gaming machines

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of easily grasping an inspectable state or a playable state.SOLUTION: First notification is executed during a stay period of an inspectable state, a playable state can be set after the inspectable state is started, second notification is executed when it is set after the inspectable state is started, a second game device differing from a first game device is used for the first notification and the second notification, inspection pertaining to the first game device that can be performed in an inspectable state includes one in which the first game device is changed in a first operation mode, and an operation mode of the second game device is maintained even if the first game device is changed in a first operation mode during a notification period of the first notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Generally, pachinko gaming machines are equipped with a large number of devices used for executing games and for producing effects related to the games, and some machines have dedicated states for inspecting these devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-015191 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In gaming machines such as those described in Patent Document 1, the behavior of a device when it is in an inspectable state and the behavior of a device when it is in a playable state have different meanings, and it is preferable to be able to clearly identify which state it is in.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a gaming machine that makes it easy to know whether it is in an inspectable state or a playable state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine that sets a playable state in which a game can be played and a testable state in which a gaming device can be tested, the testable state is a state that can be set after power-on with RAM clear processing, a first notification is executed during the period in which the testable state is set, the playable state is a state that can be set after the testable state is initiated, a second notification is executed when the playable state is set after the testable state is initiated, tests that can be performed in the testable state include setting a first gaming device to a first operating mode, and during the notification period of the first notification, even if the first gaming device is set to the first operating mode, the operating mode of a second gaming device used to execute the first notification is maintained, and in the testable state There is a first period during which the inspection-enabled state is maintained even if an operation is received on a predetermined operation means, and during the first period, the first gaming device starts operating in the first operating mode, and after the first period ends, During the operation of the first gaming device in the first operating mode There is a second period in which the game enters the playable state when an operation is received on the predetermined operation means, and in the second period, When an operation is accepted and the game enters the playable state, the second game device stops the operating mode corresponding to the first notification at the timing of entering the playable state, and then starts the operating mode corresponding to the second notification, and even if a predetermined error state is detected during the period in which the testable state is set, this does not affect the operating mode of the first game device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a gaming machine is provided that makes it easy to know whether it is in an inspectable state or a playable state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device disposed in area II shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in an area III shown in FIG. 1 and the surrounding area. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a game board installed in the gaming machine. [Figure 5]FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a lottery table used in the lottery on the main control board. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a power recovery process. [Figure 10] A figure showing the display mode of the performance display device corresponding to each notification executed by the power restoration processing execution means. [Figure 11] 10 is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when a testable state is set and then a playable state is set in the power recovery process. [Figure 12] 10 is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when a playable state is set without passing through an inspection-enabled state during power recovery processing. [Figure 13] This is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when a testable state is set and then a playable state is set during power recovery processing, and the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while checking the operation of the solenoid. [Figure 14] This is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when a testable state is set and then a playable state is set during power recovery processing, and an error is detected in the testable state. [Figure 15] This is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when a playable state is set without going through an inspectionable state during power recovery processing and an error is detected in the playable state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted where appropriate. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" refer to the gaming machine 10 as viewed from the front side (player side) as shown in FIG. 1. In the following explanation, "advantageous" refers to being advantageous to the player, and further, unless otherwise specified, refers to being advantageous in terms of the amount of prize balls or medals won (payout of game balls or medals), excluding special bonuses such as so-called premium images.

[0010] <Summary> Before describing the details of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, an overview of the features of this embodiment will be given. The gaming machine 10 is a so-called pachinko gaming machine that can shoot gaming balls, can win prize balls when the gaming balls enter the prize slots, and can execute RAM clear processing when the power is turned on. The gaming machine 10 includes multiple gaming devices and a state management means.

[0011] The above-mentioned gaming device is a general term for various devices (apparatuses) used in games. In this embodiment, at least the movable body 22, the speaker 33, the effect lamp 35, the board decoration lamp 30, the normal electric role solenoid 62, the special electric role solenoid 66, the effect display device 80, and the pattern display device 90, as well as the components contained therein, are described as corresponding to the gaming device, but the gaming device in the implementation of the present invention is not limited to these.

[0012] The status management means sets a playable state and an inspectable state. In this embodiment, the status management means is a function realized by the main control board 100, and specifically corresponds to the power recovery process execution means 180. However, in carrying out the present invention, the board that realizes the status management means does not necessarily have to be the main control board, and may be realized by another board.

[0013] The above-mentioned testable state is a state in which the first gaming device among the multiple gaming devices can be tested, and can be set after power-on with RAM clear processing, and the first notification is executed during the testable state. The playable state is a state in which a game can be played, and is a state that can be set after the inspection-enabled state has started, and the second notification is executed when the inspection-enabled state is set after the inspection-enabled state has started. The playable state in this embodiment corresponds to the period in which a pattern change is performed, the period in which a big win game is performed, the period in which a small win game is performed, and the period in which these are stopped or in standby. A second gaming device different from the first gaming device is used for the first notification and the second notification.

[0014] The first gaming device is a gaming device that is to be inspected in an inspectable state, and the second gaming device is a gaming device that is not to be inspected in an inspectable state. The number of gaming devices corresponding to the first gaming device and the second gaming device is not particularly limited, and each may be one or more. The first gaming device in this embodiment will be described below as corresponding to the normal electric role solenoid 62, the special electric role solenoid 66, and the symbol display device 90. The second gaming device in this embodiment will be described below as corresponding to the speaker 33, the effect lamp 35, and the effect display device 80. In this embodiment, the following description will be given assuming that the board decorative lamp 30 is a gaming device (third gaming device) that does not correspond to either the first gaming device or the second gaming device. It should be noted that the above classification of gaming devices (first gaming device, second gaming device, third gaming device) is merely a specific example and can be changed as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0015] The gaming machine 10 is characterized in that the inspection of the first gaming device that can be performed in an inspectable state includes changing the first gaming device to a first operating mode, and even if the first gaming device changes to the first operating mode during the notification period of the first notification, the operating mode of the second gaming device is maintained. Here, "the first gaming device changes in a first operating mode" means that the first gaming device changes in an operating mode (first operating mode) corresponding to the test related to the first gaming device. In addition, "the operating mode of the second gaming device is maintained" means that the operating mode of the second gaming device is constant, and also includes continuously changing in an operating mode that is not dependent on changes in the first gaming device (for example, if the second gaming device is a lamp, repeating a predetermined lighting pattern).

[0016] Because the gaming machine 10 has the above-described features, it can clearly distinguish between an inspection-enabled state and a playable state and notify the state, allowing hall staff and others to reliably recognize the state of the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0017] <Structure of the gaming machine 10> First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, Figure 2 is a diagram showing a pattern display device 90 arranged in area II shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing a group of operation buttons arranged in area III shown in Figure 1 and their surroundings, Figure 4 is a diagram showing a gaming board 50 installed within the gaming machine 10, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. 1 to 5 are merely those necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and configurations and functions not shown here may be added to the gaming machine 10. Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the configurations shown here, and some configurations or functions may be omitted as long as they do not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0018] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, in which gaming balls are shot into a front area (hereinafter referred to as "gaming area 50a") of a gaming board 50 on which a large number of gaming nails (not shown) are erected, and a prize ball is obtained when the gaming ball enters a prize opening (for example, a big prize opening 55, etc.). In the following description, the entry of a gaming ball into a prize opening may be simply expressed as "entering (a prize opening)."

[0019] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 is capable of firing gaming balls and awarding prize balls based on the entry of the gaming balls into the winning slots.

[0020] The gaming machine 10 comprises a rectangular outer frame 15 that opens at the front and rear, a middle frame 17 that detachably holds a gaming board 50 on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 15, and a front frame 20 that is configured to cover the front side of the gaming board 50.

[0021] The middle frame 17 is supported so as to be rotatable about its left end by a hinge mechanism (not shown) on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, and can be opened and closed in front of the outer frame 15. The middle frame 17 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the front frame (to the right in this embodiment)). In this embodiment, a middle frame open door sensor 76 is provided to detect whether the middle frame 17 is in an open state. The middle frame open door sensor 76 is ON when the middle frame 17 is in an open state, and is OFF when the middle frame 17 is in a closed state.

[0022] The front frame 20 is supported by a hinge mechanism 21 so as to be rotatable around the left end side, and can be opened and closed relative to the middle frame 17. The front frame 20 can be locked and unlocked by a cylinder lock 23 (by inserting a door key into the cylinder lock 23 and turning the door key in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (left in this embodiment)). In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with a transparent member 25 arranged to cover the playing area 50a, and the transparent member 25 protects the playing area 50a and the playing board 50 from view. The front frame 20 also has an upper ball tray 28 and a lower ball tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball tray 28 and the lower ball tray 29 are spaced apart from each other vertically and are formed integrally with the front frame 20. In addition, the front frame 20 is provided with an operating handle 31 on the right side of the lower ball tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 28 are launched toward the game area 50a.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player is located on the top surface of the upper ball tray 28. This group of operation buttons includes a main operation unit 39 electrically connected to the main control board 100 (described later), which includes a ball loan button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting a prepaid card return operation. The operation units electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200 (described later), which include an effect button 37 for switching effects occurring during play or accepting player operations to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) for instructing up, down, left, and right operations, respectively. Each operation unit is equipped with a sensor for detecting operation, and the connected control board detects the operation of each operation unit by changes in the detection state of the sensor. These operation units are located on the front side of the gaming board 50. In addition, the up cursor button 38a and the down cursor button 38b are operated to adjust the volume of the sound output from the speaker 33 described later, and the left cursor button 38c and the right cursor button 38d are operated to adjust the brightness of the performance lamp 35 and the performance display device 80 described later.

[0024] A ball ejection mechanism 36 is provided below the lower ball tray 29 to eject the game balls stored in the lower ball tray 29 downward. By operating this ball ejection mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally through the bottom opening and are ejected. Although not shown in the figure, the upper ball tray 28 is provided with a mechanism that, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, can be operated to move the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29, and by operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, it is possible to discharge the stored balls.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, a pair of speakers 33 (33a, 33b) are disposed on the left and right sides of the upper frame portion 32 of the front frame 20. The upper frame portion 32 and the left and right side frame portions 34a, 34b of the front frame 20 are formed with light-transmitting covers, and effect lamps 35 (35a, 35b, 35c) are disposed inside the covers, respectively. The speaker 33 and effect lamps 35 can output sound or turn on or off in conjunction with effects or error effects that occur during play.

[0026] The effect display device 80 is a liquid crystal display device arranged approximately in the center of the game board 50, and can display the changing display of decorative patterns that is performed in conjunction with the changing display in the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 described below, and can also display various other effects.

[0027] In the variable display of decorative symbols displayed on the performance display device 80, the displayed decorative symbols form three symbol rows. The direction of the variable display of each symbol row is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, up and down, left and right, depth, or a combination of these (diagonal direction). Here, the depth direction refers to the virtual direction perceived by the player in a display mode that uses a method (for example, perspective) that makes the player perceive the decorative pattern as if it is changing from the back of the performance display device 80 to the front or vice versa, even though it is actually a planar changing display on the display screen of the performance display device 80. In addition, the decorative symbols in this embodiment include a "1 symbol" imitating the number "1," a "2 symbol" imitating the number "2," a "3 symbol" imitating the number "3," a "4 symbol" imitating the number "4," a "5 symbol" imitating the number "5," a "6 symbol" imitating the number "6," a "7 symbol" imitating the number "7," an "8 symbol" imitating the number "8," and a "9 symbol" imitating the number "9," and these symbols are provided in each symbol row. In the following description, the "1 symbol," "3 symbol," "5 symbol," "7 symbol," and "9 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "odd number symbols," and the "2 symbol," "4 symbol," "6 symbol," and "8 symbol" may be collectively referred to as "even number symbols."

[0028] In this embodiment, a liquid crystal display device is used as the performance display device 80, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of display devices such as a drum type or a dot matrix type can be used as the performance display device 80.

[0029] A plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as "LEDs") are arranged on the lower right side of the performance display device 80, and these LEDs form the display area of ​​the pattern display device 90, which displays special patterns and normal patterns. In addition, the pattern display device 90 is disposed in a position that is more difficult for the player to see than the effect display device 80, and the display area of ​​the pattern display device 90 is smaller than the display area of ​​the effect display device 80. In addition, the arrangement and number of LEDs for the pattern display device 90 in this embodiment are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs for the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

[0030] The special symbols are symbols that are stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a special electric device (for example, special electric device 65). The special symbols in this embodiment include a first special symbol displayed on first special symbol display device 91 and a second special symbol displayed on second special symbol display device 92. The special design may be abbreviated as "Special Design", the first special design as "Special Design 1", and the second special design as "Special Design 2".

[0031] The normal symbol is a symbol that is stopped and displayed as a result of a symbol change that determines whether or not to activate a normal electric device (for example, normal electric device 61). The normal symbol in this embodiment is displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. In addition, normal patterns are sometimes abbreviated as "Fuzu", and normal electric devices are sometimes called "Denchu".

