JP2007075171A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of executing a new performance full of unexpectedness. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a falling performance member 701 for executing a falling performance by falling from a space part K2 for hiding to a space part K1 for the falling performance. The game machine is provided with a winding device 730 capable of executing the winding operation of winding a cord-like member 705 and winding up the falling performance member 701 and the delivery operation of delivering the cord-like member 705, a falling selection device 740 capable of alternatively executing the falling inhibiting operation of inhibiting the falling of the falling performance member 701 inside the space part K1 for hiding to the space part K2 for the falling performance and the falling allowing operation of allowing the falling, and an operation control means. The operation control means executes the processing of making the falling selection device 730 execute the falling inhibiting operation in the state that the falling performance member 701 is wound up, then executes the processing of making the winding device 730 execute the delivery operation, and executes the processing of making the falling selection device 740 execute the falling allowing operation thereafter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine such as a so-called seven machine, a ball game machine such as a feather, a right object, or an arrangement ball, or a coin-type game machine (rotating-type game machine) such as a slot machine.

  For example, in a seven machine, a start winning means (start port) and a determination as to whether or not to shift the gaming state of the gaming machine from a normal gaming state to a big hit gaming state (that is, a special gaming state) (hereinafter referred to as “win / fail judgment”). Determination means for performing determination, symbol display means for confirming and displaying a determination result symbol indicating the result of the determination (for example, a liquid crystal display device), and a variable winning device (that is, a big prize) Device) on the front side of the game board.

  Note that the variable winning device (large winning device) is usually a winning portion (which is a portion serving as an entrance of a game ball to the variable winning device and is generally referred to as a big winning opening). An opening / closing member that changes the posture as appropriate between “closed posture for closing the winning portion” and “open posture for opening the winning portion” and “opening / closing the winning portion (that is, unit driving)”, and the winning portion Winning ball detecting means (winning ball detection switch) for detecting a game ball won through the unit. The “normal gaming state” refers to, for example, “a gaming state in which the winning portion is kept closed”, and the “hit gaming state” refers to, for example, “a gaming state that realizes an opening state of the winning portion”. Point to.

  In this seven machine, the execution condition of the aforementioned “determination” (that is, the determination execution condition) is determined on the assumption that “the winning of the game ball to the start winning means (hereinafter referred to as“ start winning prize ”)” is detected. To establish. Further, when the display execution condition of the “symbol indicating the determination result (determination result symbol)” is satisfied, first, the effect display is executed in the symbol display means. This effect display is usually “display (that is, variable display) whose contents are cyclic display of a plurality of identification symbols (that is, special symbols). This effect display is performed for a predetermined variable time. After that, in the symbol display means, the determination result symbol is fixedly displayed (stopped display).

  When this judgment result symbol is a big hit symbol (a symbol indicating that the judgment result is a big hit) (for example, “7,7” or “7,7,7”, etc.), the configuration symbol is displayed in a doublet state. In such a case, the gaming state of the gaming machine shifts from the “normal gaming state” to the “hit gaming state (special gaming state)”. Then, when the gaming state of the gaming machine shifts to the “big hit gaming state (special gaming state)”, the opening / closing member is moved a predetermined number of times (so-called “round number”, for example, 14 to 16 times). “Unit drive” is applied.

  That is, when the gaming state of the gaming machine shifts to the “big hit gaming state (special gaming state)”, the opening / closing member is opened to change the variable winning device in the closed state to the opened state. As a result, it is possible or easy to win a game ball in the big winning opening. After that, when a predetermined number of game balls wins in this winning section (large winning opening) or when a predetermined time elapses, the opening / closing member is once closed, and the variable winning device (large winning device) is closed. To complete the "one unit drive" applied to the opening and closing member. That is, the unit drive is completed, in which the posture of the opening / closing member is changed from the closed posture to the open posture and returned to the closed posture again. When the “unit drive of the opening / closing member” is repeated a predetermined number of times (so-called “round number”), the gaming state of the gaming machine is returned from the “big hit gaming state” to the “normal gaming state”.

  In addition, in this type of gaming machine, the so-called “probability change symbol (a specific example of a game mode change symbol)” is displayed on the symbol display means, and then on this symbol display means, , "Probability of the game" is a high probability (hereinafter referred to as "high probability state of the gaming machine", "high probability mode", "probability variation mode", "probability variation mode", "high probability state", Some of them are called “probability variation state” or “probability variation state”. That is, when the gaming mode of the gaming machine shifts to the high probability mode, “when the game mode change end condition is satisfied and the gaming mode of the gaming machine is returned to the low probability mode (specific example of the normal mode) (for example, , Until the next big hit occurs), the probability that the determination means makes a big hit determination (the probability that the big hit symbol is displayed) is set to a high probability.

In the ball and ball game machines typified by this Seven machine, coin-operated game machines, etc., the purpose is to boost the above-mentioned “production for displaying the result of the determination of success / failure” or simply to increase the game production. In some cases, a “movable rendering device configured using a mechanically movable movable object” is arranged. For example, a gaming machine has been proposed in which a “movable effect device configured using a movable object driven by a solenoid” is disposed on the front surface of a game board (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-129096 A

  However, since the conventional movable effect device is mainly composed of mechanically movable objects, its movable aspect and effect aspect are relatively simple and lacking in surprise. In the conventional movable effect device, only a very simple state change (simple rotation or translation in one rotational direction) is repeatedly generated for the movable object. That is, for the player, the movable aspect and the production aspect of the movable object are simple, regular, and easily predictable.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to execute an effect using a movable object (falling effect member) in a novel and surprising state. It is to provide a gaming machine that can.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can give a big surprise to a player by an effect using a movable object (falling effect member).

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of realizing a novel and surprising production using a movable object (falling production member) with a simpler configuration.

The gaming machine according to claim 1 is:
A concealing space provided in a state invisible from the front, and a drop effect space provided in a state visible from the front while being positioned below the concealing space,
A gaming machine comprising a fall effect member that falls from the concealment space part to the fall effect space part and executes a fall effect,
A string-shaped member provided with a mounted portion on one side along the length direction, and provided with a suspended portion on which the fall effect member is suspended on the other side along the length direction;
When the fall effect member is in the fall effect space portion, the string-like member is entangled and the fall effect member is brought to a winding position in the concealment space portion. A winding operation that winds up the string-like member by a predetermined amount that allows the dropping effect member to reach the space for the falling effect when the dropping effect member is in the winding position; A feasible entraining device; and
The fall effect member located in the concealment space portion with the concealment space portion and the fall effect space portion being cut off is dropped to the fall effect space portion while being arranged below the winding position. A drop prohibiting operation that prohibits this, and the blocking of the concealing space part and the falling effect space part are released, and the falling effect member positioned in the concealing space part falls into the drop effect space part A drop selection device capable of alternatively performing a drop permissible operation,
An operation control means for controlling the operation of the entrainment device and the drop selection device,
The operation control means includes
After performing the process of causing the drop selection device to execute the drop prohibiting operation in a state where the drop effect member is wound up to the winding position, the process of causing the winding device to perform the feeding operation is performed, A process for causing the drop selecting device to execute the drop allowable operation is executed.

  In the first aspect of the invention, the drop selecting device is caused to execute the drop prohibiting operation in a state where the drop effect member is wound up to the winding position. Subsequently, after causing the winding device to perform a feeding operation to make the string-like member slack in the concealing space, the drop selecting device is caused to perform a drop allowing operation at a predetermined timing, and the drop effect member is Use the dead weight to drop it into the space for falling effects. That is, this fall is not performed by applying a feeding operation to the winding device in a “state in which tension (tension) caused by the weight of the drop effect member is applied to the string-like member”. That is, the dropping operation is performed after the unwinding device is subjected to a feeding operation in advance to release the tension (tension) applied to the string-like member and make it slack.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fall effect member can instantaneously appear in the player's field of view (in the fall effect space) due to the fall, and the player can be greatly surprised. Further, the appearing fall effect member vibrates in various directions while being suspended by the string-like member. And until this vibration converges, the drop effect member swings randomly. For this reason, this fall production member is capable of executing a novel and surprising production (a production that is significantly different from the production using a conventional movable object that moves regularly).

  Moreover, according to the first aspect of the present invention, such a novel and surprisingly simple structure using the drop effect member, the string-like member, the entrainment device, the drop selection device, and the operation control means. A rich production can be performed. That is, it is possible to produce a novel and surprising production without using complicated driving means (actuators).

  The “winding device” of the invention of claim 1 includes a winding body (winding body) configured using a pulley or the like, and a motor that generates a driving force for rotating the winding body in both forward and reverse directions. What is provided can be illustrated. Note that the entrainment body (the entrainment body) may be disposed above the drop effect space (for example, in the concealment space), but above the drop effect space (for example, in the concealment space), An intermediate pulley (a driven pulley or the like) may be disposed, and the entrainment main body (the entrainment trunk) may be disposed in a portion other than the upper portion of the drop effect space (for example, behind the drop effect space).

  As the “fall selection device” of the invention of claim 1, (1) a blocking member that emerges the drop passage of the drop effect member and blocks the drop passage, or dissipates from the drop passage and releases this block; (2) The thing provided with the drive means (solenoid etc.) which drives this interruption | blocking member to the interruption | blocking direction, or drives to a cancellation | release direction can be illustrated. Here, the fall passage is a “passage that passes when the fall effect member falls from the winding position to the fall limit position”. In addition, the arrangement location of the blocking member can be variously selected, not only “the boundary portion between the concealment space portion and the drop effect space portion”, but also “in the concealment space portion (location near the drop effect space portion)”, For example, “in the space portion for fall effect (location near the concealment space portion)” or the like.

  The “string member” of the invention of each claim is not limited to a string, a wire, or the like, but may be an elastic member such as rubber. In addition, the “string-like member” may be one provided with a decoration imitating a rope, a chain or the like, or may be one colored with a fluorescent paint. .

  In the invention of each claim, the “winding position (that is, the position of the drop effect member after performing the winding operation)” may be always constant, but each time each winding operation is performed, When the “winding operation satisfying the specific condition” is executed, “change (however, the winding position is within the concealing space)” may be generated in the “winding position”. In addition, the position of the “fall effect member” before the start of the wrapping operation (the position within the space for the drop effect, which may hereinafter be referred to as “the position before winding”. A specific example of “front position” is also possible, and it may be always constant, but each time the individual winding operation is started or in response to “the winding operation satisfying a specific condition”, Change to “position” (however, this position must be in the space for drop effect) ”may occur.

  In the invention of each claim, when the “winding position” and “position before winding” are constant, for example, “the amount by which the winding device winds the string-like member during the winding operation” and “at the time of the feeding operation” The amount by which the winding device feeds the string-like member (that is, the predetermined amount that allows the drop effect member to reach the fall effect space) may be made constant and the same amount.

  In the invention of each claim, in order to make the “winding position” constant and to change the “pre-winding position”, for example, “the amount by which the winding device feeds the string-like member during the feeding operation (that is, The predetermined amount that allows the drop effect member to reach the space for the drop effect) is varied. Then, in the winding operation performed after each feeding operation, the winding device performs the same amount as the “amount that the winding device has fed the string-like member in the feeding operation performed in advance” by the same amount. What is necessary is just to involve a shape member.

The gaming machine according to claim 2 is:
A concealing space provided in a state invisible from the front, and a drop effect space provided in a state visible from the front while being positioned below the concealing space,
A gaming machine comprising a fall effect member that falls from the concealment space part to the fall effect space part and executes a fall effect,
A string-shaped member provided with a mounted portion on one side along the length direction, and provided with a suspended portion on which the fall effect member is suspended on the other side along the length direction;
When the fall effect member is in the fall effect space, the string member is wound when the fall effect member is in the fall effect space, and the fall effect member is moved to the winding position in the concealment space. A winding operation that winds up the string-like member by a predetermined amount that allows the dropping effect member to reach the space for the falling effect when the dropping effect member is in the winding position; A feasible entraining device; and
A winding operation control means for controlling the operation of the winding device;
The entrainment device includes, as a drive source, a motor including a braking unit that can alternatively execute a rotation prohibiting operation for prohibiting rotation of the rotor and a rotation allowing operation for allowing rotation,
The entrainment operation control means performs a process of causing the braking means to execute a rotation permission operation after executing a process of causing the braking means to execute the rotation prohibiting operation in a state where the fall effect member is wound up to the winding position. It is characterized by performing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the state where the fall effect member is wound up to the winding position, a blocking member or the like is caused to appear below the fall effect member, thereby preventing the fall effect member from dropping. In other words, in the first aspect of the present invention, the dropping device is prohibited from dropping by using a member different from the winding device while causing the winding device to perform the feeding operation. On the other hand, in the invention of claim 2, in the state where the fall effect member is wound up to the winding position, a braking force (brake force) is applied to the entraining device to prohibit the fall effect member from dropping. That is, it differs from the invention of claim 1 in that the feeding operation of the winding device is prohibited and the drop effect member is prohibited from dropping.

  In the invention of claim 2, the braking means is caused to execute the rotation prohibiting operation in a state where the fall effect member is wound up to the winding position. Subsequently, the brake means is caused to perform a rotation allowing operation, and the winding device is caused to perform the feeding operation, and the fall effect member is dropped into the fall effect space using its own weight. In other words, this dropping is not performed by performing a feeding operation on the winding device in a “state in which a tension (tension) is applied to the string-like member due to the weight of the dropping effect member”. That is, the dropping is executed while releasing the braking force applied to the motor constituting the winding device (that is, while the motor is in a free state).

