JP2006094999A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect the malfunctioning of the put-out device for putting out the game media handily with a sufficient precision. <P>SOLUTION: When the putting out of the game media is generated by the start of the games or with the progress of the games, the number of the game media to be put out is stored into a plurality of memory areas and the game media are put out thoroughly until all of those are put out up to the number as required. When the putting out of the game media is newly generated, the number of the game media stored is increased by the number of those to be newly put out and then, its putting out is continued. In the putting out of the game media, it is detected whether the abnormality occurs in the number of the game media stored or not based on the number of those put out stored in the plurality of memory areas. This enables the detection of the malfunctioning in the put-out device handily and with a sufficient precision. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that pays out game media based on establishment of a predetermined payout condition.

  Conventionally, gaming machines that use game balls or game medals as game media are widely known. Among such gaming machines, in ball game machines such as pachinko machines that use game balls as game media and combination-type game machines, there are a number of game balls that are awarded to various prize openings such as a start opening and a big prize opening. A predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls based on a combination of winning symbols by passing the game balls to the ball entry area. In addition, a predetermined number of game balls may be paid out as rental balls based on a rental request from a player.

  Further, in a spinning type gaming machine that uses game medals as game media, when a winning combination of bonus combination or small combination is established, a predetermined number of game medals are paid out as rented medals according to the established combination. In addition, a predetermined number of game medals may be paid out as rented medals based on a rental request from the player.

  The payout of these game media is performed using a dedicated device (payout device) mounted on each game machine, and the payout device pays out game media as follows. First, the number of game media to be paid out (number of payouts) is set in the payout device. Next, while paying out the game medium, the set number of payouts is reduced by the number of payouts, and the payout is continued until the number of payouts becomes zero. Further, when a game medium to be newly paid out is generated during the payout, the set number of payouts is increased by the number of game media to be newly paid out, and the set payout number becomes zero. Continue paying out.

  In this way, the payout device pays out game media based on the set number of payouts, so if a malfunction occurs in the setting of the number of payouts for some reason and an abnormally large number of payouts is set, a large amount Game media will be paid out. In order to avoid such a problem, a technique for determining that a malfunction has occurred when the set value of the number of payouts is an abnormally large value has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-159448 A

  However, the gaming machine can take various gaming states, and in accordance with this, there may be a case where the set value of the number of payouts becomes a large value. For this reason, in the proposed technology, even if the payout device malfunctions, if the set payout number is smaller than a value that can normally be taken, it is not possible to detect that a malfunction has occurred. There has been a problem that it is difficult to detect the occurrence of a malfunction with sufficient accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of detecting a malfunction of the dispensing device with sufficient accuracy. Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can easily return to a normal state even when an abnormality occurs in the stored number of payouts.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
In a gaming machine that pays out gaming media based on establishment of a predetermined payout condition,
A payout number storage means for storing a payout number as the number of game media to be paid out;
Game medium payout means for paying out the game media until paying out all the game media of the number of payouts stored in the payout number storage means;
The stored number of payouts is reduced by the number of game media paid out, and when a new game media to be paid out is generated, the number of game media to be newly paid out A number-of-payouts updating means for increasing the number of payouts stored;
An abnormality detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality with respect to the number of payouts stored in the payout number storage means,
The number of payout storage means stores the number of payouts in a plurality of storage areas,
The abnormality detecting means detects the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the number of payouts stored in the plurality of storage areas.

  In the gaming machine of the present invention, when a game medium to be paid out is generated, the number of game media to be paid out is stored. Then, while paying out the game medium, the number of payouts stored is reduced by the number of payouts, thereby paying out the game media by the number of payouts stored. When a new game medium to be paid out is generated in the middle of payout, the number of payouts to be stored is increased by the number of game media to be newly paid out, and the game medium is again paid out. Here, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the number of payouts is stored in a plurality of storage areas, and based on the number of payouts stored in the plurality of storage areas, an abnormality of the stored number of payouts is determined. Detect the presence or absence.

  In this way, if the number of payouts is stored in a plurality of storage areas and the presence / absence of an abnormality is detected based on the plurality of payout numbers, even if a slight abnormality occurs, it can be detected easily and accurately. It is possible to take appropriate measures.

  When detecting the presence / absence of an abnormality with respect to the number of payouts stored, the number of payouts stored in a plurality of storage areas is compared. It may be determined that the number is abnormal.

  By so doing, it is possible to detect the occurrence of an abnormality even if the stored number of payouts is different by 1. Therefore, the presence or absence of an abnormality can be detected with very high accuracy. In addition, it can be realized very easily as long as the number of payouts stored in a plurality of storage areas is compared to determine whether there is a different value or not. There is no risk of complicated control of the machine.

  Furthermore, when storing the number of payouts in at least three locations in the storage area, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the number of payouts stored, the number of payouts stored in the most locations is used. The remaining number of payouts may be replaced.

  Since malfunctions rarely occur, if the number of payouts is stored in three or more locations in the storage area, even if an abnormality is detected, the number of payouts stored in most locations is normal. Conceivable. Therefore, when an abnormality is detected, if the number of payouts stored in the most places is used to replace the number of payouts stored in other places, the abnormality is detected easily and accurately. This is preferable because it is possible not only to detect the presence / absence of occurrence but also to return to a normal state and pay out game media appropriately.

  Further, when detecting the presence / absence of the stored number of payouts, it may be detected as follows. First, the pre-increase payout number is stored in at least one of a plurality of storage areas in which the payout number is stored, and the post-increase payout number is stored in at least one of the remaining portions. Here, the number of payouts before increase is the number of payouts before increasing the number of game media to be newly paid out when a new game media to be paid out is generated. The number of payouts after the number of game media to be paid out is increased. And it is good also as detecting the presence or absence of abnormality about the memorize | stored payout number based on the difference between the payout number before increase and the payout number after increase.

  Since the gaming machine can take various gaming states, for example, when a game medium to be paid out continuously occurs and the payout of the game medium cannot catch up, the stored payout number takes a large value. It can also happen. However, even in such a case, as the number of game media to be newly paid out, only a limited value can be taken as a value generated individually. Therefore, it is preferable to detect whether there is an abnormality in the stored number of payouts based on the difference between the pre-increase payout number and the post-increase payout number, because it can be detected easily and with sufficient accuracy. . In addition, if the presence / absence of an abnormality is detected in this way, it is sufficient to store the number of payouts in at least two locations in the storage area. From this point also, it is possible to easily detect the presence / absence of an abnormality. Become.

  In addition, when detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality, it may be determined that there is an abnormality in the stored number of payouts when the difference between the pre-increase payout number and the post-increase payout number exceeds a predetermined value. Good.

  The number of payouts that can be stored can take various values, but considering the various gaming states that can be taken by the gaming machine, the maximum value that can be taken as the number of game media to be newly paid out should be obtained in advance. Can do. Therefore, if an appropriate predetermined value is set based on such maximum value and the difference between the pre-increase payout number and the post-increase payout number exceeds the predetermined value, it is assumed that there is an abnormality. Presence / absence can be easily detected with sufficient accuracy.

  Or it is good also as detecting the presence or absence of abnormality as follows. A plurality of types of payout candidates, the number of game media that can be newly paid out, are stored in advance. Even if the difference between the pre-increase payout number and the post-increase payout number does not match any of the plurality of stored payout candidate numbers, it may be determined that the stored payout number is abnormal. Good.

  Assuming various gaming states that a gaming machine can take, the number of gaming balls to be newly paid out can be obtained in advance. Therefore, a plurality of types of such game balls are stored as the number of payout candidates, and if the difference between the pre-increase payout number and the post-increase payout number does not match any of these payout candidate numbers, there is an abnormality. Also, it is possible to easily detect whether there is an abnormality with sufficient accuracy.

  If it is determined that there is an abnormality based on the difference between the pre-increase payout number and the post-increase payout number, the post-increase payout number may be replaced with the pre-increase payout number.

  This is preferable because it is possible to easily return to a normal state even when an abnormality occurs in the stored number of payouts.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order. Here, a description will be given using a pachinko machine using a game ball as a game medium as an example.
A. Game machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
A-2. Game board configuration:
A-3. Configuration on the back side of the device:
A-4. Configuration of control circuit:
A-5. Overview of the game:
B. Game machine control details:
B-1. Operation immediately after power-on:
B-2. Control start preparation operation:
B-3. Game control overview:
B-3-1. Watchdog timer reset processing:
B-3-2. Prize ball related processing:
B-3-3. Normal symbol game start judgment processing:
B-3-4. Normal design game processing:
B-3-5. Normal electric game processing:
B-3-6. Special symbol game start decision processing:
B-3-7. Special design game processing:
B-3-8. Special symbol variation pattern setting process:
B-3-9. Special electric game game processing:
B-4. Processing when power failure occurs:
B-5. Withdrawal control process:
B-5-1. Structure of dispensing device:
B-5-2. Game ball payout processing:
C. Abnormality detection processing of the first embodiment:
D. Anomaly detection processing of the second embodiment:
E. Anomaly detection processing of the third embodiment:

A. Pachinko machine configuration:
A-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the gaming machine 1 is mainly composed of a front frame 4, an upper plate portion 5, a lower plate portion 6, a game board 10, and the like. In FIG. 1, detailed illustration of the game board 10 is omitted. The front frame 4 is attached to a middle frame 3 (not shown), and the middle frame 3 is attached to a main body frame 2 (not shown). The middle frame 3 is formed of a plastic material and is attached to the inside of the main body frame 2. The main body frame 2 is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate-like members, and forms an outer frame of the gaming machine 1. One end of the front frame 4 is pivotally supported with respect to the middle frame 3, and one end of the middle frame 3 is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame 2. The game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3, and the front side is covered with the front frame 4.

  The front frame 4 is formed of a plastic material, and a circular opening 4a is formed at a substantially central portion. A transparent plate such as a glass plate is fitted in the opening 4a, and the board surface of the game board 10 disposed on the back side can be visually recognized. Further, the front frame 4 is provided with various lamps 4b to 4f for enhancing the game effect. Furthermore, two prize ball display LED display portions 4g and an error LED display portion 4h are provided on the upper portion of the front frame 4. The error LED display section 4h of the present embodiment lights or blinks in red when a severe error occurs and in orange when a minor error occurs. Here, a severe error is an error when, for example, it is necessary to work with the front frame 4 opened for recovery, or when parts need to be replaced. Is any other error.

  In addition, an upper dish portion 5 is provided below the front frame 4, and a lower dish portion 6 is provided below the upper dish portion 5. Further, a locking device 9 is provided on the right side of the front frame 4, and a prepaid card type ball lending device 13 (CR unit) is provided on the left side of the front frame 4.

  The upper dish portion 5 is provided with a dish-shaped recess and a dish outer edge portion 5a formed so as to surround the recess. The game ball is thrown into the recess formed in the upper plate part 5 and supplied to the launching device unit. The dish outer edge 5a is provided with various buttons such as a ball lending switch 5b for game balls, a return switch, and a discharge button for discharging the inserted game balls. Furthermore, a first speaker 5y having a plurality of long holes and a large number of small holes formed thereon is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper plate part 5. Further, two operation switches SW1 and SW2 are provided on the front side of the upper plate part 5. By pressing this switch, the player can intervene in the progress of the game, such as selecting a character or game conditions during the game.

  The lower plate part 6 is provided with a discharge port 6 a for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1, and the discharged game balls are stored in the lower plate part 6. In addition, the lower pan portion 6 is provided with a lower pan full tank switch 6s (not shown) (see FIG. 6). When the lower pan portion 6 is filled with game balls, this is detected and the game balls are paid out. It is supposed to be interrupted. In order to discharge the game balls stored in the lower plate portion 6, a ball game hole (not shown) for discharging game balls from the lower plate portion 6 is provided on the bottom surface of the lower plate portion 6. A discharge knob 6b that opens and closes the ball hole is provided on the substantially central front side of the portion 6. The discharge knob 6b is normally in an upright state, but when the lower end is pressed to the back side, the upper end is rotated around the rotation shaft, the ball hole is opened, and the game balls accumulated in the lower dish portion 6 are discharged. It is possible. Moreover, the 2nd speaker 6c is provided in the right and left of the discharge knob 6b.

  An ashtray 7 is provided at the left end of the lower plate portion 6, and a firing handle 8 is provided at the right end of the lower plate portion 6. The firing handle 8 is provided with a touch switch 8a for detecting that the player is touching the handle. The rotation axis of the firing handle 8 is connected to a launching device unit (not shown) mounted on the back side of the lower plate portion 6, and when the player rotates the firing handle 8, the movement is transmitted to the launching device unit. A launch motor 8m (see FIG. 8) incorporated in the unit rotates to launch a game ball with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle. On the left side surface of the launch handle 8, a launch stop switch 8b that is operated by the player to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball is disposed. Note that the firing stop switch 8b of the present embodiment is provided in the touch switch circuit and is electrically connected to the touch switch 8a.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 10. As described above, the game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 11 surrounded by an outer rail 14 and an inner rail 15 is formed at the center of the game board 10.

  A central device 26 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 11, and a variable prize device 18 is provided in a lower portion of the game area 11. A starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17 is provided between the central device 26 and the variable winning device 18. The starting port (ordinary electric accessory) 17 is a so-called tulip type starting port configured such that a pair of blade pieces can be opened and closed on the left and right. Inside the start port 17 are a start port (ordinary electric accessory) switch 17s (see FIG. 6) for detecting the passing of the game ball and an ordinary electric accessory (start port) solenoid 17m for operating the wing piece. (See FIG. 6). When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the game ball is in an open state in which the possibility of entering the game ball is increased, and the pair of wing piece parts are in an upright state, thereby entering the normal state in which the game ball is less likely to enter.

  The central device 26 is provided with an effect display device 27. The effect display device 27 is equipped with a liquid crystal screen, and can change and display various effect symbols such as character symbols and background symbols. The screen configuration of the effect display device 27 will be described later.

