Gaming machine

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 Art]]

[0002] Generally, pachinko gaming machines are provided with a large number of devices for use in executing games and producing effects related to games, and some are provided with a dedicated state for inspecting these devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-015191 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] In a gaming machine as described in Patent Document 1, the behavior of a device in an inspectable state has a different meaning from the behavior of the device in a playable state, and it is preferable to be able to clearly identify which state the machine is in.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a gaming machine that allows easy ascertaining whether the machine is in an inspectable state or a playable state. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] According to the present invention, a gaming machine that sets a playable state in which a game can be played and an inspectable state in which a device can be inspected, wherein a first notification is given during the period in which the inspectable state is set, a second notification is given when a predetermined timing is reached in the playable state set after the start of the inspectable state, the inspection that can be performed in the inspectable state includes setting the first device to a first operating mode, the first notification and the second notification use a second device different from the first device, the operating mode of the second device is maintained even if the first device enters the first operating mode during the notification period of the first notification, the inspection of the first device is completed after a predetermined period has elapsed, the inspection that can be performed in the inspectable state includes an inspection of a device other than the first device in addition to the inspection of the first device, and while the first device is operating in the first operating mode in the inspectable state , when a predetermined condition is met by operating a predetermined operating means When the playable state is set, the second 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. Furthermore, during the period in which the device is in the inspectable state, there is a period in which the predetermined conditions are not met by operations on the predetermined operating means, and operations on the predetermined operating means during that period do not affect the operating mode of the first device. A gaming machine characterized by the following is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a gaming machine is provided that makes it easy to determine whether it is in a state where it can be inspected or a state where it can be played. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the gaming machine. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the pattern display device located in area II shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a bird's-eye view showing the group of control buttons located in area III shown in Figure 1, as well as their surroundings. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the game board installed inside a gaming machine. [Figure 5] This is a rear view of the gaming machine. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the control configuration of a gaming machine. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a gaming machine. [Figure 8] This diagram schematically shows the lottery table used in the lottery on the main control board. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the processing flow for power restoration. [Figure 10] This figure shows the display modes of the performance display device corresponding to each notification executed by the power restoration processing execution means. [Figure 11] This is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when the testable state is set and then the playable state is set during the power restoration process. [Figure 12] This is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when the game-playable state is set without going through the inspection-ready state during the power restoration process. [Figure 13] This is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when, in the power restoration process, the testable state is set and then the playable state is set, and the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while the solenoid operation is being checked. [Figure 14] This is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when, in the power restoration process, the testable state is set and then the playable state is set, and an error is detected in the testable state. [Figure 15] This is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when, during the power restoration process, the game-ready state is set without going through the inspection-ready state, and an error is detected in the game-ready state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as 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 description, "advantageous" means advantageous to the player, and unless otherwise specified, it means advantageous in terms of the amount of prize balls or medals obtained (payout of game balls or medals), excluding performance benefits such as so-called premium images.

[0010] <Summary> Before describing the details of the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, an outline of the features of the present embodiment will be described. The gaming machine 10 is a so-called pachinko gaming machine, which can launch game balls, obtain prize balls based on the entry of game balls into a winning opening, and can execute a RAM clearing process when the power is turned on. The gaming machine 10 comprises a plurality of gaming devices and a state management means.

[0011] The above-mentioned gaming devices are a general term for various devices (apparatuses) used in gaming. In the present embodiment, description will be given on the assumption that at least the movable body 22, the speaker 33, the performance lamp 35, the board decoration lamp 30, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 62, the special electric accessory solenoid 66, the performance display device 80, the symbol display device 90, and the components included therein correspond to gaming devices, but in the implementation of the present invention, the gaming devices are not limited to these.

[0012] The above-mentioned state management means sets a game-enabled state and an inspection-enabled state. The state management means in the present embodiment is a function realized by the main control board 100, and specifically corresponds to the power recovery processing execution means 180. However, in the implementation of the present invention, the board that implements the state management means does not necessarily need to be the main control board, and may be implemented by another board.

[0013] The aforementioned inspectable state is a state in which inspection can be performed on a first gaming device among a plurality of gaming devices, can be set after power-on accompanied by RAM clearing processing, and a first notification is executed during the period in which the system stays in the inspectable state. The aforementioned gaming-enabled state is a state in which a game can be executed, can be set after the inspectable state is started, and a second notification is executed when the state is set after the inspectable state is started. In the present embodiment, the gaming-enabled state corresponds to a symbol variation execution period, a jackpot game execution period, a minor jackpot game execution period, and a period during which these operations are stopped or waiting, etc. For the aforementioned first notification and second notification, a second gaming device different from the aforementioned first gaming device is used.

[0014] The first gaming device is a gaming device to be inspected in the inspectable state, and the second gaming device is a gaming device not to be inspected in the inspectable state. The number of gaming devices corresponding to the first gaming device and the second gaming device is not particularly limited, and either may be single or plural. In the following description of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first gaming device corresponds to a normal electric accessory solenoid 62, a special electric accessory solenoid 66, and a symbol display device 90. In the following description of the present embodiment, it is assumed that the second gaming device corresponds to a speaker 33, an effect lamp 35, and an effect display device 80. In the following description of the present embodiment, it is assumed that a board decoration 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 (classification into the first gaming device, the second gaming device, and the third gaming device) is merely a specific example, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0015] The gaming machine 10 is characterized in that, in an inspection of a first gaming device that can be performed in an inspectionable state, the inspection of the first gaming device 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 a first operating mode, the operating mode of the second gaming device is maintained, and the plurality of gaming devices include a third gaming device that is not subject to inspection in an inspectionable state and is not used in at least one of the first notification or the second notification. Here, "the first gaming device changes in the first operating mode" means that it changes in an operating mode (first operating mode) that corresponds to the inspection related to the first gaming device. Furthermore, "the operating mode of the second gaming device is maintained" means that the operating mode of the second gaming device is constant, and this includes continuously changing in an operating mode that does not depend 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 characteristics, it can clearly distinguish and notify the inspection-ready state and the play-ready state, allowing hall staff and others to reliably recognize the status of the gaming machine 10. In addition, since the gaming devices used to indicate the inspection-ready state and the play-ready state are limited, the accuracy of the confirmation is improved. The gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0017] <About the structure of gaming machine 10> First, the structure of the gaming machine 10 will be explained using Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 10, Figure 2 shows the pattern display device 90 located in area II shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a bird's-eye view showing the group of operation buttons and their surroundings located in area III shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows the game board 50 installed inside the gaming machine 10, and Figure 5 is a rear view of the gaming machine 10. The configurations shown in Figures 1 to 5 are merely those necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and configurations and functions not shown herein may be added to the gaming machine 10. Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 does not necessarily have to include all of the configurations shown herein, and some configurations or functions may be omitted as long as they do not hinder the effects of the present invention.

[0018] The gaming machine 10 of this embodiment is a so-called pachinko machine, and it plays a game in which a game ball is launched into the front area (hereinafter referred to as "game area 50a") of a game board 50 on which a large number of game pins (not shown) are erected, and when the game ball enters a prize pocket (for example, a large prize pocket 55, etc.), the player receives prize balls. In the following description, when a game ball enters a prize pocket, it may be simply referred to as "entering a prize pocket".

[0019] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 is capable of launching game balls, and that prize balls are awarded based on the game balls entering the prize slots.

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

[0021] The middle frame 17 is supported by a hinge mechanism (not shown) located on the same side as the hinge mechanism 21, allowing it to rotate freely around its left end and open and close to the 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 opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the front frame (to the right in this embodiment)). In this embodiment, a middle frame open sensor 76 is provided to detect whether or not the middle frame 17 is in an open state. The middle frame open sensor 76 is ON when the middle frame 17 is in an open state and 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 able to rotate around its left end and open and close 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 opposite direction to the unlocking direction of the middle frame 17 (to the left in this embodiment)). Furthermore, the front frame 20 is equipped with a transparent member 25 positioned to cover the game area 50a, and the transparent member 25 provides transparent protection for the game area 50a and the game board 50. Furthermore, the front frame 20 is equipped with an upper ball receiving tray 28 and a lower ball receiving tray 29 for storing game balls, and the upper ball receiving tray 28 and the lower ball receiving tray 29 are spaced apart vertically and are integrally provided with the front frame 20. Furthermore, the front frame 20 is equipped with an operating handle 31 to the right of the lower ball receiving tray 29, and by rotating the operating handle 31, the game balls stored in the upper ball receiving tray 28 are launched toward the game area 50a.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, a group of operation buttons operated by the player are arranged on the upper surface of the upper ball receiving 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 dispensing button 39a and a return button 39b for accepting prepaid card return operations. It also includes an effect button 37 electrically connected to the first sub-control board 200 (described later), which can accept player operations to switch between effects that occur during gameplay or to obtain various information related to the gaming machine 10, and cursor buttons 38 (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d) for instructing operations up, down, left, and right, respectively. Each operation unit is equipped with a sensor to detect operation, and the connected control board detects 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. Furthermore, the upper cursor button 38a and the lower cursor button 38b are operated to adjust the volume of the sound output from the speaker 33, which will be described later, and the left cursor button 38c and the right cursor button 38d are operated to adjust the brightness of the effect lamp 35 and the effect display device 80, which will be described later.

[0024] The lower part of the lower ball receiving tray 29 is provided with a ball removal mechanism 36 that discharges the game balls stored in the lower ball receiving tray 29 downwards. By operating this ball removal mechanism 36, a bottom opening (not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the lower ball receiving tray 29 opens, and the game balls fall naturally out through this bottom opening and are discharged. Although not shown in the diagram, the upper ball tray 28 is equipped with a mechanism, similar to the ball removal mechanism 36, that, when operated, moves the stored balls to the lower ball tray 29. By operating both this mechanism and the ball removal mechanism 36, the stored balls can be discharged.

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

[0026] The performance display device 80 is a liquid crystal display device located approximately in the center of the game board 50, and can display the changing display of decorative symbols that is linked to the changing display of the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92, which will be described later, and can also display various other performances.

[0027] In the display of changing decorative patterns shown on the performance display device 80, the displayed decorative patterns consist of three rows of patterns. The direction of the changing display of each row of patterns is not particularly limited and may be, for example, vertical, horizontal, depth, or a combination thereof (diagonal). Here, the depth direction refers to the virtual direction perceived by the player in a display configuration that uses a method (for example, perspective) that makes it appear as if the decorative patterns are moving from the back to the front or vice versa of the display screen of the display device 80, even though they are actually a two-dimensional, fluctuating display on the display screen of the display device 80. Furthermore, the decorative patterns in this embodiment include "Pattern 1" which resembles the number "1", "Pattern 2" which resembles the number "2", "Pattern 3" which resembles the number "3", "Pattern 4" which resembles the number "4", "Pattern 5" which resembles the number "5", "Pattern 6" which resembles the number "6", "Pattern 7" which resembles the number "7", "Pattern 8" which resembles the number "8", and "Pattern 9" which resembles the number "9", and these patterns are provided in each pattern row.In the following description, "Pattern 1", "Pattern 3", "Pattern 5", "Pattern 7", and "Pattern 9" may be collectively referred to as "odd-number patterns", and "Pattern 2", "Pattern 4", "Pattern 6", and "Pattern 8" may be collectively referred to as "even-number patterns".

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

[0029] Multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged on the lower right side of the display device 80. These LEDs form the display area of ​​the symbol display device 90, which displays special symbols and regular symbols. Furthermore, the symbol display device 90 is positioned in a location that is less visible to the player than the performance display device 80, and the display area of ​​the symbol display device 90 is smaller than the display area of ​​the performance display device 80. In this embodiment, the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 are as shown in Figure 2, but this is just one example, and the arrangement and number of LEDs in the pattern display device 90 are not limited to this example.

