gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of suitably performing management of a game machine.SOLUTION: An MPU 62 includes not only a main-side CPU 63 but also a management IC 66. The main-side CPU 63 is electrically connected to the management IC 66, and a detection result of each ball entry detection sensor is transmitted from the main-side CPU 63 to the management IC 66. In this case, the detection result of each ball entry detection sensor is transmitted to the management IC 66 through each corresponding signal path, and a corresponding relationship between each ball entry detection sensor and the signal path is supplied from the main-side CPU 63 to the management IC 66 when starting to supply operating power. The management IC 66 stores information on the detection result of each ball entry detection sensor in a history memory 117 as history information. A management-side CPU 112 calculates each kind of parameter by utilizing history information of the history memory 117 in occurrence of an operation opportunity. The history information and each kind of parameter are outputted to the outside through a reading terminal 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Pachinko machines and slot machines are known as gaming machines. For example, a pachinko machine has a tray storage section on the front of the machine that stores gaming balls awarded to a player. The gaming balls stored in the tray storage section are guided to a gaming ball launcher and launched toward a gaming area in response to a player's launch operation. Then, for example, when a gaming ball enters a ball entry section provided in the gaming area, the gaming ball is paid out to the tray storage section from, for example, a payout device. In addition, a pachinko machine is also known that has a configuration in which the tray storage section includes an upper tray storage section and a lower tray storage section. In this case, the gaming balls stored in the upper tray storage section are guided to the gaming ball launcher, and surplus gaming balls in the upper tray storage section are discharged to the lower tray storage section (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-009055 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in the gaming machines such as those exemplified above, Gaming machines must be properly managed, There is still room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, It is possible to manage gaming machines appropriately The object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that is [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is as follows: a predetermined storage execution means for executing a predetermined storage process so that when a predetermined event occurs as a result of a game, information corresponding to the event is stored in the predetermined storage means, thereby causing the predetermined information to be stored in the predetermined storage means; an information calculation means for calculating, each time a predetermined calculation trigger occurs, behavior information corresponding to a game result during a predetermined period using the predetermined information; a result storage execution means for sequentially storing the aspect information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means in a calculation result storage means; Equipped with the result storage execution means includes means for causing the mode information to be stored among the mode information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means to be stored in the calculation result storage means; the state information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means, which is not a storage target, is not stored in the calculation result storage means; This gaming machine is means for erasing the predetermined information from the predetermined storage means after the information calculation means has completed the calculation of the mode information; a notification means capable of notifying the user of the content corresponding to the aspect information stored in the calculation result storage means; Equipped with When a specific event occurs that stops the game progress control, the predetermined storage process is not executed by the predetermined storage execution means. When the supply of operating power is stopped, the notification means terminates the notification of the content corresponding to the status information, but when the supply of operating power is resumed, the notification means continues to provide the content corresponding to the status information before the supply of operating power was stopped. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, Properly manage gaming machines This becomes possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the main components of a pachinko machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the game board. [Figure 4] 10(a) to 10(j) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display contents on the display surface of the pattern display device. [Figure 5] 1(a) and 1(b) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display content on the display surface of the pattern display device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration for discharging game balls that have flowed down the game area. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of various counters used in lotteries, etc. [Figure 9](a) An explanatory diagram for explaining the low probability of winning or losing table for the first special chart, (b) An explanatory diagram for explaining the high probability of winning or losing table for the first special chart, (c) An explanatory diagram for explaining the low probability of winning or losing table for the second special chart, and (d) An explanatory diagram for explaining the high probability of winning or losing table for the second special chart. [Figure 10] FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram for explaining an allocation table for a first special symbol, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram for explaining an allocation table for a second special symbol. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram to explain the configuration in which the detection results of the ball entry detection sensor are input to the main CPU. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 15] A block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a dispensing control device and various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt processing executed by the dispensing CPU. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a management IC. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of a correspondence relationship memory; [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a history memory. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing a recognition process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing a management process executed by a management-side CPU. [Figure 23]10(a) to 10(d) are time charts showing how information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers and the types of signals is stored in the correspondence memory. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart showing a management output process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management-side CPU. [Figure 26] 10(a) to 10(e) are time charts showing how history information is stored in a history memory. [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart showing a data output process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 28] 10 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 29] This is a front view of the game board showing an enlarged view of the area where the special winning device is installed. [Figure 30] FIG. [Figure 31] 10(a) and 10(b) are perspective views of the passage formation body and the opening / closing member, showing how the opening / closing member opens and closes the inlet portion of the fourth discharge passage portion. [Figure 32] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the opening / closing member and the drive unit for special power. [Figure 33] 29(a) and 29(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in FIG. 29(a) and 29(b). [Figure 34] (a) to (e) are time charts showing how winning occurs in the second operating port in the opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 35] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 36] (a1) to (b3) are time charts for explaining the execution manner of the opening and closing execution mode, which is executed in response to a small win result. [Figure 37] 10 is a flowchart showing a general-purpose power control process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 38] 10 is a flowchart showing a special chart special power control process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 39] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of acquiring hold information executed by the main CPU. [Figure 40] This is a flowchart showing the special chart change start processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 41] This is a flowchart showing the processing during special chart determination executed by the main CPU. [Figure 42] 10 is a flowchart showing a special call start process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 43] 10 is a flowchart showing the special call release process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 44] 10 is a flowchart showing the special call closed processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 45] 10 is a flowchart showing a special call termination process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F in the second embodiment. [Figure 47] 10 is a flowchart showing a recognition process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 48] 10 is a flowchart showing a management process executed by a management-side CPU. [Figure 49] 10(a) to 10(h) are time charts showing how information on the correspondence between the first to twelfth buffers and the types of signals is stored in the correspondence memory. [Figure 50] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of a management IC according to a third embodiment. [Figure 51] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F. [Figure 52] 10 is a flowchart showing a power outage information storage process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 53] 10 is a flowchart showing a power failure response process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 54] 10 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 55]13 is a flowchart showing a power failure response process executed by a control CPU in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 56] 13A is a flowchart showing a trigger identification process executed by a main CPU in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a flowchart showing a calculation process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 57] 13 is a flowchart showing a trigger identification process executed by a main CPU in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 58] 13 is a flowchart showing a calculation process executed by a control-side CPU in the seventh embodiment. [Figure 59] 13 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management-side CPU in the eighth embodiment. [Figure 60] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a history memory in the ninth embodiment. [Figure 61] 10 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management-side CPU. [Figure 62] FIG. 22 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the MPU of the main control device in the tenth embodiment. [Figure 63] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 64] FIG. 22 is a block diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of a main control device in the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 65] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of an input port of a management side I / F. [Figure 66] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a history memory. [Figure 67] 10 is a flowchart showing a history setting process executed by a management-side CPU. [Figure 68] 10 is a flowchart showing an external output process executed by a management CPU. [Figure 69] 10 is a flowchart showing a parameter management process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 70]This is a block diagram to explain the configuration of the signal path that transmits the detection results of each ball entry detection sensor to the main CPU and management IC in the 12th embodiment. [Figure 71] 20(a1) to 20(c2) are time charts for explaining the execution manner of the opening and closing execution mode in the thirteenth embodiment. [Figure 72] 10 is a flowchart showing a special call start process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 73] 10 is a flowchart showing the special call release process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 74] 10 is a flowchart showing the special call closed processing executed by the main CPU. [Figure 75] FIG. 22 is a front view of the game board in the fourteenth embodiment. [Figure 76] This is a flowchart showing the ball entry detection process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 77] 10(a) to 10(e) are time charts showing how a gaming ball enters the first special entrance or the second special entrance in the opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 78] FIG. 22 is a front view of the game board in the fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 79] 79(a) and 79(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in FIG. 78. [Figure 80] 78(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 78, and FIG. 78(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 81] (a) An explanatory diagram for explaining the low probability of winning or losing table for the first special chart, (b) An explanatory diagram for explaining the high probability of winning or losing table for the first special chart, (c) An explanatory diagram for explaining the low probability of winning or losing table for the second special chart, and (d) An explanatory diagram for explaining the high probability of winning or losing table for the second special chart. [Figure 82] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode. [Figure 83] 10 is a flowchart showing the special call release setting process executed by the main CPU. [Figure 84] FIG. 20 is a front view of the game board in the sixteenth embodiment. [Figure 85] 10A is a flowchart showing the open setting process for special power lines executed by the main CPU, and FIG. 10B is a flowchart showing the close setting process for special power lines executed by the main CPU. [Figure 86] (a) to (d) are time charts showing the opening and closing of the first special electric prize winning device and the second special electric prize winning device. [Figure 87] A vertical cross-sectional view of a game board to explain the configuration of the special electric winning device in the 17th embodiment. [Figure 88] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow-down prevention control process executed by a main CPU. [Figure 89] (a) to (d) are time charts for explaining the relationship between the open / closed state of each special electric winning device and the operating position of the downflow prevention member. [Figure 90] (a) to (c) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the relationship between the open / closed state of each special electric prize winning device and the operating position of the flow-down prevention member. [Figure 91] FIG. 20 is a front view of the game board in the 18th embodiment. [Figure 92] This is a flowchart showing the process of obtaining hold information on the normal side, which is executed by the main CPU. [Figure 93] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display contents of the pattern display device. [Figure 94] (a) to (e) are time charts showing how reservation information on the general map side is obtained. [Figure 95] FIG. 20 is a front view of the game board in the 19th embodiment. [Figure 96] 96(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in FIG. 95. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, a pachinko machine 10 has an outer frame 11 that forms the outer shell of the pachinko machine 10, and a gaming machine main body 12 that is attached to the outer frame 11 so that it can rotate forward. The outer frame 11 is made up of wooden boards connected at all four sides, forming a rectangular frame. The pachinko machine 10 is installed in an amusement hall by attaching and fixing the outer frame 11 to island equipment. Note that the outer frame 11 is not an essential component of the pachinko machine 10, and the outer frame 11 may be attached to island equipment in the amusement hall.

[0011] 2, the gaming machine main body 12 includes an inner frame 13, a front door frame 14 disposed in front of the inner frame 13, and a back pack unit 15 disposed behind the inner frame 13. The inner frame 13 of the gaming machine main body 12 is rotatably supported by the outer frame 11. In detail, the inner frame 13 can be rotated forward with the left side as the base end of rotation and the right side as the tip end of rotation when viewed from the front.

[0012] A front door frame 14 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated forward with the left side being the base end and the right side being the tip end when viewed from the front. A back pack unit 15 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 13, and can be rotated rearward with the left side being the base end and the right side being the tip end when viewed from the front.

[0013] The gaming machine main body 12 is provided with a locking device at its rotating tip, which has the function of locking the gaming machine main body 12 so that it cannot be opened relative to the outer frame 11, and also has the function of locking the front door frame 14 so that it cannot be opened relative to the inner frame 13. Each of these locked states can be released by using an unlocking key to unlock the cylinder lock 17, which is exposed on the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0014] Next, the configuration of the front side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0015] The inner frame 13 is mainly composed of a resin base 21 whose outer shape is substantially the same as that of the outer frame 11. A substantially elliptical window hole 23 is formed in the center of the resin base 21. A game board 24 is detachably attached to the resin base 21. The game board 24 is made of plywood, and a game area PA formed on the front surface of the game board 24 is exposed to the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window hole 23 in the resin base 21.

[0016] Here, the configuration of the game board 24 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a front view of the game board 24.

[0017] An inner rail section 25 and an outer rail section 26 are attached to the game board 24 so as to define a part of the outer edge of the game area PA, and these inner rail section 25 and outer rail section 26 form a guide rail as a guide means. Game balls launched from a game ball launching mechanism 27 (see Figure 2) attached below the window hole 23 in the resin base 21 are guided to the upper part of the game area PA by the guide rail.

[0018] The game ball launching mechanism 27 includes a launching rail 27a extending toward the guide rail, a ball feeding device 27b that supplies game balls stored in an upper tray 55a (described later) onto the launching rail 27a, and a solenoid 27c that is an electric actuator that launches the game balls supplied onto the launching rail 27a toward the guide rail. When a launching operation device (or operation handle) 28 provided on the front door frame 14 is rotated, the solenoid 27c is driven and controlled, and the game balls are launched.

[0019] A plurality of large and small openings are formed in the game board 24, penetrating in the front-to-rear direction. Each opening is provided with a general winning opening 31, a special electric winning device 32, a first operating opening 33, a second operating opening 34, a through gate 35, a variable display unit 36, a special symbol unit 37, and a general symbol unit 38. There are four general winning openings 31 in total, and one of each of the others.

[0020] Even if a ball enters the through gate 35, no game balls will be paid out. On the other hand, if balls enter the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, and the second operating opening 34, a predetermined number of game balls will be paid out. Specifically, when one game ball enters the first operating opening 33 or when one game ball enters the second operating opening 34, one prize ball will be paid out; when one game ball enters the general winning opening 31, ten prize balls will be paid out; and when one game ball enters the special electric winning device 32, fifteen prize balls will be paid out.

[0021] The number of prize balls is arbitrary, and for example, the second actuation port 34 may be configured to have fewer prize balls than the first actuation port 33, or the second actuation port 34 may be configured to have more prize balls than the first actuation port 33.

[0022] In addition, an outlet 24a is provided at the bottom of the game board 24, and game balls that do not enter the various winning holes etc. are discharged from the game area PA through the outlet 24a. Also, on the game board 24, a large number of nails 24b are planted to appropriately distribute and adjust the falling direction of the game balls, and various components such as windmills are also arranged.

[0023] Here, "entering" means that a gaming ball passes through a predetermined opening, and includes not only the case where the gaming ball passes through the opening and is discharged from the gaming area PA, but also the case where the gaming ball continues to flow down the gaming area PA without being discharged from the gaming area PA after passing through the opening. However, in the following explanation, in order to clearly distinguish from the gaming ball entering the outlet 24a, the gaming ball entering the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the through gate 35 will also be referred to as "winning."

[0024] The variable display unit 36 ​​includes a pattern display device 41 having a rectangular display surface, and a center frame 36a surrounding the periphery of the display surface of the pattern display device 41. Portions of the center frame 36a along the upper, left, and right edges of the display surface of the pattern display device 41 protrude forward beyond the surface of the game board 24, and the variable display unit 36 ​​is provided in the center of the game area PA. As a result, the game area PA is divided into an upper area PA1 located above the variable display unit 36, a left area PA2 located to the left of the variable display unit 36, a right area PA3 located to the right of the variable display unit 36, and a lower area PA4 located below the variable display unit 36. In other words, a game ball launched into the game area PA will first reach the upper area PA1, but after reaching the upper area PA1, the game ball will flow down in the order of upper area PA1 → left area PA2 → lower area PA4, or upper area PA1 → right area PA3 → lower area PA4, and a game ball flowing down one of the left area PA2 and right area PA3 will never flow down the other.

[0025] The first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are located in a lower area PA4, which is an area below the variable display unit 36 ​​in the game area PA. The lower area PA4 is continuous with a left area PA2, which is an area to the left of the variable display unit 36 ​​in the game area PA, downstream thereof, and is also continuous with a right area PA3, which is an area to the right of the variable display unit 36 ​​in the game area PA, downstream thereof. Therefore, a gaming ball flowing down from any position in the upper area PA1, which is an area above the variable display unit 36 ​​in the game area PA, can reach the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34. For example, even when the launch operation device 28 is rotated to the maximum operation amount, the gaming ball can reach the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34. Furthermore, when a firing operation is performed with the aim of winning the first operating port 33, not only is it possible for the ball to win the first operating port 33 but it is also possible for the ball to win the second operating port 34, and when a firing operation is performed with the aim of winning the second operating port 34, it is also possible for the ball to win the first operating port 33.

[0026] The first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34 are unitized as an actuation port device, arranged side by side in the vertical direction with the first actuation port 33 on the top and the second actuation port 34 on the bottom. The first actuation port 33 is not provided with any component for varying the frequency with which gaming balls enter the first actuation port 33, and the probability of gaming balls entering the first actuation port 33 when comparing the left side area PA2 in a predetermined manner in which gaming balls flow down is the same regardless of the gaming state. Therefore, a player can perform a firing operation aimed at entering a gaming ball into the first actuation port 33 in any situation.

[0027] A stage section 36c is provided in a lower frame section 36b, which is a portion below the display surface of the pattern display device 41 in the center frame 36a, so as to extend laterally above the first actuation port 33, and a left frame section 36d, which is a portion to the left of the pattern display device 41 in the variable display unit 36, is provided with an entrance section 36e of a warp passage that makes it possible to guide game balls flowing down the left area of ​​the variable display unit 36 ​​to the stage section 36c. The central portion of the stage section 36c in the horizontal direction is located vertically above the first actuation port 33, and a lead-out section 36f is formed in the central portion to lead game balls under their own weight to below the stage section 36c. In this case, game balls that are led to the stage portion 36c and led to below the stage portion 36c from areas other than the lead-out portion 36f are unlikely to enter the first operating port 33, but game balls that are led from the lead-out portion 36f to below the stage portion 36c have a high probability of entering the first operating port 33.

[0028] A normal power device 34a as a guide piece consisting of a pair of left and right movable pieces is provided in the second operating port 34. When the normal power device 34a is in a closed state, the game ball cannot enter the second operating port 34, but when the normal power device 34a is in an open state, the game ball can enter the second operating port 34.

[0029] A through gate 35 is provided upstream of the second actuation port 34 in the direction in which the gaming ball flows down, more specifically in the right-side area PA3. The through gate 35 has a through hole (not shown) that runs vertically through it, and a gaming ball that enters the through gate 35 flows down the gaming area PA after winning. This allows a gaming ball that enters the through gate 35 to enter the second actuation port 34.

[0030] Based on a win at the through gate 35, the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34 is switched from a closed state to an open state. Specifically, an internal lottery is performed with the win at the through gate 35 as a trigger, and a variable picture display is performed on the normal map display section 38a of the normal map unit 38, which is located in the lower right corner of the game area PA, an area where the game ball does not pass. Then, when the result of the internal lottery is a win for the electric role release, the stop result corresponding to that result is displayed, and the variable display on the normal map display section 38a is terminated, the game transitions to the normal power open state. In the normal power open state, the normal power device 34a is opened in a predetermined manner.

[0031] The map display unit 38a is configured with a segment display in which a plurality of segment light-emitting elements are arranged in a predetermined manner, but is not limited to this and may be configured with other types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, or a dot matrix display. As for the image displayed variably on the map display unit 38a, a configuration in which a plurality of types of letters are displayed variably, a configuration in which a plurality of types of symbols are displayed variably, a configuration in which a plurality of types of characters are displayed variably, or a configuration in which a plurality of types of colors are displayed in an alternating manner may be considered.

[0032] In the normal map unit 38, a normal map reserve display unit 38b is provided adjacent to the normal map display unit 38a. Up to four game balls that enter the through gate 35 are reserved, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the normal map reserve display unit 38b.

[0033] A winning lottery is triggered by the entry into the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34. The result of the lottery is then displayed clearly through the display effects on the special symbol unit 37 and the symbol display device 41 of the variable display unit 36.

[0034] In detail, the special symbol unit 37 is provided with a first special symbol display section 37a and a second special symbol display section 37b. In the first special symbol display section 37a, a winning lottery is held, triggered by a winning entry into the first actuation port 33, and a varying display of a symbol is performed. Then, a result corresponding to the lottery result is displayed. In addition, in the second special symbol display section 37b, a winning lottery is held, triggered by a winning entry into the second actuation port 34, and a varying display of a symbol is performed. Then, a result corresponding to the lottery result is displayed. Note that the first special symbol display section 37a and the second special symbol display section 37b are configured with a segment display device in which a plurality of segment light-emitting sections are arranged in a predetermined manner, but are not limited to this and may be configured with other types of display devices such as a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a CRT, or a dot matrix display. In addition, the images displayed on the first special chart display unit 37a and the second special chart display unit 37b may include a configuration in which multiple types of letters are displayed, a configuration in which multiple types of symbols are displayed, a configuration in which multiple types of characters are displayed, or a configuration in which multiple types of colors are displayed.

[0035] In the special symbol unit 37, a first special symbol reserve display section 37c and a second special symbol reserve display section 37d are provided adjacent to the first special symbol display section 37a and the second special symbol display section 37b. A maximum of four game balls that have entered the first operating port 33 are reserved, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the first special symbol reserve display section 37c. Also, a maximum of four game balls that have entered the second operating port 34 are reserved, and the number of reserved balls is displayed by lighting up the second special symbol reserve display section 37d.

[0036] More specifically, the pattern display device 41 is configured as a liquid crystal display device equipped with a liquid crystal display, and the display content is controlled by a display control device described later. Note that the pattern display device 41 is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, and may be other display devices having a display screen such as a plasma display device, an organic EL display device, or a CRT, or may be a dot matrix display device.

[0037] In the pattern display device 41, when a variable pattern display is performed in the first special pattern display unit 37a based on a winning entry into the first operating port 33, a variable pattern display is performed accordingly, and when a variable pattern display is performed in the second special pattern display unit 37b based on a winning entry into the second operating port 34, a variable pattern display is performed accordingly. In addition to the display performance triggered by a winning entry into the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34, the pattern display device 41 also performs display performance during the opening and closing execution mode to which the mode shifts after a winning entry.

[0038] The display contents when the pattern display device 41 displays a variable pattern will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the individual patterns that are variably displayed on the pattern display device 41, and Figure 5 is a diagram showing the display surface of the pattern display device 41.

[0039] As shown in Figures 4(a) to (j), the design, which is a type of picture, is composed of nine main designs each numbered "1" to "9" and a sub-design consisting of a shell-shaped picture. More specifically, the main designs are composed of nine character designs such as an octopus each numbered "1" to "9."

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the display surface of the symbol display device 41 has three symbol rows Z1, Z2, and Z3, each consisting of an upper row, a middle row, and a lower row, set as a plurality of display areas. Each symbol row Z1 to Z3 is configured by arranging main symbols and sub-symbols in a predetermined order. In detail, in the upper symbol row Z1, nine types of main symbols from "1" to "9" are arranged in descending numerical order, with one sub-symbol interposed between each main symbol. In the lower symbol row Z3, nine types of main symbols from "1" to "9" are arranged in ascending numerical order, with one sub-symbol interposed between each main symbol.

[0041] That is, the upper symbol row Z1 and the lower symbol row Z3 are each composed of 18 symbols. In contrast, the middle symbol row Z2 has nine main symbols from "1" to "9" arranged in ascending numerical order, with a "4" main symbol additionally arranged between the "9" main symbol and the "1" main symbol, and one sub-symbol arranged between each of these main symbols. In other words, the middle symbol row Z2 alone has 10 main symbols arranged, for a total of 20 symbols. Then, on the display surface, the symbols of each of these symbol rows Z1 to Z3 are displayed variably, scrolling periodically in a predetermined direction.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5(b), the display surface is designed so that three symbols are stopped and displayed for each symbol row, resulting in a total of nine symbols being stopped and displayed, which is a 3 x 3. Also, as shown in Figure 5(a), the display surface has five active lines, namely, a left line L1, a center line L2, a right line L3, a downward-right line L4, and an upward-right line L5.

[0043] When a variable display of symbols is performed on the display surface based on a winning entry into the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34, the variable display starts so that the symbols in each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3 scroll periodically in a predetermined direction. Then, the variable display is switched to a standby display in the order of upper symbol column Z1 → lower symbol column Z3 → middle symbol column Z2, and finally ends with the predetermined symbols being statically displayed in each of the symbol columns Z1 to Z3. Also, when the display of the changing patterns ends, if the result of the internal lottery is a 16R high probability result described below, a combination of "7" symbols will be formed on one of the valid lines, if the result of the internal lottery is any of a 2R high probability result, a 4R high probability result, a 6R high probability result, or a 10R high probability result described below, a combination of the same odd symbols other than the "7" symbols will be formed on one of the valid lines, if the result of the internal lottery is any of a 2R low probability result, a 4R low probability result, a 6R low probability result, a 10R low probability result, or a 16R low probability result described below, a combination of the same even symbols will be formed on one of the valid lines, and if the result of the internal lottery is any of the first small win result, second small win result, or third small win result described below, a combination of predetermined symbols (for example, "3·4·1") that is not a combination of the same symbols and is not a combination of reach symbols will be formed on one of the valid lines.