  A symbol display device 28 is provided at the lower left of the central device 26. Although the detailed configuration will be described later, the symbol display device 28 can display normal symbols, special symbols, and the like in a variable stop manner.

  A normal symbol operation gate 36 is provided at the left end of the game area 11, and a gate switch 36 s for detecting the passage of the game ball is provided inside the gate. Further, a lamp windmill 24 is provided between the normal symbol operating gate 36 and the central device 26. A number of obstacle nails 23 are provided between and around each of these gaming devices.

  A large winning device 31 is provided substantially at the center of the variable winning device 18. The big prize device 31 includes a big prize opening 31d that opens largely in a substantially rectangular shape, an opening / closing plate that opens or closes the big prize opening 31d, and a big prize opening solenoid 31m that opens and closes the opening / closing plate (see FIG. 6). And an interlocking hook (not shown). The special winning opening 31d is opened when a predetermined condition described later is satisfied. When the special winning opening 31d is opened, the game ball enters the ball with a high probability, and a special game state, which is a game state advantageous to the player, is started. As will be described later, a big prize opening switch 31s (see FIG. 6) is provided inside the big prize opening 31d, and it is possible to detect a game ball won in the big prize opening 31d. .

  An out port 48 is provided below the game board 10, and a back ball preventing member 58 is provided below the out port 48. The packed ball prevention member 58 has a function of preventing a game ball that has returned without reaching the game area 11 from returning to the launch position again. On the other hand, a foul ball prevention member (not shown) is attached to the tip of the inner rail 15, and a return rubber (not shown) is attached to the outer rail 14 on the substantially opposite side of the foul ball prevention member (the right half side of the game board 10). Attached along the fitting.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the symbol display device 28 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. The symbol display device 28 of the present embodiment is mainly composed of a normal symbol display unit 29 and a special symbol display unit 30. The normal symbol display unit 29 includes a left normal symbol display unit 29a and a right normal symbol display unit 29b, and the special symbol display unit 30 includes a left special symbol display unit 30a and a right special symbol display unit 30b. Has been. The two normal symbol display portions 29a and 29b are configured using so-called LEDs (light emitting diodes), the left normal symbol display portion 29a lights red light, and the right normal symbol display portion 29b emits green light. It can be lit. The special symbol display unit 30 uses a so-called 7-segment LED. Of these, the 7-segment portion constitutes the left special symbol display portion 30a, and the comma portion constitutes the right special symbol display portion 30b. Yes. The 7-segment portion and the comma portion can be lit with red, orange, or green light. The symbol display device 28 is also provided with a normal symbol hold display unit 29c and a special symbol hold display unit 30c. Each of these consists of four LEDs. The display contents of the symbol display device 28 having such a configuration will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the effect display device 27 installed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As described above, the effect display device 27 is mainly configured by using a liquid crystal display screen, and on the liquid crystal screen, three character symbols 27a, 27b, 27c and a background symbol 27d displayed on the background thereof. And are displayed. Among these, the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed in various manners in accordance with the display of the special symbol 30 shown in FIG. 3 so that a game can be produced. Detailed production contents will be described later.

  The configuration on the front side of the gaming machine 1 has been described above. Finally, the operation of the two operation switches SW1 and SW2 provided at the front left end portion of the upper plate portion 5 will be described. The operation switches SW <b> 1 and SW <b> 2 have a function of selecting an effect form displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the effect display device 27. That is, when the player operates the switches SW1 and SW2 under a predetermined condition, it is possible to change the form of the effect performed on the liquid crystal screen, the background symbol 27d, and the like. Therefore, the player can feel as if he / she is participating in the effect displayed on the effect display device 27.

A-3. Configuration on the back side of the device:
Next, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the back structure of the gaming machine 1 is a structure in which various devices are mounted on a large back mechanism board 102, and the back mechanism board 102 can be opened and closed to the middle frame 3 by a pair of hinges 103. Is pivotally supported. In FIG. 5, the pair of hinges 103 is shown near the upper end and the lower end on the right side of the middle frame 3.

  The back mechanism panel 102 includes a prize ball tank 105 in which game balls are stored, a payout device 109 for paying out prize balls, a back case with a lid in which the above-described effect display device 27 is stored, and main control described later. A main control board case 112 in which the board 200 is stored, a launcher control board case in which a launch control board for controlling the launcher unit is stored, and a payout control board in which a payout control board 240 for controlling the payout apparatus 109 is stored. A case 118, a relay terminal board for relaying the main control board 200 and various switches, and the like are mounted.

  The prize ball tank 105 is provided with a tank switch at the bottom, and can detect a broken ball. The prize ball tank 105 and the payout device 109 are connected by a tank rail 106. A ball removal lever is provided on the right side of the tank rail 106 in the drawing, and a supply ball (not shown) is provided downstream of the tank rail 106. A cut detection switch is provided. Further, a game ball distribution unit is provided on the downstream side of the payout device 109. In FIG. 5, the display of the sorting unit is omitted in order to avoid complicated illustration.

  Various substrates such as the main control board case 112, the relay terminal board 190, and the payout control board case 118 are detachably mounted on a metal plate (not shown) that is pivotably suspended from the back mechanism board 102. Yes.

  At the upper right end of the back mechanism panel 102 is equipped with an external connection terminal for a gaming machine frame such as a fuse box, a power switch, a power terminal board and a jackpot, a launcher control, a ball break, a door open, a prize ball, and a ball rental. A relay terminal board is provided. The power terminal board 121 may be connected to a ram clear switch (not shown) for generating a ram clear signal. A power cable for receiving external power supply is also provided on the upper side of the relay terminal plate 122. Further, a connection cable extends upward from the payout control board case 118 and is connected to a ball lending device provided with a power cable. Further, a ball passage member 126 for a lower plate portion is provided at the lower end of the center of the back mechanism panel 102.

A-4. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 is composed of many control boards, various boards, relay terminal boards, and so on. A main control board 200 that controls whether or not it is involved, a sub-control board 220 that controls the control of game effects using symbols, lamps, and sound effects, and a payout control that controls the operation of paying out balls and prize balls A board 240 and a launch control board 260 for controlling the launch of the game ball are configured. These control boards include a CPU that executes various logic operations and calculation operations, a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU, a RAM that stores temporary data when the program is executed, and peripheral devices. Peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with the CPU, an oscillator that outputs a clock for the CPU to perform operations, a watchdog timer for monitoring the CPU runaway, and a CTC (counter that periodically generates an interrupt signal) A variety of peripheral LSIs such as a timer circuit are connected to each other via a bus. Further, the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6 represents the direction in which data or signals are input / output. In FIG. 6, only the CPU 201 and RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200 and the CPU 241 and RAM 242 mounted on the payout control board 240 are shown, and are mounted on the main control board 200 and the payout control board 240. The ROM, PIO, and CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. mounted on other control boards are not shown.

  As shown in the drawing, the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the start port switch 17s, the big prize port switch 31s, the gate switch 36s, etc. Then, various commands to be described later are output to the sub control board 220, the payout control board 240, the launch control board 260, and the like. The main control board 200 is also connected with a count switch 8s that detects a game ball emitted from the emission device unit. Further, the main control board 200 includes an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17m for opening and closing a pair of blade pieces provided at the start opening 17, a large winning opening solenoid 31m for opening and closing the large winning opening 31d, and a normal symbol. These operations are directly controlled by outputting a signal to the symbol display device 28 for displaying the change stop of the special symbol.

  When the sub-control board 220 receives various commands from the main control board 200, it analyzes the contents of the command and produces a game according to the result. That is, by outputting a drive signal to the effect display board that drives the effect display device 27 described above, the amplifier board that drives the various speakers 5y and 6c, and the decoration drive board that drives the various LEDs and lamps for decoration, Produce a game. In addition, the operation signals from the operation switches SW1 and SW2 described above are input to the sub-control board 220 via the effect button board. The detailed input / output relationship of the sub-control board 220 will be described later.

  The payout control board 240 is responsible for various controls relating to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when the player operates the ball lending switch 5b or the return switch 5c provided in the above-described upper plate part 5, this signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 245 to the ball lending device 13 via the relay terminal board. Is done. The ball lending device 13 pays out a ball while exchanging data with the payout control board 240. When the main control board 200 outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control board 240 receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m to pay out the prize ball. The paid-out prize balls are detected by two payout switches (a front payout switch 109j and a rear payout switch 109k) and input to the payout control board 240. Further, the number of prize balls paid out is also detected by the count switch 8s and counted by the main control board 200.

  Further, the above-mentioned signal from the tank switch 104 provided in the prize ball tank 105 and the signal from the external tank switch 124 provided in an external tank (not shown) in which game balls to be supplied to the prize ball tank 105 are stored are also paid out. Input to the control board 240. For this reason, the payout control board 240 can notify the abnormality by the error LEDs 4g and 4h described above before it becomes impossible to pay out the winning ball due to the ball running out. Further, a signal from a lower pan full switch 6 s provided in the lower pan 6 is also input to the dispensing control board 240. For this reason, even when the lower tray portion 6 is filled with game balls, the payout control board 240 temporarily stops paying out prize balls in response to a signal detected by the lower tray full tank switch 6s. Is possible. In addition, a signal from the front frame switch 4 s that detects that the front frame 4 is open is also input to the payout control board 240. For this reason, when the front frame 4 is opened for some reason, it is possible to stop operations such as paying out a prize ball or lending a game ball. In addition, the payout control board 240 outputs a signal for allowing the game ball to be launched (a launch permission signal) to the launch control board 260 under the control of the main control board 200. In response to the launch permission signal, various controls for launching the game ball are performed as will be described later.

  Next, the input / output relationship of signals or commands to the sub-control board 220 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the input / output relationship for the sub-control board 220. As shown in the figure, the sub control board 220 is connected to various boards such as an effect display board 222, an amplifier board 224, a decoration drive board 226, and an effect button board 228.

  When the sub-control board 220 receives various effect commands from the main control board 200 as described above, the sub-control board 220 interprets the contents of the command, and displays the specific display contents on the above-described effect display device 27 and various speakers. The sound effect output at 5y and 6c, and the specific mode of lighting or blinking of various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f are determined. Next, the drive signal of the effect display device 27 is output to the effect display board 222, and the effect symbol change stop display is performed. At this time, data stored in the effect display ROM 27r built in the effect display device 27 or the effect display substrate 222 is used for partial data such as the character symbols and background symbols to be displayed. Also, sound effects are output from the various speakers 5y and 6c by outputting an audio signal to the amplifier board 224 in accordance with the change stop display of the effect design. In addition, by supplying a signal to the decorative drive board 226 and outputting drive signals of various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f from the decorative drive board 226, the lighting / flashing operation of the various LEDs and lamps is controlled. Furthermore, as described above, when the player operates the operation switches SW1 and SW2 provided on the front surface side of the upper platen part 5, this operation signal is supplied to the sub-control board 220. Based on the supplied operation signal, the sub control board 220 is configured to be able to reflect the operation result in various effect contents including the effect display device 27 described above.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the input / output relationship for the launch control board 260. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the launch control board 260 is connected to the payout control board 240, and receives various commands from the payout control board 240, and various operations for launching a game ball, specifically, In addition to driving the launch motor 8m for launching the game balls, the operation of driving the ball feed solenoid for supplying the game balls one by one to the launch position is controlled. Among these, signals relating to the launch of the game ball are input / output via the launch drive board 262. That is, the exchange of signals performed between the firing control board 260 and the firing motor 8m is performed via the firing drive board 262. In addition, a signal from the touch switch 8a that detects that the player is touching the launch handle 8 (see FIG. 1) or the launch stop switch 8b that is operated when the launch of the game ball is temporarily stopped is the launch. It is supplied to the launch control board 260 via the drive board 262. On the other hand, the drive signal for the ball feed solenoid is directly supplied from the firing control board 260 to the ball feed solenoid.

A-5. Overview of the game:
Next, the contents of the control performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described. First, as a preparation, an outline of the game will be briefly described.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, a game is performed as follows. First, when a player throws a game ball into the recess of the upper plate part 5 and rotates the firing handle 8, the game balls thrown into the upper plate part 5 are supplied one by one to the launching device unit. 2 is used to fire the game area 11 described above. The strength at which the game ball is launched can be adjusted by the rotation angle of the launching handle 8, and the player can aim the game ball by changing the rotation angle of the launching handle 8. .

  When the launched game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 provided on the left side of the game area 11, the symbol display on the symbol display device 28 is started. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the symbol display device 28 is provided with the left normal symbol display unit 28a and the right normal symbol display unit 28b. The left normal symbol display unit 28a is configured to be able to light red light, and the right normal symbol display unit 28b is configured to be able to light green light. When the normal symbol variation display is started, the left and right normal symbol display portions 28a and 28b perform blinking display.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which normal symbols are variably displayed. The normal symbol in the variable display can take the four states shown in the figure. First, the state shown in FIG. 9A represents a state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned on and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is turned off. FIG. 9B shows a state where both the left normal symbol display portion 29a and the right normal symbol display portion 29b are lit. FIG. 9C shows a state in which the left normal symbol display unit 29a is turned off and the right normal symbol display unit 29b is turned on. FIG. 9D shows the left normal symbol display unit 29a and the right normal symbol display. Each of the portions 29b represents a state where the light is extinguished. During the normal symbol variation display, these four display states are displayed in such a manner that they are switched one after another at a high speed, and when a predetermined time elapses, they are stopped and displayed in one of the four display states. At this time, if the display is stopped in a predetermined display state, a so-called normal symbol is hit, and the start port 17 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). In the present embodiment, the display state shown in FIG. 9C, that is, the state in which the left normal symbol display portion 29a is turned off and the right normal symbol display portion 29b is lit is set for the normal symbol. Yes.

  If the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 36 during the normal symbol variation display, the passing of the game ball is stored as the number of holdings, and after the current normal symbol variation display is completed, the variation display is displayed. Done. Up to four normal symbol holds can be stored, and the number of stored normal symbol holds is displayed in the normal symbol hold display section 29c shown in FIG.

