release of the firing intensity by the locking release means. The firing intensity adjustment means may be configured so that the strength of the firing intensity can be adjusted by the player's operation, and the strength can be adjusted by the amount of operation, operation time, and operation direction of the device that adjusts the firing intensity. For example, the strength may be adjusted according to the amount of rotation (direction of rotation) of the handle, the number of times a button is pressed, the amount of rotation (direction of rotation) of the dial, the operation time (direction of operation) of the lever, or the amount of sliding (direction of sliding) of the sliding switch.

[0033] The locking button 154 of the handle 150 accepts an operation input from the player to lock the firing intensity adjusted by the rotating unit 152. In this embodiment, when the locking button 154 is pressed, the locking button 154 engages with the rotating unit 152 inside the handle 150, locking the rotating unit 152 to the rotational position at the time the locking button 154 was pressed. If the locking button 154 is pressed again while the rotating unit 152 is locked by the locking button 154, the locking button 154 disengages from the rotating unit 152, unlocking the locking of the rotating unit 152 and returning the rotating unit 152 to its initial position. The locking button 154 functions as a firing intensity locking means that locks the firing intensity adjusted by the firing intensity adjustment means, and also functions as a lock-releasing means that releases the locking of the firing intensity by the firing intensity locking means. The firing intensity locking means is not limited to a configuration that mechanically locks the firing intensity, but may also be a configuration that electrically locks the firing intensity.

[0034] The handle 150 is equipped with a touch switch 186 (FIG. 7), which will be described later. The touch switch 186 detects contact by the player with the handle 150. While the touch switch 186 detects the player's contact, the launcher 310 executes the action of launching a gaming ball at the launch intensity adjusted in the handle 150. When the touch switch 186 does not detect the player's contact, the launcher 310 does not execute the launch action even if the launch intensity is adjusted in the handle 150. When the touch switch 186 does not detect the player's contact, the launcher 310 does not execute the launch action even if the launch intensity is fixed by the launch intensity fixing means in the handle 150.

[0035] [Game board] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the configuration of the game board 200. The game board 200 forms a game area 210 where games are played using game balls. The game area 210 is substantially circular. The game area 210 is provided with a plurality of game pegs (not shown). The game board 200 is equipped with an inlet 214 that introduces game balls launched from the launching device 310 into the game area 210, and a recovery port 218 that recovers game balls from the game area 210. In this embodiment, the inlet 214 is located on the upper left side of the game area 210, and the recovery port 218 is located on the lower center side of the game area 210.

[0036] The game board 200 is provided with, as structures provided in the game area 210, a center case 220, a performance symbol display device 230, a first start opening 241, a second start opening 242, a normal symbol activation gate 243, a normal electric accessory 245, a normal winning opening 246, and a big winning opening 248. The game board 200 is provided with, as display units that display information related to the game, a first special symbol display device 251, a second special symbol display device 252, a normal symbol display device 253, a first special symbol reserved number display device 261, a second special symbol reserved number display device 262, a normal symbol reserved number display device 263, and a prize ball number display device 286.

[0037] The center case 220 is provided in the center of the game area 210 and forms a passage for game balls. The effect symbol display device 230 is provided in the center of the center case 220 and displays pseudo effects according to the progress of the game, including effect symbols. The effect symbol display device 230 is a user interface that provides information to the player using letters and figures.

[0038] The first starting hole 241 is configured to be able to receive a game ball. Based on the ball entering the first starting hole 241, a variable display of a first special symbol is performed on the first special symbol display device 251. Based on the ball entering the first starting hole 241, the number of balls held by the player is added up.

[0039] The second starting hole 242 is configured to be able to receive game balls. Based on the ball entering the second starting hole 242, a variable display of the second special symbol is performed on the second special symbol display device 252. Based on the ball entering the second starting hole 242, the number of balls held by the player is added up. The rate of balls entering the second starting hole 242 changes depending on the operating state of the normal electric device 245.

[0040] The normal symbol activation gate 243 is configured to allow the gaming ball to pass through, and based on the passage of the gaming ball through the normal symbol activation gate 243, a variable display of the normal symbol is performed on the normal symbol display device 253. As will be described later, a multicolored light-emitting gate LED 243a is incorporated in the front surface of the normal symbol operation gate 243. However, the gate LED 243a does not have to be in front of the normal symbol operation gate 243, but may be provided in the vicinity. The vicinity is preferably within a 5 cm radius of the normal symbol operation gate 243.

[0041] The normal electric device 245 is equipped with an opening / closing member configured to be able to open and close the passage of the game balls that leads to the second starting hole 242. The normal electric device 245 is opened for a predetermined time only when the lottery based on the normal symbol results in a win, and forms a passage of the game balls that leads to the second starting hole 242. In this embodiment, the normal electric device 245 is a so-called tulip-type normal electric device.

[0042] The normal winning opening 246 is a winning opening configured to be able to receive game balls. The number of balls held by the player is added up based on the balls that enter the normal winning opening 246. In this embodiment, four normal winning openings 246 are provided in the gaming area 210.

[0043] The large prize opening 248 is an opening configured to be able to receive game balls in a jackpot game state, which is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state. The number of balls held by the player is added based on the balls that enter the large prize opening 248. The large prize opening 248 is configured to be able to be opened and closed by a plate-like member. The large prize opening 248 opens in a predetermined operating pattern when a jackpot is won in the lottery using the first special symbol and when a jackpot is won in the lottery using the second special symbol.

[0044] The first special symbol reserved number display device 261 displays the number of reserved memories related to the first special symbol. The second special symbol reserved number display device 262 displays the number of reserved memories related to the second special symbol. The regular symbol reserved number display device 263 displays the number of reserved memories related to the regular symbol. The prize ball number display device 286 displays the number of prize balls that will be added to the number of balls held depending on the win.

[0045] In this embodiment, the game area 210 includes a first game area 211 and a second game area 212. The first game area 211 is where game balls launched at a launch intensity below a predetermined value mainly roll. The second game area 212, unlike the first game area 211, is where game balls launched at a launch intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined value mainly roll. The first game area 211 occupies the left side of the game area 210, including the inside of the center case 220, and the second game area 212 occupies the right side of the game area 210, mainly including the right side of the center case 220. In this embodiment, a first start opening 241 and a normal winning opening 246 are located in the first game area 211, and a second start opening 242, a normal symbol activation gate 243, and a large winning opening 248 are located in the second game area 212.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 4, the pachinko machine 10 includes a launching device 310, a grinding device 320, and a lifting device 330, which are provided on the back of the pachinko machine 10. The launching device 310 launches game balls into the play area 210 based on an operation by a player. The launching device 310 launches game balls into the play area 210 based on a signal from the handle 150. The grinding device 320 grinds game balls collected from the play area 210. The lifting device 330 transports the game balls ground by the grinding device 320 to the launching device 310.

[0047] [Electrical configuration] The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a main control device 510, a sub-integrated control device 520, a performance symbol control device 530, and a frame control device 560 as control devices for controlling each part. These control devices are provided on the back of the pachinko machine 10. These control devices are computers equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and execute various control processes based on computer programs.

[0048] The main control device 510 controls the progress of the game using game balls. The sub-integrated control device 520 controls each effect device according to the progress of the game. The effect symbol control device 530 controls the display of pseudo effects, including the display of changing effect symbols on the effect symbol display device 230. The frame control device 560 manages the number of balls that a player has available for use in the game, based on information about the game transmitted from the main control device 510. In addition to managing the balls, the frame control device 560 also controls the handle 150, the launching device 310, the grinding device 320, and the lifting device 330. In this embodiment, the launching device 310 is provided at the top, and the lifting device 330 transports the game balls to the launching device 310, but the launching device 310 may be provided at the bottom as in the conventional case. In this case, the game balls launched by the lower launching device 310 reach the game area 210 along the guide rail, flow down, and are collected by the collection port 218, etc., so the lifting device 330 is not necessary.

[0049] 6 and 7 are block diagrams showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10. The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with an inner frame opening switch 121 and a front frame opening switch 141. The inner frame opening switch 121 detects the open state of the inner frame 120 and outputs a detection signal to the main control device 510. The front frame opening switch 141 detects the open state of the front frame 140 and outputs a detection signal to the main control device 510.

[0050] The pachinko machine 10 includes a symbol display device relay terminal board 250 and a game board relay terminal board 270 as circuit boards that relay signals between the main control device 510 and the game board 200. The pachinko machine 10 includes, as electrical components that output signals to the main control device 510 via the game board relay terminal board 270, a first start gate switch 271, a second start gate switch 272, a normal symbol activation switch 273, a left prize entry gate switch 274, a count switch 276, a magnet sensor 277, and a radio wave sensor 278. The pachinko machine 10 also includes, as electrical components that operate based on signals from the main control device 510 via the game board relay terminal board 270, a special prize entry gate solenoid 282, a normal electric device solenoid 284, a prize ball count display device 286, and a gate LED 243a built into the front surface of the normal symbol activation gate 243. The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with an electrical configuration that operates based on signals from the main control unit 510 via the pattern display device relay terminal board 250, including a first special pattern display device 251, a second special pattern display device 252, a first special pattern reserved number display device 261, a second special pattern reserved number display device 262, a normal pattern display device 253, and a normal pattern reserved number display device 263.

[0051] The first start gate switch 271 detects a ball entering the first start gate 241 and outputs a detection signal. The second start gate switch 272 detects a ball entering the second start gate 242 and outputs a detection signal. The normal symbol activation switch 273 detects the passage of a game ball through the normal symbol activation gate 243 and outputs a detection signal. The left prize gate switch 274 detects a ball entering the normal prize gate 246 and outputs a detection signal. The count switch 276 detects a ball entering the big prize gate 248 and outputs a detection signal. The magnet sensor 277 detects fraudulent activity using a magnet against the pachinko machine 10 and outputs a detection signal. The radio wave sensor 278 detects fraudulent activity using radio waves against the pachinko machine 10 and outputs a detection signal.

[0052] The special prize opening solenoid 282 opens and closes the special prize opening 248 based on a control signal from the main control device 510. The normal electric accessory solenoid 284 opens and closes the normal electric accessory 245 based on a control signal from the main control device 510. The prize ball number display device 286 displays the number of prize balls to be added to the number of balls held based on a control signal from the main control device 510. The gate LED 243a changes its light emission mode based on a control signal from the main control device 510.

[0053] The first special symbol display device 251 displays the first special symbol based on a control signal from the main control device 510. The second special symbol display device 252 displays the second special symbol based on a control signal from the main control device 510. The first special symbol reserved number display device 261 displays the number of reserved memories for the first special symbol based on a control signal from the main control device 510. The second special symbol reserved number display device 262 displays the number of reserved memories for the second special symbol based on a control signal from the main control device 510. The normal symbol display device 253 displays normal symbols based on a control signal from the main control device 510. The normal symbol reserved number display device 263 displays the number of reserved memories for normal symbols based on a control signal from the main control device 510.

[0054] The sub-integrated control device 520 is configured to be able to communicate with the main control device 510 in one direction from the main control device 510. The sub-integrated control device 520 controls various effect devices in accordance with the progress of the game based on a control signal from the main control device 510. The speaker 142 is a user interface that outputs sound based on a control signal from the sub-integrated control device 520. In this embodiment, the sub-integrated control device 520 is equipped with a volume adjustment switch 522 that is configured to adjust the volume of the sound output from the speaker 142. The light-emitting unit 144 is a user interface that emits light based on a control signal from the sub-integrated control device 520. The effect button 146 is a user interface that detects a player's operation input for a pseudo-effect and outputs the detection signal to the sub-integrated control device 520. The sub-integrated control device 520 is a user interface control device that controls the user interface (speaker 142, light-emitting unit 144, effect button 146, and effect symbol display device 230) based on information related to the game received from the main control device 510. The sub-integrated control device 520 is further configured to be able to communicate with the frame control device 560 in one direction from the frame control device 560, and controls the user interface (speaker 142, light emitting unit 144, effect button 146 and effect pattern display device 230) based on information received from the frame control device 560.

[0055] The effect symbol control device 530 is configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the sub-integrated control device 520. The effect symbol control device 530 controls the display of pseudo effects, including the display of changing effect symbols, on the effect symbol display device 230, based on a control signal from the sub-integrated control device 520. The effect symbol display device 230 executes the display of pseudo effects, including the display of changing effect symbols, based on the data and commands received from the effect symbol control device 530.

[0056] 7, the frame control device 560 is configured to be able to communicate with the main control device 510 in one direction from the main control device 510. The frame control device 560 manages the number of balls that a player has available for play based on information about the game transmitted from the main control device 510. In addition to managing the balls in hand, the frame control device 560 also manages processes related to the firing, collection, and circulation of game balls. The main control device 510 and the frame control device 560 may be configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally.