[0044] It should be noted that one game session is the period from when a win occurs in either of the operating ports 33, 34, when display begins on either of the special symbol display units 37a, 37b and the symbol display device 41, to when a predetermined result is displayed and the game ends. Furthermore, the manner in which the symbols are displayed in the symbol display device 41 is not limited to the above and is arbitrary, and the number of symbol rows, the direction of the symbol display in the symbol rows, the number of symbols in each symbol row, etc., can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the symbols displayed in the symbol display device 41 are not limited to the above-described symbols, and for example, a configuration in which only numbers are displayed in a variable manner as symbols may be used.

[0045] If a jackpot is won in the lottery based on a win through the first operating port 33, the system transitions to an opening / closing execution mode, which allows a win in the special electric winning device 32. Similarly, if a jackpot or a small jackpot is won in the lottery based on a win through the second operating port 34, the system transitions to an opening / closing execution mode, which allows a win in the special electric winning device 32. As shown in FIG. 3 , the special electric winning device 32 is located in the right area PA3 of the game area PA. Therefore, a game ball flowing down the left area PA2 cannot win in the special electric winning device 32. However, a game ball can win in the special electric winning device 32 only when the launch operation is performed so that the game ball flows down the right area PA3, such as when the launch operation device 28 is rotated to the maximum operation amount. The configuration of the special electric winning device 32 will be described in detail later.

[0046] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration regarding the discharge of game balls that have flowed down the game area PA.

[0047] As already explained, a gaming ball that enters any of the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a is discharged from the gaming area PA. In other words, a gaming ball that is launched from the gaming ball launching mechanism 27 and flows into the gaming area PA is discharged from the gaming area PA by entering any of the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a. A gaming ball that enters any of the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a is guided to the back side of the gaming board 24.

[0048] On the back of the game board 24, discharge passages 42-48 are formed corresponding to the general winning opening 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating opening 33, the second operating opening 34, and the outlet 24a, respectively. The game balls that flow into the discharge passages 42-48 flow down the discharge passages 42-48, and are guided to the lower end of the game board 24 on the back side of the game board 24, where they are collected by a discharge ball collection section (not shown). The game balls collected by the discharge ball collection section are then discharged to a ball circulation device of the island equipment where the pachinko machine 10 is installed in the game hall.

[0049] Each of the discharge passage sections 42-48 is provided with various detection sensors 42a-48a for detecting gaming balls. These discharge passage sections 42-48 and detection sensors 42a-48a will be described below. As already explained, four general winning openings 31 are provided, and therefore, there are discharge passage sections 42-44 corresponding to each of the four general winning openings. In this case, one detection sensor 42a, 43a is provided for each of the first discharge passage section 42 corresponding to the leftmost general winning opening 31 and the second discharge passage section 43 corresponding to the general winning opening 31 adjacent to it on the right. Specifically, the first winning opening detection sensor 42a is provided so that its detection range is located midway along the first discharge passage section 42, and the second winning opening detection sensor 43a is provided so that its detection range is located midway along the second discharge passage section 43. A gaming ball that enters the leftmost general winning opening 31 is detected by the first winning opening detection sensor 42a as it passes through the first discharge passage 42, and a gaming ball that enters the general winning opening 31 adjacent to it on the right is detected by the second winning opening detection sensor 43a as it passes through the second discharge passage 43. A third discharge passage 44 is provided for the two general winning openings 31 on the right, and is formed so that the two general winning openings 31 merge midway. The third discharge passage 44 has entrance-side regions corresponding to the two general winning openings 31, and these entrance-side regions merge midway to form a single exit-side region. A third winning opening detection sensor 44a is provided so that a detection range is located midway in the exit-side region of the third discharge passage 44. A gaming ball that enters either of the two general winning openings 31 on the right is detected by the third winning opening detection sensor 44a as it passes through the third discharge passage 44.

[0050] A fourth discharge passage section 45 exists corresponding to the special electric winning device 32. A special electric detection sensor 45a is provided so that a detection range exists at a position midway through the fourth discharge passage section 45, and a gaming ball that enters the special electric winning device 32 is detected by the special electric detection sensor 45a as it passes through the fourth discharge passage section 45. A fifth discharge passage section 46 exists corresponding to the first operating port 33. A first operating port detection sensor 46a is provided so that a detection range exists at a position midway through the fifth discharge passage section 46, and a gaming ball that enters the first operating port 33 is detected by the first operating port detection sensor 46a as it passes through the fifth discharge passage section 46. A sixth discharge passage section 47 exists corresponding to the second operating port 34. A second operating port detection sensor 47a is provided so that its detection range exists at a midpoint of the sixth discharge passage section 47, and a gaming ball that enters the second operating port 34 is detected by the second operating port detection sensor 47a as it passes through the sixth discharge passage section 47. A seventh discharge passage section 48 exists corresponding to the outlet 24a. An outlet detection sensor 48a is provided so that its detection range exists at a midpoint of the seventh discharge passage section 48, and a gaming ball that enters the outlet 24a is detected by the outlet detection sensor 48a as it passes through the seventh discharge passage section 48.

[0051] A gaming ball that is detected by one of the various detection sensors 42a to 48a will not be detected by the other detection sensors 42a to 48a. A gate detection sensor 49a is also provided for the through gate 35, and a gaming ball that passes through the through gate 35 on its way down the gaming area PA is detected by the gate detection sensor 49a.

[0052] Although electromagnetic induction type proximity sensors are used as the various detection sensors 42a-49a, any sensor can be used as long as it can detect gaming balls individually. The various detection sensors 42a-49a are electrically connected to the main control device 60, which will be described later, and the detection results of the various detection sensors 42a-49a are output to the main control device 60. Specifically, the various detection sensors 42a-49a output a LOW level signal when they are not detecting a gaming ball, and output a HI level signal when they are detecting a gaming ball. However, this is not a limitation, and the relationship between HI and LOW may be reversed.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 2, a front door frame 14 is provided so as to cover the entire front side of the inner frame 13 formed by attaching the game board 24 having the above-described configuration to the resin base 21. As shown in Fig. 1, the front door frame 14 is formed with a window portion 51 that allows almost the entire area of ​​the game area PA to be viewed from the front. The window portion 51 has a substantially elliptical shape, and a window panel 52 is fitted into the window portion 51. The window panel 52 is formed of colorless and transparent glass, but is not limited to this and may be formed of colorless and transparent synthetic resin, or may be formed of colored and transparent as long as the game area PA is visible through the window panel 52 from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0054] A display light-emitting unit 53 is provided above the window 51. A pair of left and right speakers 54 are also provided to output sound effects according to the game status. An upper bulge 55 and a lower bulge 56, which bulge toward the front, are arranged vertically below the window 51. An upper tray 55a that opens upward is provided inside the upper bulge 55, and a lower tray 56a that also opens upward is provided inside the lower bulge 56. The upper tray 55a has the function of temporarily storing game balls dispensed from the dispensing device 76 (described later) and guiding them in a row toward the game ball launching mechanism 27. The lower tray 56a also has the function of storing surplus game balls in the upper tray 55a.

[0055] Next, the configuration of the rear side of the gaming machine main body 12 will be described.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, a main control device 60, which is responsible for the primary control of the game, is mounted on the back of the inner frame 13 (specifically, the game board 24). The main control device 60 is configured by housing a main control board 61 in a board box 60a. The board box 60a may be provided with a trace means or a trace structure for leaving a trace of its opening. Possible trace means include a joint structure that inseparably connects the multiple case bodies constituting the board box 60a and requires destruction of a predetermined portion upon separation, or a structure in which a seal is attached across the boundaries between the multiple case bodies, leaving a trace of its removal by leaving an adhesive layer on the bonded object upon peeling. Another possible trace structure is a structure in which an adhesive is applied to the boundaries between the multiple case bodies constituting the board box 60a.

[0057] A back pack unit 15 is installed so as to cover the back side of the inner frame 13, including the main control device 60. The back pack unit 15 has a back pack 72 formed from a transparent synthetic resin, and a dispensing mechanism section 73 and a control device assembly unit 74 are attached to the back pack 72.

[0058] The payout mechanism 73 includes a tank 75 to which gaming balls supplied from the island equipment of the gaming hall are successively replenished, and a payout device 76 for paying out the gaming balls stored in the tank 75. The gaming balls paid out from the payout device 76 are discharged into the upper tray 55a or the lower tray 56a through a payout passage provided downstream of the payout device 76. The payout mechanism 73 is supplied with a main power supply of, for example, 24 volts AC, and is equipped with a back pack board having a power switch for turning the power on and off.

[0059] The control device aggregate unit 74 is equipped with a payout control device 77 having the function of controlling the payout device 76, and a power supply / launch control device 78 which generates and outputs the predetermined power required by the various control devices, etc., and controls the launch of game balls in response to the player's operation of the launch operation device 28. The payout control device 77 and the power supply / launch control device 78 are stacked one behind the other so that the payout control device 77 is at the rear of the pachinko machine 10.

[0060] <Electrical configuration of pachinko machine 10> FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

[0061] The main control device 60 comprises a main control board 61 that is responsible for the main control of the game, and a power outage monitoring board 67 that monitors the power supply. The main control board 61 is equipped with an MPU 62. The MPU 62 has a main CPU 63, which is an arithmetic processing device including a control unit and an arithmetic unit, as well as a main ROM 64, a main RAM 65, and a management IC 66. In addition to the above elements, the MPU 62 also has built-in interrupt circuits, timer circuits, data input / output circuits, various counter circuits such as random number generators, etc.

[0062] The main ROM 64 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile storage means) that does not require an external power supply to retain data, such as a NOR flash memory or a NAND flash memory, and is used for read-only purposes. The main ROM 64 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the main CPU 63.

[0063] The main RAM 65 is a memory (i.e., a volatile memory means) that requires an external power supply to retain data, such as SRAM or DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The main RAM 65 is randomly accessible and takes less time to read data than the main ROM 64 when compared for the same data capacity. The main RAM 65 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control program stored in the main ROM 64.

[0064] The management IC 66 is a management device that manages the entry patterns of game balls in the game area PA based on information supplied from the main CPU 63. As will be described in detail later, the management IC 66 grasps the entry history of game balls into the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first actuation opening 33, the second actuation opening 34, and the outlet 24a, and also grasps the entry frequency into the general winning opening 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first actuation opening 33, and the second actuation opening 34 according to the grasped ball entry history.

[0065] The MPU 62 is provided with an input port and an output port. The input side of the MPU 62 is connected to a power outage monitoring board 67 and a dispensing control device 77 provided in the main control device 60. The power outage monitoring board 67 is connected to a power supply / launch control device 78 having the function of supplying operating power, and operating power is supplied to the MPU 62 via the power outage monitoring board 67.

[0066] Various sensors, such as the ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a, are connected to the input side of the MPU 62. As already explained, the ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a are the first prize entry detection sensor 42a, the second prize entry detection sensor 43a, the third prize entry detection sensor 44a, the special electric current detection sensor 45a, the first operation port detection sensor 46a, the second operation port detection sensor 47a, the outlet detection sensor 48a, and the gate detection sensor 49a. Based on the detection results of these ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a, the main CPU 63 determines whether a ball has entered each entry area. In addition, the main CPU 63 executes various lotteries based on whether a ball has entered the first operation port 33, and also executes various lotteries based on whether a ball has entered the second operation port 34.

[0067] The output side of the MPU 62 is connected to a power outage monitoring board 67, a payout control device 77, and an audio / light emitting control device 81. A prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77, for example, when a gaming ball enters a prize ball entry section among the entry sections, where the occurrence of the ball entry corresponds to the payout of the gaming ball. Various commands such as a variation command, a type command, and an opening command are output to the audio / light emitting control device 81.

[0068] The output side of the MPU 62 is connected to a special power drive unit 32b that opens and closes the opening / closing member 202 (described later) of the special power winning device 32, a normal power drive unit 34b that opens and closes the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34, a special power unit 37, and a normal power unit 38. The special power unit 37 is provided with a first special power display unit 37a, a second special power display unit 37b, a first special power reserve display unit 37c, and a second special power reserve display unit 37d, all of which are connected to the output side of the MPU 62. Similarly, the normal power unit 38 is provided with a normal power display unit 38a and a normal power reserve display unit 38b, all of which are connected to the output side of the MPU 62. The main control board 61 is provided with various driver circuits, and the MPU 62 controls the drive of various drive units and displays through these driver circuits.

[0069] That is, in the opening / closing execution mode, the main CPU 63 executes drive control of the special power drive unit 32b so that the special power winning device 32 is opened and closed. Also, when the normal power open state of the normal power device 34a is won, the main CPU 63 executes drive control of the normal power drive unit 34b so that the normal power device 34a is opened and closed. Also, during each game round, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the special chart display unit 37a. Also, when the lottery result of whether or not the normal power device 34a is to be opened is clearly displayed, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the normal chart display unit 38a. In addition, when a prize is won at the first operating port 33 or the second operating port 34, or when a changing display starts at the special chart display units 37a and 37b, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the special chart reserve display units 37c and 37d, and when a prize is won at the through gate 35, or when a changing display starts at the regular chart display unit 38a, the main CPU 63 executes display control of the regular chart reserve display unit 38b.

[0070] The power failure monitoring board 67 relays between the main control board 61 and the power supply / launch control device 78, and monitors the stable DC voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply / launch control device 78. The payout control device 77 controls the payout of prize balls and loan balls by the payout device 76 based on the prize ball command received from the main control device 60.

[0071] The power supply and launch control device 78 is connected to a commercial power source (external power source) in, for example, an amusement hall. Based on the external power supplied from the commercial power source, the power supply and launch control device 78 generates the operating power required for the main control board 61, the payout control device 77, and the like, and supplies the generated operating power. Incidentally, the power supply and launch control device 78 is provided with a power supply unit for use in the event of a power outage, such as a backup capacitor, and even when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, power for maintaining memory is supplied from the power supply unit for use in the event of a power outage to the main RAM 65 of the main control device 60 and the payout control device 77. The power supply and launch control device 78 is also responsible for controlling the launch of the game ball launching mechanism 27, which is driven when predetermined launch conditions are met.

[0072] The audio and light emitting control device 81 drives and controls the display light emitting unit 53 and speaker unit 54 provided on the front door frame 14 based on various commands received from the main control device 60, and also controls the display control device 82. The display control device 82 executes display control of the pattern display device 41 based on commands received from the audio and light emitting control device 81.

[0073] <Electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the main CPU 63> Next, the electrical configuration for performing various lotteries in the main CPU 63 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0074] During play, the main CPU 63 uses various counter information to perform a lottery for determining whether a jackpot occurs, set the display of the special symbol display units 37a and 37b, set the symbol display of the symbol display unit 41, set the display of the normal symbol display unit 38a, etc. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, a winning random number counter C1 used to determine the lottery for determining whether a jackpot occurs, a jackpot type counter C2 used to determine the type of jackpot, a reach random number counter C3 used to determine whether a reach occurs when the symbol display unit 41 misses and fluctuates, a random number initial value counter CINI used to set the initial value of the winning random number counter C1, and a fluctuation type counter CS that determines the variable display period in the special symbol display units 37a and 37b and the symbol display unit 41. Furthermore, a normal power random number counter C4 used to determine whether the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34 is set to the normal power open state is used. The counters C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 are provided in the various counter area 65b of the main RAM 65.

[0075] Each counter C1 to C3, CINI, CS, and C4 is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value each time it is updated and returns to "0" after reaching its maximum value. Each counter is updated at short intervals. Information corresponding to the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in a special symbol reserve area 65a provided as an acquired information storage means in the main RAM 65 when a winning occurs in the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34. The special symbol reserve area 65a includes a first special symbol reserve area 85, a second special symbol reserve area 86, and an execution area 87 for special symbols.

[0076] The first special symbol reserve area 85 includes a first area 85a, a second area 85b, a third area 85c, and a fourth area 85d. Numerical information for the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in one of the areas 85a to 85d as reserved information for the special symbol in accordance with the winning history of the first operating port 33. In this case, when multiple consecutive winnings occur in the first operating port 33, the numerical information is stored in the first area 85a to the fourth area 85d in the order of the first area 85a → the second area 85b → the third area 85c → the fourth area 85d. By providing four areas 85a to 85d in this way, up to four winning histories of game balls entering the first operating port 33 can be reserved and stored. In addition, the number of items that can be reserved and stored in the first special chart reservation area 85 is not limited to four and is arbitrary, and may be any number such as two, three, five or more, or may be singular.

[0077] The second special symbol reserve area 86 includes a first area 86a, a second area 86b, a third area 86c, and a fourth area 86d. Numerical information for the winning random number counter C1, the big win type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 is stored in one of the areas 86a-86d as reserved information for the special symbol in accordance with the winning history of the second actuation port 34. In this case, when multiple consecutive winnings occur in the second actuation port 34, the numerical information is stored in the first area 86a-4 area 86d in the order of the first area 86a → the second area 86b → the third area 86c → the fourth area 86d. By providing the four areas 86a-86d in this way, up to four winning histories of game balls entering the second actuation port 34 can be reserved and stored. In addition, the number of items that can be reserved and stored in the second special chart reservation area 86 is not limited to four and is arbitrary, and may be any number such as two, three, five or more, or may be singular.

[0078] The execution area 87 for special symbols is an area in which reserved information for which a hit / miss judgment or allocation judgment for a special symbol is performed is stored when variable display is started in either of the special symbol display units 37a, 37b. Specifically, when variable display of the first special symbol display unit 37a is started, the reserved information stored in the first area 85a of the first special symbol reserve area 85 is moved to the execution area 87 for special symbols. On the other hand, when variable display of the second special symbol display unit 37b is started, the reserved information stored in the first area 86a of the second special symbol reserve area 86 is moved to the execution area 87 for special symbols.

[0079] Information corresponding to the normal random number counter C4 is stored in the normal map reserve area 65c when a win occurs at the through gate 35. The normal map reserve area 65c includes a first area 88a, a second area 88b, a third area 88c, and a fourth area 88d. The numerical information of the normal random number counter C4 is stored in one of the areas 88a-88d as reserved information on the normal map side according to the win history at the through gate 35. In this case, when multiple wins at the through gate 35 occur consecutively, the numerical information is stored in the first area 88a-4 area 88d in the order of the first area 88a → the second area 88b → the third area 88c → the fourth area 88d in chronological order. By providing four areas 88a-88d in this way, up to four winning histories of game balls entering the through gate 35 can be reserved and stored. The number of reserved items that can be stored in the regular map reservation area 65c is not limited to four and can be any number, such as two, three, five or more, or it can be a single number. The regular map reservation area 65c has an execution area 89 for regular maps. The execution area 89 for regular maps is an area in which reserved information for which a regular power release lottery process is to be performed is stored when the regular map display unit 38a starts changing display. Specifically, when the regular map display unit 38a starts changing display, the reserved information stored in the first area 88a of the regular map reservation area 65c is moved to the execution area 89 for regular maps.

[0080] Each of the counters will now be described in detail.

[0081] First, the normal power random number counter C4 will be described. The normal power random number counter C4 is configured to increment by one in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 250, and return to "0" after reaching a maximum value. The normal power random number counter C4 is periodically updated, and is stored in the normal power reserve area 65c of the main RAM 65 when a gaming ball enters the through gate 35. Then, at a predetermined timing, a lottery is held to determine whether or not the normal power accessory 34a should be controlled to an open state based on the value of the stored normal power random number counter C4.

[0082] This pachinko machine 10 has only one support mode. Therefore, the probability of winning the normal power open state in the normal power open lottery process using the normal power random number counter C4 and the determination of the variable display period when the variable display of the image is executed on the normal power display unit 38a are constant regardless of the game state. The execution of the drive control of the normal power device 34a, such as the number of times the normal power device 34a is opened in the normal power open state, the opening period of the normal power device 34a, and the closing period from the end of one opening state to the start of the next opening state when the normal power device 34a opens multiple times in the normal power open state, are also constant regardless of the game state. This eliminates the need to change the display control mode of the normal power display unit 38a and the drive control mode of the normal power device 34a depending on the type of support mode, thereby reducing the program capacity and data capacity required to execute these controls. Since there is only one type of support mode, the normal game state in this embodiment is a game state in which the win / lose lottery mode is a low probability mode, and the high probability state in this embodiment is a game state in which the win / lose lottery mode is a high probability mode.

[0083] Next, the winning random number counter C1 will be described. The winning random number counter C1 is configured to increment by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 599, and return to "0" after reaching a maximum value. In particular, when the winning random number counter C1 completes one cycle, the value of the random number initial value counter CINI at that time is read as the initial value of the winning random number counter C1. The random number initial value counter CINI is a loop counter similar to the winning random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 599). The winning random number counter C1 is periodically updated and stored in the special symbol reserve area 65a of the main RAM 65 when a gaming ball enters the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34. The stored value of the winning random number counter C1 is then used to determine whether or not a win has occurred.

[0084] The random number value that is determined to be a winning result when determining whether or not a win is stored in the main ROM 64 as a winning / losing table. The winning / losing table has set out as winning / losing results a jackpot result, a small winning result, and a losing result. A jackpot result is a winning / losing result that can trigger a transition to an opening / closing execution mode in which the special electric winning device 32 is controlled to open and close, and can also trigger a transition to a winning / losing lottery mode. A small winning result is a winning / losing result that triggers a transition to an opening / closing execution mode in which the special electric winning device 32 is controlled to open and close, but does not trigger a transition to a winning / losing lottery mode. A losing result is a winning / losing result that does not trigger a transition to an opening / closing execution mode, and does not trigger a transition to a winning / losing lottery mode either.

[0085] The opening / closing execution mode, which is executed when a jackpot result is achieved, is a round-number-defined mode, which is executed with a predetermined number of rounds as the upper limit. Rounds are played until either the maximum number of times the special-power winning device 32 is opened and closed or the predetermined maximum number of game balls enter the special-power winning device 32. In this embodiment, the special-power winning device 32 is opened and closed once per round, and the open duration for each round is set to 29 seconds. The maximum number of winning balls in the special-power winning device 32 is set to 10. When the launching operation device 28 is operated by the player, the game ball launching mechanism 27 is driven and controlled so that one game ball is launched toward the play area PA every 0.6 seconds. Therefore, the open duration for the round is set to a time longer than the product of the game ball launch cycle and the maximum number of winning balls in one round. Therefore, in each round of play, it is expected that more than the upper limit number of game balls will enter the special winning device 32. In addition, the number of rounds of play executed in the round number regulation mode differs depending on the type of jackpot result.

[0086] The opening / closing execution mode, which is executed when a small win is achieved, is a fixed opening / closing number mode in which round play is not set and which ends when either the number of times the special power winning device 32 opens and closes reaches the upper limit or a predetermined upper limit of game balls enters the special power winning device 32. In the fixed opening / closing number mode, multiple open durations are set for each opening of the special power winning device 32. While each of these open durations is set longer than the game ball firing cycle (specifically, 0.6 seconds), there are periods less than the product of the game ball firing cycle and the upper limit of the number of winning balls (specifically, 10), and periods greater than or equal to the product of the game ball firing cycle and the upper limit of the number of winning balls (specifically, 10). The opening / closing execution mode, which is executed when a small win is achieved, allows the player to increase their ball holdings, although by a smaller number than the opening / closing execution mode, which is executed when a big win is achieved.

[0087] As shown in the explanatory diagrams of Figures 9(a) to 9(d), the hit / miss table is a hit / miss table for the first special symbol used when determining whether the first reserved information stored in the first special symbol reserve area 85 is a hit / miss table based on a winning entry into the first operating port 33, and a hit / miss table for the second special symbol used when determining whether the second reserved information stored in the second special symbol reserve area 86 is a hit / miss table based on a winning entry into the second operating port 34. Furthermore, the hit / miss table for the first special symbol includes a low-probability hit / miss table and a high-probability hit / miss table, and similarly, the hit / miss table for the second special symbol includes a low-probability hit / miss table and a high-probability hit / miss table. In other words, in this pachinko machine 10, different hit / miss tables are referenced for the first reserved information and the second reserved information, and in either case, a low-probability mode and a high-probability mode exist as hit / miss lottery modes for hit / miss determination.