  Next, when a game ball enters the start port 17 that is in an open state, a special symbol variation display is started. The special symbol is displayed by the special symbol display unit 30 as described with reference to FIG. As described above, the special symbol display unit 30 of this embodiment is composed of the left special symbol display unit 30a composed of 7-segment LEDs and the right special symbol display unit 30b of the comma portion. The symbol display portions 30a and 30b can be lit in red, orange, or green.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which special symbols are variably displayed. During the special symbol variation display, the left special symbol display portion 30a displays any one of “A”, “Y”, and “−”, and the right special symbol display portion 30b always displays a comma “.”. Has been. Further, “A” and “Y” in the left special symbol display unit 30a and the comma “.” In the right special symbol display unit 30b can take three states of red, orange, and green. The “-” in 30a can take either a red or green state. In the special symbol display unit 30 of the present embodiment, these display states can be combined to display twelve types of states shown in FIG. In the figure, the 7-segment LED or the comma portion that is finely hatched indicates that it is lit in a red state. In addition, a little rough hatching indicates that it is lit and displayed in an orange state, and a rough hatching indicates that it is lit and displayed in a green state. . When the special symbol variation display is started, these 12 types of display states are displayed in such a manner that they are switched one after another at a high speed, and when a predetermined time elapses, the display is stopped in any state.

  If the symbol displayed in a stopped state is “-”, the special symbol is removed, but if a combination of other symbols is stopped, the special symbol is hit, and the gaming state is advantageous to the player. A special gaming state is started. In other words, there are 10 types of combinations of symbols that are won by the special symbol, excluding “−” from the 12 types of symbols shown in FIG. Further, the special gaming state of the present embodiment is configured such that the gaming state (round) in which the special winning opening 31d is opened a predetermined number of times is repeated for a predetermined round. Since the big winning opening 31d is greatly opened, the game ball enters with high probability. As a result, the player can acquire many prize balls while a predetermined number of rounds are repeated.

  If a game ball enters the start port 17 during the special symbol fluctuation display, the game ball entry is stored as the number of special symbols held, and after the current special symbol fluctuation display ends, Fluctuation display is performed. It is possible to store up to four special symbols on hold, and the number of reserved special symbols stored is displayed on the special symbol hold display section 30c shown in FIG.

  In addition, among the 10 types of combinations that the special symbol shown in FIG. 10 is the winning combination, the five types of combinations surrounded by a solid line are so-called “probable variations”. When the game is stopped in any of the combination of probability variation symbols, the probability that the winning symbol is stopped and displayed is higher than that in the normal state from the end of the special game to the start of the next special game. Such a gaming state is called a probability variation state (or probability variation state).

  Furthermore, among the 10 types of combinations that the special symbol shown in FIG. 10 is the winning combination, the five types of combinations surrounded by a broken line are so-called “normal symbols”, and the special symbols that are variably displayed are these combinations. If you stop at one of the combinations of normal symbols, after the special game ends, until the special symbol is variably displayed a predetermined number of times (100 times in this embodiment) or until the next special game state is started, The variation time of the special symbol is shortened, and the opening time of the start port 17 is set to be slightly longer. Such a gaming state is referred to as a variable time shortening state (or a short time state). In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, such a time-saving function is activated not only when the stop symbol is displayed with the normal symbol but also when it is stopped with the probability variable symbol. Eventually, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in any of the ten types of winning symbols shown in FIG. 10, the time saving function is always activated after the special gaming state is finished.

  In accordance with the above-described change stop display of the special symbol, the effect display device 27 performs various effects using the effect symbols. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view illustrating an aspect of the effect performed by the effect display device 27. As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the three character symbols 27 a, 27 b and 27 c are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen constituting the effect display device 27. When the variation display of the special symbol is started by the symbol display device 28 described above, these three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c start the variation display all at once. In the present embodiment, as a character design, a design in which nine numbers from “1” to “9” are designed is prepared.

  FIG. 11 (a) conceptually shows how the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed at the same time. When a predetermined time elapses after the variable display is started, the left character symbol 27a is first stopped and displayed in any one of “1” to “9”, and then the right character symbol 27c is stopped and displayed. The middle character symbol 27b is stopped and displayed.

  The combination of the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c that are stopped and displayed on the effect display device 27 is configured to be interlocked with the combination of the special symbols that are stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 described above. For example, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 is stopped by the winning symbol, the three character symbols 27a, 27b, 27c of the effect display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol. In particular, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 stops at the above-described probability variation symbol, the three character symbols 27a, 27b, 27c of the effect display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol representing an odd number. On the other hand, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 is out of position and stops at the symbol, the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in any combination that does not align with the same symbol.

  In this way, the special symbols displayed on the symbol display device 28 and the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c displayed on the effect display device 27 correspond to each other in the display contents, and the respective display symbols are displayed. Since the timing for confirmation is set to be the same, it is possible to play a game while viewing either display. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the effect display device 27 is provided at a position that is more visible than the symbol display device 28, the display screen is larger, and the display content is easier to understand. It is normal to play a game while viewing the screen of the display device 27. Therefore, when the left character symbol 27a initially stopped and displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 27 and the right character symbol 27c subsequently stopped and displayed are the same symbol, it is stopped and displayed last. The player pays attention to the variation of the symbol so that the middle character symbol 27b may stop at the same symbol and become a so-called jackpot state. By performing such reach production, it is possible to enhance the interest of the player. In addition, various presentation modes are also prepared for reach production, and it is possible to enhance the interest of the player even more effectively. In this embodiment, the state in which the two character symbols are stopped and displayed with the same symbol and the last character symbol is variably displayed is referred to as a “reach state”.

B. Game machine control contents:
Hereinafter, details of the control performed by the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment to realize the above-described game will be described in detail.

B-1. Operation immediately after power-on:
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a large flow from when the gaming machine 1 is powered on until the game control is started by the main control board 200. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 is equipped with many control boards in addition to the main control board 200, and these control boards also operate substantially the same after the power is turned on. Each control is started after the above. As shown in FIG. 12, when the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the CPU is first initialized. Such an operation is called a system initialization operation (or system reset), and is performed by supplying an initialization signal from a power supply circuit (not shown) to the CPU of each control board. When the CPU is initialized, a security check is performed next time. A security check is a process in which the CPU mounted on each control board starts control, checks the contents of the memory including the area where the program and various control parameters are stored, and the program and control parameters are illegally modified. It is a work to check whether or not. Since the gaming machine 1 must not be illegally modified after shipment from the manufacturer, a security check is performed before the game control is started. Since the security check checks a large memory area, a certain amount of time is required until the check is completed.

  When the security check is completed, the CPU mounted on each control board starts its control program. The control program is stored in a predetermined memory area of the ROM mounted on each control board. In general, the process for preparing to start control (control start preparation process) and the end of the control start preparation process are performed. The process is started later and executed during the game. In the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200, as shown in FIG. 12, the game control process is started after the completion of the control start preparation process, but the same applies to the CPUs mounted on other various control boards. Perform proper processing. In addition, the control performed during the game receives an interrupt signal from a timer mounted on each control board, and periodically changes the state of the gaming machine (for example, the entrance to each entrance) In the control start preparation process performed on each control board, a preparatory operation for generating a timer interrupt is also performed.

B-2. Control start preparation operation:
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a control start preparation process performed immediately after the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 is started. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart. When the control preparation process is started, first, the CPU 201 sets a state in which no interrupt is accepted (S10). The control preparation processing to be performed below is performed as preparation for performing appropriate control.Before the preparation operation is completed, control cannot be executed properly even if an interrupt occurs. It is set to not accept interrupts until the preparation operation is completed.

  Next, a stack pointer is set (S12). In simple terms, the stack pointer is a variable that indicates a memory area for temporarily saving data being processed when the current process is interrupted and another process is performed. When game control is started, an interrupt may occur and the process may be interrupted, so a memory area for saving various data for resuming the interrupted process is set. is there.

  Next, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs initialization of peripheral devices (S14). Here, initial setting of various devices such as CTC (counter / timer circuit) and PIO (peripheral device interface) is performed. When game control is performed, timer interruptions are generated periodically (typically every 2 msec) using the CTC to detect various switch states and update various random values. Therefore, the setting for causing the timer interrupt to be generated in the CTC is also performed in S14 of the control start preparation process.

  Following the setting of the peripheral device, the CPU 201 detects whether or not the RAM clear switch is ON (S16). If the RAM clear switch is ON when the power is turned on, it is assumed that the store clerk turned on the power while turning on the RAM clear switch when the amusement store was opened. However, if the RAM clear switch is not ON (S16: no), there is a possibility that the power has been cut off due to a power failure or the like, so it is detected whether the backup flag is ON (S18). If the backup flag is ON (S18: yes), the game is not terminated normally because the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, and it is necessary to restore the gaming state before the disconnection. Conceivable. Therefore, the following recovery operation is performed.

  When the recovery operation is started, a checksum is calculated first (S20). The checksum is roughly calculated as follows. Predetermined checksum data is set in advance. Then, for the data stored in the target area on the RAM 202, the data is sequentially read to calculate an exclusive OR with the checksum data, and the obtained value is sequentially written in the checksum data area. When exclusive OR is written for all data stored in the target area of the RAM 202 in this way, the value of each bit in the written area is inverted, and the obtained data is used as a checksum. In the power-off process performed at the time of power-off such as a power failure, a checksum is calculated and stored for data in the backup RAM area. Therefore, if the data stored in the backup RAM area has not been changed, the checksum calculated during the recovery operation should be the same value as the checksum calculated when the power is turned off.

  Therefore, it is determined whether or not the checksum calculated in S20 matches the checksum stored when the power is turned off (S22). If the two match (S22: yes), it is considered that the data in the backup RAM area is correctly stored. In this case, after reading the stored data and acquiring the gaming state when the power is cut off (S24), the backup flag is set to OFF (S26). Then, in order to restore the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240, the launch control board 260, and the like to the gaming state before power-off, a command at the time of power-off restoration is transmitted to these various control boards (S28). A method for transmitting the command will be described later with reference to another drawing. As a result, the game state before the power interruption is restored, and the game is continued thereafter.

  On the other hand, if it is detected in S16 that the RAM clear switch is ON, it is considered that the normal power-on operation is performed, and the normal initialization operation described below is performed. If the RAM clear switch is not turned on but the backup flag is not turned on (S18: no), it is considered that there is no backup data. Therefore, in this case, it is considered that the normal power-on operation is not performed, but a normal initialization operation is also performed. Furthermore, even if the backup flag is ON and the backup data exists, if the checksums do not match (S22: no), the backup data can no longer be used. A normal initialization operation is performed.

  In the normal initialization operation, the RAM 202 is first initialized (S30). That is, after “0” is once written in all data areas of the RAM, a process of setting initial data to a predetermined address on the RAM is performed.

  Next, an initial command is transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 (S32). In other words, in conjunction with the start of new game control on the main control board 200, various display control of the display screen of the effect display device 27, sound effects, lighting and blinking of lamps, etc. also start new control. Therefore, a command for initializing the control state is transmitted to the sub-control board 220.

  As described above, since the interruption is initially set to the prohibited state in the control start preparation process, the series of operations described above can be reliably performed. Then, when all the preparation operations are completed, the interruption is set to the permitted state (S34), the control start preparation process is ended, and the game control is started.

  Here, how the command is transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 220 will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing how various commands are output from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 220. 14 shows a case where a command is output from the main control board 200 toward the sub-control board 220, but the command is output from the main control board 200 toward another control board such as the payout control board 240. In this case, it is output in the same way. The main control board 200 and the sub-control board 220 are connected by a 9-bit width parallel signal cable. One bit of the main control board 200 is allocated for the output of the strobe signal, and the remaining 8 bits are the command. Assigned for output. When a command is output from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 220, first, command data for 8 bits is output to an 8-bit signal cable assigned for command output, and then 1 bit. The strobe signal is output. The sub control board 220 can reliably read the command transmitted from the main control board 200 by reading the command data at the rising timing of the strobe signal.

  In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the command data is 2-byte data (that is, data for 16 bits). Therefore, the main control board 200 first outputs 8-bit command data and outputs a 1-bit strobe signal, and then outputs the remaining 8-bit command data and outputs a strobe signal again. Each time the strobe signal rises, the sub-control board 220 reads the command data in two portions of 8 bits. In this way, a 16-bit command can be reliably supplied from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 220. When a 1-byte (ie, 8-bit) command is supplied, the strobe signal need only be output once. The command at the time of power-off recovery output in the power-off recovery operation described above and the initial command output in the normal initialization operation are output to various control boards in this way. As a result, an appropriate effect design is displayed on the effect display device 27 provided on the game board surface, and various lamps and speakers are controlled to an appropriate state.

B-3. Overview of game control:
The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 starts the game control of the gaming machine 1 when the control preparation start process shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of the game control process executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. As shown in the figure, in the game control process, each process such as a normal symbol game process, a normal electric game game process, a special symbol game process, and a special electric game game process is repeatedly executed. The time required for one round of processing is about 4 msec. Therefore, these various types of processing are repeatedly executed about every 4 msec.

  In addition, as described above, the CTC is set to generate an interrupt every about 2 msec. When an interrupt is generated by the CTC, the state of various random number values, various game ball detection switches, and the like is changed. Processing to detect is performed. In the game control shown in FIG. 15, the normal symbol game process, the normal electric utility game process, Special symbol game processing and special electric equipment game processing are implemented. During these processes, various commands are transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 proceeds. Hereinafter, the game control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

B-3-1. Watchdog timer reset processing:
When starting the game control process, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process of resetting a watchdog timer mounted on the control board (S40). A signal for initializing the CPU 201 is output from the watchdog timer, and the watchdog timer is reset on the software program before the initialization signal is output from the watchdog timer. In this case, if the CPU 201 runs out of control, the watchdog timer cannot be reset. Therefore, the CPU 201 is initialized by the initialization signal output from the watchdog timer, and can immediately recover from the runaway. . Therefore, the CPU 201 performs a process of resetting the watchdog timer in S40.