[0032] In addition to the above-mentioned display devices, the symbol display device 90 is provided with a first special symbol reservation lamp 94, a second special symbol reservation lamp 95, and a normal symbol reservation lamp 96. The first special pattern reserve lamp 94 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 1, the second special pattern reserve lamp 95 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved special pattern 2, and the normal pattern reserve lamp 96 makes it possible to identify the number of pattern variations of reserved normal patterns, and in each case, the number of corresponding pattern variations can be identified by the lighting state of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right always lit only = 1, left and right always lit = 2, right flashing + left always lit = 3, left and right flashing = 4).

[0033] In the following explanation, the pattern change in which the first special pattern display device 91 or the second special pattern display device 92 displays a changing special pattern and then stops displaying the special pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the special pattern,'' and in the following explanation, the pattern change in which the normal pattern display device 93 displays a changing special pattern and then stops displaying the normal pattern will be referred to as the ``pattern change of the normal pattern.'' In addition, in the following explanation, the display of the decorative pattern changes displayed on the above-mentioned performance display device 80 may be referred to as "decorative pattern changes" to distinguish it from "special pattern pattern changes" and "regular pattern pattern changes." In the following explanation, when simply referring to "pattern change," it means the pattern change of the special design unless otherwise specified.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, obstacles such as numerous game pegs (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative elements are placed on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining a game area 50a in which the game balls that are shot out roll. Additionally, on the left and upper sides of the play area 50a, there are arranged a curved outer rail 51 and an inner rail 53 for guiding the game balls launched by rotating the operating handle 31 to the upper part of the play area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with the center of the play area 50a as the reference point. Here, the pinwheel 52 is a nail-shaped mechanism for changing the direction in which the game balls fall.

[0035] The gaming machine 10 is capable of varying the strength of the game ball's launch depending on the amount of rotation (e.g., rotation angle) of the operating handle 31, and various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a to make the game ball roll along either the first flow path X (so-called left-hand hit), in which a game ball that is launched more weakly rolls, or the second flow path Y (so-called right-hand hit), in which a game ball that is launched more strongly rolls.

[0036] Figure 4 shows the main prize openings as large prize opening 55, first start opening 57, second start opening 59, gate 63, and general prize opening 67, but the number and arrangement of the prize openings shown are examples, and the number and arrangement may be changed as appropriate as long as they fulfill the roles described below.

[0037] The large prize opening 55 is located in the lower right corner of the game area 50a. A large prize opening sensor 72 is attached to the large prize opening 55, and a prize ball is determined to have been won in the large prize opening 55 based on the detection result of the large prize opening sensor 72, and the number of prize balls (15 balls) associated with the large prize opening 55 is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the big prize opening 55 when rolling from the second flow path Y compared to when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0038] A special electric device 65 is disposed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric device 65 is a member that can be switched between an open state, which makes it easy to win a prize in the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, which makes it difficult to win a prize, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a special electric device solenoid 66.

[0039] The special electric device 65 is in an open state in at least a part of the jackpot game that is set due to the jackpot being derived by the special chart hit / miss determination described later, and accordingly, entry into the large prize winning hole 55 is permitted. In this way, when the special electric device 65 is in an open state, it is easier to win a prize in the large prize winning hole 55, and the jackpot game in which the chances of winning prize balls are greatly increased can be said to be an advantageous game state. Furthermore, in a jackpot game, the special electric device 65 is alternately set to an open state and a closed state. One open state (sometimes referred to as a "round," and the total number of rounds occurring in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls enter the large prize opening 55, and the special electric device 65 enters a closed state. One open state also ends when a sufficient time (30 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed for the predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize opening 55. Here, when the special electric device 65 is set from the open state to the closed state based on the entry of 10 game balls in one round, it cannot immediately return to the closed state. Therefore, there may be cases where more than 10 game balls enter the large prize opening 55 in one round, and such a win may be referred to as an over-win.

[0040] In this embodiment, a specific area (not shown) is provided within the large prize opening 55, and a detection sensor (not shown) is provided in the specific area. This detection sensor detects that the gaming ball has passed through the specific area. Hereinafter, the specific area will be referred to as a V prize area, and the passing of the gaming ball through the V prize area will be referred to as a V prize.

[0041] In addition, the special electric device 65 is also in an open state in at least a part of the small win game caused by the small win being derived by the special winning / losing judgment. In this embodiment, the time in the open state is set shorter than that in the big win game. Therefore, the small win game can be said to be a game state that is less favorable than the big win game.

[0042] The first starting hole 57 is located at the bottom center of the game area 50a. A first starting hole sensor 70 is attached to the first starting hole 57, and the detection result of the first starting hole sensor 70 determines whether a ball has entered the first starting hole 57, and the number of prize balls associated with the first starting hole 57 (4 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a ball has entered the first starting hole 57, the pattern of special image 1 is changed. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the first starting hole 57 when rolling from the first flow path X than when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[0043] The second starting hole 59 is located in the lower right of the play area 50a. A second starting hole sensor 71 is attached to the second starting hole 59, and the detection result of the second starting hole sensor 71 determines whether a ball has entered the second starting hole 59, and the number of prize balls associated with the second starting hole 59 (1 in this embodiment) is awarded. In at least some cases where a winning entry into the second starting port 59 is determined, the pattern of special chart 2 will change. In addition, in the game area 50a of this embodiment, obstacles such as game nails are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the second starting hole 59 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0044] A normal electric device 61 is disposed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The normal electric device 61 is a member that can be switched between an open state, which makes it easy for a game ball to enter the second starting port 59, and a closed state, which makes it difficult for the ball to enter, and is switched to either the open state or the closed state by a normal electric device solenoid 62. More specifically, the normal electric device 61 is in an open state during at least a portion of the normal winning game that is performed by winning the normal pattern variation, and this allows entry into the second starting hole 59. In this way, when the normal electric device 61 is in an open state, it becomes easier to enter the second starting hole 59, so the opportunity for the pattern variation of the special pattern 2 to be executed can be greatly increased while suppressing the decrease in game balls due to the prize balls. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the special electric accessory 65 is located downstream of the normal electric accessory 61 in the second flow path Y.

[0045] The gate 63 is located in the center right of the gaming area 50a. A gate sensor 74 is attached to the gate 63, and the passage of a gaming ball through the gate 63 (this case may also be referred to as winning) is determined based on the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least some cases where a winning at the gate 63 is determined, a normal symbol variation is performed. In this embodiment, no prize balls are awarded even if a winning at the gate 63 is determined. In addition, in this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the gate 63 when rolling from the second flow path Y than when rolling from the first flow path X.

[0046] The general winning openings 67 (67a, 67b) are located in the lower left of the game area 50a. A general winning opening sensor 73 is attached to the general winning opening 67, and a winning ball at the general winning opening 67 is determined based on the detection result of the general winning opening sensor 73, and a predetermined number of prize balls (four in this embodiment) are awarded for the winning ball at the general winning opening 67. More specifically, a general winning opening sensor 73a (not shown) is attached to the general winning opening 67a, and a general winning opening sensor 73b (not shown) is attached to the general winning opening 67b. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the first flow path X compared to when rolling from the second flow path Y, but the obstacles may also be arranged so that more game balls roll toward the general winning opening 67 when rolling from the second flow path Y.

[0047] The outlet 69 is located at the bottom of the game area 50a. A game ball that is shot into the game area 50a and does not enter any of the winning holes described above falls into the outlet 69 and is treated as an out ball.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of movable bodies 22 are provided on the front of the game board, and are used for effects together with effect images displayed on the effect display device 80 and audio data output from the speaker 33. In this embodiment, an upper movable body 22a is provided above the performance display device 80 provided on the game board, and left and right movable bodies 22b are provided on the left and right sides of the performance display device 80, and are driven and controlled to a predetermined position based on a special chart variation pattern, the details of which will be described later.

[0049] An upper movable internal lamp 24a is provided inside the upper movable body 22a, and left and right movable internal lamps 24b are provided inside the left and right movable bodies 22b. The upper movable internal lamp 24a and the left and right movable internal lamps 24b use full-color LEDs. 4, the front of the game board 50 is provided with decorative board lamps 30 (30a, 30b) that are used for effects along with effect images displayed on the effect display device 80 and audio data output from the speaker 33. The decorative board lamps 30 use full-color LEDs.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the back of the game board 50 is equipped with a main control board case 109 which stores the main control board 100, a first sub-control board case 209 which stores the first sub-control board 200, a second sub-control board case 309 which stores the second sub-control board 300, a power supply control board case 509 which stores the power supply control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 which stores the payout control board 400, and in addition to the back of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an open / close cover 45 which covers part of the back of the main control board case 109 is attached in a removable manner. The substrate cases and covers that cover the substrates are made of transparent materials, and the corresponding substrates can be seen through the cases and covers.

[0051] The power supply control board 500 is provided with a power supply switch 40 and a RAM clear switch 43 that are operated to supply primary power supplied from the power supply equipment of the gaming island to the gaming machine 10. The RAM clear switch 43 is a switch that is operated to instruct a RAM clear process (described later) and to terminate the testable state according to the present invention. The RAM clear switch 43 is electrically connected to a RAM clear switch circuit 504. When installed on a game island, it is difficult to operate the various operating sections (power switch 40, RAM clear switch 43, etc.) located on the back side of the game board 50 unless the middle frame 17 is opened.

[0052] Additionally, a game ball tank 46 for storing game balls supplied from the ball supply equipment of the game island is disposed on the back of the game board 50, above the opening / closing cover 45. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 leading to the upper ball tray 28 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48, and the balls paid out by the payout unit 48 are paid out through the payout passage 49 to the upper ball tray 28.

[0053] So far, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but this is only one specific example, and the present invention can also be implemented with other configurations.

[0054] <Regarding the control configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, a control configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the control configuration shown in Fig. 6 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may also have a control configuration not shown in Fig. 6.

[0055] The main control board 100 is equipped with a CPU 101 that performs various calculations related to the game, a ROM 102 that stores data such as control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 103 that functions as a work area and buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, an I / O port 104 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and a random number circuit 105 that operates in a system separate from the program processing by the CPU 101 and generates random numbers (hard random numbers), and these are connected to each other via an internal bus.

[0056] The CPU 101 reads out various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs arithmetic processing to execute various processes related to the main control of the game. The RAM 103 is backed up by a backup power supply generated in a backup power supply circuit 502, which will be described later. Specifically, among the information stored in the RAM 103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored after a power outage, the data can be used to restore the gaming machine 10 to the state it was in immediately before the power outage. For example, in addition to data such as a stack pointer and each register that was held when the power outage occurred, information related to the game, such as the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time, the current special symbol lottery state, the current normal symbol lottery state, whether a jackpot game is in progress, the stopped symbols of special symbol 1 and special symbol 2, pending information on symbol changes, and the number of rounds of play in a jackpot game, is backed up.

[0057] In this embodiment, at least the area in which such information related to the game is stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related area of ​​RAM103) and the area in which the complement of the checksum and the backup flag related to the game-related area of ​​RAM103 are stored (sometimes referred to as the game-related backup information area of ​​RAM103) are backed up. Then, when power is restored, the gaming machine 10 recovers using the various pieces of information stored in the backed-up area of ​​the RAM 103 related to games and the backup information area of ​​the RAM 103 related to games.

[0058] The specific method of backup in this embodiment is not limited in any way. For example, the area of ​​RAM 103 to be backed up may be configured to be able to retain data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage. As another example, within RAM 103, different hardware may be provided for a first memory configured to retain data in a non-volatile manner even in a power outage and a second memory referenced during operation of the gaming machine 10. In this case, the gaming machine 10 may save the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when power is lost, and then recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when power is restored.

[0059] In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first start port sensor 70, the second start port sensor 71, the large prize port sensor 72, the general prize port sensor 73, the gate sensor 74, the out ball sensor 75, the middle frame open door sensor 76, etc., and is configured so that detection signals from these sensors can be input to the CPU 101 via the I / O port 104.

[0060] In addition, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special pattern display device 91, the second special pattern display device 92, the normal pattern display device 93, the first special pattern hold lamp 94, the second special pattern hold lamp 95, the normal pattern hold lamp 96, the normal electric role solenoid 62, and the special electric role solenoid 66, and is configured to be able to control these via the I / O port 104. Similarly, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the main operation unit 39 and is configured to be able to detect the operation of the main operation unit 39 .

[0061] The main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and are connected so that communication is possible in only one direction, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, and various control commands are sent from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is configured so that data cannot be transmitted from the first sub-control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured so that it cannot request the main control board 100 to transmit data. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for transmitting data from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, but a serial transmission method may also be used.