[0088] To explain each winning / losing table in detail, in the low probability winning / losing table for the first special chart, as shown in Figure 9(a), there are two random number values ​​that result in a jackpot result (for example, "5" and "305"), and the rest are random number values ​​that result in a losing result. In other words, when the winning / losing lottery mode is in the low probability mode and a winning / losing judgment is made on the first reserved information, it can result in either a jackpot result or a losing result, but it will never result in a small winning result.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 9(b), the high probability win / loss table for the first special symbol has a larger number of random number values ​​that result in a jackpot than the low probability win / loss table for the first special symbol, specifically 20 (e.g., "5," "34," "65," "130," "163," "192," "220," "245," "276," "305," "334," "365," "392," "420," "470," "495," "520," "558," "575," "599"). In this case, the value group of the win random number counter C1 that results in a jackpot in the low probability mode is included in the value group of the win random number counter C1 that results in a jackpot in the high probability mode. Other random number values ​​are the values ​​that result in a loss. In other words, when the win / loss lottery mode is in the high probability mode and a win / loss determination is made on the first pending information, the result will be either a jackpot result or a loss result, but it will not result in a small win result.

[0090] In the low probability win / loss table for the second special symbol, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the value of the random number that results in a jackpot is the same as in the low probability win / loss table for the first special symbol. On the other hand, the values ​​of the random numbers other than the random number that results in a jackpot are the values ​​of the random number that results in a small win. In other words, when the win / loss lottery mode is in low probability mode and the win / loss determination process is performed on the second reserved information, the result will be either a jackpot result or a small win result. In addition, the first small win result, the second small win result, and the third small win result are set as the small win result. The first small win result, the second small win result, and the third small win result differ in the execution manner of the opening / closing execution mode, as will be described in detail later. In addition, the winning probability of these first to third small win results is the same at 199 / 600.

[0091] As shown in Figure 9(d), the high probability win / loss table for the second special symbol has the same random number values ​​that result in a jackpot as the high probability win / loss table for the first special symbol. Therefore, the number of random number values ​​that result in the jackpot is greater than that of the low probability win / loss table for the second special symbol. On the other hand, the random number values ​​other than the jackpot result are the random number values ​​that result in a small win result. In other words, when the win / loss lottery mode is in high probability mode and a win / loss determination is made on the second reserved information, the result will be either a jackpot result or a small win result. As with the low probability win / loss table for the second special symbol, the first small win result, the second small win result, and the third small win result are set as the small win result. The winning probabilities of these first to third small win results are approximately the same at 193 / 600 or 194 / 600.

[0092] As described above, by configuring the system so that a small win result can occur when the second reserved information triggers a win / loss determination, it becomes easier for the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the small win result to occur when a winning entry occurs in the second operating port 34. And, by the opening / closing execution mode corresponding to the small win result occurring, the player can slightly increase the number of balls he has.

[0093] Furthermore, if the probability of a jackpot result is higher in the high probability mode than in the low probability mode, the number and value of the random numbers that result in a win are arbitrary, and the set of values ​​of the winning random number counter C1 that result in a jackpot result in the low probability mode may be configured so that only a portion of the set of values ​​of the winning random number counter C1 that result in a jackpot result in the high probability mode is included in the set of values ​​of the winning random number counter C1 that result in a jackpot result, or may not be included in the set of values ​​of the winning random number counter C1 that result in a jackpot result in the high probability mode.

[0094] The jackpot type counter C2 is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within the range of 0 to 29, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. The jackpot type counter C2 is updated periodically, and is stored in the special symbol reserve area 65a when a gaming ball enters the first actuation port 33 or the second actuation port 34.

[0095] A plurality of jackpot results are set in this pachinko machine 10. These plurality of jackpot results are set by providing differences in two conditions: the number of rounds played in the opening / closing execution mode, and the winning / losing lottery mode in the winning / losing lottery means after the opening / closing execution mode ends.

[0096] As shown in the explanatory diagrams of Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the distribution table sets the following types of jackpot results: 2R low probability result, 2R high probability result, 4R low probability result, 4R high probability result, 6R low probability result, 6R high probability result, 10R low probability result, 10R high probability result, 16R low probability result, and 16R high probability result.

[0097] A 2R low-probability result and a 2R high-probability result will result in two rounds of play in the opening and closing execution mode, a 4R low-probability result and a 4R high-probability result will result in four rounds of play in the opening and closing execution mode, a 6R low-probability result and a 6R high-probability result will result in six rounds of play in the opening and closing execution mode, a 10R low-probability result and a 10R high-probability result will result in ten rounds of play in the opening and closing execution mode, and a 16R low-probability result and a 16R high-probability result will result in sixteen rounds of play in the opening and closing execution mode. Furthermore, for a 2R low-probability result, a 4R low-probability result, a 6R low-probability result, a 10R low-probability result, and a 16R low-probability result, the winning / losing lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode ends will be the low-probability mode, regardless of the winning / losing lottery mode before switching to the opening and closing execution mode. This low-probability mode will continue at least until the next jackpot result occurs and the game switches to the opening and closing execution mode. On the other hand, for 2R high probability results, 4R high probability results, 6R high probability results, 10R high probability results, and 16R high probability results, the winning / losing lottery mode after the opening / closing execution mode ends will be the high probability mode, regardless of the winning / losing lottery mode before switching to the opening / closing execution mode. This high probability mode will continue at least until the next jackpot result occurs and the switch to the opening / closing execution mode occurs.

[0098] As the allocation tables, as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), an allocation table for the first special symbol used when determining the allocation of the first reserved information obtained based on a winning entry into the first operating port 33, and an allocation table for the second special symbol used when determining the allocation of the second reserved information obtained based on a winning entry into the second operating port 34 are set.

[0099] To explain each allocation table in detail, as shown in Figure 10(a), the allocation table for the first special chart has the following types of jackpot results to be allocated: 2R low probability result, 2R high probability result, 4R low probability result, 4R high probability result, 6R low probability result, 6R high probability result, 10R low probability result, 10R high probability result, 16R low probability result, and 16R high probability result. In the allocation table for the first special chart, "0-1" corresponds to a 2R low probability result, "2-5" corresponds to a 2R high probability result, "6-7" corresponds to a 4R low probability result, "8-11" corresponds to a 4R high probability result, "12-13" corresponds to a 6R low probability result, "14-17" corresponds to a 6R high probability result, "18-19" corresponds to a 10R low probability result, "20-23" corresponds to a 10R high probability result, "24-25" corresponds to a 16R low probability result, and "26-29" corresponds to a 16R high probability result. In this case, the probability of a 2R low probability result, a 4R low probability result, a 6R low probability result, a 10R low probability result, and a 16R low probability result is each approximately 6.7%, and the probability of a 2R high probability result, a 4R high probability result, a 6R high probability result, a 10R high probability result, and a 16R high probability result is each approximately 13%. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10(b), the allocation table for the second special symbol sets the types of jackpot results to be allocated as 16R low-probability results and 16R high-probability results. In the allocation table for the second special symbol, "0-9" corresponds to the 16R low-probability result, and "10-29" corresponds to the 16R high-probability result. In this case, the probability of a 16R low-probability result is approximately 33%, which is the same as the probability of a 2R low-probability result, a 4R low-probability result, a 6R low-probability result, a 10R low-probability result, or a 16R low-probability result being selected in the allocation table for the first special symbol. Also, the probability of a 16R high-probability result is approximately 67%, which is the same as the probability of a 2R high-probability result, a 4R high-probability result, a 6R high-probability result, a 10R high-probability result, or a 16R high-probability result being selected in the allocation table for the first special symbol.

[0100] The allocation table for the first special symbol and the allocation table for the second special symbol have the same probability of switching to the high probability mode after the open / close execution mode in the event of a jackpot win. Meanwhile, the average number of rounds is higher with the allocation table for the second special symbol than with the allocation table for the first special symbol. Therefore, in terms of the types of jackpot results that can be selected in the event of a jackpot win, it is more advantageous for the player if the second operation port 34 wins and an internal lottery is held than if the first operation port 33 wins and an internal lottery is held.

[0101] Next, the reach random number counter C3 will be described. The reach random number counter C3 is configured to increment by one within a range of, for example, 0 to 238, and return to "0" after reaching a maximum value. Here, the pachinko machine 10 is configured with an expectation effect as one type of display effect on the symbol display device 41. The expectation effect refers to a display state that makes a player believe that a variable display state that is likely to result in a prize-related result is achieved in a gaming machine equipped with a symbol display device 41 capable of displaying variable symbols, and in which the final stop result in a game round resulting in a predetermined jackpot result is a prize-related result, from the start of the variable display of symbols on the symbol display device 41 until the stop result is derived and displayed. Specifically, the prize-related result is a combination of symbols with the same number displayed on any of the pay lines.

[0102] There are two types of expectation effects: a reach display and a notice display that is set to anticipate the occurrence of a reach display or a corresponding result before the reach display occurs.

[0103] The reach display includes a display state in which a reach symbol combination is displayed by stopping the display of symbols in some of the multiple symbol rows displayed on the display surface of the symbol display device 41, and in that state, the remaining symbol rows display a variable pattern. Also included are displays in which, in a state in which a reach symbol combination is displayed as described above, the remaining symbol rows display a variable pattern, and a reach effect is performed by displaying predetermined characters or the like as a moving image on the background screen, and displays a reduced or hidden reach symbol combination and then displays predetermined characters or the like as a moving image on almost the entire display surface, thereby performing a reach effect.

[0104] The preview display includes a mode in which a character is displayed separately from the symbols on the symbol row when symbols are displayed variably in all symbol rows or when symbols are displayed variably in some symbol rows after the display of the variable symbols on the display surface of the symbol display device 41 has started. It also includes a mode in which the background screen is displayed in a predetermined mode different from its previous mode, or a mode in which the symbols on the symbol row are displayed in a predetermined mode different from their previous mode. Such a preview display can occur in both game rounds when a reach display is made and when a reach display is not made, but is set to occur with a higher probability when a reach display is made than when a reach display is not made.

[0105] The reach display is executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3 in a game in which the same symbol combination is finally stopped and displayed. Also, in a game in which a small win result is achieved, the reach display is not executed regardless of the value of the reach random number counter C3. Also, in a game in which a miss result is achieved, the reach display is executed when the reach random number counter C3 obtained at a predetermined timing by referring to the reach table stored in the main ROM 64 corresponds to the occurrence of the reach display.

[0106] On the other hand, the decision on whether to display a notice is not made by the main control device 60 but by the audio and light emitting control device 81. In this case, the audio and light emitting control device 81 executes a lottery process for the notice display so as to satisfy at least one of the conditions that a notice display is more likely to occur in a game round corresponding to a jackpot result than a game round corresponding to a loss result, and that a notice display with a low occurrence rate is more likely to occur. Incidentally, this lottery result is reflected when the effect for the game round is executed by the symbol display device 41.

[0107] Next, the variation type counter CS will be explained. The variation type counter CS is configured to be incremented by 1 in sequence within a range of, for example, 0 to 198, and to return to "0" after reaching the maximum value. The variation type counter CS is used in determining the variation display period in the special symbol display units 37a and 37b and the variation display period of the pattern in the symbol display device 41 in the main CPU 63. The variation type counter CS is repeatedly updated, and is acquired when determining the variation pattern at the start of the variation display in the special symbol display units 37a and 37b and at the start of the variation of the pattern by the symbol display device 41.

[0108] <Regarding the processing configuration of the main CPU 63> Next, we will explain each process executed to progress the game by the main CPU 63. The processes of the main CPU 63 are roughly divided into main processing that is started when the power is turned on, and timer interrupt processing that is started periodically (every 4 msec in this embodiment).

[0109] <Main processing> First, the main processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0110] First, a power-on wait process is executed (step S101). In this power-on wait process, for example, the main process is started and a predetermined wait time (specifically, 1 second) elapses before proceeding to the next process. During the execution period of this power-on wait process, the operation start and initial setting of the pattern display device 41 are completed. Thereafter, access to the main RAM 65 is permitted (step S102), and the internal function register of the main CPU 63 is set (step S103).

[0111] Thereafter, it is determined whether the RAM erase switch provided on the power supply / launch control device 78 has been manually operated (step S104), and further whether the power outage flag of the main RAM 65 has been set to "1" (step S105). Also, a checksum calculation process is executed to calculate a checksum (step S106), and it is determined whether the checksum matches the checksum saved when the power was shut off, i.e., the validity of the stored data (step S107).

[0112] In this pachinko machine 10, when the power is turned on, for example, when the gaming hall opens for business, the RAM data is initialized by pressing the RAM clear switch while the power is turned on. Therefore, if the RAM clear switch is pressed, the process proceeds to step S108. Similarly, if the power interruption occurrence information is not set or if an abnormality in the stored data is confirmed by the checksum, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, the main RAM 65 is cleared. Then, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0113] On the other hand, if the RAM erase switch has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S109 without executing the process of step S108, provided that the power outage flag is set to "1" and the checksum is normal. In step S109, a power-on setting process is executed. In the power-on setting process, a predetermined area of ​​the main RAM 65 is set to an initial value, such as initializing the power outage flag, and a command corresponding to the current game status is sent to the sound and light emission control device 81. After executing the process of step S109, a recognition process (step S110) is executed to have the management IC 66 recognize various information, and a data output process is executed to output various data to a reader connected to the MPU 62 (step S111). The details of the recognition process and the data output process will be described later.

[0114] The main CPU 63 is configured to periodically execute timer interrupt processing, but the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is prohibited when the main processing is started. This state in which the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is prohibited is released when the processing of step S111 is completed and before the processing of step S112 is executed, and execution of the timer interrupt processing is permitted. As a result, when the supply of operating power to the main CPU 63 starts, the data output processing of step S111 ends and the timer interrupt processing is not executed until the stage before the processing of step S112 is started. Therefore, processing for progressing the game in the main CPU 63 is not started until this situation is reached.

[0115] Thereafter, the process proceeds to the remaining process of steps S112 to S115. In other words, the main CPU 63 is configured to periodically execute timer interrupt processing, but there is a remaining time between one timer interrupt processing and the next timer interrupt processing. This remaining time varies depending on the processing completion time of each timer interrupt processing, but this irregular time is used to repeatedly execute the remaining process of steps S112 to S115. In this respect, the remaining process of steps S112 to S115 can be said to be non-periodic processing that is executed non-periodically.

[0116] In the remaining process, first, in step S112, interrupt prohibition is set to prohibit the occurrence of timer interrupt processing. In the following step S113, random number initial value update processing is executed to update the random number initial value counter CINI, and in step S114, fluctuation counter update processing is executed to update the fluctuation type counter CS. In these update processing, current numerical information is read from the corresponding counter in the main RAM 65, and the read numerical information is incremented by 1, and then the counter from which it was read is overwritten. In this case, when the counter value reaches its maximum value, it is cleared to "0". Thereafter, in step S115, interrupt permission is set to switch from a state in which the occurrence of timer interrupt processing is prohibited to a state in which it is permitted. After executing the processing of step S115, the process returns to step S112, and the processing of steps S112 to S115 is repeated.

[0117] <Timer interrupt processing> Next, the timer interrupt process will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 12. The timer interrupt process is executed periodically (for example, every 4 msec).

[0118] First, a power outage information storage process is executed (step S201). In the power outage information storage process, it is monitored whether a power outage signal corresponding to the occurrence of a power outage has been received from the power outage monitoring board 67, and if a power outage is identified, a power outage process is executed and then an infinite loop is entered. In the power outage process, the power outage flag in the main RAM 65 is set to "1", and a checksum is calculated and stored.

[0119] Then, a lottery random number update process is executed (step S202). In the lottery random number update process, the winning random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the normal power random number counter C4 are updated. Specifically, the current numerical information is read out sequentially from the winning random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, the reach random number counter C3, and the normal power random number counter C4, and the read numerical information is incremented by 1, and then the counter from which it was read is overwritten. In this case, when the counter value reaches its maximum value, it is cleared to "0." Then, in step S203, a random number initial value update process is executed as in step S113, and in step S204, a variable counter update process is executed as in step S114.

[0120] Thereafter, a fraud detection process is executed to monitor whether or not a predetermined event set as a target for fraudulent use has occurred (step S205). In this fraud detection process, the occurrence of multiple types of events is monitored, and if a predetermined event has occurred, a game stop flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1". In the following step S206, it is determined whether or not the game progress has been stopped by determining whether or not the game stop flag has been set to "1". If a negative determination is made in step S206, the process from step S207 onwards is executed.

[0121] In step S207, port output processing is executed. In the port output processing, if output information has been set in the previous timer interrupt processing, processing is executed to output corresponding to that output information to the various drive units 32b, 34b. For example, if information to switch the special power winning device 32 to an open state is set, output of a drive signal to the special power drive unit 32b is started, and if information to switch to a closed state is set, output of the drive signal is stopped. Also, if information to switch the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34 to an open state is set, output of a drive signal to the normal power drive unit 34b is started, and if information to switch to a closed state is set, output of the drive signal is stopped.

[0122] Then, a read process is executed (step S208). In the read process, signals other than the power outage signal and the winning signal are read, and the read information is stored for use in subsequent processes.

[0123] Thereafter, a ball entry detection process is executed (step S209). In the ball entry detection process, signals received from each ball entry detection sensor 42a-49a are read, and based on the read results, it is determined whether or not a ball has entered the out hole 24a, the general winning hole 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating hole 33, the second operating hole 34, and the through gate 35. Details of the ball entry detection process will be explained later.

[0124] Thereafter, a timer update process is executed (step S210) for collectively updating the numerical information of the multiple types of timer counters provided in the main RAM 65. In this case, the timer counters in which the stored numerical information is updated by subtraction are handled collectively, but it is also possible to collectively update both the subtraction type timer counters and the addition type timer counters.

[0125] Thereafter, a launch control process is executed to control the launch of game balls (step S211). While the launch operation to the launch operation device 28 continues, one game ball is launched every 0.6 seconds, which is a predetermined launch cycle. In the following step S212, as an input status monitoring process, based on the information read in the reading process of step S208, a disconnection check is performed for each ball entry detection sensor 42a-49a, and the opening of the gaming machine main body 12 and the front door frame 14 is checked.

[0126] Thereafter, a special power control process for controlling the execution of the game round and the opening / closing execution mode is executed (step S213), and a normal power control process for controlling the display of the normal power display unit 38a and the drive of the normal power device 34a is executed (step S214). The processing contents of the special power control process and the normal power control process will be described in detail later.

[0127] In the following step S215, based on the processing results of the immediately preceding steps S213 and S214, output information is set to reflect the increase or decrease in the number of reserved information related to the special map display units 37a and 37b in the special map reserved display units 37c and 37d, and output information is set to reflect the increase or decrease in the number of reserved information related to the ordinary map display unit 38a in the ordinary map reserved display unit 38b. Also, in step S215, based on the processing results of the immediately preceding steps S213 and S214, output information is set to update the display contents of the special map display units 37a and 37b, and output information is set to update the display contents of the ordinary map display unit 38a.

[0128] Thereafter, the contents of the command and signal received from the payout control device 77 are confirmed, and a payout status receiving process is executed to perform processing corresponding to the confirmation result (step S216). Also, a payout output process is executed to set the prize ball command as an output target (step S217). Also, an external information setting process is executed to control the start and end of the output of an external signal according to the processing results of various processes executed in this timer interrupt process (step S218). Thereafter, a management output process is executed to output information corresponding to the ball entry result in the game area PA to the management IC 66 (step S219). The details of the management output process will be explained later.

[0129] <Goal detection processing> Next, we will explain the configuration in the main CPU 63 for determining whether or not a game ball has entered the outlet 24a, general winning port 31, special electric winning device 32, first operating port 33, second operating port 34, and through gate 35 based on the detection results of each ball entry detection sensor 42a to 49a. Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration in which the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 49a are input to the main CPU 63.

[0130] The main CPU 63 is provided with an input port 63a. The input port 63a is configured as an 8-bit parallel interface so that it can handle eight types of signals simultaneously. An area in which information "0" or "1" is stored according to the voltage of each signal is provided in one-to-one correspondence with each terminal. That is, this area includes the 0th bit D0 to the 7th bit D7. Although more than eight types of signals are input to the input port 63a, in order to limit the number of signals that can be input simultaneously to eight, the group of signals to be input to the input port 63a is switched through switching control by a driver IC.

[0131] In the ball entry detection process (step S209) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), the signal group to be input to the input port 63a is set to the signal group from each ball entry detection sensor 42a-49a. In this setting, the 0th bit D0 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first winning opening detection sensor 42a, the 1st bit D1 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second winning opening detection sensor 43a, the 2nd bit D2 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the third winning opening detection sensor 44a, the 3rd bit D3 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the special power detection sensor 45a, the 4th bit D4 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the first operating opening detection sensor 46a, the 5th bit D5 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the second operating opening detection sensor 47a, the 6th bit D6 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the outlet detection sensor 48a, and the 7th bit D7 stores information corresponding to the detection signal from the gate detection sensor 49a.

[0132] Each of the ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a outputs a LOW-level signal indicating that it is not detecting a ball when it has not detected the passage of a game ball, and outputs a HI-level signal indicating that it is detecting a ball when it has detected the passage of a game ball. The input port 63a stores "0" in the corresponding bit when it receives a LOW-level signal, and stores "1" in the corresponding bit when it receives a HI-level signal. In other words, when the ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a have not detected the passage of a game ball, the corresponding bit stores "0" indicating that it is not detecting a game ball, and when it has detected the passage of a game ball, the corresponding bit stores "1" indicating that it is detecting a game ball.

[0133] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the ball scoring detection process executed in step S209 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12).

[0134] When it is confirmed that the 0th bit D0 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one gaming ball has been detected by the first winning opening detection sensor 42a (step S301: YES). In this case, the first output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S302), and the value of the 10-prize ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S303). The first output flag is a flag that specifies to the main CPU 63 that information indicating that one gaming ball has been detected by the first winning opening detection sensor 42a should be output to the management IC 66. The 10-prize ball counter is a counter that specifies to the main CPU 63 the number of times that 10 gaming balls should be paid out. If the value of the 10 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 10 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77 in the payout output process of step S217 in the timer interrupt process (Fig. 12), and when the 10 prize ball command is output once, the value of the 10 prize ball counter is decremented by 1. When the payout control device 77 receives the 10 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 76 so that 10 game balls are paid out.

[0135] When it is confirmed that the first bit D1 has switched from a state in which information "0" is stored to a state in which information "1" is stored, it is determined that one gaming ball has been detected by the second winning opening detection sensor 43a (step S304: YES). In this case, the second output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S305), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S306). The second output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information indicating that one gaming ball has been detected by the second winning opening detection sensor 43a should be output to the management IC 66.

[0136] When it is confirmed that the second bit D2 has switched from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one gaming ball has been detected by the third winning opening detection sensor 44a (step S307: YES). In this case, the third output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S308), and the value of the 10-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S309). The third output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information indicating that one gaming ball has been detected by the third winning opening detection sensor 44a should be output to the management IC 66.

[0137] When it is confirmed that the third bit D3 has changed from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one game ball has been detected by the special electric detection sensor 45a (step S310: YES). In this case, the special electric winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S311), the fourth output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S312), and further, the value of the 15-ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S313). The special electric winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to identify that one game ball has entered the special electric winning device 32 in the open / close execution mode. In the special power control process (step S213) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), by confirming that the special power winning flag is set to "1," it is determined that one game ball has entered the special power winning device 32, and the remaining number of balls that can enter the special power winning device 32 in the round play or open / close execution mode is decremented by one. When the process of decrementing the number of balls that can enter is executed, the special power winning flag is cleared to "0." The fourth output flag is a flag that specifies to the main CPU 63 that information indicating that one game ball has been detected by the special power detection sensor 45a should be output to the management IC 66. The 15-ball counter is a counter that specifies to the main CPU 63 the number of times that 15 game balls should be paid out. If the value of the 15 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 15 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77 in the payout output process of step S217 in the timer interrupt process (Fig. 12), and when the 15 prize ball command is output once, the value of the 15 prize ball counter is decremented by 1. When the payout control device 77 receives the 15 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 76 so that 15 game balls are paid out.