B-3-2. Prize ball related processing:
Next, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process (pay ball related process) for paying out a game ball as a prize ball (S50). FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of prize ball-related processing for the CPU 201 to make a series of preparations related to payout of prize balls. When the prize ball-related processing is started, the CPU 201 firstly starts various switches connected to the main control board 200 (start port switch 17s, large winning port switches 31s and 31t, gate switch 36s, etc., except for the RAM clear switch). .)), The presence / absence of an abnormality such as disconnection or failure is detected, and if there is an abnormal switch, the information is stored (S52).

  Subsequently, the values of various random numbers (normal symbol success / failure determination random number, special symbol success / failure determination random number, special symbol random number, special symbol variation random number, reach determination random number, etc.) are updated (S54). The random number for updating may be generated in software by a program for generating random numbers, or may be generated in hardware using a dedicated IC for generating random numbers. More simply, pseudo-random numbers generated in hardware by combining an oscillator and a counter may be used.

  When the various random numbers are updated, the presence / absence of a winning game ball is detected (S56). That is, it is detected whether or not a game ball has entered a switch related to winning a game ball, such as the start port switch 17s and the big winning port switches 31s and 31t, from among various switches confirmed to be normal. . If a switch in which a game ball has entered is detected (S56: yes), information (winning information) indicating which switch has detected the game ball is stored (S58). The winning information is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. On the other hand, when the switch into which the game ball has entered is not detected (S56: no), the operation for storing the winning information is skipped.

  Next, the presence / absence of stored winning information is determined (S60). If there is winning information (S60: yes), one winning information is selected, and a prize ball number designation command corresponding to the selected winning information is output to the payout control board 240 (S62). That is, the winning information is information indicating a winning opening or a starting opening where a game ball has been won, and the number of game balls to be paid out as a winning ball is determined in advance according to the winning opening where the game ball has won. Accordingly, if one piece of winning information is selected, the number of winning balls can be determined according to which winning opening or starting port the winning information represents, so a command for specifying the determined number of winning balls Output.

  When outputting the award ball number designation command, as described above with reference to FIG. 14, first, a strobe signal is output toward the payout control board 240, and then command data is output. When the CPU 241 mounted on the payout control board 240 receives the award ball number designation command, the CPU 241 interprets the content of the command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109 m mounted on the payout device 109 to pay out the prize ball. Since the payout device 109 is provided with two payout switches (a front payout switch 109j and a rear payout switch 109k) for detecting the payout game balls, the game balls are detected one by one with these switches. Then, a process of paying out the number of prize balls designated by the prize ball number designation command is performed.

  When the winning ball number designation command is output as described above, the winning information selected for outputting the command is erased (S64), and the winning ball related processing shown in FIG. 16 is terminated. Thus, in the prize ball-related process, only one prize ball number designation command can be output in one process. For this reason, when a plurality of game balls are detected (S56) and a plurality of winning information is stored (S58), only one winning information is processed, and the remaining winning information is the next time. Will be done in the process. If it is determined that no winning information remains (S60: no), the operation for outputting the winning ball number designation command (S62) and the operation for deleting the winning information (S64) are omitted, and the winning ball is immediately received. The related process is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

B-3-3. Normal symbol game start judgment processing:
As shown in FIG. 15, in the game control process, when returning from the prize ball related process (S50), a process for determining whether or not to perform the normal symbol game process, that is, a normal symbol game start determination process is performed (S100). FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process (normal symbol game start determination process) performed by the CPU 201 to determine whether or not to start the normal symbol game process. In determining whether or not to start the normal symbol game process, first, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 36 (S102). The normal symbol operation gate 36 incorporates a gate switch 36s, and the CPU 201 can detect the passage of a game ball based on a signal from the gate switch 36s.

  If the game ball has passed the normal symbol operation gate 36 (S102: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of normal symbols held has reached "4" (S104). In the predetermined address of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200, the data of the number of reserved symbols is normally written. In S104, the data set at this address is read, and this value reaches “4”. Judge whether or not. If the number of reservations does not reach “4” (S104: no), a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is appropriate is acquired, and this random number value is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 202, and the value of the normal symbol reservation number is set. One is added (S106). As will be described in detail later, whether or not a normal symbol is determined is determined using the normal symbol determination random number stored in this way. Further, the normal symbol holding number is stored at a predetermined address in the RAM 202 as described above. Note that, as described above, the random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is determined is the same as the other random numbers in the prize ball-related process shown in FIG. 16 each time the game control process shown in FIG. 15 is executed. Has been updated.

  On the other hand, when the number of pending has reached “4” in S104 (S104: yes), the random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is appropriate is not acquired. In other words, it is possible to store up to four random numbers for determining whether or not a normal symbol is accepted, and in response to this, up to four holds can be displayed on the normal symbol hold display portion 29c. (See FIG. 3).

  Finally, an LED drive signal is output so that the normal symbol hold display unit 29c of the symbol display device 28 displays the number of normal symbols held. That is, if the number of normal symbol hold is 4, all four LEDs provided on the normal symbol hold display portion 29c are turned on. In addition, if the number of normal symbol holdings is 3, three LEDs are lit, if the number of normal symbol holdings is 2, two LEDs are lit, and if the number of normal symbol holdings is 1, one LED is lit. . If the number of normal symbols is 0, all four LEDs are turned off.

  As described above, when the symbol display device 28 is driven and the normal symbol hold display section 29c is lit with the number of normal symbol holds, it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory is in operation (S110). An ordinary electric accessory is an accessory that operates as a result of performing a normal symbol game. Therefore, if the normal electric accessory is in operation (S110: yes), it is not necessary to start the normal symbol game again, so it is determined that the normal symbol game does not start (that is, S100: no). On the other hand, when the ordinary electric accessory is not operating (S110: no), it is determined that the ordinary symbol game is started (that is, S100: yes).

  In step S100 of the game control process shown in FIG. 15, whether or not to start the normal symbol game is determined as described above. When it is determined that the normal symbol game is started (S100: yes), the normal symbol game process described below is started (S150). On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol game is not started (S100: no), the normal symbol game process is skipped.

B-3-4. Normal design game processing:
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of normal symbol game processing. When the normal symbol game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol on the normal symbol display unit 29 is changing (S152). As described above with reference to FIG. 2, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the symbol display device 28 is provided with the normal symbol display unit 29, and the normal symbol can be variably displayed in the manner shown in FIG. It has become. When the normal symbol game process shown in FIG. 18 is started, first, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol is in a variable display.

  If the normal symbol is not fluctuating (S152: no), it is considered that either the normal symbol has not yet fluctuated, or has been stopped and displayed as a stop symbol after the fluctuating display. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the current state is during the normal symbol stop display time (S154). Here, the stop display time of the normal symbol is a time set in advance to stop and display the normal symbol so that the player can confirm the stop symbol. As will be described later, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 controls the start and stop of the fluctuation display of the normal symbol. Therefore, the CPU 201 can easily determine whether or not the current state is the normal symbol stop display time based on the internal control state.

  If it is determined that it is not during the normal symbol stop display time (S154: no), the normal symbol variation display has already ended (S152: no), and the player has stopped the normal symbol stop symbol. It is considered that the stop display time set so as to be confirmed has also ended (S154: no). Therefore, in such a case, it is determined whether or not the number of ordinary symbols held is “0” (S156). If the number of normal symbols is not “0”, in other words, if there is any remaining normal symbols (S156: no), whether or not the normal symbols are retained is determined (S158). Whether or not a normal symbol is determined is determined by determining whether or not the random number value for determining whether or not the symbol is stored when the normal symbol is held matches a predetermined winning value. That is, if the random value stored in S106 of FIG. 17 described above matches the predetermined winning value, it is determined that the normal symbol is hit, and if not, it is determined that the normal symbol is out of place.

  After determining whether or not the normal symbol is correct, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts normal symbol variation display on the normal symbol display unit 29 shown in FIG. 3 (S160). Next, when 1 is subtracted from the normal symbol holding number (S162), the normal symbol game process shown in FIG. 18 is ended and the game control process shown in FIG. 15 is resumed. On the other hand, if “yes” is determined in S156, that is, if the normal symbol is not being displayed in the change state and the normal symbol is not in the stop display time, the number of normal symbols is “0”. Without performing the process of S162, the normal symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  In S152, when it is determined that the normal symbol is changing (S152: yes), it is considered that the normal symbol change display has been started in the normal symbol game process already performed. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol variation time has elapsed (S164). The fluctuation display time of the normal symbol is determined in advance when the fluctuation display is started, and the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines whether or not a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed.

  If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S164: no), the normal symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S164: yes), the normal symbol that is variably displayed on the normal symbol display unit 28 is stopped and displayed (S166). The stop symbol at this time is stopped and displayed with a symbol corresponding to the result of the normal symbol determination. That is, prior to starting the normal symbol variation display in S160, whether or not the normal symbol is already determined has been determined (S158). If the result of the determination is wrong, the display is stopped with other combinations of symbols. Further, the display time of the stop symbol is set so that the player can confirm the symbol displayed to be stopped (S168).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the display time of the stop symbol has passed (S170). If the set stop time has not passed (S170: no), the normal symbol game processing is ended as it is and FIG. Return to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the display time of the stop symbol has elapsed (S170: yes), the symbol that causes the stop-displayed symbol to operate the ordinary electric accessory (in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9C). It is determined whether or not it is the indicated symbol (S172). When the stop-displayed normal symbol is not a symbol for operating the normal electric accessory (S172: no), the normal symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the game control process shown in FIG. 15 is resumed. On the other hand, when the stopped normal symbol is the operation symbol of the normal electric actor (S172: yes), the normal electric actor is started to operate (S174), and then the normal symbol game process is terminated. Returning to the game control process shown in FIG. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the ordinary electric accessory operates, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid (starting solenoid) 17m provided inside the starting opening 17 is driven, and the wing piece of the starting opening rotates outward. As a result, the start port 17 is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the game control process, when returning from the normal symbol game process, it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory is in operation (S190). The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 can easily detect the normal electric accessory based on the internal control state if it is in operation. If the ordinary electric combination is not in operation (S190: no), the ordinary electric combination game process (S200) is skipped. The ordinary electric accessory game process is started (S200).

B-3-5. Normal electric game game processing:
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the ordinary electric accessory game process. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart. In the ordinary electric accessory game process, first, it is determined whether or not the predetermined operating time has elapsed for the ordinary electric accessory (S202). As described above, when the ordinary electric accessory is activated, the pair of blade pieces provided in the start port 17 rotate outwardly, and the start port 17 is in an open state. The pair of blade pieces again returns to the normal state where they are upright. Therefore, in S202, it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory has reached a preset operation time. If it is determined that the operating time has been reached (S202: yes), after stopping the operation of the ordinary electric accessory (S206), the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated and the game control shown in FIG. Return to processing.

  On the other hand, if a prescribed number of game balls enter the opening 17 during opening, the opening 17 returns to the normal state even if the opening time has not reached the set time. Correspondingly, if the operating time of the ordinary electric accessory has not reached the predetermined time (S202: no), it is determined whether or not a specified number of game balls have entered the ordinary electric accessory ( S204) When it is determined that a specified number of game balls have entered (S204: yes), the operation of the ordinary electric accessory is stopped, and the ordinary electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 19 is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no prescribed number of balls (S204: no), the ordinary electric game game process shown in FIG. Return to the game control process shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the game control process, when returning from the ordinary electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 19, it is determined whether or not to start the special symbol game process (S300). As a result, when it is determined that the special symbol game process is not started (S300: no), the special symbol game process (S320) is skipped, and conversely, when it is determined that the special symbol game process is started. (S300: yes), a special symbol game process (S320) is performed.

B-3-6. Special symbol game start decision processing:
As shown in FIG. 15, in the game control process, after returning from the ordinary electric accessory game process (S200), a process for determining whether or not to perform the special symbol game process, that is, a special symbol game start determination process is performed (S300). ). FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for determining whether or not to perform a special symbol game. As in the case of determining whether or not to start the normal symbol game process described above with reference to FIG. 17, even when determining whether or not to start the special symbol game process, first, the number of special symbols held is related. Process. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the start port 17 (S302). As described above, the start port 17 includes a start port switch 17 s for detecting the passage of the game ball, and the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 has entered the start port 17 with the game ball. Can be detected.

  If a game ball is in the starting port 17 (S302: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved special symbols is 4 or more (S304). The special symbol hold count data is written in a predetermined address of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. In S304, the data set at this address is read and the special symbol hold count is set to 4. Judgment is made whether or not it has been reached. If the number of special symbol reservations has not reached 4 (S304: no), a random number for determining whether or not the special symbol is appropriate is acquired, and this random number value is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 202, and the number of special symbol reservations is set to 1. (S306). Similarly to the above-described determination of whether or not the normal symbol is determined, whether or not the special symbol is determined is determined based on the stored determination random number. On the other hand, when the number of reserved special symbols has reached 4 (S304: yes), the acquisition of a new random number for determination of success / failure is not performed. Note that the random number for determining whether or not the special symbol is determined is updated together with the other random numbers in the award ball-related processing performed earlier, like the random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is determined.

  Finally, an LED drive signal is output to display the number of reserved special symbols on the symbol display device 28 (S308). As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the special symbol hold display unit 30c is provided with four LEDs. If the number of special symbol hold is four, all the LEDs are turned on. Also, if the number of special symbol reservations is 3, three LEDs are lit. If the number of special symbol reservations is two, two LEDs are lit. If the number of special symbol reservations is one, one LED is lit. . If the number of reserved special symbols is zero, all four LEDs are turned off.