[0062] The gaming machine 10 can be said to comprise a first control board (main control board 100) and a second control board (first sub-control board 200) configured to be able to receive signals from the first control board in one direction. In this embodiment, the main control board 100 and the first sub-control board 200 are exemplified as configurations corresponding to the first control board and the second control board of the present invention, respectively, but the first control board and the second control board may also be realized by a combination of other boards that satisfy the above requirements.

[0063] The first sub-control board 200 comprises a CPU 201 that performs various arithmetic processing related to game presentation based on presentation control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores presentation control programs and data such as various lottery tables, a RAM 203 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 204 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and these are connected to each other via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute main control related to game presentation in accordance with the control program stored in ROM 202. In addition, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the effect button 37 and the cursor button 38 (more precisely, an operation detection switch (not shown) that detects operation of the effect button 37 and the cursor button 38), and is configured to be able to detect operation of these.

[0064] In addition, the first sub-control board 200, through control processing based on the performance control command or power recovery command from the main control board 100, generates image control commands and audio control commands that instruct the second sub-control board 300 on images and audio, lamp control data for controlling the lighting of various lamps such as the upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamps 24b, the panel decorative lamps 30 (30a, 30b), and the performance lamp 35, and movement control data for controlling the movement of the upper movable body 22a, the left and right movable bodies 22b, etc. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 so as to enable two-way communication, and various commands are sent from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300, while in response, a response command (ACK command) indicating that the command was received successfully is sent from the second sub-control board 300 to the first sub-control board 200.

[0065] The first sub-control board 200 is also electrically connected to the upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamps 24b, the panel decorative lamps 30 (30a, 30b), and the performance lamps 35, and transmits lamp control data via the I / O port 204. The upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamps 24b, the panel decorative lamps 30 (30a, 30b), and the performance lamps 35 are configured so that their lighting is controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

[0066] The second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a CPU 301 that performs various arithmetic processing related to image and audio effects based on control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 302 that stores control programs for controlling images and audio and various data, a RAM 303 that functions as a work area or buffer memory that serves as a temporary storage area, and an I / O port 304 that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and each device, and is configured so that the CPU 301 executes main controls related to various effects in accordance with the control programs stored in ROM 302. Additionally, the second sub-control board 300 is equipped with a VDP (not shown) that generates image data in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the performance content determination means 225 (described later) based on a control signal received from the CPU 301, and a sound source IC that generates audio data based on a control signal received from the CPU 301. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in an image ROM in response to instructions from the CPU 301, processes the image data, and transmits the generated image data to the performance display device 80. A high-speed VRAM is connected to this VDP, which is used to expand and process the image data read from the image ROM. The sound source IC reads audio data stored in an audio ROM in response to instructions from the CPU 301, synthesizes the read audio data, and outputs the generated audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier.

[0067] More specifically, the second sub-control board 300 is capable of executing audio control corresponding to multiple audio channels. Upon receiving an audio control command from the first sub-control board 200, the second sub-control board 300 controls the speaker 33 to output the specified audio at the specified volume based on the audio control command. Here, the audio control command includes audio control data for each of the multiple audio channels. Each audio control data includes, for the corresponding audio channel, data specifying the presence or absence of audio data, data specifying the audio data to be played, volume instruction data specifying the volume, etc. The second sub-control board 300 that receives the audio control command controls the speaker 33 to output the specified audio at the specified volume based on the audio control command. If audio data for multiple audio channels is specified in the audio control command, the specified audio data for each audio channel can be synthesized according to the specified volume. This embodiment does not limit the correspondence between audio and audio channels, and therefore, in the following description, description of audio channels may be omitted.

[0068] The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU 401, a ROM 402, and a RAM 403 (all not shown). In addition, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be able to communicate in both directions, and performs control to drive the payout unit 48 to pay out game balls based on a payout control command from the main control board 100, and also controls the launch of game balls by synchronously driving the ball feeding mechanism and the launching mechanism based on the amount of operation of the operating handle 31.

[0069] The power supply control board 500 is composed of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates normal power to be supplied to electronic and electrical components such as the control board mentioned above based on the primary power supplied from the power supply equipment of the game island, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates backup power, a power interruption detection circuit 503 that detects power interruption (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a specified voltage), and a RAM clear switch circuit 504. A power switch 40 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and assuming that primary power is supplied from the amusement island's power supply equipment, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated in the normal power supply circuit 501 of the power supply control board 500, and power is supplied to electronic and electrical components including the above-mentioned control boards (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). In addition, a RAM clear switch 43 is connected to the power supply control board 500, and in this embodiment, when the power supply switch 40 is turned ON with the RAM clear switch 43 turned ON, the RAM clear switch circuit 504 transmits an initialization signal to each of the main control board 100 and the dispensing control board 400. Upon receiving this initialization signal, the main control board 100 executes a RAM clear process, which will be described later. Note that the trigger for the RAM clear switch circuit 504 to transmit the initialization signal is not limited to the example shown in this embodiment.

[0070] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 is capable of executing RAM clear processing when the power is turned on.

[0071] In addition, when a power interruption detection circuit 503 detects a power interruption, the power supply control board 500 transmits a power interruption signal (NMI signal) to each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400. The backup power supply circuit 502 is configured to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island. In addition, the backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power interruption detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500 but may be provided on each of the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the dispensing control board 400. In addition, the RAM clear switch circuit 504 may be provided on the main control board 100, and the RAM clear switch 43 may also be connected to the main control board 100.

[0072] <Functional Configuration of Gaming Machine 10> Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may also have functional configurations that are not shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, when explaining the functional configuration, Figs. 8 to 10 may be referenced.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7, the main control board 100 is equipped with a ball entry determination means 110, a main random number generation means 115, a main hold control means 120, a pre-determination means 125, a special symbol lottery means 130, a normal symbol lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a pattern display control means 145, an electric device control means 150, a game status control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power outage processing execution means 175, and a power restoration processing execution means 180. These means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 described using Figure 6.

[0074] The main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by the means provided in the main control board 100, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in the corresponding storage areas. In particular, the data (performance control commands, etc.) stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160 is transmitted by the command transmission means to the sub-command management means 275 of the first sub-control board 200, which will be described later, after being stored.

[0075] The ball entry determination means 110 determines whether a ball has entered each winning hole based on the detection results of the sensors provided at each winning hole.

[0076] The main random number generating means 115 can generate multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges depending on the random number circuit 105, and when a win is determined at a winning slot, it obtains (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that winning slot from the random number circuit 105. More specifically, when it is determined that a prize has been won at the first start gate 57 or the second start gate 59, the main random number generating means 115 acquires a random number for determining whether a special symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a special symbol stop symbol pattern, and a random number for drawing a special symbol variation pattern, which will be described later. When it is determined that a prize has been won at gate 63, the main random number generating means 115 stores the random number for determining whether a normal symbol has been won, a random number for drawing a normal symbol pattern, and a random number for drawing a normal symbol variation pattern, which will be described later, in the corresponding storage areas of the main information storage means 160.

[0077] The main reservation control means 120 controls the reservation of the pattern change of the special chart and the reservation of the pattern change of the normal chart. Regarding the special chart 1, the random number for determining whether the special chart is a hit or not, the random number for drawing the special chart stop pattern, and the random number for drawing the special chart change pattern, which are acquired as a result of winning the first starting port 57, are reserved (stored) as operation reservation information for the special chart 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 is provided with a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "special chart 1 hold counter") that is incremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is held and decremented by 1 each time the activation hold information of special chart 1 is used (used in the lottery by the special chart lottery means 130), and stores the activation hold information in a storage area corresponding to the current special chart 1 hold counter of the main information storage means 160 until the value of the special chart 1 hold counter reaches an upper limit value (4 in this embodiment), and clears the used activation hold information each time the activation hold information is used, and controls the remaining activation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to a storage area corresponding to a special chart 1 hold counter that is 1 less than the current special chart 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest special chart 1 hold counter. In addition, the main hold control means 120 performs the same control as described above for special drawing 2 and regular drawing separately from special drawing 1, and the hold counter for special drawing 2 is referred to as the special drawing 2 hold counter. In the following explanation, both "pending activation information for special chart 1" and "pending activation information for special chart 2" may be referred to as "pending pattern change."

[0078] In addition, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of special chart 1 or special chart 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) including the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, when both the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 1 and the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 are reserved, a priority change is made in which the activation pending information corresponding to special chart 2 is used preferentially. In addition, when the activation hold information of the special chart that is reserved during a jackpot game and that is used after the end of the jackpot game (limited to the reservation of special chart 2 when priority variation is adopted as in this embodiment) is used, the result of the special chart hit / miss judgment is a jackpot (preferably a special jackpot with a special chance, as described below), which is sometimes referred to as a ``reserved series.''

[0079] The advance judgment means 125 executes advance judgment for a pre-reading performance targeting the pending activation information in at least some cases where the pending activation information of a special chart is pending at a predetermined advance judgment timing. More specifically, the preliminary judgment means 125 reads out each random number of the operation pending information that has been reserved this time, and executes a preliminary judgment for each of the special symbol hit / miss judgment, the special symbol stop symbol lottery, and the special symbol change pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each preliminary judgment, a lottery table (not shown) that is the same as or equivalent to the lottery table used in the lottery corresponding to each preliminary judgment is used. Therefore, the results of these preliminary judgments will be the same as the results of the lottery that will be executed later. Furthermore, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) including the result of the derived pre-determination, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. As mentioned above, the pre-determination command is transmitted (generated and stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160) at least in some cases when the activation hold information of the special symbol is held at the timing of the predetermined pre-determination, and therefore is transmitted following the above-mentioned hold command. Here, the predetermined timing of the pre-determination means that it is not during a jackpot game, and furthermore, in this embodiment, when the activation hold information of the special symbol 1 is held during a normal symbol high probability, the transmission of the pre-determination command is restricted.

[0080] The special chart lottery means 130 includes a special chart win / loss determination means 131, a special chart stop pattern lottery means 132, and a special chart change pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of the special chart win / loss determination means 131, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132, and the special chart change pattern derivation means 133. When the special chart change start condition is satisfied, the special chart lottery means 130 reads out the earliest activation pending information among the activation pending information reserved in the main information storage means 160. In addition, "the conditions for the start of the change of the special chart are satisfied" means, for example, that all of the following conditions are satisfied: there is no jackpot, neither special chart 1 nor special chart 2 is currently changing the pattern, and at least one of special chart 1 or special chart 2 has activation pending information.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a lottery table used in the lottery on the main control board 100. As shown in FIG. In a lottery using a lottery table, including lottery tables other than the one shown in FIG. 8, the lottery values ​​stored in the lottery table are sequentially added to the read random number in a predetermined order (if there is only one target lottery value, the value is added once), and the result corresponding to the lottery value that has generated a carry (overflow) is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, names are given to the lottery tables for convenience of explanation, but it is sufficient that the lottery values ​​and other data contained in the lottery table corresponding to the names are identifiable and stored in each ROM; these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. Similarly, the lottery tables illustrated below may contain items for convenience of explanation or lottery values ​​such as "-" or "0," but these do not necessarily indicate the data stored in each ROM. If the lottery table contains a lottery value identical to the random number range used in the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range), the result will be derived 100%, so a lottery is not necessarily required. Furthermore, if the total value of the lottery values ​​used in one lottery matches the random number range used in the lottery, a carry will always occur when adding the last lottery value, so the addition does not need to be performed, and in that case the lottery values ​​used in the addition themselves become unnecessary.

[0082] The special drawing hit / miss judgment means 131 reads out a random number for the special drawing hit / miss judgment, and determines by lottery whether the result is a big hit, a small hit, or a miss using a lottery table for the special drawing hit / miss judgment that corresponds to the read random number and the current set value. Figure 8(a) shows a lottery table for determining whether or not the special chart 1 is a hit, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 65535. Therefore, when the special chart lottery state in the special chart 1 is low probability (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as "special chart low probability"), the probability of a big hit is 200 / 65536, the probability of a small hit is 300 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a miss is 65036 / 65536. When the special chart lottery state in the special chart 1 is high probability (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as "special chart high probability"), the probability of a big hit is 500 / 65536, the probability of a small hit is 300 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a miss is 64736 / 65536.

[0083] Figure 8(b) shows a lottery table for determining whether a special drawing 2 is a hit or a miss, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 65535, just like the case of determining whether a special drawing 1 is a hit or a miss. Therefore, in the case of a low probability special drawing 2, the probability of a jackpot is 200 / 65536, and the remaining probability of 65336 / 65536 is a miss. In the case of a high probability special drawing 2, the probability of a jackpot is 500 / 65536, and the remaining probability of 65036 / 65536 is a miss. In the case of determining whether a special drawing 2 is a hit or a miss, unlike the case of determining whether a special drawing 1 is a hit or a miss, a small hit is not derived.

[0084] In this way, the special chart high probability has a higher probability of deriving a big hit than the special chart low probability, and it can be said that it is a state with a higher advantage than the special chart low probability. Also, in the special chart 2 hit / miss judgment in this embodiment, a small hit is not derived.