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

[0031] A normal symbol is a symbol that is displayed when stopped as a result of a symbol variation that determines whether or not to activate a normal electric mechanism (for example, a normal electric mechanism 61). In this embodiment, the normal symbols are displayed on the normal symbol display device 93. In addition, regular symbols are sometimes abbreviated as "regular symbols," and regular electric mechanisms are sometimes referred to as "electric chute."

[0032] In addition to the display device described above, the symbol display device 90 is also equipped with a first special symbol hold lamp 94, a second special symbol hold lamp 95, and a regular symbol hold lamp 96. The first special symbol hold lamp 94 can identify the number of symbol changes for the held special symbol 1, the second special symbol hold lamp 95 can identify the number of symbol changes for the held special symbol 2, and the normal symbol hold lamp 96 can identify the number of symbol changes for the held normal symbol. In each case, the number of corresponding symbol changes can be identified by the lighting patterns of the two LEDs (in this embodiment, right LED always lit = 1, left and right LEDs always lit = 2, right LED flashing + left LED always lit = 3, left and right LEDs flashing = 4).

[0033] In the following explanation, a symbol variation in which a special symbol is displayed in a variable state on the first special symbol display device 91 or the second special symbol display device 92 and then stopped will be referred to as a "special symbol variation," and in the following explanation, a symbol variation in which a normal symbol is displayed in a variable state on the normal symbol display device 93 and then stopped will be referred to as a "normal symbol variation." Furthermore, in the following explanation, the display of changing decorative symbols shown on the aforementioned display device 80 may be referred to as "changing decorative symbols" to distinguish it from "changing special symbols" and "changing regular symbols." In the following explanation, when the term "symbol variation" is used, it refers to the variation of the special symbols unless otherwise specified.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, numerous obstacles such as game pins (not shown), windmills 52, and decorative members are arranged on the front of the game board 50, thereby defining the game area 50a so that the launched game balls roll along it. Furthermore, curved outer rails 51 and inner rails 53 are positioned on the left and upper sides of the game area 50a to guide the game balls, launched by the rotation of the operating handle 31, to the upper part of the game area 50a. The outer rail 51 is located outside the inner rail 53 with respect to the center of the game area 50a. Here, the windmill 52 is a mechanism for changing the direction of the game ball's fall, and is nail-shaped.

[0035] The gaming machine 10 allows the player to adjust the strength of the ball launch by changing the amount of rotation (for example, the rotation angle) of the operating handle 31. Various obstacles are arranged in the gaming area 50a so that the balls roll along either a first channel X (so-called left-handed play) where the balls are launched weaker, or a second channel Y (so-called right-handed play) where the balls are launched stronger.

[0036] Figure 4 illustrates the main prize-winning openings, including the Grand Prize Opening 55, the First Starting Opening 57, the Second Starting Opening 59, Gate 63, and the General Prize Opening 67. However, the number and arrangement of the prize-winning openings shown are just examples, and their number and arrangement may be changed as appropriate, as long as they fulfill the roles described below.

[0037] The large prize slot 55 is located in the lower right of the game area 50a. The large prize slot 55 is equipped with a large prize slot sensor 72, and a prize is determined by the detection result of the large prize slot sensor 72, and the number of prize balls corresponding to the large prize slot 55 (15 balls) is awarded. In this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged such that more game balls roll towards the large prize opening 55 when rolling from the second channel Y compared to when rolling from the first channel X.

[0038] A special electric mechanism 65 is installed above the large prize opening 55. The special electric mechanism 65 is a component that can switch between an open state, which makes it easy for balls to enter the large prize opening 55, and a closed state, which makes it difficult for balls to enter. The special electric mechanism solenoid 66 switches between the open state and the closed state.

[0039] The special electric mechanism 65 opens in at least some of the jackpot games that result from a jackpot being determined by the special symbol win / loss judgment described later, and as a result, balls are allowed to enter the large prize pocket 55. Thus, when the special electric mechanism 65 is open, balls can easily enter the large prize pocket 55, and the chances of winning prize balls increase significantly, making the jackpot game a favorable game state. Furthermore, during a jackpot game, the special electric mechanism 65 alternates between open and closed states. One open state (sometimes referred to as a "round," and the total number of rounds in one jackpot may be referred to as the "number of rounds") ends when a predetermined number of game balls (10 in this embodiment) enter the large prize slot 55, and the special electric mechanism 65 closes. Note that one open state also ends when a sufficient amount of time (30 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed for a predetermined number of game balls to enter the large prize slot 55. Here, in one round, when the special electric mechanism 65 is set from open to closed based on the entry of 10 game balls, it cannot immediately close. Therefore, in one round, it may occur that more than 10 game balls enter the large prize slot 55, and such entries may be referred to as over-entries.

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

[0041] Furthermore, in at least a portion of the minor win games resulting from the special symbol win / loss determination, the special electric mechanism 65 also enters an open state. In this embodiment, the time during which the mechanism remains open is set to be shorter compared to the major win game. For this reason, the minor win game can be said to be a less favorable game state than the major win game.

[0042] The first start opening 57 is located in the lower center of the game area 50a. The first start opening 57 is equipped with a first start opening sensor 70, and based on the detection result of the first start opening sensor 70, it is determined that a ball has entered the first start opening 57, and a number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) associated with the first start opening 57 are awarded. In at least some cases when a ball has entered the first start opening 57, the symbols in Special Figure 1 will change. In this embodiment, the game area 50a is configured such that, compared to when the game balls roll from the second channel Y, more game balls roll towards the first starting opening 57 when they roll from the first channel X. Obstacles such as game pins are arranged accordingly.

[0043] The second starting port 59 is located in the lower right of the game area 50a. The second starting port 59 is equipped with a second starting port sensor 71, and a prize is awarded to the second starting port 59 based on the detection result of the second starting port sensor 71, with a number of prize balls (1 in this embodiment) associated with the second starting port 59 being awarded. In at least some cases where a win is determined in the second starting gate 59, the symbols in Special Feature 2 will change. In this embodiment, the game area 50a is configured such that, compared to when the game balls roll from the first channel X, more game balls roll towards the second starting opening 59 when they roll from the second channel Y, with obstacles such as game pins arranged accordingly.

[0044] A standard electric mechanism 61 is installed in the flow path connected to the second starting port 59. The standard electric mechanism 61 is a component that can switch between an open state, which facilitates the entry of game balls into the second starting port 59, and a closed state, which makes it difficult for game balls to enter. The standard electric mechanism solenoid 62 switches between the open state and the closed state. More specifically, the regular electric mechanism 61 is open in at least a portion of the regular winning game, which is triggered by the symbol variation of the regular symbol, and as a result, entry into the second start opening 59 is permitted. In this way, when the regular electric mechanism 61 is open, entry into the second start opening 59 becomes easier, which can significantly increase the opportunities for the symbol variation of the special symbol 2 to be executed while suppressing the decrease in game balls through prize balls. Here, as shown in Figure 4, the special electric component 65 is located downstream of the ordinary electric component 61 in the second flow path Y.

[0045] Gate 63 is located in the right center of the game area 50a. Gate 63 is equipped with a gate sensor 74, and the passage of a game ball into gate 63 (which may also be referred to as a prize) is determined by the detection result of the gate sensor 74. In at least some cases when a prize is determined to have entered gate 63, the symbols on the regular diagram will change. In this embodiment, no prize balls are awarded even if a prize is determined to have entered gate 63. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged such that more game balls roll towards the gate 63 when rolling from the second channel Y compared to when rolling from the first channel X.

[0046] The general prize slots 67 (67a, 67b) are located in the lower left of the game area 50a. A general prize slot sensor 73 is attached to the general prize slot 67, and a prize is determined by the detection result of the general prize slot sensor 73, and a predetermined number of prize balls (4 in this embodiment) are awarded for a prize in the general prize slot 67. More specifically, a general prize slot sensor 73a (not shown) is attached to the general prize slot 67a, and a general prize slot sensor 73b (not shown) is attached to the general prize slot 67b. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the obstacles are arranged so that more game balls roll towards the general prize opening 67 when rolling from the first channel X compared to when rolling from the second channel Y. However, the obstacles may also be arranged so that more game balls roll towards the general prize opening 67 when rolling from the second channel Y.

[0047] The out-out opening 69 is located at the bottom of the game area 50a. Game balls that are hit into the game area 50a and do not enter any of the aforementioned prize-winning openings fall into the out-out opening 69 and are treated as out balls.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the front of the game board is provided with multiple movable parts 22, which are used in the game's presentation along with the presentation images displayed on the presentation display device 80 and the audio data output from the speaker 33. In this embodiment, an upper movable body 22a is provided above the performance display device 80 installed on the game board, and left and right movable bodies 22b are provided to the left and right of the performance display device 80, and are driven and controlled to a predetermined position based on the special figure variation pattern which will be described in detail later.

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

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the back of the game board 50 is fitted with a main control board case 109 housing the main control board 100, a first sub-control board case 209 housing the first sub-control board 200, a second sub-control board case 309 housing the second sub-control board 300, a power supply control board case 509 housing the power supply control board 500, and a payout control board case 409 housing the payout control board 400. In addition to the backs of the first sub-control board case 209 and the second sub-control board case 309, an opening / closing cover 45 is detachably attached to cover a portion of the back of the main control board case 109. Furthermore, the circuit board cases and covers that enclose each circuit board are made of transparent material, allowing the corresponding circuit board to be seen through each case and cover.

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

[0052] Furthermore, on the back of the game board 50, above the opening / closing cover 45, is a game ball tank 46 where game balls supplied from the game island's ball supply equipment are stored. The game ball tank 46 is further connected to a payout passage 49 that leads to an upper ball tray 28 via a tank rail 47 and a payout unit 48. Balls dispensed by the payout unit 48 are dispensed to the upper ball tray 28 through the payout passage 49.

[0053] Up to this point, the structure of the gaming machine 10 in this embodiment has been described, but these are just specific examples, and the present invention can also be implemented with other configurations.

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

[0055] The main control board 100 includes 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 for temporary storage and buffer memory, I / O ports 104 that input and output signals to and from peripheral boards and various devices, and a random number circuit 105 that generates random numbers (hardware random numbers) operating on a separate system from the program processing by the CPU 101, and these are all interconnected via an internal bus.

[0056] The CPU 101 reads various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and performs calculations to execute various processes related to the main control of the game. RAM103 is backed up by a backup power supply generated by the backup power supply circuit 502, which will be described later. Specifically, among the information stored in RAM103, various information is backed up so that when power is restored after a power outage, the gaming machine 10 can be restored to the state it was in immediately before the power outage using that data. For example, in addition to data such as the stack pointer and each register that was held when the power outage occurred, the information to be backed up includes the state of the gaming machine 10 at that time, the current special symbol lottery state, the current normal symbol lottery state, whether or not a jackpot game is in progress, the stopped symbols of special symbol 1 and special symbol 2, the reserved information for symbol changes, and the number of rounds played in a jackpot game.

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

[0058] There are no limitations on the specific backup method in this embodiment. For example, the area of ​​RAM 103 to be backed up may be implemented in a configuration that can retain data non-volatilely even when the power is off. As another example, different hardware may be provided for the first memory, which is configured to retain data non-volatilely even when the power is off, and the second memory, which is referenced when the gaming machine 10 is operating. In that case, the gaming machine 10 can save the information to be backed up from the second memory to the first memory when the power is off, and recover the saved information from the first memory to the second memory when the power is restored.

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

[0060] Furthermore, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to the first special symbol display device 91, the second special symbol display device 92, the normal symbol display device 93, the first special symbol hold lamp 94, the second special symbol hold lamp 95, the normal symbol hold lamp 96, the normal electric mechanism solenoid 62, and the special electric mechanism solenoid 66, and is configured to be controllable 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 detect operations performed by 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 in a single direction only, from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200, allowing various control commands to be transmitted from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200. Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 cannot transmit data to the main control board 100, and the first sub-control board 200 is configured not to be able to request data transmission from the main control board 100. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a parallel transmission method is used for data transmission 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 described as comprising a first control board (main control board 100) and a second control board (first sub-control board 200) configured 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 given as examples of configurations corresponding to the first control board and the second control board according to the present invention, 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 includes a CPU 201 that performs various calculations related to game effects based on effect control commands from the main control board 100, a ROM 202 that stores data such as effect control programs and various lottery tables, a RAM 203 that functions as a work area for temporary storage and buffer memory, and I / O ports 204 that input and output signals to and from peripheral boards and various devices. These are interconnected via an internal bus, and the CPU 201 is configured to execute major controls related to game effects according to the control program stored in the ROM 202. The first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38 (more precisely, an operation detection switch (not shown) that detects the operation of the performance button 37 and the cursor button 38), and is configured to detect operations on these buttons.