[0057] The card unit 80 is configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the frame control device 560. In addition to the user interface 810, the card unit 80 also includes a game ball etc. lending device 850 and a CR unit 860. The game ball etc. lending device 850 is configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the frame control device 560 and the CR unit 860. The game ball etc. lending device 850 processes the lending of game balls to players in cooperation with the frame control device 560 based on information about the balls held recorded on a memory card in the card insertion slot 820 and information about lending of game balls from the CR unit 860. The CR unit 860 controls the lending of game balls based on bills inserted into the bill insertion slot 830. The CR unit 860 is configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with a hall computer 90 that manages the pachinko machine 10. The hall computer 90 is configured to be able to receive information relating to games played on the pachinko machine 10 from the main control device 510 via the frame control device 560 and the card unit 80.

[0058] The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with an operation unit relay terminal board 160, a firing operation unit relay terminal board 180, a firing unit relay terminal board 312, a grinding unit relay terminal board 322, a lifting relay terminal board 332, and an inner frame relay terminal board 342 as circuit boards that relay between the frame control device 560 and the inner frame 120. The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a counting switch 162 and a ball holding number display device 164 as electrical components that exchange signals with the frame control device 560 via the operation unit relay terminal board 160.

[0059] The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with an unlocking solenoid 182, a firing intensity fixing switch 184, a handle volume 185, a touch switch 186, and a firing stop switch 187 as electrical components that exchange signals with the frame control device 560 via the firing operation unit relay terminal board 180. The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a ball sending sensor 314, a firing entrance sensor 315, a firing motor 316, and a ball sending solenoid 317 as electrical components that exchange signals with the frame control device 560 via the firing device relay terminal board 312.

[0060] The pachinko machine 10 includes a cassette switch 324, a grinding motor sensor 325, a cassette motor 326, and a grinding motor 327 as electrical components that exchange signals via the grinding device relay terminal board 322. The pachinko machine 10 includes a lifting motor 334, a lifting inlet sensor 336, and a lifting motor monitoring sensor 338 as electrical components that exchange signals with the frame control device 560 via the lifting relay terminal board 332.

[0061] The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with an winning ball sensor 344, an out ball sensor 345, an appropriate amount sensor 346, a full tank sensor 347, and a night monitoring device 352 as electrical components that output signals to the frame control device 560 via the inner frame relay terminal board 342. The pachinko machine 10 is equipped with an alarm speaker 354 as electrical components that operate based on signals from the frame control device 560 via the inner frame relay terminal board 342.

[0062] The counting switch 162 detects the player's operation input to transfer information about the balls held that is managed by the pachinko machine 10 to the recording card of the card unit 80, and outputs the detection signal to the frame control device 560. The ball count display device 164 displays the number of balls held that is managed by the frame control device 560 based on a control signal from the frame control device 560.

[0063] The lock release solenoid 182 is configured to be able to release the lock of the rotating part 152 by the lock button 154 on the handle 150 based on a control signal from the frame control device 560. In this embodiment, the lock release solenoid 182 is configured to be able to release the engagement of the lock button 154 with the rotating part 152 by pressing the engagement portion of the lock button 154 that engages with the rotating part 152. The lock release solenoid 182 functions as a lock release means that releases the fixation of the emission intensity by the emission intensity fix means.

[0064] The firing intensity fixing switch 184 detects the fixing of the rotating part 152 by the fixing button 154 on the handle 150, and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560. The handle volume 185 detects the rotation position of the rotating part 152 on the handle 150 as the firing intensity, and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560. The touch switch 186 detects contact by the player with the handle 150, and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560. The firing stop switch 187 detects an operation input by the player to stop the firing of the gaming ball, and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560.

[0065] The ball sending sensor 314 detects a gaming ball being sent into the launching device 310 and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560. The launch entrance sensor 315 detects a gaming ball being launched from the launching device 310 and passing through the inlet 214 and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560. The launching motor 316 launches the gaming ball based on a control signal from the frame control device 560. The ball sending solenoid 317 sends the gaming ball to a position where it can be launched based on a control signal from the frame control device 560.

[0066] The cassette switch 324 detects that a polishing cloth cassette (not shown) containing a polishing cloth for polishing game balls is installed in the polishing device 320, and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560. The polishing motor sensor 325 detects the operation of the polishing motor 327, and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560. The cassette motor 326 winds up the polishing cloth in the polishing cloth cassette (not shown) based on a control signal from the frame control device 560. The polishing motor 327 polishes the game balls by pressing them against the polishing cloth based on a control signal from the frame control device 560.

[0067] The lift motor 334 sends out gaming balls from the lifting device 330 to the launching device 310 based on a control signal from the frame control device 560. The lift inlet sensor 336 detects gaming balls being sent from the polishing device 320 to the lifting device 330, and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560. The lift motor monitoring sensor 338 detects the operation of the lift motor 334, and outputs a detection signal to the frame control device 560.

[0068] The winning ball sensor 344 detects game balls that have won on the game board 200 and are then collected from the game board 200 to the grinding device 320, and outputs a detection signal. The out ball sensor 345 detects game balls that have passed through the collection port 218 on the game board 200 and are then collected from the game board 200 to the grinding device 320, and outputs a detection signal. The appropriate amount sensor 346 detects that the amount of game balls being transferred from the lifting device 330 to the launching device 310 is appropriate, and outputs a detection signal. The full tank sensor 347 detects that an excess of game balls are being transferred from the lifting device 330 to the launching device 310, and outputs a detection signal. The night monitoring device 352 is configured to be operable by a backup power source outside of the operating hours (nighttime) of the pachinko machine 10, and detects the opening of the inner frame 120 and outputs a detection signal. Night monitoring switch The night monitoring device 352 may detect the opening of the inner frame 120 based on output signals from the inner frame opening switch 121 and the front frame opening switch 141, or may detect the opening of the inner frame 120 based on a signal from a switch other than the inner frame opening switch 121 and the front frame opening switch 141. In this embodiment, the frame control device 560 is configured to be able to output information indicating the number of times the inner frame 120 has been opened based on the detection signal from the night monitoring device 352 to the hall computer 90 when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned on. The alarm speaker 354 outputs sound based on a control signal from the frame control device 560. In this embodiment, when the night monitoring device 352 detects the opening of the inner frame 120, the frame control device 560 executes control processing to output an alarm from the alarm speaker 354.

[0069] The pachinko machine 10 determines whether the normal symbol has been won or lost based on the ball entering the normal symbol activation gate 243. Based on the result of the determination of whether the normal symbol has been won or lost, the pachinko machine 10 performs a variable display using the normal symbol on the normal symbol display device 253. If the result of the determination of whether the normal symbol has been won or lost is a win, the pachinko machine 10 confirms and displays the normal symbol, which is the winning symbol, on the normal symbol display device 253, and opens the normal electric device 245 for a predetermined period of time. This makes it possible for a win to occur in the second starting gate 242.

[0070] The pachinko machine 10 determines whether the first special symbol has been hit or not based on the ball entering the first starting hole 241. Based on the result of the determination of whether the first special symbol has been hit or not, the pachinko machine 10 displays a variable display using the first special symbol on the first special symbol display device 251. The pachinko machine 10 performs a pseudo performance using a performance pattern on the performance pattern display device 230 in accordance with the variable display using the first special symbol on the first special symbol display device 251. If the result of the determination of whether the first special symbol has been hit or not is a jackpot, the pachinko machine 10 displays the first special symbol, which is the jackpot symbol, on the first special symbol display device 251, and then transitions to a jackpot game state (special game state) in which the jackpot winning hole 248 is opened in a predetermined operation pattern. This makes it possible for a prize to be won in the jackpot winning hole 248. The main control device 510 functions as a hit / miss determination means for determining whether or not to execute a big hit game state due to the game ball entering the first starting hole 241.

[0071] The pachinko machine 10 determines whether or not a win has occurred for the second special symbol based on the ball entering the second starting hole 242. Based on the result of the determination of whether or not a win has occurred for the second special symbol, the pachinko machine 10 displays a variable display using the second special symbol on the second special symbol display device 252. The pachinko machine 10 performs a pseudo effect using a performance symbol on the performance symbol display device 230 in accordance with the variable display using the second special symbol on the second special symbol display device 252. If the result of the determination of whether or not a win has occurred for the second special symbol is a jackpot, the pachinko machine 10 displays a confirmed second special symbol, which is a jackpot symbol, on the second special symbol display device 252, and then transitions to a jackpot gaming state. This makes it possible for a win to occur in the jackpot winning hole 248. The main control device 510 functions as a win / loss determination means for determining whether or not a jackpot gaming state should be executed due to the game ball entering the second starting hole 242.

[0072] The pachinko machine 10 suspends the determination of whether the first special symbol and the second special symbol are winning or losing during a jackpot game. If there are reserved memories for both the first special symbol and the second special symbol, the pachinko machine 10 prioritizes the determination of whether the reserved memories for the second special symbol are winning or losing. After the jackpot game state ends, the pachinko machine 10 transitions to one of the following states depending on predetermined conditions: a normal game state, a time-saving game state, or a time-saving game state with a probability of winning. The normal game state is a game state in which the determination of whether the normal symbol, the first special symbol, and the second special symbol are winning or losing is performed with the normal winning probability. The time-saving game state is a game state in which the time for which the first special symbol, the second special symbol, and the normal symbol are displayed in a variable manner is shortened compared to the normal game state, and the average opening time of the normal electric device 245 is extended compared to the normal game state. The time-saving probability variable game state is a game state in which, in addition to the operation of the time-saving game state, a win / loss determination of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is performed with a higher probability of winning than in the normal game state. When a predetermined condition (for example, a win with a predetermined jackpot symbol) is satisfied, the main control device 510 operates as an opening extension execution means for executing an opening extension state (time-saving game state and time-saving probability variable game state) in which the opening time per one time of the normal electric device 245 is extended more than in the normal game state after the jackpot game state ends.

[0073] In this embodiment, the variation time of the special symbols during normal play when the time-saving feature is not in use is 10 to 120 seconds, averaging 5 seconds when the time-saving feature is in use and 30 seconds when the game is in a reach mode. The probability of winning a normal symbol is 1 / 6 when the time-saving feature is not in use and 5 / 6 when the time-saving feature is in use. The variation time of the normal symbol is 5 seconds when the time-saving feature is not in use and 1 second when the time-saving feature is in use. In addition, the opening time of the normal electric device 245 is 0.3 seconds when the time-saving feature is not in use and 1.5 seconds when the time-saving feature is in use. These values ​​are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate. The control of lengthening the opening time of the normal electric device 245 and shortening the variation time of the normal symbol is also simply referred to as time-saving control. The time-saving control ends when a jackpot game occurs based on a hit / miss judgment regarding the first or second special symbol during time-saving play, or when the first or second special symbol changes a predetermined number of times during time-saving play. This predetermined number is also called the time-saving count.

[0074] In the normal game state, since the first start port 241 is located in the first game area 211, it is recommended to launch the game ball into the first game area 211 to play the game (so-called "left hit"). In the jackpot game state, since the big prize port 248 is located in the second game area 212, it is recommended to launch the game ball into the second game area 212 to play the game (so-called "right hit"). In the time-saving game state and the probability variable time-saving game state, since the normal symbol activation gate 243 and the second start port 242 are located in the second game area 212, it is recommended to launch the game ball into the second game area 212 to play the game (right hit).

[0075] The pachinko machine 10 of this embodiment is provided with a power supply board (not shown), and the power supply is switched on or off by a power switch (not shown). 6, the main control device 510 is provided with an RWM clear switch 290 and a setting key switch 291. The RWM clear switch 290 is mainly operated when clearing game information and the like stored in the RWM (RAM) built into the main control device 510. The RWM clear switch 290 may also be provided on the frame control device 560 or the power supply board. The setting key switch 291 is a key switch mechanism that is turned on by turning a key inserted into the keyhole in one direction. The pachinko machine 10 is a gaming machine with a setting function that allows the setting of the jackpot probability to be changed by operation of a hall employee, etc., and the hall employee, etc. can change and check the setting of the jackpot probability by turning on the power with the setting key switch 291 turned on. The RWM clear switch 290 is also operated when changing the setting of the jackpot probability. The power supply board also has a backup power supply consisting of a capacitor or the like, and stores power in the backup power supply while power is being supplied from the AC power supply. As a result, during a power outage, power is supplied to the main control device 510 and the like (for example, the RAM of the main control device 510), and data in the RAM of the main control device 510 is retained for a certain period of time even after power supply from the AC power supply is stopped. The backup power supply may be provided in the main control device 510, or in a device other than the power supply board. In this case, the power supply board outputs a supply signal to the device equipped with the backup power supply while power is being supplied from the AC power supply, and outputs a power outage signal to the device equipped with the backup power supply when power supply is stopped.