[0085] When a big win is derived by the special chart win / loss determination means 131, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 reads out a random number for the special chart stop pattern lottery and determines the special chart stop pattern by lottery using the read random number and a lottery table for the special chart stop pattern lottery. Figure 8(c) shows a lottery table for drawing the stop symbol for special symbol 1, and the range of random numbers used in the lottery is 0 to 99. Therefore, in special symbol 1, when a jackpot is derived, symbol A is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 100, and symbol B is determined as the stop symbol with a probability of 50 / 100. Here, the number of rounds (R number) of the symbol A is 9, and it is a symbol that can become a special symbol with high probability and a normal symbol with high probability after the end of the jackpot game (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "probability variable symbol", and the jackpot related to the symbol may be referred to as a "probability variable jackpot"). As described above, in this embodiment, the special symbol with high probability is determined after the end of the jackpot game on the condition that the V entry (the passage of the game ball through the V entry area) is detected by the detection sensor, so the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot has a V entry round (the 9th round in this embodiment). On the other hand, pattern B has a round number (R number) of 8, and after the jackpot game ends, it becomes a special pattern with low probability and a normal pattern with high probability (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "normal pattern", and the jackpot related to this pattern may be referred to as a "normal jackpot"). There is no V winning round in the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot. In this way, pattern A is a more advantageous pattern than pattern B in terms of both the number of rounds and the subsequent special drawing state.

[0086] Figure 8(d) shows a lottery table for the lottery of the special symbol 2 stop symbol, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 99, just like the lottery of the special symbol 1 stop symbol. Therefore, in the special symbol 2, when a jackpot is derived, there is a 65 / 100 probability that the symbol will be a symbol a, and a 35 / 100 probability that the symbol will be a symbol b. Here, the symbol a is a probability variable symbol with a round number (R number) of 16, which can become a special symbol with high probability and a normal symbol with high probability after the jackpot game ends. When the symbol a is determined, the 9th round of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot is also considered a V winning round. On the other hand, pattern b is a normal pattern with a round number (R number) of 8, which becomes a special pattern with low probability and a normal pattern with high probability after the jackpot game ends. When pattern b is determined, there is no V winning round in the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot. In this way, it can be said that pattern a is more advantageous than pattern b.

[0087] In addition, if the special chart hit / miss determination means does not derive a jackpot, the special chart stop pattern lottery means 132 uniformly determines the stop pattern to be pattern C when special chart 1 is a small hit, pattern D when special chart 1 is a miss, and pattern c when special chart 2 is a miss.

[0088] The special chart fluctuation pattern derivation means 133 has multiple types of special chart fluctuation pattern lottery tables to refer to when determining the special chart fluctuation pattern (fluctuation time), and selects one special chart fluctuation pattern lottery table to determine the current special chart fluctuation pattern based on the current special chart fluctuation pattern derivation state (details will be described later) and the lottery result of the current special chart success / failure determination means 131, and determines one special chart fluctuation pattern using the selected special chart fluctuation pattern lottery table and a random number for special chart fluctuation pattern lottery. The special chart variation pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (variation start command) including the determined special chart variation pattern, and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0089] The regular map lottery means 135, like the special map lottery means 130, reads out the most recent pending activation information from the pending activation information stored in the main information storage means 160 when the regular map pattern is not changing, and uses the read random number to perform a regular map hit / miss judgment to determine whether the regular map is a hit or miss, determines the stopping pattern of the regular map based on the result of the regular map hit / miss judgment and the current regular map lottery state, and determines the regular map change pattern (change time) based on the current regular map lottery state. More specifically, in determining whether a regular drawing is a hit or miss, there are two states in which the regular drawing lottery state is a high probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "regular drawing high probability") and a low probability state (sometimes abbreviated as "regular drawing low probability"). Although an illustration of the lottery table is omitted, in this embodiment, in the case of a regular drawing high probability, the probability of a regular drawing being a hit is 65535 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a miss is 1 / 65536, while in the case of a regular drawing low probability, the regular drawing is a hit with a probability of 1 / 65536, and the remaining probability of a miss is 65535 / 65536. Note that in the case of a regular drawing low probability, it may be configured so that the regular drawing does not win (65536 / 65536 is a miss).

[0090] In the normal stop pattern lottery, as in the special stop pattern lottery, one stop pattern is determined by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for normal stop pattern lottery from multiple types of stop patterns that have different patterns when the normal electric device 61 is opened. If the normal stop pattern is not determined, the stop pattern is determined uniformly, as in the special patterns 1 and 2. In addition, in the lottery for the general map fluctuation pattern, as in the lottery for the special map fluctuation pattern, one general map fluctuation pattern is determined from multiple types of general map fluctuation patterns by lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for the general map fluctuation pattern lottery. In this way, a high probability of winning a normal game is higher than a low probability of winning a normal game, and it can be said to be a more advantageous state than a low probability of winning a normal game.

[0091] The jackpot game control means 140 starts a jackpot game after the end of the pattern variation that has resulted in a jackpot, and determines the demo time for the jackpot start demo and the demo time for the jackpot end demo according to the stopped pattern of the special chart related to the jackpot. In addition, when a jackpot game starts, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a presentation control command (jackpot start command) including a demo time related to the jackpot start demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, and when the jackpot ends, it generates a presentation control command (jackpot end command) including a demo time related to the jackpot end demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In addition, the jackpot game control means 140 similarly determines the time for the small jackpot start demo and the demo time for the small jackpot end demo when the result of the special chart win / loss lottery is a small jackpot, and at the start of the small jackpot, generates a presentation control command (small jackpot start command) including the demo time for the small jackpot start demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, and at the end of the small jackpot, generates a presentation control command (small jackpot end command) including the demo time for the small jackpot end demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0092] The pattern display control means 145 causes the first special pattern display device 91 to variably display the special pattern 1 in accordance with the variation time based on the special pattern variation pattern of the special pattern 1, and causes the special pattern 1 to be stopped and displayed with the stopping pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variation time has elapsed. Similarly, the second special pattern display device 92 causes the special pattern 2 to variably display in accordance with the variation time based on the special pattern variation pattern of the second special pattern, and causes the special pattern 2 to be stopped and displayed with the stopping pattern determined by the special pattern stop pattern lottery after the variation time has elapsed. In addition, the pattern display control means 145 has a special pattern game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of special pattern 1 and special pattern 2, and when the special pattern is stopped and displayed (at the timing when the value of the special pattern game timer becomes "0"), it generates a presentation control command (variation stop command) for requesting the definitive stop (definitive display) of the decorative pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0093] In addition, the pattern display control means 145 causes the normal map to be displayed on the normal pattern display device 93 in a changing manner according to a changing time based on the normal map changing pattern of the normal map, and causes the normal map to be displayed in a stopped state with the normal map's stopped pattern after the changing time has elapsed. In addition, the symbol display control means 145 has a regular symbol game timer for managing the time (variable time, stop display time) related to the display of the regular symbol.

[0094] After the jackpot game has started, the electric device control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric device solenoid 66, causing the special electric device 65 to open according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopped symbol of the special symbol. In the jackpot game, one opening and closing operation of the special electric device 65 is considered to be one round of play, and this round of play is executed consecutively for a specified number of rounds (16R, 9R, 8R in this example). In this embodiment, when the special electric device 65 is opened in the V winning round (the 9th round in this embodiment) and it is detected that the game ball has passed through the V winning area in the large prize opening 55, the special symbol is determined to be highly probable after the jackpot game ends. In addition, after the small win game has started, the electric accessory control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 66, and opens the special electric accessory 65 for a short period of time (0.05 seconds).

[0095] Furthermore, in a normal winning game when a normal winning symbol is selected in the normal symbol winning / losing lottery, the electric role control means 150 outputs a control signal to the normal electric role solenoid 62 to open the normal electric role 61 according to an opening pattern corresponding to the stopped symbol of the stopped normal symbol.

[0096] The game state control means 155 controls the special symbol lottery state. Specifically, as described above, the game state control means 155 sets the special symbol to low probability at the start of a jackpot game regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot, maintains the special symbol to low probability at the end of a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot, sets the special symbol to high probability until the symbol changes a specified number of times (100 times in this embodiment) on the condition that a V is won in a jackpot game related to a probability variable jackpot, and sets the special symbol to low probability at the end of the jackpot game until the symbol changes a specified number of times (100 times in this embodiment). However, the conditions for transitioning from a high probability of a special pattern to a low probability of a special pattern are not limited to the number of pattern changes as in this embodiment, and may be other conditions such as the result of a lottery to determine whether or not a drop has occurred. Furthermore, the condition for determining the high probability of a special chart at the end of a jackpot game involving a special jackpot need not be limited to a V winning, but may be limited to the type of stopping pattern on the special chart.

[0097] In addition, the game state control means 155 controls the normal symbol lottery state. Specifically, the game state control means 155 sets the normal symbol low probability regardless of the symbol related to the jackpot at the start of the jackpot game, sets the normal symbol high probability until the symbol changes a specified number of times (100 times in this embodiment) at the end of the jackpot game related to the normal jackpot, sets the normal symbol low probability at the end of the specified number of symbol changes (100 times in this embodiment), and sets the normal symbol high probability at the end of the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot until the symbol changes a specified number of times (100 times in this embodiment) at the end of the jackpot, on the condition of a V win in the jackpot game related to the probability variable jackpot, sets the normal symbol high probability until the symbol changes a specified number of times (100 times in this embodiment), and sets the normal symbol low probability at the end of the jackpot.

[0098] Here, in this embodiment, as described above, when the game ball rolls from the second flow path Y, it is more likely to enter the second starting port 59 and the big prize port 55, so in a normal high probability state and during a big win game, hitting with the right hand is a more advantageous operation than hitting with the left hand. Hereinafter, the predetermined state in which hitting the right is more advantageous than hitting the left will be referred to as the "right-hit recommended state." The right-hit recommended state is not limited to a jackpot game or a normal high-probability state, but may also include other states, such as a so-called "small-win rush state" in which the number of balls increases due to the entry into the large prize opening when a special electric device is opened by a small win in a normal low-probability state.

[0099] Furthermore, the game state control means 155 controls the above-mentioned special chart variation pattern derivation state. Specifically, the special chart variation pattern derivation state can be roughly divided into a special chart variation pattern derivation state A corresponding to a special chart low probability and a normal chart low probability, a special chart variation pattern derivation state B corresponding to a special chart low probability and a normal chart high probability, and a special chart variation pattern derivation state C corresponding to a special chart high probability and a normal chart high probability, and the special chart variation pattern derivation state is set according to the special chart lottery state and the normal chart lottery state except during a jackpot game.

[0100] In addition, when an update occurs to the special chart lottery state, the regular chart lottery state, and the special chart variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a presentation control command (game state designation command) including each state after the update, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0101] As described above, the main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by each means and data derived by calculations or the like by each means in the corresponding storage areas.

[0102] The main error control means 165 monitors the input information of the I / O port 104 and determines whether or not the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined that the gaming machine 10 is in an error state, an error command including the error information is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, the error states determined by the main error control means 165 include, for example, a magnetic error based on magnetic detection by a magnetic detection sensor (not shown), a right-hit error based on detection of a game ball by the gate sensor 74, and a full tank error based on detection of a game ball by a full tank detection sensor (not shown). For example, a magnetic error is an error state that occurs when magnetic detection by the magnetic detection sensor occurs continuously for 500 ms. A right-hit error is an error state that occurs when the gate sensor 74 detects a gaming ball a predetermined number of times (for example, three times) in a state of low probability of a special game and low probability of a normal game (the number of detections is reset 1000 ms after the last detection), and a full tank error is an error state that occurs when a gaming ball is detected by the full tank detection sensor.

[0103] When a highly important error condition such as a magnetic error occurs among the error conditions that are determined, the main error control means 165 can not only turn on the security signal, but also perform other processes besides storing an error command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, such as having the payout control board 400 restrict the release of game balls. Here, the security signal is a type of signal that is output from an external terminal board (not shown) provided in the gaming machine 10 to devices outside the gaming machine 10 (such as a data display device or a hall computer). On the other hand, when an error state of relatively low importance occurs among the error states that are judged, such as a right-hit error or a full-tank error, the main error control means 165 is able to maintain a state in which the game can proceed without restricting the release of the game balls. Details will be described later, but when the first sub-control board 200 or the second sub-control board 300 receives the error command, an error notification effect is executed to notify the occurrence of an error state. The error states determined by the main error control means 165 are not limited to the above examples, and other error states can also be determined, such as a so-called door open error that occurs when the middle frame 17 is in an open state (the middle frame open door sensor 76 is ON) or the front frame 20 is in an open state, and an abnormal winning error that occurs when a game ball is detected by the big prize winning port sensor 72 after a predetermined time has passed since the big prize winning port 55 was in a closed state during a big win game.