[0138] When it is confirmed that the fourth bit D4 has switched from a state in which information "0" is stored to a state in which information "1" is stored, it is determined that one gaming ball has been detected by the first actuation port detection sensor 46a (step S314: YES). In this case, the first actuation winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S315), the fifth output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S316), and further the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S317). The first actuation winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to identify that one gaming ball has entered the first actuation port 33. In the special symbol special power control process (step S213) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), by confirming that the first activation winning flag is set to "1," a process for storing new reserved information is executed, provided that the number of reserved information stored in the reserved area RE of the special symbol reserve area 65a is less than the upper limit of four. In the special power special power control process (step S213), it is confirmed that the first activation winning flag is set to "1," and when a process corresponding to that confirmation is executed, the first activation winning flag is cleared to "0." The fifth output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information indicating that one game ball has been detected by the first activation port detection sensor 46a should be output to the management IC 66. The single prize ball counter is a counter for specifying in the main CPU 63 the number of times one game ball should be paid out. If the value of the 1 prize ball counter is 1 or more, a 1 prize ball command is output to the payout control device 77 in the payout output process of step S217 in the timer interrupt process (Fig. 12), and when the 1 prize ball command is output once, the value of the 1 prize ball counter is decremented by 1. When the payout control device 77 receives the 1 prize ball command, it drives and controls the payout device 76 so that one game ball is paid out.

[0139] When it is confirmed that the fifth bit D5 has switched from a state in which information "0" is stored to a state in which information "1" is stored, it is determined that one gaming ball has been detected by the second actuation port detection sensor 47a (step S318: YES). In this case, the second actuation winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S319), and the sixth output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S320), and further the value of the one winning ball counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 (step S321). The second actuation winning flag is a flag that allows the main CPU 63 to identify that one gaming ball has entered the second actuation port 34. In the special symbol special power control process (step S213) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), by confirming that the second activation winning flag is set to "1", a process for storing new reserved information is executed, provided that the number of reserved information stored in the reserved area RE of the special symbol reserve area 65a is less than the upper limit of four. In the special power special power control process (step S213), it is confirmed that the second activation winning flag is set to "1", and when a process corresponding to that confirmation is executed, the second activation winning flag is cleared to "0". The sixth output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information indicating that one game ball has been detected by the second activation port detection sensor 47a should be output to the management IC 66.

[0140] When it is confirmed that the sixth bit D6 has changed from a state in which "0" is stored to a state in which "1" is stored, it is determined that one gaming ball has been detected by the outlet detection sensor 48a (step S322: YES). In this case, the seventh output flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S323). The seventh output flag is a flag for specifying in the main CPU 63 that information indicating that one gaming ball has been detected by the outlet detection sensor 48a should be output to the management IC 66.

[0141] When it is confirmed that the seventh bit D7 has changed from a state in which "0" information is stored to a state in which "1" information is stored, it is determined that one game ball has been detected by the gate detection sensor 49a (step S324: YES). In this case, the gate winning flag provided in the main RAM 65 is set to "1" (step S325). The gate winning flag is a flag for the main CPU 63 to identify that one game ball has entered the through gate 35. In the normal map normal power control process (step S214) of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), by confirming that the gate winning flag is set to "1", the process is executed to store the current numerical information of the normal power random number counter C4 as normal map side reserved information in the normal map reserve area 65c, provided that the number of normal map side reserved information stored in the normal map reserve area 65c is less than the upper limit number of 4. In the normal map normal power control process (step S214), it is confirmed that the gate winning flag is set to "1", and when the process corresponding to that confirmation is executed, the gate winning flag is cleared to "0".

[0142] As already explained, the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12) is started at a 4 msec cycle, so when one of the ball entry detection sensors 42a to 49a starts detecting one game ball, the main CPU 63 determines that one game ball has been detected by the ball entry detection sensor 42a to 49a while the sensor 42a to 49a continues to detect that one game ball. Therefore, it is sufficient to provide one each of the first to seventh output flags.

[0143] <Configuration for dispensing gaming balls> Next, we will explain the processing executed by the dispensing control device 77. First, we will explain the electrical configuration of the dispensing control device 77 and various devices that communicate with the dispensing control device 77, with reference to the block diagram in Figure 15.

[0144] The dispensing control device 77 is equipped with an MPU 91. The MPU 91 includes a dispensing side CPU 92, which is a processing unit including a control unit and a calculation unit, as well as a dispensing side ROM 93, a dispensing side RAM 94, an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, a data input / output circuit, etc.

[0145] The dispensing ROM 93 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile memory means) that does not require an external power supply to retain data, such as a NOR flash memory or a NAND flash memory, and is used for read-only purposes. The dispensing ROM 93 stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the dispensing CPU 92.

[0146] The dispensing-side RAM 94 is a memory (i.e., a volatile memory means) that requires an external power supply to retain data, such as SRAM and DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The dispensing-side RAM 94 is randomly accessible and takes less time to read data than the dispensing-side ROM 93 when compared for the same data capacity. The dispensing-side RAM 94 temporarily stores various data for the execution of the control program stored in the dispensing-side ROM 93.

[0147] The payout CPU 92 is capable of bidirectional communication with the main CPU 63. By receiving a prize ball command from the main CPU 63, the payout CPU 92 controls the operation of the payout device 76 so that the number of game balls corresponding to the prize ball command is paid out. The payout CPU 92 also monitors whether the payout device 76 is in a state where game balls can be paid out normally, and if it determines that the payout device 76 is in a state where game balls cannot be paid out normally, it stops the payout device 76 even if information on the number of unpaid prize balls is stored in the payout RAM 94. The payout CPU 92 also transmits a payout limit command to the main CPU 63 indicating that the payout device 76 is in a state where game balls cannot be paid out normally. When the main CPU 63 receives the payout limit command, it transmits a notification command to the audio / light-emitting control device 81 so that the symbol display device 41, the display light-emitting unit 53, and the speaker unit 54 issue a notification indicating that the payout device 76 is in a state where game balls cannot be paid out normally. The states in which game balls cannot be dispensed normally include a full state in which the lower tray 56a is full of game balls, a no-ball state in which the tank 75 has not been replenished with game balls, an abnormal dispense state in which the dispenser 76 does not operate normally, a main body open state in which the game machine main body 12 is open from the outer frame 11, and a front door open state in which the front door frame 14 is open from the inner frame 13.

[0148] A full tank detection sensor (not shown) is provided midway along the game ball passageway leading from the payout device 76 to the lower tray 56a, and the detection result of the full tank detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 92. The payout side CPU 92 determines that the tank is full when game balls are continuously detected by the full tank detection sensor, and determines that the full tank state has been released when the state in which game balls are continuously detected by the full tank detection sensor is released.

[0149] A no-ball detection sensor (not shown) is provided midway along the game ball passageway leading from tank 75 to payout device 76, and the detection result of the no-ball detection sensor is input to payout-side CPU 92. Payout-side CPU 92 determines that a no-ball state exists when the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect a game ball, and determines that the no-ball state has been released when the state in which the no-ball detection sensor continues to not detect a game ball is released.

[0150] The payout device 76 is provided with a payout detection sensor (not shown) for detecting game balls paid out from the payout device 76, and the detection result of the payout detection sensor is input to the payout side CPU 92. When a game ball is detected by the payout detection sensor, the payout side CPU 92 determines that one game ball has been paid out from the payout device 76. Furthermore, the payout side CPU 92 determines that an abnormal payout state exists when the payout detection sensor continues to not detect a game ball even though the payout device 76 is being driven and controlled so that a game ball is paid out, and determines that the abnormal payout state has been released when the state in which the payout detection sensor continues to not detect a game ball is released.

[0151] A front door open sensor 95 is provided on the front portion of the inner frame 13 (see FIG. 2), and the detection result of the front door open sensor 95 is input to the dispensing-side CPU 92. In this case, when the front door frame 14 is closed relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 95 transmits a closed detection signal to the dispensing-side CPU 92, and when the front door frame 14 is open relative to the inner frame 13, the front door open sensor 95 transmits an open detection signal to the dispensing-side CPU 92. The dispensing-side CPU 92 determines that the front door frame 14 is closed when it receives a closed detection signal from the front door open sensor 95, and determines that the front door frame 14 is open when it receives an open detection signal from the front door open sensor 95. In addition, the dispensing-side CPU 92 transmits a front door open command to the main-side CPU 63 when it determines that the front door frame 14 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and transmits a front door close command to the main-side CPU 63 when it determines that the front door frame 14 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The main CPU 63 determines that the front door frame 14 is in an open state when it receives a front door open command, and determines that the front door frame 14 is in a closed state when it receives a front door close command.

[0152] A main body open sensor 96 is provided on the front portion of the rear pack unit 15 (see FIG. 2), and the detection result of the main body open sensor 96 is input to the payout side CPU 92. In this case, when the gaming machine main body 12 is in a closed state relative to the outer frame 11, the main body open sensor 96 transmits a closed detection signal to the payout side CPU 92, and when the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state relative to the outer frame 11, the main body open sensor 96 transmits an open detection signal to the payout side CPU 92. When the payout side CPU 92 receives a closed detection signal from the main body open sensor 96, it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in a closed state, and when the payout side CPU 92 receives an open detection signal from the main body open sensor 96, it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state. In addition, the payout side CPU 92 transmits a main body open command to the main side CPU 63 when it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 has changed from a closed state to an open state, and transmits a main body close command to the main side CPU 63 when it determines that the gaming machine main body 12 has changed from an open state to a closed state. The main CPU 63 determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state when it receives a main body open command, and determines that the gaming machine main body 12 is in a closed state when it receives a main body close command.

[0153] The timer interrupt process executed by the dispensing CPU 92 will be described with reference to the time chart of Fig. 16. The timer interrupt process is repeatedly started at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 2 msec).

[0154] First, a full tank process is executed (step S401). In the full tank process, as already explained, it is determined whether the tank is full based on the detection result of the full tank detection sensor, and if the tank is full, it executes a process to stop the payout of game balls and sends a command indicating the full tank state to the main CPU 63. Furthermore, if the full tank state is released, it executes a process to enable the payout of game balls and sends a command indicating that the full tank state has been released to the main CPU 63.

[0155] Thereafter, no-ball processing is executed (step S402). In the no-ball processing, as already explained, it is determined whether or not the no-ball state is present based on the detection result of the no-ball detection sensor, and if the no-ball state is present, it executes processing to stop the payout of game balls and sends a command indicating the no-ball state to the main CPU 63. Furthermore, if the no-ball state is released, it executes processing to enable the payout of game balls and sends a command indicating that the no-ball state has been released to the main CPU 63.

[0156] Thereafter, a payout abnormality monitoring process is executed (step S403). In the payout abnormality monitoring process, as already explained, it is determined whether or not a payout abnormality state exists based on the detection result of the payout detection sensor, and if a payout abnormality state exists, a process to stop the payout of game balls is executed, and a command indicating that a payout abnormality state exists is sent to the main CPU 63. Furthermore, if the payout abnormality state is released, a process to enable the payout of game balls is executed, and a command indicating that the payout abnormality state has been released is sent to the main CPU 63.

[0157] Thereafter, a front door open monitoring process is executed (step S404). In the front door open monitoring process, as already explained, it is determined whether or not the front door frame 14 is in the open state based on the detection result of the front door open sensor 95, and if the front door frame 14 is in the open state, a process to stop the payout of game balls is executed and a front door open command is sent to the main CPU 63. Furthermore, if the front door frame 14 is closed, a process to enable the payout of game balls is executed and a front door close command is sent to the main CPU 63.

[0158] Thereafter, a main body open monitoring process is executed (step S405). In the main body open monitoring process, as already explained, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine main body 12 is in the open state based on the detection result of the main body open sensor 96, and if the gaming machine main body 12 is in the open state, a process to stop the payout of game balls is executed and a main body open command is sent to the main CPU 63. Furthermore, if the gaming machine main body 12 is closed, a process to enable the payout of game balls is executed and a main body close command is sent to the main CPU 63.

[0159] Then, a command read process is executed (step S406). In this command read process, a process is executed to read the prize ball command sent by the main CPU 63. Then, the prize ball command is stored in the payout RAM 94. Then, a prize ball setting process is executed to add the number corresponding to the received prize ball command to the unpaid prize ball number information in the payout RAM 94 (step S407), and then a payout control process is executed to control the execution of the payout of game balls by the payout device 76 (step S408). In the payout control process, when the unpaid prize ball number information stored in the payout RAM 94 is a value of 1 or more, the payout device 76 is driven and controlled, and when the payout detection sensor detects one game ball, the value of the prize ball number information is decremented by 1. Then, when the value of the prize ball number information becomes "0," the drive control of the payout device 76 is stopped. Thereafter, an external information setting process is executed to control the start and end of output of an external signal according to the results of the various processes executed in this timer interrupt process (step S409).

[0160] <Configuration for external output to hall computer HC> Next, a configuration for externally outputting information from the pachinko machine 10 to the hall computer HC installed in the gaming hall will be described.

[0161] As shown in Fig. 2, the back pack unit 15 is provided with an external terminal board 97. The external terminal board 97 is provided with a large number of external terminals, some of which, i.e., a plurality of external terminals, are electrically connected to the main CPU 63, and some of which, i.e., a plurality of external terminals, are electrically connected to the dispensing CPU 92. In this way, the main CPU 63 and the dispensing CPU 92 are each electrically connected to the external terminal board 97, so that the main CPU 63 and the dispensing CPU 92 can externally output information to the hall computer HC, as shown in Fig. 15.

[0162] One external terminal of the external terminal board 97 is electrically connected to the front door open sensor 95, and another external terminal of the external terminal board 97 is electrically connected to the main body open sensor 96. Regarding the configuration of this electrical connection in detail, a signal relay board 98 is provided midway along the signal path from the front door open sensor 95 to the dispensing side CPU 92. The signal relay board 98 has a branch path SL2 branching from the signal path SL1 from the front door open sensor 95 to the dispensing side CPU 92. The branch path SL2 is connected to the front door open external terminal on the external terminal board 97. Therefore, an electrical signal corresponding to the detection result of the front door open sensor 95 is input not only to the dispensing side CPU 92, but also to the front door open external terminal on the external terminal board 97. This allows a signal indicating whether the front door frame 14 is open to be output to the hall computer HC without control by the dispensing side CPU 92.

[0163] Regarding the main body open sensor 96 in more detail, the signal relay board 98 is provided with a branch path SL4 that branches off from the signal path SL3 that runs from the main body open sensor 96 toward the payout CPU 92. The branch path SL4 is connected to an external terminal for main body open on the external terminal board 97. Therefore, an electrical signal corresponding to the detection result of the main body open sensor 96 is not only input to the payout CPU 92, but also to the external terminal for main body open on the external terminal board 97. This makes it possible to externally output a signal indicating whether the gaming machine main body 12 is in an open state to the hall computer HC without going through control by the payout CPU 92.

[0164] Next, we will explain the content of the information externally output to the hall computer HC from the main CPU 63 and the payout CPU 92. First, we will explain the content of the information externally output from the main CPU 63 to the hall computer HC.

[0165] In the external information setting process (step S218) in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 12), the main CPU 63 performs setting for outputting information to each external terminal assigned to the main CPU 63 on the external terminal board 97. The information output from the main CPU 63 to the external terminal board 97 includes information indicating that the opening / closing execution mode is in progress, information indicating that the win / lose lottery mode is in the high probability mode, information indicating that one game round has ended, information indicating that a predetermined number (for example, 100) of game balls have been discharged from the game area PA through any of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34, information indicating that a game ball has entered the first operating port 33, and information indicating that a game ball has entered the second operating port 34.

[0166] In the external information setting process (step S409) in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 16), the payout side CPU 92 sets the output of information to each external terminal assigned to the payout side CPU 92 on the external terminal board 97. The information output from the payout side CPU 92 to the external terminal board 97 includes information indicating that 10 game balls have been paid out.

[0167] The hall computer HC can grasp the manner in which game balls are paid out in the pachinko machine 10 in accordance with various information received from the pachinko machine 10 via the external terminal board 97. For example, The payout rate, which is the ratio of the number of game balls paid out until 100 game balls are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10. - Ball payout rate in normal game mode, not in open / close execution mode or high probability mode (hereinafter, this ball payout rate will be referred to as "B") Ball payout rate in open / close execution mode - Payout rate in high probability mode The number of times a game is played until 100 game balls are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "S"). BS x "Number of winning balls for winning into the first actuation port 33 and the second actuation port 34" The number of game balls that enter the first operating port 33 before 100 game balls are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "S1") The number of game balls that enter the second operating port 34 before 100 game balls are discharged from the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10 (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "S2") B-(S1 x "number of winning balls for winning into the first operating port 33" + S2 x "number of winning balls for winning into the second operating port 34") This allows the hall computer HC to manage the manner in which game balls enter the game area PA of the pachinko machine 10. The number of prize balls refers to the number of game balls that are paid out when one game ball enters the corresponding ball entry section.

[0168] <Configuration for managing winning status of gaming balls> Next, we will explain the configuration for managing the winning status of game balls using the management IC 66. First, we will explain the electrical configuration of the management IC 66 with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0169] As already explained, the MPU 62 of the main control device 60 includes a main CPU 63, a main ROM 64, a main RAM 65, and a management IC 66. In addition to these, the MPU 62 also includes an I / F 101 and a read terminal 102.

[0170] The I / F 101 is an interface for transmitting and receiving signals to and from devices external to the MPU 62. The I / F 101 is electrically connected to the main CPU 63 via an internal bus 103. Detection results from sensors such as the ball entry detection sensors 42a-49a and commands from the dispensing CPU 92 are input to the MPU 62 through the input port of the I / F 101, and the main CPU 63 executes various processes based on the input detection results and command contents, as described above. Furthermore, when a signal is output to a device such as the special call driver 32b as a result of the execution of various processes by the main CPU 63, the signal is output through the output port of the I / F 101. Furthermore, when a command is output to the dispensing CPU 92 and the audio / light-emitting control device 81 as a result of the execution of various processes by the main CPU 63, the command is output through the output port of the I / F 101.

[0171] The reading terminal 102 is a terminal for electrically connecting the MPU 62 to a reading device, which is an external device of the pachinko machine 10, and is provided on the surface of the MPU 62 so that the connection terminal portion is exposed. However, as already explained, the main control board 61 on which the MPU 62 is mounted is housed in the board box 60a, and the reading terminal 102 faces the wall of the board box 60a so as not to be exposed to the outside of the main control device 60. Therefore, in order to electrically connect the reading device to the reading terminal 102, it is necessary to open the board box 60a to expose the MPU 62. This makes it possible to prevent unauthorized electrical connection of the reading device to the reading terminal 102. Note that this is not limited to this, and a configuration may also be adopted in which an opening is formed in the board box 60a to expose the reading terminal 102 to the outside of the main control device 60, and the reading device can be electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 without having to destroy the board box 60a.

[0172] The management IC 66 includes a management I / F 111, a management CPU 112, a management ROM 113, a management RAM 114, an RTC 115, a correspondence memory 116, and a history memory 117. These devices are connected to each other via an internal bus 66a provided in the management IC 66 so as to enable two-way communication.

[0173] The management side I / F 111 is an interface for receiving various signals from the main CPU 63 via a group of signal paths 118 for one-way communication built in the MPU 62, and for transmitting various signals to the reading terminal 102 via a group of signal paths 119 for one-way communication built in the MPU 62. Various signals from the main CPU 63 are input to an input port of the management side I / F 111, and various signals to the reading terminal 102 are output from an output port of the management side I / F 111. The main CPU 63 is electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 via a group of signal paths 120 for two-way communication built in the MPU 62.

[0174] The management CPU 112 is an arithmetic processing unit including a control unit and an arithmetic unit. The management ROM 113 is a memory (i.e., non-volatile storage means) such as a NOR flash memory or a NAND flash memory that does not require an external power supply to retain its memory, and is used as a read-only memory. The management ROM 113 stores various control programs executed by the management CPU 112 and fixed value data. The management RAM 114 is a memory (i.e., volatile storage means) such as an SRAM or a DRAM that requires an external power supply to retain its memory, and is used as a read / write memory. The management RAM 114 is randomly accessible, and when compared for the same data capacity, requires a faster read time than the management ROM 113. The management RAM 114 temporarily stores various data and the like in response to the execution of the control programs stored in the management ROM 113.

[0175] The RTC 115 is a real-time clock that constantly measures date and time information and is configured to be able to output the measured date and time information in accordance with instructions from the management CPU 112. The RTC 115 is equipped with a backup power supply, so that it can measure date and time information even when the power to the pachinko machine 10 is cut off.

[0176] The correspondence memory 116 is a memory (i.e., a volatile storage means) that requires an external power supply to retain data, such as an SRAM or DRAM, and is used for both reading and writing. The correspondence memory 116 is used to store information on the correspondence between each of the buffers 122a-122p provided in the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111 and the types of signals input to those buffers 122a-122p. The contents of the correspondence memory 116 will be described in detail later.

[0177] The history memory 117 is a memory (i.e., a non-volatile storage means) that does not require an external power supply to retain data, such as a NOR flash memory or a NAND flash memory, and is used for both reading and writing. The history memory 117 is used to store information regarding balls entering the game ball slot, which is received from the main CPU 63 via the management I / F 111. Details of the contents of the history memory 117 will be explained later.

[0178] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the input port 121 provided in the management side I / F 111. Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111.

[0179] The input port 121 is provided with a plurality of buffers 122a to 122p. Specifically, first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p are provided. Each of the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p can receive one type of signal via signal paths 118a to 118p, and each of the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p stores information of "0" as first data when the signal to be input is at a LOW level, and stores information of "1" as second data when the signal to be input is at a HI level. Note that the relationship between LOW and HI and the first and second data may be reversed.

[0180] A first signal corresponding to the detection result of the first winning opening detection sensor 42a is input to the first buffer 122a. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW level first signal when the first winning opening detection sensor 42a does not detect a new gaming ball, and outputs a HI level first signal for a specific period when the first winning opening detection sensor 42a detects one gaming ball. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level first signal has been input to the first buffer 122a.

[0181] A second signal corresponding to the detection result of the second winning opening detection sensor 43a is input to the second buffer 122b. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW level second signal when the second winning opening detection sensor 43a does not detect a new gaming ball, and outputs a HI level second signal for a specific period when the second winning opening detection sensor 43a detects one gaming ball. This specific period is long enough for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level second signal has been input to the second buffer 122b.

[0182] A third signal corresponding to the detection result of the third winning opening detection sensor 44a is input to the third buffer 122c. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW level third signal when the third winning opening detection sensor 44a does not detect a new gaming ball, and outputs a HI level third signal for a specific period when the third winning opening detection sensor 44a detects one gaming ball. This specific period is long enough for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level third signal has been input to the third buffer 122c.

[0183] A fourth signal corresponding to the detection result of the special electric charge detection sensor 45a is input to the fourth buffer 122d. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW level fourth signal when the special electric charge detection sensor 45a has not detected a new gaming ball, and outputs a HI level fourth signal for a specific period when the special electric charge detection sensor 45a detects one gaming ball. This specific period is long enough for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level fourth signal has been input to the fourth buffer 122d.

[0184] A fifth signal corresponding to the detection result of the first actuation port detection sensor 46a is input to the fifth buffer 122e. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW level fifth signal when the first actuation port detection sensor 46a does not detect a new gaming ball, and outputs a HI level fifth signal for a specific period when the first actuation port detection sensor 46a detects one gaming ball. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level fifth signal has been input to the fifth buffer 122e.

[0185] A sixth signal corresponding to the detection result of the second actuation port detection sensor 47a is input to the sixth buffer 122f. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW-level sixth signal when the second actuation port detection sensor 47a does not detect a new gaming ball, and outputs a HI-level sixth signal for a specific period when the second actuation port detection sensor 47a detects one gaming ball. This specific period is long enough for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI-level sixth signal has been input to the sixth buffer 122f.

[0186] A seventh signal corresponding to the detection result of the outlet detection sensor 48a is input to the seventh buffer 122g. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW level seventh signal when the outlet detection sensor 48a does not detect a new gaming ball, and outputs a HI level seventh signal for a specific period when the outlet detection sensor 48a detects one gaming ball. This specific period is a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level seventh signal has been input to the seventh buffer 122g.

[0187] An eighth signal corresponding to whether or not the open / close execution mode is in progress is input to the eighth buffer 122h. In this case, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs the eighth signal at a low level when the open / close execution mode is not in progress, and continuously outputs the eighth signal at a high level when the open / close execution mode is in progress.

[0188] A ninth signal corresponding to whether or not the high probability mode is in effect is input to the ninth buffer 122i. In this case, the primary CPU 63 continuously outputs a LOW level ninth signal when the high probability mode is not in effect, and continuously outputs a HI level ninth signal when the high probability mode is in effect.

[0189] A tenth signal corresponding to whether or not the front door frame 14 is open is input to the tenth buffer 122j. In this case, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs a low-level tenth signal when the front door frame 14 is closed, and continuously outputs a high-level tenth signal when the front door frame 14 is open.