  Also in the invention of claim 2, due to this fall, the fall effect member can be instantly appeared in the player's field of view (in the fall effect space), and this player can be greatly surprised. Further, the appearing fall effect member vibrates in various directions while being suspended by the string-like member. Until this vibration converges, the drop effect member swings randomly. For this reason, this fall production member is capable of executing a novel and surprising production (a production that is significantly different from the production using a conventional movable object that moves regularly).

  Moreover, according to the second aspect of the invention, such a novel and surprisingly rich effect can be achieved by a simple configuration using the drop effect member, the string-like member, the entrainment device, and the entrainment operation control means. It can be carried out. That is, it is possible to produce a novel and surprising production without using complicated driving means (actuators).

  As the “winding device” of the invention of claim 2, a winding body (winding body) configured using a pulley or the like, and a motor that generates a driving force for rotating the winding body in both forward and reverse directions, What is provided can be illustrated. Note that the entrainment body (the entrainment body) may be disposed above the drop effect space (for example, in the concealment space), but above the drop effect space (for example, in the concealment space), An intermediate pulley (a driven pulley or the like) may be disposed, and the entrainment main body (the entrainment trunk) may be disposed in a portion other than the upper portion of the drop effect space (for example, behind the drop effect space).

  Here, as the “braking means” of the invention of claim 2, the following specific examples can be exemplified. For example, when the motor constituting the driving source (driving means) is a stepping motor including a stator (stator) and a rotor (rotor), the stator (stator), the rotor (rotor), and Thus, the braking means can be configured. That is, when the rotation of the rotor (rotor) is stopped while energizing the motor, the predetermined magnetic pole of the rotor (rotor) attracts the predetermined magnetic pole of the stator (stator) (that is, fixed) This is because the braking means constituted by the rotor and the rotor performs a rotation prohibiting operation) and can apply a brake (apply a braking force) to the rotation of the rotor (rotor). When the motor is deenergized from this state, the operation of the braking means constituted by the stator (stator) and the rotor (rotor) is released (that is, the motor is constituted by the stator and the rotor). The braking means that performs the rotation-permitting operation) makes the rotor (rotor) rotatable (free state).

  Further, the stepping motor constituting this specific example may be provided with a brake separately. In this case, the gaming machine of the invention of claim 2 includes a first braking means constituted by a stator and a rotor, and a second braking means constituted by this brake. The “braking means” of the second aspect of the invention is constituted by a first braking means and a second braking means. The second braking means may be (1) a braking means provided in the stepping motor itself, or (2) a member that receives a rotational operation from the rotor of the stepping motor (for example, a winding body or a winding body) For example, it may be a braking means provided on this member in order to prohibit rotation. Moreover, also in the gaming machine of the first aspect of the present invention, the entrainment device may include a similar brake.

The gaming machine according to claim 3 is the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
A determination means for determining whether or not to shift the gaming state to the big hit gaming state when the determination execution condition is satisfied;
When a display execution condition is satisfied, a determination result pattern indicating the result of the determination is provided with a symbol display means for confirming and displaying the predetermined result display.
The drop effect space is provided in front of the symbol display means.

  According to the invention of claim 3, a more effective drop effect can be executed. In other words, the determination result is the greatest concern for the player, and the symbol display means is watched during the game. Then, if a drop effect member suddenly appears in the visual field of the player gazing at the symbol display means, the player can be given a greater surprise.

  Here, the “determination execution condition” of the invention of claim 3 is based on the premise that, for example, a winning of a game ball (that is, a start winning) is detected in “start winning means” arranged in the game area. Is established. This detection is normally performed by a “start detection means (start detection switch)” provided in the “start winning means”.

  The “display execution conditions” of the present invention are satisfied when the display time of the determination result symbol comes on the premise that a start winning will occur. This “display execution condition” may be established corresponding to all start winnings that may occur in the gaming machine of the present invention, but is normally established under a predetermined restriction. That is, if the gaming machine of the present invention has an upper limit number of holds, the “display execution condition” is not satisfied even if a start win is generated in a state where the hold number reaches the upper limit number. (In other words, ignore the starting prize).

  That is, (1) The “symbol display means” is not executing “various displays” due to other preceding start winnings and there is no starting memory related to other preceding starting winnings. In the case where a new winning is generated, the “display execution condition” relating to the “new starting start-up” is satisfied. However, (2) In a case where a “starting prize” is newly generated in a state where “various display” due to other preceding starting prizes is being executed or there is a starting memory related to other preceding starting prizes, Only when the number of reserves at the time of the start winning has not reached the upper limit number, the data relating to the “newly generated start winning” (data relating to the determination result, etc.) is handled as the hold storage (holding data). Then, when the “various display” based on the other reserved storage preceding the “holding storage” is completed and the execution timing of the “various display” based on the “holding storage” has come, Regarding “holding storage”, the “display execution condition” is satisfied. Here, the “various displays” resulting from the start winning (start memorizing) is a display related to the determination result made in conjunction with the “start winning,” and is an “effect display (for example, variable display). ”Or“ determined display of a determination result symbol resulting from another start winning ”or the like.

  The “symbol display means” of the present invention includes, for example, a CRT, a dot matrix, an electroluminescence, in addition to a symbol display means configured using a liquid crystal display device, a single segment display body, a 7-segment display body, Examples include a symbol display means using a sense, a fluorescent display tube, and the like. In addition, the “determination result symbol” of each of the present inventions uses, for example, a stop symbol of a predetermined identification symbol (may be a single stop symbol or a combination symbol composed of a plurality of stop symbols). Composed. In addition, examples of the “effect display” of the present invention include, for example, a variable display (a variable display whose contents include cyclic display of a plurality of identification symbols) performed using a predetermined identification symbol. In addition, the “effect display” of each aspect of the present invention may include a character effect display (effect display performed while displaying a character) executed together with the variation display.

  The “identification symbol (identification information)” is a symbol displayed on the symbol display means in order to issue information to the player, and is constituted by, for example, a figure, a character, a pattern, or a combination thereof. And the gaming machine of each invention may use only this symbol (discussed below) as this “identification symbol (identification information)”, or it is an effect-only symbol (pseudo symbol) along with this symbol, May be used later).

  Here, the “main symbol” is a display mode (at least “stop symbol” and “fluctuation time”) determined in a “main control unit (to be described later)” that governs the basic progression of the game in the gaming machine. This is a special symbol. On the other hand, the “pseudo symbol” means that a variation mode and a stop symbol are determined by a “sub-control unit (which will be described later) that controls a game effect under the control of the main control unit”. “Design for production”. Normally, this “pseudo symbol” is displayed for the same amount of time as the main symbol, and the “display contents (big hit, miss, etc.)” of the “pseudo symbol” stop symbol is displayed as the stop symbol “display” of this symbol. "Contents (big hits, misses, etc.)" Thus, when the “symbol display means” displays “main symbol” and “pseudo symbol”, (1) “symbol display means” is displayed as a single display that displays “main symbol” and “pseudo symbol”. (2) The “symbol display means” is configured separately by a display device for displaying “main symbol” and a display device for displaying “pseudo symbol”. May be. Regardless of whether the special symbol displayed by the “symbol display means” is only “real symbol” or “real symbol” and “pseudo symbol”, the “symbol display means” is not a special symbol. Directing designs (background designs, character designs, etc.) may be displayed.

  Further, in the invention of each claim, a privilege other than “a privilege by shifting the gaming state of a gaming machine to a big hit gaming state” (hereinafter referred to as “other privilege”) can be given to the player. It may be. As this “other privilege”, (1) a privilege (hereinafter referred to as “the privilege of changing the gaming machine state of the gaming machine” from the normal mode to the probability variation mode until a predetermined termination condition is satisfied). (Referred to as “privilege due to probability variation”), (2) a privilege (hereinafter, referred to as “transition of the gaming machine state of the gaming machine from the normal mode to the short-time mode until a specific termination condition is satisfied”). One or two or more can be selected from “a privilege by time saving”).

  Here, the “probability variation (or sometimes referred to as“ probability variation ”) mode” means that a so-called “probability variation symbol (that is, one aspect of jackpot symbol)” is displayed on the variable display means. This is a gaming state (game mode) that occurs as a result. Then, when the gaming machine shifts to the probability variation mode, the probability that the success / failure determination result of “big hit” is given to the variation display means by the success / failure determination means will then vary with a high probability. That is, when the gaming machine is in the high probability mode, the probability that a big hit will occur is high until a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, until a special symbol fluctuates a predetermined number of times or until the next big hit occurs). Set to probability.

  The “short time mode” means (1) shortening the symbol change time of a special symbol, (2) shortening the symbol change time of a normal symbol, and (3) stopping the normal symbol indicating winning. This is a privilege that includes at least one of increasing the probability, (4) extending the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory that opens the start winning means, and the like. This time reduction mode may be given by itself or may be given in a state of being added to another privilege. For example, as described above, the time reduction mode may be executed after execution of the probability variation mode after the end of the special game, or the time reduction mode may be executed without changing the probability after the end of the special game. . However, in the aspect of executing the short time mode after executing the probability variation mode, the gaming machine may execute the same gaming state as that in the “short time mode” even during the execution of the probability variation mode. That is, even during execution of the probability variation mode, the symbol variation time of the special symbol or the symbol variation time of the normal symbol may be shortened.

  In the invention of each claim, execution of the drop effect may be started in correspondence with the display content displayed on the symbol display means (hereinafter referred to as “applied invention”). “Starting the execution of the drop effect” means “in the first aspect of the invention, the operation control means executes the third control for causing the drop selection device to perform the drop allowable operation”. In the invention of claim 2, the entrainment operation control means executes the fall allowance control that causes the braking means to execute the rotation allowance operation ”.

  As a more specific aspect of this “applied invention”, there can be exemplified an aspect in which execution of a drop effect is started under a predetermined condition when a so-called “reach display” is made on the symbol display means. Thus, when the “reach display” is made on the symbol display means, the player's gaze degree with respect to the symbol display means is particularly high. For this reason, according to the “applied invention”, a more effective drop effect can be executed.

  Here, “reach display (reach display effect)” is generally “a configuration having a plurality of (three or four or more) pieces of identification information displayed on the symbol display means (variable display and fixed display). In the case of providing “design”, it refers to an effect display performed in the middle of effect display (variable display). That is, a display execution condition is established for a predetermined “result of success / failure determination”, and after a variable display that sequentially updates (changes display) each of a plurality of “configuration symbols”, a plurality of “variable display means” When displaying the stop symbols of multiple “configuration symbols” and performing “big hit display (display indicating that the result of success / failure judgment is a win)” or “specific type out-of-range display”, the “symbol display” "Means" refers to a stunning display performed in the middle of the variable display.

  For example, in the middle of this effect display (variation display), the constituent symbols other than the constituent symbols that are finally stopped (hereinafter referred to as “final stop symbols”) are stopped at a predetermined symbol, and depending on the type of the final stop symbol, This is a stunning display showing that there is a possibility that a jackpot display will be made. For example, if the stop symbol of multiple constituent symbols is the same symbol, when the jackpot display is completed, the constituent symbols other than the final stop symbol are stopped at the same symbol. This indicates a display indicating that there is a “possibility of occurrence”. In addition, “specific type out-of-display” means that the constituent symbols other than the final stop symbol have the condition for “big hit display”, but the final stop symbol does not have the condition for “big hit display”. Display ("reach type out display" described later) ".

The gaming machine according to claim 4 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A plurality of the drop effect members and the string-like members are provided.

  In the invention of claim 4, since a plurality of drop effect members are used, an even more effective and powerful drop effect can be executed.

  Here, in the invention of claim 4, it is possible to execute the winding operation and the feeding operation of each string-like member (drop effect member) using a separate winding device, or using a common winding device, A winding operation and a feeding operation of a plurality of string-like members (falling effect members) may be executed. As the latter winding device (common winding device), there are a plurality of winding main bodies (winding trunks) arranged for each string-like member (falling effect member), and a plurality of these winding main bodies (winding trunks). ) Are connected to each other so as to be integrally rotatable, and the connecting member is rotated in both forward and reverse directions, so that a plurality of entraining bodies (winding bodies) are integrally rotated in both forward and reverse directions. And a motor that generates a driving force of

  In addition, in the invention of claim 4, when dependent on the invention of claim 1, a separate drop selection device may be used to prohibit or allow the fall of each fall effect member, or a common fall The selection device may be used to prohibit or allow a plurality of drop effect members to fall.

The gaming machine according to claim 5 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A restricting member is disposed in the concealing space, and a plurality of restricting spaces are provided in the concealing space using the restricting member,
One string-like member is inserted into each restriction space portion.

  In invention of Claim 5, it can prevent that an individual fall production | presentation member and a string-like member interfere with other adjacent fall production | presentation members and a string-like member. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more smoothly perform a drop effect that is executed using a plurality of drop effect members.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine of each invention of each claim, an effect using a movable object (falling effect member) can be executed in a novel and unexpected state.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment showing the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each example described below, each specific example in which the invention according to each claim is applied to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) 1 referred to as a “seven machine” will be described.

  A. Example 1

  First, the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. The gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment has the features of the inventions of claims 1 and 3 to 5.