[0076] The pachinko machine 10 sets stage setting values ​​1 to 6, which are divided into six stages according to the probability of a jackpot in the hit / miss judgment, in the stage setting value storage area of ​​the RWM of the main control device 510. Then, the main control device 510 determines a hit / miss judgment table to be used in the hit / miss judgment of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, based on the stage setting values ​​stored in the stage setting value storage area. In this embodiment, when the stage setting value stored in the stage setting value storage area is "1", the jackpot probability in the normal state is set to 1 / 300, and the jackpot probability in the special probability state is set to 1 / 30. Also, when the stage setting value in the stage setting value storage area is "2", the jackpot probability in the normal state is set to 1 / 290, and the jackpot probability in the special probability state is set to 1 / 29, and when the stage setting value in the stage setting value storage area is "3", the jackpot probability in the normal state is set to 1 / 280, and the jackpot probability in the special probability state is set to 1 / 28. Similarly, when the stage setting value is set to "4", the jackpot probability in normal mode is set to 1 / 270, and the jackpot probability in special mode is set to 1 / 27; when the stage setting value is set to "5", the jackpot probability in normal mode is set to 1 / 260, and the jackpot probability in special mode is set to 1 / 26; and when the stage setting value is set to "6", the jackpot probability in normal mode is set to 1 / 250, and the jackpot probability in special mode is set to 1 / 25.

[0077] In this embodiment, the stage setting value is linked to the jackpot probability in the normal state and the jackpot probability in the special probability state, but this is not limited to this. For example, the pachinko machine 10 may keep either the jackpot probability in the normal state or the jackpot probability in the special probability state constant regardless of the stage setting value, while changing only the other depending on the stage setting value. Furthermore, when the stage setting value is changed, the pachinko machine 10 may increase either the jackpot probability in the normal state or the jackpot probability in the special probability state while decreasing the other.

[0078] [Main routine] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the "main routine" executed by main control device 510. Main control device 510 starts the main routine of Figure 8 based on an interrupt signal with a 2 ms (millisecond) period. The period of the interrupt signal may be 4 ms or another period.

[0079] After starting the main routine, the main control device 510 determines whether the current interrupt signal is a normal interrupt signal (step S100). If the current interrupt signal is not normal (step S100: "NO"), the main control device 510 executes an initial setting process (step S115) to set various control variables to their initial values. Thereafter, the main control device 510 repeatedly executes an initial value random number update process to update various random numbers until the next interrupt signal is received (step S111).

[0080] If the current interrupt signal is a normal interrupt signal (step S100: "YES"), the main control device 510 executes an initial value random number update process to update various random numbers (step S101). Thereafter, the main control device 510 updates the random numbers for determining a jackpot, which are random numbers used to determine whether or not a first special symbol and a second special symbol are a winner (step S102). Thereafter, the main control device 510 updates the random numbers for determining a jackpot, which are random numbers used to determine whether or not a jackpot is a winner for the first special symbol and the second special symbol (step S103). Thereafter, the main control device 510 updates the random numbers for determining a win, which are random numbers used to determine whether or not a win is a winner for the normal symbol (step S104). Thereafter, the main control device 510 updates the random numbers for determining reach and fluctuation pattern, which are random numbers used to determine the fluctuation time of the first special symbol and the second special symbol (steps S105, S106).

[0081] After updating the random number (steps S101 to S106), the main control device 510 executes a win confirmation process (step S107) that confirms the detection of a gaming ball by each switch connected to the main control device 510. Thereafter, the main control device 510 executes a win / loss determination process (step S108) that determines whether or not a win has occurred with respect to the normal symbol, the first special symbol, and the second special symbol. In the win / loss determination process (step S108), the main control device 510 operates as a win / loss determination means that determines whether or not a jackpot gaming state is to be executed due to the entry of a gaming ball into the first start hole 241 and the second start hole 242.

[0082] After executing the win / loss determination process (step S108), the main control device 510 executes each output process (step S109) to output signals to each component of the pachinko machine 10. In each output process (step S109), the main control device 510 outputs various signals to the sub-integrated control device 520, the frame control device 560, the large prize opening solenoid 282, etc., and also to the hall computer 90 via the frame control device 560 and the card unit 80, depending on the progress of the game, the fraudulent activity detection state based on the magnet sensor 277 and the radio wave sensor 278, and the open state based on the inner frame opening switch 121 and the front frame opening switch 141. Thereafter, the main control device 510 executes a fraud monitoring process (step S110) to monitor fraudulent activity against the pachinko machine 10. Thereafter, the main control device 510 repeatedly executes an initial value random number update process to update various random numbers until it receives the next interrupt signal (step S111).

[0083] [Start-up winning process] 9 is a flowchart showing the "start winning process" executed by main control device 510. The start winning process of FIG. 9 is a subroutine included in the winning confirmation process (step S107) of FIG.

[0084] After starting the start winning process, the main control device 510 determines whether or not a ball has entered the first start hole 241 based on a detection signal from the first start hole switch 271 (step S200). If a ball has entered the first start hole 241 (step S200: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether or not the reserved memory for the first special symbol is less than the upper limit number (four in this embodiment) (step S201). If the reserved memory for the first special symbol is less than the upper limit number, the random number for determining a jackpot, the random number for determining a jackpot symbol, the random number for determining a reach, and the random number for determining a variation pattern, which are extracted in response to the ball entering the first start hole 241, are stored as reserved memory for the first special symbol, and a first reserved memory counter indicating the number of reserved memories for the first special symbol is incremented (step S202). Thereafter, the main control device 510 executes a look-ahead determination process (step S203) to look ahead and read the contents of the reserved memory for the first special symbol. Thereafter, the main control device 510 transmits a first pre-reading determination command indicating the determination result of the pre-reading determination process (step S203) to the sub-integrated control device 520 (step S204). Thereafter, the main control device 510 transmits a first reserved number instruction command indicating the value of the first reserved memory counter to the sub-integrated control device 520 (step S205). The sub-integrated control device 520 controls the pseudo-effects displayed on the effect symbol display device 230 based on the first pre-reading determination command and the first reserved number instruction command. Specifically, the sub-integrated control device 520 increases the number of displayed first reserved symbols indicating the number of reserved memories related to the first special symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device 230 based on the first reserved number instruction command, and changes the first reserved symbol to a state corresponding to the degree of expectation of a jackpot based on the first pre-reading determination command.

[0085] After completing the processing for the first start hole 241 (step S200: "NO", step S201: "NO", step S205), the main control device 510 determines whether or not a ball has entered the second start hole 242 based on the detection signal from the second start hole switch 272 (step S206). If a ball has entered the second start hole 242 (step S206: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether or not the reserved memory for the second special pattern is less than the upper limit number (four in this embodiment) (step S207). If the reserved memory for the second special pattern is less than the upper limit number, the random number for determining a jackpot, the random number for determining a jackpot pattern, the random number for reaching a win, and the random number for determining a variation pattern, which are extracted in response to the ball entering the second start hole 242, are stored as reserved memory for the second special pattern, and a second reserved memory counter, which indicates the number of reserved memories for the second special pattern, is incremented (step S208). Thereafter, the main control device 510 executes a look-ahead determination process (step S209) that looks ahead to the contents of the reserved memory related to the second special symbol. Thereafter, the main control device 510 transmits a second look-ahead determination command indicating the determination result of the look-ahead determination process (step S209) to the sub-integrated control device 520 (step S210). Thereafter, the main control device 510 transmits a second reserved number instruction command indicating the value of the second reserved memory counter to the sub-integrated control device 520 (step S211). Based on the second look-ahead determination command and the second reserved number instruction command, the sub-integrated control device 520 controls the pseudo-effects displayed on the effect symbol display device 230. Specifically, based on the second reserved number instruction command, the sub-integrated control device 520 increases the number of displayed second reserved symbols indicating the number of reserved memories related to the second special symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device 230, and based on the second look-ahead determination command, changes the second reserved symbols to a state corresponding to the likelihood of a jackpot. The main control unit 510 may send a single command to the sub-integrated control unit 520 that combines the first pre-reading determination command and the first hold number instruction command, or may send a single command to the sub-integrated control unit 520 that combines the second pre-reading determination command and the second hold number instruction command.The main control device 510 may transmit to the sub integrated control device 520 a single command that combines the first pre-reading determination command, the second pre-reading determination command, the first hold number instruction command, and the second hold number instruction command.

[0086] In the look-ahead determination process (steps S203 and S209), the main control device 510 checks whether the values ​​of the jackpot determination random numbers for the first special symbol and the second special symbol are values ​​that will result in a jackpot (jackpot value), and if so, checks the type of jackpot symbol. If the value of the jackpot determination random number is a miss value different from the jackpot value, the main control device 510 checks whether the fluctuation pattern associated with the miss value is a fluctuation pattern that makes the player expect a jackpot. The look-ahead determination process may be a process of directly reading out the random number value stored in the reserved memory area and making a determination, or a process of reading out the random number value stored in a memory area for look-ahead determination that is different from the reserved memory area and making a determination. The look-ahead determination process may be executed in parallel with the process of storing the jackpot determination random number in the reserved memory area after obtaining the jackpot determination random number, or it may be executed prior to the process of storing the jackpot determination random number in the reserved memory area. Regardless of the method of pre-reading determination processing, the contents of the reserved memory can be grasped prior to the correct / incorrect determination processing (step S108).

[0087] After completing the processing related to the second starting hole 242 (step S206: "NO", step S207: "NO", step S211), the main control device 510 determines whether or not a ball has entered the normal symbol activation gate 243 based on the detection signal from the normal symbol activation switch 273 (step S212). If a ball has entered the normal symbol activation gate 243 (step S212: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether or not the reserved memory for the normal symbol is less than the upper limit number (four in this embodiment) (step S213). If the reserved memory for the normal symbol is less than the upper limit number, the winning determination random number extracted in response to the ball entering the normal symbol activation gate 243 is stored as the normal symbol reserved memory, and the normal symbol reserved memory counter indicating the number of reserved memories for the normal symbol is incremented (step S214). Then, the main control device 510 sends a command to the sub-integrated control device 520 to indicate the value of the normal reserved number memory counter (step S211). Then, the main control device 510 returns. The sub-integrated control device 520 may control the pseudo-effect displayed on the effect symbol display device 230 based on the command to indicate the normal reserved number. In addition, while the normal electric device 245 is operating, the normal symbol will not change even if the reserved memory for the normal symbol is not zero. When the normal electric device 245 is operating and a ball entering the normal symbol operation gate 243 is detected, the random numbers for determining a win extracted in response to the ball entering (passing through) the normal symbol operation gate 243 are stored as normal symbol reserved memory up to the upper limit number. However, if the upper limit number is exceeded, the random numbers will not be stored. As mentioned above, the normal pattern change time is 5 seconds when not in time-saving mode and 1 second when in time-saving mode, but there is a 0.5 second time limit to confirm the stopped pattern after the change has stopped, and if the number of reserved normal patterns is not zero, the normal pattern will start changing after the stopped pattern confirmation time has elapsed.

[0088] [Special drawing validity determination process] 10, 11, 12, and 13 are flowcharts showing the "special drawing correct / incorrect determination process" executed by the main control device 510. This special drawing correct / incorrect determination process is a subroutine equivalent to the correct / incorrect determination process (step S107) in FIG.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 10, after starting the special symbol win / loss determination process, the main control device 510 determines whether the condition device has not yet been activated based on the jackpot flag (step S300). The jackpot flag is a flag that becomes active when the win / loss determination for the first special symbol and the second special symbol is a jackpot, and the condition device is activated when the jackpot flag is active. If the condition device is activated (step S300: "NO"), the main control device 510 proceeds to special game processing that controls the jackpot game state. If the condition device is not activated (step S300: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether it is a special symbol variation stop period in which the variable display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is stopped (step S301). If it is a special pattern variation stop period (step S301: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether it is a fixed pattern non-display period in which the fixed patterns of the first special pattern and the second special pattern are not displayed (step S302).

[0090] 11, if it is the fixed symbol non-display period (step S302 in FIG. 10: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether or not there is a reserved memory for the second special symbol (step S310). If there is no reserved memory for the second special symbol (step S310: "NO"), the main control device 510 determines whether or not there is a reserved memory for the first special symbol (step S311).