[0190] An output instruction signal is input to the sixteenth buffer 122p to cause the management CPU 112 to recognize an opportunity to output history information stored in the history memory 117 to the reading terminal 102. In this case, the main CPU 63 outputs a LOW level output instruction signal when there is no need to output history information, and outputs a HI level output instruction signal for a specific period when there is a need to output history information. This specific period is long enough for the management CPU 112 to determine that a HI level output instruction signal has been input to the sixteenth buffer 122p.

[0191] Although the eleventh buffer 122k, the twelfth buffer 122l, the thirteenth buffer 122m, the fourteenth buffer 122n, and the fifteenth buffer 122o can receive signals from the main CPU 63, they are blank buffers that do not receive normal signals in the present pachinko machine 10. In this way, by providing the input port 121 of the management I / F 111 with a greater number of buffers 122a-122p than the number of types of signals output from the main CPU 63 to the management IC 66 in the present pachinko machine 10, the management IC 66 can be used in models other than the present pachinko machine 10. This makes it possible to increase the versatility of the management IC 66. Incidentally, signal paths 118a to 118p are formed between the main CPU 63 and the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p so as to correspond one-to-one to the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p, respectively, but this is not limited to this, and the signal paths 118k to 118o may not be formed between the main CPU 63 and the buffers 122k to 122o to be blanked.

[0192] It was determined at the design stage of the management IC 66 that an output instruction signal will be input to the 16th buffer 122p in the input port 121 of the management I / F 111, and the management CPU 112 can identify that an output instruction signal will be input to the 16th buffer 122p without receiving an instruction from the main CPU 63. On the other hand, the types of signals that will be input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o were not determined at the design stage of the management IC 66, and the types of these signals are identified by the management CPU 112 upon receiving an instruction from the main CPU 63. The identification of the types of these signals by the management CPU 112 will be described in detail below, when control is started in the main CPU 63 and the management CPU 112 in response to the supply of operating power to the MPU 62, and a type identification command is sent from the main CPU 63 to the management CPU 112. In this case, the information on the types of various signals provided by the type identification command is stored in the correspondence memory 116, and when the management CPU 112 identifies the types of various signals while operating power is being supplied, the information stored in the correspondence memory 116 is referenced.

[0193] 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the correspondence memory 116. The correspondence memory 116 is provided with first to fifteenth correspondence areas 123a to 123o in one-to-one correspondence with the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o provided in the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111.

[0194] The first correspondence area 123a stores information indicating that the signal input to the first buffer 122a is the general winning opening 31, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the first buffer 122a. The first correspondence area 123a also stores information indicating that the signal is the general winning opening 31, as well as information on the number of game balls (10) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the general winning opening 31. The second correspondence area 123b stores information indicating that the signal is the general winning opening 31, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the second buffer 122b. The second correspondence area 123b also stores information indicating that the signal is the general winning opening 31, as well as information on the number of game balls (10) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the general winning opening 31. The third correspondence area 123c stores information indicating that the signal input to the third buffer 122c is from the general winning opening 31, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the third buffer 122c. In addition to the information indicating that the signal is from the general winning opening 31, the third correspondence area 123c also stores information on the number of game balls (10) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the general winning opening 31.

[0195] The fourth correspondence area 123d stores information indicating that the signal input to the fourth buffer 122d is the special electric winning device 32, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the fourth buffer 122d. The fourth correspondence area 123d also stores information indicating that the signal is the special electric winning device 32, as well as information on the number of game balls (15) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the special electric winning device 32. The fifth correspondence area 123e stores information indicating that the signal is the first actuation port 33, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the fifth buffer 122e. The fifth correspondence area 123e also stores information indicating that the signal is the first actuation port 33, as well as information on the number of game balls (1) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the first actuation port 33. The sixth correspondence area 123f stores information indicating that the signal input to the sixth buffer 122f is the second actuation port 34, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal. The sixth correspondence area 123f also stores information indicating that the signal is the second actuation port 34, as well as information on the number of game balls (1) that will be paid out when one game ball enters the second actuation port 34. The seventh correspondence area 123g stores information indicating that the signal is the outlet 24a, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the seventh buffer 122g.

[0196] The eighth correspondence area 123h stores information indicating the open / close execution mode as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the eighth buffer 122h. The ninth correspondence area 123i stores information indicating the high probability mode as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the ninth buffer 122i. The tenth correspondence area 123j stores information indicating the front door frame 14 as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the tenth buffer 122j.

[0197] The eleventh correspondence area 123k stores information indicating a blank that does not correspond to any of the signals, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the eleventh buffer 122k. The twelfth correspondence area 123l stores information indicating a blank that does not correspond to any of the signals, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the twelfth buffer 122l. The thirteenth correspondence area 123m stores information indicating a blank that does not correspond to any of the signals, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the thirteenth buffer 122m. The fourteenth correspondence area 123n stores information indicating a blank that does not correspond to any of the signals, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the fourteenth buffer 122n. The fifteenth correspondence area 123o stores information indicating a blank that does not correspond to any of the signals, as information for the management CPU 112 to identify the type of signal input to the fifteenth buffer 122o.

[0198] As described above, by configuring the management CPU 112 to specify what kind of signals are input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o by receiving instructions from the main CPU 63, it becomes possible to use the management IC 66 for models other than this pachinko machine 10. This makes it possible to increase the versatility of the management IC 66.

[0199] Furthermore, instead of outputting information for recognizing the type of signal each time a signal corresponding to the storage of history information is output to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o, information for recognizing the type of signal is output in advance, and information for specifying the type of signal to be input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o by the management CPU 112 based on the output information is stored in the correspondence memory 116. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of information output from the main CPU 63 to the management CPU 112 each time a signal is output, compared to a configuration in which information for recognizing the type of signal is output each time a signal corresponding to the storage of history information is output to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o.

[0200] Furthermore, the information for specifying the types of signals input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o by the management CPU 112 is output when the supply of operating power starts. This allows the management CPU 112 to specify the types of signals input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o when a game is started in the pachinko machine 10.

[0201] Furthermore, the information that an output instruction signal is input to the 16th buffer 122p is set at the design stage of the management IC 66. This makes it possible to omit the process for identifying the type of signal input to the 16th buffer 122p for output instruction signals that are reliably used not only in this pachinko machine 10 but also in other models of pachinko machines that use the management IC 66. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load of the process for identifying the type of such signal.

[0202] Next, a description will be given of the history memory 117 of the management IC 66. FIG.

[0203] The history memory 117 is provided with a history area 124 for sequentially storing history information. The history area 124 contains a plurality of pointer information items set with consecutive numbers, and a history information storage area 125 is set in one-to-one correspondence with each pointer information item. The history information storage area 125 can store a combination of RTC information and correspondence information. Each history information storage area 125 has a data capacity of 2 bytes, with 1 byte of data allocated as an area for storing RTC information and 1 byte of data allocated as an area for storing correspondence information. When it becomes necessary to store correspondence information in response to signals input to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o (actually, the first to tenth buffers 122a to 122j in this pachinko machine 10), the date information and time information currently measured by the RTC 115 are first stored in the area for storing RTC information in the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information currently being written. Thereafter, the correspondence information corresponding to the buffers 122a to 122o that triggered the current information storage is read from the correspondence areas 123a to 123o corresponding to the buffers 122a to 122o in the correspondence memory 116, and the read correspondence information is stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 that corresponds to the pointer information currently being written.

[0204] Specifically, regarding the correspondence information stored in the history information storage area 125, as already explained, signals corresponding to the detection results of the ball entry detection sensors 42a-48a are input to the first to seventh buffers 122a-122g, and therefore, information corresponding to the types of the ball entry detection sensors 42a-48a is stored in the first to seventh correspondence areas 123a-123g in the correspondence memory 116. More specifically, information corresponding to the types of ball entry sections corresponding to the ball entry detection sensors 42a-48a is stored in the first to seventh correspondence areas 123a-123g. As already explained, in this pachinko machine 10, the first to third prize entry opening detection sensors 42a-44a all detect game balls that have entered the general prize entry opening 31, and therefore, the first to third correspondence areas 123a-123c corresponding to these first to third prize entry opening detection sensors 42a-44a all store information indicating that it is the general prize entry opening 31. Further, the fourth correspondence area 123d stores information indicating that it is the special electric winning device 32, the fifth correspondence area 123e stores information indicating that it is the first operating port 33, the sixth correspondence area 123f stores information indicating that it is the second operating port 34, and the seventh correspondence area 123g stores information indicating that it is the outlet 24a. If the buffer 122a-122o that triggered the current information storage is any of the first to seventh buffers 122a-122g, information on the type of ball entry portion corresponding to that buffer 122a-122g is read from any of the first to seventh correspondence areas 123a-123g, and the read information on the type of ball entry portion is stored as is in the area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0205] On the other hand, the eighth buffer 122h receives a signal indicating whether or not the opening / closing execution mode is in progress, the ninth buffer 122i receives a signal indicating whether or not the high probability mode is in progress, and the tenth buffer 122j receives a signal indicating whether or not the front door frame 14 is open. Therefore, the eighth correspondence area 123h stores information indicating the opening / closing execution mode, the ninth correspondence area 123i stores information indicating the high probability mode, and the tenth correspondence area 123j stores information indicating the front door frame 14.

[0206] As already explained, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs the eighth signal at a low level when the open / close execution mode is not in effect, and continuously outputs the eighth signal at a high level when the open / close execution mode is in effect. Therefore, the control CPU 112 can determine that the open / close execution mode has started when the eighth signal changes from a low level to a high level, and can determine that the open / close execution mode has ended when the eighth signal changes from a high level to a low level. When the eighth signal changes from a low level to a high level, or when it changes from a high level to a low level, the control CPU 112 determines that an opportunity to store correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 has occurred. In other words, when the eighth signal changes from a low level to a high level, not only the information indicating the open / close execution mode read from the eighth correspondence area 123h but also the start information are stored in the area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125. In addition, when the eighth signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating the opening / closing execution mode read from the eighth correspondence area 123h but also the termination information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0207] As already explained, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs a LOW-level ninth signal when the high-probability mode is not active and continuously outputs a HI-level ninth signal when the high-probability mode is active. Therefore, the management CPU 112 can determine that the high-probability mode has started when the ninth signal changes from LOW to HI, and that the high-probability mode has ended when the ninth signal changes from HI to LOW. When the ninth signal changes from LOW to HI, or when it changes from HI to LOW, the management CPU 112 determines that an opportunity to store correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 has occurred. In other words, when the ninth signal changes from LOW to HI, not only the information indicating the high-probability mode read from the ninth correspondence area 123i but also the start information are stored in the area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125. In addition, when the 9th signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating the high probability mode read from the 9th correspondence area 123i but also the termination information are stored in an area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125.

[0208] As already explained, the main CPU 63 continuously outputs a LOW-level tenth signal when the front door frame 14 is closed, and continuously outputs a HI-level tenth signal when the front door frame 14 is open. Therefore, the management CPU 112 determines that the front door frame 14 is open when the tenth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI-level, and determines that the front door frame 14 is closed when the tenth signal changes from a HI-level to a LOW-level. When the tenth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI-level, or when it changes from a HI-level to a LOW-level, the management CPU 112 determines that an opportunity to store correspondence information in the history information storage area 125 has occurred. In other words, when the tenth signal changes from a LOW level to a HI-level, not only the information indicating the front door frame 14 read from the tenth correspondence area 123j but also the opening start information are stored in the area for storing correspondence information in the history information storage area 125. In addition, when the 10th signal changes from HI level to LOW level, not only the information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 read from the 10th correspondence relationship area 123j but also the opening completion information are stored in an area for storing correspondence relationship information in the history information storage area 125.

[0209] The history information storage area 125 is provided for a number of times that will enable storage of all the history information generated during ten consecutive business days, during which game balls are continuously shot in the pachinko machine 10 from opening to closing. For example, if history information is generated 60,000 times per day, more than 600,000 history information storage areas 125 will be provided. This makes it possible to store and hold all the history information for at least ten days in the history memory 117.

[0210] The history memory 117 is provided with a pointer area 126 separate from the history area 124. The pointer area 126 stores information that allows the management CPU 112 to identify the pointer information currently being written to in the history memory 117. Specifically, at the time of shipment of the pachinko machine 10, information specifying pointer information of "0" as the write target is set in the pointer area 126. Then, each time a new piece of history information is stored in the history information storage area 125, the information in the pointer area 126 is updated so that the value of the pointer information to be written is incremented by 1. When the last pointer information is to be written and history information is stored in the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the last pointer information, the information in the pointer area 126 is updated so that pointer information of "0" is the write target. As a result, when a trigger occurs to store history information that exceeds the storable number of pieces of history information, the history information is overwritten with new history information, starting with the oldest history information stored in the history information storage area 125.

[0211] Furthermore, when the reading device reads history information from the history memory 117, the history information storage area 125 is cleared to all "0"s, and the information in the pointer area 126 is updated so that pointer information of "0" becomes the write target. This makes it possible to prevent history information that has once been read from becoming the read target again.

[0212] Next, a specific processing configuration for managing the winning status of gaming balls using the management IC 66 will be described. First, a processing configuration for storing information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o provided in the input port 121 of the management side I / F 111 and the signal types in the correspondence memory 116 will be described. Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the recognition processing executed by the main side CPU 63. The recognition processing is executed in step S110 in the main processing (Fig. 11).

[0213] First, "15" is set in a recognition output counter provided in the main RAM 65 (step S501). The recognition output counter is a counter used by the main CPU 63 to identify the remaining number of times information output is required to make the management CPU 112 recognize which type of signal each of the buffers 122a to 122p of the input port 121 in the management I / F 111 corresponds to. As already explained, the 15 buffers, the 1st to 15th buffers 122a to 122o, are the targets for signal type recognition, so "15" is set in the recognition output counter.

[0214] Thereafter, an output process of an identification start command is executed (step S502). The primary CPU 63 outputs various commands to the management CPU 112 to make the management CPU 112 recognize which types of signals the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o correspond to. When outputting these commands, the first to eighth signals input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h are used. That is, the first to eighth signals (i.e., the first to eighth signal paths 118a to 118h) used to instruct the management CPU 112 to store history information are used to output commands to make the management CPU 112 recognize which types of signals the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o correspond to. This makes it possible to reduce the number of signal paths and simplify the configuration compared to a configuration in which a signal path for outputting the commands is provided separately from the signal paths 118a to 118p for outputting signals to the first to sixteenth buffers 122a to 122p. The identification start command has a data capacity of 8 bits, and each bit of data is input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h as the first to eighth signals, respectively. Furthermore, in the output process of the identification start command, the output state of the ninth signal is switched to HI level at the timing when the output of the identification start command is started so that the management CPU 112 recognizes that a new command has been sent. Furthermore, the output period of the identification start command and the period during which the output state of the ninth signal is maintained at HI level are set to be long enough for the management CPU 112 to recognize the identification start command and the output state of the ninth signal. Upon receiving the identification start command, the management CPU 112 determines that it should start processing to store information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the signal types in the correspondence memory 116.

[0215] Thereafter, a type identification command corresponding to the current value of the recognition output counter in the main RAM 65 is read from the main ROM 64 (step S503). In this case, the first buffer 122a is the first to be set as the signal type, and thereafter, the signal type recognition setting corresponding to the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o is performed so that the signal type is set for the nth buffer and then the (n+1)th buffer. Therefore, if the recognition output counter is "15" to "13", a type identification command indicating that it is the general winning port 31 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "12", a type identification command indicating that it is the special winning device 32 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "11", a type identification command indicating that it is the first operating port 33 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "10", a type identification command indicating that it is the second operating port 34 and the number of prize balls is read out; if the recognition output counter is "9", a type identification command indicating that it is the outlet 24a is read out; if the recognition output counter is "8", a type identification command indicating that it is in the open / close execution mode is read out; if the recognition output counter is "7", a type identification command indicating that it is in the high probability mode is read out; if the recognition output counter is "6", a type identification command indicating that it is the front door frame 14 is read out; and if the recognition output counter is "5" to "1", a type identification command indicating that it is blank is read out.

[0216] Thereafter, the control unit 112 executes an output process of the read type identification command (step S504). The type identification command, like the identification start command, has an 8-bit data capacity, and each bit of data is input as the first to eighth signals to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h, respectively. In the output process of the identification type command, the control unit 112 switches the output state of the ninth signal to a high level at the timing when output of the identification type command starts to allow the control unit CPU 112 to recognize that a new command has been sent. The output period of the identification type command and the period during which the output state of the ninth signal is maintained at a high level are set to a period sufficient for the control unit CPU 112 to recognize the identification type command and the output state of the ninth signal. Upon receiving the identification type command, the control unit CPU 112 stores information corresponding to the identification type command in the correspondence areas 123a to 123o corresponding to the buffer currently being set among the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o.

[0217] Thereafter, the value of the recognition output counter in the main RAM 65 is decremented by 1 (step S505), and it is determined whether the value of the recognition output counter after decrementing by 1 is "0" (step S506). If the value of the recognition output counter is 1 or more (step S506: NO), processing is executed to output a type identification command corresponding to the value of the recognition output counter after decrementing by 1 (steps S503 and S504).

[0218] On the other hand, if the value of the recognition output counter is "0" (step S506: YES), an identification end command output process is executed (step S507). The identification end command has a data capacity of 8 bits, and each bit of data is input to the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h as the first to eighth signals, respectively. In addition, in the identification end command output process, the output state of the ninth signal is switched to HI level at the timing when output of the identification end command is started so that the management CPU 112 recognizes that a new command has been transmitted. In addition, the output period of the identification end command and the period during which the output state of the ninth signal is maintained at HI level are set to a period sufficient for the management CPU 112 to recognize the identification end command and the output state of the ninth signal. By receiving the identification end command, the management CPU 112 determines that the process of storing information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the signal types in the correspondence memory 116 has been completed.

[0219] Next, the management processing executed by the management CPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 22. The management processing is started when the supply of operating power to the management CPU 112 is started. The processing speed of the management CPU 112 is configured to be faster than the processing speed of the main CPU 63, and the combination of processing from step S606 onwards in the management processing is executed 16 or more times from the time when one timer interrupt processing (Fig. 12) is started in the main CPU 63 until the time when the next timer interrupt processing (Fig. 12) is started.

[0220] When an identification start command is received from the main CPU 63 (step S601: YES), the value of a setting target counter provided in the control RAM 114 is cleared to "0" (step S602). The setting target counter is a counter that allows the control CPU 112 to identify the types of buffers 122a to 122o for which a signal type is to be set. The first buffer 122a is the first to be set as a signal type, and thereafter the nth buffer and then the (n+1)th buffer are set as signal type settings.

[0221] Thereafter, on the condition that a type identification command has been received from the main CPU 63 (step S603: YES), a correspondence setting process is executed (step S604). In the correspondence setting process, information on the signal type set in the currently received type identification command is stored in the correspondence area corresponding to the current value of the setting target counter in the control RAM 114, among the first to fifteenth correspondence areas 123a to 123o of the correspondence memory 116. Thereafter, the value of the setting target counter in the control RAM 114 is incremented by 1 (step S605).

[0222] If a negative determination is made in step S603, or if the processing of step S605 is executed, it is determined (step S606) whether or not an identification end command has been received from the main CPU 63. If an identification end command has not been received (step S606: NO), the process returns to step S603, and the processing of steps S604 and S605 is executed again on the condition that a new type identification command is received from the main CPU 63 (step S603: YES).

[0223] If an identification end command has been received from the main CPU 63 (step S606: YES), the processes of steps S607 and S608 are repeatedly executed. In step S607, details of which will be described later, a history setting process is executed to store history information corresponding to the type of signal received from the main CPU 63 in the history memory 117. In step S608, details of which will be described later, an external output process is executed to output the history information stored in the history memory 117 to the reading terminal 102.

[0224] Fig. 23 is a time chart showing how information on the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the types of signals input to these buffers 122a to 122o is stored in the correspondence memory 116. Fig. 23(a) shows a period during which commands are output from the main CPU 63 to the control CPU 112 using the first to eighth signals (i.e., the first to eighth signal paths 118a to 118h), Fig. 23(b) shows a period during which the output state of the ninth signal is at HI level, Fig. 23(c) shows an execution period of an identification state during which processing is executed to identify the correspondence between the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o and the types of signals input to these buffers 122a to 122o, and Fig. 23(d) shows the timing at which the correspondence setting process (step S604) is executed by the control CPU 112.

[0225] When the supply of operating power to the primary CPU 63 and the control CPU 112 begins, output of the identification start command using the first to eighth signals begins at time t1, as shown in FIG. 23(a). Also, at time t1, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from low to high, as shown in FIG. 23(b). Thereafter, at time t2, while the output of the identification start command is continuing, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from high to low, as shown in FIG. 23(b). The control CPU 112 determines that a command has been sent from the primary CPU 63 by confirming that the output state of the ninth signal has changed from high to low, and determines the content of the command received from the primary CPU 63 by checking the information in the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h. In this case, since the identification start command has been received, the control CPU 112 makes a positive determination in step S601 of the control process (FIG. 22), thereby entering the identification state. Then, at time t3, output of the identification start command is stopped, as shown in FIG. 23(a).

[0226] Then, at timing t4, output of the first type identification command using signals 1 to 8 begins, as shown in FIG. 23(a). Also, at timing t4, the output state of signal 9 changes from LOW to HI at timing t4, as shown in FIG. 23(b). Then, at timing t5, while the type identification command is still being output, the output state of signal 9 changes from HI to LOW at timing t5, as shown in FIG. 23(b). The management CPU 112 determines that a command has been sent from the main CPU 63 by confirming that the output state of signal 9 has changed from HI to LOW, and identifies the content of the command received from the main CPU 63 by checking the information in the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h. In this case, since the first type identification command has been received, the management CPU 112 executes a correspondence setting process at timing t5, as shown in FIG. 23(d). In this correspondence setting process, information indicating the general winning slot 31 and the number of prize balls therein are stored in the first correspondence area 123a of the correspondence memory 116. After that, at timing t6, the output of the type identification command is stopped as shown in FIG. 23(a).

[0227] Thereafter, from timing t7 to timing t9, from timing t10 ​​to timing t12, from timing t13 to timing t15, and from timing t16 to timing t18, similar to timing t4 to timing t6, the correspondence setting process corresponding to the type identification command output from the main CPU 63 is executed by the management CPU 112. In this case, from timing t16 to timing t18, the correspondence setting process corresponding to the 15th type identification command is completed.

[0228] Then, at timing t19, output of the identification end command using the first to eighth signals is started as shown in FIG. 23(a). Also, at timing t19, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from low level to high level as shown in FIG. 23(b). Then, at timing t20, while the output of the identification end command is continuing, the output state of the ninth signal is changed from high level to low level as shown in FIG. 23(b). The control side CPU 112 determines that a command has been sent from the primary side CPU 63 by confirming that the output state of the ninth signal has changed from high level to low level, and determines the content of the command received from the primary side CPU 63 by checking the information in the first to eighth buffers 122a to 122h. In this case, since the identification end command has been received, the identification state of the control side CPU 112 ends at timing t20 as shown in FIG. 23(c). Then, at timing t21, output of the identification end command is stopped as shown in FIG. 23(a).

[0229] As described above, the configuration allows the management CPU 112 to recognize whether a command is being output using the 9th signal, so that the management CPU 112 can clearly recognize that a command is being output even when the command is output using the 1st to 8th signals (i.e., the 1st to 8th signal paths) used to instruct the management CPU 112 when to store history information.

[0230] Next, a description will be given of a processing configuration for storing history information in the history memory 117. Fig. 24 is a flowchart showing the management output processing executed by the main CPU 63. The management output processing is executed in step S219 in the timer interrupt processing (Fig. 12).

[0231] First, "10" is set to the management target counter provided in the main RAM 65 (step S701). The management target counter is a counter that allows the main CPU 63 to determine whether there are any management targets that have not been identified as targets for determining whether or not the signal output status to the management CPU 112 should be changed in this management output process, and to identify which management targets the signal output status to the management CPU 112 should be changed for. In one management output process, the management targets for which the main CPU 63 identifies whether or not the signal output status to the management CPU 112 should be changed are the seven ball entry detection sensors 42a-48a, whether or not the open / close execution mode is being executed, whether or not the high probability mode is being executed, and whether or not the front door frame 14 is open / closed, a total of 10 targets. Therefore, the management target counter is initially set to "10".