(1) Mechanical structure a. First, the entire front side structure (mechanical structure) of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a gaming machine main body and a gaming machine frame for fixing the gaming machine main body. Here, the gaming machine frame is a frame-shaped portion fixed to the island facility of the pachinko hall, and includes an outer frame (main body frame) 2, an intermediate frame 3, and a front frame 4. Further, the gaming machine frame is provided with an upper plate part 5, a lower plate part 6, and a locking device 7. Further, the gaming machine main body is a part that is detachably fixed to the gaming machine frame (2, 3, 4, etc.), and includes a gaming board 10 (see FIG. 2) and a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 6). ) Etc. are the main parts.

The outer frame 2 is formed by assembling and fixing a wooden plate-like body into a substantially rectangular frame shape. The middle frame 3 is entirely made of plastic, is fitted inside the outer frame 2, and is pivotally supported so as to be opened and closed with respect to the outer frame 2. A locking device 7 (see FIG. 1) is provided at the center of the right end of the middle frame 3. Further, on the lower front portion of the middle frame 3, a launch unit (not shown) for launching a game ball onto the game board 10 and a ball feeding device (not shown) for supplying the game ball to the launch unit are shown. And a speaker 400a (see FIG. 7) for generating sound effects and other sounds (sounds) according to the gaming state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the middle frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the middle frame 3 so as to be opened and closed. The front frame 4 is entirely made of plastic, and has a circular opening 4a so that the board surface of the game board 10 (see FIG. 2) arranged on the back side can be seen from the front. . That is, the opening 4a is formed in a substantially circumferential shape corresponding to the shape of the game area 11 (see FIG. 2) formed in the game board 10. A substantially rectangular glass frame (not shown) in which two glass plates (not shown) are fitted according to the opening 4a is attached to the back surface of the front frame 4.

  The front frame 4 is provided with various LED display portions 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, and 4f, and these LED display portions 4b to 4f are adapted to the progress of the game for the purpose of enhancing game effects and the like. Turns on and off, or flashes. In addition, two prize ball LED display portions 4g are provided between the two middle and upper LED display portions 4f and 4f arranged in the left and right directions in the center of the front upper side of the front frame 4. Further, an error LED display portion 4h is provided in a substantially fan shape above the prize ball LED display portion 4g.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper dish portion 5 is provided below the front frame 3, and the outer edge portion 5 a of the dish and a discharge port 5 b for discharging game balls inside the gaming machine 1 to the lower dish portion 6. Etc. A volume switch board 12 (see FIG. 7) is provided on the back side of the upper plate part 5, and a ball removal button, a game ball lending / returning button, and the like are provided on the plate outer edge 5a.

  The lower plate part 6 is provided below the upper plate part 5, and a discharge port 6 a for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1 is provided in the approximate center of the lower plate part 6. An ashtray 6 b is provided at the left end of the lower plate portion 6, and a firing handle 9 is provided at the right end of the lower plate portion 6. Furthermore, a slide lid capable of opening and closing the upper surface of the ashtray 6 b is provided on the upper part of the lower dish part 6. In addition, a ball hole (not shown) is provided on the bottom surface of the lower plate portion 6. The ball hole is normally closed, but is opened when the game ball stored in the lower dish 6 is discharged from the gaming machine 1.

  The firing handle 9 is connected to a launcher unit (not shown). A touch switch 9a for detecting that the player is touching the handle is attached to the launch handle 9, and in the vicinity thereof, a launch stop switch 9b for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is provided. It is installed. The locking device 7 has a substantially rectangular shape with a keyhole when viewed from the front, and is used for locking when the front frame 4 is closed. Further, a prepaid card unit 13 is provided on the left end side of the gaming machine 1.

  A first audio output unit 5 c is provided at a substantially central portion of the upper plate unit 5. The first audio output unit 5c is connected to a middle / high tone unit (tweeter) constituting the speaker 400a via a duct (not shown). Moreover, the 2nd audio | voice output part 6d is provided in the right side and the left side of the discharge knob 6c in the lower pan part 6. FIG. A unit (woofer) constituting the speaker 400a is connected to the second audio output unit 6d via a duct (not shown).

b. Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 10 is held by the middle frame 3 (see FIG. 1), and its back side is covered by a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 6) described later. Further, in the game board 10, a substantially circular game area 11 is formed by an outer rail 14 and an inner rail 15 provided on the surface of the game board 10. In the game area 11, a central device 26 and a drop are formed. A stage device 700, a start port (ordinary electric accessory 171) 17, a lower device 18, a left winning port 19, a right winning port 20, a lower left winning port 21, a lower right winning port 22, and a number of obstacle nails 23 A pair of lamp wind turbines 24, 25 and the like are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the central device 26 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the game area 11. The central device 26 is provided with a liquid crystal display device 27. In the central device 26, a drop effect device 700 is arranged at a portion centering on the upper side of the liquid crystal display device 27. Details of the drop effect device 700 will be described later.

  This liquid crystal display device 27 constitutes a specific example of the symbol display means, and a determination of whether or not to be described later {whether or not to change the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 from the normal gaming state to the big hit gaming state (special gaming state). Is used as a display device for displaying the result of the determination (that is, determination of success / failure)}. That is, the liquid crystal display device 27 displays a “determination result symbol” for indicating the result of the determination of success / failure through a predetermined effect display (in this embodiment, a symbol variation display) for “definite display”. One specific example is configured. In this specification, directions such as “left”, “right”, “up”, and “down” are determined based on a player who views the game area 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the display screen 271 of the liquid crystal display device 27 includes a main display area 271A that is formed horizontally on the lower edge side, and an effect display area 271B that occupies most of the display screen 271. I have. Of these, the main display area 271A is formed with two main symbol display portions 272 and 273 at a portion near the right end, and a special symbol hold display portion 16a at a substantially central portion. In each of the symbol display units 272 and 273, a variable display using “the symbol” (display of the symbol that is sequentially changed) and a stop display (display of the symbol that has been stopped) are performed. The

  Further, in the following description, the right symbol display unit 272 as viewed from the player is referred to as a “first symbol display unit 272”, and the symbol displayed on the symbol display unit 272 is referred to as “first symbol display unit 272”. It may be referred to as “one pattern”. Further, the symbol display portion 273 on the left side when viewed from the player is referred to as a “second symbol display portion 273”, and the symbol displayed on the symbol display portion 273 is referred to as a “second symbol display”. There is.

  In addition, the effect display area 271B is used in a variable state, and various symbols can be displayed using the whole or a part thereof. In this effect display area 271B, as shown in FIG. 3A, three pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277 and a background screen display portion 278 composed of other portions may appear. In this case, the three pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction in the effect display area 271B. In the following description, the left pseudo symbol display unit 275 when viewed from the player is referred to as a “left pseudo symbol display unit 275”, and the central pseudo symbol display unit 276 when viewed from the player is referred to as a “medium pseudo symbol display unit”. 276 "and the right pseudo symbol display portion 277 when viewed from the player is referred to as" right pseudo symbol display portion 277 ".

  In each of the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277 appearing in this way, a variable display using “pseudo symbols” (display of pseudo symbols that are sequentially changed), a stop display (display of stopped pseudo symbols), and the like are made. The Further, when the pseudo symbol display parts 275 to 277 are displayed in the effect display area 271B, the background screen display part 278 is displayed by other parts of the effect display area 271B. The background screen display unit 278 can display a design indicating a background (hereinafter referred to as a background design) or a design indicating a character (hereinafter referred to as a character design) together with the background screen. .

  In the present embodiment, two types of identification information are planned as identification symbols (identification information) displayed on the liquid crystal display device 27. One of these pieces of identification information has two main symbols (first symbol and second symbol) as constituent symbols, and includes a variation display mode (variation time) and a fixed display mode (first column). The stop symbol of the symbol and the stop symbol of the second main symbol) are determined by the main control unit 140 (described later). The other identification symbol (identification information) includes three pseudo symbols (a left pseudo symbol displayed on the left pseudo symbol display unit 275, a middle pseudo symbol displayed on the middle pseudo symbol display unit 276, and a right pseudo symbol). The right pseudo diagram displayed on the display unit 277 is a constituent symbol, and a variation display mode and a fixed display mode (a left pseudo symbol stop symbol, a middle pseudo symbol stop symbol, and a right pseudo diagram) The stop symbol) is a sub-control unit (sound / lamp control unit 170) based on the variation display mode (variation time) and final display mode of the main symbol determined by the main control unit 140, which will be described later. .). Further, in the present specification, this symbol and a “pseudo symbol” described later may be referred to as a special symbol.

  Further, the “pseudo symbol” and the “background symbol” displayed on the background screen display unit 278 are for exciting display effects using the “main symbol”. The “design” and the “background design” may be referred to as an effect design.

  In the liquid crystal display device 27, every time a display execution condition for the result of the determination (determination result symbol) is satisfied, a variation display of this symbol (an aspect of the effect display) and a variation display of the pseudo symbol (effect display) Other aspects). Then, when these variable display periods have elapsed, a stop display (definite display) of the main symbol and a stop display (definite display) of the pseudo symbol are executed. At this time, the stop symbol (determined symbol) of the main symbol and the stop symbol (determined symbol) of the pseudo symbol respectively display the result of the determination. That is, in this embodiment, two types of “determination result symbols” are displayed on the liquid crystal display device 27. That is, the stop symbol (determined symbol) of this symbol and the stop symbol (definite symbol) of the pseudo symbol each constitute a “determination result symbol”, and both “determination result symbols” have the same message (“big hit” ”,“ Results of success / failure determination such as “out of place”, etc.). However, unlike the present embodiment, the “determination result symbol” may be composed of only the stop symbol (deterministic symbol) of the present symbol.

  Further, in this embodiment, an area for displaying the main symbol (main display area 271A) and an area for displaying an effect symbol (pseudo symbol or background symbol) (effect display region 271B) are displayed. Although partitioned on the screen 271 (display unit), this symbol and the effect-dedicated symbol may be displayed in the same area of the display screen 271 (display unit). In addition, the “symbol display means” includes a “display device for displaying the main symbol” for displaying the main symbol, and a “design symbol display unit for displaying the symbol for design (pseudo symbol and background symbol)”. You may comprise with a display apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the two main symbol display units 272 and 273 are smaller than the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 (for example, 1/10 to 1/100) and are difficult to recognize. The player proceeds with the game by paying attention mainly to the effect display area 271B (pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277, background screen display portion 278).

  In this liquid crystal display device 27, when a start win is generated (when a game ball wins at the start port 17), the “determination execution condition” is satisfied, and the determination of success or failure is executed. When a display execution condition of a symbol (determination result symbol) indicating a result of the determination of success / failure (that is, a condition for starting the variable symbol variable display and then displaying the stop symbol definitely) is established, the display screen 271 is displayed. Each of the symbols (main symbol and pseudo symbol) displayed in the display region (main display region 271A and effect display region 271B) varies. When the “special symbol change time” selected and set every time a start winning is generated, the stop symbol of the special symbol (the main symbol and the pseudo symbol) is fixedly displayed.

  In other words, after the main symbols are displayed by the main symbol display units 272 and 273 for a predetermined variation time, the stop symbol (determination result symbol) of the main symbol is confirmed. In the effect display area 271B, the three pseudo symbols are changed and the background symbols are displayed for the same fluctuation time as that of the main symbol, and then the three pseudo symbols are stopped (determination). The result symbol is finalized. In this embodiment, whether or not the gaming machine 1 is under the control of shortening the “special symbol variation time”, that is, whether or not the so-called “gaming game mode is in the probability variation mode or the short time mode”. Depending on what, this variation time is different. Here, the “short-time control” means (1) control whose content is to shorten the symbol variation time of the special symbol, (2) control whose content is to shorten the symbol variation time of the normal symbol, (3 ) Control with the content of increasing the probability that the normal symbol indicating winning will be stopped and displayed, (4) Control with content of extending the opening time of the special electric accessory that opens the start winning means, etc. The control is to execute at least one of the above.

  In the present embodiment, “two types of jackpot symbols” that trigger the transition to “different modes of jackpot gaming state” are planned as the jackpot symbols displayed on the symbol display units 272 and 273. In other words, “the game machine expects a prize ball” and “the game machine expects a prize ball” for confirming the transition to the “first game game state in which a gaming machine can expect a lot of prize balls”. A “second jackpot symbol” for confirming the transition to the “second jackpot gaming state that cannot be performed” is scheduled.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, when the first big hit symbol is confirmed and displayed on the main symbol display units 272 and 273, the big winning opening 311 of the variable winning device 31 described later disposed in the lower device 18 is easily won. The player is given a “privilege whose content is that the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is shifted to the first jackpot gaming state (special gaming state)”. In addition, when the second jackpot symbol is confirmed and displayed on the symbol display units 272 and 273, the big winning opening 311 of the variable winning device 31 is in a state where it is difficult to win (compared to the time of shifting to the first jackpot gaming state). (A difficult state) and the player is given a “privilege whose content is that the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is shifted to the second jackpot gaming state (special gaming state)”. In this manner, the two main symbols display the result of “judgment determination” in the form of the fixed display (stop display).

  In the present embodiment, when a start winning is generated, a precondition for executing the determination is established. Then, when the display execution condition for the result of the determination of success / failure is satisfied, the variable display of this symbol is started. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, in the both symbol display portions 272 and 273, the numbers “1” to “9” are displayed in this order, and then the letter “A” in the alphabet is changed. After that, the display returns to “1”, and the numbers “1” to “9” are displayed in this order, and the display of the character “A” is repeated. As shown in FIG. 3B, the numbers “1” to “9” displayed on the “first symbol display portion 272” are displayed in red and blue. There is.