[0104] The various error states determined by the above-mentioned main error control means 165 can be detected in a playable state, but do not have to be detected in an inspectable state. This is because in an inspectable state, games cannot be played, and therefore there is little need to notify of an error state. However, in this embodiment, the following description will be given assuming that only magnetic errors of relatively high importance can be detected even in the inspection-enabled state.

[0105] When a control command is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, the main command management means 170 transmits the stored command to the first sub-control board 200. In principle, the control commands stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160 are transmitted in the order in which they are stored in the transmission command storage area. In this specification, the term "sending a command to the first sub-control board 200" may be used to include storing the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0106] The power cutoff process execution means 175 executes the power cutoff process based on the reception of the power cutoff signal from the power supply control board 500. Specifically, for the area of ​​RAM 103 related to gaming, the checksum of that area is derived, the complement of that checksum is stored in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to gaming, and a backup flag indicating that power has been cut off for that area is turned ON (the backup flag is stored in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to gaming).

[0107] The power restoration process execution means 180 executes a power restoration process when the power is turned on (power restoration). Details of the power restoration process will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the power restoration process.

[0108] In step S1001, the power restoration process execution means 180 makes a determination regarding a RAM abnormality for the area related to the game in the RAM 103. Specifically, the power restoration process execution means 180 determines whether or not a backup flag is stored in the backup information area related to the game in the RAM 103 (whether or not the backup flag is ON), and if the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), it derives the checksum of the area related to the game, and determines whether or not the complement of the checksum matches the complement of the checksum stored in the backup information area related to that area, and if they match, it determines that the check result is normal, and if they do not match, it determines that there is an abnormality. If the determination in step S1001 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1005, and if the determination in step S1001 is negative, the process proceeds to step S1002.

[0109] In step S1002, the power restoration process execution means 180 determines whether or not an initialization signal has been input from the power supply control board 500 when the power is turned on. If the determination in step S1002 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1005, and if the determination in step S1002 is negative, the process proceeds to step S1003.

[0110] In step S1003, the power restoration process execution means 180 sets a playable state using various information stored in the game-related area of ​​RAM 103 that has been backed up. Setting a playable state is specifically a process of restoring the state of the main control board 100 to the state at the time of power failure based on information indicating the state at the time of power failure that is stored in the game-related area of ​​RAM 103 (such as the special symbol lottery state, the normal symbol lottery state, whether or not a jackpot game is in progress, the stopped symbols of special symbols 1 and 2, pending symbol change information, and the number of rounds of play in a jackpot game). When the playable state is set by the power restoration process execution means 180, the detection of the sensors provided in each winning slot becomes effective, and prize balls are awarded in accordance with the detection of the sensors.

[0111] In step S1004, the power restoration process execution means 180 executes a restoration notification process, and the process proceeds to step S1005. At this time, the power restoration process execution means 180 generates a restoration command and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. The restoration command includes the various information described in step S1003. When the process of step 1004 is completed, the power recovery process is completed.

[0112] In step S1005, the power restoration process execution means 180 executes a process to initialize the information in the game-related area and the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 (so-called RAM clear process), and then proceeds to step S1006. This initialization clears the information in the game-related area and the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 that was backed up at the time of the power outage, and sets the initial values. This initializes the various states of the main control board 100 immediately before the power outage.

[0113] In step S1006, the power restoration process execution means 180 determines whether or not an initialization signal has been input from the power supply control board 500 when the power is turned on. The determination in step S1006 is the same as the determination in step S1002. That is, the determination in step S1006 can be negative when RAM 103 is abnormal (when the determination in step S1001 is positive). On the other hand, the determination in step S1006 is positive when RAM 103 is normal (when the determination in step S1001 is negative) and an initialization signal is input when power is turned on (when the determination in step S1002 is positive). If the determination in step S1006 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S1007, and if the determination in step S1006 is negative, the process proceeds to step S1011.

[0114] In step S1007, the power recovery process execution means 180 sets the inspection possible state and proceeds to step S1008. Setting the inspection possible state is specifically a process that makes it possible to start inspection of each gaming device to be inspected in the inspection possible state. Note that when the inspection possible state is set by the power recovery process execution means 180, there is no opportunity for it to become effective until the process is performed after the power is turned on, so the detection of the sensors provided at each winning slot is invalid, and no prize balls are awarded in response to the detection of the sensors.

[0115] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 has a winning hole that does not give a prize ball even if a gaming ball enters it in an inspectable state.

[0116] In this embodiment, the gaming devices that can be inspected in the inspectable state are the normal electric accessory solenoid 62, the special electric accessory solenoid 66, and the symbol display device 90. Details of the inspection of these gaming devices will be described later.

[0117] In step S1008, the power restoration process execution means 180 executes an inspection in progress notification process, and proceeds to step S1009. At this time, the power restoration process execution means 180 generates an inspection start command and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0118] In step S1009, the power restoration process execution means 180 determines whether the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is valid. Specifically, if the RAM clear switch 43 is operated (the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON) when the power is turned on and then released (the RAM clear switch 43 is turned OFF), the power restoration process execution means 180 determines that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is valid. Furthermore, if the RAM clear switch 43 operated when the power was turned on remains operated (the RAM clear switch 43 remains ON), the power restoration process execution means 180 determines that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is invalid. In this embodiment, the determination in step S1009 prevents the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 performed to execute the RAM clear process from becoming a termination condition for the inspection-enabled state that is set after the RAM clear process (the inspection-enabled state being released against the intention of a waiter or other staff member). If the determination in step S1009 is negative, the determination in step S1009 is made again, and if the determination in step S1009 is positive, the process proceeds to step S1010.

[0119] In this embodiment, the determination in step S1009 is shown to be positive when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated when the power is turned on and then the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is released, but the condition may be changed within the scope of achieving the above-mentioned object. For example, instead of or in addition to the above condition, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 may not be valid until a predetermined time has elapsed since power-on accompanied by operation of the RAM clear switch 43 (however, under this condition, in order to execute the RAM clear process, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 at power-on, which is the trigger for the process, must be validly accepted). In this modified example, the predetermined time is preferably at least longer than the time from power-on to the start of the in-test notification. This is because it is unlikely that the RAM clear switch 43 would be operated to end the testable state before the in-test notification is issued.

[0120] In step S1010, the power restoration process execution means 180 determines whether the RAM clear switch 43 has been operated. If the determination in step S1010 is negative, the determination in step S1009 is made again, and if the determination in step S1010 is positive, the process proceeds to step S1011.

[0121] In step S1011, the power recovery process execution means 180 sets a playable state using various information in the game-related area of ​​the initialized RAM 103, and proceeds to step S1012. At this time, the main control board 100 sets, for example, the special symbol lottery state to special symbol low probability, the normal symbol lottery state to normal symbol low probability, and the special symbol variation pattern derivation state to special symbol variation pattern derivation state A corresponding to special symbol low probability and normal symbol low probability. Note that when the playable state is set in step S1011, the detection of the sensors provided in each winning slot becomes effective, and prize balls are awarded in accordance with the detection of the sensors, as in step S1003.

[0122] In step S1012, the power restoration process execution means 180 executes an initialization notification process. At this time, the power restoration process execution means 180 generates an initialization command and stores the command in a transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. The initialization command includes information about each state set in step S1011. When the process of step 1012 is completed, the power recovery process is completed.

[0123] Assuming that processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in Figure 9, after power-on with RAM clear processing, the period in which the inspection-enabled state is set and the period in which the play-enabled state is set will not overlap. However, such an embodiment is merely one specific example, and in implementing the present invention, as long as the playable state can be set at least after the testable state has begun after power-on accompanied by RAM clear processing, embodiments in which the periods in which both states are set overlap and embodiments in which both states are set simultaneously are also acceptable.

[0124] Therefore, the gaming machine 10 is equipped with a state management means (power recovery processing execution means 180) that sets a playable state and an inspectable state, and the inspectable state is a state in which the first gaming device (normal electric role solenoid 62, special electric role solenoid 66, and pattern display device 90) among the multiple gaming devices can be inspected and can be set (by processing in step S1007) after power is turned on with RAM clear processing, and the playable state is a state that is set after the inspectable state has started (by processing in step S1011). Furthermore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 (power recovery processing execution means 180) can be set to a playable state without passing through an inspectable state after power-on without RAM clear processing (processing in step S1003).

[0125] In addition, the gaming machine 10 is equipped with a predetermined operating means (RAM clear switch 43), and it can be said that the conditions for setting a playable state after starting the testable state (conditions for the judgment of step S1010 to be positive) include operation of the predetermined operating means. It should be noted that the predetermined operating means here is not limited to the RAM clear switch 43 as in this embodiment, but is preferably an operating means under the control of the status management means (main control board 100).

[0126] As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 is equipped with a sub-random number generating means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, an audio control means 235, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a power recovery processing execution means 260, a sub-information storage means 270, and a sub-command management means 275, and these means are functional representations of what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 described using Figure 5.

[0127] The sub-information storage means 270 is a means for temporarily storing data read out by the means provided in the first sub-control board 200, data derived by calculations in the means, etc. in the corresponding storage areas.

[0128] The sub-command management means 275 receives various commands (performance control commands, power recovery commands, etc.) transmitted from the main control board 100, stores the received commands in a received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270, and, if various commands (image control commands, audio control commands, etc.) are stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270, transmits these commands to the second sub-control board 300. In principle, each command is transmitted in the order in which it is stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270. In this specification, the term "receiving a command" may be used to include the process in which various commands sent from the main control board 100 are received by the sub-command management means 275 and stored in the received command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270. The term "sending a command to the second sub-control board 300" may also be used to include the process in which various means of the first sub-control board 200 store various commands in the sent command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270 and the sub-command management means 275 sends those commands to the second sub-control board 300.

[0129] The sub-random number generating means 210 can generate random numbers (software random numbers) that are updated by the CPU 201 through program processing, and obtains random numbers at the timing when each lottery (details will be described later) is executed by the normal performance control means 220.

[0130] The normal presentation control means 220 includes a presentation mode control means 221, a presentation route determination means 222, a sub-hold control means 223, a pre-reading presentation control means 224, a presentation content determination means 225, a decorative pattern control means 226, and a jackpot presentation control means 227.

[0131] When a game state designation command (presentation control command) is sent, the presentation mode control means 221 controls the transition of the presentation mode in a manner that is consistent with the special chart variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 side. The presentation modes in this embodiment include a normal mode, a low-probability time-saving mode, and a special variable mode, with the normal mode corresponding to the special chart change pattern derivation state A, the low-probability time-saving mode corresponding to the special chart change pattern derivation state B, and the special chart change pattern derivation state C corresponding to the special variable mode.

[0132] When a pre-determination command (performance control command) is transmitted, the performance route determination means 222 determines (sets) a performance route corresponding to the currently reserved pattern change based on the result of the pre-determination (for example, special symbol change pattern) included in the command, the above-mentioned performance mode, etc. Note that even when a pre-determination command is transmitted, the performance route determination means 222 may not determine a performance route depending on the special symbol change pattern included in the pre-determination command, etc. In this case, it is sufficient that the performance route is determined based on the special symbol change pattern included in the change start command at the start of the pattern change. Here, the presentation route is the presentation from the start to the end of the pattern change, and specifies the process of the presentation that notifies the result of the special pattern judgment in the pattern change, and the content of the presentation executed in the pattern change will be determined by the presentation content determination means 225 described later in accordance with the presentation route corresponding to the pattern change.

[0133] When a hold command (performance control command) is received, the sub-hold control means 223 sets performance data for displaying the number of hold images corresponding to the special chart 1 hold counter and the number of hold images corresponding to the special chart 2 hold counter in the hold display area (not shown) of the performance display device 80 based on the information on the special chart 1 hold counter and the special chart 2 hold counter contained in the command. The reserved image is an image that is the subject of a reserved advance reading effect that changes into various forms to indicate the degree of advantage, such as the expected probability of a jackpot game.

[0134] When a pre-determination command is transmitted, the pre-reading performance control means 224 determines the content of the pre-reading performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the command. A pre-reading effect is an effect that suggests the degree of expectation for the result of the judgment on whether the special symbol will be selected in the pre-reading target pattern change, and the content of the effect that will be executed in the pre-reading target pattern change, over one or more pattern changes before the pre-reading target pattern change begins.

[0135] When a variation start command (performance control command) is transmitted, the performance content determination means 225 determines the content of the performance to be executed in the current pattern variation according to the performance route already determined by the performance route determination means 222. More specifically, the effect content determination means 225 determines the content of the effect (effect pattern) for each effect timing in the pattern variation by lottery using an effect pattern lottery table corresponding to the effect route determined by the effect route determination means 222. In this way, it is possible to change the content of the effect related to (executed according to) the determined effect route, and to provide a connection between the effects in one pattern variation. Furthermore, even when the same effect route is determined, it is possible to diversify the effects to be executed.