[0064] Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 generates, based on performance control commands or power restoration commands from the main control board 100, image control commands and sound control commands to instruct the second sub-control board 300 to display images and sounds, lamp control data to control the lighting of various lamps such as the upper movable body lamp 24a, the left and right movable body lamps 24b, the panel decoration lamps 30 (30a, 30b), and the performance lamp 35, as well as movement control data to control the movement of the upper movable body 22a, the left and right movable body 22b, etc. Here, the first sub-control board 200 is connected to the second sub-control board 300 in a way that enables bidirectional communication. Various commands are sent from the first sub-control board 200 to the second sub-control board 300, while in response, an acknowledgment command (ACK command) indicating that the command has been successfully received is sent from the second sub-control board 300 to the first sub-control board 200.

[0065] Furthermore, the first sub-control board 200 is electrically connected to the upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamps 24b, the panel decoration lamps 30 (30a, 30b), and the performance lamp 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 decoration lamps 30 (30a, 30b), and the performance lamp 35 are configured to be controlled by the lamp control data transmitted from the first sub-control board 200.

[0066] The second sub-control board 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs various calculations related to image and sound effects based on control commands from the first sub-control board 200, a ROM 302 that stores control programs for controlling images and sounds and various data, a RAM 303 that functions as a work area for temporary storage and buffer memory, and an I / O port 304 that inputs and outputs signals to and from peripheral boards and various devices. The CPU 301 is configured to execute major controls related to various effects according to the control programs stored in the ROM 302. In addition, the second sub-control board 300, although not shown in the diagram, is equipped with a VDP that generates image data in accordance with the content of the performance determined by the performance content determination means 225 (described later) based on control signals received from the CPU 301, and a sound source IC that generates audio data based on control signals received from the CPU 301. The VDP is a so-called image processor that reads image data stored in the 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 used for expanding and processing the image data read from the image ROM is connected to this VDP. The sound source IC reads audio data stored in the audio ROM in response to instructions from the CPU 301, synthesizes the read audio data, and outputs the final generated audio data to the speaker 33 via an amplifier.

[0067] More specifically, the second sub-control board 300 is capable of performing voice control corresponding to multiple voice channels. When the second sub-control board 300 receives a voice control command from the first sub-control board 200, it controls the speaker 33 so that the instructed voice is output from the speaker 33 at the instructed volume, based on the voice control command. Here, a voice control command includes voice control data for each of the multiple voice channels. Each voice control data includes, for the corresponding voice channel, data to indicate whether or not there is voice data, data to instruct which voice data to play, volume instruction data to instruct the volume, etc. Upon receiving a voice control command, the second sub-control board 300 controls the system so that the instructed voice is output from the speaker 33 at the instructed volume, based on the voice control command. If the voice control command specifies voice data for multiple voice channels, the instructed voice data for each voice channel may be combined according to the instructed volume. Since this embodiment does not limit the correspondence between voice and voice channel, descriptions regarding voice channels may be omitted in the following explanation.

[0068] The dispensing control board 400 is mainly composed of a CPU 401, a ROM 402, and a RAM 403 (all not shown). Furthermore, the payout control board 400 is connected to the main control board 100 in a bidirectional manner, and controls the payout unit 48 to dispense game balls based on payout control commands 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 control board 500 consists of a normal power supply circuit 501 that generates a normal power supply to the control board and other electronic and electrical components based on the primary power supply from the power supply equipment of the gaming island, a backup power supply circuit 502 that generates a backup power supply, a power outage detection circuit 503 that detects a power outage (when the voltage supplied by the normal power supply drops to a predetermined voltage), and a RAM clear switch circuit 504, etc. A power switch 40 is connected to the power control board 500. Assuming that primary power is supplied from the power supply equipment of the gaming island, when the power switch 40 is turned ON, normal power is generated by the normal power circuit 501 of the power control board 500, and power is supplied to the electronic and electrical components, including the control boards mentioned above (main control board 100, first sub-control board 200, second sub-control board 300, and payout control board 400). Furthermore, a RAM clear switch 43 is connected to the power control board 500. In this embodiment, when the power switch 40 is turned ON while the RAM clear switch 43 is ON, the RAM clear switch circuit 504 transmits an initialization signal to the main control board 100 and the payout control board 400, respectively. Upon receiving this initialization signal, the main control board 100 executes the RAM clear process 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 performing a RAM clear process when the power is turned on.

[0071] Furthermore, when a power outage is detected by the power outage detection circuit 503, the power control board 500 transmits a power outage signal (NMI signal) to the main control board 100, the first sub-control board 200, and the payout control board 400, respectively. The backup power supply circuit 502 is designed to be charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine 10 from the power supply equipment of the gaming island. The backup power supply circuit 502 may be provided on the dispensing control board 400, and the power outage detection circuit 503 may not be provided on the power supply control board 500, but on 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] <Regarding the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10> Next, the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming machine 10. Note that the functional configuration shown in Figure 7 is necessary for explaining the gaming machine 10 of this embodiment, and the gaming machine 10 may also have functional configurations not shown in Figure 7. Also, when explaining the functional configuration, Figures 8 to 10 may be referred to.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7, the main control board 100 includes 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 regular symbol lottery means 135, a jackpot game control means 140, a symbol display control means 145, an electric mechanism control means 150, a game state control means 155, a main information storage means 160, a main error control means 165, a main command management means 170, a power interruption processing execution means 175, and a power restoration processing execution means 180. These means functionally represent what is realized by each control configuration on the main control board 100 as explained with reference to Figure 6.

[0074] The main information storage means 160 is a means for temporarily storing data read by means of the main control board 100, and data derived by calculations performed by said means, in corresponding storage areas. In particular, data stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160 (such as performance control commands) is transmitted by the command transmission means to the subcommand 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 prize slot based on the detection results of sensors installed at each prize slot.

[0076] The main random number generation means 115 is capable of generating multiple types of random numbers with different update ranges using the random number circuit 105, and when it is determined that a prize has been won in a prize slot, it retrieves (latches) one or more random numbers corresponding to that prize slot from the random number circuit 105. More specifically, if the main random number generation means 115 determines that a prize has been won in the first starting gate 57 or the second starting gate 59, it acquires random numbers for determining whether a special symbol is successful, random numbers for drawing special symbol stop symbols, and random numbers for drawing special symbol variation patterns, as described later. If a prize has been won in the gate 63, it stores the random numbers for determining whether a regular symbol is successful, random numbers for drawing regular symbol symbols, and random numbers for drawing regular symbol variation patterns, as described later, in the corresponding storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0077] The main hold control means 120 controls the hold of symbol changes for special symbols and symbol changes for regular symbols. For special symbol 1, random numbers for determining whether the special symbol is successful, random numbers for drawing special symbol stop symbols, and random numbers for drawing special symbol change patterns, which are acquired when a prize is won in the first start opening 57, are held (stored) as operation hold information for special symbol 1. More specifically, the main hold control means 120 includes a hold counter (hereinafter referred to as the "Figure 1 hold counter") which is incremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of Figure 1 is held, and decremented by 1 each time the operation hold information of Figure 1 is used (used in the lottery of the Figure 1 lottery means 130). The main information storage means 160 stores the operation hold information in the storage area corresponding to the current Figure 1 hold counter until the value of the Figure 1 hold counter reaches its upper limit (4 in this embodiment). Each time the operation hold information is used, the main information storage means 160 clears the used operation hold information and controls the remaining operation hold information to be moved (shifted) from the current storage area to the storage area corresponding to a Figure 1 hold counter that is 1 less than the current Figure 1 hold counter, in order from the smallest Figure 1 hold counter. Furthermore, the main hold control means 120 performs the same control as described above for both Figure 2 and the general figure, separately from Figure 1, and the hold counter in Figure 2 is referred to as the Figure 2 hold counter. In the following explanation, both "retention of operation hold information for Special Feature 1" and "retention of operation hold information for Special Feature 2" may be referred to as "retention of symbol variation."

[0078] Furthermore, when the main hold control means 120 updates (adds or subtracts) the operation hold information (hold counter) of Figure 1 or Figure 2, it generates a performance control command (hold command) that includes the Figure 1 hold counter and the Figure 2 hold counter, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, if both the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 1 and the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 2 are held, a priority change is performed in which the operation hold information corresponding to Figure 2 is used preferentially. Furthermore, when the special symbol activation reserve information that is held in reserve during a jackpot game is used after the jackpot game has ended (limited to the reserve of special symbol 2 in the case of priority variation as in this embodiment), the result of the special symbol hit / miss determination when using this information is a jackpot (preferably a probability variation jackpot as described later). This is sometimes referred to as a "reserve chain."

[0079] The pre-determination means 125 performs a pre-determination for a pre-reading effect targeting the reserved operation information of the special feature when the reserved operation information of the special feature is reserved at a predetermined pre-determination timing, at least in some cases. More specifically, the pre-determination means 125 reads out each random number of the currently held operation hold information and performs pre-determinations for the special symbol win / failure determination, special symbol stop symbol lottery, and special symbol variation pattern lottery, which will be described later. In each pre-determination, the same or equivalent lottery table (not shown) as the lottery table used for the lottery corresponding to each pre-determination is used. Therefore, the results of these pre-determinations will be the same as the results of the lottery executed later. Furthermore, the pre-determination means 125 generates a performance control command (pre-determination command) that includes the derived pre-determination result, and stores the command in the 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 operation hold information of the special feature is held at a predetermined pre-determination timing, and therefore it is transmitted following the hold command mentioned above. Here, the predetermined pre-determination timing refers to a time when a jackpot game is not in progress, and furthermore, in this embodiment, the transmission of the pre-determination command is restricted when the operation hold information of the special feature 1 is held during a normal high probability state.

[0080] The special symbol lottery means 130 comprises a special symbol win / failure determination means 131, a special symbol stop symbol lottery means 132, and a special symbol variation pattern derivation means 133, and executes processing by each means in the order of special symbol win / failure determination means 131, special symbol stop symbol lottery means 132, and special symbol variation pattern derivation means 133. When the conditions for starting the variation of the special symbol are met, the special symbol lottery means 130 reads the earliest operation hold information from the operation hold information held in the main information storage means 160. Furthermore, "the conditions for the start of the special symbol variation are met" means, as an example, that all of the following conditions are met: it is not during a jackpot, neither Special Symbol 1 nor Special Symbol 2 is currently exhibiting symbol variation, and there is operation hold information in at least one of Special Symbol 1 or Special Symbol 2.

[0081] Here, Figure 8 schematically shows the lottery table used in the lottery on the main control board 100. In a lottery using a lottery table, including lottery tables other than the one shown in Figure 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, it is added once), and the result corresponding to the lottery value that resulted in a carry (overflow) is derived as the result of the lottery. Similarly, in the explanation of the lottery table, for the sake of explanation, the lottery table is given a name, but it is sufficient that the data such as the lottery values ​​contained in the lottery table corresponding to the name is stored in an identifiable manner in each ROM, and these names do not specify the area in which the data is stored. Similarly, in the lottery tables shown later, there may be items listed for the sake of explanation, or "-" or "0" as lottery values, but these do not necessarily represent the data stored in each ROM. If the same lottery values ​​as the random number range used for the lottery (the number of random numbers that can be obtained within that range) are listed in the lottery table, the result will be derived 100% of the time, so it is not necessarily necessary to perform a lottery. Furthermore, if the sum of the random values ​​used in a single draw matches the range of random numbers used in the draw, a carry will always occur in the final addition of the random values, so that addition does not need to be performed, and in that case, the random values ​​used in that addition themselves become unnecessary.