[0091] If there is a reserved memory for the first special symbol or the second special symbol (step S310: "YES", step S311: "YES"), the main control device 510 reads out the oldest reserved memory from the reserved memory for the target special symbol to be processed out of the first special symbol and the second special symbol, and decrements the reserved memory counter for the target special symbol (step S312). After that, the main control device 510 transmits a reserved number instruction command indicating the value of the reserved memory counter for the target special symbol to the sub-integrated control device 520 (step S313).

[0092] Thereafter, the main control device 510 compares the random number for determining a jackpot read as reserved memory for the target special symbol with a judgment table for determining a jackpot (step S314). In this embodiment, the judgment table for determining a jackpot includes a normal probability table in which the jackpot probability is set to a low probability (for example, 1 / 300 when the stage setting value is "1") and a high probability table in which the jackpot probability is set to a high probability (for example, 1 / 30 when the stage setting value is "1"). The main control device 510 uses the normal probability table in the normal game state and the time-limited game state, and uses the high probability table in the time-limited probability variable game state. The main control device 510 determines whether the target special symbol is a jackpot or not based on the comparison of the random number for determining a jackpot with the judgment table for determining a jackpot (step S314) (step S315).

[0093] If the target special symbol is a jackpot (step S315: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines the jackpot symbol based on the random number for determining the jackpot symbol read as reserved memory for the target special symbol (step S316). Thereafter, the main control device 510 sets various conditions for the jackpot game state (e.g., presentation time, presentation pattern, etc.) (step S317). Thereafter, the main control device 510 selects a variation pattern based on the random number for determining the variation pattern read as reserved memory for the target special symbol (step S318). Thereafter, the main control device 510 transmits a variation instruction command indicating the jackpot symbol, variation pattern, etc. to the sub-integrated control device 520 (step S320). As a result, the sub-integrated control device 520 controls the pseudo-effect displayed on the effect symbol display device 230 based on the variation instruction command. In addition, in accordance with the transmission of the variation instruction command to the sub-integrated control device 520, the main control device 510 outputs a control signal to the first special symbol display device 251 or the second special symbol display device 252 to instruct them to perform a variation display.

[0094] If the target special symbol is a losing symbol (step S315: "NO"), the main control device 510 determines a losing symbol based on the random number read as a reserved memory related to the target special symbol (step S319). After that, the main control device 510 selects a variation pattern based on the random number read as a reserved memory related to the target special symbol (step S318). After that, the main control device 510 transmits a variation instruction command indicating the losing symbol and variation pattern to the sub-integrated control device 520 (step S320). As a result, the sub-integrated control device 520 controls the pseudo-effect displayed on the effect symbol display device 230 based on the variation instruction command. Furthermore, in accordance with the transmission of the variation instruction command to the sub-integrated control device 520, the main control device 510 outputs a control signal to the first special symbol display device 251 or the second special symbol display device 252 to instruct the variable display. In this embodiment, the process of counting the number of miss fluctuations HN is executed in the process of step 319. This process will be described later.

[0095] If there is no reserved memory for the first special pattern and the second special pattern (step S310: "NO", step S311: "NO"), and after sending a change instruction command to the sub-integrated control device 520 (step S320), the main control device 510 transitions to special game processing that controls the jackpot game state.

[0096] 12, if the special symbol variation stop period is not in progress (step S301 in FIG. 10: "NO"), in other words, if the first or second special symbol is varying, the main control device 510 determines whether the variation time set based on the variation pattern of the currently varying target special symbol has elapsed (step S330). If the variation time has not elapsed (step S330: "NO"), the main control device 510 transitions to special game processing, which controls the jackpot game state. If the variation time has elapsed (step S330: "YES"), the main control device 510 outputs a control signal to the first special symbol display device 251 or the second special symbol display device 252 to display a confirmed jackpot symbol or a losing symbol, and transmits a symbol stop command to the sub-integrated control device 520 to display a confirmed jackpot symbol or a losing symbol (step S331).

[0097] When the jackpot symbol is to be displayed as a confirmed jackpot symbol (step S332: "YES"), the main control device 510 sets the time for the confirmed jackpot symbol to be displayed (step S333) and activates the condition device by setting the jackpot flag to a valid value (step S334). Thereafter, the main control device 510 resets the probability variable flag and the time-saving flag to invalid values, and resets the probability variable counter and the time-saving counter to invalid values ​​(step S335). The probability variable flag is a flag that sets whether or not a win / loss determination for the first special symbol and the second special symbol is performed with a higher probability of winning than in the normal game state. The time-saving flag is a flag that sets whether or not a time-saving game state is performed. The probability variable counter is a counter that sets the number of times a win / loss determination for the first special symbol and the second special symbol is performed with a higher probability of winning than in the normal game state. The time-saving counter is a counter that sets the number of times a time-saving game state is performed. After resetting various counters (step S335), the main control unit 510 transmits a state designation command indicating the game state after the pattern confirmation display to the sub-integrated control unit 520 and the frame control unit 560, and then transitions to special game processing that controls the jackpot game state.

[0098] If the losing symbol is to be displayed as a confirmed symbol (step S332: "NO"), the main control device 510 sets the time for the losing symbol to be displayed as a confirmed symbol (step S337). After that, if the probability variable flag is a valid value "1" (step S338: "YES"), the main control device 510 decrements the probability variable counter (step S339). After that, if the probability variable counter is "0" (step S340: "YES"), the main control device 510 sets the probability variable flag to an invalid value "0" (step S341).

[0099] After completing the processing related to the probability variable flag and probability variable counter (step S338: "NO", step S340: "NO", step S341), if the time-saving flag is a valid value "1" (step S342: "YES"), the main control device 510 decrements the time-saving counter (step S343). After that, if the time-saving counter is "0" (step S344: "YES"), the main control device 510 sets the time-saving flag to an invalid value "0" (step S345). After completing the processing related to the time-saving flag and time-saving counter (step S342: "NO", step S344: "NO", step S345), the main control device 510 transmits a state designation command indicating the game state after the symbol confirmation display to the sub-integrated control device 520 and the frame control device 560, and then transitions to special game processing that controls the jackpot game state.

[0100] 13, if the period during which the first and second special symbols are not displayed is not in effect (step S302 in FIG. 10: "NO"), in other words, if the first or second special symbol is being displayed as a fixed symbol, the main control device 510 determines whether the fixed symbol display time set based on the variable pattern of the target special symbol being displayed as a fixed symbol has elapsed (step S350). If the fixed symbol display time has not elapsed (step S350: "NO"), the main control device 510 transitions to special game processing, which controls the jackpot game state. If the fixed symbol display time has elapsed (step S350: "YES"), the main control device 510 outputs a control signal to the first special symbol display device 251 or the second special symbol display device 252 to terminate the fixed symbol display, and transmits a command to the sub-integrated control device 520 to terminate the fixed symbol display based on the effect symbol (step S351). Thereafter, the main control device 510 transitions to a special game process for controlling the big win game state.

[0101] [Special Game Processing] 14, 15, and 16 are flowcharts showing the "special game processing" executed by the main control device 510. This special game processing is a subroutine that controls the jackpot game state. As shown in FIG. 14, after starting the special game processing, the main control device 510 determines whether the condition device is activated based on the jackpot flag (step S390). If the condition device is not activated (step S390: "NO"), the main control device 510 returns to the main routine.

[0102] If the condition device is operating, a process is performed to illuminate the gate LED 243a (step S391). As a result, the front of the normal symbol operation gate 243 turns red. At this time, a command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 520 (step S392), and a message such as "Let the ball enter the gate and start the big win game" is displayed on the screen of the effect symbol display device 230 via the effect symbol control device 530, along with a voice message. In this embodiment, the number of rounds (up to 16) for the jackpot game is determined by lottery (step S394) based on the timing at which the game ball is detected by the normal symbol activation switch 273, and the final round is determined. Also, a display effect is displayed to encourage players to expect good fortune by selecting a large number of rounds. For example, a roulette wheel in which a ball symbol moves over number symbols 1 to 16 is displayed on the screen of the effect symbol display device 230, and processing is performed to stop the ball symbol when the game ball passes through the normal symbol activation gate 243. When the ball symbol stops over the number symbol with the large number of rounds, the corresponding number of rounds is determined. This is a display effect; in reality, it is sufficient to stop the ball symbol over the number symbol corresponding to the lottery-determined number of rounds. Instead of this display effect, an effect may be displayed that suggests the timing at which the game ball will pass through the normal symbol activation gate 243 by changing the light emission mode or color of the gate LED 243a. For example, it is conceivable to make the light color of the gate LED 243a flash for a moment or change color for a moment, and if the game ball passes through the normal pattern activation gate 243 immediately after that timing, it would appear that there is a high probability that a large number of rounds will be selected. If the normal symbol activation switch 273 detects a ball entering the normal symbol activation gate 243 while the front of the normal symbol activation gate 243 is displayed in red (step S393: "YES"), the bonus feature continuous operation device is activated, allowing a jackpot game to be played. At this time, a bonus feature interlocking flag indicating that the bonus feature interlocking operation device is activated is set. This bonus feature interlocking flag and the jackpot flag are cleared when the jackpot game ends. When the bonus feature interlocking flag and the jackpot flag are set, the next interrupt process is resumed from step S396. Alternatively, the bonus feature interlocking flag may be cleared when the bonus feature interlocking flag is set, and the next interrupt process may be resumed from step S396. At this time, the process of illuminating the gate LED 243a is terminated, and a command is sent to the sub-integrated control device 520 to display a message indicating that a jackpot game can be started (step S395). If the normal symbol activation switch 273 does not detect a ball entering the normal symbol activation gate 243 (step S393: "NO"), the main control device 510 temporarily returns to the main routine. Therefore, the processing of steps S390 to S393 is repeatedly executed until a ball entering the normal symbol activation gate 243 is detected after the condition device is activated. However, a certain time limit (for example, 10 minutes) may be set, and if a ball entering the normal symbol activation gate 243 is not detected within the time limit, processing may be performed to disable the operation of the condition device. In this case, it is preferable to issue a warning process together with a sound on the screen of the performance symbol display device 230 before disabling the device.

[0103] In this embodiment, while the condition device is operating, a process is performed to make the gate LED 243a emit red light (step S391), but as mentioned above, if the reserved memory for the normal symbol exceeds the upper limit number (four in this embodiment) (step S213), the random number for determining a win according to the ball entering the normal symbol operation gate 243 is not stored as a normal symbol reserved memory. In a gaming state where this is not stored as a normal symbol reserved memory, a process is performed to make the gate LED 243a emit yellow light. While the condition device is operating, the screen of the performance symbol display device 230 may be configured to notify only that the condition device is operating and that a jackpot game will be executed when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 243.

[0104] In this embodiment, the normal symbol activation gate 243 is not only used to determine whether the normal symbol is a hit or miss, but can also be used to activate the role-playing device. After the condition device is activated, a process is carried out to make the gate LED 243a emit red light until the accessory continuous operation device is activated, so that the player can easily understand that the game ball needs to enter (pass through) the normal pattern operation gate 243. In addition, in this embodiment, if the reserved memory for normal symbols exceeds the upper limit number (four in this embodiment), the gate LED 243a is illuminated in yellow. This has the effect of making it easy to understand that the game state is one in which the winning determination random number corresponding to the ball entering the normal symbol activation gate 243 is not stored as a normal symbol reserved memory.

[0105] As described above, if a game ball passes through the normal symbol activation gate 243 after the condition device is activated, the bonus item continuous operation device is activated, and this game state can be determined based on the bonus item continuous flag (step S396). If the bonus item continuous operation device is activated (step S396: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether the jackpot opening 248 is closed (step S401). If the jackpot opening 248 is closed (step S401: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether a jackpot start effect is being performed prior to the jackpot game state (step S402). If a jackpot start effect is being performed (step S402: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether it is time to end the jackpot start effect (step S403). If it is time to end the jackpot start presentation (step S403: "YES"), the main control device 510 executes a large prize opening process (step S404) to open the large prize opening 248. If it is not time to end the jackpot start presentation (step S403: "NO"), and after executing the large prize opening process (step S404), the main control device 510 returns to the main routine. Incidentally, each process shown in the figure, including this process, shows an outline of the process (general flow). Therefore, if the main routine is returned to while the condition device or the accessory continuous operation device is operating, the process executed by the main control device 510 will be resumed with the condition device or accessory continuous operation device operating at every interrupt signal with a next 2 ms (millisecond) period.