[0136] When a variation start command (performance control command) is sent, the decorative symbol control means 226 determines the final combination of decorative symbols (left symbol, center symbol, right symbol) based on the determined special symbol stop symbol. Specifically, symbol A and symbol a correspond to odd symbol matches (for example, "1 symbol" - "1 symbol" - "1 symbol"), symbol B and symbol a correspond to even symbol matches (for example, "2 symbol" - "2 symbol" - "2 symbol"), and symbol C, symbol D, and symbol c correspond to a random combination (a combination of symbols with no pattern matches). The decorative symbols in this embodiment are as described above. In addition, when the combination of decorative symbols to be stopped corresponds to the stopping symbols of the special symbols, it is not necessary to have the above-mentioned correspondence relationship, and for example, if the combination of decorative symbols to be stopped does not have a high expectation level for the above-mentioned correspondence relationship, such as matching even-numbered symbols with symbol A, in some cases (lower than the rate at which the above-mentioned correspondence relationship is achieved), a combination of decorative symbols different from the above-mentioned correspondence relationship may be adopted, and even in such cases, it can be said that the combination of decorative symbols to be stopped corresponds to the stopping symbols of the special symbols.

[0137] When a jackpot start command (effect control command) is transmitted, the jackpot effect control means 227 determines the content of the jackpot effect that notifies that a jackpot game is in progress, based on information included in the command, etc. The jackpot effects include a start demo effect that notifies that a jackpot game has started, a round effect that notifies that a round game is in progress, and an end demo effect that notifies that a jackpot game has ended.

[0138] The normal performance control means 220 reads out performance data for each device corresponding to each performance at the execution timing of each performance, in accordance with the performance content determined by the above-mentioned means provided in the first sub-control board 200. If the read-out effect data includes effect data related to an image, an image control command is generated based on that effect data, and that image control command is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270. If the read-out effect data includes effect data related to audio, an audio control command is generated based on that effect data by audio control means 235, which will be described later, and that audio control command is stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270.

[0139] When an error command is received, the sub-error control means 230 reads out error notification effect data for executing an error notification effect. For example, the error notification effect data read out when an error command related to a right-hit error is received includes effect data related to a text image of "Please return to left-hit" and effect data related to a voice of "Please return to left-hit." An image control command and a voice control command are generated based on the effect data, and the commands are stored in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270. In this embodiment, all error states are determined by the main error control means 165, but error states other than those with high importance that accompany the output of a security signal (for example, a right-hit error) may be determined by the sub-error control means 230. In this case, the sub-error control means 230 may receive a command from the main control board 100 that includes the state of the sensor related to the determination of the error state.

[0140] If the read-out performance data includes performance data related to audio, the audio control means 235 generates an audio control command based on the performance data and stores the audio control command in a transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270.

[0141] The lamp control means 240 holds lamp control data for controlling the lighting of the upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamps 24b, the panel decorative lamp 30, and the performance lamp 35, and when the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data (which may hereinafter be referred to as lamp control data) corresponding to the upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamps 24b, the panel decorative lamp 30, and the performance lamp 35, the lamp control means 240 reads out the lamp control data based on the lamp performance data and transmits the read lamp control data to the corresponding lamp. If the read performance data is data for the operation check process associated with the power recovery process when RAM is cleared, the lamp control means 240 transmits lamp control data to each lamp so that the lamps are controlled to light up in a predetermined lighting pattern. The predetermined lighting pattern will be described later.

[0142] The movable prop control means 245 holds movement control data for controlling the movement of the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b, and when the performance data read out by the normal performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to the movable body 22, it reads out movement control data based on that performance data and transmits the read movement control data to each controller of the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b. When the read-out performance data is data for the operation confirmation process accompanying the power recovery process when RAM is cleared, the movable part control means 245 transmits movement control data to each movable body so that the movement of each movable body is controlled in a predetermined movement pattern. The predetermined movement pattern will be described later.

[0143] The power restoration process execution means 260 performs the following notifications using each gaming device based on various control commands sent in the power restoration process executed by the power restoration process execution means 180. 10 is used to explain the notifications by the power restoration process execution means 260. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the display modes of the performance display device 80 corresponding to the notifications executed by the power restoration process execution means 260.

[0144] The power restoration process execution means 260 executes a notification that an inspection is in progress in response to the inspection start command (the control command transmitted from the main control board 100 in the processing of step S1008). The notification mode of the inspection in progress notification is that text information indicating that an operation inspection is in progress and text information indicating that play will be possible by operating the RAM clear switch 43 again are displayed on the effect display device 80 (see Figure 10(a)), a sound indicating that an operation inspection is in progress is played repeatedly by the speaker 33, and the effect lamp 35 is lit in a lighting pattern corresponding to the notification (for example, lit in red).

[0145] The power restoration process execution means 260 executes a restoration-in-progress notification in response to the restoration-in-progress command (the control command transmitted from the main control board 100 in the process of step S1004). The notification mode for the restoration in progress notification is that text information indicating that restoration is in progress is displayed on the performance display device 80 (see Figure 10(b)), a sound indicating that restoration is in progress is repeatedly played by the speaker 33, and the performance lamp 35 is lit in a lighting pattern corresponding to the notification (for example, lit in white). In addition, the recovery notification executed in response to the recovery command may be replaced with a notification indicating that jackpot play will be restored if the information contained in the recovery command indicates that the state immediately before the power outage was during jackpot play.

[0146] The power restoration process execution means 260 executes an initialization notification in response to the initialization command (the control command transmitted from the main control board 100 in the process of step S1012). The notification mode of the initialization notification is that text information indicating that initialization has occurred is displayed on the performance display device 80 (see Figure 10(c)), a sound indicating that initialization has occurred is repeatedly played by the speaker 33, and the performance lamp 35 is lit in a lighting pattern corresponding to the notification (for example, lighting in the order of blue → red → yellow → white (a mixture of blue, red and yellow)).

[0147] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 executes the first notification (notification during inspection) during the period when the inspection-enabled state is in effect. It can also be said that the gaming machine 10 executes the second notification (notification of initialization) when the playable state is set after the inspection-enabled state is entered. Furthermore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 executes a third notification (notification during recovery) that is different from both the first notification and the second notification in a playable state that is set without passing through an inspection-enabled state.

[0148] Furthermore, it can be said that the first notification (notification during inspection), the second notification (notification during initialization) and the third notification (notification during recovery) use a second gaming device (performance display device 80, speaker 33 and performance lamp 35) different from the first gaming device (normal electric role solenoid 62, special electric role solenoid 66 and pattern display device 90). It can be said that the first gaming device (normal electric role solenoid 62, special electric role solenoid 66, and pattern display device 90) is a gaming device controlled by the first control board (main control board 100), and the second gaming device (performance display device 80, speaker 33, and performance lamp 35) is a gaming device controlled by the second control board (first sub-control board 200).

[0149] Furthermore, the first notification (notification during inspection), the second notification (notification during initialization), and the third notification (notification during restoration) can be said to be notification modes that are all different.

[0150] Furthermore, it can be said that the multiple gaming devices equipped in the gaming machine 10 include a third gaming device (e.g., a board decorative lamp 30) that is not subject to inspection in the inspection-enabled state and is not used for at least one of the first and second notifications.

[0151] As described above, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is configured to switch from an inspectable state to a playable state by operating the RAM clear switch 43. The gaming devices to be inspected (the normal electric role solenoid 62, the special electric role solenoid 66, and the symbol display device 90) operate in a predetermined operating mode during inspection, while the gaming devices used to notify the user of the inspectable state and the playable state (the effect display device 80, the speaker 33, and the effect lamp 35) also operate in a predetermined operating mode, which raises concerns that it may be difficult to understand the significance of the operation of each gaming device during the period of stay in the inspectable state or before and after switching from the inspectable state to the playable state. Therefore, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment solves the above-mentioned concerns by devising the operation of each gaming device in the inspection-enabled state and the play-enabled state. This point will be explained in detail below.

[0152] <Operational state of gaming devices in testable and playable states> Next, the operation modes of the gaming device in the above-mentioned inspection-ready state and play-ready state will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when a testable state is set and then a playable state is set in the power recovery process. FIG. 12 is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when the game-playable state is set without passing through the testable state in the power recovery process. Figure 13 is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while checking the operation of the solenoid, in the case where the testable state is set and then the playable state is set in the power recovery process. Figure 14 is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when an error is detected in the testable state after the testable state is set during the power recovery process and then the playable state is set. Figure 15 is a time chart showing how the operating state of each gaming device changes when a playable state is set without going through the testable state during the power recovery process and an error is detected in the playable state. In these time charts, the horizontal axis indicates the time series (the left side indicates the beginning and the right side indicates the end). Also, in these time charts, the upper side of the rectangular wave indicates ON or operation, and the lower side indicates OFF or non-operation.

[0153] First, the change in the operating state of each gaming device when the testable state is set and then the playable state is set in the power recovery process will be described with reference to FIG. Timing t1 represents the time when the gaming machine 10 is powered on (when the power switch 40 is operated). Timing t2 represents the timing when main control board 100 starts up normally (the timing when RAM clear processing ends). Timing t3 represents the timing at which the inspection start command is transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200 (timing at which the inspection in progress notification starts). As shown in Figure 11, strictly speaking, the timings arrive in the order of timing t1, timing t2, and timing t3, but the intervals between these timings are sufficiently small compared to the relationships with the other timings, and they can also be considered to be approximately the same.

[0154] At timing t2, the main control board 100 is set to an inspection-enabled state. With this setting, the output of a security signal begins, and this output is maintained until the set inspection-enabled state ends. This is to notify the hall computer and other devices that the inspection-enabled state is in effect.

[0155] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 is equipped with an output means for outputting a security signal in an inspection-enabled state.

[0156] Furthermore, in accordance with the setting of the inspection possible state at timing t2, all lamps provided on the pattern display device 90 are turned on (in FIG. 11, this is indicated as "all lit"). The lighting pattern in which all the lamps of the symbol display device 90 are lit is intended to confirm whether the symbol display device 90 is normal or not, and can only occur when the device is in an inspectable state. Therefore, this lighting pattern will not occur when the device is in a playable state. When all the lamps of the symbol display device 90 are lit, it can be visually confirmed that the device is normal, and if even one lamp is not lit, it can be visually confirmed that the device is abnormal.

[0157] From timing t3, the performance display device 80, speaker 33, and performance lamp 35 are set to the in-test notification mode. Here, the in-test notification mode means, as described above, that the performance display device 80 displays the display mode shown in Fig. 10(a), the speaker 33 repeatedly plays a sound indicating that an operation test is in progress, and the performance lamp 35 lights up in red.

[0158] Timing t5 represents the timing at which the RAM clear switch 43, which has been continuously ON since power-on (timing t1), is turned OFF, that is, the timing at which the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is stopped. Here, the period T1 from timing t1 to timing t5 represents the period during which it is determined that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is invalid in the power recovery process (determination in step S1009) described above. In other words, even if the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON during the period T1, that operation does not become a condition for ending the testable state, and the playable state is not set. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, even if the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 continues during the period T1, it does not affect the operation mode of the first gaming device to be inspected (the special electric role solenoid 66 and the pattern display device 90), and by visually checking their operation, it is possible to confirm whether each gaming device is normal or not.

[0159] Timing t4 represents the timing at which the special electric accessory solenoid 66 is activated, and timing t6 represents the timing at which the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 is activated. The operation of the special electric role solenoid 66 and the normal electric role solenoid 62 in the inspection possible state is performed to check whether the special electric role 65 and the normal electric role 61 open normally. In Fig. 11, the operation period of the special electric role solenoid 66 is represented as period T2, and the operation period of the normal electric role solenoid 62 is represented as period T3. Timing t4, which is the time when the special electric role solenoid 66 starts to operate, and timing t6, which is the time when the normal electric role solenoid 62 starts to operate, may be reached by operating the operating means (for example, the effect button 37 or cursor button 38), or may be reached without operating the operating means (for example, reached when a predetermined time has passed since timing t2 when the playable state was set), or may be realized as a combination thereof (for example, timing t4 is reached by operating the operating means, and timing t6 is reached when a predetermined time has passed since timing t4).