  When the stop symbol (determination result symbol) indicating the result of “determination / determination” is confirmed and displayed on the both symbol display units 272 and 273, the following information is transmitted to the player. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, when the same numbers are confirmed and displayed on the two symbol display portions 272 and 273, the result of the determination is “standard jackpot (hereinafter“ Standard jackpot ")"). The determination result symbols formed by arranging the same numbers in the both symbol display portions 272 and 273 indicate a specific example of “first big hit (ie, standard big hit symbol)”. In this case, the gaming machine 1 is referred to as “standard jackpot gaming state (one specific example of the first jackpot gaming state. Hereinafter, this standard jackpot gaming state is also referred to as“ standard jackpot gaming state ”). Become. When this “standard special gaming state” is entered, as will be described later, a profit accompanied with a large amount of prize balls is given to the player.

  In addition, when the “standard big hit” display is made in this way, as shown in FIG. 4B, if the number displayed on the “first symbol display portion 272” is displayed in red, it is not accepted. The result of the determination is “first jackpot (used in the sense of jackpot that causes the first jackpot gaming state)” and “lottery of whether or not to change probability (hereinafter referred to as“ probability variation lottery ”). The result of “is also a win (winning)”.

  On the other hand, when “standard jackpot” is displayed, as shown in FIG. 4C, if the number displayed on the “first symbol display portion 272” is displayed in blue, it is determined whether or not the game is successful. The result of “lottery” is “first big hit”, but the result of “probability random lottery” is “out”. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the case where the result of the success / failure determination is “the first big hit (that is, the standard big hit) and the result of the probability variation lottery is also won” ) ”And the result of the determination is“ first big hit (ie, standard big hit) ”, but the case where the result of the probability variation lottery is lost is sometimes called“ standard normal hit ”.

  As shown in FIG. 4D, when the characters “A” are displayed side by side on the two symbol display parts 272 and 273, the result of “judgment determination” is “non-standard jackpot (hereinafter referred to as“ big hit ”). "Chance jackpot")) ". The determination result symbol formed by arranging the characters “A” in both the symbol symbol display units 272 and 273 indicates a specific example of “second big hit (that is, chance big hit symbol)”. In this case, the gaming machine 1 is “a non-standard jackpot gaming state (a specific example of the second jackpot gaming state is shown. Hereinafter, this standard jackpot gaming state is also referred to as“ chance jackpot gaming state ”). It becomes. In this “chance big hit game state”, as will be described later, the player is unlikely to obtain a profit with a prize ball, but may obtain a profit by changing the game mode (change to the probability change mode). it can.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when a different number is confirmed and displayed on the “both symbols display portions 272, 273”, it indicates that the result of the determination is “out”. That is, it is shown that the result of the determination is neither “standard jackpot (first jackpot)” nor “chance jackpot (second jackpot)”. In this case, the result of “probability lottery” is also lost.

  If “probability variation (standard probability variation or chance probability variation)” occurs, after the big hit gaming state related to the “probability variation” (that is, standard big hit gaming state or chance big hit) In the “game state”, on the display screen 271 of the liquid crystal display device 27, an indication that “the game state of the gaming machine 1 will be controlled to the probability variation state (for example, probability variation entry)” (hereinafter “probability variation display”). The game mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the normal game mode to the probability variation mode.

  Then, when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed to this “probability variation mode”, until the release condition of this “probability variation mode” is satisfied, the determination means determines “big hit (standard big hit or chance) The probability that the determination result of “big hit” is changed fluctuates with a high probability.In this implementation, the “probability change mode cancellation condition” does not obtain the big hit determination result (standard big hit or chance big hit). It is established by whether the special symbol fluctuates a predetermined number of times (that is, whether the determination of losing is repeated a predetermined number of times) or by generating the next big hit (standard big hit or chance big hit).

  In the present embodiment, as a configuration mode of the jackpot symbol, (1) the first jackpot symbol (standard jackpot symbol) is composed of the “first changed symbol” and the “first normal symbol”, the second Although the embodiment in which the jackpot symbol (chance jackpot symbol) is configured only by the “second modified symbol” is exemplified, in the present inventions, the mode of each jackpot symbol can be variously changed. That is, (2) the first jackpot symbol (standard jackpot symbol) is composed of “first changed symbol” and “first normal symbol”, and the second jackpot symbol (chance jackpot symbol) A mode constituted by “second modified symbol” and “second normal symbol”, (3) a first jackpot symbol (standard jackpot symbol) composed only of “first modified symbol”, 2 big hit symbol (chance big hit symbol) is composed of “second modified symbol” and “second normal symbol”, (4) first big hit symbol (standard big hit symbol) It may be configured by only “one changed symbol”, and the second jackpot symbol (chance jackpot symbol) may be configured only by “second changed symbol”.

  In the three pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277, the symbol variation (variation display) is started simultaneously with the above-described main symbol display portions 272 and 273. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the pseudo symbols are sequentially displayed in a variable manner (changed display) on each of the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277. The confirmed symbols (stopped symbols) that are confirmed and displayed on the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277 are also the determination result symbols, and the result of the above-described determination of success / failure is displayed.

  The confirmed symbols (determination result symbols) that are confirmed and displayed in the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277 have the modes shown in FIGS. That is, “a stop symbol indicating determination (determination result symbol)” in FIG. 5A, “stop symbol indicating standard normal hit (determination result symbol)” in FIG. 5B, and FIG. There are a “stop symbol indicating per standard probability change (determination result symbol)” and a “stop symbol indicating per chance (determination result symbol)” in FIG.

  Among these, “standard normal hit” is configured by arranging three numbers of any one of “1”, “2”, “4”, “6”, or “8”. Further, the “stop symbol indicating per standard probability fluctuation” is configured by arranging three numbers “3”, “5”, “7”, or “9”. The “stop symbol indicating the chance” is configured by arranging numbers in ascending order from left to right (eg, “1”, “2”, “3”) on the three pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277. The The “stop symbol indicating miss” is a stop symbol configured by displaying different numbers on at least two of the three pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277, except for “stop symbol indicating chance”. It is a thing.

  Here, also in the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277, when the special symbol variation start condition is established on the premise of the start winning, the symbol variation (pseudo symbol variation) is started and the background screen display portion 278 is displayed. Displays the video continuously. At this time, the display mode of the pseudo symbol in the middle of the fluctuation may be rotated, enlarged, reduced, etc. by itself or in response to a message indicated by the background moving image.

  In the present embodiment, the display contents of the pseudo symbols (hereinafter referred to as “determination result symbols based on pseudo symbols”) that are fixedly displayed on the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277 and the final symbol display portions 272 and 273 are determined and displayed. Display content of the main symbol (hereinafter referred to as “determination result symbol based on the main symbol”). For example, when “per standard probability change” is displayed by the fixed symbol of this symbol, “per standard probability variation” is displayed by the fixed symbol of the pseudo symbol, and “per standard normal” is displayed by the fixed symbol of the symbol. Is displayed, “standard normal hit” is displayed according to the confirmed symbol of the pseudo symbol. That is, the display content that is confirmed and displayed on the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277 does not contradict the display content that is confirmed and displayed on the symbol display portions 272 and 273. However, in the pseudo symbol display parts 275 to 277, various effect displays are executed from the start to the stop of the fluctuation. That is, the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 perform a so-called “reach effect” or a so-called “re-lottery effect”. However, in this embodiment, the “reach effect” is executed only in the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277.

  The “reach effect” is “displayed on the symbol display means when the possibility of a big hit gaming state continues before the result of the determination of success / failure is displayed on the symbol display means. This refers to the “display effect”. That is, a symbol other than the display symbol (this symbol or pseudo symbol) that becomes the final stop symbol (the symbol symbol of the main symbol or the symbol symbol of the pseudo symbol) displayed on the predetermined display portion of the “symbol display means” Stops, swings, and expands continuously for a predetermined time in a state that matches a specific stop symbol form (a confirmed symbol aspect of a plurality of main symbols that will be a big hit or a confirmed symbol aspect of a plurality of pseudo symbols that are a big hit) It indicates a state in which a plurality of display symbols fluctuate synchronously with the same symbol, or the positions of display symbols (the main symbol being fluctuated or the fluctuating pseudo symbol) are switched.

  For example, the display unit of the symbol display means (liquid crystal display device 27) displays a display area for displaying the main symbol (that is, the main symbol display unit) or a display region for displaying the pseudo symbol (that is, the pseudo symbol display unit). ) Are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, or the inclined direction, an end symbol (for example, “ Left symbol "," Upper symbol ", or" Diagonally upper symbol "), and the end symbol (in the display area on the other side (for example, right side, lower side, diagonally lower side)) For example, “right symbol”, “lower symbol”, or “diagonally lower symbol”), and the symbol stops in the order of “middle symbol” displayed in the middle (for example, middle) display area. When these display symbols are all in the same design It is assumed to be a big hit to.

  At this time, symbols other than the “middle symbol” which is the final stop symbol (for example, “left symbol” and “right symbol”, “upper symbol” and “lower symbol”, “oblique symbol” and A state in which “an obliquely lower symbol”) stops at the same symbol is referred to as a reach state. And when it reaches this reach state, the variation display pattern of `` middle symbol '' is changed to a variation display pattern different from the normal state, the screen is flashed at the same time, some kind of sign or character appears, etc. By adopting such a display mode, it may be configured to increase a player's sense of expectation for occurrence of a big hit and to excite the gaming interest.

  In the present embodiment, the symbol display sections 272 and 273 indicate that the result of the “correction determination” is “per standard (either per standard normal or per standard probability fluctuation)”. In the case of confirming and displaying a confirmed symbol, the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277 also indicate that the result of the “determining whether or not to accept” is “per standard (either per standard normal or per standard probability variation). ”Is confirmed and displayed. In this case, reach display is performed in the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 during the variation of the pseudo symbol. As a form of this reach display, when the variation time of the pseudo symbol (that is, the variation time of the main symbol) is short or when it is simply performed to a normal length, the variation time of the pseudo symbol (that is, the variation time of the main symbol) ) Is an advanced type of reach (super reach).

  In addition, in the present symbol display units 272 and 273, when the “determined symbol” indicating that the result of the determination is “out” is confirmed and displayed, the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 also determine the success / failure determination. A confirmed symbol indicating that the result of is “off” is confirmed and displayed. In this case, during the variation of the pseudo symbol, the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 perform reach display (hereinafter referred to as “reach out display”) and do not perform reach display (hereinafter “normal out display”). And so on.) In the case of performing out-of-reach display, “normal reach” and “developed reach” can be exemplified as the form of reach display to be performed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the “re-lottery effect” may be performed in the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277. That is, in the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277, after the pseudo symbol variation display, the pseudo symbol indicating “the contents of the false determination result” is temporarily stopped (hereinafter, the temporarily stopped pseudo symbol is “ "Temporary fixed pseudo-design"). Then, in the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277, after the pseudo symbols are again displayed in a variable manner, the pseudo symbols (determined pseudo symbols) having the contents that coincide with the “contents of the determination result of the truth” may be determined and displayed. Specifically, when “determined main symbol indicating standard probability fluctuation per unit” is displayed in the main symbol display units 272 and 273, the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 temporarily display “temporary standard indicating standard per unit variation”. After displaying the “determined pseudo symbol”, the pseudo symbol may be changed again (also referred to as a re-lottery display), and finally “determined pseudo symbol indicating per standard probability variation” may be displayed.

  Moreover, in the pseudo | simulation symbol display parts 275-277, you may perform the "revariation effect" of aspects other than a "re-lottery effect". For example, when “determined main symbol indicating either big jackpot (standard big hit or chance big hit)” is displayed in the main symbol display units 272 and 273, the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 temporarily display “ After displaying the “tentatively confirmed pseudo symbol indicating losing”, the pseudo symbol may be changed again, and finally “the determined pseudo symbol indicating the big hit” may be displayed. Further, whether or not re-lottery or other re-variation can be executed may be drawn by the main control unit 140 or by the sub-control unit (170 or 160).

  In addition, in the invention which concerns on each claim, the display mode of this symbol display part 272,273 is not limited to what is illustrated to a present Example. For example, at least one of the symbol display portions 272 and 273 is configured by two or three or more special symbol display areas (identification information display areas). Then, in the plurality of special symbol display areas (identification information display areas), a plurality of special symbols (identification information) are displayed while being changed one after another in a predetermined direction, and then the combination symbols of the special symbols are stopped and displayed. Also good. For example, the liquid crystal display device 27 includes a left special symbol display area for displaying a left special symbol, a middle special symbol display area for displaying a middle special symbol, and a right special symbol display area for displaying a right special symbol. They are arranged in this order in the arrangement direction set in a line. Each special symbol display area has a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the direction in which these display areas are arranged, in this case, a symbol variation direction is set in the vertical direction, and a plurality of pieces of identification information as the identification information are varied in that direction. The symbols (special symbols) may be displayed sequentially. In these modes, for example, when the same symbols (for example, “7, 7, 7”) are displayed together on the symbol display portion of the display screen 271 and stopped (determined display), the winning prize of the variable winning device 31 described later is obtained. The mouth 311 may be opened.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the symbol display units 272 and 273 are difficult to recognize, a so-called “reach effect” is performed in the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277, but “reach” is displayed in the symbol display units 272 and 273. (In addition, in the case of performing the reach effect in the symbol display units 272 and 273, the number of the symbol display units 272 and 273 needs to be three or nine). .). In the present embodiment, the symbol display units 272 and 273 and the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 are provided in the same liquid crystal display device 27, but both may be provided in a separate display device 27. .