[0082] The special symbol win / loss determination means 131 reads out a random number for special symbol win / loss determination, and uses the read random number and a lottery table for special symbol win / loss determination corresponding to the current setting value to determine by lottery whether it is a big win, a small win, or a loss. Figure 8(a) shows the lottery table for determining the success or failure of Special Feature 1, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 65535. Therefore, when the Special Feature lottery state in Special Feature 1 is low probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "Special Feature Low Probability"), there is a 200 / 65536 chance of a big win, a 300 / 65536 chance of a small win, and a remaining 65036 / 65536 chance of a loss. When the Special Feature lottery state in Special Feature 1 is high probability (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "Special Feature High Probability"), there is a 500 / 65536 chance of a big win, a 300 / 65536 chance of a small win, and a remaining 64736 / 65536 chance of a loss.

[0083] Figure 8(b) shows the lottery table for determining the success or failure of Special Feature 2. The range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 65535, the same as in the case of determining the success or failure of Special Feature 1. Therefore, in the low probability state of Special Feature 2, there is a 200 / 65536 chance of a big win and a remaining 65336 / 65536 chance of a loss. In the high probability state of Special Feature 2, there is a 500 / 65536 chance of a big win and a remaining 65036 / 65536 chance of a loss. Unlike the success or failure determination of Special Feature 1, minor wins are not derived in the success or failure determination of Special Feature 2.

[0084] Thus, the high probability state for special symbols has a higher probability of resulting in a big win than the low probability state for special symbols, and can be said to be a more advantageous state. Furthermore, in the special symbol 2 win / loss determination in this embodiment, minor wins are not generated.

[0085] The special symbol stop symbol lottery means 132 reads out a random number for the special symbol stop symbol lottery when a jackpot is determined by the special symbol win / loss determination means 131, and uses the read random number and the special symbol stop symbol lottery table to determine the special symbol stop symbol by lottery. Figure 8(c) shows the lottery table for determining the stopping symbols in Special Feature 1, and the range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 99. Therefore, in Special Feature 1, when a jackpot is achieved, symbol A is determined as the stopping symbol with a probability of 50 / 100, and symbol B is determined with a probability of 50 / 100. Here, symbol A has 9 rounds (R-number) and is a symbol that can become a special symbol high probability and a normal symbol high probability after the jackpot game ends (hereinafter it may be referred to as a "probability change symbol", and a jackpot related to this symbol may be referred to as a "probability change jackpot"). As described above, in this embodiment, a special symbol high probability is set after the jackpot game ends on the condition that a V-entry (passage of the game ball through the V-entry area) is detected by the detection sensor, so a V-entry round (the 9th round in this embodiment) is provided in the jackpot game related to a probability change jackpot. On the other hand, symbol B has 8 rounds (R count) and is a symbol that, after the jackpot game ends, results in a low probability of special symbols and a high probability of normal symbols (hereinafter, it may be referred to as a "normal symbol," and the jackpot related to this symbol may be referred to as a "normal jackpot"). There are no V-winning rounds in the jackpot game related to a normal jackpot. Thus, symbol A is more advantageous than symbol B in terms of both the number of rounds and the subsequent special symbol lottery state.

[0086] Figure 8(d) shows the lottery table for the stop symbol lottery for Special Feature 2. The range of random numbers used in this lottery is 0 to 99, the same as for the stop symbol lottery for Special Feature 1. Therefore, in Special Feature 2, when a jackpot is achieved, there is a 65 / 100 probability of getting symbol a and a 35 / 100 probability of getting symbol b. Here, symbol a has 16 rounds (R-number) and is a probability variation symbol that can result in a high probability of both special symbols and regular symbols after the jackpot game ends. In the jackpot game related to the probability variation jackpot when symbol a is determined, the 9th round is considered the V-winning round. On the other hand, symbol b is a regular symbol with 8 rounds (R count), and after the jackpot game ends, the special symbol is in a low probability state and the regular symbol is in a high probability state. When symbol b is determined, there are no V-winning rounds in the jackpot game related to the regular jackpot. Thus, it can be said that symbol a is more advantageous than symbol b.

[0087] Furthermore, if the special symbol stop symbol lottery means 132 does not determine a jackpot by the special symbol win / loss determination means, it uniformly determines symbol C as the stop symbol when special symbol 1 is a minor win, symbol D when special symbol 1 is a miss, and symbol c when special symbol 2 is a miss.

[0088] The special symbol variation pattern derivation means 133 includes multiple types of special symbol variation pattern lottery tables that are referenced when determining the special symbol variation pattern (variation time). Based on the current special symbol variation pattern derivation state (details will be described later) and the lottery result of the special symbol win / failure determination means 131, it selects one special symbol variation pattern lottery table to determine the special symbol variation pattern for the current time, and uses the selected special symbol variation pattern lottery table and random numbers for special symbol variation pattern lottery to determine one special symbol variation pattern. The special feature variation pattern derivation means 133 generates a performance control command (variation start command) that includes the determined special feature variation pattern, and stores the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0089] The regular symbol lottery means 135, similar to the special symbol lottery means 130, reads the earliest operational pending information from the operational pending information held in the main information storage means 160 when the regular symbol is not changing, performs a regular symbol win / failure determination using the read random number, determines the regular symbol's stopping pattern based on the result of the regular symbol win / failure determination and the current regular symbol lottery state, and determines the regular symbol's variation pattern (variation time) based on the current regular symbol lottery state. More specifically, in the determination of whether a regular drawing wins or losses, there are two states: one where the regular drawing state has a high probability (sometimes abbreviated as "high probability regular drawing") and another where the regular drawing state has a low probability (sometimes abbreviated as "low probability regular drawing"). Although the lottery table is not shown, in this embodiment, in the high probability regular drawing state, there is a 65535 / 65536 probability of winning the regular drawing and a 1 / 65536 probability of losing, while in the low probability regular drawing state, there is a 1 / 65536 probability of winning the regular drawing and a 65535 / 65536 probability of losing. It is also possible to make it so that there is no regular drawing win (a 65536 / 65536 probability of losing) in the low probability regular drawing state.

[0090] In the regular stop symbol lottery, similar to the special stop symbol lottery, one stop symbol is determined by a lottery using a lottery table (not shown) for the regular stop symbol lottery, from among multiple types of stop symbols with different opening patterns for the regular electric mechanism 61. If the regular stop symbol win / loss determination is incorrect, the stop symbol is determined uniformly, similar to special symbols 1 and 2. Furthermore, in the general pattern variation lottery, similar to the special pattern variation lottery, one general pattern variation is determined from multiple types of general pattern variation patterns by a lottery using a lottery table for general pattern variation lottery (not shown). Thus, a high probability of a normal win is considered to be a more advantageous state than a low probability of a normal win, as the probability of a normal win is higher.

[0091] The jackpot game control means 140 starts the jackpot game after the symbol variation that resulted in a jackpot has finished, and determines the demo time for the jackpot start demo and the demo time for the jackpot end demo according to the symbols that stop on the special symbols related to the jackpot. Furthermore, the jackpot game control means 140 generates a performance control command (jackpot start command) including a demo time related to the jackpot start demo when a jackpot game starts, and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. When a jackpot ends, it generates a performance 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. Furthermore, the jackpot game control means 140 also determines the time for the mini-jackpot start demo and the time for the mini-jackpot end demo when the result of the special symbol win / loss lottery is a mini-jackpot. When a mini-jackpot starts, it generates a performance control command (mini-jackpot start command) that includes the demo time for the mini-jackpot start demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. When a mini-jackpot ends, it generates a performance control command (mini-jackpot end command) that includes the demo time for the mini-jackpot end demo and stores it in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

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

[0093] Furthermore, the pattern display control means 145 causes the regular pattern to be displayed on the regular pattern display device 93 in a variable time based on the regular pattern variation pattern of the regular pattern, and after the variable time has elapsed, the regular pattern is stopped and displayed with the stopped pattern of the regular pattern. Furthermore, the symbol display control means 145 has a symbol game timer for managing the time (variation time, stop display time) related to the display of the symbol.

[0094] The electric mechanism control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 after the start of a jackpot game, causing the special electric mechanism 65 to open according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stopping symbol of the special feature. In a jackpot game, one opening and closing operation of the special electric mechanism 65 is considered one round of gameplay, and this round of gameplay is executed continuously for a predetermined number of rounds (in this example, 16R, 9R, and 8R). In this embodiment, when the special electric mechanism 65 is in the open state during 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 winning opening 55, the special feature high probability state is activated after the end of that jackpot game. Furthermore, after the mini-win game begins, the electric mechanism control means 150 outputs a control signal to the special electric mechanism solenoid 66, causing the special electric mechanism 65 to open for a short period (0.05 seconds).

[0095] Furthermore, in the case of a regular win game when a regular win is selected in the regular win / loss lottery, the electric mechanism control means 150 outputs a control signal to the regular electric mechanism solenoid 62 to open the regular electric mechanism 61 according to the opening pattern corresponding to the stopped regular 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 a low probability state at the start of a jackpot game, regardless of the symbols involved in the jackpot, maintains the low probability state for special symbols at the end of a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot, sets the special symbol to a high probability state at the end of a jackpot game related to a probability variation jackpot, and, conditional on a V-entry, sets the special symbol to a high probability state until a predetermined number of symbol changes (100 times in this embodiment) occur at the end of that predetermined number of symbol changes (the 100th symbol change in this embodiment) at the end of the special symbol to a low probability state. However, the conditions for transitioning from a high probability state to a low probability state are not limited to the number of symbol changes as in this embodiment, but may be other conditions such as the result of the fall-out lottery. Furthermore, the condition for entering a high probability state for special symbols at the end of a jackpot game related to a probability variation jackpot is not limited to V-entry, but may be based solely on the type of symbols that stop on the special symbols.

[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 at the start of a jackpot game regardless of the symbols related to the jackpot, sets the normal symbol high probability at the end of a jackpot game related to a normal jackpot until a predetermined number of symbol changes (100 times in this embodiment) have occurred, sets the normal symbol low probability at the end of that predetermined number of symbol changes (100th symbol change in this embodiment), sets the normal symbol high probability in a jackpot game related to a probability variation jackpot, conditional on a V-entry, sets the normal symbol high probability at the end of that jackpot until a predetermined number of symbol changes (100 times in this embodiment) have occurred, sets the normal symbol low probability at the end of that predetermined number of symbol changes (100th symbol change in this embodiment).

[0098] In this embodiment, as described above, when a game ball rolls from the second flow path Y, it is more likely to enter the second starting opening 59 and the big prize opening 55. Therefore, in the normal high probability state and during a big win game, shooting to the right is a more advantageous operation than shooting to the left. Hereafter, the specified state in which hitting to the right is more advantageous than hitting to the left will be referred to as the "right-hitting recommended state." Note that the right-hitting recommended state is not limited to during a jackpot game or a normal high probability state, but may also include other states such as the so-called "small win rush" state in a normal low probability state, where the number of balls dispensed increases due to balls entering the large prize slot when a special electric mechanism opens due to a small win.

[0099] Furthermore, the game state control means 155 controls the special symbol variation pattern derivation state described above. Specifically, the special symbol variation pattern derivation states can be broadly classified into special symbol variation pattern derivation state A, which corresponds to a low probability of special symbols and a low probability of normal symbols; special symbol variation pattern derivation state B, which corresponds to a low probability of special symbols and a high probability of normal symbols; and special symbol variation pattern derivation state C, which corresponds to a high probability of special symbols and a high probability of normal symbols. Except during a jackpot game, the special symbol variation pattern derivation state is set according to the special symbol lottery state and the normal symbol lottery state.