[0160] If an embodiment is adopted in which operation of an operating means is required to check the operation of the above-mentioned special electric role solenoid 66 and normal electric role solenoid 62, the lighting of all the pattern display devices 90 will be done automatically when the game is ready to play, and no operating means will be required.Therefore, in this embodiment, among the gaming devices to be inspected in the inspectable state, there will be a mixture of those that require operation of an operating means for inspection and those that do not. In other words, the inspection of the first gaming device includes those that require operation of the operating means in an inspectable state (special electric role solenoid 66 and normal electric role solenoid 62), and those that do not require operation of the operating means in an inspectable state (pattern display device 90). In this way, the lamps of the pattern display device 90, which can be checked at a glance to see if they are normal or not, can be checked automatically, while the special electric role solenoid 66 and the normal electric role solenoid 62, which must be checked by closely watching their operation to see if they are normal or not, can be checked manually, thereby increasing the accuracy of operation checks. The distinction between those that require operation of the operating means in the inspection-enabled state and those that do not is not limited to the above example, and can be changed as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0161] Furthermore, when an embodiment is adopted in which operation of the operating means is required to check the operation of the special electric role solenoid 66 and the normal electric role solenoid 62, it is preferable that the operation of one cannot be checked while the operation of the other is being checked. In other words, it is preferable that the operation period T2 of the special electric role solenoid 66 and the operation period T3 of the normal electric role solenoid 62 do not overlap. This is to ensure that each operation is checked reliably. On the other hand, in the relationship between the pattern display device 90 and the special electric role solenoid 66, and the relationship between the special electric role solenoid 66 and the normal electric role solenoid 62, even if the operation period of one overlaps with the operation period of the other, the accuracy of the confirmation work does not decrease. Therefore, in the above embodiment, it can be said that the first gaming device includes gaming devices that can be inspected in parallel (the pattern display device 90 and other gaming devices) and gaming devices that cannot be inspected in parallel (the special electric role solenoid 66 and the normal electric role solenoid 62). In this embodiment, the operating period T2 of the special electric accessory solenoid 66 and the operating period T3 of the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 are fixed at a predetermined time length (for example, 1 second).

[0162] Timing t7 represents the timing when the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON when operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is valid (after the period T1), that is, the timing when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated. As described above, in this embodiment, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 in the testable state is the condition for terminating the testable state. Therefore, at approximately the same timing as timing t7, the main control board 100 terminates the testable state and immediately enters the playable state. Furthermore, when the inspection-enabled state ends, the output of the security signal is temporarily stopped.

[0163] When the playable state is set at timing t7, the symbol display device 90 will have a lighting pattern that corresponds to the state of the main control board 100 at that time (initialized state in the case shown in FIG. 11). This lighting pattern is referred to as "normal lighting" in FIG. 11. In addition, since the playable state that starts at timing t7 is set after power-on with RAM clear processing, the effect display device 80 and speaker 33 will be in the initialization notification mode during that period. Here, the initialization notification mode is the display mode shown in Figure 10(c) for the effect display device 80, and the speaker 33 will repeatedly play a sound indicating that initialization has been performed.

[0164] During the period in which the initialization notification is being given, a security signal is output, and this output is maintained until the initialization notification is completed. In Figure 11, the output of the security signal is shown to stop once at the end of the inspection-enabled state, and then to be output again when the initialization notification begins, but the interval during which the signal is stopped is very short, and it does not have to be there at all (the output of the security signal may be maintained across the inspection-enabled state and the play-enabled state).

[0165] Furthermore, during the period when the game is in the playable state, the effect lamp 35 lights up in the following order: blue → red → yellow → white (a mixture of blue, red, and yellow) (in Figure 11, this lighting pattern is written as "sequential lighting"). This lighting pattern is used to check whether the full-color LEDs contained in the effect lamp 35 are lighting up normally. If all of the LEDs contained in the effect lamp 35 are normal, the colors will change in the above order. On the other hand, if there is an abnormality in one of the LEDs contained in the effect lamp 35, that LED will light up in a different color from the surrounding LEDs, and by visually checking this, it is possible to identify the LED that is malfunctioning.

[0166] Furthermore, the movable body 22 operates during the period during which the playable state remains. In this embodiment, the upper movable body 22a begins operation at approximately the same timing as timing t7 when the playable state is set, and the left and right movable bodies 22b begin operation at timing t8 after the operation of the upper movable body 22a has ended. During their respective operation periods (periods T4 and T5 shown in FIG. 11), the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b move from their original positions to positions that cover a portion of the area of ​​the performance display device 80, and then retreat to their original positions. By operating in this manner, it is possible to visually confirm whether the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b are operating normally. The upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b have their respective movement ranges partially overlapping, and are controlled so that periods T4 and T5 do not overlap in order to avoid collisions between them. The upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b are automatically moved in a predetermined pattern starting from the time when the playable state is set (timing t7), and do not require any operation of the operating means.

[0167] Timing t9 represents the timing when a predetermined period (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since timing t7. The initialization notification that started at timing t7 ends at timing t9. That is, the condition for ending the initialization notification in this embodiment is the elapse of a predetermined period. When the initialization notification is completed, the performance display device 80 displays a demo screen, the speaker 33 is muted, the performance lamp 35 is lit in a standby state (represented as "normal lighting" in Figure 11), and the output of the security signal is stopped.

[0168] As explained using Figure 11, the inspection of the first gaming device (the normal electric feature solenoid 62 and the special electric feature solenoid 66) that can be performed in the inspectable state includes changing the first gaming device to a first operating mode (activating the normal electric feature solenoid 62 and the special electric feature solenoid 66 for a predetermined period of time). Here, during the notification period of the first notification (notification during inspection), even if the first gaming device changes to the first operating mode, the operating mode of the second gaming device (performance display device 80, speaker 33, performance lamp 35) is maintained and is not affected by the change in the first gaming device. This makes it possible to distinguish and recognize the first gaming device operating for the purpose of an operation test and the second gaming device operating for the purpose of the first notification during the notification period of the first notification, thereby improving the accuracy of the operation test.

[0169] Furthermore, as explained using Figure 11, during the notification period of the second notification (initialization notification), at least a part of the second gaming device (performance lamp 35) changes to a second operating mode (in the order of blue → red → yellow → white), and even if the second gaming device changes to the second operating mode, the operating mode of the first gaming device (normal electric role solenoid 62 and special electric role solenoid 66) is maintained and is not affected by the change in the second gaming device. This makes it possible to distinguish and recognize, during the notification period of the second notification, the second game device that is operating for the purpose of an operation test and the first game device (normal electric role solenoid 62 and special electric role solenoid 66) that is operating according to the state of the game (main control board 100) at that time, thereby improving the accuracy of the operation test.

[0170] Next, changes in the operating state of each gaming device when the game-ready state is set without passing through the testable state in the power recovery process will be described with reference to FIG. Timings t11, t12, and t13 shown in FIG. 12 are similar to timings t1, t2, and t3 shown in FIG. 11, respectively, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0171] From timing t12, a playable state is set for the main control board 100. At this time, unlike the situation shown in FIG. 11, no security signal is output in association with this setting.

[0172] In addition, when the playable state is set at timing t12, the lamps provided on the symbol display device 90 light up according to the state of the main control board 100 at that time (in FIG. 12, the state backed up in RAM 103 before power-on). This lighting pattern is also referred to as "normal lighting" in FIG. 12.

[0173] From timing t13, the performance display device 80, speaker 33, and performance lamp 35 enter a recovery notification mode. Here, the recovery notification mode, as described above, means that the performance display device 80 displays the display mode shown in Figure 10(b), the speaker 33 repeatedly plays a sound indicating that recovery is in progress, and the performance lamp 35 lights up in white.

[0174] Timing t14 represents the timing when the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON, i.e., the timing when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated. In this embodiment, operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is not valid in a playable state. Therefore, operation of the RAM clear switch 43 at timing t14 does not affect the operation of other gaming devices. In this respect, this situation differs from the situation shown in FIG. 11.

[0175] Timing t15 represents the timing when a predetermined period (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed since timing t13. The recovery notification that started at timing t13 ends at timing t15. That is, the condition for ending the recovery notification in this embodiment is the elapse of a predetermined period. In this embodiment, the length of the specified period during which the initialization notification is executed and the length of the specified period during which the recovery notification is executed are illustrated as being the same, but the present invention may also be implemented in a manner in which the lengths of the two periods are different.

[0176] Note that the operation of each gaming device to check whether it is operating normally as explained using Figure 11 is not performed in the situation shown in Figure 12. This is because turning on the power without clearing the RAM is often performed after an error that occurs during gameplay has been resolved, and there is little need to check the operation of each gaming device in such a situation.

[0177] As explained using Figure 12, during the notification period of the third notification (recovery in progress notification), the second gaming device (effect lamp 35) enters a third operating mode (only white light is lit) which is different from the second operating mode, and it can be said that the second gaming device is maintained in the third operating mode until the notification period of the third notification ends. In this embodiment, during the notification period of the third notification, the gaming devices do not execute the operation mode for the purpose of the operation test. Therefore, by doing as described above, it is possible to realize notifications according to the situation and to make a difference in relation to the notification periods of the first notification and the second notification.

[0178] Next, referring to Figure 13, we will explain the changes in the operating state of each gaming device when a testable state is set and then a playable state is set in the power recovery process, and the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while checking the operation of the solenoid.

[0179] Timings t21 to t25, timing t28, and timing t29 shown in FIG. 13 are similar to timings t1 to t5, timing t8, and timing t9 shown in FIG. 11, respectively, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here. Furthermore, periods T1 to T5 shown in FIG. 13 represent the same periods as those shown in FIG. 11 with similar notations, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0180] Timing t26 represents the start of the operating period T3 of the normal electric accessory solenoid 62. Here, it is assumed that the RAM clear switch 43 is operated substantially simultaneously with timing t26 (a timing overlapping with period T3). At this time, the main control board 100 (power restoration processing execution means 180) prioritizes checking the operation of the normal electric role solenoid 62, so it waits until timing t27 after the operating period T3 of the normal electric role solenoid 62 has elapsed, ends the inspection-enabled state, and sets the playable state. In this embodiment, the timing t27 at which the testable state is terminated is described as being later than the timing t26 at which the RAM clear switch 43 is operated, but in implementing the present invention, it is sufficient for the gaming device in operation for testing to continue until its operating mode is terminated, and it is not necessarily necessary to delay the timing at which the testable state is terminated.

[0181] Therefore, when the playable state is set while the first gaming device is operating in the first operating mode in the inspectable state, the first gaming device (normal electric role solenoid 62 and special electric role solenoid 66) continues in the first operating mode until operation in the first operating mode ends, while the second gaming device (performance display device 80, speaker 33, performance lamp 35) stops the operating mode corresponding to the first notification at the time the playable state is set (timing t27), and then starts the operating mode corresponding to the second notification. In this way, even if the end condition of the playable state is satisfied during the operation test, the operation continues until the operation in the first operation mode corresponding to the operation test is completed, so that the operation test of the first gaming device can be performed reliably. On the other hand, by switching the notification regarding the state (first notification and second notification) at the transition timing, the exact transition timing can be notified.

[0182] Next, referring to Figure 14, we will explain the changes in the operating state of each gaming device when a testable state is set and then a playable state is set in the power recovery process, and an error is detected in the testable state. 14, the error state that can be detected in the testable state will be described as a magnetic error, as described above. However, in the practice of the present invention, similar processing may be performed when detecting other error states.

[0183] Timings t31 to t36 and t39 shown in FIG. 14 are similar to timings t1 to t6 and t8 shown in FIG. 11, respectively, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here. Furthermore, periods T1 to T5 shown in FIG. 14 represent the same periods as those shown in FIG. 11 with similar notations, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0184] Timing t37 represents the timing at which a magnetic error is detected by a magnetic sensor (not shown). As shown in FIG. 14, the detection of a magnetic error does not constitute a condition for terminating the inspection-enabled state. Therefore, it does not affect the operating mode of the gaming device (first gaming device) to be inspected in the inspection-enabled state. It also does not affect the operating mode of the gaming device (second gaming device) that is operating in a mode corresponding to the inspection-in-progress notification. Furthermore, since the security signal is output in the inspection-enabled state to notify the inspection-enabled state, the output is maintained even if a magnetic error is detected.

[0185] Timing t38 represents the timing when the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON when operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is valid (after the period T1), that is, the timing when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated. As described above, in this embodiment, operation of the RAM clear switch 43 in the testable state is the condition for terminating the testable state, and the testable state of the main control board 100 ends at approximately the same timing as timing t38, and with the end of the testable state, the output of the security signal is temporarily stopped, which is the same as the situation shown in Figure 11. On the other hand, the inspection possible state shown in Figure 14 differs from the situation shown in Figure 11 in that a magnetic error is detected during that period, and a game impossible state is set afterwards. Here, the game impossible state is a state in which the progress of the game is restricted. At this time, all lamps included in the symbol display device 90 are turned off.

[0186] Even when the unplayable state is set at timing t38, the RAM clear process is executed when the power is turned on, which is the same as the situation shown in Figure 11, so an initialization command is sent from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200 at that timing. Therefore, the effect display device 80 and speaker 33 will be in the initialization notification mode even in the unplayable state. Furthermore, the operation mode of the effect lamp 35 and the movable body 22 during the initialization notification (which is performed to determine whether or not they are normal based on their operation) is also the same as that described using Figure 11.