  Returning to FIG. 3 (a), the special symbol hold display unit 16a sets an upper limit (for example, a predetermined number) of the number of unsettled start winnings (winning to the starting port 17) (holding number). 4 or a number of 4 or more). The “undigested” state refers to, for example, a state in which a start winning has occurred, but the result of the determination of whether or not the special symbol start winning has been displayed on the liquid crystal display device 27 has not yet been displayed.

  In the special symbol hold display portion 16a, “number display portions 161a to 164a” for displaying numbers from “1” to “4” are arranged in the horizontal direction. Then, by turning on the number display portions 161a to 164a corresponding to the number of reservations (the number of special symbol reservations) or turning off all the number display portions 161a to 164a, the number of reservations at that time is displayed. For example, when all the “numeral display portions 161a to 164a” are turned off, the number of reservations at that time is displayed as “0”. Further, when the number display portion 161a at the left end is turned on, it is displayed that the number of holdings at that time is “1”, and when the number display portion to be lit is increased one by one in the right direction, the number of holdings is one. Increase by increments. Then, when the all-number display portion 164a is turned on, it is displayed that the reserved number at that time is “4”.

  In this special symbol hold display section 16a, the number of holds to be displayed is increased by one each time a start winning {winning to the start opening (ordinary electric accessory) 17} is generated. Each time the next special symbol variation (variation in the present symbol display units 272 and 273) is started, the number of reservations is consumed, and the number of reservations displayed by the special symbol reservation display unit 16a is decreased by one. The special symbol hold display unit 16a can be configured as a separate device from the display screen 271.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a normal symbol display device 32 is arranged in the upper center of the central device 26. The normal symbol display device 32 includes a 7-segment display 32a and a normal symbol hold display LED 32b. The 7-segment display 32a shows a specific example of the normal variation display means. After the normal symbols (for example, odd numbers of 1 to 9) are displayed in a variable manner, the lottery for the normal symbols (that is, the normal electric combination) A stop symbol (a normal symbol stop symbol, for example, any one of odd numbers from 1 to 9) indicating the result of the lottery of whether or not to change the object 171 to the open state is stopped and displayed.

  “Normal symbol variation start condition (that is, normal symbol variation start condition)” is established on the assumption that the game ball passes through either of the left and right normal symbol operation gates (normal symbol operation ports) 36 and 37 described later. Then, on the 7-segment display 32a, the normal symbol variation display is started. When a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed after the start of normal symbol fluctuation, one kind of odd number is stopped and displayed. For example, when the stop display is made at “7”, the “ordinary electric accessory 171” is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds).

  Normal symbol operating gates 36 and 37 are respectively provided obliquely below the left and right of the central device 26. The left and right normal symbol operating gate passage detection switches 36s and 37s (see FIG. 12) are provided in the left and right normal symbol operating gates 36 and 37, respectively. Reference) is provided. As described above, the 7-segment display 32a in the normal symbol display device 32 is variably displayed by passing one of the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switches 36s and 37s of the game ball.

  The normal symbol hold display LED 32b is composed of four round red LEDs, and is arranged close to the left and right sides of the 7-segment display 32a. In this case, the number of game balls that have passed through the left and right normal symbol operation gates 36 and 37 is reserved up to four, and the lights are sequentially lit and displayed for each passage. Each time the next variable display of the 7-segment display 32a is started, the number of unstarted times is exhausted, and one normal symbol hold display LED 32b is turned off.

  The start port 17 is configured separately from the central device 26, and is disposed below the central device 26. A normal electric accessory 171 is disposed at the inlet side portion of the starting port 17. That is, this ordinary electric accessory 171 is a so-called tulip type formed so that a pair of wing pieces are opened and closed on the left and right.

  Further, inside the ordinary electric accessory 171, there are a start opening (ordinary electric accessory 171) winning detection switch 17 s (see FIG. 12) for detecting the passing of the game ball, and a start opening for operating the wing piece ( A normal electric accessory) solenoid 17c (see FIG. 12). When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the game ball is likely to enter the game in an open state, and the pair of wing pieces are erected so that the game ball is less likely to enter. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower device 18 is disposed below the start port (ordinary electric accessory 171) 17. The lower device 18 includes a variable winning device (large winning device) 31 as a main part and a configuration in which a lower left winning port 21 and a lower right winning port 22 are integrated with the variable winning device 31. Unlike the present embodiment, the lower device 18 may be configured by only the variable winning device 31 (that is, a configuration in which other winning ports such as the lower left winning port 21 and the lower right winning port 22 are not integrated).

  The variable prize winning device 31 is formed at a substantially central position and has a large winning opening 311 opened in a strip shape, an opening / closing plate 312 for opening / closing the large winning opening 311, and a large winning prize for opening / closing the opening / closing plate 312. A mouth solenoid 313 (see FIG. 7), a specific area (V winning opening and general winning opening / not shown) through which a game ball passes after winning the grand prize winning opening 311, an interlocking bowl (not shown), and a winning ball A winning ball detection switch 318 (see FIG. 7) to be detected, a back box (not shown), and a large winning opening relay board (not shown) are mainly configured.

  The lower left winning opening 21 is disposed substantially obliquely on the lower left side of the starting opening (ordinary electric accessory 171) 17, and a lower left winning opening passing detection switch 21s (see FIG. 7) is provided therein. A plurality of lower left prize port LEDs 223 are attached to the lower left prize port LED substrate 21f (see FIG. 7) and covered with a decorative lens below the lower left prize port 21. Further, the lower right winning opening 22 is disposed substantially obliquely lower right on the start opening (ordinary electric accessory) 17, and a lower right winning opening passing detection switch 22s (see FIG. 7) is provided therein. . A plurality of lower right prize opening LEDs 224 are attached to the lower right prize opening LED board 22f (see FIG. 7) and covered with a decorative lens.

  A left winning port 19 and a right winning port 20 are respectively disposed obliquely above and to the left and right of the variable winning device 31. In each of them, a left winning opening passing detection switch 19s (see FIG. 7) and a right winning opening passing detection switch 20s (see FIG. 7) are provided. In addition, a pair of lamp wind turbines 24 and 25 are disposed obliquely above and to the left and right of the central device 26, respectively. Further, a pair of side lamps 38 and 39 are arranged in a vertical circular arc shape and symmetrical with respect to both left and right ends of the game area 11. A number of obstacle nails 23 are arranged in the game area 11 so as to be suitable for a pachinko game in consideration of the positional balance with each gaming device described above.

  In the gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 1, operation buttons B <b> 1 and B <b> 2 are arranged on the left end side portion of the front surface of the upper plate part 5. These operation buttons B1 and B2 are for adding a change to the “actual effect using the drop effect device 700”, and details thereof will be described later. The operation buttons B1 and B2 may be used for changing the display performed on the display screen 271 of the liquid crystal display device 27.

  Returning to FIG. 2, an out port 48 is provided below the game board 10, and a back ball prevention member 58 is provided below the out port 48, so that the game ball returned without reaching the game area 11. Is prevented from returning to the launch position again. On the other hand, the foul ball prevention member 59 is attached to the tip of the inner rail 15, and the return rubber 60 is a position on the right half side of the game board 10, which is substantially opposite to the position of the foul ball prevention member 59. Attached along the outer rail 14 in a fitting manner. Further, a pair of side devices 38 and 39 are respectively arranged in a vertical arc shape and symmetrical with respect to both left and right end portions of the game area 11. These side devices 38 and 39 are provided with a lamp device, and are lit and flashed to perform lighting according to a change in the gaming state occurring in the gaming machine 1.

c. Next, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The front frame 4 (FIG. 1) is in the middle frame 3 and is supported by a pair of hinges 101 provided at the upper and lower ends of the front frame 4 so as to be opened and closed. The back mechanism board 102 is supported by the pair of hinges 103 provided in the middle frame 3 at the upper and lower ends of the back mechanism board 102 so as to be opened and closed. Furthermore, the game board 10 (refer FIG. 2) is attached to the surface side of the middle frame 3 so that attachment or detachment is possible. In addition, on the left side when the hinge 101 on the upper end side is disposed, a prize ball tank 105 having a tank ball cut detection switch 104 at the bottom of the tank and a tank rail 106 connected to the prize ball tank 105 are provided. It is attached. Further, a ball removal lever 107 is provided on the right side of the tank rail 106, a supply ball breakage detection switch (not shown) is provided on the downstream side, and an award as a backside gaming device is provided on the downstream side. A ball payout device 109 is provided.

  A game ball distribution unit (not shown) is provided on the downstream side of the prize ball payout device 109. Below the tank rail 106 is provided a back case with a lid (shown in FIG. 2) in which the liquid crystal display device 27 (see FIG. 2) is housed. A main control board case 112 that stores a main control board constituting (see FIG. 7) is disposed.

  On the lower back side of the main control board case 112, a launcher control board case 113 storing a launcher control board constituting the launcher control unit 193 (see FIG. 7), and a launch control collective relay board (not shown). And are provided. In addition, the above-described launcher unit (not shown) is disposed in the lower left part of the back mechanism panel 102, and a payout control unit 150 (see FIG. 7) is configured in the lower right part of the back mechanism panel 102. A payout control board case 118 storing the payout control board is provided. Further, a relay board (not shown) is mounted on the back side of the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the relay board 190 is a board for relaying the winning ball detection switches 318, 1318, 19 s to 22 s and the main control unit 140. In this embodiment, the main control board case 112, the relay board 190, and the payout control board case 118 are detachably attached to a metal plate (not shown), and the metal plate is attached to the back mechanism board 102. It is suspended freely.

  On the other hand, at the lower left end of the back mechanism panel 102, a fuse box 119, a power switch 120, a power terminal board 121 and a jackpot, launcher control, ball break, door open, prize ball, ball lending, etc. A terminal board (not shown) provided with external connection terminals is provided. A power cable 123 for receiving external power supply is also provided above the terminal board (not shown). A connection cable 124 extends upward from the payout control board case 118 and is connected to the prepaid card unit 13 including the power cable 125. Furthermore, a ball passage member for lower pan (not shown) is provided at the lower end of the center of the back mechanism panel 102. In this embodiment, a ram clear switch 121a for generating a ram clear signal is connected to the power supply terminal board 121. However, the connection of the ram clear switch 121a is omitted or the connection point of the ram clear switch 121a is connected. It may be changed.

(2) Electronic control device 130 of gaming machine 1
Next, the electronic control device 130 of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

a. Configuration of control circuit of gaming machine 1:
First, an outline of the configuration of the entire control circuit of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic control device 130 includes a main control unit 140 and a plurality of sub control units. The sub-control unit is connected to the primary sub-control unit (payout control unit 150, voice / lamp control unit 170, etc.) directly connected to the main control unit 140, and the primary sub-control unit via the primary sub-control unit. A secondary sub-control unit (launching device control unit 193, symbol control unit 160, etc.) connected to the control unit 140. The main control unit 140 and the primary sub control unit are connected by a signal transmission path 500a, and the first sub control unit and the secondary sub control unit are connected by a signal transmission path 500b.

  Next, a transmission method of “data etc.” between the control units will be described. That is, data or the like is transmitted from the main control unit 140 to the payout control unit 150 and the voice / lamp control unit 170 in one-way format or bidirectional format. In addition, it is assumed that data is transmitted from the voice / lamp control unit 170 to the symbol control unit 160 in a one-way format, but data is transmitted in a bidirectional format between the voice / lamp control unit 170 and the symbol control unit 160. May be transmitted.

  7 indicate the power supply path to each of the control units 140 to 180. As shown in the figure, the power is first supplied to the power receiving board 410, converted to a predetermined voltage by the power unit 420, and then supplied from the power distribution board 430 to each of the control units 140 to 180. The Further, when the power is turned on, a system reset signal described later is transmitted to all control boards.

  Next, an important control unit constituting the electronic control device 130 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The main control unit 140 is a control unit that controls the basic progress of the game, and executes important processes in the gaming machine 1 such as determination of success / failure. The main control unit 140 receives information from various switches (9a, 9b, 9b, 104, 192, 17s, 19s-22s, 36s, 37s, 318) and the like as shown in FIGS. After performing a predetermined calculation, various commands are output to the payout control unit 150 and the voice / lamp control unit 170, and drive signals are output to various substrates and solenoids.

  The main control unit 140 is configured using a main control board 340 as shown in FIG. The main control board 340 is provided with a main circuit unit 400 and an input / output circuit unit 500. The main circuit unit 400 and the input / output circuit unit 500 are connected using a bus and can exchange data with each other. The main circuit unit 400 includes a CPU (single chip type) 401.

  The CPU 401 is configured to include a CPU core 480, a built-in RAM 481, a built-in ROM 482, and the like. In addition, the CPU 401 executes the control program stored in the ROM 482 while using the RAM 481 as a work area, thereby managing the operation control of the entire gaming machine 1 (that is, the basic progress control of the game) and storing it in the ROM 482. By executing the determined success / failure determination program, control relating to the determination of success / failure is performed.

  The input / output circuit unit 500 is connected to a payout control unit 150 and an audio / lamp control unit 170 via a signal transmission path 500a (see FIG. 7). Further, the input / output circuit unit 500 receives command data as a command signal for instructing processing contents in the payout control unit 150 or the voice / lamp control unit 170 via the signal transmission path 500a or the voice / lamp control. Output to the unit 170. The input / output circuit unit 500 also outputs command data for instructing the processing content in the symbol control unit 160. The command data for the symbol control unit 160 is once output to the voice / lamp control unit 170 and then supplied from the voice / lamp control unit 170 to the symbol control unit 160 via the signal transmission path 500b.