  When the process related to the special symbol suspension is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the condition device is in operation (S310). The condition device is a device that becomes a condition for operating the accessory continuous operation device, and is a device that starts the operation when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the hit symbol shown in FIG. The condition device activates the accessory continuous operation device, thereby starting a gaming state (so-called special gaming state) in which the special winning opening 31d is continuously opened. In S310, if it is determined that the condition device is in operation (S310: yes), it is determined that the special symbol game will not be started (ie, S300: no) in order to avoid starting the special game state again. On the other hand, when the condition device is not in operation (S310: no), it is determined that the special symbol game is started (S300: yes).

  In step S300 of the game control process shown in FIG. 15, whether or not to start a special symbol game is determined as described above. If it is determined that the special symbol game is to be started (S300: yes), the special symbol game process described below is started (S320).

B-3-7. Special design game processing:
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the special symbol game process. When the special symbol game process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S322). As described above with reference to FIG. 3, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the special symbol display unit 30 is provided in the symbol display device 28, and the special symbols can be variably displayed.

  If the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 30 is not changing (S322: no), it is determined whether or not it is during the display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol (S324). That is, since the display time for the player to confirm the stop symbol is provided for a while after the change display of the special symbol is finished, it is determined whether or not the display time is during the display time. When it is confirmed that the special symbol is not variably displayed and the display time for displaying the special symbol stop symbol has passed (S324: no), the number of special symbols held is “0”. Is determined (S326). The number of special symbol reservations is stored at a predetermined address in the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. In S326, it is determined whether or not the special symbol hold count data stored at this address is “0”. If the number of special symbol reservations is not “0”, in other words, if special symbol reservations remain (S326: no), whether or not the special symbol is appropriate is started.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, prior to determining whether or not the special symbol is appropriate, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is a probability variation state (probability variation state) (S328). As described above, the probability variation state refers to a gaming state in which the probability that a special symbol on the symbol display device 28 is hit and displayed in a stopped state (that is, the probability that a special gaming state will occur) is higher than the normal probability. . The probable change state is that when the combination of symbols displayed on the special symbol display unit 30 shown in FIG. 3 is stopped by any combination of symbols surrounded by a solid line in FIG. Will continue until the next special game starts. From this, in S328, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is a probable change state. A determination is made (S330). On the other hand, if the probability change is not in progress (S328: no), whether or not the special symbol is appropriate is determined with the winning probability set to a normal value (S332).

  The special symbol determination is performed by referring to the following determination table. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a success / failure determination table referred to for determining whether or not a special symbol is successful in the special symbol game process of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the success / failure determination table includes a probability change table shown in FIG. 23 (b) and a non-probability change table shown in FIG. 23 (a). The determination result is stored in association with the special symbol determination random number. Here, the special symbol success / failure determination random number is a random number that is acquired when a game ball enters the start port 17 and is stored in the RAM 202 on the main control board 200 (see S306 in FIG. 20). thing). In S328 to S332 of the special symbol game process shown in FIG. 21, it is determined whether or not the probability change is in progress prior to the determination of whether or not the special symbol is correct. If the probability change is in progress, the success / failure determination table shown in FIG. With reference to whether or not the special symbol is successful, if the probability change is not underway, the special symbol is judged with reference to the success / failure determination table of FIG. 23 (a).

  As described above, when it is determined whether or not the special symbol is appropriate, a process for setting a variation pattern of the special symbol is performed (S338). Although detailed processing contents will be described later, in S338, first, after determining a symbol for stopping and displaying the special symbol, a process for determining a variation pattern of the special symbol is performed according to the determined stopped symbol.

  When the special symbol variation pattern is set, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts the special symbol variation display on the symbol display device 28 (S340), and then performs a process of subtracting 1 from the special symbol reservation number (S342). . As described above, the symbol display device 28 of this embodiment can display the twelve kinds of special symbols shown in FIG. 10, and performs variable display by switching the display of these symbols one after another. Also, when the special symbol variation display is started, the number of special symbols held is consumed, so 1 is subtracted from the data of the number of special symbols stored in the RAM on the main control board 200. It is. Note that the number of special symbol reservations subtracted in this way is determined by the processing of S308 when the special symbol game start processing of FIG. 20 is executed in the next loop of the repeatedly executed game control processing. It will be reflected in the display content of the display part 30c.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 subtracts 1 from the number of special symbol reservations, after outputting a change pattern designation command to the sub-control board 220 (S344), it outputs a special symbol stop information designation command (S346). . The variation pattern designation command output here is a command for designating the variation pattern set in the special symbol variation pattern setting process of S340. The special symbol stop information designation command is a command for designating a special symbol stop symbol determined together with the variation pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command are output toward the sub-control board 220 together with the strobe signal. The strobe signal is connected to the interrupt terminal of the CPU mounted on the sub-control board 220, and the CPU on the sub-control board 220 receives the command as soon as the strobe signal is input and analyzes the contents of the command. . As will be described in detail later, the variation pattern is determined in consideration of various conditions such as whether or not a reach effect is performed, and whether or not a symbol for stopping and displaying a special symbol is a probability variation symbol or a normal symbol. If it is known, it is possible to determine the time during which the special symbol is variably displayed. Further, by analyzing the special symbol stop information designation command, it is possible to know whether the special symbol stops at the probability variation symbol, stops at the normal symbol, or further stops at the off symbol. The CPU mounted on the sub-control board 220 determines the effect mode on the effect display device 27 on the basis of these pieces of information, and then performs the change / stop display of the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c. For example, when the special symbol of the symbol display device 28 is stopped and displayed with a probability variable symbol, the symbols of the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are also symbols corresponding to the probability variation state (for example, the same symbol in which odd numbers are designed). When the symbol is selected or the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a normal symbol, the symbols of the three character symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are also selected as the symbols corresponding to the short-time state (for example, the same symbol designed with an even number). . Further, based on the variation time of the special symbol, it is also determined whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect on the effect display device 27, and what kind of reach effect is to be used. The sub control board 220 controls the effect display board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the like according to the contents of the effect determined in this way, and performs the effect of the determined contents.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol and the stop symbol of the special symbol as described above, and outputs the variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command corresponding to these, The special symbol game process shown in FIG. 21 is ended, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the special symbol on the special symbol display unit 30 is fluctuating in the process of S322 immediately after the special symbol game process is started (S322: yes), the fluctuation pattern of the special symbol and the stop are already stopped. It is considered that the symbol has been determined and the change in the special symbol has started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S348). That is, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether a predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting the timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S348: no), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the variation time has elapsed (S348: yes), a symbol stop command of the character symbol that is variably displayed on the effect display device 27 is output toward the sub-control board 220 (S350), The special symbol on the special symbol display unit 30 that is variably displayed on the symbol display device 28 is stopped and displayed (S352). Then, after setting a display time for stopping and displaying the special symbol on the symbol display device 28 (S354), it is determined whether or not the set display time has passed (S356). If the display time has not elapsed (S356: no), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S356: yes), it is determined whether or not the special symbol that has been stopped and displayed is a symbol that will activate the condition device (S358 in FIG. 22). Here, the symbol that activates the condition device is the normal symbol shown in FIG. 10 (the symbol enclosed by a thick dashed rectangle in the diagram) or the probability variation symbol (enclosed by a thick solid rectangle). Design). In S358 of FIG. 22, it is determined whether or not the symbol stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 30 of the symbol display device 28 is any one of these normal symbols and probability variation symbols.

  When the stop-displayed symbol is a symbol that activates the condition device (S358: yes), the condition device and the accessory continuous activation device are activated (S360). Here, the condition device is a device that is a condition for operating the accessory continuous operation device, which will be described later. When the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the above-described probability variation symbol or normal symbol, the operation is started and a big prize opening. It is a device that opens 31d. In addition, the accessory continuous operation device is a device that reopens the once closed special winning opening 31d. Although details will be described with reference to another drawing, when the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are operated in this way, the special symbol game processing is returned to the game control processing of FIG. It will be started and the special gaming state will be started. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the probability changing function and the time-shortening function do not work when the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are operated. Therefore, when the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device are operated in S360 of FIG. 22, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is being changed (S362). If the probability change is in progress (S362: yes), since the probability change function and the time reduction function are operating, these functions are stopped (S364). On the other hand, if the current gaming state is not in a certain change (S362: no), it is checked whether the time is short (S368), and if it is short (S368: yes), the time reduction function is stopped. (S370). Further, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, when the time reduction function is activated, the function of extending the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory also works. Therefore, when the time reduction function is stopped in S364 or S370, After the function release time extension function is also stopped (S366), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is exited, and the game control process shown in FIG. 15 is resumed. On the other hand, if the game state when the condition device and the accessory continuous action device are operated in S360 is neither probabilistic nor time-saving (S368: no), the special symbol game process is exited and the game control process is resumed. .

  As described above, the processing when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 is a symbol that activates the condition device (S358: yes) has been described. If it is not the symbol to be activated (S358: no), the following processing is performed.

  First, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is being changed (S372). As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the probability variation state is set to continue until the next special gaming state occurs. Therefore, if it is determined that the current gaming state is a probability variation state (S372: yes), the special symbol game processing shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is exited while maintaining the probability variation state, and the game of FIG. Return to control processing.

  If it is determined in S372 that the current gaming state is not being changed (S372: no), it is determined whether or not the time is short (S374). If it is determined that the time is short (S374: yes), after counting the number of fluctuations of the special symbol during the time reduction (S376), it is determined whether or not the number of fluctuations has reached a predetermined number (S378). As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the time-saving state is set to continue until the next special gaming state occurs or the special symbol rotates a predetermined number of times (here, 100 times). . Therefore, if the current gaming state is short (S374: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of changes in the special symbol has reached a predetermined number (S378). Then, if the predetermined number of times has been reached (S378: yes), the time reduction function is stopped (S380), and then the function for extending the normal electric accessory release time is also stopped (S366), and then FIG. 21 and FIG. The special symbol game process shown in FIG. 15 is exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the number of fluctuations of the special symbol has not yet reached the predetermined number (S378: no), the special symbol game process is exited while maintaining the short-time state, and the game control process of FIG. 15 is resumed.

B-3-8. Special symbol variation pattern setting process:
Here, the detailed contents of the process (special symbol variation pattern setting process) performed to set the variation pattern of the special symbol in S340 of the special symbol game process shown in FIG. 21 will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of special symbol variation pattern setting processing. The variation pattern of the special symbol is determined by referring to a pattern table to be described later, and the pattern table includes a plurality of tables depending on whether the special symbol is determined to be correct or not, whether the probability is changing, or whether the time is short or not. It is prepared. In the special symbol variation pattern setting process, a variation pattern is set by referring to an appropriate table among the plurality of tables. Hereinafter, a description will be given according to the flowchart of FIG.

  When starting the special symbol variation pattern setting process, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first determines whether or not the special symbol win / fail determination result is successful (S3402). As described above, whether or not the special symbol is determined has already been determined based on the special symbol determination random number (S330 or S332 in FIG. 21), and can be easily determined by simply reading the determination result here. it can.

  Next, a process of determining which symbol the special symbol is to be stopped and displayed based on the special symbol random number is performed (S3404, S3410). Here, the special symbol random number is a random number used for determining the stop symbol of the special symbol, and in this embodiment, whether or not the normal symbol or the special symbol is determined in the prize ball related processing shown in FIG. It is updated in advance together with other random numbers such as a random number for use.

  The stop symbol of the special symbol is determined by a combination of the success / failure determination result determined by the randomness for determination of success / failure and the special symbol random number. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing how the special symbol stop symbol is determined according to the combination of the special symbol success / failure determination result and the special symbol random number. As shown in the drawing, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the special symbol random number can take a value of 0 to 9, and when each of the random number values is determined to be correct or wrong, Stop symbol is set. The left side of the figure shows the stop symbol that is displayed when the success / failure determination result is a win, and the right side of the diagram shows the stop symbol that is displayed when the win / fail determination result is a win. Yes. In S3402 of the variation pattern setting process shown in FIG. 24, if it is determined that the result of the determination is successful (S3402: yes), the stop symbol corresponding to the special symbol random number is shown on the left side of FIG. Is determined based on (S3404). On the other hand, when it is determined that the result of the determination is wrong (S3402: no), a determination process is performed based on the correspondence shown on the right side of FIG. 25 (S3410).

  As described above, when the stop symbol when the determination result is successful is determined (S3404), the pattern table A is selected as a table for setting the variation pattern when winning (S3406). As will be described later, in the pattern table, the correspondence between the special symbol variation random number and the variation pattern of the special symbol is set, and the variation pattern can be determined by referring to the pattern table. . In S3406, the pattern table A set for the case where the determination result is correct is selected from a plurality of types of prepared pattern tables.

  Next, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined by referring to the selected pattern table A (S3408). When making a decision, first, a special symbol variation random number is generated. The special symbol variation random number is a random number used to determine the variation pattern of the special symbol, and can be generated in the same manner as other random number values. Next, the variation pattern set in association with the random number value is selected from the pattern table selected previously.

  On the other hand, if the result of determining whether or not the special symbol is correct (S3402: no), after determining the stop symbol of the special symbol as described with reference to FIG. 25 (S3410), the current gaming state is It is determined whether the probability is changing or the time is short (S3412). Here, in order to set a variation pattern in the case where the determination is wrong, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is in the probability change or in a short time for the following reason. Various variations of the special symbol variation time are set from short to long, and these are predetermined in association with the variation pattern of the special symbol. However, as described above, since the variation time of the special symbol is shortened during the probability change or the time reduction, it is not possible to select a variation pattern in which the variation time of the symbol becomes too long. Therefore, when setting the variation pattern, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is in a probable change or in a short time.

  If the determination result is wrong (S3402: no) and it is determined that the probability change or the time is short (S3422: yes), the pattern table B is selected (S3414). The pattern table B is a table set for the case where the result of the determination is wrong and the probability is changing or the time is short. If it is determined that the time is not short (S3412: no), the pattern table C is selected (S3416). The pattern table C is a table that is set for the case where the result of the determination is not good, and is not surely changing or time-saving, that is, normal time.