[0232] Then, it is determined whether the signal output state to the management side CPU 112 for the management object corresponding to the current value of the management object counter is at HI level (step S702). If it is not at HI level (step S702: NO), it is determined whether the value of the management object counter is 4 or more, thereby identifying which of the seven ball entry detection sensors 42a to 48a is the management object corresponding to the value of the management object counter (step S703).

[0233] If the determination in step S703 is affirmative, it is determined whether or not "1" is set in the output flag of the main RAM 65 corresponding to the value of the managed counter (step S704). Specifically, if the value of the managed counter is "10" and corresponds to the first winning opening detection sensor 42a, it is determined whether or not "1" is set in the first output flag, if the value of the managed counter is "9" and corresponds to the second winning opening detection sensor 43a, it is determined whether or not "1" is set in the second output flag, if the value of the managed counter is "8" and corresponds to the third winning opening detection sensor 44a, it is determined whether or not "1" is set in the third output flag, if the value of the managed counter is "7" and corresponds to the special power detection sensor 45a If the value of the managed counter is "6" and corresponds to the first actuation port detection sensor 46a, it determines whether the fifth output flag is set to "1" or not; if the value of the managed counter is "5" and corresponds to the second actuation port detection sensor 47a, it determines whether the sixth output flag is set to "1" or not; and if the value of the managed counter is "4" and corresponds to the outlet 24a, it determines whether the seventh output flag is set to "1" or not. As already explained, these first to seventh output flags are set to "1" in the ball entry detection process (Figure 14).

[0234] If the output flag corresponding to the value of the managed counter is set to "1" (step S704: YES), the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter among the first to seventh signals is set to HI level (step S705), and then the output flag corresponding to the value of the managed counter is cleared to "0" (step S706).

[0235] If a negative determination is made in step S703, it is determined whether or not an opportunity has occurred to switch the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter to HI level (step S707). Specifically, if the value of the managed counter is "3", it is determined whether or not a transition to the open / close execution mode has occurred, if the value of the managed counter is "2", it is determined whether or not a transition to the high probability mode has occurred, and if the value of the managed counter is "1", it is determined whether or not the front door frame 14 has entered the open state. If a positive determination is made in step S707, the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed counter is set to HI level (step S708).

[0236] If the determination in step S702 is affirmative, it is determined whether an opportunity has occurred to switch the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the counter to be managed to a low level (step S709). Specifically, if the value of the counter to be managed is 4 or greater and the current managed object is one of the ball entry detection sensors 42a-48a, it is determined whether a HI output duration (specifically, 10 msec) has elapsed since the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the counter to be managed among the first to seventh signals was switched from a low level to a high level. This HI output duration is set in the management-side CPU 112 to a period longer than the longest processing interval of the history setting process (step S607) of the management process (FIG. 22), and is a period that allows the management-side CPU 112 to reliably identify the output state of the signal that switched from a low level to a high level. Furthermore, if the value of the managed counter is "3" and the current managed object is in the open / close execution mode, it is determined whether the open / close execution mode has ended, if the value of the managed counter is "2" and the current managed object is in the high probability mode, it is determined whether the high probability mode has ended, and if the value of the managed counter is "1" and the current managed object is the front door frame 14, it is determined whether the front door frame 14 is in the closed state. If an opportunity has occurred to switch the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed object counter to a LOW level (step S709: YES), the output state of the signal corresponding to the value of the managed object counter is set to a LOW level (step S710).

[0237] If a negative determination is made in step S704, if the processing of step S706 is executed, if a negative determination is made in step S707, if the processing of step S708 is executed, if a negative determination is made in step S709, or if the processing of step S710 is executed, the value of the managed object counter in the main RAM 65 is decremented by 1 (step S711). Then, it is determined whether the value of the managed object counter after the decrement by 1 is "0" (step S712). If the value of the managed object counter is 1 or greater (step S712: NO), the processing from step S702 onwards is executed for the managed object corresponding to the new value of the managed object counter.

[0238] Next, the history setting process executed by the management-side CPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 25. The history setting process is executed in step S607 of the management process (Fig. 22).

[0239] First, the number of buffers to be checked by the management CPU 112 among the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o is set in a confirmation target counter provided in the management RAM 114 (step S801). Specifically, the number of correspondence relationship areas in which information other than information indicating that the correspondence relationship areas are blank is identified among the first to fifteenth correspondence relationship areas 123a to 123o in the correspondence relationship memory 116 is stored, and the information of the identified number is set in the confirmation target counter. As already explained, in this pachinko machine 10, information other than information indicating that the correspondence relationship areas are blank is stored in the first to tenth correspondence relationship areas 123a to 123j, and therefore, in step S801, "10" is set in the confirmation target counter.

[0240] Thereafter, it is determined whether the output state of the input signal from the main CPU 63 to the buffer corresponding to the current value of the counter to be checked, among the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o, has been switched from LOW to HIGH (step S802) by checking whether the numerical information stored in that buffer has changed from "0" to "1." Note that if the value of the counter to be checked is "n," the nth buffers 122a to 122o are the target for checking the numerical information. For example, if the value of the counter to be checked is "10," the tenth buffer 122j is the target for checking the numerical information, and if the value of the counter to be checked is "5," the fifth buffer 122e is the target for checking the numerical information.

[0241] If the determination in step S802 is affirmative, RTC information, which is date information and time information, is read from the RTC 115 (step S803). Then, a write process to the history memory 117 is executed (step S804). In this write process, the pointer information in the history area 124 currently being written is identified by referencing the pointer area 126 of the history memory 117, and the RTC information read in step S803 is written to the history information storage area 125 of the history area 124 corresponding to the pointer information being written. Furthermore, correspondence information is read from the correspondence areas 123a to 123o corresponding to the current counter value to be confirmed, and the correspondence information is written to the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information being written. Furthermore, if the correspondence information is any of information indicating the open / close execution mode, information indicating the high probability mode, and information indicating the front door frame 14, not only the correspondence information but also start information is written to the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information being written. If the value of the counter to be checked is "n," the n-th correspondence area 123a to 123o is the target for reading the correspondence information. For example, if the value of the counter to be checked is "10," the tenth correspondence area 123j is the target for reading the correspondence information, and if the value of the counter to be checked is "5," the fifth correspondence area 123e is the target for reading the correspondence information.

[0242] By executing the write process as described above, if the value of the counter to be confirmed is any of the outlet 24a, general winning port 31, special electric winning device 32, first operating port 33, and second operating port 34, the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information to be written stores as history information a combination of RTC information and correspondence information indicating that it is any of the outlet 24a, general winning port 31, special electric winning device 32, first operating port 33, and second operating port 34. Also, if the value of the counter to be confirmed is any of the opening / closing execution mode, high probability mode, and front door frame 14, the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information to be written stores as history information a combination of RTC information, correspondence information indicating that it is any of the opening / closing execution mode, high probability mode, and front door frame 14, and start information.

[0243] Thereafter, the target pointer is updated (step S805). In this update, the numerical information stored in the pointer area 126 of the history memory 117 is read and incremented by one. It is determined whether the pointer information after incrementing by one has exceeded the maximum value of the pointer information in the history area 124. If the maximum value has not been exceeded, the pointer information after incrementing by one is overwritten in the pointer area 126 as new pointer information to be written. If the maximum value has been exceeded, the pointer area 126 is cleared to "0" so that the pointer information to be written becomes the initial pointer information.

[0244] If a negative determination is made in step S802, or if the processing of step S805 is executed, it is determined whether or not correspondence information for which it should be confirmed whether the signal output has been switched to a LOW level is stored in the correspondence areas 123a to 123o corresponding to the current value of the counter to be confirmed (step S806). Specifically, if the current value of the counter to be confirmed is "8" to "10", any of information indicating the opening / closing execution mode, information indicating the high probability mode, and information indicating the front door frame 14 is stored in the corresponding correspondence areas 123h to 123j, and therefore a positive determination is made in step S806.

[0245] If the determination in step S806 is affirmative, it is determined whether the output state of the input signal from the main CPU 63 to the buffer corresponding to the current counter value to be checked among the first to fifteenth buffers 122a to 122o has been switched from HI level to LOW level by checking whether the numerical information stored in that buffer has changed from "1" to "0" (step S807). If the determination in step S807 is affirmative, RTC information is read (step S808) as in step S803, and a write process to the history memory 117 is executed (step S809). In this write process, the RTC information read in step S808 is written to the history information storage area 125 of the history area 124 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. In addition, correspondence information is read from the correspondence areas 123a to 123o corresponding to the current counter value to be checked, and the correspondence information is written to the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. In addition, not only the correspondence information but also the termination information is written to the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. By executing the write process in this manner, when the value of the counter to be confirmed is either the open / close execution mode, the high probability mode, or the front door frame 14, a combination of the RTC information, the correspondence information indicating either the open / close execution mode, the high probability mode, or the front door frame 14, and the termination information is stored as history information in the history information storage area 125 corresponding to the pointer information to be written. Thereafter, the target pointer update process is executed in the same manner as in step S805 (step S810).

[0246] If a negative determination is made in step S806, if a negative determination is made in step S807, or if the processing of step S810 is executed, the value of the confirmation target counter in the management RAM 114 is decremented by 1 (step S811). Then, it is determined whether the value of the confirmation target counter after decrementing by 1 is "0" (step S812). If the value of the confirmation target counter is 1 or greater (step S812: NO), the processing of step S802 and subsequent steps is executed for the confirmation target corresponding to the new value of the confirmation target counter.

[0247] Next, the manner in which history information is stored in history memory 117 will be described with reference to the time chart of Fig. 26. Fig. 26(a) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to any of the first to seventh buffers 122a to 122g, Fig. 26(b) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to the eighth buffer 122h, Fig. 26(c) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to the ninth buffer 122i, Fig. 26(d) shows a period in which a HI level signal is input to the tenth buffer 122j, and Fig. 26(e) shows the timing of writing history information to history memory 117.

[0248] At time t1, the output state of a signal input to one of the first to seventh buffers 122a to 122g is switched from LOW to HI at time t1, as shown in FIG. 26(a). Therefore, at time t1, history information is written to history memory 117, as shown in FIG. 26(e). Thereafter, at time t2, the signal that was switched to HI at time t1, as shown in FIG. 26(a), is switched to LOW at time t2. However, since this signal is input to one of the first to seventh buffers 122a to 122g and the switching to LOW does not result in history information being stored, writing of history information is not executed at time t2, as shown in FIG. 26(e).

[0249] Thereafter, at times t3, t5, t6, t9, t10, t13, and t14, the output state of the signal input to any of the first to seventh buffers 122a to 122g is switched from LOW level to HIGH level, as shown in Fig. 26(a). Therefore, at each of these times, history information is written as shown in Fig. 26(e).

[0250] As shown in FIG. 26(b), the output state of the signal input to the eighth buffer 122h is HI level from time t4 to time t7. This eighth buffer 122h corresponds to whether or not the open / close execution mode is occurring. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26(e), history information is written at time t4, when the output state of the signal input to the eighth buffer 122h switches to HI level, and at time t7, when the output state of the signal switches to LOW level. In this case, the history information written at time t4 includes start information, and the history information written at time t7 includes end information. This makes it possible to determine the execution period of the open / close execution mode by checking the history information in the history memory 117.

[0251] Furthermore, the history information is written in chronological order to the history memory 117. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish whether or not the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, general winning opening 31, special electric winning device 32, first operating opening 33, and second operating opening 34 is during the opening / closing execution mode. Furthermore, since the history information includes RTC information, it is also possible to distinguish whether or not the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, general winning opening 31, special electric winning device 32, first operating opening 33, and second operating opening 34 is during the opening / closing execution mode by comparing the RTC information.

[0252] As shown in FIG. 26(c), the output state of the signal input to the ninth buffer 122i is HI level from time t8 to time t11. This ninth buffer 122i corresponds to whether or not the high probability mode occurs. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26(e), history information is written at time t8, when the output state of the signal input to the ninth buffer 122i switches to HI level, and at time t11, when the output state of the signal switches to LOW level. In this case, the history information written at time t8 includes start information, and the history information written at time t11 includes end information. This makes it possible to determine the execution period of the high probability mode by checking the history information in the history memory 117.

[0253] Furthermore, the history information is written in chronological order to the history memory 117. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish whether or not the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, general winning opening 31, special electric winning device 32, first operating opening 33, and second operating opening 34 is from the high probability mode. Furthermore, since the history information includes RTC information, it is also possible to distinguish whether or not the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, general winning opening 31, special electric winning device 32, first operating opening 33, and second operating opening 34 is from the high probability mode by comparing the RTC information.

[0254] As shown in FIG. 26(d), the output state of the signal input to the tenth buffer 122j is HI level from time t12 to time t15. This tenth buffer 122j corresponds to whether the front door frame 14 is open or closed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26(e), history information is written at time t12, when the output state of the signal input to the tenth buffer 122j switches to HI level, and at time t15, when the output state of the signal switches to LOW level. In this case, the history information written at time t12 includes start information, and the history information written at time t15 includes end information. This makes it possible to determine the period during which the front door frame 14 is open by checking the history information in the history memory 117.

[0255] Furthermore, the history information is written in chronological order to the history memory 117. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish whether or not the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, general winning opening 31, special electric winning device 32, first operating opening 33, and second operating opening 34 occurred while the front door frame 14 was open. Furthermore, since the history information includes RTC information, it is also possible to distinguish whether or not the history information indicating that a ball has entered any of the outlet 24a, general winning opening 31, special electric winning device 32, first operating opening 33, and second operating opening 34 occurred while the front door frame 14 was open by comparing the RTC information.

[0256] Next, a description will be given of a processing configuration for outputting history information stored in the history memory 117 to a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 of the MPU 62. Fig. 27 is a flowchart showing the data output processing executed by the main CPU 63. The data output processing is executed in step S111 in the main processing (Fig. 11).

[0257] In the data output process, first, it is determined whether or not a connection signal indicating that the reading device is electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 has been received from the reading terminal 102 (step S901). The reading device is configured to output a connection signal when electrically connected to the reading terminal 102, and if the connection signal has been received through the reading terminal 102, a positive determination is made in step S901.

[0258] If a negative determination is made in step S901, the data output process is terminated. In this case, the supply of operating power to the MPU 62 must be restarted in order for the data output process to be executed. Therefore, in order for the history information to be output externally, the supply of operating power to the MPU 62 must be started with a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102. A power control unit for stopping and starting the supply of operating power to the MPU 62 is provided on the back of the back pack unit 15. Therefore, in order to perform these stopping and starting operations, the gaming machine main body 12 must be opened relative to the outer frame 11 to expose the back of the back pack unit 15. Under these circumstances, by configuring the system so that the supply of operating power to the MPU 62 must be started with a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 in order for the history information to be output externally, it becomes difficult for anyone other than the gaming hall manager to read the history information.

[0259] If the determination in step S901 is affirmative, the process determines whether a control information confirmation signal has been received from the read terminal 102, thereby determining whether the current connection of the reading device to the read terminal 102 corresponds to confirmation of the control information (programs and data) in the main ROM 64 (step S902). The reading device is configured to be able to confirm both the control information and the history information. If control information confirmation is selected by manual operation of the reading device, the reading device transmits a control information confirmation signal. If history information confirmation is selected by manual operation of the reading device, the reading device transmits a history confirmation signal. Note that this is not limited to this, and a reading device for control information confirmation and a reading device for history confirmation may be separate. In this case, if a reading device for control information confirmation is electrically connected to the read terminal 102, the reading device transmits a control information confirmation signal. If a reading device for history confirmation is electrically connected to the read terminal 102, the reading device transmits a history confirmation signal.

[0260] If the determination in step S902 is affirmative, an output process for confirming the control information is executed (step S903). In this output process, a program and data are read from the main ROM 64 as control information, and the read control information is output to the read terminal 102. This makes it possible to read the control information in a reading device electrically connected to the read terminal 102, and to confirm whether the control information is authentic or normal.

[0261] If a negative determination is made in step S902, an output instruction signal is sent to the management CPU 112 (step S904). Specifically, the output state of the output instruction signal is switched from a low level to a high level. This high level output state continues for a specific period of time. This specific period is long enough for the management CPU 112 to determine that a high level output instruction signal has been input to the sixteenth buffer 122p. When the output state of the output instruction signal is switched to a high level, processing for outputting history information is executed in the management CPU 112. This processing will be described in detail later.

[0262] When the process of step S903 is executed or when the process of step S904 is executed, it is determined whether the electrical connection of the reading device to the reading terminal 102 continues (step S905). If it continues (step S905: YES), the process waits in step S905. This makes it possible to prevent a process set in the execution order after the data output process from being executed until the electrical connection of the reading device to the reading terminal 102 is released. When the electrical connection of the reading device to the reading terminal 102 is released (step S905: NO), the data output process is terminated.

[0263] Next, the external output process executed by the management-side CPU 112 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 28. The external output process is executed in step S608 of the management process (Fig. 22).

[0264] When the output state of the output instruction signal received from the main CPU 63 is switched from LOW level to HI level (step S1001: YES), processing for outputting history information from step S1002 onwards is executed. Specifically, first, the number of history information storage areas 125 in which correspondence relationship information indicating the outlet 24a is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 is counted to calculate the number of balls that have entered the outlet 24a (step S1002). In addition, the number of history information storage areas 125 in which correspondence relationship information indicating the general winning port 31 is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 is counted to calculate the number of balls that have entered the general winning port 31 (step S1003). In addition, the number of history information storage areas 125 in which correspondence relationship information indicating the special winning device 32 is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 is counted to calculate the number of balls that have entered the special winning device 32 (step S1004). The number of balls that have entered the first operating port 33 is calculated by counting the number of history information storage areas 125 in which correspondence information indicating that the first operating port 33 is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 (step S1005). The number of balls that have entered the second operating port 34 is calculated by counting the number of history information storage areas 125 in which correspondence information indicating that the second operating port 34 is stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 (step S1006).

[0265] Thereafter, by referring to the history information storage area 125 existing in the period between the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating that it is the front door frame 14, the number of balls that entered each of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 while the front door frame 14 was in the open state is calculated (step S1007). The period between the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 is calculated from the RTC information stored in these history information storage areas 125. In addition, in the entire consecutive pointer information, if there are multiple sections between the history information storage area 125 in which correspondence information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored and the history information storage area 125 in which correspondence information and end information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored, the total number of balls entered for each section is calculated. In addition, if there is a history information storage area 125 in which correspondence information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 are stored, but the history information storage area 125 in which RTC information corresponding to a time later than that history information storage area 125 is stored does not store correspondence information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14, all of the history information in the history information storage area 125 in which RTC information corresponding to a time later than that of the history information storage area 125 in which correspondence information and start information indicating that it is the front door frame 14 is stored is treated as if the front door frame 14 is in an open state.

[0266] After that, various parameters are calculated using the calculation results of steps S1002 to S1007 (step S1008). Specifically, first, the number of balls that entered the room while the front door frame 14 was open, calculated in step S1007, is subtracted from the number of balls that entered the room calculated in steps S1002 to S1006. Then, the following parameters are calculated using the number of balls entered after this subtraction: The difference between the number of balls entering the out port 24a calculated in step S1007 and the number of balls entering the port calculated in step S1002 is designated as the number of balls entering the port K1, the difference between the number of balls entering the general winning port 31 calculated in step S1007 and the number of balls entering the port S1003 is designated as the number of balls entering the port K2, the difference between the number of balls entering the special electric winning device 32 calculated in step S1007 and the number of balls entering the port S1004 is designated as the number of balls entering the port K3, the difference between the number of balls entering the first operating port 33 calculated in step S1007 and the number of balls entering the port S1005 is designated as the number of balls entering the port K4, and the difference between the number of balls entering the second operating port 34 calculated in step S1007 and the number of balls entering the port S1006 is designated as the number of balls entering the port K5. First parameter: Total number of game balls paid out (K2 x "Number of prize balls for winning at the general winning port 31" + K3 x "Number of prize balls for winning at the special winning device 32" + K4 x "Number of prize balls for winning at the first operating port 33" + K5 x "Number of prize balls for winning at the second operating port 34") / Ratio of the total number of game balls discharged from the skill area PA (K1 + K2 + K3 + K4 + K5) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D1"). Second parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the general winning slot 31 (K2) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K1+K2+K3+K4+K5) Third parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the special winning device 32 (K3) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K1+K2+K3+K4+K5) Fourth parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the first operating port 33 (K4) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K1 + K2 + K3 + K4 + K5) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D2") Fifth parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the second operating port 34 (K5) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K1 + K2 + K3 + K4 + K5) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D3") Sixth parameter: D1 - (D2 x "number of winning balls for winning into the first operating port 33" + D3 x "number of winning balls for winning into the second operating port 34") Seventh parameter: (K3 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the special electric winning device 32" + K5 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the second operating port 34") / Total number of game balls paid out (K2 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the general winning port 31" + K3 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the special electric winning device 32" + K4 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the first operating port 33" + K5 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the second operating port 34") ratio Eighth parameter: K3 × "Number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" / Total number of game balls paid out (K2 × "Number of prize balls for winning the general winning port 31" + K3 × "Number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K4 × "Number of prize balls for winning the first operating port 33" + K5 × "Number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") ratio Thereafter, the oldest RTC information and the newest RTC information in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 are used to calculate the total time required for all of the history information currently being calculated to be extracted (step S1009). Then, a first output process is executed (step S1010). In the first output process, all of the history information stored in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 is sequentially output to the reading terminal 102. Furthermore, the various parameters calculated in step S1008 are sequentially output to the reading terminal 102, and the total time calculated in step S1009 is output to the reading terminal 102. As a result, the information to be output in the first output process is read by a reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102.

[0267] Thereafter, by referring to the history information storage area 125 existing in the period between the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the opening and closing execution mode, the number of balls entering each of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special power winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 that occurred in the opening and closing execution mode is calculated (step S1011). The period between the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the opening and closing execution mode is calculated from the RTC information stored in these history information storage areas 125. Furthermore, if there are multiple sections within the entire set of consecutive pointer information between history information storage area 125 storing correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode and history information storage area 125 storing correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the opening and closing execution mode, the total number of balls entered for each section is calculated. Furthermore, if there is a history information storage area 125 storing correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode, but the history information storage area 125 storing RTC information corresponding to a time later than that of the history information storage area 125 does not store correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode, all history information in history information storage area 125 storing RTC information corresponding to a time later than that of the history information storage area 125 storing correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the opening and closing execution mode is treated as being in the opening and closing execution mode.

[0268] Thereafter, the number of balls that entered each of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 while the front door frame 14 was in the open state during the period of the opening / closing execution mode specified in step S1011 is calculated (step S1012). The method for calculating these numbers of balls is the same as in step S1007, except that it is based on the period of the opening / closing execution mode specified in step S1011.

[0269] Thereafter, various parameters are calculated using the calculation results of steps S1011 and S1012 (step S1013). Specifically, first, the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a while the front door frame 14 was open, calculated in step S1012, is subtracted from the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a calculated in step S1011. Then, the following parameters are calculated using the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a after the subtraction. The difference between the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a calculated in step S1012 is set as the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a, K11; the difference between the number of balls that entered the general winning port 31 calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls that entered the general winning port 31 calculated in step S1012 is set as the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a, K12; and the difference between the number of balls that entered the special winning device 32 calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls that entered the special winning device 32 calculated in step S1012 is set as the number of balls that entered the special winning device 32. The difference in the number of balls that enter the special electric winning device 32 calculated in step S1012 is designated as the number of balls that enter K13, the difference in the number of balls that enter the first operating port 33 calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls that enter the first operating port 33 calculated in step S1012 is designated as the number of balls that enter K14, and the difference in the number of balls that enter the second operating port 34 calculated in step S1011 and the number of balls that enter the second operating port 34 calculated in step S1012 is designated as the number of balls that enter K15. 11th parameter: Total number of game balls paid out (K12 × "number of prize balls for winning at the general winning port 31" + K13 × "number of prize balls for winning at the special winning device 32" + K14 × "number of prize balls for winning at the first operating port 33" + K15 × "number of prize balls for winning at the second operating port 34") / ratio of the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11 + K12 + K13 + K14 + K15) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D11"). 12th parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the general winning slot 31 (K12) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11+K12+K13+K14+K15) 13th parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the special winning device 32 (K13) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11+K12+K13+K14+K15) 14th parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the first operating port 33 (K14) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11 + K12 + K13 + K14 + K15) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D12") 15th parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the second operating port 34 (K15) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K11 + K12 + K13 + K14 + K15) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D13") 16th parameter: D11 - (D12 x "Number of winning balls for winning into the first operating port 33" + D13 x "Number of winning balls for winning into the second operating port 34") 17th parameter: (K13 × "Number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K15 × "Number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") / Total number of game balls paid out (K12 × "Number of prize balls for winning the general winning port 31" + K13 × "Number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K14 × "Number of prize balls for winning the first operating port 33" + K15 × "Number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") ratio 18th parameter: K13 × "Number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" / Total number of game balls paid out (K12 × "Number of prize balls for winning the general winning port 31" + K13 × "Number of prize balls for winning the special electric winning device 32" + K14 × "Number of prize balls for winning the first operating port 33" + K15 × "Number of prize balls for winning the second operating port 34") ratio Thereafter, a second output process is executed (step S1014). In the second output process, the various parameters calculated in step S1013 are sequentially output to the reading terminal 102. As a result, the reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 reads each piece of information to be output in the second output process.