  Further, the input / output circuit unit 500 includes a start opening (ordinary electric accessory 171) winning detection switch 17s, a normal symbol display device board 32f, various solenoids 17c and 313, a right normal symbol operation gate passage detector (right normal symbol). An operation gate passage detection switch) 37s, a left normal symbol operation gate passage detector (left normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch) 36s, and the like are connected.

  The payout control unit 150 is configured by a payout control board (not shown). Similar to the main control board 340, the payout control board includes a main circuit unit and an input / output circuit unit. The main circuit section and the input / output circuit section are also connected using a bus, and data can be exchanged between them. A signal transmission path 500a is connected to the input / output circuit portion of the payout control board. Therefore, the command data output from the main control board 340 is input to the input / output circuit unit of the payout control unit 150 via the signal transmission path 500a. The input / output circuit unit of the payout control unit 150 is also connected with a prize ball payout device 109, a launch device control unit 193, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the sound / lamp control unit 170 outputs a drive signal to a lamp or the like in response to a command from the control board 370 for mainly controlling the speaker 400a and the lamp and the control board 370. The driving substrate 380 for the purpose is mainly composed of two substrates. Among them, the control board 370 is provided with a CPU 171, a RAM 172, a ROM 173, an input / output port 174, a sound generator 176, and a connector CN 1 as arithmetic circuit components, which are mutually connected by a bus 175. It is connected so that data can be exchanged. In addition, the sound generator 176 outputs various sounds from the speaker 400a by reproducing previously stored sound data in accordance with the progress of the game. The volume output from the speaker 400 a can be adjusted by the volume switch board 12.

  A signal transmission path 500a is connected to the input / output port 174. When the main control unit 140 outputs a control command for instructing a game mode such as special symbol change / stop, special game mode, probability change or time reduction, the various control commands output via the signal transmission path 500a. To the input / output port 174. When the control board 370 receives such a control command, the control board 370 performs predetermined processing according to a program stored in advance in the ROM 173 and outputs various commands to the drive board 380. In addition, the control board 370 and the drive board 380 are connected to each other by the connector CN1 and the connector CN2.

  The drive board 380 includes a drive circuit unit 382 that generates drive signals for driving various LEDs, lamps, and the like, and the generated drive signals are sent to various LED boards 4d, 4f, 19f to 22f, various lamp boards 216f, 262f, a connector output unit 384 for outputting to the frame decoration board 4g and the like are provided. One or a plurality of lamps, LEDs, or the like are connected to each of these boards, and are turned on / off or blinking in accordance with the progress of the game by a drive signal supplied from the connector output unit 384. The connector output unit 384 may be provided on a separate substrate from the drive circuit unit 382. In this way, even if the number or color of the lamps such as various LEDs is changed, if it is not necessary to change the drive circuit unit 382, only the connector output unit 384 can be changed.

  The drive circuit unit 382 is mounted with a drive circuit (motor drive circuit) for driving the motor 800 and a drive circuit (solenoid drive circuit) for driving the solenoid 810. The drive signal (drive pulse) generated by the motor drive circuit is output to the motor 800 through the connector output unit 384, and the drive signal generated by the solenoid drive circuit is output to the solenoid 810 through the connector output unit 384.

  The drop effect device 700 is provided with detection means (sensor S1 and switch SWU) for detecting the operating state. These detection means (the sensor S1 and the switch SWU) are connected to the input / output port 174 using a predetermined signal line with the position detection board 197 interposed therebetween, and these detection means detect them. The detection signal can be input to the voice / lamp control unit 170. The operation buttons B1 and B2 are connected to the input / output port 174 using an operation signal transmission path with a button substrate 196 interposed therebetween.

  Here, the motor 800, the motor drive circuit, the solenoid 810, the solenoid drive circuit, and the detection means (sensor S1 and switch SWU) are all components of the drop effect device 700. The motor 800, the motor drive circuit, and the detection means (sensor S1 and switch SWU) are components of the entraining device 730 (described later). The solenoid 810 and the solenoid drive circuit are the drop selection device 740. (Which will be described later). However, details of these components will be described later. Note that a lamp device may be added to the fall effect device 700 in order to increase the fall effect. In this case, the drive circuit unit 382 can be equipped with a drive circuit (illumination drive circuit) for driving the lamp device. In this case, the drive signal generated in the illumination drive circuit is output to the lamp device through the connector output unit 384.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the symbol control unit 160 is mainly configured by a symbol control board 360. The symbol control unit 160 includes a CPU 161, a RAM 162, a ROM 163, an input / output port 164, and a drive circuit 166 as arithmetic circuit components, and these arithmetic circuit components are connected to each other by a bus 165. Data can be exchanged. The input / output port 164 is connected to the signal transmission path 500a and the special fluctuation display means 27. The CPU 161 controls the central device 26 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 163 while using the RAM 162 as a work area.

  A winning ball detection switch 318, 19 s to 22 s and the like are connected to the relay board 190, and an output terminal of the relay board 190 is connected to the input / output circuit unit 500 of the main control unit 140.

  Connected to the payout terminal board 191 are a touch switch 9a, a firing stop switch 9b, a volume switch 192, a tank ball breakage detection switch 104, a supply ball breakage detection switch 108, and the like. The controller 150 is connected to the input / output circuit unit.

  In the electronic control device 130 described above, when a game ball enters the start port 17, the information is detected by the start port winning detection switch 17 s and input to the main control unit 140. When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation left gate 36 or the normal symbol operation right gate 37, the information is detected by the normal symbol operation port passage detectors 36 s and 37 s and input to the main control unit 140. Further, when a winning ball is detected by the winning ball detection switches 19 s to 22 s and 318, the information is input to the main control unit 140 via the relay board 190.

  The main control unit 140 receives these pieces of information and transmits a variation pattern designation command, a stop symbol designation command, and a variation stop command. These commands are supplied to the symbol control unit 160 via the signal transmission path 500a, the sound / lamp control unit 170, and the signal transmission path 500b. The main control unit 140 also transmits a predetermined command to the voice / lamp control unit 170 in synchronization with the command output to the symbol control unit 160. In this way, various effects are performed by performing both symbol display and audio output.

  When the voice / lamp control unit 170 receives the variation pattern designation command and the stop symbol designation command, the voice / lamp control unit 170 determines the pseudo symbol variation mode and the pseudo symbol halt symbol by lottery using a random number or the like. At this time, the sound / lamp control unit 170 determines whether or not to perform the effect using the drop effect device 700, the aspect of the effect, and the like. These details will be described later.

b. Outline of Prize Ball Operation Next, the prize ball operation of the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment will be briefly described. When a game ball enters the big winning opening 31, a winning ball detection switch 318 provided inside the big winning opening 31 detects this and sends a signal notifying the winning to the main control unit 140 via the signal cable. Output. When the signal is received, the main control unit 140 performs processing to be described later, and outputs a command for paying out 15 game balls toward the payout control unit 150. When a game ball enters the start port (ordinary electric accessory) 17, the start port winning detection switch 17s provided inside the start port detects this and sends a signal to the main port via the signal cable. Output to the controller 140. In response to this signal, the main control unit 140 performs a process to be described later, and then outputs a command for paying out four game balls to the payout control unit 150.

  When entering the other winning holes such as the left and right lower winning holes, the passage detection switch provided inside detects the ball and sends a signal to the main control section 140 via the signal cable. Output. The main control unit 140 performs a process to be described later and outputs a command to the payout control unit 150 to pay out 10 game balls. These prize ball commands are transmitted via the signal transmission path 500a in accordance with the order in which the passing of game balls is detected as command signals for which the payout control unit 150 is an operation command target. The payout control unit 150 thus receives the prize ball command from the main control unit 140 and outputs a prize ball payout signal, thereby operating the prize ball payout device 109 to perform the designated number of prize ball operations.

  Further, the main control unit 140 determines the gaming state based on the outputs of the various detection switches described above, determines whether or not the game is based on the gaming state, and displays an image in a corresponding symbol display mode according to the determination content. Read data for display control. For example, the main control unit 140 uses the detection results of the start opening (ordinary electric accessory) winning detection switch 17s, the winning ball detection switch 318, etc., the acquired value of the special symbol success / failure determination random number, and the like. "Waiting for waiting for customers", "A game is being played but there is no special symbol starting prize (variable preparation state)", "A special symbol starting prize has been won", "Special gaming state", etc. to decide. Further, the main control unit 140 determines whether or not the start winning prize is detected based on the random number value, and performs display mode control such as fluctuation of special symbols (including reach display mode) and confirmation based on the determination result. Output various commands. These commands are once output to the voice / lamp control unit 170 via the signal transmission path 500a, and then transmitted from the voice / lamp control section 170 to the symbol control unit 160 via the signal transmission path 500b.

(3) Description of fall effect device a. Next, the drop effect device 700 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 10, and 12 to 23. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the drop effect device 700 includes five drop effect members 701, five string-like members 705, ten restricting members 708, an entrainment device 730, and a drop selection device. 740 and operation control means (sound / lamp control unit 170). The “operation control means” includes a CPU 171 of the sound / lamp control unit 170 and a control program stored in the ROM 173 of the sound / lamp control unit 170 (see FIG. 10). The sound / lamp control unit 170 constitutes a specific example of “operation control means”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drop effect device 700 is arranged in a portion of the central device 26 centered on the upper side of the liquid crystal display device 27. That is, the central device 26 is disposed in a state that can be visually recognized at a substantially central position of the game board 10, and the central device main body 26a is a main component as shown in FIG. The central device body 26a has a mounting hole 26c having a substantially rectangular planar shape (opening shape) opened at a substantially central position of the front surface portion 26b. The front surface of the liquid crystal display device 27 is fitted into the mounting hole 26c. For this reason, the player can view the display screen 271 of the liquid crystal display device 27 from the front of the gaming machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the front surface portion 26b of the central apparatus main body 26a, a pair of guide members are provided below the attachment holes 26c (display screen 271) and on the left and right ends of the front surface portion 26b. 26d and 26d are arranged in a substantially “inverted C shape”. These guide members 26d and 26d are provided in a state of protruding in front of the front surface portion 26b (in the direction of the player). The upper end surface forms a guide passage (so-called stage passage) that slopes downward from a side portion of the central device body 26a toward a lower central portion (a central portion along the left-right direction). In other words, the upper end surfaces of the guide members 26d and 26d guide the game ball entering the front of the front surface portion 26b from the side portion of the central device body 26a to the upper side of the start port (ordinary electric accessory 171) 17 to start A guide passage for promoting winning is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a concealing member 26e is disposed above the attachment hole 26c (display screen 271) in the front surface portion 26b of the central apparatus body 26a. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the concealing member 26e includes a front wall 261e disposed at a predetermined distance from the front surface portion 26b of the central apparatus body 26a, a lower end portion of the front wall 261e, and a front surface portion. 26b, and a bottom wall 262e provided between the first and second walls 26b. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the width (left and right width) of the concealing member 26e is slightly larger than the width (left and right width) of the mounting hole 26c (display screen 271). Further, each end portion (end portion along the left-right direction) of the concealing member 26e and each end portion (end portion along the left-right direction) of the mounting hole 26c (display screen 271) are in the vertical direction of the front surface portion 26b. Are aligned along. Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the bottom wall 262e is provided with a through hole 263e so as to penetrate the upper and lower surfaces thereof. The width (left-right width) of the through hole 263e is substantially equal to the width (left-right width) of the mounting hole 26c (display screen 271).

  In the central device 26, as shown in FIG. 12, a space portion 26g is formed between the front wall 261e and the front surface portion 26b (a portion above the mounting hole 26c), and the space portion 26g conceals the space. A space portion K1 is configured. Since the concealing space portion K1 is blocked by the concealing member 26e, the player in front of the gaming machine 1 cannot be visually recognized.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this central device 26, the part sandwiched between the concealing member 26e and the guide members 26d, 26d, in other words, the part located in front of the mounting hole 26c (display screen 271) is a space. 26h. The space portion 26h can be visually recognized by a player in front of the gaming machine 1 because there is no member that obstructs visual recognition in front of the space portion 26h. In addition, the player in front of the gaming machine 1 visually recognizes the display screen 271 on the back side of the space portion 26h (in the back direction of the gaming machine 1). This space portion 26h constitutes a drop effect space portion K2.

  In this embodiment, the aforementioned “through hole 263e (through hole 263e in the bottom wall 262e)” functions as a communication hole that connects the concealing space K1 and the drop effect space K2.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the main part of the entraining device 730 is disposed in the concealing space K1. Further, the main part of the drop selecting device 770 is arranged at the boundary part (that is, the through hole 263e) between the concealing space part K1 and the drop effect space part K2. Further, the regulating member 708 is disposed in the concealing space K1.

  As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the winding device 730 includes a shaft body 731, five pulleys 732, a rotating plate 733, and a motor 800. Among these, the shaft body 731 has the axial center arranged in the horizontal direction (referenced to the player).

  The five pulleys 732 are concentrically attached to the shaft body 731 and mounted so as to be integrally rotatable. The arrangement intervals of these five pulleys 732 are equally spaced along the axial direction of the shaft body 732. That is, the five pulleys 732 are arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction (with respect to the player), and the rotation center axis thereof is directed in the horizontal direction (with reference to the player). Each pulley 732 is provided with an attachment portion (not shown) for connecting (attaching) “one end portion (not shown)” of one string-like member 705. The “one end portion” of the string-like member 705 constitutes a specific example of the “attached portion”.