[0106] If the jackpot start effect is not being performed (step S402: "NO"), the main control device 510 determines whether or not it is during an interval, which is a period during which the large prize opening 248 is temporarily closed between the previous opening period and the next opening period (step S405). If it is during an interval (step S405: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether or not it is time to end the interval (step S406). If it is time to end the interval (step S406: "YES"), the main control device 510 executes a large prize opening opening process (step S408) that opens the large prize opening 248. If it is not time to end the interval (step S406: "NO"), and after executing the large prize opening opening process (step S408), the main control device 510 returns to the main routine.

[0107] If it is not during an interval (step S405: "NO"), the main control device 510 determines whether or not a jackpot end presentation is in progress (step S411). If it is not during a jackpot end presentation (step S411: "YES"), the main control device 510 executes a jackpot start presentation process (step S412) that sends a command instructing a jackpot start presentation to the sub-integrated control device 520. If it is during a jackpot end presentation (step S411: "NO"), and after executing the jackpot start presentation process (step S412), the main control device 510 returns to the main routine.

[0108] 15, when the special prize opening 248 is not closed (step S401 in FIG. 14: "NO"), in other words, when the special prize opening 248 is open, the main control device 510 determines whether the number of wins in the open special prize opening 248 is less than a specified number (for example, 9) (step S430). When the number of wins in the open special prize opening 248 is less than the specified number (step S430: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines whether the opening time for opening the special prize opening 248 has elapsed (step S431). When the opening time for opening the special prize opening 248 has not elapsed (step S431: "NO"), the main control device 510 returns to the main routine.

[0109] If the number of wins in the open special prize opening 248 exceeds a specified number (step S430: "NO"), or if the opening time for opening the special prize opening 248 has elapsed (step S431: "YES"), the main control device 510 executes a special prize opening closing process (step S432) to close the special prize opening 248. Thereafter, the main control device 510 determines whether the round of the special prize game that ended in the previous special prize opening closing process (step S432) is the final round (e.g., the 13th round) (step S433). If it is not the final round (step S433: "NO"), the main control device 510 executes an interval to temporarily close the special prize opening 248 between the previous opening period and the next opening period (step S438). Thereafter, the main control device 510 returns to the main routine.

[0110] If the round of the jackpot game that ended in the previous jackpot opening closing process (step S432) is the final round (step S433: "YES"), the main control device 510 transmits a command to the sub-integrated control device 520 to instruct a jackpot end effect that indicates the end of the jackpot game state (step S436). Thereafter, the main control device 510 executes a condition device stop process (step S437) that stops the condition device.

[0111] 16, after executing the condition device stop process (step S437 in FIG. 15), the main control device 510 determines whether the bonus flag is a valid value "1" (step S440). In this embodiment, the main control device 510 sets the bonus flag to a valid value "1" depending on the type of jackpot symbol. In other embodiments, if a game ball enters a probability variable hole (not shown) provided inside the big prize hole 248 in the final round of the jackpot game, the main control device 510 may set the bonus flag to a valid value "1".

[0112] If the bonus flag is a valid value "1" (step S440: "YES"), the main control device 510 sets the probability variable flag to a valid value "1" (step S441) and sets the probability variable counter to a value "160" (step S442). After that, the main control device 510 sets the time-saving flag to a valid value "1" (step S443) and sets the time-saving counter to a value "160" (step S444). In this case, the value of the probability variable counter and the value of the time-saving counter may be different.

[0113] If the bonus flag is not a valid value "1" (step S440: "NO"), in other words, if the bonus flag is an invalid value "0", the main control device 510 sets the probability variable flag to an invalid value "0" (step S451) and sets the probability variable counter to a value "0" (step S452). After that, the main control device 510 sets the time-saving flag to a valid value "1" (step S453) and sets the time-saving counter to a value "100" (step S454).

[0114] After setting the time-saving counter (steps S444, S454), the main control device 510 resets the bonus flag to an invalid value "0" (step S445). Thereafter, the main control device 510 transmits a command to the sub-integrated control device 520 to instruct notification of the game state after the jackpot game, which is set based on the probability variable flag and the time-saving flag (step S446). Thereafter, the main control device 510 transmits a command to the sub-integrated control device 520 and the frame control device 560 to instruct the game state after the jackpot game, which is set based on the probability variable flag and the time-saving flag (step S447). Thereafter, the main control device 510 returns to the main routine.

[0115] [Winning confirmation process] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the "winning confirmation process" executed by the main control unit 510. This winning confirmation process is a subroutine included in the winning confirmation process (step S107) of Figure 8. After starting the winning confirmation process, the main control unit 510 determines whether or not a winning has been detected (step S512). The main control unit 510 determines whether or not a winning has been detected based on detection signals from the first start port switch 271, the second start port switch 272, the left winning port switch 274, and the count switch 276.

[0116] If a win is detected (step S512: "YES"), the main control device 510 determines the number of prize balls to be added to the player's ball holdings (step S514). If the detection signal is from the left prize opening switch 274, which detects a win in the normal prize opening 246, the main control device 510 determines that the number of prize balls is 10. If the detection signal is from the first start opening switch 271, which detects a win in the first start opening 241, or from the second start opening switch 272, which detects a win in the second start opening 242, the main control device 510 determines that the number of prize balls is 3. If the detection signal is from the count switch 276, which detects a win in the big prize opening 248, the main control device 510 determines that the number of prize balls is 13. The number of prize balls for each prize opening can be set as appropriate.

[0117] After determining the number of prize balls (step S514), and if no win is detected (step S512: "NO"), the main control unit 510 instructs the prize ball number display device 286 to display the number of prize balls (step S516). As a result, the prize ball number display device 286 displays the number of prize balls for each winning slot. If no win is detected, the prize ball number display device 286 displays the number "0" indicating no win. After instructing the display of the number of prize balls (step S516), the main control unit 510 completes the win confirmation process of FIG. 17 and returns to the main routine.

[0118] [Each output process] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing each output process executed by the main control device 510. Each output process is a subroutine corresponding to each output process (step S109) of FIG. 8. In each output process, the main control device 510 transmits prize ball information indicating the number of prize balls based on the winning confirmation process of FIG. 17 to the frame control device 560 by one-way communication from the main control device 510 (step S522). Thereafter, the main control device 510 transmits prize ball information indicating the number of prize balls based on the winning confirmation process of FIG. 17 to the main control device 510 by one-way communication from the main control device 510 (step S524). In each output process, the main control device 510 outputs various information in addition to the prize ball information to the frame control device 560 and the main control device 510. After outputting the various information, the main control device 510 ends each output process of FIG. 18 and returns to the main routine.

[0119] The main control device 510 transmits the following information as gaming status information indicating the gaming status of the pachinko machine 10 from the frame control device 560 to the hall computer 90 via the card unit 80. <Name of information: Content of information> Information A1: Jackpot Information A2~A8: Spare Information A9: During jackpot and time reduction Information A10: During the special mode Information A11: Time-saving Information A12: Pattern changing Information A13: Detection of fraudulent activity by radio wave sensor (error) Information A14: Detection of fraudulent activity using a magnet sensor (error) Information A15: Detection of fraudulent winnings (error)

[0120] The main control device 510 transmits the following information to the frame control device 560 as game status information indicating the game status of the pachinko machine 10. This information is not transmitted to the hall computer 90. <Name of information: Content of information> Information B1: Start of jackpot game Information B2: Interval between rounds in jackpot games Information B3: End of jackpot game Information B4: Number of rounds of jackpot play Information B5: Pattern change pattern Information B6~B10: Spare Information B11: There is a probability change (there is time reduction) Information B12: There is a probability change (no time reduction) Information B13: No probability change (with time reduction) Information B14: No probability change (no time reduction) Information B15: Start of standby mode (power saving mode) Information B16: Exiting standby mode Information B17: Number of winning entries to the main prize slot Information B18: Number of winnings for regular electric gadgets Information B19: Number of reserved items in the first reserved memory Information B20: Number of reserved items in the second reserved memory Information B21: Number of reserved general map memories Information B22: Winning at the general prize entry

[0121] Regarding the start of the standby mode of information B15, the main control device 510 starts the standby mode when a predetermined time has passed since all the patterns have finished varying, with no reserved memory of the normal, first special, or second special patterns. Regarding the end of the standby mode of information B16, the main control device 510 ends the standby mode when any of the normal, first special, or second special patterns is reserved while the standby mode is being executed.

[0122] [Ball management processing] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the "ball possession management process" executed by the frame control device 560. This ball possession management process is a process for managing the number of balls possessed, which is the number of balls possessed. The frame control device 560 repeatedly executes the ball possession management process at a predetermined timing. After starting the ball possession management process, the frame control device 560 determines whether loan information has been received from the card unit 80 (step S612). The loan information from the card unit 80 indicates the number of game balls to be loaned to the player based on information read from a bill received from the player or a recording card, which is a recording medium. If loan information has been received (step S612: "YES"), the frame control device 560 adds the number of game balls based on the loan information to the number of game balls possessed managed by the frame control device 560 (step S614).

[0123] After adding the number of balls held based on the rental information (step S614), or if rental information has not been received (step S612: "NO"), the frame control device 560 determines whether or not a fired ball, which is a game ball fired from the firing device 310 into the game area 210, has been detected (step S622). The frame control device 560 determines the detection of a fired ball based on a detection signal from the firing entrance sensor 315. If a fired ball is detected (step S622: "YES"), the frame control device 560 subtracts the number of fired balls from the number of balls held managed by the frame control device 560 (step S624).

[0124] After subtracting the number of balls held based on the fired ball (step S624), and if no fired ball is detected (step S622: "NO"), the frame control device 560 determines whether or not prize ball information indicating the number of prize balls has been received from the main control device 510 (step S632). If prize ball information has been received (step S632: "YES"), the frame control device 560 adds the number of prize balls based on the prize ball information to the number of balls held managed by the frame control device 560 (step S634).

[0125] After adding up the number of balls in possession based on the prize ball information (step S634), and if prize ball information has not been received (step S632: "NO"), the frame control device 560 instructs the possessed ball number display device 164 to display the number of possessed balls managed by the frame control device 560 (step S642). After that, the frame control device 560 ends the possessed ball management process of FIG.

[0126] [Information output processing] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the "information output process" executed by the frame control device 560. This information output process is a process for outputting various types of information to the sub-integrated control device 520. The frame control device 560 repeatedly executes the information output process at a predetermined timing. In the information output process, the frame control device 560 transmits ball information indicating the number of balls in possession based on the ball management process of FIG. 19 to the sub-integrated control device 520 via one-way communication from the frame control device 560 (step S644). In the information output process, the frame control device 560 transmits the following information to the sub-integrated control device 520 in addition to the ball information via one-way communication from the frame control device 560: Information C1: Winning ball detection information Information C2: Out ball detection information Information C3: Frame side error information Information C4: Nighttime surveillance information Information C5: Card notification information

[0127] The winning ball detection information (information C1) is information indicating the number of winning balls based on the detection signal from the winning ball sensor 344. The out ball detection information (information C2) is information indicating the number of out balls based on the detection signal from the out ball sensor 345. The frame side error information (information C3) is information indicating abnormalities in devices such as the launching device 310, the grinding device 320, and the lifting device 330 managed by the frame control device 560. The night monitoring information (information C4) is information indicating abnormalities based on the detection signal from the night monitoring device 352. The card notification information (information C5) is information indicating that the recording card will be returned in the card unit 80. When the sub-integrated control device 520 receives an operation input to the counting switch 162, the sub-integrated control device 520 transmits the card notification information (information C5) to the sub-integrated control device 520, indicating the interval period until the start of the next game state after the end of the jackpot game, and when the sub-integrated control device 520 receives an operation input to the return button 813.

[0128] [Ball display processing] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the "held ball display process" executed by the sub-integrated control device 520. This held ball display process is a process for displaying the number of held balls on the effect pattern display device 230. The sub-integrated control device 520 repeatedly executes the held ball display process at a predetermined timing. After starting the held ball display process, the sub-integrated control device 520 receives held ball information indicating the number of held balls based on the held ball management process of FIG. 19 from the frame control device 560 via one-way communication from the frame control device 560 (step S712). Thereafter, the sub-integrated control device 520 instructs the effect pattern display device 230 via the effect pattern control device 530 to display the number of held balls based on the held ball information from the frame control device 560 (step S714). Thereafter, the sub-integrated control device 520 ends the held ball display process. The sub-integrated control device 520 may receive ball information indicating the number of balls held from the frame control device 560 each time the number of balls held managed by the frame control device 560 changes by a predetermined number (for example, 10), or may receive ball information indicating the number of balls held from the frame control device 560 each time the number of balls held managed by the frame control device 560 changes. The sub-integrated control device 520 may calculate the number of balls held based on information different from the ball information sent from the frame control device 560, and may instruct the effect pattern display device 230 via the effect pattern control device 530 to display the calculated number of balls held.