[0100] Furthermore, when an update occurs in the special symbol lottery state, the regular symbol lottery state, or the special symbol variation pattern derivation state, the game state control means 155 generates a performance control command (game state specification command) that includes each of the updated states, 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, data derived by calculations etc. performed by each means, etc., 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 the gaming machine 10 is in an error state. If it is determined that the machine is in an error state, it stores an error command containing the error information in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160. In this embodiment, 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-hand shooting error based on game ball detection by a gate sensor 74, and a full-tank error based on game ball detection 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 500ms. A right-hand shooting error is an error state that occurs when the gate sensor 74 detects a game ball a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) while the special symbol is in a low probability state and the normal symbol is in a low probability state (the number of detections is reset 1000ms after the last detection). A full tank error is an error state that occurs when a game ball is detected by the full tank detection sensor.

[0103] The main error control means 165, when a high-priority error condition such as a magnetic error occurs among the determined error conditions, can perform processes other than storing the error command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160, such as turning on the security signal and causing the payout control board 400 to restrict the launch of game balls. Here, a security signal is a type of signal output from an external terminal board (not shown) provided on the gaming machine 10 to devices outside the gaming machine 10 (such as a data display or hall computer). On the other hand, if a relatively low-priority error occurs among the determined error states, such as a right-hand shooting error or a full tank error, the main error control means 165 can maintain a state where the game can continue without restricting the launch of game balls. As will be explained in more detail later, the first sub-control board 200 or the second sub-control board 300 that receives the error command will execute an error notification animation to notify the occurrence of an error condition. The error conditions determined by the main error control means 165 are not limited to the examples described above. Other error conditions can also be determined, such as the so-called door open error that occurs when the middle frame 17 is open (middle frame door open sensor 76 is ON) or when the front frame 20 is open, or the abnormal prize entry error that occurs when a game ball is detected by the prize entry sensor 72 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the prize entry opening 55 was closed during a jackpot game.

[0104] Furthermore, the various error states determined by the main error control means 165 described above can be detected in the playable state, but do not need to be detected in the inspectable state. This is because gameplay is not possible in the inspectable state, so there is little need to notify of error states. However, in this embodiment, we will explain below that only magnetic errors of relatively high importance can be detected even when the device is in an inspectable state.

[0105] The main command management means 170 transmits a control command stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160 to the first sub-control board 200 when a control command is stored therein. In principle, each control command stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160 is transmitted in the order in which it was stored in that transmission command storage area. In this specification, it may be stated that a command is transmitted to the first sub-control board 200, including storing the command in the transmission command storage area of ​​the main information storage means 160.

[0106] The power cut-off processing execution means 175 performs power cut-off processing based on the receipt of a power cut-off signal from the power control board 500. Specifically, for the area of ​​RAM 103 related to gameplay, the following processes are executed: deriving the checksum of the area, storing the complement of the checksum in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to gameplay, and turning on a backup flag to indicate that power-off processing has been performed on the area (storing the backup flag in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to gameplay).

[0107] The power restoration processing execution means 180 executes power restoration processing upon power-on (power restoration). The details of the power restoration processing will be explained with reference to Figure 9. Here, Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the power restoration processing.

[0108] In step S1001, the power restoration execution means 180 makes a determination regarding the RAM abnormality of the area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game. Specifically, the power restoration execution means 180 determines whether or not a backup flag is stored in the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 related to the game (whether or not the backup flag is ON). If the backup flag is stored (if the backup flag is ON), the checksum of the area related to the game is derived, and it is determined whether or not the complement of the checksum matches the complement of the checksum stored in the backup information area related to that area. If they match, the check result is determined to be normal; otherwise, it is determined to be abnormal. If the judgment in step S1001 is affirmative, proceed to step S1005; if the judgment in step S1001 is negative, proceed to step S1002.

[0109] In step S1002, the power restoration processing execution means 180 determines whether or not an initialization signal was input from the power control board 500 when the power was turned on. If the judgment in step S1002 is affirmative, proceed to step S1005; if the judgment in step S1002 is negative, proceed to step S1003.

[0110] In step S1003, the power restoration execution means 180 sets the playable state using various information in the game-related area of ​​the backed-up RAM 103. Specifically, setting the playable state is a process that restores the state of the main control board 100 to the state at the time of the power outage based on information indicating the state at the time of the power outage (special symbol lottery state, normal symbol lottery state, whether or not a jackpot game is in progress, the stopped symbols of special symbol 1 and special symbol 2, the reserved information for symbol changes, the number of rounds in a jackpot game, etc.) stored in the game-related area of ​​RAM 103. When the playable state is set by the power restoration execution means 180, the detection of sensors provided at each prize entry point becomes active, and prize balls are awarded according to the detection of the sensors.

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

[0112] In step S1005, the power restoration processing execution means 180 performs a process to initialize the information in the game-related area and the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 (a so-called RAM clear process), and proceeds to step S1006. This initialization clears the information in the game-related area and the backup information area of ​​RAM 103 that were backed up during the power outage, and sets initial values. As a result, the various states of the main control board 100 immediately before the power outage are initialized.

[0113] In step S1006, the power restoration processing execution means 180 determines whether or not an initialization signal was input from the power control board 500 when the power was turned on. Note that the determination in step S1006 is the same as the determination in step S1002. That is, the determination in step S1006 can be denied when RAM 103 is abnormal (when the determination in step S1001 is affirmed). On the other hand, the determination in step S1006 is affirmed when RAM 103 is normal (when the determination in step S1001 is denied) and when an initialization signal is input when the power is turned on (when the determination in step S1002 is affirmed). If the determination in step S1006 is affirmative, proceed to step S1007; if the determination in step S1006 is negative, proceed to step S1011.

[0114] In step S1007, the power restoration execution means 180 sets the inspectable state and proceeds to step S1008. Specifically, setting the inspectable state is a process that enables the start of inspection for each game device to be inspected in the inspectable state. When the power restoration execution means 180 sets the inspectable state, there is no opportunity for it to be effective from the time the power is turned on until the process is performed, so the detection by the sensors provided at each prize entry point is disabled, and no prize balls are awarded in response to the detection by the sensors.

[0115] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 has an entry point into which, even if a game ball enters while it is in an inspectable state, no prize balls are awarded.

[0116] In this embodiment, the game devices that can be inspected when in an inspectable state are the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62, the special electric mechanism solenoid 66, and the symbol display device 90. Details of the inspection related to these game devices will be described later.

[0117] In step S1008, the power restoration processing execution means 180 performs inspection notification processing and proceeds to step S1009. At this time, the power restoration processing 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 execution means 180 determines whether the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is effective. Specifically, the power restoration execution means 180 determines that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is effective if the RAM clear switch 43 was operated (RAM clear switch 43 turned ON) when the power was turned on and then released (RAM clear switch 43 turned OFF). Also, the power restoration execution means 180 determines that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is not effective if the RAM clear switch 43 that was operated when the power was turned on remains operated (RAM clear switch 43 remains ON). In this embodiment, by making the determination in step S1009, it is prevented that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 performed for the purpose of executing the RAM clear process becomes the termination condition for the inspectable state set after the RAM clear process (the inspectable state being released against the intention of the hall staff, etc.). If the judgment in step S1009 is negative, the judgment in step S1009 is performed again, and if the judgment in step S1009 is positive, the process proceeds to step S1010.

[0119] In this embodiment, the determination in step S1009 is affirmed when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated when the power is turned on and then released. However, the conditions may be changed to the extent that the above objective is achieved. For example, instead of or in addition to the above conditions, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 may be disabled until a predetermined time has elapsed after power-on accompanied by operation of the RAM clear switch 43 (however, in this condition, in order to perform the RAM clear process, the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 at the time of power-on, which triggers the process, must be validly accepted). In this modified example, the predetermined time is preferably at least longer than the time from power-on until the inspection notification is started. This is because it is unlikely that the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 to terminate the inspection-ready state would be performed before the inspection notification is issued.

[0120] In step S1010, the power restoration processing execution means 180 determines whether or not the RAM clear switch 43 has been operated. If the judgment in step S1010 is negative, the judgment in step S1009 is performed again, and if the judgment in step S1010 is positive, the process proceeds to step S1011.

[0121] In step S1011, the power restoration execution means 180 sets the 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 is set, for example, to a low probability special symbol lottery state, a low probability normal symbol lottery state, and a special symbol variation pattern derivation state A corresponding to a low probability special symbol and a low probability normal symbol. In step S1011, when the playable state is set, the detection of sensors provided at each prize entry point becomes active, and prize balls are awarded according to the detection of these sensors, as in step S1003.

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

[0123] Assuming that the process is carried out according to the flowchart shown in Figure 9, after power-on with RAM clearing, the period during which the system is in a testable state and the period during which it is in a playable state do not overlap. However, such embodiments are merely specific examples, and in implementing the present invention, if the playable state can be set at least after the testable state has started following power-on with RAM clearing, embodiments in which the periods during which both states are set overlap and embodiments in which both states are set simultaneously are also permissible.

[0124] Therefore, the gaming machine 10 is equipped with a state management means (power restoration processing execution means 180) for setting a playable state and an inspectable state. The inspectable state is a state in which the first gaming device among the multiple gaming devices (ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62, special electric mechanism solenoid 66, and symbol display device 90) can be inspected, and which can be set after power is turned on with a RAM clear process (in the process of step S1007). The playable state is a state that is set after the inspectable state has started (in the process of step S1011). Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 (power restoration processing execution means 180) can be configured to be playable without going through a testable state after power-on without a RAM clear process (in the process of step S1003).

[0125] Furthermore, the gaming machine 10 is equipped with a predetermined operating means (RAM clear switch 43), and the conditions for setting the playable state after the inspectionable state has started (the conditions under which the judgment in step S1010 is affirmed) include operations on the predetermined operating means. In this embodiment, the specified operating means is not limited to the RAM clear switch 43, but it is preferably an operating means under the control of the state management means (main control board 100).

[0126] As shown in Figure 7, the first sub-control board 200 includes a sub-random number generation means 210, a normal performance control means 220, a sub-error control means 230, a sound control means 235, a lamp control means 240, a movable prop control means 245, a power restoration processing execution means 260, a sub-information storage means 270, and a sub-command management means 275. These means functionally represent what is realized by each control configuration on the first sub-control board 200 as described with reference to Figure 5.

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

[0128] The subcommand management means 275 receives various commands (such as performance control commands and power restoration commands) transmitted from the main control board 100, stores the received commands in the received command storage area of ​​the subinformation storage means 270, and if various commands (such as image control commands and voice control commands) are stored in the transmitted command storage area of ​​the subinformation storage means 270, transmits those commands to the second sub-control board 300. In principle, each command is transmitted in the order in which they are stored in the transmitted command storage area of ​​the subinformation storage means 270. In this specification, the term "reception of a command" may include the process from when various commands transmitted from the main control board 100 are received by the subcommand management means 275 and stored in the received command storage area of ​​the subinformation storage means 270. Furthermore, the term "transmission of a command to the second sub-control board 300" may include the process from when various means of the first sub-control board 200 cause various commands to be stored in the transmitted command storage area of ​​the subinformation storage means 270, and when those commands are transmitted to the second sub-control board 300 by the subcommand management means 275.

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

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

[0131] The performance mode control means 221 controls the transition of the performance mode in a manner consistent with the special symbol variation pattern derivation state managed on the main control board 100 when a game state specification command (performance control command) is transmitted. In this embodiment, the performance modes include a normal mode, a low-probability time-saving mode, and a probability variation mode. The normal mode is associated with special symbol variation pattern derivation state A, the low-probability time-saving mode with special symbol variation pattern derivation state B, and the probability variation mode with special symbol variation pattern derivation state C.