  In the winding device 730, the string-like member 705 is sequentially wound around each pulley 732 from one end portion toward the other end portion 705b. A specific example of the “suspended portion” is configured by the other end portion of the string-like member 705. In this embodiment, an example in which a “attached portion” is provided at one end of the string-like member 705 and a “suspended portion” is provided at the other end of the string-like member 705 is illustrated. ”And“ suspended portion ”may be provided at an intermediate portion (intermediate portion along the length direction) of the string-like member 705.

  When the winding device 730 winds the string-like member 705, when the shaft body 731 is rotated in one direction (forward rotation direction) and the five pulleys 732 are rotated in one direction (forward rotation direction), The string-like member 705 wound around each pulley 732 is fed out from each pulley 732 with the “other end portion 705b” at the head. On the other hand, when the winding device 730 is feeding the string-like member 705, when the shaft body 731 is rotated in the other direction (reverse direction) and the five pulleys 732 are rotated in the other direction (reverse direction), The drawn-out string-like member 705 is wound around each pulley 732 with its “one end” at the head.

  The drop effect member 701 is a member having a shape imitating an insect and is suspended from the suspended portion (the other end portion 705b) of each corresponding string-like member 705 as shown in FIG.

  The motor 800 is configured using a stepping motor. The rotation operation and stop operation of the motor 800 are controlled using a control signal transmitted from the sound / lamp control unit 170. The rotating shaft 801 of the motor 800 and one end portion of the shaft body 731 are coaxial and connected to each other so as to be integrally rotatable. The rotating plate 733 is mounted concentrically with the shaft body 731 on the other end side of the shaft body 731 and is integrally rotatable. For this reason, in the winding device 730, when the rotation shaft 801 of the motor 800 is rotationally driven, the shaft body 731, the five pulleys 732, and the rotation plate 733 are configured to operate in either the left or right rotation direction. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15A, a protruding portion t having a substantially arc-shaped planar shape protrudes from one side surface portion of the rotating plate 733. The protrusion t constitutes an index portion used for specifying the rotation reference position of the rotary plate 733 and eventually the five pulleys 732. The above-described sensor S1 is configured by using an optical sensor, and detects the protrusion t when the rotating protrusion t passes at a position facing one side surface of the rotating plate 33. It is arranged at a possible site. The sensor S1 is connected to the sound / lamp control unit 170 via the position detection board 197 (see FIG. 10).

  The projecting portion t constituting the index portion rotates integrally with the rotating plate 733, the shaft body 731 and the five pulleys 732, and only once during one rotation (while rotating 360 degrees), is a sensor (optical sensor). Passes the detection range of S1. Each time the index portion constituted by the protrusion t passes through the detection range of the sensor (optical sensor) S1, a passing signal is output from the sensor (optical sensor) S1, and the passing signal is output from the position detection board 197. Sent to.

  As described above, when the position detection board 197 receives the passage signal, the position detection board 197 transmits a detection signal to the sound / lamp control unit 170. For this reason, the sound / lamp control unit 170 can grasp the current phase (rotation angle) of the five pulleys 732 (the rotation plate 733) using this detection signal. That is, the sound / lamp control unit 170 manages the timing of receiving the detection signal and the number of drive pulses supplied to the motor 800 after the reception. Accordingly, the sound / lamp control unit 170 can grasp the current rotation amount and phase (rotation angle) of the five pulleys 732 (rotary plate 733). In this embodiment, the pulley 732 (rotary plate 733) is also counted by counting the total number of drive signals (drive pulses) supplied from the motor drive circuit to the motor 800 for using a stepping motor as the motor 800. The current rotation amount and phase (rotation angle) can be grasped.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the drop selecting device 740 includes an opening / closing door 750, the solenoid 810 described above, and an opening / closing arm 771. Among these, the opening / closing door 750 is configured in a rectangular plate shape and attached to the lower end portion of the concealing member 26e in a rotatable state. That is, the opening / closing door 750 has a front end portion 750a pivotally supported by the bottom wall 262e. When the rear end portion 750b of the open / close door 750 is directed rearward and the rotation restricting surface 750c on the upper surface of the rear end portion 750b is brought into contact with the rotation restricting surface 266e of the bottom wall 262e, the entire open / close door 750 is penetrated. Enter the hole 263e. Accordingly, the through hole 263e is closed by the open / close door 750, and the concealing space K1 and the drop effect space K2 are blocked. Then, the drop effect member 701 in the concealment member 26e is prohibited from falling into the drop effect space K2 (see FIG. 16).

  On the other hand, when the rear end 750b of the open / close door 750 is directed downward, the through hole 263e is opened, and the blocking of the concealing space K1 and the drop effect space K2 is released. Thereby, the drop effect member 701 in the concealment member 26e is allowed to fall into the drop effect space K2. Note that when the rear end 750b of the open / close door 750 is directed downward and the through hole 263e is opened, the open / close door 750 is operated (rotated) so that the rear end 750b thereof is directed rearward. A specific example of “drop prevention operation” is configured. On the other hand, when the rear end 750b of the open / close door 750 is directed rearward and the through hole 263e is closed, the open / close door 750 is operated (rotated) so that the rear end 750b faces downward. A specific example of “drop-allowing operation” is configured.

  The opening / closing door 750 includes a door body 751 and a protrusion 757. Among these, the front end part of the door main body 751 is attached in the state which can be rotated with respect to the lower end part of the concealment member 26e. That is, the rotation shaft 752 is attached to a portion of the door main body 751 on the front end side. The rotation shaft 752 is pivotally supported by the concealing member 26e so as to be rotatable. For this reason, the open / close door 750 is pivotable up and down with the pivot shaft 752 as the center.

  The protrusion 757 protrudes upward from the front end of the door body 751 (the front end 750a of the opening / closing door 750) (provided that the opening / closing door 750 is horizontal and the through hole 263e is closed). Is provided. The protrusion 757 functions as a transmission unit for transmitting the driving force applied from the solenoid 810 to the door body 751. The protruding portion 757 is provided with a substantially U-shaped cutout portion 757 a at an upper end portion thereof (portion positioned on the upper end side when the open / close door 750 is leveled). The projecting portion 757 branches into two branches before and after the notch 757a. In the following description, the first portion of the protrusion 757 is located on the front side of the notch 757a (the front side when the door 750 is leveled). A portion located rearward (a portion located rearward when the open / close door 750 is leveled) is referred to as a second contact portion 757c. Further, the first contact portion 757b and the second contact portion 757c are configured in a “substantially V-shape” with the protruding end portion rounded.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the solenoid 810 includes a plunger 813 a that is slidably supported by a bearing (not shown), and a solenoid coil (not shown) arranged at the outer peripheral position of the plunger 813 a. Return means (return spring) 813c. Further, a substantially disc-shaped locking portion 813d is provided concentrically with the plunger 813a at the protruding end of the plunger 813a (the end close to the opening / closing door 750).

  When the solenoid 810 does not energize the solenoid coil, the plunger 813a and the locking portion 813d are driven downward (in the direction approaching the opening / closing door 750) by the urging force of the return means (return spring) 813c. On the other hand, when energizing the solenoid coil, a traction force having a magnitude proportional to the current is generated from the solenoid coil to the plunger 813a. For this reason, the plunger 813a and the locking portion 813d are driven upward (in a direction away from the opening / closing door 750) while opposing the urging force of the return means (return spring) 813c.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the opening / closing arm 771 is interposed between the solenoid 810 and the opening / closing door 750, and transmits the driving force of the solenoid 810 to the opening / closing door 750. The opening / closing arm 771 is rotatable (swingable) about a rotation fulcrum 771a provided at the intermediate portion. The opening / closing arm 771 has a front portion 771b in front of the rotation fulcrum portion 771a and a rear portion 771c in rear of the rotation fulcrum portion 771a. Among these, the front portion 771b is configured in a substantially crank shape, and a lower end portion (an end portion at a position close to the opening / closing door 750) 771d is rounded into a curved surface. The lower end 771d is inserted into the notch 757a of the protrusion 757 with play.

  On the other hand, the rear portion 771c is constituted by two locking pieces 771g and 771h protruding in a substantially V shape. An interval substantially equal to the thickness of the locking portion 813d is provided between the locking pieces 771g and 771h on the base end side (the side close to the rotation fulcrum portion 771a). Moreover, the space | interval between these latching pieces 771g and 771h is gradually expanded toward those projecting end side. And the lower end part of the latching | locking part 813d is inserted between these latching pieces 771g and 771h.

  In the drop selection device 740, when energizing the “solenoid coil constituting the solenoid 810” is not performed, the plunger 813a and the locking portion 813d are driven downward. For this reason, the locking portion 813d presses the rear portion 771c downward, and the opening / closing arm 771 rotates around the rotation fulcrum portion 771a in the closing direction (right rotation direction as viewed from the right side of the gaming machine 1). To do. That is, the two locking pieces 771g and 771h tilt downward. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 17, the lower end 771d of the front portion 771b comes into contact with the first contact portion 757b. The lower end 771d presses the first abutting portion 757b forward, so that the open / close door 750 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 752. When the restricting surface 750c is brought into contact with the rotation restricting surface 266e, the entire opening / closing door 750 enters the through hole 263e, becomes substantially horizontal, and closes the through hole 263e.

  On the other hand, when the drop selection device 740 in the closed state is energized to the “solenoid coil constituting the solenoid 810”, the plunger 813a and the locking portion 813d are driven upward. For this reason, the locking portion 813d presses the rear portion 771c upward, and the opening / closing arm 771 rotates around the rotation fulcrum portion 771a in the opening direction (left rotation direction as viewed from the right side of the gaming machine 1). To do. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 17, the lower end portion 71d of the front portion 771b comes into contact with the second contact portion 757c, and the lower end portion 771d presses the second contact portion 757c rearward. For this reason, the opening / closing door 750 rotates rightward (observed from the right side of the gaming machine 1 in the right rotation direction) around the rotation shaft 752, and substantially the whole except for the front end 750 a of the opening / closing door 750. Then, it escapes downward from the through hole 263e to open the through hole 263e.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the regulating member 708 is configured using a plate-like body having a substantially rectangular planar shape, and a total of ten regulating members are disposed in the concealing space K1. That is, in the concealing space portion K1, two restriction members 708 are provided at each portion sandwiched between the pulleys 732 and the open / close door 750, respectively. Here, the pair of restricting members 708 positioned below the pulleys 732 are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, with the front and back surfaces directed to the side (based on the player). Each pair of regulating members 708 positioned below each pulley 732 forms a space portion (hereinafter referred to as “regulating space portion”) 708 a immediately below each pulley 732. The restriction space portion 708a has a space width through which the drop effect member 701 can pass.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, a state where five restriction space portions 708 a are arranged along the horizontal direction (based on the player) in the concealment space portion K <b> 1 (above the opening / closing door 750). It becomes. Also, each pulley 732 is arranged directly above each regulation space 708a, and a string-like member 705 fed out from each pulley 732 enters from the other end (suspended part) 705b side. is doing. Then, when each pulley 732 entrains the string-like member 705 and winds up each drop effect member 701 to the concealment space K1, each drop effect member 701 enters the restriction space 708a positioned immediately above it. .

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 (b), detection means (switch SWU) is provided in one of the five restriction spaces 708a, and the upper limit of movement of the drop effect member 701 is detected. Is done. Thereby, it is possible to reliably stop the fall effect member 701 at the upper limit position (winding position). In this embodiment, the control related to the rendering operation of the drop rendering device 700 is simplified so that the “winding position” is always a constant position. In this embodiment, the switch (SWU) is configured using a micro switch. That is, when the winding device 730 performs the winding operation and is wound up above the drop effect member 701, when the drop effect member 701 contacts the switch SWU, it is confirmed that the drop effect member 701 has reached the upper limit position. . At this time, the rotational drive of the motor 800 is stopped, and the drop effect member 701 stops at this upper limit position.

b. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the drop effect member 701 moves in the drop direction in a state in which the drop selection device 740 is allowed to drop (a state in which the through hole 263 e is opened). The following explanation is based on the case where the position is the limit position (hereinafter referred to as the movement limit position in the falling direction, which is regulated by the amount of feeding of the string-like member 705, and hereinafter referred to as “falling limit position”). Do. In this case, each drop effect member 701 is positioned in front of the display screen 271 of the liquid crystal display device 27 while being suspended from the other end portion (suspended portion) 705 b of the string-like member 705. The “falling limit position” is a position that exists in the drop effect space K2, and can be changed as appropriate by changing the feeding amount of the string-like member 705. In the present embodiment, the “falling limit position” is always set to a constant position, so that the control relating to the rendering operation of the drop rendering device 700 is simplified.

  When the drop effect member 701 is at the drop limit position, the winding device 730 performs a winding operation (hereinafter referred to as “winding processing (S1730)”) at a predetermined timing, and the string member 705 is attached to the pulley 732. The fall effect member 701 is rolled up. This winding process (S1730) is performed by rotating the motor 800 in the reverse direction (direction in which the string-like member 705 is wound) as shown in FIG. 19 (S1732). When the switch SWU detects that the drop effect member 701 has reached the origin (winding position) (S1735), the rotation of the motor 800 is stopped (S1740). At this time, as shown in FIG. 20, the drop effect member 701 basically reaches the winding position, that is, the origin.