[0129] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen 401 illustrating an example of a display in the effect symbol display device 230. The screen 401 includes effect symbol display areas 411, 412, and 413, a display area 422, and a display area 424. The effect symbol display area 411 is an area where the effect symbol located on the left side is variably displayed and fixed. The effect symbol display area 412 is an area where the effect symbol located in the center is variably displayed and fixed. The effect symbol display area 413 is an area where the effect symbol located on the right side is variably displayed and fixed. The display area 422 is an area where the number of prize balls based on prize ball information from the main control device 510 is displayed. The display area 424 is an area where the number of balls held based on ball holding information from the frame control device 560 is displayed. In addition, if the main control device 510 and the frame control device 560 are configured to be capable of two-way communication, data indicating the number of balls held that is managed by the frame control device 560 can be output to the main control device 510, and the main control device 510 can output data indicating the number of balls held to the sub-integrated control device 520, and the number of balls held can be displayed in the display area 424.

[0130] [Frame side error notification processing] 23 is a flowchart showing the "frame side error notification process" executed by the sub-integrated control device 520. This frame side error notification process is a process for notifying the effect symbol display device 230 of an abnormality in the equipment managed by the frame control device 560. The sub-integrated control device 520 repeatedly executes the frame side error notification process at a predetermined timing. After starting the frame side error notification process, the sub-integrated control device 520 determines whether or not it has received frame side error information (information C3) from the frame control device 560 (step S732). If frame-side error information (information C3) is received (step S732: "YES (abnormal)"), the sub-integrated control device 520 instructs the performance pattern display device 230 via the performance pattern control device 530 to notify the frame-side error information (information C3) (step S734). When notifying the frame-side error information (information C3), the sub-integrated control device 520 may instruct the speaker 142 to emit light and the light-emitting unit 144 to output sound, in addition to notifying the frame-side error information (information C3) by the performance pattern display device 230. After instructing the notification of frame-side error information (information C3) (step S734), and if frame-side error information (information C3) has not been received (step S732: "NO (normal)"), the sub-integrated control device 520 terminates the frame-side error notification process.

[0131] When the frame side error information (information C3) is notified (step S734), sound may be output from the alarm speaker 354 under the control of the frame control device 560. When the frame side error information (information C3) is notified, the firing of game balls by the firing device 310 may be stopped under the control of the frame control device 560, making the game impossible. In this case, the frame control device 560 may notify the sub-integrated control device 520 of the halt in firing of game balls, and the sub-integrated control device 520 may instruct the effect symbol display device 230 to notify that fact.

[0132] FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen 403, which is an example of a display on the effect symbol display device 230. The screen 403 is an example of a screen that is displayed when the sub-integrated control device 520 instructs the notification of frame-side error information (information C3). Similar to the screen 401 of FIG. 22, the screen 403 includes effect symbol display areas 411, 412, 413, a display area 422, and a display area 424. The screen 403 further includes a display area 432. The display area 432 is an area that displays the contents of the frame-side error information (information C3). In the example of FIG. 26, the display area 432 displays the characters "Ball Circulation Error," which indicates an abnormality in the game ball circulation system.

[0133] [Card notification processing] 25 is a flowchart showing the "card notification process" executed by the sub-integrated control device 520. This card notification process is a process in which the effect symbol display device 230 notifies the user that the recording card will be returned in the card unit 80. The sub-integrated control device 520 repeatedly executes the card notification process at a predetermined timing. After starting the card notification process, the sub-integrated control device 520 determines whether or not it has received card notification information (information C5) from the frame control device 560 (step S752). When an operation input is made to the return button 813, when a jackpot game ends, when an operation input is made to the counting switch 162, or in other situations, the frame control device 560 transmits the card notification information (information C5) to the sub-integrated control device 520. If card notification information (information C5) is received (step S752: "YES"), the sub-integrated control device 520 instructs the performance pattern display device 230 via the performance pattern control device 530 to notify the card unit 80 that the recording card will be returned (step S754). After instructing the card unit 80 to notify the card unit 80 that the recording card will be returned (step S754), and if card notification information (information C5) is not received (step S752: "NO"), the sub-integrated control device 520 terminates the card notification process.

[0134] When notifying the player that the recording card will be returned after a jackpot has ended, the sub-integrated control board 520 can notify the player that the recording card will be returned based on information from the main control board 510, and therefore may notify the player that the recording card will be returned without receiving card notification information from the frame control board 560. Also, when notifying the player that the recording card will be returned after each jackpot has ended, the player may be notified that the recording card will be returned after a jackpot has ended only when the jackpot game state has ended from the normal game state, in order to avoid multiple notifications even though the recording card has been removed. The same applies when the frame control device 560 sends card notification information.

[0135] FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen 405, which is an example of a display on the performance symbol display device 230. The screen 405 is an example of a screen that is displayed when the sub-integrated control device 520 issues an instruction to notify the user that the recording card will be returned in the card unit 80. The screen 405 includes a display area 452. The display area 452 is an area that displays information that the recording card will be returned in the card unit 80. In the example of FIG. 26, the display area 442 displays text indicating that the recording card will be returned in the card unit 80.

[0136] [Other time-saving controls] In the process shown in Figure 16, if the bonus flag is a valid value "1", the values ​​of the probability variable flag and time-saving flag are set to "1" (hereinafter, this may be referred to as "setting the flag") (steps S441, S443), and the probability variable counter and time-saving counter are set to a value of "160" (steps S442, S444). If the bonus flag value is "0", only the time-saving flag is set and the time-saving counter value is set to "100" (steps S451 to S454). The time-saving control executed by this process is executed after the jackpot game ends (hereinafter, this may be referred to as "jackpot time-saving"). In this embodiment, in addition to the jackpot time reduction that is executed after the jackpot game ends, the time reduction control is also executed when a specific losing symbol is selected in the processing of step S319 shown in Fig. 11 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "specific time reduction"). Details will be described later. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the number of times of the miss fluctuations executed after the miss is determined in step S315 shown in Fig. 11 reaches a predetermined number, the time-shortening control is also executed (hereinafter, this may be referred to as "ceiling time-shortening"). This will also be described in detail later. Here, first, the relationship between the number of times of time reduction for the jackpot time reduction, the specific time reduction and the ceiling time reduction will be explained with reference to Figs.

[0137] As shown in Figures 27 and 28, the probability of winning with the first special chart and the second special chart is 1 / 300 when the stage setting value is 1 (the number in parentheses is the probability of winning in a high probability state). When a jackpot is hit on the first special chart, a 4-round jackpot is selected 80% of the time, and a 6-round jackpot is selected 20% of the time. When the bonus flag is not set, a 100-round time-saving game is selected, and when the bonus flag is set, a 160-round time-saving game is selected (Figure 16). When a jackpot is hit on the second special chart, 6 rounds are selected 20% of the time, and 10 rounds are selected 80% of the time. When the bonus flag is not set, a time-saving game with 100 rounds is selected, and when the bonus flag is set, a time-saving game with 160 rounds is selected. In this embodiment, the number of time-saving periods awarded after a jackpot game is the same regardless of the difference between the first special chart and the second special chart, but it is also possible to configure the number of time-saving periods to be awarded differently depending on the difference between the first special chart and the second special chart.

[0138] In this embodiment, there is one type of specific losing symbol for generating the specific time reduction, and when the specific losing symbol (time reduction symbol) is selected, this specific losing symbol is displayed and then a time reduction game is executed for 50 times of time reduction. In this embodiment, the probability (selection rate) of the specific losing symbol being selected is the same for the first special symbol and the second special symbol. In addition, the specific loss symbol may be selected with different probabilities for the first special symbol and the second special symbol. Also, there may be two types of specific loss symbols, and the number of time-saving times may be different depending on the type of specific loss symbol.

[0139] On the other hand, the ceiling time reduction is performed by reducing the number of times by 300 when the number of misses for the first special symbol reaches 500, or when the number of misses for the second special symbol reaches 400, or when the total number of misses for the first and second special symbols reaches 600. When the ceiling time reduction is performed, a time reduction flag is set and the time reduction counter is set to 300, as in the case of the jackpot time reduction described above. In this embodiment, the time reduction control is performed by reducing the number of times by 300 when the number of misses for the first special symbol reaches 500, or when the number of misses for the second special symbol reaches 400, or when the total number of misses for the first and second special symbols reaches 600. However, it is also possible to configure the time reduction control to be performed simply when the total number of misses reaches a predetermined number, or it is also possible to configure the time reduction control to be performed when the number of misses for either the first special symbol or the second special symbol alone reaches a predetermined number. The probability of winning the first and second special designs in the specific time-saving and ceiling time-saving modes is 1 / 300. The time-saving flags set when the jackpot time-saving mode, the specific time-saving mode, and the ceiling time-saving mode are executed may be the same flag because different types of time-saving controls are not executed simultaneously, but it is preferable to set different flags to distinguish which type of time-saving the number of times the time-saving mode is applied to.

[0140] As mentioned above, the variation time of the special symbol during the jackpot time reduction is 10 to 120 seconds during normal play when the time reduction is not in effect, averaging 5 seconds during the time reduction and 30 seconds during the reach mode. The winning probability of the normal symbol is 1 / 6 when the time reduction is not in effect and 5 / 6 when the time reduction is in effect. The variation time of the normal symbol is 5 seconds when the time reduction is not in effect and 1 second when the time reduction is in effect. Furthermore, the opening time of the normal electric device 245 is 0.3 seconds when the time reduction is not in effect and 1.5 seconds when the time reduction is in effect. Note that in this embodiment, the winning probability of the normal symbol is set to a high probability of 5 / 6 only during the jackpot time reduction, and the low probability is maintained during the ceiling time reduction or specific time reduction. Even during the jackpot time reduction, if the probability variable flag is not set (the probability variable flag value is "0"), the winning probability of the normal symbol may be set to 1 / 6. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29, except for the opening time of the normal electric device 245 during time-saving play, the variable time and winning probability are the same regardless of whether the time-saving is for a jackpot, a specific time-saving, or a ceiling time-saving. On the other hand, the opening time of the normal electric device 245 during time-saving play is set to 1.5 seconds for jackpot time-saving, 1.2 seconds for specific time-saving, and 1.7 seconds for ceiling time-saving. Of course, the variable time or winning probability may be different depending on the type of time-saving. Also, the time until the normal electric device is released after the winning notification by the normal symbol may be different depending on the type of time-saving, or it may be the same.

[0141] [HN count processing of deviation fluctuations] Here, the process of counting the number of times of fluctuation in the loss (also called the number of times of drawing the lottery for the loss) HN in the process of step 319 in FIG. 11 of the special drawing win / loss determination process described above will be explained with reference to FIG. The number of times of loss fluctuation HN indicates the number of times the random number for determining a jackpot read as reserved memory for the special symbol in step 314 is compared with the judgment table for determining a jackpot, and the comparison result is notified by the special symbol. Therefore, in other words, the number of times of loss lottery draws indicates the number of times the lottery result is notified by the special symbol, and does not include the lottery when making a jackpot notice, etc. In the "miss variation number HN count processing" shown in Fig. 30, first, it is determined whether the current pachinko machine 10 is in a state where the jackpot probability is high, that is, whether it is not in a state where a probability change game is in progress (step S1000). If the determination in step S1000 is affirmative, a process of incrementing the miss variation number HN is performed (step S1001). After the processing in step S1001 is performed, or if the determination in step S1000 is negative, the process returns to the processing in step S319 in Fig. 11. In this embodiment, when the jackpot probability is high, the miss variation count HN is not incremented, so the miss variation count HN is not incremented in the probability variable time-saving game state. However, in the normal time-saving game state, the miss variation count HN is incremented.

[0142] The process shown in Figure 30 shows the number of miss variations HN when the result of the first hit / miss determination, which compares the random number for determining a jackpot read as reserved memory for the first special symbol with the jackpot determination judgment table in steps S314 to S315, and the second hit / miss determination, which compares the random number for determining a jackpot read as reserved memory for the second special symbol with the jackpot determination judgment table, is not a jackpot. The number of miss variations HN indicates the sum of the number of miss variations HN1 in the first hit / miss determination and the number of miss variations HN2 in the second hit / miss determination. In other words, when the number of miss variations HN is incremented, either the number of miss variations HN1 in the first hit / miss determination or the number of miss variations HN2 in the second hit / miss determination is incremented. The miss fluctuation count HN, the miss fluctuation count HN1, and the miss fluctuation count HN2 are initialized when a positive determination is made in step S315 of Fig. 11, that is, when a jackpot occurs. They can also be initialized when the RAM clear switch 290 or the like is operated to initialize the stored data, when the setting key switch 291 or the like is operated to change the value of the step setting value, etc.