  In this way, when the result of the determination is wrong, if one of the pattern table B and the pattern table C is selected according to whether the probability change or the time is short, the presence / absence of reach effect is determined. Determine (S3418). As described above with reference to FIG. 11, the reach effect is that two character symbols out of the three character symbols displayed on the effect display device 27 are stopped and displayed with the same symbol, and the last character symbol is variably displayed. The production of the state being done. Depending on whether or not such a reach effect is performed, the variation time of the design symbol varies greatly, and in conjunction with this, the variation time of the special symbol displayed on the symbol display device 28 also varies greatly, so refer to the pattern table. Before determining the variation pattern, it is determined whether or not the reach effect is to be performed.

  The determination of whether or not to perform reach production is performed by generating a random number for reach determination. The reach determination random number can be generated in the same manner as other random numbers. In the process of S3418, if the reach determination random number generated in this way is a predetermined value, it is determined that the reach effect is to be performed, and otherwise, it is determined that the reach effect is not to be performed. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which whether or not to perform reach production is set according to the value of the random number for reach determination.

  Next, the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined by referring to the selected pattern table (S3420). When making a decision, first, a special symbol variation random number is generated. The special symbol variation random number is a random number used to determine the variation pattern of the special symbol, and can be generated in the same manner as other random number values. Next, the variation pattern set in association with the random number value is selected from the pattern table selected previously.

  FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the variation pattern for winning set in the pattern table A. As shown in the figure, in the pattern table A, a variation pattern corresponding to the value of the special symbol variation random number is set for the case where the reach effect is present. For example, if the obtained special symbol variation random number is “20”, the variation pattern “pattern special 2” is selected. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying the pattern table B that is selected when the determination result is wrong (S3402: no in FIG. 24) and the probability is changing or the time is short (S3412: yes). Also for the pattern table B, the variation pattern for the special symbol variation random number is set for the case where there is no reach effect and the case where it is present, but the variation content is different from that for the pattern table A. .

  FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying the pattern table C that is selected when the determination result is not correct (S3402: no in FIG. 24) and is not in the process of changing the probability or time (S3412: no). Similarly to the pattern table B, a special symbol variation pattern is set for the pattern table C for each of the case where there is no reach effect and the case where there is a reach effect. In S3420 of FIG. 24, by referring to the pattern table previously selected from the various pattern tables as described above, each case of the presence or absence of the reach effect is associated with the special symbol variation random number. Determine the variation pattern.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 27 to 29, if the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined, the variation time of the special symbol is also determined. The variation time takes various values if the variation pattern is different, but the variation time when the reach effect is performed is longer than the variation time when the reach effect is not performed. For this reason, if the variation pattern is determined, it is possible to determine whether the variation pattern is a pattern with a reach effect or a pattern without a reach effect based on the corresponding variation time.

  When the variation pattern of the special symbol is set as described above, the special symbol variation pattern setting process shown in FIG. 24 is terminated and the process returns to the special symbol game process of FIG. In S340 of FIG. 21 described above, the stop symbol and the variation pattern of the special symbol are determined by performing the above processing.

B-3-9. Special electric game game processing:
As shown in FIG. 15, in the game control process, when returning from the special symbol game process, it is determined whether or not the condition device is in operation (S390). As described above, the condition device is a device that starts a so-called special game state by operating the accessory continuous operation device. Therefore, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 starts the special electric accessory game process described below if the condition device is operating (S400). On the other hand, if the condition device is not in operation (S390: no), the special electric accessory game process (S400) is skipped.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the flow of the special electric accessory game process. A so-called special game state is generated by executing the special electric accessory game process. Hereinafter, the special electric accessory game process will be described with reference to FIG. 29. As a preparation for this, the contents of a game called a so-called special game state will be briefly described.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 2, a special winning opening 31d is provided below the game board, and the special winning opening 31d is closed in a normal gaming state. However, when the special gaming state is started, the special winning opening 31d is opened. The “special electric accessory” referred to in the present specification is a device that opens the special winning opening 31d. Since the big winning opening 31d is opened larger than the other winning openings, when the big winning opening 31d is opened, the game ball enters with high probability. The opened large winning opening 31d is once closed when a predetermined opening time elapses or when a predetermined number of game balls enter, but becomes open again when a predetermined closing time elapses. The “container continuous operation device” referred to in this specification is a device that reopens the special winning opening 31d. A game from when the special winning opening 31d is opened until it is closed is called “round”. When these rounds are repeated and a predetermined number of rounds are consumed, the special gaming state is completed. Such a gaming state is realized by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performing the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. Hereinafter, detailed processing contents will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the special electric accessory game process is started, the CPU 201 first determines whether or not the special winning opening 31d is open (S402). The special winning opening 31d is closed in the normal gaming state, and therefore, the special winning opening 31d is closed immediately after the start of the special game. Therefore, it is determined that the special winning opening is not open (S402: no), and it is determined whether or not the number of continuous operations of the special electric accessory has reached a predetermined number (S404). As described above, the special electric accessory is a device that opens the special winning opening 31d. When a special gaming state occurs, the special electric accessory operates a predetermined number of times, and a predetermined number of rounds are repeated. ing. Corresponding to this, when the special winning opening 31d is closed (S402: no), whether or not the number of times of operation of the special electric accessory has reached a predetermined number, in other words, a predetermined number of rounds is determined. It is determined whether or not the processing has been completed (S404).

  As a matter of course, immediately after the special gaming state is started, since the number of times of operation of the special electric accessory has not reached the predetermined number (S404: no), it is determined whether or not the closing time of the special winning opening has elapsed. (S406). The closing time of the big prize opening is the time during which the big prize opening 31d is in a closed state between rounds. Immediately after the special gaming state is started, the special winning opening 31d is in a closed state, so it is naturally determined that the closing time of the special winning opening has elapsed (S406: yes), and the special winning opening 31d is opened. After being released (S408), the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 30 is once terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns to the game control process, as shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 201 returns to the watchdog timer reset process (S40), and after performing a series of various processes, the special electric game game again. The process (S400) is started. As described above, the time required for the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 to execute the game control process shown in FIG. 15 once is about 4 msec. Therefore, the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 30 is also executed about every 4 msec. Then, when the special gaming state is started and the special electric accessory game process of FIG. 30 is executed for the first time, as described above, the special winning opening 31d is opened in S406, and the process is ended as it is. When the second round process is performed after about 4 msec, it is determined in S402 that the special winning opening 31d is open.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31d has reached a predetermined time (S410). As described above, in the special game, the special winning opening 31d is opened, but is closed when the opening time reaches a predetermined time or when a predetermined number of game balls enter the special winning opening 31d. In response to this, in S410, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31d has reached a predetermined time. If the opening time has reached the predetermined time (S410: yes), after closing the special winning opening 31d (S414), the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. 30 is exited, and the game control of FIG. Return to processing. On the other hand, if the opening time has not reached the predetermined time (S410: no), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls that have entered the special winning opening 31d has reached the specified number (S412). When the number of game balls reaches the specified number (S412: yes), the special winning opening 31d is closed (S414). On the other hand, when the prescribed number has not been reached (S412: no), the opening time of the special winning opening 31d has not yet reached the predetermined time, and the number of game balls that have entered the special winning opening 31d is also the prescribed number. Since it is considered that the special winning combination game 31 of FIG. 30 is left open, the game control process of FIG. 15 is resumed.

  While the game control process of FIG. 15 is repeatedly executed, whether the opening time of the special winning opening 31d reaches a predetermined time (S410: yes in FIG. 30) or a predetermined number of games in the special winning opening 31d. The ball enters (S412: yes), and the special winning opening 31d is closed (S414). Thus, one round of game is completed. Then, when the special electric accessory game process is executed next, it is determined in S402 that the special winning opening 31d is closed (S402: no), and it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of rounds have ended (S404). If all rounds have not ended (S404: no), after confirming that the closing time of the big prize opening has reached a predetermined time (S406: yes), the big prize opening 31d is opened again and a new one is opened. A round is started (S408).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S404 that the predetermined number of rounds have ended (S404: yes), the operation of the condition device and the accessory continuous action device is stopped to end the special game state (S416).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the stop symbol of the special symbol for which the condition device is activated and the special gaming state is started is a probability variation symbol or a normal symbol (S418). As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the special gaming state is started by the probability variation symbol, the probability variation state continues until the next special gaming state occurs even after the special gaming state ends. It is set to be. Here, the probability variation state is a gaming state in which the probability that the special symbol that is stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 becomes the winning symbol shown in FIG. 10 is set higher than the normal state. Therefore, when the operation of the condition device and the accessory continuous operation device is stopped in S416 and the special game state is terminated, it is determined whether or not the operation of the condition device is due to a probable variation symbol (S418). If it is based on the probability variation design (S418: yes), the operation of the probability variation function is started (S420), and the operation of the time shortening function and the normal electric accessory opening time extension function is started (S422, S424). Returning to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is not due to the probability variation symbol (S418: no), the operation of the time reduction function is immediately started without activating the probability variation function (S422). As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, after the special gaming state ends, the next special gaming state occurs or the number of times the special symbol fluctuates reaches a predetermined number (100 in this embodiment). Is set so that the time reduction function is activated. In addition, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the opening time of the start port 17 is set to be slightly longer during the time reduction. Therefore, when the time-shortening function is activated in S422, the operation of the function for extending the normal electric accessory release time is started (S424), and then the special electric accessory game process shown in FIG. Returning to the game control process of FIG. Eventually, if the special game state starts with a probability variation pattern, after the special game is over, the probability variation function, the time shortening function, and the normal electric utility opening time extension function are activated, while the special game state is When the game starts with a symbol that is not a probability variation symbol (that is, a normal symbol), after the special game is over, the time-shortening function and the normal electric accessory opening time extension function are activated.

  The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 can advance the game of the gaming machine 1 by repeatedly performing the game control process as described above.

B-4. Processing when power failure occurs:
Next, when a power failure occurs during the game of the gaming machine 1 and the power supply is unexpectedly cut off, a process for storing the state of the game as backup data, that is, a process when a power interruption occurs explain.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a power interruption occurs. Such processing is started when an interrupt is generated toward the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 when it is detected that the voltage supplied from the power source has decreased to a predetermined value or less. Since this process is an urgent process, it is set to an interrupt that cannot be masked, and is immediately implemented when an interrupt occurs.

  When the power-off generation process is started, first, the contents of all registers of the CPU 201 are stored in the backup area on the RAM (S900). Next, the set value of the stack pointer is also stored in the backup area (S902). The start address of the program is set in the stack pointer. Therefore, if the contents of all the registers and the contents of the stack pointer are saved, even when the program is started again, it can be started from the same location under the same conditions.

  Next, in order to check the prize balls remaining in the prize ball payout device 109, processing for monitoring the outputs of the payout switches 109j and 109k is performed for a predetermined period (S904). If there is a prize ball remaining in the payout device 109, the number of game balls passed during this period is detected and stored.

  Thereafter, a checksum is calculated for the backup data stored in the backup area, the obtained result is stored (S906), and then the backup flag is set to ON (S908). Finally, the RAM is set in an access prohibited state (S910), and the process at the time of power-off occurrence is terminated. In the control start preparation process described above with reference to FIG. 13, when it is determined that the backup flag is ON (S <b> 18 in FIG. 13: yes), by reading the backup data stored in this manner, It is possible to restore the gaming state before the power is turned off.

B-5. Withdrawal control process:
As described above, in the game control process shown in FIG. 15, a series of processes such as the normal symbol game start determination process (S100) and the normal symbol game process (S150) are repeatedly executed, including the prize ball related process (S50). In the prize ball-related process (S50) shown in FIG. 16, a prize ball number designation command is output to the payout control board 240 in order to pay out the number of game balls according to the winning result of the game balls. (S62). When the CPU 241 mounted on the payout control board 240 receives the award ball number designation command supplied from the CPU 201 of the main control board 200, the payout control process described below is performed in order to pay out the designated number of game balls. Do.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the flow of a payout control process performed by the CPU 241 mounted on the payout control board 240. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart.

  When starting the payout control process, the CPU 241 of the payout control board 240 first determines whether a prize ball number designation command has been received from the main control board 200 or a ball lending signal has been received (S1002). . The award ball number designation command is output by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 in the award ball related process shown in FIG. Further, when the player operates the ball lending switch 5b (see FIG. 6) to receive payout of the game ball from the ball lending device 13 shown in FIG. 1, the ball lending display board 245 is connected via the relay terminal board. A ball lending signal is input. If it is determined that either a prize ball number designation command or a ball lending signal is received (S1002: yes), the number of game balls to be paid out is set on the RAM 242 of the payout control board 240, and the set game ball is set. The process of detecting the presence / absence of abnormality in the number of payouts (abnormality detection process) is started (S1100). The RAM 242 of the payout control board 240 constitutes one aspect of the payout number storage means of the present invention. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, abnormality detection processing is performed during the payout control processing, so that even if an abnormal payout number is set in the payout device 109 due to malfunction due to noise, for example, an abnormality occurs promptly. Can be detected. There are various modes for detecting this abnormality, and each mode will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that neither a winning ball number designation command nor a ball lending signal has been received (S1002: no), the abnormality detection process in S1100 is skipped. That is, the abnormality detection process is performed only when a prize ball number designation command is received from the main control board 200 or a ball rental signal is received from the ball rental display board 245. It is considered that an abnormal payout number is set in the payout device 109 due to the presence of noise when receiving a prize ball number designation command, a ball lending signal, or the like. Therefore, if an abnormality detection process is performed when a prize ball number designation command or a ball lending signal is received, the occurrence of an abnormality can be detected efficiently.

  However, the abnormality detection process may be performed every time the payout control process of FIG. 32 is executed. In this way, not only when the winning ball number designation command or the ball lending signal is mixed with noise, but also when the payout device 109 malfunctions for some reason and an abnormal payout number is set, an abnormality occurs promptly. There is an advantage that can be detected.