[0270] Thereafter, by referring to the history information storage area 125 existing in the period between the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the high probability mode, the number of balls entering each of the out hole 24a, the general winning hole 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating hole 33, and the second operating hole 34 that occurred in the high probability mode situation is calculated (step S1015). The period between the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode in the history area 124 of the history memory 117 and the history information storage area 125 storing the correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the high probability mode is calculated from the RTC information stored in these history information storage areas 125. Furthermore, if there are multiple sections within the entire set of consecutive pointer information between history information storage area 125 storing correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode and history information storage area 125 storing correspondence relationship information and end information indicating the high probability mode, the total number of balls scored for each section is calculated. Furthermore, if there is a history information storage area 125 storing correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode, but the history information storage area 125 storing RTC information corresponding to a time later than that history information storage area 125 does not store correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode, all history information in history information storage area 125 storing RTC information corresponding to a time later than that of the history information storage area 125 storing correspondence relationship information and start information indicating the high probability mode is treated as being in the high probability mode.

[0271] Thereafter, the number of balls that enter each of the outlet 24a, the general winning port 31, the special electric winning device 32, the first operating port 33, and the second operating port 34 while the front door frame 14 is in the open state during the period of the high probability mode identified in step S1015 is calculated (step S1016). The method for calculating these numbers of balls is the same as in step S1007, except that it is based on the period of the high probability mode identified in step S1015.

[0272] Thereafter, various parameters are calculated using the calculation results of steps S1015 and S1016 (step S1017). Specifically, first, the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a while the front door frame 14 was open, calculated in step S1016, is subtracted from the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a calculated in step S1015. Then, the following parameters are calculated using the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a after the subtraction. The difference between the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a calculated in step S1016 is set as the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a, the difference between the number of balls that entered the general winning port 31 calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls that entered the general winning port 31 calculated in step S1016 is set as the number of balls that entered the outlet 24a, and the difference between the number of balls that entered the general winning port 31 calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls that entered the special winning device 32 calculated in step S1016 is set as the number of balls that entered the special winning device 32. The difference in the number of balls that enter the special electric winning device 32 calculated in step S1016 is designated as the number of balls that enter K23, the difference in the number of balls that enter the first operating port 33 calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls that enter the first operating port 33 calculated in step S1016 is designated as the number of balls that enter K24, and the difference in the number of balls that enter the second operating port 34 calculated in step S1015 and the number of balls that enter the second operating port 34 calculated in step S1016 is designated as the number of balls that enter K25. 21st parameter: Total number of game balls paid out (K22 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the general winning port 31" + K23 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the special winning device 32" + K24 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the first operating port 33" + K25 × "Number of prize balls for winning at the second operating port 34") / Ratio of the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21 + K22 + K23 + K24 + K25) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D11"). 22nd parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the general winning slot 31 (K22) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21+K22+K23+K24+K25) 23rd parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the special winning device 32 (K23) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21+K22+K23+K24+K25) 24th parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the first operating port 33 (K24) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21 + K22 + K23 + K24 + K25) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D22") 25th parameter: The ratio of the total number of game balls entering the second operating port 34 (K25) to the total number of game balls discharged from the game area PA (K21 + K22 + K23 + K24 + K25) (hereinafter, this ratio will be referred to as "D23") 26th parameter: D21 - (D22 x "Number of winning balls for winning into the first operating port 33" + D23 x "Number of winning balls for winning into the second operating port 34") Thereafter, a third output process is executed (step S1018). In the third output process, the various parameters calculated in step S1017 are sequentially output to the reading terminal 102. As a result, the reading device electrically connected to the reading terminal 102 reads each piece of information to be output in the third output process. Thereafter, a clear process is executed (step S1019). In the clear process, the history information storage area 125 of the history memory 117 is all cleared to "0", and the pointer area 126 is also cleared to "0". As a result, the history area 124 is initialized.

[0273] <Configuration of the special call prize winning device 32> Next, we will explain the configuration of the special electric prize winning device 32. Figure 29 is a front view of the game board 24 showing an enlarged area where the special electric prize winning device 32 is provided.

[0274] As already explained, the special electric prize winning device 32 is provided in the right area PA3 of the game area PA. The special electric prize winning device 32 is provided at the vertically middle position in the right area PA3, and at this middle position, the special electric prize winning device 32 extends horizontally from the right frame portion 36g, which is the right part of the display surface of the pattern display device 41 in the center frame 36a, to the right end portion of the game area PA. By providing the special electric prize winning device 32 so that it extends horizontally, game balls flowing down the right area PA3 will reliably pass through the area where the special electric prize winning device 32 is provided.

[0275] The special electric winning device 32 comprises a passage forming body 201 in which an upstream region of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is formed, an opening / closing member 202 that blocks or allows game balls to enter the fourth discharge passage portion 45, and a guide member 203 that guides the movement of the opening / closing member 202. The passage forming body 201 is integrated with the right frame portion 36g of the center frame 36a, and protrudes forward of the pachinko machine 10 beyond the surface of the game board 24. An upstream region 45c of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is formed in the passage forming body 201 so that an inlet portion 45b exists in the right wall portion 201a of the passage forming body 201.

[0276] The inlet 45b of the fourth discharge passage 45 is open to the right, allowing game balls flowing down the right-side area PA3 to enter. The upstream area 45c of the fourth discharge passage 45 slopes downward to the left in the area continuing from the inlet 45b, but downstream, the path direction changes to guide game balls toward the back side of the game board 24 and downward to guide game balls to the bottom of the game board 24. The outlet of the upstream area 45c of the fourth discharge passage 45 is located on the back side of the game board 24 and is connected to the inlet of the downstream area 45d of the fourth discharge passage 45 provided on the back side of the game board 24. The downstream area 45d of the fourth discharge passage 45 extends vertically downward from the game board 24. With the above configuration, game balls that enter the fourth discharge passage 45 are discharged downward from the back side of the game board 24. As already explained, the fourth discharge passage section 45 is provided with a special electric detection sensor 45a for detecting game balls that have entered the fourth discharge passage section 45 (i.e., game balls that have entered the special electric winning device 32), and the special electric detection sensor 45a is installed in the passage forming body 201.

[0277] An opening / closing member 202 is provided to open and close the inlet portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45. Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the opening / closing member 202, Fig. 31 is a perspective view of the passage forming body 201 and the opening / closing member 202 showing how the inlet portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is opened and closed by the opening / closing member 202, and Fig. 32 is a plan view of the opening / closing member 202 and the special power drive portion 32b.

[0278] The opening / closing member 202 is made of synthetic resin and includes a horizontally elongated base portion 211 with a rectangular outer edge and a predetermined width in the front-to-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10, as shown in FIG. 30 , and a blocking portion 212 that is integrally formed with the base portion 211 and stands upright in the vertical direction at one end of the base portion 211 in the horizontal direction. The base portion 211 has an opening 213 that penetrates the base portion 211 in the vertical direction. The opening 213 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape, and its dimension in the front-to-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10 is larger than the diameter of a gaming ball but smaller than twice the diameter of the gaming ball. The horizontal dimension of the opening 213 is set to be at least several times the diameter of the gaming ball, specifically, larger than five times the diameter of the gaming ball but smaller than six times the diameter of the gaming ball. Although the position at which this opening 213 is formed is biased towards the rear of the pachinko machine 10 in the base portion 211, it is located midway in both the front-to-back and side-to-side directions in the base portion 211, and there is a plate-shaped portion on the base portion 211 around the opening 213.

[0279] A blocking portion 212 is formed in the base portion 211 so as to rise upward from the peripheral edge on the left side of the opening 213. The blocking portion 212 is formed in a plate shape, with a pair of front and back plate surfaces facing horizontally. The area of ​​the plate surface of the blocking portion 212 is set to a size that can block the inflow of game balls into the inlet portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, as shown in Figure 31(a), more specifically, can completely close the inlet portion 45b.

[0280] As shown in Figures 29 and 31, the open / close member 202 is supported by the passage forming body 201 and the guide member 203 in a state in which it can slide in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10. In detail, as shown in Figure 29, the guide member 203 is provided extending laterally from the right end portion of the playing area PA to the front of the passage forming body 201. The passage forming body 201 and the guide member 203 are provided with a slide through hole 221 that passes through the game board 24 in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10. The slide through hole 221 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer edge portion of the open / close member 202 in a front-rear view. The open / close member 202 is inserted into this slide through hole 221, and the open / close member 202 can slide in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10 along the slide through hole 221.

[0281] When inserted into the slide through-hole 221, the blocking portion 212 of the opening / closing member 202 faces a position close to the right plate surface of the right wall portion 201a where the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is formed in the passage forming body 201. The distance between the right plate surface of the right wall portion 201a and the blocking portion 212 is set to be less than the radius of the game ball, but the distance may be arbitrary as long as the blocking portion 212 can block the game ball from entering the fourth discharge passage portion 45. Furthermore, the right plate surface of the right wall portion 201a and the blocking portion 212 may be in contact with each other so that the blocking portion 212 slides on the right plate surface of the right wall portion 201a when the opening / closing member 202 moves.

[0282] The opening / closing member 202 can be moved between a closed position in which the blocking portion 212 blocks the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, as shown in FIG. 31(a), and an open position in which the blocking portion 212 moves further rearward than the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, opening the entrance portion 45b to the right, as shown in FIG. 31(b). Also, as shown in FIG. 32, a special power drive unit 32b is provided on the rear side of the opening / closing member 202 toward the pachinko machine 10 for sliding the opening / closing member 202 in the front-to-rear direction of the pachinko machine 10. The special power drive unit 32b is a solenoid, which is an electric actuator. In a non-driven state in which a drive signal is not output from the main CPU 63 to the special power drive unit 32b, the biasing force of a biasing member 225 of the special power drive unit 32b positions the output portion 226 of the special power drive unit 32b in the protruding position. On the other hand, in a driving state in which a drive signal is output from the main CPU 63 to the special power drive unit 32b, a force pulling the output unit 226 toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 is applied to the output unit 226, causing the output unit 226 to move toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 against the biasing force of the biasing member 225 and be positioned in a retracted position. The tip of the output unit 226 is connected to the rear end of the opening / closing member 202. Therefore, when the special power drive unit 32b is in a non-driving state and the output unit 226 is positioned in the protruding position, the opening / closing member 202 is positioned in the closed position as shown in Figure 31(a), and when the special power drive unit 32b is in a driving state and the output unit 226 is positioned in the retracted position, the opening / closing member 202 is positioned in the open position as shown in Figure 31(b). In addition, since the main body 227 of the special power drive unit 32b is located on the back side of the game board 24 and the output unit 226 is connected to the rear end of the opening / closing member 202, the special power drive unit 32b cannot be seen or is difficult to see from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

[0283] The state of the special power prize winning device 32 when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position and the open position will be explained with reference to Figures 33(a) and 33(b) in addition to Figures 31(a) and 31(b). Figures 33(a) and 33(b) are cross-sectional views taken along line AA in Figure 29. Figures 31(a) and 33(a) show the state when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position, and Figures 31(b) and 33(b) show the state when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the open position. First, the case when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position will be explained.

[0284] When the opening / closing member 202 is arranged in the closed position, as shown in Figures 31(a) and 33(a), the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is closed by the blocking portion 212 of the opening / closing member 202. As a result, when the opening / closing member 202 is arranged in the closed position, game balls are blocked from entering the fourth discharge passage portion 45.

[0285] As already explained, the opening 213 of the base 211 exists to the right of the blocking portion 212, regardless of whether the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position. Furthermore, the guide plate 214, which is an area of ​​the base 211 that is closer to the front of the pachinko machine 10 than the opening 213, has its front end facing the window panel 52 of the front door frame 14 at a position close to the window panel 52 when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position. The distance between the end of the guide plate 214 and the window panel 52 is less than the radius of a gaming ball. As a result, when the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the closed position, even if a gaming ball placed on the guide plate 214 attempts to flow downward from the front end of the guide plate 214, it is blocked by the window panel 52.

[0286] When the opening / closing member 202 is in the closed position, the left end of the guide plate 214 is inserted into a slide through-hole 221 formed in the passage forming body 201 below the entrance 45b of the fourth discharge passage 45 and extending in the front-to-rear direction. In this case, the upper surface of the guide plate 214 slopes downward toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 and downward toward the left. In this configuration, the passage forming body 201 protrudes toward the front of the pachinko machine 10 beyond the surface of the game board 24, and the front end of the passage forming body 201 faces the window panel 52 of the front door frame 14 at a position close to the window panel 52. The distance between the front end of the passage forming body 201 and the window panel 52 is less than the radius of the game ball. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 202 is in the closed position, even if a game ball attempts to move from the left end of the guide plate 214 to the left of the guide plate 214, the path forming body 201 blocks the movement of the game ball. Furthermore, as already explained, the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 not only slopes downward to the left, but also slopes downward toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10, so that when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, a game ball placed on the guide plate portion 214 will move toward the opening 213 due to its own weight and flow into the opening 213.

[0287] As shown in FIG. 33( a), the guide member 203 is provided so as to protrude forward of the pachinko machine 10 beyond the surface of the game board 24, and the forward-protruding portion faces from above the base portion 211 of the opening / closing member 202 when the opening / closing member 202 is in the closed position. A left-side region 232 of this forward-protruding portion, excluding the receiving portion 231 on the right end, extends laterally along the opening 213 of the base portion 211 when the opening / closing member 202 is in the closed position. However, the amount of protrusion of the left-side region 232 toward the front of the pachinko machine 10 is such that the opening 213 of the base portion 211 is not included in the opposing range. This prevents the opening 213 from being blocked by the guide member 203 when the opening / closing member 202 is in the closed position. Furthermore, the front-rear dimension of the left-side region 232 is less than the radius of a game ball, so that a game ball will not run onto the left-side region 232.

[0288] On the other hand, the receiving portion 231, which is located on the right side of the opening 213 of the opening / closing member 202 in the guide member 203, protrudes further forward than the left region 232 in the pachinko machine 10, and its front tip faces the window panel 52 of the front door frame 14 at a position close to the window panel 52. The distance between the tip of this receiving portion 231 and the window panel 52 is less than the radius of the game ball. As a result, even if a game ball placed on the receiving portion 231 attempts to flow downward from the front tip of the receiving portion 231, it will be blocked by the window panel 52. Note that, since the receiving portion 231 is located at the right end of the game board 24, even if a game ball placed on the receiving portion 231 attempts to flow downward from the right end of the receiving portion 231, it will be blocked by a portion of the resin base 21 provided to the right of the game board 24.

[0289] The upper surface of the receiving portion 231 is set so that both the front-rear and lateral dimensions are larger than the diameter of a gaming ball. In this case, as shown in FIG. 33(a), the front region 233 on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 is located closer to the front of the pachinko machine 10 than the opening 213 of the opening / closing member 202, which is in the closed position. A restricting portion 234 is integrally formed on the left edge of the front region 233 to prevent a gaming ball placed on the front region 233 from falling to the left of the front region 233. In addition, the front region 233 slopes downward toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10. Therefore, a gaming ball placed on the front region 233 on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 will move by its own weight to a rear region 235 on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231. The rear area 235 slopes downward to the left, and there is no portion that prevents game balls from flowing down from the left end of the rear area 235 to the left of the rear area 235. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, game balls placed on the rear area 235 on the upper surface of the receiving part 231 will move by their own weight toward the opening 213 of the opening / closing member 202 and flow into the opening 213.

[0290] Next, a case where the opening / closing member 202 is arranged in the open position will be described. When the opening / closing member 202 is arranged in the open position, the inlet portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 is open to the right without being closed by the blocking portion 212 of the opening / closing member 202, as shown in Figures 31(b) and 33(b). This allows game balls to enter the fourth discharge passage portion 45.

[0291] When the opening / closing member 202 is disposed in the open position, the opening 213 in the base portion 211 of the opening / closing member 202 is entirely disposed within the slide through-hole 221, and the guide plate portion 214 in the base portion 211 of the opening / closing member 202 is present to the right of the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45. In this case, as shown in FIG. 33(b), the guide plate portion 214 extends laterally between the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 and the rear region 235 of the receiving portion 231 of the guide member 203. As already explained, the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 is inclined downward toward the left end of the rear region 235, so that a game ball placed on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 moves toward the guide plate portion 214 by its own weight, and the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 is inclined downward toward the left, so that a game ball placed on the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 moves toward the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 by its own weight. In other words, when the opening / closing member 202 is arranged in the open position, a gaming ball placed on the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 or the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 moves by its own weight toward the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45 and enters the entrance portion 45b. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 202 is arranged in the open position, not only is it possible for the gaming ball to enter the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, but the opening / closing member 202 also guides the gaming ball's entry into the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45.

[0292] When the opening / closing member 202 is in the open position, the opening / closing member 202 moves toward the rear of the pachinko machine 10 more than when the opening / closing member 202 is in the closed position, and the distance between the front end of the guide plate 214 and the window panel 52 becomes wider. This distance is greater than the diameter of a gaming ball. Therefore, depending on the direction and speed of a gaming ball flowing down toward the special electric winning device 32 in the right-side area PA3, the gaming ball may enter the space between the guide plate 214 and the window panel 52 and flow down through this space, resulting in the gaming ball flowing down below the special electric winning device 32. In other words, even when the opening / closing member 202 is in the open position, a gaming ball that reaches the position of the special electric winning device 32 may flow down below the special electric winning device 32 without winning a prize therein. However, this is not limited to this, and a protrusion that protrudes upward may be integrally formed over the entire front end of the guide plate portion 214, thereby making it impossible or difficult for game balls placed on the guide plate portion 214 to fall downward from the front end of the guide plate portion 214.

[0293] Next, referring again to FIG. 29, a configuration for making the flow-down pattern of the gaming balls in the right area PA3 a predetermined pattern will be described.

[0294] In the right-side area PA3, upstream of the special electric winning device 32, there is provided a guide means for guiding game balls flowing downstream on the upstream side of the right-side area PA3 to the right end of the special electric winning device 32, more specifically, to the receiving portion 231 of the guide member 203 and its surroundings. The guide means is a guide nail group 241 consisting of a plurality of nails 24b. The guide nail group 241 is formed by arranging a plurality of nails 24b downward to the right so as to create a guide portion that slopes downward from the right frame portion 36g of the center frame 36a toward the receiving portion 231 of the guide member 203. In this case, the distance between the leftmost nail 24b in the guide nail group 241 and the right frame portion 36g is set to be less than the radius of the game ball, and the distance between adjacent nails 24b in the guide nail group 241 is also set to be less than the radius of the game ball. Therefore, the gaming ball that has reached the guide nail group 241 is guided toward the receiving portion 231 of the guide member 203 by the guide portion of the guide nail group 241.

[0295] When the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, the gaming ball guided to the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 is guided by the upper surface of the receiving portion 231 to the opening 213 in the base portion 211 of the opening / closing member 202, as already explained, and flows into the opening 213. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the closed position, the gaming ball that flows down the right area PA3 and reaches the special electric winning device 32 flows into the area of ​​the opening 213 in the base portion 211 closer to the receiving portion 231 and flows downward toward the special electric winning device 32.

[0296] As already explained, the through gate 35 is provided in the right area PA3, and the through gate 35 is located downstream of the special electric winning device 32, near the path forming body 201 of the special electric winning device 32. In addition, a restricting nail group 242 is provided between the special electric winning device 32 and the through gate 35 to ensure that only game balls that flow down from a position near the path forming body 201 of the special electric winning device 32 to below the special electric winning device 32 can enter the through gate 35. This prevents game balls that reach the special electric winning device 32 from passing through the through gate 35 when the opening / closing member 202 is in the closed position.

[0297] On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 202 is positioned in the open position, the gaming ball that has reached the special electric winning device 32 flows down the guide plate portion 214 of the base portion 211 toward the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, as already explained. In this case, if the opening / closing member 202 is maintained in the open position until the gaming ball on the guide plate portion 214 reaches the entrance portion 45b of the fourth discharge passage portion 45, the gaming ball will enter the entrance portion 45b. In contrast, if the opening / closing member 202 is moved from the open position to the closed position before reaching the entrance portion 45b, the gaming ball on the guide plate portion 214 at that time will move toward the front of the pachinko machine 10 in response to the movement of the guide plate portion 214 toward the front of the pachinko machine 10, and will then be guided along the slope of the upper surface of the guide plate portion 214 to the opening portion 213 of the base portion 211 and flow into the opening portion 213. Therefore, when the opening / closing member 202 is moved from the open position to the closed position while a gaming ball is present in the predetermined range X on the guide plate portion 214 near the path forming body 201, the gaming ball flows downward toward the special power winning device 32 at a position near the path forming body 201 and passes through the through gate 35. When the gaming ball passes through the through gate 35, reserved information on the normal side is acquired, and an opportunity occurs to open the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34. In other words, the opportunity for the ball to enter the through gate 35, i.e., the opportunity for the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34 to open, occurs only in the opening / closing execution mode.

[0298] With reference to the time chart in Figure 34, we will explain how winning occurs in the second operating port 34 in the opening / closing execution mode. Figure 34(a) shows the execution period of the opening / closing execution mode, Figure 34(b) shows the open / closed state of the special power winning device 32, Figure 34(c) shows the timing when winning occurs in the through gate 35, Figure 34(d) shows the execution period when the second operating port 34 is open, and Figure 34(e) shows the timing when winning occurs in the second operating port 34. Note that when the normal power opening state is reached, the open state of the second operating port 34 occurs multiple times, but for the sake of convenience in Figure 34, we will explain it as if the open state of the second operating port 34 occurs only once.

[0299] At the timing of t1, the open / close execution mode is started as shown in Fig. 34(a). In the open / close execution mode, as shown in Fig. 34(b), a round game is executed in each period from the timing of t2 to the timing of t3, the timing of t7 to the timing of t9, the timing of t13 to the timing of t15, etc., and the special power winning device 32 is in an open state.

[0300] In each of these rounds, from t2 to t3 and from t7 to t9, when the special power winning device 32 changes from an open state to a closed state at t3 and t9, a game ball is placed on the guide plate 214 of the opening / closing member 202 of the special power winning device 32. When the opening / closing member 202 moves from the open position to the closed position at t3 and t9, and the special power winning device 32 changes from an open state to a closed state, the game ball placed on the guide plate 214 falls into the opening 213 of the opening / closing member 202. The dropped game ball enters the through gate 35 at t4 and t10, as shown in FIG. 34(c). This acquires reserved information from the normal map, and the display of the changing patterns begins on the normal map display unit 38a. Then, as the display of the varying patterns ends, the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34 is opened from time t5 to time t8 and from time t11 to time t14, as shown in FIG. 34(d). As already explained, even a game ball flowing down the right-side area PA3 can reach the location of the second operating port 34. Therefore, by continuing to launch a game ball toward the right-side area PA3 in an attempt to have the game ball enter the special power winning device 32, a winning entry into the second operating port 34 occurs at time t6 and time t12, as shown in FIG. 34(e). As a result, second reserved information is acquired. Since the start of a new game round is prevented during the execution of the opening / closing execution mode, the execution of the win / loss determination process for the acquired second reserved information and the start of a game round triggered by the second reserved information are performed after the current opening / closing execution mode ends.

[0301] On the other hand, in the round play from timing t13 to timing t15, at timing t15 when the special electric winning device 32 changes from the open state to the closed state, there is no game ball on the guide plate portion 214 of the opening / closing member 202 of the special electric winning device 32, or even if there is a game ball on the guide plate portion 214, the game ball does not fall to a position where it can enter the through gate 35. Therefore, there is no winning at the through gate 35 at the end of the round play.