[0143] In this embodiment, when the jackpot probability is in a high probability state, the miss variation count HN is not incremented, but it may be configured to be incremented. For example, in the case of a configuration in which the large prize winning port 14 is not opened continuously and few prize balls are obtained due to small wins or the like, resulting in a transition to a high probability state (the so-called sudden probability function), the miss variation count HN may be incremented even in a high probability state. This is because when a transition to a high probability state occurs due to the sudden probability function, the player has not gained any profit from the jackpot game. If the number of miss variations HN is incremented when the game transitions to a high probability state due to the sudden probability function, the player will be rescued by time-saving control if a jackpot does not occur in the high probability state. On the other hand, if the game transitions to a high probability state due to the sudden probability function and a jackpot occurs, the number of miss variations HN is initialized, so the player will not receive excessive benefits.

[0144] [Display process for number of deviations HN] The miss variation count HN is displayed on the screen 401 of the performance symbol display device 230 together with the upper limit count (also called the ceiling count) MHN. As described above, the display area 424 of the screen 401 displays the number of balls held based on the ball information from the frame control device 560, but the miss variation count HN is displayed in the display area 450, and the upper limit count MHN is displayed in the display area 451. The difference between the upper limit number MHN and the loss variation number HN, i.e., the number of times required for the loss variation number HN to reach the upper limit number MHN, may be displayed in the display area 450. Of course, it is also possible to display the loss variation number HN together with the number of times required for the loss variation number HN to reach the upper limit number MHN in the display area 450. The point is that the display format is not important as long as the player knows the number of losses required for time-saving control based on the loss variation number HN to be executed. The number of times of loss fluctuations HN may be displayed constantly or at a fixed timing. After the start of a game, the number of times of loss fluctuations due to the game after the start of the game may be displayed, and the number of times of loss fluctuations added to the number of times of loss fluctuations due to the previous player (cumulative number of times of loss fluctuations) may be displayed after a fixed time has passed. In this embodiment, the system is configured to display the number of times of loss fluctuation HN when the cumulative number of times of loss fluctuation HN is equal to or greater than a predetermined percentage (for example, 50%) of the upper limit number of times MHN and after a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed since the start of the game. The number of times of loss fluctuation due to play after a player changes is displayed separately immediately after the start of the game. In this embodiment, the miss fluctuation count HN displayed in the display area 450 is the cumulative miss fluctuation count.

[0145] [Initialization of the number of deviations HN] The miss variation count HN is initialized at least when a jackpot game occurs, but it may also be initialized when a condition other than the occurrence of a jackpot game is met. For example, it may be initialized in step S1006. Alternatively, it may be initialized after a certain time (for example, 1 to 2 hours) has passed after it is determined that the player has finished playing. The miss variation count HN is stored for a certain period of time by the backup power supply even in the event of a power outage, but it may also be initialized under other conditions. For example, it may be initialized when the RWM clear switch 290 or the like is operated to initialize the data stored in the RAM, or when the setting key switch 291 or the like is operated to change the setting of the jackpot probability. In addition, when a jackpot game occurs, the time-saving flag and the time-saving counter for the ceiling time-saving are also initialized. Also, when the value of the time-saving counter becomes zero, that is, when no jackpot game occurs during the time-saving game, the time-saving flag is initialized. This also applies to the specific time-saving game.

[0146] [Ceiling time reduction and specific time reduction execution processing] The aforementioned jackpot time reduction is executed after the jackpot game is played, but the ceiling time reduction and specific time reduction are executed by the "ceiling time reduction priority processing" shown in Figure 31. This process is executed after it is determined that there is a loss in step S315 shown in Fig. 11 (positive determination in step S1110). It is determined whether the loss fluctuation count HN updated by the process shown in Fig. 30 described above has reached a predetermined upper limit count MHN (step S1111). If it is determined that it has not reached a predetermined upper limit count MHN, it is determined whether the loss symbol selected in the process of step S319 shown in Fig. 11 is a specific loss symbol (time-saving symbol) (step S1112). If it is a specific missing symbol, it is determined whether the jackpot time-saving game is not in progress (step S1113) depending on whether the jackpot time-saving flag is set or not, or whether the ceiling time-saving game is not in progress (step S1114) depending on whether the ceiling time-saving flag is set or not. If it is not in the jackpot time-saving game and ceiling time-saving game, it is determined whether the specific time-saving game is not in progress (step S1115) depending on whether the specific time-saving flag is set or not. If a specific losing symbol is selected, and the game is not in a jackpot time-saving game, a ceiling time-saving game, or a specific time-saving game (steps S1112 to S1115), a specific time-saving start process is executed (step S1116). In the specific time-saving start process, a specific time-saving flag is set, the number of time-saving cycles is set to 50, and a process of instructing notification of the game status and a process of sending a command instructing the game status are performed. This process is the same as the process steps S443, S444, S446, and S447 described in FIG. 16. In the process of instructing notification of the game status, after the specific losing symbol is displayed, a specific time-saving game is started, and a notification is made to instruct a change from a left hit toward the game area 211 to a right hit toward the game area 212.

[0147] If a specific losing symbol is selected, and the game is not in a jackpot time-saving game, not in a ceiling time-saving game, and is in a specific time-saving game (positive judgment in step S1115), a specific time-saving update process is executed (step S1117). The specific time-saving update process maintains the specific time-saving flag in an up state and resets the reduced (consumed) number of time-saving times to 50. At this time, after the specific missing symbol is displayed, the number of time-saving times reset to 50 is displayed and a notification is given that right-hand hitting should continue. On the other hand, even if a specific loss symbol is selected, if the jackpot time-saving game is in progress (a negative judgment in step S1113), the jackpot time-saving game continuation process is performed (step S1118). This is because during the jackpot time-saving game, the probability of winning a normal symbol is 5 / 6, which is advantageous to the player, so the jackpot time-saving game continues even if the specific loss symbol is selected. At this time, after the specific loss symbol is displayed, a notification is made that the jackpot time-saving game will continue. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the specific loss symbol is not notified (displayed) even if it is selected, but is replaced with another loss symbol (a general loss symbol), or a configuration in which the specific loss symbol is not selected during the jackpot time-saving game. If the specific loss symbol is not notified or the specific loss symbol is not selected, a negative judgment is made in step S1112 and the process skips to "return," but if the jackpot time-saving game is in progress, the process continues. Furthermore, even if a specific losing symbol is selected, if the ceiling time-limited game is in progress (negative determination in step S1114), processing to continue the ceiling time-limited game is performed (step S1119). This is processing that prioritizes the currently executed ceiling time-limited game over the specific time-limited game. At this time, after the specific losing symbol is displayed, a notification is made that the ceiling time-limited game will continue. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which even if a specific losing symbol is selected, the specific losing symbol is not notified and is replaced with another losing symbol (a general losing symbol), or a configuration in which the specific losing symbol is not selected during the ceiling time-limited game. In the case of a configuration in which the specific losing symbol is not notified or a configuration in which the specific losing symbol is not selected, a negative determination is made in step S1112 and the processing exits to "return," but if the ceiling time-limited game is in progress, the processing continues. In addition, the configuration in which a specific missing symbol is not selected during jackpot time-saving play or ceiling time-saving play means a configuration in which the specific missing symbol is not (cannot be) selected in the lottery during jackpot time-saving play or ceiling time-saving play, and it is possible to consider a configuration in which only the general missing symbol shown in Figure 28 can be selected in the lottery during jackpot time-saving play or ceiling time-saving play.

[0148] In this embodiment, when a jackpot lottery is won, the miss variation count HN is initialized, the number of time-saving times due to the jackpot time-saving is less than the upper limit count MHN, and when the probability of winning the jackpot lottery is high, the miss variation count HN is not counted, so that the ceiling time-saving game is not executed during the jackpot time-saving game. Also, in this embodiment, when the miss variation count HN becomes equal to or greater than the upper limit count MHN, the miss variation count HN is also initialized, and the number of time-saving times due to the ceiling time-saving game is less than the upper limit count MHN, so that the ceiling time-saving game is not executed again during the ceiling time-saving game. After the specific time-saving start process (step S1116), the specific time-saving update process (step S1117), the jackpot time-saving continuation process (step S1118) or the ceiling time-saving continuation process (step S1119) is completed, or when the jackpot lottery is won (negative judgment in step S1110), or when a specific losing symbol is not selected (negative judgment in step S1112), the process skips to "return."

[0149] If the number of miss fluctuations HN has reached the predetermined upper limit number MHN (negative judgment in step S1111), as in step 1114, it is determined whether or not a specific time-saving game is in progress based on whether or not the specific time-saving flag is set (step S1120). If a specific time-shortened game is in progress, the specific time-shortened game end process (step S1121) is executed, and if the specific time-shortened game is not in progress, the ceiling time-shortened game start process (step S1122) is executed without executing the specific time-shortened game end process, and then the process exits to "return." The specific time-saving end process is a process of clearing (initializing) the specific time-saving flag and the number of time-saving times, temporarily ending the specific time-saving game, and notifying the player of this fact. In the ceiling time-saving start processing, the ceiling time-saving flag is set, the number of time-saving times is set to 300, and then a process is performed to notify that the ceiling time-saving game will start because the number of miss fluctuations has reached the upper limit number MHN. If the ceiling time-saving game ending process is performed, a notification will be given to continue hitting to the right, and if the ceiling time-saving game ending process is not performed, a notification will be given to recommend hitting to the right.

[0150] In the above-mentioned steps S1116, S1117 or S1122, the time-saving flag is set and the number of time-saving times is set, thereby executing the control of the time-saving game by the ceiling time-saving or specific time-saving. As mentioned above, the time-saving game state by the time-saving control is a game state in which the time for variably displaying the first special symbol, the second special symbol and the normal symbol is shortened compared to the normal game state, and the average opening time of the normal electric device 245 is extended compared to the normal game state. A configuration in which the time for variably displaying the first special symbol or the second special symbol is not shortened is also possible. In the time-shortening game by ceiling time-shortening or specific time-shortening, when a jackpot lottery is won during the time-shortening game, each time-shortening flag and the number of times of time-shortening are initialized, just like in the jackpot time-shortening game. In this embodiment, in step S1111, only whether the number of misses N has reached the upper limit number MHN is determined, but it is also possible to simultaneously determine whether the number of misses HN1 in the first hit / miss determination has reached the predetermined upper limit number MHN1, whether the number of misses HN2 in the second hit / miss determination has reached the predetermined upper limit number MHN2, whether the number of small hits has reached the upper limit number, etc. In this case, if any one determination is judged positive, the process proceeds to S1118, and if all determinations have not reached the upper limit number, the process proceeds to S1112. When the number of misses HN has been initialized by setting the time-saving flag, the number of misses HN1 and the number of misses HN2 are also initialized.

[0151] When the number of miss variations HN reaches the upper limit MHN, a process of switching to a ceiling time-shortened game is performed even during a specific time-shortened game. On the other hand, even if a specific miss symbol is selected during a ceiling time-shortened game, the ceiling time-shortened game continues. This allows for a game in which time-shortened game by the ceiling time-shortened execution means takes priority. Since time-shortened game by the ceiling time-shortened execution means takes priority, this has the effect of enabling a player to be rescued in the event of a large number of consecutive misses. On the other hand, if a specific miss symbol is selected during a time-shortened game by the ceiling time-shortened execution means, the time-shortened game by the ceiling time-shortened execution means continues even without the time-shortened game by the specific time-shortened execution means, so the effect of rescuing the player is not diminished. Furthermore, since selecting a specific miss symbol during a time-shortened game by the specific time-shortened execution means switches to a new specific time-shortened game, this effectively extends the number of time-shortened games by the specific time-shortened execution means, further increasing the expectation of winning and enhancing the enjoyment of the game. On the other hand, even if a specific missing symbol is selected during a jackpot time-limited play with the probability variable flag set, the jackpot time-limited play continues without switching to the specific time-limited play. Since the probability of winning the jackpot lottery during a jackpot time-limited play with the probability variable flag set is extremely high, it is possible to protect the player's interests by continuing the jackpot time-limited play. Also, during a jackpot time-limited play with the probability variable flag not set, the probability of winning a normal symbol is high (5 / 6), so there are more opportunities to draw the jackpot lottery and the expectation of winning is high.