  Subsequently, the CPU 241 of the payout control board 240 checks whether a communication abnormality with the main control board 200 has occurred, whether a trouble such as a ball clogging has occurred in the payout device 109, and further lower tray Whether the unit 6 is full is judged in order (S1004, S1006, S1008). Whether a communication abnormality has occurred with the main control board 200 can be determined based on the state of the connection confirmation signal supplied from the main control board 200. Whether or not an abnormality such as a ball clogging has occurred in the payout device 109 is determined based on whether the game ball is predetermined by either a later-described front payout switch 109j or a rear payout switch 109k mounted on the payout device 109. It is determined that an abnormality has occurred when detection is continued for more than a time. Further, whether or not the lower tray portion 6 is filled with game balls can be determined based on a signal from a lower tray full tank switch 6s provided in the lower tray portion 6.

  As a result, when it is determined that a communication abnormality has occurred (S1004: yes), or when it is determined that an abnormality such as a ball clogging has occurred in the dispensing device 109 (S1006: yes), the lower plate 6 is When it is determined that the game ball is full (S1008: yes), the payout control process shown in FIG. 32 is exited, and a launch control process (S1012) described later is started.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that no communication abnormality has occurred (S1004: no), no abnormality has occurred in the dispensing device 109 (S1006: no), and the lower pan 6 is not full (S1008). : No), it is determined whether or not there is a game ball to be paid out (S1010). That is, it is determined whether or not there are game balls that have not been paid out even though an instruction to pay out the game balls is given by a prize ball number designation command or a ball lending signal. If game balls that have not been paid out still remain (S1010: yes), game ball payout processing described below is performed (S1200). On the other hand, when there is no game ball to be paid out, in other words, when all the game balls to be paid out have been paid out (S1010: no), the game ball payout process may be skipped.

  In the following, the game ball payout process performed by the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. As preparation, the structure of the payout device 109 mounted on the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment and the payout device 109 are games. A mechanism for paying out one ball at a time will be described. The payout device 109 constitutes one aspect of the game medium payout means of the present invention.

B-5-1. Structure of dispensing device:
FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the dispensing device 109. FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the dispensing device 109. As shown in FIG. 33, the payout device 109 has two rows of game ball passages 109a and 109b through which game balls can pass. From the tank rail 106 shown in FIG. 5, game balls are supplied to these two rows of game ball passages 109a and 109b. The payout device 109 includes three casings 109c, 109d, 109e and a payout motor 109m. A so-called stepping motor is employed as the payout motor 109m.

  As shown in FIG. 34, in the casings 109c, 109d, 109e, cams 109g, 109h for restricting the flow of game balls in the game ball passages 109a, 109b and the driving force of the payout motor 109m are applied to the cams 109g, 109h. A driving force transmission shaft 109i for transmission is provided. The cams 109g and 109h are plate-like rotators in which three substantially arc-shaped concave portions (ball receiving portions) are formed on the outer peripheral portion, and the cam 109g and the cam 109h are shifted in phase by 60 ° from each other. It has become. When the cams 109g and 109h are rotated using the payout motor 109m, the game balls supplied to the game ball passages 109a and 109b from above are received into the recesses one by one, and the received game balls are received in the downstream game ball passages. One ball can be paid out toward 109a and 109b. The game ball passage 109a and the game ball passage 109b are provided with a front payout switch 109j and a rear payout switch 109k, respectively, so that it is possible to detect a game ball paid out from each passage.

  The payout device 109 of this embodiment is configured to pay out game balls at a payout speed of 160 pieces per 4 seconds (40 pieces per second). The rotating shafts of the cams 109g and 109h are provided on the extended lines of the entrance portions in the game ball passages 109a and 109b. That is, the rotation shafts of the cams 109g and 109h are positioned on the extension line of the vertical portion of the tank rail 106 described above. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the cams 109g and 109h from rotating due to the ball pressure (self-weight) of the game ball existing in the tank rail 106 while the payout device 109 is stopped.

  FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a drive signal supplied to the payout motor 109m in order to rotate the cams 109g and 109h. The payout motor 109m of the present embodiment is provided with four terminals, that is, an A + terminal, an A-terminal, a B + terminal, and a B-terminal, and switches combinations of signals supplied to the terminals in a predetermined order. Thus, the payout motor 109m can be rotated stepwise. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 35, from the state in which the drive signal of pattern 1 in which the voltage at the A + terminal and the B− terminal is ON and the voltage at the A− terminal and the B + terminal is OFF is supplied. By switching to a state in which the drive signal of the pattern 2 in which the voltage of the terminal and the B + terminal is turned on and the voltage of the A− terminal and the B− terminal is turned off is supplied, the payout motor 109m can be rotated by 3.75 °. Next, when switching from the state in which the driving signal of pattern 2 is supplied to the state in which the driving signal of pattern 3 in which the voltages of the A− terminal and B + terminal are turned on and the voltages of the A + terminal and B− terminal are turned off is supplied. The dispensing motor 109m can be further rotated by 3.75 °. Subsequently, when switching from the state in which the driving signal of pattern 3 is supplied to the state in which the driving signal of pattern 4 is supplied in which the voltages at the A-terminal and the B-terminal are turned on and the voltages at the A + terminal and the B + terminal are turned off, Further, it can be rotated by 3.75 °. Furthermore, if the state is switched from the state in which the drive signal for pattern 4 is supplied to the state in which the drive signal for pattern 1 is supplied, the payout motor 109m can be further rotated by 3.75 °. Thus, if the drive signals supplied to the four terminals are switched in the order described above, the payout motor 109m can be rotated by 3.75 ° each time the drive signal pattern is switched.

  Next, a mechanism for paying out game balls one by one by rotating the payout motor 109m will be described. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where game balls are paid out one by one by rotating the payout motor 109m. 36 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which the cam 109g rotates in the front game ball passage 109a and the game balls supplied from above are paid out one by one. . 36 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state where the cam 109h rotates in the rear game ball passage 109b and the game balls supplied from above are paid out one by one in the second stage from the top in FIG. is there. Furthermore, the output from the front payout switch 109j and the output from the rear payout switch 109k are shown in the third and fourth stages from the top in FIG.

  At the left end in the figure, a state in which a game ball is supplied to the payout device 109 for the first time is conceptually shown (FIG. 36 (a)). Since the game ball passages 109a and 109b are closed by the cams 109g and 109h, the game balls are supplied to the positions of the cams 109g and 109h, respectively. In addition, as described above, three concave portions (ball receiving portions) are provided at equal intervals on the outer peripheral portions of the cams 109g and 109h, and the phases of the cam 109g and the cam 109h are shifted by 60 ° from each other. ing. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 36 (a), in one game ball passage, the game ball is blocked by the tip of the cam, but in the other game ball passage, the game ball is received in the recess (ball receiving portion). It is in the state that was. In the example shown in FIG. 36 (a), only one game ball is received in the recess (ball receiving portion) in the front game ball passage 109b.

  When the cams 109g and 109h are rotated by supplying the drive signal shown in FIG. 35 to the payout motor 109m from this state and rotated by 60 °, the state shown in FIG. 36 (b) is obtained. As described above, the payout motor 109m rotates stepwise by 3.75 ° every time the driving signal supply pattern is switched. Therefore, in order to rotate 60 °, the driving signal pattern is switched by 16 steps. Do it. In the state rotated by 60 °, the game ball in the game ball passage 109a that has already been received in the recess (ball receiving portion) is carried in the passage along with the rotation of the cam 109g, and on the game ball passage 109b side, The game ball supplied from above is newly received in the concave portion (ball receiving portion) of the cam 109h.

  In this state, the payout motor 109m is further driven to rotate the cams 109g and 109h by 60 °. Then, the game ball received in the recess (ball receiving portion) of the cam 109g and carried in the game ball passage 109a exits from the recess of the cam 109g as shown in FIG. 36 (c), and the game ball passage 109a. Is detected by the front payout switch 109j. The second row from the bottom of FIG. 36 conceptually shows how the front payout switch 109j detects the passage of the game ball and outputs a pulse signal. In the game ball passage 109b on the rear side, the game ball received in the recess (ball receiving portion) of the cam 109h is carried in the game ball passage 109b as the cam 109h rotates. When the payout motor 109m is further rotated by 60 °, the game ball that has been carried in the game ball passage 109b then comes out of the recess (ball receiving portion) and falls in the game ball passage 109b, and the rear payout Detected by switch 109k. The lowermost part of FIG. 36 conceptually shows how the rear payout switch 109k detects the passage of the game ball and outputs a pulse signal. Thereafter, each time the payout motor 109m is driven to rotate the cams 109g, 109h by 60 °, the game balls are paid out one by one from the front game ball passage 109a and the rear game ball passage 109b. . With the payout device 109 shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, it is possible to pay out game balls one by one by such a mechanism.

B-5-2. Game ball payout processing:
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a game ball payout process performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. This process is a process executed in the payout control process when the CPU 241 mounted on the payout control board 240 receives a prize ball number designation command or a ball lending signal. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart.

  When the game ball payout process is started, the CPU 241 outputs a drive signal for one step toward the payout motor 109m of the payout device 109 (S1202). That is, when the drive signal of the pattern 1 shown in FIG. 35 is supplied to the four terminals of the payout motor 109m, the drive signal of the pattern 2 is switched. Similarly, when the pattern 2 drive signal is supplied, the pattern 3 drive signal is switched. When the pattern 3 drive signal is supplied, the pattern 4 drive signal is changed to the pattern 4 drive signal. If it is supplied, it is switched to the drive signal of pattern 1.

  Next, the CPU 241 of the payout control board 240 determines whether or not the passing of the game ball is detected by either the front payout switch 109j or the rear payout switch 109k (S1204). As described above with reference to FIG. 36, since the game balls are paid out one by one every time the payout motor 109m rotates 60 °, it is usually determined that the passing of the game ball is not detected by the payout switch ( S1204: no), the process returns to step S1202, and again outputs a drive signal for one step to the payout motor. When a drive signal for 16 steps is output while repeating such operations, the payout motor 109m rotates 60 °, and as a result, the passing of the game ball is detected by either the front payout switch 109j or the rear payout switch 109k. (S1204: yes).

  Then, the CPU 241 of the payout control board 240 subtracts the detected number (1) of game balls from the payout number of game balls set at a predetermined address in the RAM 242 mounted on the payout control board 240 (S1206). ). As described in the payout control process of FIG. 32, the payout number of game balls is set in the RAM 242 during the abnormality detection process when the CPU 241 receives a prize ball number designation command or a ball lending signal. Further, as will be described in detail later, in the abnormality detection process of the present embodiment, the number of game balls to be paid out is set at a plurality of locations on the RAM 242. Corresponding to this, in S1206 of the game ball payout process shown in FIG. 37, the game balls detected by the front payout switch 109j or the rear payout switch 109k from the payout numbers set at a plurality of locations. A process of subtracting the number is performed.

  Next, the CPU 241 determines whether or not the number of payouts set on the RAM 242 has become zero (S1208). As described above, the number of payouts is set at a plurality of locations on the RAM 242, but whether or not the number of payouts has become zero can be determined based on the number of payouts set at any location. Good. If it is determined that the number of payouts has not reached zero (S1208: no), the process returns to S1202 again and outputs a drive signal for one step to the payout motor 109m, and then a series of subsequent processing is performed. . When such a process is repeated and the number of payouts set in the RAM 242 reaches zero (S1208), all the set game balls are paid out. Therefore, the game ball payout process shown in FIG. 37 is ended, and the process returns to the payout control process in FIG.

  In the payout control process, after returning from the above-described game ball payout process, after performing the process of launching game balls one by one (launch control process) (S1012), the process returns to S1002 again and either a prize ball number designation command or a ball It is determined whether or not a lending signal has been received.

  The CPU 241 mounted on the payout control board 240 performs such a payout control process, thereby performing control to fire the game balls one by one toward the game board while paying out the game balls to be paid out. The CPU 241 of the payout control board 240 constitutes one aspect of the payout number update means of the present invention.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment described above, a payout control process is performed in order to avoid an abnormal value being set in the number of game balls to be paid out and a large amount of game balls being paid out from the payout device 109. , The presence / absence of an abnormality in the set number of game balls to be paid out is detected. There are various modes for detecting this abnormality, and in the following, the abnormality detection process of each mode will be described in order.

C. Abnormality detection processing of the first embodiment:
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the abnormality detection process of the first embodiment. This process is a process executed by the CPU 241 in the payout control process shown in FIG. 32 when the CPU 241 of the payout control board 240 receives the award ball number designation command or the ball lending signal. This constitutes one aspect of the abnormality detection means. Hereinafter, it demonstrates according to a flowchart.

  When the abnormality detection process of the first embodiment is started, first, the CPU 241 adds the received payout number to the payout number values set in the memory 1, the memory 2, and the memory 3 (S1102). The memory 1, the memory 2, and the memory 3 are set to predetermined addresses on the RAM 242 mounted on the payout control board 240. In addition, when adding the number of payouts to each memory, each memory receives a ball number designation command or a ball lending signal independently, and the received number of payouts is set as the number of payouts stored in each memory. It is desirable to add them independently. Note that the memory 1, the memory 2, and the memory 3 constitute one aspect of a plurality of storage areas of the present invention.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of payouts set in the memory 1 matches the number of payouts set in the memory 2 (S1104). If they match (S1104: yes), it is determined whether or not the number of payouts in the memory 1 matches the number of payouts set in the memory 3 (S1106). If it is determined that the two match (S1106: yes), the payout numbers set in the three locations all match, so an abnormal value is set for the payout number. It can be judged that there is never. Therefore, the abnormality detection process shown in FIG. 38 is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the payout control process of FIG. Then, after confirming that there is no communication abnormality or a ball clogging of the payout device 109 and that the lower platen portion 6 is not full, a game ball payout process is performed (S1200) and set in the RAM 242. The game balls are paid out until the number of payouts reaches zero. Thus, if it is confirmed that there is no abnormality in the number of payouts set in the RAM 242 and the game balls are paid out, the payout device 109 may malfunction and a large number of game balls may be paid out. Absent.