[0187] Timing t40 represents the timing when a predetermined period has elapsed since timing t38. The initialization notification that started at timing t38 ends at timing t40. This predetermined period is the same length as the predetermined period from timing t7 to timing t9. When the initialization notification is completed, the effect display device 80, speaker 33, and effect lamp 35 issue an error notification corresponding to the magnetic error. That is, the error notification corresponding to the magnetic error detected in the inspection-enabled state is issued after the inspection notification and initialization notification are completed. Regarding the output of the security signal, the output corresponding to the initialization notification is temporarily stopped at timing t40, but immediately thereafter an output corresponding to the error notification is issued.

[0188] Because of the above processing, the in-test notification and the initialization notification can be said to have a higher priority than the error notification corresponding to an error state (magnetic error) that can be detected in the testable state.

[0189] Next, referring to Figure 15, we will explain the changes in the operating state of each gaming device when the playable state is set without going through the testable state during the power recovery process and an error is detected in the playable state. Note that the error state that can be detected in the playable state shown in Figure 15 is not limited in the same way as the inspectable state, but will be described as a magnetic error, similar to the situation shown in Figure 14.

[0190] Timings t41 to t43 and timing t45 shown in FIG. 15 are similar to timings t11 to t14 shown in FIG. 12, respectively, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0191] Timing t44 represents the timing at which a magnetic error is detected by a magnetic sensor (not shown). As shown in Figure 15, at timing t44 when the magnetic error is detected, the playable state ends and a non-playable state is set, which is different from Figure 12. At timing t44 when the unplayable state is set, all lamps included in the symbol display device 90 are turned off.

[0192] On the other hand, the recovery notification is set to be executed for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds), and therefore continues even if a magnetic error is detected. Therefore, the magnetic error detected in the restoration notification does not affect the operation mode of the gaming device (second gaming device) that is operating in a mode corresponding to the restoration notification. Even if a magnetic error is detected during the restoration notification, the security signal is not output during the restoration notification, which is the same as the situation shown in FIG.

[0193] Timing t46 represents the timing when a predetermined period has elapsed since timing t43. The recovery notification that started at timing t43 ends at timing t46. This predetermined period is the same length as the predetermined period from timing t13 to timing t15. When the recovery notification ends, the effect display device 80, speaker 33, and effect lamp 35 issue an error notification corresponding to the magnetic error. That is, the error notification corresponding to the magnetic error detected during the recovery notification notification period is executed after the recovery notification ends. Note that the security signal corresponding to the error notification is output from timing t46.

[0194] Because of the above processing, the recovery notification can be said to have a higher priority than the error notification corresponding to the magnetic error.

[0195] As a result of the above-described configuration, the first, second, and third notifications of the present invention are executed with priority over error notifications corresponding to error states detected during the notification period, allowing hall staff and the like to be reliably aware of the status of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to each notification. In this embodiment, the priority of the error notification corresponding to a specific error state (magnetic error) that can be detected in an inspection-enabled state has been described as being lower than the first notification (notification during inspection), the second notification (notification during initialization), and the third notification (notification during recovery), but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the error states detectable in the inspectable state may include an error state (first error state) whose error notification priority is higher than the first, second, and third notifications, and the error notification corresponding to the first error state may be executable while the inspectable state is in effect. Also, in this variation, the error states detectable in the inspectable state may include an error state (second error state) whose error notification priority is lower than the first, second, and third notifications, and the error notification corresponding to the second error state may be executable after the inspectable state has ended (after the playable state has been set).

[0196] In addition, in FIG. 13, a case has been described in which the RAM clear switch 43, which is a condition for ending the testable state, is operated during the operation test of the first gaming device (normal electric accessory solenoid 62) to be tested. A similar situation may occur when a power outage occurs during an operation test of the first gaming device in the testable state (while the device is operating in the first operating mode), so a further explanation of this case will be provided. In the above case, the operation of the first gaming device undergoing an operational test will naturally stop in response to the power outage. Here, if the power is turned on after the power outage without clearing the RAM, it is preferable to set the device to a playable state rather than the state before the power outage (testable state). This is because there is a high probability that the person who turned on the power determined that testing was not necessary.

[0197] <Other variations> Modifications not mentioned in the above description are listed below.

[0198] In the above embodiment, the first gaming device to be inspected in the inspectable state is controlled by the first control board (main control board 100), and the second gaming device used for the first and second notifications is controlled by the second control board (first sub-control board 200), but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. The first gaming device may include a gaming device controlled by the second control board (for example, a performance button 37 and an LED contained therein), and the second gaming device may include a gaming device controlled by the first control board. In this modified example, when an operating means such as the effect button 37 is to be inspected in the inspectable state, the inspection is to confirm whether the operating means normally accepts operation, so the sensor that detects the operation needs to function effectively in the inspectable state. Furthermore, while the operating means is being manually operated and inspected in the inspectable state, it is preferable that another gaming device to be inspected (for example, each solenoid, each lamp, etc.) be automatically operated so that the manual inspection and the automatic inspection can proceed in parallel.

[0199] In the above embodiment, it was explained that the condition for setting the playable state after starting the inspection-enabled state is that a predetermined operating means (RAM clear switch 43) must be operated, but the condition is not limited to this example. For example, the playable state may be set on the condition that a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the power is turned on or the time when the testable state begins.

[0200] In the above embodiment, the solenoids to be inspected are the normal electric accessory solenoid 62 and the special electric accessory solenoid 66. In carrying out the present invention, it is not necessary to inspect both the solenoid related to the normal electric accessory and the solenoid related to the special electric accessory; either one of them may be inspected.

[0201] In the above embodiment, a gaming machine with a single special electric device is exemplified, but the present invention may also be implemented by a gaming machine with multiple special electric devices. In this case, there may be multiple solenoids (solenoids corresponding to the first gaming device) related to the special electric device to be inspected. Furthermore, when the present invention is implemented using a gaming machine equipped with multiple special electric devices, it is desirable that each special electric device be arranged in the right-hand play area, and that each special electric device be controlled so that it operates alternately or at times other than simultaneously, making it difficult to win with one device when it is easy to win with the other.

[0202] In the above embodiment, it was only mentioned that the gaming machine is provided with an inspection function for the purpose of checking the operation of the solenoid corresponding to each electric device (whether the electric device is operating normally) in an inspectable state. In addition to this, the gaming machine embodying the present invention may be provided with an inspection function for the purpose of checking whether the winning detection sensor corresponding to the winning slot (large winning slot or starting slot) to which each electric device is attached is effective.

[0203] The operating modes of each game device explained in the above embodiment with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15 are specific examples of the present invention, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention. In the above embodiment, when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while a gaming device is operating for testing, the operation continues until the operating mode ends, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may also be implemented by a modified example in which the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 immediately stops the operation of the gaming device, ends the testable state, and sets the gaming device to a playable state. According to this modified example, after the playable state is set (notification period of the second notification), the second gaming device changes in a predetermined operating mode to check whether it is normal or not, thereby speeding up the inspection and making the confirmation easier.

[0204] <Additional Notes> The present embodiment encompasses the following technical idea. (1) A gaming machine capable of launching gaming balls, obtaining prize balls based on the entry of gaming balls into a prize slot, and capable of executing RAM clear processing when powered on, the gaming machine comprises a plurality of gaming devices used in a game, and a state management means for setting a playable state in which a game can be executed and an inspectable state in which a first gaming device among the plurality of gaming devices can be inspected, the inspectable state being a state that can be set after powering on with the RAM clear processing, a first notification being executed during the period in which the inspectable state remains, and the playable state being a state in which the inspectable state remains. a state that can be set after the start of the inspection-enabled state, a second notification is executed when the state is set after the start of the inspection-enabled state, a second gaming device different from the first gaming device is used for the first notification and the second notification, an inspection of the first gaming device that can be performed in the inspection-enabled state includes changing the first gaming device to a first operating mode, and during the notification period of the first notification, even if the first gaming device changes to the first operating mode, the operating mode of the second gaming device is maintained. (2) A gaming machine as described in (1), which is equipped with an operating means, and the inspection of the first gaming device includes an inspection that requires operation of the operating means in the inspectable state and an inspection that does not require operation of the operating means in the inspectable state. (3) A gaming machine described in (1) or (2), comprising a first control board and a second control board configured to be able to receive signals from the first control board in one direction, wherein the first gaming device is a gaming device controlled by the first control board, and the second gaming device is a gaming device controlled by the second control board. (4) A gaming machine described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first gaming device includes a gaming device capable of parallel processing of testing and a gaming device incapable of parallel processing of testing. (5) A gaming machine described in any one of (1) to (4), wherein when the playable state is set while the first gaming device is operating in the first operating mode in the inspectable state, the first gaming device continues the first operating mode until operation in the first operating mode is completed, while the second gaming device stops the operating mode corresponding to the first notification at the time the playable state is set and then starts the operating mode corresponding to the second notification. (6) A gaming machine as described in (5), in which during the notification period of the second notification, at least a portion of the second gaming device changes to a second operating mode, and even if the second gaming device changes to the second operating mode, the operating mode of the first gaming device is maintained. (7) The gaming machine described in (6), wherein the state management means is capable of setting the playable state without passing through the testable state after power-on without the RAM clearing process, and in the playable state set without passing through the testable state, a third notification different from either the first notification or the second notification is executed, and during the notification period of the third notification, the second gaming device enters a third operating mode different from the second operating mode, and the second gaming device is maintained in the third operating mode until the notification period of the third notification ends. [Explanation of symbols]

[0205] 10 Gaming machines 15 Outer Frame 17 Middle Frame 20 Front frame 21 Hinge mechanism 22 Movable body 23 Cylinder lock 25 Transparent materials 28 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 30 Decorative lamp on the board 31 Operating handle 32 Upper frame part 33 Speaker 34 Side frame 35 Stage Lamp 36 Ball removal mechanism 37 Production button 38 Cursor Button 39 Main operation section 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening and closing cover 46 Game Ball Tank 47 Tank rail 48 Dispensing Unit 49 Dispensing aisle 50 Game Board 51 outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 55 Grand Prize Winner 57 First starting point 59 Second starting point 61 Normal electric device 62 Ordinary electric accessory solenoid Gate 63 65 Special Electric Devices 66 Special electric accessory solenoid 67 General Prize Winners 69 Outlet 70 First starting port sensor 71 Second starting port sensor 72 Large prize entrance sensor 73 General prize entry sensor 74 Gate Sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame door open sensor 80 Performance display device 90 Pattern display device 91 First special pattern display device 92 Second special pattern display device 93 Ordinary pattern display device 94 1st Special Design Hold Lamp 95 2nd special pattern reserved lamp 96 Normal pattern hold lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 105 Random Number Circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entrance determination method 115 Main random number generator 120 Main Hold Control Means 125 Preliminary Judgment Measures 130 Special drawing lottery method 131 Special drawing validity determination means 132 Special stop pattern lottery means 133 Special chart variation pattern derivation means 135 General lottery method 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Pattern display control means 150 Electrical equipment control means 155 Game status control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main Error Control Measures 170 Main Command Management Method 175 Power cut processing execution means 180 Power restoration processing execution means 200 1st sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 209 1st sub-control board case 210 Sub-random number generator 220 Normal performance control means 221 Presentation mode control means 222 Production Route Determination Method 223 Sub-hold control means 224 Predictive performance control means 225 Means for determining production content 226 Decorative pattern control means 227 Jackpot performance control means 230 Sub-error Control Measures 235 Voice Control Means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable equipment control means 260 Power restoration processing execution means 270 Sub-information storage means 275 Subcommand Management Method 300 Second sub-control board 301 CPU 302 ROM 303 RAM 309 Second sub-control board case 400 Dispensing control board 401 CPU 402 ROM 403 RAM 409 Dispensing control board case 500 Power Control Board 501 Normal power circuit 502 Backup power circuit 503 Power interruption detection circuit 504 RAM clear switch circuit 509 Power supply control board case

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine that sets a playable state in which a game can be played and an inspectable state in which a gaming device can be inspected, The testable state is a state that can be set after power-on with RAM clear processing, and a first notification is executed during the period in which the testable state is set, The playable state is a state that can be set after the inspection-enabled state is started, and when the inspection-enabled state is set after the inspection-enabled state is started, a second notification is executed; The tests that can be performed in the testable state include placing the first gaming device in a first operating mode; During the notification period of the first notification, even if the first gaming device is in the first operating mode, the operating mode of the second gaming device used to execute the first notification is maintained; a first period during which the inspection-enabled state is maintained even if an operation on a predetermined operation means is accepted in the inspection-enabled state; starting operation of the first gaming device in the first operating mode during the first period; a second period is provided after the first period has ended and during the operation of the first gaming device in the first operating mode, in which the first gaming device enters the playable state when an operation is received from the predetermined operating means; When the second gaming device receives an operation on the predetermined operating means during the second period and enters the playable state, the second gaming device stops an operation mode corresponding to the first notification at the timing of entering the playable state, and then starts an operation mode corresponding to the second notification; Even if a predetermined error state is detected during the period in which the testable state is set, the operation mode of the first gaming device is not affected. A gaming machine characterized by:

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