[0302] Thereafter, the opening / closing execution mode occurs at timing t16, as shown in FIG. 34(a). When the opening / closing execution mode ends, the reserved information for the normal map is reserved and stored in the normal map reserve area 65c. As a result, the second operating port 34 begins to open at timing t17, which is the timing after the opening / closing execution mode ends, as shown in FIG. 34(d). This opening period continues until timing t19. During this period, a launch operation is performed to cause the game ball to flow down the left area PA2 or the right area PA3, resulting in a winning entry into the second operating port 34 at timing t18, as shown in FIG. 34(e). In this case, if the upper limit number of reserved information pieces is not reserved and stored in the second special map reserve area 86 at this time, new reserved information pieces are acquired. The second reserved information pieces are then used to execute the win / loss determination process and trigger the start of a new game.

[0303] <Execution mode of opening / closing execution mode> Next, the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode will be described. Figures 35(a) and 35(b) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode.

[0304] As already explained, in this embodiment, the jackpot results include a 2R low probability result, a 2R high probability result, a 4R low probability result, a 4R high probability result, a 6R low probability result, a 6R high probability result, a 10R low probability result, a 10R high probability result, a 16R low probability result, and a 16R high probability result. In each of the opening / closing execution modes that occur when a jackpot result is achieved, the interval between each round of play is set to 3 seconds, as shown in FIG. 35(a). Furthermore, in each of these opening / closing execution modes, the maximum number of prizes that can be won by the special power prize winning device 32 in each round of play is set to 10, and the open duration of each round of play is set to 29 seconds. Furthermore, the special power prize winning device 32 is opened and closed once in each round of play.

[0305] On the other hand, the number of rounds that occur in these opening and closing execution modes differs. Specifically, the number of rounds is set to two for a 2R low-probability result and a 2R high-probability result, four for a 4R low-probability result and a 4R high-probability result, six for a 6R low-probability result and a 6R high-probability result, ten for a 10R low-probability result and a 10R high-probability result, and sixteen for a 16R low-probability result and a 16R high-probability result. The more rounds that are executed, the more balls that enter the special power winning device 32 in one opening and closing execution mode, so a jackpot result with a greater number of rounds that are executed is more advantageous to the player.

[0306] Furthermore, the more rounds of play are performed, the more frequently the opening / closing member 202 of the special power winning device 32 slides between the open and closed positions. As already explained, when the opening / closing member 202 slides from the open position to the closed position, a game ball resting on the guide plate portion 214 of the opening / closing member 202 may enter the through gate 35. Therefore, the more times the opening / closing member 202 slides between the open and closed positions, the more frequently a winning ball enters the through gate 35. A winning ball entering the through gate 35 triggers the normal power device 34a of the second operating port 34 to open. When the second pending information acquired upon a winning ball entering the second operating port 34 is subjected to the win / loss determination process, either a jackpot result or a small jackpot result occurs, ensuring that the opening / closing execution mode is triggered. From this perspective, a jackpot result resulting from a greater number of rounds of play is more advantageous to the player.

[0307] A low-probability result and a high-probability result are set as jackpot results for which the number of round games is the same. That is, a 2R low-probability result and a 2R high-probability result are set as jackpot results for which two round games are played. A 4R low-probability result and a 4R high-probability result are set as jackpot results for which four round games are played. A 6R low-probability result and a 6R high-probability result are set as jackpot results for which six round games are played. A 10R low-probability result and a 10R high-probability result are set as jackpot results for which ten round games are played. A 16R low-probability result and a 16R high-probability result are set as jackpot results for which 16 round games are played. As a result, as jackpot results for which the number of round games that occur in the opening and closing execution mode is the same, there are a low-probability result in which the win / loss lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode is the low-probability mode, and a high-probability result in which the win / loss lottery mode after the opening and closing execution mode is the high-probability mode. Therefore, for the number of rounds of play that occur in the open / close execution mode, there will be jackpot results that have the same degree of profit for the player but different settings for the win / lose lottery mode, and the number of types of jackpot results that players can expect will increase.

[0308] As already explained, in this embodiment, there are three small win results: a first small win result, a second small win result, and a third small win result. In each of the opening and closing execution modes that occur when these small win results are obtained, the upper limit number of winnings is set to 10, as shown in Figure 35(b). Meanwhile, the number of times the special power winning device 32 is opened in the opening and closing execution mode and the duration of opening of the special power winning device 32 for each opening differ depending on the small win result.

[0309] Figure 36 is a time chart for explaining the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode, which is executed in response to a small win. Figures 36(a1), 36(a2), and 36(a3) show the execution period of the opening and closing execution mode, and Figures 36(b1), 36(b2), and 36(b3) show the period during which the special power winning device 32 is open. Figures 36(a1) and 36(b1) show the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode, which is executed in response to a first small win, Figures 36(a2) and 36(b2) show the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode, which is executed in response to a second small win, and Figures 36(a3) and 36(b3) show the execution mode of the opening and closing execution mode, which is executed in response to a third small win.

[0310] In the case of a first small win result, when the opening and closing execution mode is executed from timing t1 to timing t4 as shown in Figure 36(a1), the special electric winning device 32 is opened only once from timing t2 to timing t3 as shown in Figure 36(b1). The opening duration of the special electric winning device 32 in this one opening is set to 10 seconds as shown in Figure 35(b). The game ball firing cycle is 0.6 seconds, and the upper limit number of game balls that can enter the special electric winning device 32 in the opening and closing execution mode is 10, so this opening duration is longer than the product of the game ball firing cycle and the upper limit number of game balls that can enter.

[0311] In the case of a second small win result, when the opening / closing execution mode is executed from timing t1 to timing t20 as shown in FIG. 36(a2), the special power winning device 32 is opened once each from timing t2 to timing t11, timing t12 to timing t13, timing t14 to timing t15, timing t16 to timing t17, and timing t18 to timing t19 as shown in FIG. 36(b2). In other words, in the case of a second small win result, the special power winning device 32 is opened five times. The opening duration of the special power winning device 32 for each opening is set to 2 seconds as shown in FIG. 35(b). The game ball firing cycle is 0.6 seconds, and the upper limit number of game balls that can be won by the special power winning device 32 in the opening / closing execution mode is 10. Therefore, the opening duration for each opening is shorter than the product of the game ball firing cycle and the upper limit number of winning balls. However, the total duration of each opening is longer than the product of the game ball firing cycle and the maximum number of winning balls. Also, the total duration of each opening is equal to the duration of one opening in the opening / closing execution mode in the first small win result.

[0312] In the case of the third small win result, when the opening and closing execution mode is executed from timing t1 to timing t40 as shown in FIG. 36(a3), as shown in FIG. 36(b3), the special power winning device 32 is opened once from timing t2 to timing t21, from timing t22 to timing t23, from timing t24 to timing t25, from timing t26 to timing t27, from timing t28 to timing t29, from timing t30 to timing t31, from timing t32 to timing t33, from timing t34 to timing t35, from timing t36 to timing t37, and from timing t38 to timing t39. In other words, in the case of the third small win result, the special power winning device 32 is opened 10 times. The opening duration of the special power winning device 32 in each opening is set to 1 second as shown in FIG. 35(b). The game ball firing cycle is 0.6 seconds, and the upper limit of the number of game balls that can enter the special winning device 32 in the opening and closing execution mode is 10, so the opening duration of each opening is shorter than the product of the game ball firing cycle and the upper limit of the number of winning balls. However, the total opening duration of each opening is longer than the product of the game ball firing cycle and the upper limit of the number of winning balls. Furthermore, the total opening duration of each opening is equal to the opening duration of one opening in the opening and closing execution mode for the first small win result, and is equal to the total opening duration of each opening for the second small win result.

[0313] As described above, the opening / closing execution mode for each small win result is set so that the fewer the number of openings, the longer the opening duration of each opening. The longer the opening duration of the special power winning device 32, the more likely it is to win a prize in the special power winning device 32. On the other hand, the more times the special power winning device 32 is opened, the more opportunities there are for the special power winning device 32 to switch from an open state to a closed state with a game ball resting on the guide plate portion 214 of the opening / closing member 202, making it more likely to win a prize in the through gate 35. Therefore, with the first small win result, winning a prize in the special power winning device 32 is most likely to occur, but winning a prize in the through gate 35 is least likely to occur. With the third small win result, winning a prize in the special power winning device 32 is least likely to occur, but winning a prize in the through gate 35 is most likely to occur. With the second small win result, winning a prize in both the special power winning device 32 and the through gate 35 is moderately likely to occur. As a result, a player hoping to win the special line winning device 32 will be hoping for the first small win result, and a player hoping to win the through gate 35 will be hoping for the third small win result. This makes it possible to diversify the targets that players look forward to. Also, since there are benefits to each of the first, second, and third small win results, it is possible to increase the player's attention to each small win result.

[0314] In both the second and third small win results, the special power winning device 32 will be opened multiple times, but the interval between each opening is the same at 3 seconds. Also, when the opening / closing member 202 is placed in the open position for 1 second, the game ball can reach the predetermined range X on the guide plate portion 214.

[0315] <General Electricity Control Processing> Next, the processing configuration for switching the second operating port 34 between an open state and a closed state, and the processing configuration for switching the special power winning device 32 between an open state and a closed state will be explained. First, the processing configuration for switching the second operating port 34 between an open state and a closed state will be explained. Figure 37 is a flowchart showing the normal power control processing executed by the main CPU 63. The normal power control processing is executed in step S214 of the timer interrupt processing (Figure 12).

[0316] First, the process of acquiring reserved information on the normal map side is executed (step S1101). In this acquisition process, if a prize has been won at the through gate 35 and the normal map reserved area 65c does not have the maximum number of reserved information on the normal map side, the numerical information of the normal random number counter C4 is stored in the normal map reserved area 65c. In this case, the reserved information on the normal map side is stored in the order of the first area 88a → second area 88b → third area 88c → fourth area 88d.

[0317] Then, the numerical information of the normal map normal power counter provided in the main RAM 65 is read (step S1102), and the normal map normal power address table provided in the main ROM 64 is read (step S1103). Then, a start address corresponding to the numerical information of the normal map normal power counter is obtained from the normal map normal power address table (step S1104), and a jump is made to the processing indicated by the obtained start address (step S1105).

[0318] The normal map normal power counter is a counter that allows the main CPU 63 to grasp which of the processes in steps S1106 to S1110 in the normal map normal power control process should be executed, and the normal map normal power address table is set with a start address in the program for executing each process in steps S1106 to S1110 corresponding to the numerical information of the normal map normal power counter. If the value of the normal map normal power counter is "0", it jumps to the normal map change start process in step S1106, if the value of the normal map normal power counter is "1", it jumps to the normal map change in process in step S1107, if the value of the normal map normal power counter is "2", it jumps to the normal map confirmation in process in step S1108, if the value of the normal map normal power counter is "3", it jumps to the normal power open process in step S1109, and if the value of the normal map normal power counter is "4", it jumps to the normal power closed process in step S1110.

[0319] In the normal map change start process of step S1106, on the condition that the normal map side reserved information is reserved and stored in the normal map reserve area 65c, a process is executed to shift the reserved information of the normal map side reserved and stored in the normal map reserve area 65c. Specifically, the reserved information of the normal map side stored in the first area 88a of the normal map reserve area 65c is shifted to the execution area 89 for the normal map, and then the reserved information of the normal map side is shifted so that the second area 88b → the first area 88a, the third area 88c → the second area 88b, and the fourth area 88d → the third area 88c. Then, the normal power release lottery process is executed using the reserved information of the normal map side newly shifted to the execution area 89 for the normal map as the lottery value. As already explained in this embodiment, there is only one type of support mode. Therefore, the probability of winning the normal power open state in the normal power open lottery process is constant regardless of the game state, such as whether or not the game is in the opening / closing execution mode, and whether or not the win / lose lottery mode is in the high probability mode; specifically, the probability of winning the normal power open state is 9 / 10.

[0320] However, this is not limited to this, and the probability of winning the normal power release state may be higher or lower than this. Also, instead of executing a normal power release lottery process, a configuration may be adopted in which the normal power release state occurs exactly once for one reserved information on the normal side. In this case, it is possible to increase the frequency of occurrence of the normal power release state.

[0321] In the normal map variation start process, when the normal power opening lottery process is executed, a process is executed to start the display of the changing patterns in the normal map display unit 38a. In this case, information on the variable display period for the variable display of the patterns in the normal map display unit 38a is set to a normal map normal power timer counter provided in the main RAM 65. The value set in the normal map normal power timer counter is decremented by 1 each time the timer update process (step S210) of the timer interrupt process (Figure 12) is executed. As already explained, in this embodiment, there is only one support mode. Therefore, the variable display period for the variable display of the patterns in the normal map display unit 38a is constant regardless of the game state, such as whether or not the open / close execution mode is in effect, and whether or not the win / lose lottery mode is in the high probability mode, and is specifically set to 5 seconds. Then, when the variable display of the patterns in the normal map display unit 38a is started, the value of the normal map normal power counter is updated from "0" to "1." As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing of the normal map normal power control process becomes the normal map variation process.

[0322] However, this is not limited to this, and the variable display period of the variable display of the image on the normal map display unit 38a may be longer or shorter. Alternatively, multiple variable display periods for the variable display of the image on the normal map display unit 38a may be set, and the variable display period to be executed may be determined by lottery. Furthermore, in a configuration in which a normal power release lottery process is not executed, but a normal power release state occurs exactly once for one normal power side reserved information, a new normal power release state may be initiated using the reserved information on the normal map side as a trigger, without the variable display of the image on the normal map display unit 38a being executed, when new reserved information on the normal map side is acquired when the normal power release state is not in a normal power release state, or when the normal power release state ends when reserved information on the normal map side is reserved and stored. Conversely, even in a configuration in which a normal power release state occurs exactly once for one normal power side reserved information, the variable display of the image on the normal map display unit 38a may be executed, and the normal power release state may be initiated after the variable display of the image is executed.

[0323] In the normal map change processing of step S1107, a process is executed to update the display of the pattern in the normal map display unit 38a. Also, if the value set in the normal map normal power timer counter of the main RAM 65 in the normal map change start processing is "0", the information on the determination period of the normal map is set in the normal map normal power timer counter of the main RAM 65, and a process is executed to display on the normal map display unit 38a the pattern corresponding to the result of the normal power opening lottery processing that triggered the execution of this pattern change display in the normal map display unit 38a. Then, the value of the normal map normal power counter is updated from "1" to "2". As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing round of the normal map normal power control processing becomes the normal map confirmation processing.

[0324] In the normal map determination process in step S1108, if the value of the normal map normal power timer counter is "0", it is determined whether the result of the normal power release lottery process that triggered the execution of this image change display is a normal power release state win. If the normal power release state win is not a win, the value of the normal map normal power counter is cleared to "0". As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing of the normal map normal power control process becomes the normal map change start process.

[0325] If the normal power opening state is won, processing is executed to set the normal power opening state. Specifically, "3" is set to the normal power opening count counter provided in the main RAM 65. The normal power opening count counter is a counter used by the main CPU 63 to determine the remaining number of times that the normal power device 34a can be opened in the normal power opening state. Numerical information on the open duration (specifically, 2 seconds) when the normal power device 34a is opened once is set to the normal power timer counter. Also, "10" is set to the normal power winning counter. Also, output of a drive signal to the normal power drive unit 34b is started so that the normal power device 34a is opened. The normal power winning counter is a counter used by the main CPU 63 to determine the remaining game balls that can enter the second operating port 34 in the normal power opening state, and the value of the normal power winning counter is decremented by 1 each time a winning ball enters the second operating port 34. Then, when the value of the normal power winning counter becomes "0," the normal power open state is terminated regardless of the number of times the normal power device 34a remains open or the remaining open duration at that time. The value of the normal power counter is then updated from "2" to "3." This causes the process to be executed in the next normal power control process to become the normal power open process. As already explained, in this embodiment, there is only one support mode. Therefore, the number of times the normal power device 34a is open in the normal power open state, the open duration when the normal power device 34a is opened once, and the upper limit number of game balls that can enter the second operating port 34 in the normal power open state are constant regardless of the game state, such as whether the open / close execution mode is active or not, and whether the win / lose lottery mode is the high probability mode or not.

[0326] In the normal power open processing of step S1109, if a win has occurred in the second operating port 34, a value corresponding to the number of wins is subtracted from the value of the normal power win counter in the main RAM 65. If the value of the normal power win counter is "0," the value of the normal power open count counter is cleared to "0," the value of the normal power timer counter is cleared to "0," and the output of a drive signal to the normal power drive unit 34b is stopped to close the normal power role 34a, and the value of the normal power counter is cleared to "0." As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing of the normal power control processing becomes the normal power change start processing. Also, even if the value of the normal power win counter is not "0," if the value of the normal power timer counter is "0," the output of a drive signal to the normal power drive unit 34b is stopped to close the normal power role 34a, and the value of the normal power open count counter in the main RAM 65 is subtracted by 1. Then, if the value of the normal power opening count counter is not "0", the numerical information of the closure duration of the normal power device 34a is set in the normal power timer counter, and then the value of the normal power counter is updated from "3" to "4". As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing round of the normal power control processing becomes the normal power closed processing. If the value of the normal power opening count counter is "0", the value of the normal power counter is cleared to "0" without setting a value in the normal power timer counter. As a result, the process to be executed in the next processing round of the normal power control processing becomes the normal power change start processing.

[0327] In the normal power closed processing of step S1110, on the condition that the value of the normal power timer counter is "0", the normal power feature 34a is opened by starting to output a drive signal to the normal power drive unit 34b, and the numerical information of the open duration (specifically, 2 seconds) when the normal power feature 34a is opened once is set in the normal power timer counter. Then, the value of the normal power counter is updated from "4" to "3". As a result, the processing to be executed in the next processing of the normal power control processing becomes the normal power open processing.

[0328] As described above, by executing the normal power normal power control process, when a winning entry into the through gate 35 occurs, the variable display of the image is performed in the normal power display unit 38a. If the normal power open state is won in the normal power open lottery process, the normal power open state is entered, in which the normal power accessory 34a of the second operating port 34 is in the open state. When the normal power open state is entered and the second operating port 34 is in the open state, it becomes possible for a game ball to enter the second operating port 34, and when a game ball enters the second operating port 34, the second reservation information is stored in the second special chart reservation area 86.

[0329] <Special diagram special signal control processing> Next, a processing configuration for switching the special power prize winning device 32 between the open state and the closed state will be described. Figure 38 is a flowchart showing the special power control processing executed by the main CPU 63. The special power control processing is executed in step S213 of the timer interrupt processing (Figure 12).

[0330] First, a process for acquiring reserved information is executed (step S1201). In the process for acquiring reserved information, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 39, if a winning has occurred in the first actuation port 33 (step S1301: YES), and if the number of first reserved information stored in the first special symbol reserve area 85 is less than the upper limit number of stored pieces (step S1302: YES), a process for acquiring the first reserved information is executed. Whether a winning has occurred in the first actuation port 33 is determined by determining whether the first actuation winning flag in the main RAM 65 is set to "1." As already explained, the first actuation winning flag is set to "1" in step S315 of the ball entry detection process (FIG. 14). Furthermore, if a positive determination is made in step S1301, the first actuation winning flag is cleared to "0."

[0331] In the process for acquiring the first reserved information, the value of the first special symbol reserved counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 to allow the main CPU 63 to grasp the number of unprocessed first reserved information stored in the first special symbol reserved area 85 (step S1303). Incidentally, the display content of the first special symbol reserved display unit 37c in the special symbol unit 37 is adjusted according to the value of the first special symbol reserved counter. As a result, the display content of the first special symbol reserved display unit 37c corresponds to the number of first reserved information stored in the first special symbol reserved area 85. Then, the values ​​of the hit random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in the first storage area of ​​the first special symbol reserved area 85, i.e., the storage area corresponding to the reserved memory number incremented by 1 in step S1303 (step S1304). Then, a first reserved command is sent to the audio / light-emitting control device 81 (step S1305). When the audio and light emitting control device 81 receives the first hold command, it transmits a corresponding command to the display control device 82. The pattern display device 41 displays an image to notify the number of first hold information stored in the first special symbol hold area 85, and upon receiving a command corresponding to the first hold command, the display control device 82 updates the content of the image display to content corresponding to the number of first hold information increasing by one. Note that when a game play triggered by the first hold information is started, the content of the image display is updated to content corresponding to the number of first hold information decreasing by one.

[0332] If a negative determination is made in step S1301, if a negative determination is made in step S1302, or if the processing of step S1305 is executed, a winning entry into the second actuation port 34 has occurred (step S1306: YES). Furthermore, provided that the number of second reserved information stored in the second special symbol reserved area 86 is less than the upper limit number of stored information (step S1307: YES), processing to acquire the second reserved information is executed. Whether a winning entry into the second actuation port 34 has occurred is determined by determining whether the second actuation winning flag in the main RAM 65 is set to "1." As already explained, the second actuation winning flag is set to "1" in step S319 of the ball entry detection processing (FIG. 14). Furthermore, if a positive determination is made in step S1306, the second actuation winning flag is cleared to "0."

[0333] In the process for acquiring the second reserved information, the value of the second special symbol reserved counter provided in the main RAM 65 is incremented by 1 to allow the main CPU 63 to grasp the number of unprocessed second reserved information stored in the second special symbol reserved area 86 (step S1308). Incidentally, the display content of the second special symbol reserved display unit 37d in the special symbol unit 37 is adjusted according to the value of the second special symbol reserved counter. As a result, the display content of the second special symbol reserved display unit 37d corresponds to the number of second reserved information stored in the second special symbol reserved area 86. Then, the values ​​of the hit random number counter C1, the jackpot type counter C2, and the reach random number counter C3 are stored in the first storage area of ​​the second special symbol reserved area 86, i.e., the storage area corresponding to the reserved memory number incremented by 1 in step S1308 (step S1309). Then, a second reserved command is sent to the audio / light-emitting control device 81 (step S1310). When the audio and light emitting control device 81 receives the second hold command, it transmits a corresponding command to the display control device 82. The pattern display device 41 displays an image to notify the number of second hold information stored in the second special symbol hold area 86, and upon receiving a command corresponding to the second hold command, the display control device 82 updates the content of the image display to content corresponding to the number of second hold information increasing by one. Note that when a game play triggered by the second hold information is started, the content of the image display is updated to content corresponding to the number of second hold information decreasing by one.

[0334] After executing the process of acquiring the reserved information (step S1201), the numerical information of the special picture special electric counter provided in the main RAM 65 is read (step S1202), and the special picture special electric address table provided in the main ROM 64 is read (step S1203). Then, a start address corresponding to the numerical information of the special picture special electric counter is acquired from the special picture special electric address table (step S1204), and the process jumps to the process indicated by the acquired start address (step S1205).

[0335] The special picture special power counter is a counter that allows the main CPU 63 to determine which of the processes from step S1206 to step S1212 in the special picture special power control processing should be executed, and the special picture special power address table has a starting address set in the program for executing each process from step S1206 to step S1212 ...

Claims

[Claim 1] A predetermined storage execution means for executing a predetermined storage process so that when a predetermined event occurs as a result of a game, information corresponding to the event is stored in the predetermined storage means, thereby causing predetermined information to be stored in the predetermined storage means; an information calculation means for calculating, each time a predetermined calculation trigger occurs, behavior information corresponding to a game result during a predetermined period using the predetermined information; a result storage execution means for sequentially storing the aspect information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means in a calculation result storage means; Equipped with the result storage execution means includes means for causing the mode information to be stored among the mode information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means to be stored in the calculation result storage means; the state information obtained by the calculation by the information calculation means, which is not a storage target, is not stored in the calculation result storage means; This gaming machine is means for erasing the predetermined information from the predetermined storage means after the information calculation means has completed the calculation of the mode information; a notification means capable of notifying the user of the content corresponding to the aspect information stored in the calculation result storage means; Equipped with When a specific event occurs that stops the game progress control, the predetermined storage process is not executed by the predetermined storage execution means. A gaming machine characterized in that when the supply of operating power is stopped, the notification means terminates the notification of content corresponding to the status information, but when the supply of operating power is resumed, the notification means issues a notification of content corresponding to the status information before the supply of operating power was stopped.

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