  If it is determined that the number of payouts in the memory 1 and the number of payouts in the memory 3 do not match (S1106: no), the number of payouts in the memory 3 is different from the number of payouts in other memories. Therefore, it is considered that an abnormal value is set in the memory 3 for some reason. Therefore, after the number of payouts set in the memory 3 is rewritten with the number of payouts set in another memory (for example, the memory 1) (S1108), the abnormality detection process shown in FIG. Return to the payout control process. By doing this, all the payout numbers set in the RAM 242 can be returned to normal values, so that in the subsequent game ball payout process, the number specified by the award ball number designation command or the ball lending signal The game balls can be paid out reliably.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of payouts in the memory 1 and the number of payouts in the memory 2 do not match (S1104: no), it is determined whether or not the number of payouts in the memory 1 and the number of payouts in the memory 3 match. Judgment is made (S1110). If the two values match, it is considered that an abnormal value is set in the memory 2 for some reason. Therefore, the number of payouts set in the memory 2 is set to another memory (for example, the memory 1). After rewriting with the number of payouts set in (S1112), the abnormality detection process shown in FIG. 38 is terminated and the process returns to the payout control process shown in FIG.

  If it is determined that the number of payouts in the memory 1 and the number of payouts in the memory 3 do not match (S1110: no), then the number of payouts in the memory 2 and the number of payouts in the memory 3 match each other. It is determined whether or not (S1114). If they match, it is considered that an abnormal value is set in the memory 1 for some reason. Therefore, after the number of payouts set in the memory 1 is rewritten with the number of payouts set in another memory (for example, the memory 2) (S1116), the abnormality detection process shown in FIG. Return to the payout control process. In this way, all the payout numbers set in the RAM 242 are returned to normal values, and in the subsequent game ball payout process (S1200), an appropriate number of game balls can be paid out.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S1114 that the number of payouts in the memory 2 and the number of payouts in the memory 3 do not match (S1114: no), the number of payouts set in the three memories does not match. Become. Setting an abnormal number of payouts rarely occurs. Therefore, if the number of payouts is set in multiple memories, an error may occur in any one of the memories, but an error may occur in multiple memories. It is thought that this occurs very rarely. From this, if it is determined that the number of payouts set in the memories 1 to 3 does not match (S1114: no), there is a possibility that a serious abnormality has occurred. In such a case, the number of payouts set in the memory 1 to memory 3 is all set to 0 once (S1118), and then the abnormality detection process shown in FIG. 38 is terminated and the payout control shown in FIG. Return to processing. In this way, when a serious abnormality occurs, if all the payout numbers set in the RAM 242 are set to 0, it is possible to surely avoid paying out a large amount of game balls. It becomes.

D. Abnormality detection processing of the second embodiment:
In the abnormality detection process of the first embodiment described above, the number of payouts is set independently for each of the three addresses on the RAM 242, and these payout numbers are compared, so that the set payout number is abnormal. Detected that occurred. Therefore, in the abnormality detection process of the first embodiment described above, the number of payouts stored in a plurality of locations is stored as a backup. On the other hand, in the abnormality detection process of the second embodiment described below, different values are stored as a plurality of payout numbers, and the presence / absence of an abnormality is detected based on the difference between the payout numbers. . Hereinafter, the abnormality detection process of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the abnormality detection process of the second embodiment. Similarly to the abnormality detection process of the first embodiment described above, when the CPU 241 of the payout control board 240 receives a prize ball number designation command or a ball lending signal, the CPU 241 is included in the payout control process shown in FIG. Is a process executed by.

  When the abnormality detection process of the second embodiment is started, first, the CPU 241 adds the received payout number to the value of the payout number set in the memory 1 (S1142). The memory 1 is set to a predetermined address on the RAM 242 mounted on the payout control board 240. In the second embodiment, the memory 2 is set at a different address on the RAM 242, and the same payout number as the memory 1 is stored in the memory 2. Accordingly, as a result of performing the process of S1142, the memory 1 stores the value after adding the received payout number, and the memory 2 stores the payout number before the addition. Note that the number of payouts after addition stored in the memory 1 constitutes one aspect of the number of payouts after increase, and the number of payouts before addition stored in the memory 2 is one aspect of the number of payouts before increase. Is configured.

  Next, the CPU 241 calculates the number difference by subtracting the payout number (payout number before addition) set in the memory 2 from the payout number (additional payout number) set in the memory 1 (S1144). ). Then, it is determined whether or not the calculated number difference is equal to or less than a predetermined value (S1146). Since there is an upper limit for the number of payouts that can be set by a prize ball number designation command or a ball lending signal, there is an upper limit for the calculated number difference. Therefore, if an appropriate value is set in advance in consideration of various game conditions, the presence / absence of abnormality can be detected by comparing the calculated number difference with the predetermined value.

If it is determined that the calculated number difference is larger than the predetermined value (S1146: no), it is considered that an abnormally large value is added to the memory 1 in the process of S1142, and therefore, the value is set in the memory 2. The number of payouts after the addition set in the memory 1 is rewritten with the number of payouts before the addition (S1150). That is, it is determined that the received award ball number designation command or the ball lending signal is abnormal, and the received content is reset. On the other hand, if it is determined that the calculated number difference is smaller than the predetermined value (S1146: yes), it can be determined that the received award ball number designation command or ball lending signal is normal. Therefore, after rewriting the number of payouts in the memory 2 with the number of payouts in the memory 1 (S1148),
The abnormality detection process of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 39 is terminated, and the process returns to the payout control process of FIG. In this way, if there is an abnormality in the received award ball number designation command or ball lending signal, the received content can be reset, so that it is ensured that a large number of game balls are paid out by the payout device 109. It can be avoided.

  In the abnormality detection process of the second embodiment, since it is sufficient to store two payout numbers, that is, a payout number before addition and a payout number after addition, it is possible to easily check whether there is an abnormality without using a large memory capacity. Can be detected.

E. Abnormality detection processing of the third embodiment:
In the abnormality detection process of the second embodiment described above, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred when the difference in the number of received payout numbers between the value before addition and the value after addition is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. However, paying attention to the fact that the number of payouts that can be specified using the award ball number designation command or ball lending signal can only be obtained from a finite number, the difference between the number of payouts before addition and the number of payouts after addition is small. Even in this case, it is possible to detect whether or not an abnormality has occurred. Hereinafter, such abnormality detection processing of the third embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the abnormality detection process of the third embodiment. Such processing is based on whether or not the number difference calculated from the number of payouts in the two memories matches a preset value with respect to the abnormality detection processing of the second embodiment described above. The point of judging is different. Below, it demonstrates centering around difference with the abnormality detection process of 2nd Example.

  When the abnormality detection process of the third embodiment is started, first, the received number of payouts is added to the memory 1 (S 1172), and then the number of payouts set in the memory 2 from the number of payouts set in the memory 1. Is subtracted to calculate the number difference (S1174). Similarly to the second embodiment described above, the memory 1 stores a value after adding the received payout number, and the memory 2 stores the payout number before the addition.

  Next, the CPU 241 determines whether or not the calculated number difference matches any preset number of prize balls (S1176). FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the number of prize balls set in advance. For example, when only one game ball enters the start port 17, four prize balls are designated by the prize ball designation command. In addition, when one game ball enters the start opening and the winning opening simultaneously, the number of winning balls is 14. Further, when only one game ball enters the big prize opening, the number of prize balls is fifteen. As described above, the number of game balls that can be designated by the award ball number designation command or the ball lending signal can be obtained in advance according to the state in which the game ball has entered and the contents of the ball lending. In the gaming machine 1 of the third embodiment, a plurality of types of prize balls obtained in this way are stored in advance on the RAM 242 (or ROM not shown) of the payout control board 240. The number of prize balls illustrated in FIG. 41 constitutes one aspect of the number of payout candidates.

  If the number difference calculated in S1174 does not match any of the number of prize balls obtained in advance (S1176: no), it is considered that an abnormal value is added to the number of payouts in the memory 1. Then, the number of payouts after addition set in the memory 1 is rewritten with the number of payouts before addition set in the memory 2 (S1180). On the other hand, if the calculated number difference matches any of the number of prize balls obtained in advance (S1176: yes), it is determined that the number of payouts in the memory 1 is normal, and the number of payouts in the memory 2 is determined. Then, the number of payouts in the memory 1 is rewritten (S1178). Thereafter, the abnormality detection process of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 40 is terminated, and the process returns to the payout control process of FIG.

  Even in this case, if the received prize ball number designation command or the ball lending signal is abnormal, the received contents can be reset, so that an appropriate number of game balls can be paid out. Also in the abnormality detection process of the third embodiment, it is sufficient to store two payout numbers, that is, a payout number before addition and a payout number after addition, as in the second embodiment described above. The presence / absence of an abnormality can be easily detected without using.

  In addition, in the abnormality detection process of the third embodiment, even if the calculated number difference is a small value, it can be detected that an abnormality has occurred in the set number of payouts. It becomes possible to detect.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a combination type gaming machine and a spinning type gaming machine.

  While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is not limited to the wording of each claim unless it departs from the scope described in each claim. Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can also be added as appropriate to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily replace them.

It is a front view of the gaming machine of the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of a game board. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the symbol display apparatus mounted in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the effect display apparatus mounted in the game machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the back surface structure of the game machine of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit in the game machine of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the input / output relationship about a sub control board. It is the block diagram which showed the input / output relationship about a launch control board. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the mode that the normal symbol is variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that the special symbol was variably displayed. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the one aspect | mode of the effect performed with an effect display apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which showed the big flow until control of a game is started by the main control board after the power supply of a game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the control start preparation process which CPU mounted in the main control board implements immediately after starting. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally that various commands were output toward the sub control board from the main control board. It is a flowchart which shows the rough flow of the game control process which CPU mounted in the main control board performs. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the prize ball related processing. It is the flowchart which showed the normal symbol game start judgment process performed in order to judge whether the normal symbol game process is started. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the normal symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a normal electric accessory game process. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the process which judges whether a special symbol game is performed. It is the flowchart which showed a part flow of the special symbol game process. It is the flowchart which showed the flow of the remaining part of a special symbol game process. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the success / failure determination table referred in order to perform the determination of the success / failure of a special symbol in a special symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a special symbol fluctuation pattern setting process. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the stop symbol of a special symbol was determined according to the combination of the special symbol determination result and the special symbol random number. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that it was set whether to perform reach production according to the value of the random number for reach determination. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the pattern table A in which the variation pattern for winning is set. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the pattern table B in which the fluctuation pattern for the deviation | shift at the time shortening and the probability change is set. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the pattern table C in which the fluctuation pattern for the deviation | shift in the normal time was set. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a special electric accessory game process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process at the time of power failure generation | occurrence | production. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the payout control process which CPU mounted in the payout control board performs. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the payout apparatus of a present Example. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the dispensing device of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the drive signal supplied to a payout apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the game ball is paid out one ball at a time from the payout device. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the game ball payout process performed in the payout control process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the abnormality detection process of 1st Example performed in the payout control process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the abnormality detection process of 2nd Example performed in the payout control process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the abnormality detection process of 3rd Example performed in the payout control process. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that the number of prize balls referred by the abnormality detection process of 3rd Example was set.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Pachinko machine, 109 ... Dispensing device (game media dispensing means)
200 ... Main control board, 201 ... CPU
240 ... payout control board, 241 ... CPU (payout number update means, abnormality detection means)
242 ... RAM (payout number storage means, payout candidate number storage means)

Claims (7)

In a gaming machine that pays out gaming media based on establishment of a predetermined payout condition,
A payout number storage means for storing a payout number as the number of game media to be paid out;
Game medium payout means for paying out the game media until paying out all the game media of the number of payouts stored in the payout number storage means;
The stored number of payouts is reduced by the number of game media paid out, and when a new game media to be paid out is generated, the number of game media to be newly paid out A number-of-payouts updating means for increasing the number of payouts stored;
An abnormality detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality with respect to the number of payouts stored in the payout number storage means,
The number of payout storage means stores the number of payouts in a plurality of storage areas,
The abnormality detecting means detects the presence or absence of the abnormality based on the number of payouts stored in the plurality of storage areas. A gaming machine according to claim 1,
The abnormality detection means compares the number of payouts stored in the plurality of storage areas, and determines that there is an abnormality in the number of payouts stored when there are payout numbers having different values. A gaming machine characterized by that. A gaming machine according to claim 2,
The number-of-payout storage means stores the number of payouts in at least three locations,
When the abnormality detecting means determines that there is an abnormality in the stored number of payouts, it uses the number of payouts stored in the most locations to replace the remaining payout number. To play. A gaming machine according to claim 1,
When the game medium to be newly paid out is generated, the payout number storage means increases the number of payouts before increase as the number of payouts before increasing the number of game media to be newly paid out, and after the increase The number of payouts after increase, which is the number of payouts, is stored in each storage area,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality detecting means detects the presence / absence of the abnormality based on the stored difference between the pre-increase payout number and the post-increase payout number. A gaming machine according to claim 4,
The abnormality detecting means judges that the stored number of payouts is abnormal when the difference between the pre-increase payout number and the post-increment payout number is a predetermined value or more. . A gaming machine according to claim 4,
A payout candidate number storage means for storing in advance a plurality of types of payout candidates, which is the number that the game medium can be newly paid out;
The abnormality detecting means abnormally determines the stored number of payouts when the difference between the pre-increase payout number and the post-increment payout number does not match any of the plurality of stored payout candidate numbers. A gaming machine that is characterized as having A gaming machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
When the abnormality detecting means determines that the abnormality is present, the gaming machine is characterized in that the stored post-increase payout number is replaced with the pre-increment payout number.

Images