[0132] The performance route determination means 222, upon receiving a pre-determination command (performance control command), determines (sets) the performance route corresponding to the currently held symbol variation based on the results of the pre-determination included in the command (e.g., special symbol variation pattern) and the performance mode described above. However, even if a pre-determination command is received, the performance route determination means 222 may not determine a performance route depending on the special symbol variation pattern included in the pre-determination command. In this case, the performance route should be determined at the start of the symbol variation based on the special symbol variation pattern included in the variation start command. Here, the performance route refers to the performance from the start to the end of the symbol variation, and defines the process of the performance that notifies the result of the special symbol win / loss determination in the said symbol variation. The content of the performance performed in the said symbol variation is determined by the performance content determination means 225, which will be described later, according to the performance route corresponding to the said symbol variation.

[0133] When a hold command (performance control command) is received, the sub-hold control means 223 sets performance data in the hold display area (not shown) of the performance display device 80, based on the information of the special figure 1 hold counter and the special figure 2 hold counter included in the command, to display a number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 1 hold counter and a number of hold images corresponding to the special figure 2 hold counter. The "holding image" refers to an image that is the subject of a pre-announcement feature that changes in various ways to indicate the likelihood of winning a jackpot or other advantageous aspects of the game.

[0134] The pre-read performance control means 224 determines the content of the pre-read performance based on the result of the pre-determination included in the pre-determination command when a pre-determination command is transmitted. A pre-announcement effect is a type of effect that, over one or more reel spins prior to the start of the reel spin of the target symbol, suggests the expected outcome of the special symbol win / loss judgment during the reel spin of the target symbol, as well as the content of the effect that will be performed during the reel spin of the target symbol.

[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 symbol variation according to the performance route already determined by the performance route determination means 222. More specifically, the performance content determination means 225 determines the content of the performance (performance pattern) for each performance timing in the symbol variation by drawing lots using a performance pattern lottery table corresponding to the performance route determined by the performance route determination means 222. In this way, the content of the performance related to (and executed according to) the determined performance route can be changed, and connections can be made to the performances in a single symbol variation. Furthermore, even if the same performance route is determined, the performances that are executed can be made diverse.

[0136] When a variation start command (performance control command) is transmitted, the decorative pattern control means 226 determines the final combination of stopping patterns for the decorative patterns (left pattern, middle pattern, right pattern) based on the determined stopping pattern of the special pattern. Specifically, pattern A and pattern a are associated with odd-numbered pattern combinations (for example, "1 pattern" - "1 pattern" - "1 pattern"), pattern B and pattern a are associated with even-numbered pattern combinations (for example, "2 pattern" - "2 pattern" - "2 pattern"), and patterns C, pattern D, and pattern c are associated with scattered patterns (combinations of patterns that do not match any of the patterns). The decorative patterns in this embodiment are as described above. Furthermore, when matching the combination of decorative patterns to be stopped with the stopping patterns of the special feature, it is not always necessary to follow the above-described correspondence. For example, if the combination of decorative patterns to be stopped does not have a high probability of matching with the above-described correspondence, such as associating pattern A with an even-numbered pattern, then in some cases (a lower proportion than the proportion of cases where the above-described correspondence occurs), a combination of decorative patterns different from the above-described correspondence may be adopted. Even in such cases, the combination of decorative patterns to be stopped can still be said to correspond with the stopping patterns of the special feature.

[0137] The jackpot performance control means 227 determines the content of the jackpot performance that notifies the player that a jackpot game is in progress, based on the information contained in the jackpot start command (performance control command) when the command is transmitted. The jackpot performance includes a start demo performance that notifies the start of the jackpot game, a round performance that notifies the player that a round of play is in progress, and an end demo performance that notifies the end of the jackpot game.

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

[0139] The sub-error control means 230 reads error notification animation data to execute an error notification animation when it receives an error command. For example, when an error command related to a right-handed shooting error is received, the error notification animation data read includes animation data related to the text image "Please return to left-handed shooting" and animation data related to the voice "Please return to left-handed shooting". Based on this animation data, an image control command and a voice control command are generated, and these commands are stored in the transmission command storage area of ​​the sub-information storage means 270. In this embodiment, the main error control means 165 determines all error states, but for error states other than those of high importance that are accompanied by the output of a security signal (for example, right-click errors), the sub-error control means 230 may be used for determination. In this case, the sub-error control means 230 should 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 performance data contains performance data related to voice, the voice control means 235 generates a voice control command based on that performance data and stores the voice control command in the 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 decoration lamp 30, and the performance lamp 35. Normally, if the performance data read by the performance control means 220 contains performance data corresponding to the upper movable internal lamp 24a, the left and right movable internal lamps 24b, the panel decoration lamp 30, and the performance lamp 35 (hereinafter referred to as lamp control data), the lamp control means reads 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 from the operation confirmation process associated with the RAM clear and power restoration process, the lamp control means 240 sends lamp control data to each lamp to control the lighting of each lamp according to a predetermined lighting pattern. The predetermined lighting pattern will be described later.

[0142] The movable mechanism control means 245 holds movable control data for controlling the movement of the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b. If there is performance data corresponding to the movable body 22 in the performance data read by the normal performance control means 220, it reads the movable control data based on that performance data and transmits the read movable control data to the controllers of the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b. If the read performance data is data from the operation confirmation process associated with the RAM clear and power restoration process, the movable mechanism control means 245 transmits movement control data to each movable part to control its movement according to a predetermined movement pattern. The predetermined movement patterns will be described later.

[0143] The power restoration processing execution means 260 provides the following notifications using each game device based on various control commands transmitted during the power restoration process performed by the power restoration processing execution means 180. Figure 10 will be used to explain the notifications made by the power restoration processing execution means 260. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the display modes of the display device 80 corresponding to each notification made by the power restoration processing execution means 260.

[0144] The power restoration processing execution means 260 performs an inspection notification in response to the inspection start command (a control command transmitted from the main control board 100 in the processing of step S1008). The notification method for the inspection in progress involves displaying text information on the display device 80 (see Figure 10(a)) indicating that an operational inspection is in progress, and text information indicating that the game can be played again by operating the RAM clear switch 43 again, while an audio message indicating that an operational inspection is in progress is repeatedly played by the speaker 33, and the display lamp 35 is lit in a lighting pattern corresponding to the notification (for example, lit in red).

[0145] The power restoration processing execution means 260 performs a power restoration notification in response to a power restoration command (a control command transmitted from the main control board 100 in the processing of step S1004). The notification method for the restoration in progress notification involves displaying text information indicating that restoration is in progress on the performance display device 80 (see Figure 10(b)), repeatedly playing an audio message indicating that restoration is in progress through the speaker 33, and lighting up the performance lamp 35 in a lighting pattern corresponding to the notification (for example, illuminating in white). Furthermore, if the information contained in the recovery command indicates that the game was in the middle of a jackpot game immediately before the power outage, the recovery notification may be replaced with a notification indicating that the game is being restored to a jackpot game.

[0146] The power restoration processing execution means 260 performs an initialization notification in response to an initialization command (a control command transmitted from the main control board 100 in the processing of step S1012). The initialization notification method involves displaying text information indicating that initialization has been completed on the performance display device 80 (see Figure 10(c)), repeatedly playing an audio message indicating that initialization has been completed through the speaker 33, and lighting up the performance lamp 35 in a lighting pattern corresponding to the notification (for example, lighting up 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 performs a first notification (inspection notification) during the period it is in the inspection-ready state. Furthermore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 performs a second notification (initialization notification) when setting the playable state after the inspection-ready state has started. Furthermore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10, in a playable state set without going through an inspectionable state, executes a third notification (recovery notification) that is different from both the first notification and the second notification.

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

[0149] Furthermore, the first notification (inspection notification), the second notification (initialization notification), and the third notification (recovery notification) can all be said to have different notification methods.

[0150] Furthermore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 includes a third gaming device (for example, a panel decoration lamp 30) that is not subject to inspection when in an inspectable state and is not used in the first notification or the second notification.

[0151] As described above, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment is configured to switch from an inspection-ready state to a playable state by operating the RAM clear switch 43. The gaming devices to be inspected (ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62, special electric mechanism solenoid 66, and symbol display device 90) operate in a predetermined operating mode during inspection, while the gaming devices used for notification to distinguish between the inspection-ready state and the playable state (effect display device 80, speaker 33, and effect lamp 35) also operate in a predetermined operating mode. Therefore, there is a concern that it may become difficult to understand the meaning of the operation of each gaming device during the period spent in the inspection-ready state and before and after switching from the inspection-ready state to the playable state. Therefore, the gaming machine 10 according to this embodiment resolves the above-mentioned concerns by devising the operation of each gaming device in the inspectable state and the playable state. This point will be explained in detail below.

[0152] <Regarding the operation of gaming devices in the state where they can be inspected and the state where they can be played> Next, the operation modes of the gaming device in the inspectable state and the playable state described above will be explained using Figures 11 to 15. Figure 11 is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when the testable state is set and then the playable state is set during the power restoration process. Figure 12 is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when the game-playable state is set without going through the inspection-ready state during the power restoration process. Figure 13 is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when the playable state is set after the testable state is set during the power restoration process, and the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while the solenoid operation is being checked. Figure 14 is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when an error is detected in the testable state, after the testable state has been set during the power restoration process. Figure 15 is a time chart showing how the operating patterns of each gaming device change when an error is detected in the playable state, in a case where the game is set to a playable state without going through the testable state during the power restoration process. Note that in these time charts, the horizontal axis indicates the order of events in the time series (left side is earlier, right side is later). Also, in these time charts, the square wave shown indicates that the upper side is ON or operating, and the lower side is OFF or not operating.

[0153] First, we will explain the changes in the operating behavior of each gaming device when the playable state is set after the inspection-ready state is set during the power restoration process, with reference to Figure 11. 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 the main control board 100 started up normally (the timing when the RAM clear process was completed). Timing t3 represents the timing at which the inspection start command is sent from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200 (the start timing of the inspection notification). As illustrated in Figure 11, strictly speaking, timings t1, t2, and t3 occur in that order, but the intervals between these timings are sufficiently small compared to their relationship with other timings that they can be considered almost identical.

[0154] At timing t2, the main control board 100 is set to an inspection-ready state. Along with this setting, a security signal is output and maintained until the set inspection-ready state ends. This is to notify the hall computer and other systems that the system is in an inspection-ready state.

[0155] Therefore, it can be said that the gaming machine 10 is equipped with an output means that outputs a security signal when it is in a state where it can be inspected.

[0156] Furthermore, when the inspection-ready state is set at timing t2, all the lamps on the pattern display device 90 light up (indicated as "all lit" in Figure 11). The lighting pattern in which all the lamps of the symbol display device 90 light up is for confirming whether the symbol display device 90 is functioning correctly and can only occur when it is in a state where it can be inspected. Therefore, this lighting pattern will not occur when it is in a state where it can be played. When all the lamps of the symbol display device 90 light up, it can be visually confirmed that it is functioning correctly, and if even one lamp is not lit, it can be visually confirmed that it is malfunctioning.

[0157] From timing t3, the performance display device 80, speaker 33, and performance lamp 35 switch to the performance notification mode for inspection in progress. Here, the performance notification mode for inspection in progress is as shown above: for the performance display device 80, it is the display mode shown in Figure 10(a); for the speaker 33, it is the repeated playback of an audio message indicating that an operational inspection is in progress; and for the performance lamp 35, it lights up red.

[0158] Timing t5 represents the moment when the RAM clear switch 43, which had been continuously ON since power-on (timing t1), turned OFF, that is, the moment when the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 was stopped. Here, the period T1 from timing t1 to timing t5 represents the period during which the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is determined to be ineffective in the power restoration process (determination in step S1009) described above. In other words, even if the RAM clear switch 43 is operated to ON during period T1, that operation does not become a condition for ending the testable state, and the playable state is not set. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 11, even if the RAM clear switch 43 is continuously operated during period T1, it does not affect the operation of the first game device being inspected (special electric mechanism solenoid 66 and symbol display device 90), and it is possible to confirm whether each game device is functioning normally by visually observing its operation.