[0152] Here, the possible ranges of the number of time-saving games and the upper limit number MHN for each time-saving game in this embodiment will be mentioned. The number of time-saving times and the upper limit number of times MHN are determined in advance based on the performance of the gaming machine, such as the probability of winning. For example, if the jackpot probability at low probability is 1 / LP, then it can be considered that 2.5 × LP ≦ MHN ≦ 3.0 × LP. In this embodiment, when the stage setting value is "1", the jackpot probability at low probability is 1 / 300, so 750 ≦ MHN ≦ 900. Similarly, the time-saving counter (time-saving count STN) for ceiling time-saving games is also determined in advance based on the performance of the gaming machine, such as the probability of winning. For example, if the probability of winning at low probability is 1 / LP, then 0.4 x LP ≦ STN ≦ 3.8 x LP can be considered. If the probability of winning is 1 / 300, then 120 ≦ STN ≦ 1140. Similarly, the time-saving counter (time-saving count STN) for the specific time-saving feature is predetermined based on the performance of the gaming machine, such as the probability of winning a jackpot, but it is possible to set the value as 1≦STN≦3.8×LP without setting a lower limit. This is because, unlike the ceiling time-saving feature, the specific time-saving feature is not a process intended to compensate the player for losses, and therefore there is little need to set a minimum number for the time-saving feature. Similarly, there is little need to specifically set the number of times the jackpot time-saving feature is activated, but it is preferable to set it to less than the upper limit of the number of miss fluctuations (HN). This is to prevent ceiling time-saving play from occurring during the jackpot time-saving play. However, these values ​​can be changed as needed.

[0153] Second Embodiment Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described as a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the light emitting process (step S391) of the gate LED 243a shown in FIG. 14 is different from that in the first embodiment, but the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the process of FIG. 32 is executed as the process of step S391. In the second embodiment, when a jackpot lottery is won and the condition device is activated, the light emission mode of the gate LED 243a differs depending on whether the game state at the time of the jackpot lottery win is a time-shortened game due to a jackpot time-shortened game, a specific time-shortened game, or a ceiling time-shortened game. In this embodiment, when the probability of winning the jackpot lottery is high, the game is in a time-shortened game state, and when the game is not in a time-shortened game state, the game is in a normal game state, not a high-probability time-shortened game state. Whether or not the game is in a time-shortened game state can be determined by the time-shortened flag. When the process proceeds to this step, it is first determined whether the game state when the jackpot lottery was won was during time-saving play (step S1200). If time-saving play was in progress, the process proceeds to the process shown in step S1201. If time-saving play was not in progress, the process proceeds to the process shown in step S1202, and then the process returns to the process of step S392 shown in FIG. 14.

[0154] In step S1202, a command for displaying an instruction to change from a left hit toward the play area 211 to a right hit toward the play area 212 is transmitted to the effect symbol display device 230, and a process of illuminating the gate LED 243a is performed after T2 seconds (a few seconds in this embodiment, specifically, 2 seconds). This light emitting process is a process of flashing the gate LED 243a in red intensely. On the other hand, in step S1201, after the gate LED 243a is turned on yellow, a process is performed in which the gate LED 243a is turned on red and then flashed red after T1 seconds (10 to 20 seconds in this embodiment). Also, when the LED of the gate 243 changes to flashing red, a command for displaying an instruction to pass through the gate 243 is transmitted to the performance symbol display device 230. At this time, since a right hit has already been performed, a command to instruct a change of the launch area is not transmitted. The red flashing process in S1201 is performed at a slower frequency than the flashing process in S1202.

[0155] The second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that after the condition device is activated, the gate LED 243a flashes red to notify the player that the device for continuously operating the special device will be activated when the game ball passes through the gate 243, but differs in that the notification method differs depending on whether or not a time-saving game is in progress. During normal play, when the time-saving mode is not in effect, the joy of winning the jackpot lottery is thought to be greater than during time-saving play, and it is necessary to change the right-hand hit. For this reason, the gate LED 243a is frequently flashed red, and a performance process is performed to strongly appeal to the player to shoot the game ball toward the gate 243. On the other hand, if a win occurs during time-saving play, the player has already hit the ball to the right, so there is no need to change the launch area. Furthermore, since the opportunities for winning are increased during time-saving play, the joy of winning is likely to be less than during normal play. Therefore, the red flashing process is performed less frequently than during normal play. Furthermore, before the red flashing process, the gate LED 243a is lit yellow for T1 seconds after the conditional device is activated, preventing the activation of the consecutive device operation device even if the game ball passes through gate 243 during this time. This is to prevent the adverse effect of the consecutive device operation device being activated against the player's will if the game ball flows down and passes gate 243 when the conditional device is activated, since the player has already hit the ball to the right during time-saving play. In other words, illuminating the gate LED 243a yellow alerts the player and warns them that gate 243 will be activated before the consecutive device operation device is activated. This has the effect of preventing the device for consecutively operating the accessory from operating against the will of the player, and also has the effect of allowing the device for consecutively operating the accessory to be operated at any timing during the red flashing. It should be noted that T1 is sufficient as long as it is greater than T2, and for example, T2 may be set to 0. In this case, the gate LED 243a will flash red as soon as the condition device is activated. Furthermore, the light emission mode of the gate LED 243a may be different depending on whether or not a win occurs during time-saving play. However, it is preferable to provide an effect that is more appealing to the player when a win occurs during normal play. This can be achieved by adjusting the light emission mode of the gate LED 243a. For example, the appeal to the player can be adjusted by adjusting factors such as the flashing frequency, light intensity, brightness, or luminosity. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the screen of the effect pattern display device 230 is configured to notify the user that the device for continuously operating the bonus items will be activated if the ball enters the gate 243 while the red light is flashing and a right-hand hit instruction is given, making it user-friendly. However, the notification process on the screen of the effect pattern display device 230 can be omitted.

[0156] Other Embodiments The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, among the technical features of the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, those corresponding to the technical features of each form described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced and combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, technical features not described as essential in this specification can be appropriately deleted. The following describes inventions related to the present invention.

[0157] [Related invention 1] A pinball game machine in which a normal ball entry port that does not open is designated as start port 1, an operation detection unit provided on the game board detects a game ball and determines whether or not the normal pattern has been won, and a variable ball entry port that can be changed from a closed state that makes it difficult for the game ball to enter to an open state that makes it easy for the game ball to enter based on the result of the hit / miss determination being a win is designated as start port 2, a lottery is held based on the game ball entering start port 1 or start port 2, and a pattern showing the result of the lottery is displayed in a variable manner, and a winning pattern that notifies the player that the lottery has been won is displayed, and then the player plays the winning game, a winning game execution means for executing the winning game when the operation detection unit detects a gaming ball after the lottery is won; a notification means 1 for notifying that the winning game execution means will operate if the operation detection unit detects a game ball when the lottery is won during a time-saving game in which the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened; a notification means 2 for notifying that the winning game execution means will operate if the operation detection unit detects a game ball when the lottery is won during a normal game that is not in the time-saving game mode; Equipped with The notification means 1 and the notification means 2 are configured by an LED integrated with the operation detection unit or an LED located close to the operation detection unit, The notification mode by the notification means 1 and the notification mode by the notification means 2 are made different. A pinball game machine characterized by:

[0158] [Related invention 2] A pinball game machine in which a normal ball entry port that does not open is designated as start port 1, an operation detection unit provided on the game board detects a game ball and determines whether or not the normal pattern has been won, and a variable ball entry port that can be changed from a closed state that makes it difficult for the game ball to enter to an open state that makes it easy for the game ball to enter based on the result of the hit / miss determination being a win is designated as start port 2, a lottery is held based on the game ball entering start port 1 or start port 2, and a pattern showing the result of the lottery is displayed in a variable manner, and a winning pattern that notifies the player that the lottery has been won is displayed, and then the player plays the winning game, a winning game execution means for executing the winning game when the operation detection unit detects a gaming ball after the lottery is won; and a notification means for notifying that the winning game execution means will operate if the operation detection unit detects a game ball when the lottery is won during a time-saving game in which the variation time of the normal symbols is shortened, The pinball game machine is characterized in that the notification means is composed of an LED integrated with the operation detection unit or an LED located close to the operation detection unit, and when the lottery is won during the time-saving game, the winning game execution means is activated if the operation detection unit detects a game ball after an elapsed time T1.

[0159] [Related invention 3] In the pinball game machine described in Related Invention 2, The pinball game machine is characterized in that the notification means changes the notification mode between the time from when the lottery is won until the elapsed time T1 and the time after the elapsed time T1.

[0160] [Correspondence to the claims] The correspondence between the terms used in the description of each embodiment and the terms used in the claims will be explained below. The pachinko machine 10 corresponds to an example of a pinball game machine, the normal electric device 245 corresponds to a variable ball entrance, steps S390 to S396 of the "special game processing" shown in Figure 14 correspond to a winning game execution means, the gate LED 243a corresponds to a device that constitutes the notification means 1 and the notification means 2, and step S1201 of the "gate LED light emission processing" shown in Figure 32 corresponds to an example of the notification means 1 and step S1202 corresponds to the notification means 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 10...Pachinko machine 80...Card unit 90...Hole computer 110...Outer frame 115...hinge 120...inner frame 121...Inner frame release switch 140…Front frame 141...Front frame release switch 142...Speaker 143...Transparent plate 144...Light emitting part 145...hinge 146...Performance button 150...Handle 152...Rotating part 154...Fixed button 160...Operation unit relay terminal board 162...Counting switch 164...Pitch count display device 180...Fire control unit relay terminal board 182...Releasable solenoid 184…Fire strength fixed switch 185…Handle volume 186...Touch switch 187...Fire stop switch 200...Game board 210...Gaming area 211...First gaming area 212...Second gaming area 214...Entrance 218...Collection port 220...Center case 230...Performance pattern display device 241...First starting point 242...Second starting point 243...Normal pattern operated gate 245...Normal electric device 246...Normal prize slot 248...Grand prize entrance 250...Pattern display device relay terminal board 251…1st special figure display device 252…Second special figure display device 253...Normal pattern display device 261…1st special drawing reservation number display device 262…Second special figure reservation number display device 263…Public reservation number display device 270... Game board relay terminal board 271...First start switch 272...Second start switch 273...Normal pattern activation switch 274...Left entry switch 276...Count switch 277...Magnetic sensor 278...Radio wave sensor 282...Main entrance solenoid 284...General purpose solenoid 286…Prize ball count display device 290…RWM clear switch 291...Setting key switch 310...Launcher 312...Launcher relay terminal board 314...ball sending sensor 315...Launch entrance sensor 316...launch motor 317...ball sending solenoid 320…Polishing equipment 322... Polishing device relay terminal board 324...Cassette switch 325... Polished motor sensor 326...Cassette motor 327...Polishing motor 330...Lifting device 332...Lifting relay terminal board 334...Lifting motor 336...Lifting entrance sensor 338...Lifting motor monitoring sensor 342...Inner frame relay terminal board 344...winning ball sensor 345...Out ball sensor 346... Appropriate amount sensor 347...Full tank sensor 352…Night monitoring device 354...Alarm speaker 510...Main control device 520...Sub-integrated control device 522...Volume adjustment switch 530...Performance pattern control device 560...Frame control device 810...User Interface 811...Balance display section 812...Ball rental button 813...Return button 816...Steering lock indicator 820...Card slot 830...Bill insertion slot 850...Gaming ball rental equipment 860...CR unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A pinball game machine in which an operation detection unit provided on the game board detects a game ball and determines whether a normal pattern has been won or lost based on the detection of the game ball, and a variable ball entry opening that can be changed from a closed state that makes it difficult for the game ball to enter to an open state that makes it easy for the game ball to enter is used as a starting opening, and a lottery is held based on the game ball entering the starting opening, and a pattern showing the result of the lottery is displayed in a variable manner, and a winning pattern that notifies the player that the lottery has been won is displayed, and then the player plays the winning game, a winning game execution means for executing the winning game when the operation detection unit detects a gaming ball after the lottery is won; a notification means 1 for notifying that the winning game execution means will be activated if the operation detection unit detects a game ball when the lottery is won during the time-saving game in which the variation time of the normal symbols is shortened; and a notification means 2 for notifying that the winning game execution means will be activated if the operation detection unit detects a game ball when the lottery is won during a normal game that is not in the time-saving game mode, The notification mode by the notification means 1 and the notification mode by the notification means 2 are made different, When the lottery is won during the time-saving game in which the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened, if the operation detection unit detects a game ball after an elapsed time T1, the winning game execution means is activated; When the lottery is won during a normal game that is not in the time-saving game mode, if the operation detection unit detects a game ball after an elapsed time T2 that is shorter than the elapsed time T1, the winning game execution means is activated. A pinball game machine characterized by:

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