[0159] Timing t4 represents the timing for activating the special electric mechanism solenoid 66, and timing t6 represents the timing for activating the normal electric mechanism solenoid 62. The operation of the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 and the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62 in the inspection-ready state is performed to confirm whether the special electric mechanism 65 and the ordinary electric mechanism 61 open normally. In Figure 11, the operating period of the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 is denoted as period T2, and the operating period of the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62 is denoted as period T3. The timing t4, which marks the start of operation of the special electric mechanism solenoid 66, and the timing t6, which marks the start of operation of the normal electric mechanism solenoid 62, may be brought about by the operation of an operating means (for example, the performance button 37 or the cursor button 38), or they may be brought about without operation of an operating means (for example, they may be brought about by the elapsed time from the timing t2 when the playable state is set), or they may be realized as a combination of these (for example, timing t4 is brought about by the operation of an operating means, and timing t6 is brought about by the elapsed time from timing t4).

[0160] If an embodiment is adopted in which the operation of the special electric solenoid 66 and the ordinary electric solenoid 62 described above requires the operation of an operating means, then the illumination of all symbols on the symbol display device 90 is performed automatically along with the game-ready state and does not require an operating means. Therefore, in this embodiment, among the game devices to be inspected in the inspectable state, there will be a mix of devices 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 mechanism solenoid 66 and ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62) and those that do not require operation of the operating means in an inspectable state (symbol display device 90). In this way, the lamps of the pattern display device 90, which can be checked at a glance to determine whether they are functioning correctly, can be checked automatically, while the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 and the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62, which require careful observation of their operation to determine whether they are functioning correctly, can be checked manually, thereby improving the accuracy of operation checks. Furthermore, the distinction between those requiring operation of the operating means in an inspectable state and those that do not require operation is not limited to the above examples and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of achieving the objectives of the present invention.

[0161] Furthermore, in embodiments where operation of an operating means is required to confirm the operation of the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 and the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62, it is preferable to configure the system so that the operation of one cannot be confirmed while the operation of the other is being confirmed. In other words, it is preferable that the operating period T2 of the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 and the operating period T3 of the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62 do not overlap. This is to ensure that the operation of each is confirmed reliably. On the other hand, in the relationship between the pattern display device 90 and the special electric mechanism solenoid 66, and between the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 and the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62, even if the operating periods of one and the other overlap, the accuracy of the verification process does not decrease. Therefore, in the above embodiment, the first game device can be said to include a game device capable of parallel inspection processing (the symbol display device 90 and other game devices) and a game device in which parallel inspection processing is not possible (the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 and the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62). In this embodiment, the operating period T2 of the special electric mechanism solenoid 66 and the operating period T3 of the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62 are predetermined and constant (for example, 1 second).

[0162] Timing t7 represents the timing when the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON (after period T1) while the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is enabled, i.e., 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 ending the testable state. Therefore, at approximately the same timing as timing t7, the main control board 100 ends the testable state and immediately enters the playable state. Furthermore, upon the termination of the inspection-enabled state, the output of the security signal will temporarily cease.

[0163] When the game-playable state is set at timing t7, the symbol display device 90 lights up in a pattern corresponding to the state of the main control board 100 at that timing (the initialized state in the case illustrated in Figure 11). This lighting pattern is referred to as "normal lighting" in Figure 11. Furthermore, since the playable state that begins at timing t7 is set after power-on accompanied by a RAM clear process, the display device 80 and speaker 33 will display an initialization notification during that period. Here, the initialization notification mode is the display mode shown in Figure 10(c) for the display device 80, and the repeated playback of an audio message indicating that initialization has been completed for the speaker 33.

[0164] During the period in which the above initialization notification is being issued, a security signal is output and this output is maintained until the initialization notification ends. In Figure 11, the output of the security signal is shown to stop briefly at the end of the inspection-ready state, and then to start again when the initialization notification begins. However, the pause is very short, and this pause may be omitted (the output of the security signal may be maintained across the inspection-ready state and the play-ready state).

[0165] Furthermore, during the period in which the game is playable, the performance 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 referred to as "sequential lighting"). This lighting pattern is performed to confirm whether the full-color LED contained within the performance lamp 35 is lighting up normally. If all the LEDs contained within the performance lamp 35 are normal, they will change color in the order described above. On the other hand, if there is a problem with some of the LEDs contained within the performance lamp 35, that LED will light up in a different color from the surrounding LEDs, so the faulty LED can be identified by visually observing it.

[0166] Furthermore, the movable body 22 operates during the period in which the game-playable state is maintained. In this embodiment, the upper movable body 22a starts operating at approximately the same timing t7 as the timing t7 in which the game-playable state is set, and the left and right movable bodies 22b start operating at timing t8 after the timing t8 in which the operation of the upper movable body 22a has finished. During their respective operating periods (periods T4 and T5 shown in Figure 11), the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b move from their original positions to positions that cover a part of the display device 80, and then retract back to their original positions. By operating them 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. Furthermore, the upper movable body 22a and the left and right movable bodies 22b have overlapping ranges of movement, 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 operate automatically in a predetermined pattern starting from the time the playable state is set (timing t7), and do not require any operation of the control means.

[0167] Timing t9 represents the timing after a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed since timing t7. The initialization notification, which was started at timing t7, ends at timing t9. In other words, the termination condition for the initialization notification in this embodiment is the elapsed time of the predetermined period. Once the initialization notification is complete, the performance display device 80 displays a demo screen, the speaker 33 is muted, the performance lamp 35 returns to its standby lighting state (indicated as "normal lighting" in Figure 11), and the output of the security signal stops.

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

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

[0170] Next, we will explain the changes in the operating behavior of each gaming device when the game-playable state is set without going through the inspection-ready state during the power restoration process, with reference to Figure 12. The timings t11, t12, and t13 shown in Figure 12 are the same as the timings t1, t2, and t3 shown in Figure 11, respectively, and a detailed explanation is omitted here.

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

[0172] Furthermore, in conjunction with the setting of the playable state 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 Figure 12, the state that was backed up in RAM 103 before power-on). This lighting pattern is also referred to as "normal lighting" in Figure 12.

[0173] From timing t13, the performance display device 80, speaker 33, and performance lamp 35 switch to a recovery notification mode. Here, the recovery notification mode is as follows: for the performance display device 80, it is the display mode shown in Figure 10(b); for the speaker 33, it is the repeated playback of an audio message indicating that recovery is in progress; and for the performance lamp 35, it lights up in white.

[0174] Timing t14 represents the timing when the RAM clear switch 43 is turned ON, that is, the timing when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated. In this embodiment, operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is not effective when the game is playable. Therefore, operation of 43 at timing t14 does not affect the operation of other game devices. This differs from the situation shown in Figure 11.

[0175] Timing t15 represents the time when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed since timing t13. The recovery notification, which was started at timing t13, ends at timing t15. In other words, the termination condition for the recovery notification in this embodiment is the elapsed time of the predetermined period. In this embodiment, the length of the predetermined period during which the initialization notification is performed and the length of the predetermined period during which the recovery notification is performed are shown as examples, but the present invention may be implemented in a manner in which the lengths of these periods are different.

[0176] Furthermore, the operation of each gaming device to check whether it is functioning correctly, as explained using Figure 11, is not performed in the situation shown in Figure 12. Powering on without a RAM clear process is often done after resolving an error that occurs during gameplay, 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 notification), the second game device (performance lamp 35) enters a third operating mode (only white light is illuminated), which is different from the second operating mode, and the second game device remains 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, each game device does not perform any operation modes intended for operational testing. Therefore, by doing so, it is possible to realize notifications that are appropriate to the situation, and to create a clear distinction in relation to the notification periods of the first and second notifications.

[0178] Next, we will explain, with reference to Figure 13, the changes in the operating behavior of each game device when the playable state is set after the testable state is set during the power restoration process, and the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while the solenoid operation is being checked.

[0179] The timings t21 to t25, t28, and t29 shown in Figure 13 are the same as the timings t1 to t5, t8, and t9 shown in Figure 11, respectively, and a detailed explanation is omitted here. Furthermore, the periods T1 to T5 shown in Figure 13 represent the same periods as those similarly indicated in Figure 11, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0180] Timing t26 represents the start of the operating period T3 of the conventional electric mechanism solenoid 62. Here, it is assumed that the RAM clear switch 43 is operated approximately simultaneously with timing t26 (a timing that overlaps with period T3). At this time, the main control board 100 (power restoration processing execution means 180) prioritizes checking the operation of the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62, and waits until timing t27 after the operating period T3 of the ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62 has elapsed, then ends the inspection-ready state and sets the play-ready state. In this embodiment, the timing t27 for ending the inspection-ready state is described as being later than the timing t26 for operating the RAM clear switch 43. However, in implementing the present invention, it is sufficient for the game device operating for inspection to continue until its operating mode ends, and it is not necessarily required to delay the timing for ending the inspection-ready state accordingly.

[0181] Therefore, when the playable state is set while the first game device is operating in a first operating mode in an inspectable state, the first game device (ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62 and special electric mechanism solenoid 66) continues in the first operating mode until the operation in the first operating mode ends, while the second game device (performance display device 80, speaker 33, performance lamp 35) stops the operating mode corresponding to the first notification at the timing (timing t27) when the playable state is set, and then starts the operating mode corresponding to the second notification. In this way, even if the conditions for ending the playable state are met during the operational test, the operation continues until the operation of the first operating mode corresponding to that operational test is completed, thus ensuring that the operational test of the first game device can be reliably performed. On the other hand, the notification regarding the state (first notification and second notification) can be switched at the transition timing, allowing for accurate notification of the transition timing.

[0182] Next, we will explain, with reference to Figure 14, the changes in the operating behavior of each gaming device when a playable state is set after an inspectable state is set during the power restoration process, and when an error is detected in the inspectable state. In addition, the error conditions that can be detected in the inspectable state shown in Figure 14 will be described as magnetic errors, as described above. However, in the implementation of the present invention, similar processing may be performed when detecting other error conditions.

[0183] The timings t31 to t36 and t39 shown in Figure 14 are the same as the timings t1 to t6 and t8 shown in Figure 11, respectively, and a detailed explanation is omitted here. Furthermore, the periods T1 to T5 shown in Figure 14 represent the same periods as those similarly indicated in Figure 11, so a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0184] Timing t37 represents the timing when a magnetic error is detected by a magnetic sensor (not shown). As shown in Figure 14, detection of a magnetic error does not terminate the inspection-ready state. Therefore, it does not affect the operation of the game device being inspected (first game device) in the inspection-ready state. It also does not affect the operation of the game device (second game device) that is operating in a manner corresponding to the inspection notification. Furthermore, since the security signal output in the inspection-ready state is output to notify that the inspection-ready state is in effect, 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 (after period T1) while the operation of the RAM clear switch 43 is enabled, i.e., 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 ending the testable state, and at approximately the same timing as timing t38, the main control board 100 ends the testable state, and the output of the security signal stops temporarily upon the end of the testable state, which is the same as the situation shown in Figure 11. On the other hand, the inspectable 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-disabled state is subsequently set. Here, the game-disabled state is a state in which the game cannot be played. At this time, all the lamps contained within the symbol display device 90 are turned off.

[0186] Even when the game-disabled state is set at timing t38, the situation is the same as shown in Figure 11 in that the RAM clear process was executed when the power was turned on, so an initialization command is sent from the main control board 100 to the first sub-control board 200 at that timing. Therefore, the performance display device 80 and speaker 33 will notify in the manner of initialization notification even when the game-disabled state is reached. Furthermore, the operation of the performance lamp 35 and movable body 22 during the initialization notification (which is done to determine whether or not the operation is normal) is also carried out in the same manner as explained using Figure 11.

[0187] Timing t40 represents the time 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. Once the initialization notification is complete, the display device 80, speaker 33, and display lamp 35 will issue an error notification corresponding to the magnetic error. In other words, the error notification corresponding to the magnetic error detected while the device is in a testable state will be issued after the test notification and initialization notification have finished. Regarding the output of the security signal, the output corresponding to the initialization notification will temporarily stop at timing t40, but the output corresponding to the error notification will be issued immediately afterward.

[0188] As described above, the inspection notification and initialization notification can be said to have a higher priority than the error notification that corresponds to an error condition (magnetic error) that can be detected in the inspection-ready state.

[0189] Next, we will explain, with reference to Figure 15, the changes in the operating behavior of each gaming device when the game-playable state is set without going through the inspection-ready state during the power restoration process, and when an error is detected in the game-playable state. Note that the error conditions that can be detected in the playable state shown in Figure 15 are not limited in the same way as the inspectable state, but will be explained as magnetic errors, similar to the situation shown in Figure 14.

[0190] The timings t41 to t43 and t45 shown in Figure 15 are the same as the timings t11 to t14 shown in Figure 12, and a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0191] Timing t44 represents the timing when a magnetic error is detected by a magnetic sensor (not shown). As shown in Figure 15, unlike Figure 12, at timing t44 when a magnetic error is detected, the playable state ends and the playable state is set. At the timing t44 when the game becomes unplayable, all the lamps contained within the symbol display device 90 turn off.

[0192] On the other hand, since the recovery notification is defined to be executed for a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds), it will continue to be executed even if a magnetic error is detected. Therefore, the magnetic error detected in the recovery notification does not affect the operating mode of the gaming device (second gaming device) that is operating in a manner corresponding to the recovery notification. Furthermore, even if a magnetic error is detected during the recovery notification, the security signal will not be output during the recovery notification, which is the same situation as illustrated in Figure 12.

[0193] Timing t46 represents the time 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. Once the recovery notification ends, the display device 80, speaker 33, and display lamp 35 will issue an error notification corresponding to the magnetic error. In other words, the error notification corresponding to the magnetic error detected during the recovery notification period will be issued after the recovery notification has ended. Regarding the security signal, an output corresponding to the error notification will be issued from timing t46.

[0194] As described above, the recovery notification can be said to have a higher priority than the error notification that responds to magnetic errors.

[0195] As described above, the first, second, and third notifications according to the present invention are executed with priority over error notifications corresponding to error conditions detected during their respective notification periods, thereby ensuring that the status of the gaming machine 10 corresponding to each notification is reliably recognized by hall staff and others. In this embodiment, the priority of the error notification corresponding to a specific error state (magnetic error) detectable in the inspectable state is described as being lower than any of the first notification (inspection notification), second notification (initialization notification), and third notification (recovery notification); however, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, among the error states detectable in the inspectable state, there may be an error state (first error state) whose error notification priority is higher than that of the first, second, and third notifications, and the error notification corresponding to the first error state may be executed while the inspectable state is active. In this modified example, among the error states detectable in the inspectable state, there may also be an error state (second error state) whose error notification priority is lower than that of the first, second, and third notifications, and the error notification corresponding to the second error state may be executed after the inspectable state has ended (after the playable state has been set).

[0196] Furthermore, Figure 13 mentions the case where the RAM clear switch 43, which is the condition for ending the inspection state, is operated during the operational inspection of the first game device (ordinary electric mechanism solenoid 62) that is to be inspected. A similar situation is conceivable, where a power interruption occurs during the operational testing of the first gaming device while it is operating in its first mode of operation, so we will add a note regarding this case. In the above-described case, the operation of the first gaming device undergoing operational testing will naturally cease in response to the power outage. Here, if power is restored after the power outage without a RAM clear process, it is preferable to set the game-ready state rather than the state before the power outage (test-ready state). This is because there is a high probability that the person who restored the power determined that testing was unnecessary.

[0197] <Other variations> The following are variations not mentioned in the above explanation.

[0198] In the above embodiment, the first game device to be inspected in an inspectable state is controlled by a first control board (main control board 100), and the second game device used for the first and second notifications is controlled by a second control board (first sub-control board 200). However, 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), or 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 performance button 37 is the subject of inspection in an inspectable state, the inspection will confirm whether or not the operating means accepts operation normally, so the sensor that detects the operation must be functioning effectively in the inspectable state. Furthermore, it is preferable that the manual inspection and the automatic inspection proceed in parallel, so that while the operating means is being manually operated and inspected in the inspectable state, other game devices to be inspected (for example, each solenoid or each lamp) are operated automatically.

[0199] In the above embodiment, it was explained that the condition for setting the playable state after the inspectionable state has been initiated is that operation of a predetermined operating means (RAM clear switch 43) is required, but this condition is not limited to this example. For example, the game-playable state may be set on the condition that a predetermined time has elapsed based on the time the power is turned on or the start of the testable state.

[0200] In the above embodiment, the solenoids to be inspected were exemplified as a standard electric mechanism solenoid 62 and a special electric mechanism solenoid 66. In carrying out the present invention, it is not necessarily required to inspect both the solenoid related to the standard electric mechanism and the solenoid related to the special electric mechanism; either one may be inspected.

[0201] In the above embodiment, a gaming machine with a single special electric component was illustrated, but the present invention may also be implemented using a gaming machine equipped with multiple special electric components. In this case, there may be multiple solenoids (solenoids corresponding to the first gaming device) related to the special electric component to be inspected. Furthermore, when implementing the present invention using a gaming machine equipped with multiple special electric mechanisms, it is desirable that each special electric mechanism be positioned in the right-hand play area, and that each special electric mechanism be controlled to operate alternately or at non-simultaneous timings so that when one is easy to win with, the other becomes difficult to win with.

[0202] In the above embodiment, it was only mentioned that the machine is equipped with an inspection function for the purpose of confirming the operation of the solenoids corresponding to each electric component (whether or not the electric component is operating normally) when it is in an inspectable state. In addition to this, a gaming machine implementing the present invention may be equipped with an inspection function for the purpose of confirming whether or not the sensor for detecting winning entries corresponding to the winning entry opening (large winning entry opening or starting opening) to which each electric component is attached is effective.

[0203] The operating modes of each gaming device described with reference to Figures 11 to 15 in the above embodiments are just one specific example of the present invention and can be modified as appropriate to achieve the objectives of the present invention. In the above embodiment, when the RAM clear switch 43 is operated while the game device is operating in its operating mode for inspection, the operation continues until that operating mode ends. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may also be implemented by modifying the procedure so that the operation of the game device is immediately stopped and the inspection-ready state is terminated upon operation of the RAM clear switch 43, and the game-ready state is set. According to this modified version, the inspection of the second gaming device, which checks whether it is functioning normally by changing in a predetermined operating pattern after the game-ready state is set (during the notification period of the second notification), can be expedited, and the confirmation becomes easier.

[0204] <Note> This embodiment encompasses the following technical concepts. (1) A gaming machine capable of launching game balls, awarding prize balls based on game balls entering prize slots, and capable of performing a RAM clear process when powered on, comprising: a plurality of gaming devices used for playing games; and a state management means for setting a playable state in which the game can be played and a checkable state in which the first gaming device among the plurality of gaming devices can be inspected, wherein the checkable state is a state that can be set after power is turned on accompanied by the RAM clear process, a first notification is performed during the duration of the checkable state, the playable state is a state that can be set after the checkable state has started, and after the checkable state has started A gaming machine characterized in that a second notification is given when set to the first notification and the second notification use a second gaming device different from the first gaming device, the inspection of the first gaming device that can be performed in the inspectable state includes changing the first gaming device to a first operating mode, the operating mode of the second gaming device is maintained even if the first gaming device changes to the first operating mode during the notification period of the first notification, and the plurality of gaming devices include a third gaming device that is not subject to inspection in the inspectable state and is not used in at least one of the first notification or the second notification. (2) The gaming machine according to (1), which is equipped with an operating means, and the inspection of the first gaming device includes one that requires operation of the operating means in the inspectable state and one that does not require operation of the operating means in the inspectable state. (3) The gaming machine according to (1) or (2), comprising a first control board and a second control board configured 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) The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first gaming device includes a gaming device capable of parallel processing of inspections and a gaming device incapable of parallel processing of inspections. (5) The gaming machine according to 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 in the first operating mode until the operation in the first operating mode ends, while the second gaming device stops in the operating mode corresponding to the first notification at the timing when the playable state is set, and then starts in the operating mode corresponding to the second notification. (6) The gaming machine according to (5), wherein during the notification period of the second notification, at least a part 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 according to (6), wherein the state management means can set the playable state without going through the inspectable state after power-on without the RAM clearing process, and in the playable state set without going through the inspectable state, a third notification different from both the first notification and the second notification is executed, the second gaming device enters a third operating mode different from the second operating mode during the notification period of the third notification, 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 component 28 Upper ball tray 29 Lower ball tray 30 Panel Decorative Lamps 31 Operating handle 32 Upper frame part 33 speakers 34 Side frame 35. Performance Lamps 36 Ball Removal Mechanism 37 Performance button 38 Cursor button 39 Main operation unit 40 Power switch 43 RAM clear switch 45 Opening / closing cover 46 Game ball tank 47 Tank rail 48 Payout unit 49 Payout passage 50 Game board 51 Outer rail 52 Windmill 53 Inner rail 55 Big winning opening 57 First starting opening 59 Second starting opening 61 Normal electric accessory 62 Normal electric accessory solenoid 63 Gate 65 Special electric accessory 66 Special electric accessory solenoid 67 General winning opening 69 Out opening 70 First starting opening sensor 71 Second starting opening sensor 72 Big winning opening sensor 73 General winning opening sensor 74 Gate sensor 75 Out ball sensor 76 Middle frame door open sensor 80 Performance display device 90 Symbol display device 91 First special symbol display device 92 Second special symbol display device 93 Normal symbol display device 94 First special symbol holding lamp 95 Second special symbol holding lamp 96 Normal symbol holding lamp 100 Main control board 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 105 Random number circuit 109 Main control board case 110 Ball entry determination means 115 Main random number generating means 120 Main reservation control means 125 Pre-determination means 130 Special symbol lottery means 131 Special symbol win / fail determination means 132 Special symbol stopping symbol lottery means 133 Special symbol variation pattern deriving means 135 Normal symbol lottery means 140 Jackpot game control means 145 Symbol display control means 150 Electric accessory control means 155 Game state control means 160 Main information storage means 165 Main error control means 170 Main command management means 175 Power interruption processing executing means 180 Power recovery processing executing means 200 First sub-control board 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 209 First sub-control board case 210 Sub random number generating means 220 Normal effect control means 221 Effect mode control means 222 Effect route determining means 223 Sub reservation control means 224 Pre-reading effect control means 225 Effect content determining means 226 Decorative symbol control means 227 Jackpot effect control means 230 Sub error control means 235 Audio control means 240 Lamp control means 245 Movable accessory control means 260 Power recovery processing executing means 270 Sub information storage means 275 Sub command management means 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 supply circuit 503 Power outage detection circuit 504 RAM Clear Switch Circuit 509 Power Control Board Case

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming machine that sets a playable state in which the game can be played and an inspectable state in which the device can be inspected, During the period in which the aforementioned inspection-ready state is set, the first notification is made. A second notification is given when a predetermined timing occurs in the playable state set after the start of the inspectionable state. The tests that can be performed in the aforementioned testable state include those that set the first device to a first operating mode, The first notification and the second notification use a second device different from the first device. During the notification period of the first notification, even if the first device enters the first operating mode, the operating mode of the second device is maintained. The inspection of the aforementioned first device was completed after a predetermined period of time had elapsed. The inspections that can be performed in the aforementioned inspection-ready state include, in addition to the inspection of the first device, inspections of a device other than the first device. While the first device is operating in the first operating mode in the inspectable state, if a predetermined condition is met by an operation on a predetermined operating means and the playable state is set, the second device stops the operating mode corresponding to the first notification at the timing when the playable state is set, and then starts the operating mode corresponding to the second notification. During the period in which the device is in the state where it can be inspected, there is a period in which the predetermined conditions are not met due to an operation on the predetermined operating means, and during that period, an operation on the predetermined operating means does not affect the operating mode of the first device. A gaming machine characterized by the following features.

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