  Then, after the processing of S1740, the sensor (optical sensor) S1 also determines whether or not it has detected that the drop effect member 701 has reached the origin (winding position) (S1745). If determined (1745; YES), the entrainment process is terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in the processing of S1745, after the alarm processing is executed (S1750), the entrainment processing is terminated.

  That is, when a positive determination is made in the processing of S1745, since the string-like member 705 is normally wound by the pulley 732, the arrival of the drop effect member 701 at the origin (winding position) is indicated by the switch SWU. And the sensor (optical sensor) S1 detect both. On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in the processing of S1745, the string-like member 705 has a defect such as “entanglement” or “elongation”. For this reason, after carrying out processing (alarm processing) such as returning the string-like member 705 to a normal state (for example, releasing “entanglement”) or exchanging the string-like member 705 (S1750), the winding process is terminated. To do. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 20, the drop selecting device 740 is in a state in which a drop prohibiting operation is performed (a state in which the through hole 263e is closed). That is, the operation control means (sound / lamp control unit 170) executes “a process for causing the drop selecting device 740 to execute the drop prohibiting operation in a state where the drop effect member 701 is wound up to the winding position”.

  When a predetermined condition is satisfied when the drop effect member 701 reaches the origin (winding position), the winding device 730 performs a feeding operation (hereinafter referred to as “feeding processing (S1150)”), and the pulley. The string-like member 705 wound around 732 is fed out. That is, the operation control means (sound / lamp control unit 170) executes “a process for causing the entraining device 730 to execute the feeding operation”. As shown in FIG. 21, the feeding process (S1150) is performed by rotating the motor 800 in the forward rotation direction (direction in which the string-like member 705 is fed out) (S1152). When the rotation amount of the motor 800 in the forward rotation direction reaches a specific amount (S1154; YES), the rotation of the motor 800 is stopped (S1156). This specific amount is a rotation amount to be given to the motor 800 in order to set the feeding amount of the string-like member 705 as the “falling effect necessary amount”. The “falling effect required amount” is a specific example of the “predetermined amount (predetermined amount that allows the falling effect member to reach the fall effect space)” according to the first aspect of the invention. In the present embodiment, the “falling effect necessary amount” is set as “the feeding amount of the string-like member 705” which is necessary for “making the falling effect member 701 at the winding position reach the drop limit position”.

  The process of S1154 can be performed by grasping the current rotation amount of the five pulleys 732 (rotary plate 733) using the sensor (optical sensor) S1 and the position detection board 197. In this embodiment, the step S1154 can also be performed by counting the total number of drive signals (drive pulses) supplied from the motor drive circuit to the motor 800 for using a stepping motor as the motor 800. it can.

  When this feeding process (S1150) is completed, as shown in FIG. 22, the drop effect member 701 moves downward in the restriction space portion 708a, contacts the upper surface portion of the opening / closing door 750, and conceals space portion K1 (opening / closing) Stops in (above door 750). This is because the drop selecting device 740 performs the drop prohibiting operation and closes the through hole 263e during the feeding process (S1150). Then, at the time when the feeding process (S1150) is completed, a portion corresponding to the above-mentioned “drop effect necessary amount” in the string-like member 705 becomes a “sagging portion 705T”, which is inside the restricted space portion 708a. Exists. That is, the tension (tension) applied to the string-like member 705 is released, and the “slack portion 705T” appears.

  At this time, in this embodiment, the five “slack portions 705T” are present in a relatively narrow concealing space K1 (above the open / close door 750), but each “slack portion 705T” is present. Since the existing portion (restriction space portion 708a) is a space portion independent from each other (independent space portion formed by using a pair of restriction members 708), each “slack portion 705T” is another “slack”. Entanglement with “part 705T” is prevented.

  In this embodiment, after completing the feeding process (S1150), the drop selecting device 740 is allowed to perform a drop allowing operation at a predetermined timing (hereinafter, this process is referred to as “drop process”). That is, the operation control means (sound / lamp control unit 170) executes “a process for causing the drop selecting device 740 to perform a drop-permitting operation”. Specifically, the solenoid 810 is used to change the posture of the open / close door 750 to an open posture (rotate it to the right), and substantially the entire portion excluding the front end portion 750a of the open / close door 750 from the through hole 263e to the lower side. The through hole 263e is opened.

  When this “falling process” is executed, as shown in FIG. 23, the drop effect member 701 suddenly falls into the drop effect space K2 (in front of the display screen 271) using its own weight. However, this fall is performed by applying a feeding operation to the winding device 730 in a “state in which tension (tension) caused by the weight of the drop effect member 701 is applied to the string-like member 705”. is not. In other words, the dropping is executed after the winding device 730 is fed out in advance to release the tension (tension) applied to the string-like member 705 and make it loose.

  In the present embodiment, the fall effect member 701 is instantaneously caused to appear in the player's field of view (in the fall effect space K2) by the fall. Then, the drop effect member 701 that appears is vibrated in various directions while being suspended by the string-like member 705, and until the vibration converges (that is, as shown in FIG. 18, the drop effect member 701). The fall effect member 701 swings randomly.

  When this drop effect is finished, the winding device 730 performs a winding operation (“rolling process (S1730)), winds the string-like member 705 around the pulley 732, and winds the drop effect member 701. Thereafter, the drop effect device. In 700, as shown in FIG. 20, the drop selecting device 740 is in a state in which a drop prohibiting operation is performed (a state in which the through-hole 263e is closed), and waits for the next “fall effect”.

(4) Outline of Special Symbol Display Game Hereinafter, the outline of the special symbol display game will be described separately for the case where the drop effect is not executed and the case where the drop effect is executed.

a. When the drop effect is not executed In this gaming machine, when a start winning is generated and the “display execution condition (display execution condition of the determination result symbol)” related to the result of the success / failure determination is satisfied, as shown in FIGS. On the main symbol display units 272 and 273 and the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 of the liquid crystal display device 27, the special symbol variation display (that is, the effect display) is started. Then, after a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed, the special symbol stop symbol (that is, the determination result symbol) is fixedly displayed on both the main symbol display units 272 and 273 and the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277.

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 24 (a) and 24 (b), when the special symbol stop symbol indicates that the result of the determination is “displaced” (the result of the determination is incorrect). At this time, the “one special symbol display game started due to one start winning game” is ended. Note that FIG. 24A shows a “off display without a reach effect (so-called“ ordinary failure ”), and FIG. 24B shows a“ display with a reach effect (so-called “out reach”). ing.

  If the special symbol is stopped and the result of the judgment is “standard normal hit” (if the result of the judgment is a standard normal result), As shown in FIG. 25, after “reach display” is performed, “hit display (hit display using standard normal winning symbol)” is performed. When this “big hit display” is performed, the game state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the first big hit state after executing “shift display for shifting to the first big hit” or the like. When the first big hit state is entered, “first unit driving” is performed on the opening / closing plate 312 (opening / closing member).

  In the “first unit driving”, the position of the opening / closing plate 312 (opening / closing member) is changed from the position of closing the prize winning opening 311 (hereinafter referred to as “closed position”) to the position of opening the prize winning opening 311 ( (Hereinafter referred to as “open posture”), and after maintaining this open posture for a first time (for example, a time selected from 20 seconds to 35 seconds), the posture of the opening / closing plate 312 (opening / closing member) is changed. , “Opening / closing operation of the opening / closing plate 312 (opening / closing member)” configured to return to the closed posture.

  When this “first unit driving” is executed a total of 15 times (a specific example of the first number is shown) with a predetermined interval time (hereinafter referred to as “first interval time”) interposed therebetween. The gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is returned from the first big hit gaming state to the normal gaming state. Thus, the “one special symbol display game started due to one start winning prize” is ended. After the completion of the “first big hit gaming state resulting from the standard normal hit”, the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed to the normal gaming mode.

  When the special symbol stop symbol is used to confirm that the result of the success / failure determination is “per standard probability variation” (when the determination result symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is per standard probability variation is displayed) In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, after “reach display” is performed, “hit display (hit display using standard probability variation symbols)” is performed. When this “big hit display” is performed, the game state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the first big hit state after executing “shift display for shifting to the first big hit” or the like. Even in the first big hit state, the “first unit driving” is a total of 15 (specifically the first number of times) with a predetermined interval time (hereinafter referred to as “first interval time”) interposed therebetween. An example is shown.) When executed once, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is returned from the first jackpot gaming state to the normal gaming state.

  Thus, the “one special symbol display game started due to one start winning prize” is ended. After the “first jackpot gaming state resulting from per standard probability change”, the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is set to the probability changing mode.

  When the special symbol stop symbol is used to confirm that the result of the success / failure determination is “per chance” (when the determination result symbol indicating that the result of the success / failure determination is per chance is displayed), FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, after the “reach display” is performed, the “big hit display (big hit display using symbols per chance)” is performed. When this “big hit display” is made, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the second big hit state. When the second big hit state is entered, the “second unit drive” is performed on the opening / closing plate 312 (opening / closing member).

  In the “second unit driving”, the posture of the opening / closing plate 312 (opening / closing member) is changed from the “closed posture” to the “open posture”, and this open posture is changed to the “second time shorter than the first time”. For example, a time selected from 0.1 seconds to 0.3 seconds), and then the opening / closing plate 312 (opening / closing member) is returned to the closed posture. 312 (opening / closing operation of opening / closing member) ”.

  When the “second unit driving” is executed a total of two times (a specific example of the second number is shown) with a predetermined interval time (hereinafter referred to as “second interval time”) interposed therebetween. The gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is returned from the second jackpot gaming state to the normal gaming state. Thus, the “one special symbol display game started due to one start winning prize” is ended. Then, after the end of the “second big hit gaming state due to chances”, the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is set to the probability variation mode.

  In the present embodiment, the time spent for the individual second unit drive (first time) is set to be shorter than the time spent for the individual first unit drive (first time). ing. Moreover, the “number of second unit drivings executed during the second jackpot gaming state” is set to be smaller than the “number of first unit drivings executed during the first jackpot gaming state”. Has been. Therefore, the probability that the game ball wins the variable winning device 31 during the execution of the “second jackpot gaming state” (the aforementioned “second probability”) is the same as that during the execution of the “first jackpot gaming state”. This is lower than the probability that the game ball will win the variable winning device 31 (the above-mentioned “first probability”). In this embodiment, the second time is set to “very short time (a time selected from 0.1 seconds to 0.3 seconds)” and “repetitive execution of“ second unit driving ”is performed. “Number of times” is set to the minimum number (2 times). For this reason, the “second probability” is particularly low, and winning of a game ball occurs only rarely.

b. When a fall effect is executed A drop effect using the drop effect member 701 is executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied in a special symbol display game that performs “reach display” in the middle. In other words, among the special symbol display games related to (1) big hits (whether it is per standard or per chance), and (2) related to outlier reach This is executed when a specific condition is satisfied in the special symbol display game.

  When executing the drop effect, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the drop effect is executed by the drop effect device 700 simultaneously with the execution of the reach display. For this reason, the fall effect member 701 suddenly falls in front of the display screen 271 simultaneously with the execution of the reach display. That is, the player has the highest gaze on the display screen 271. When the reach display is executed, the drop effect member 701 suddenly falls in front of the display screen 271 and appears in front of the player. I get a big surprise.

  When executing the drop effect, the drop effect device 700 executes the entrainment process after the result symbol indicating the result of the determination is displayed on the display screen 271. For this reason, the drop effect member 701 in front of the player is dissipated toward the upper concealing space K1. Even when the drop effect is executed, the progress mode of the special symbol display game is the same except for “the portion related to the execution of the drop effect member 701”.

(5) Outline of Control Job by Main Control Unit Next, the contents of control of the gaming machine 1 executed by the electronic control device 130 will be described.

a. Main Control Unit Main Job FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit main job. The main control unit main job is a job executed by the main control board 340 mounted on the main control unit 140, and is a job for controlling the progress of the entire game in the gaming machine 1. In the main control unit main job, when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed, the CPU 480 built in the main circuit unit 400 reads a program stored in the boot area of the built-in ROM 482. Will start automatically.

  In this gaming machine 1, there are many jobs other than the main job of the main control unit. Many of these jobs are executed by being called from the main job of the main control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. .

  When the main job of the main control unit is started, first, an initialization job is executed (S10). In this initialization job, after performing various predetermined processes performed when the power is turned on, a process of outputting an initial symbol designation command to the voice / lamp control unit 170 is performed. The various processes performed when the power is turned on include, for example, checking the operation of the CPU 480 built in the main circuit unit 401 and initializing the RAM, the voice / lamp control unit 170, the payout control unit 150, and the design. This is processing for initializing each control unit such as the control unit 160. The initial symbol is a symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 32, the liquid crystal display device 27 (see FIG. 2) or the like when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset button is pressed. The designation command is a command for designating display of these initial symbols to the symbol control unit 160.

  FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which an initial symbol designation command is output from the main control unit 140. The main control board 340 provided in the main control unit 140 outputs a 1-bit strobe signal and 8-bit command data to the sound / lamp control board 370. Further, the voice / lamp control board 370 can read the initial symbol designation command reliably by reading the command data at the rising timing of the strobe signal. Although the case where the initial symbol designation command is output has been described here, other commands output by the main control unit 140 are also output in the same procedure. The initial symbol establishment command supplied together with the strobe signal is immediately transferred from the voice / lamp control unit 170 to the symbol control unit 160, and is controlled by the normal symbol display device 32 or the liquid crystal display device 27 under the control of the symbol control unit 160, respectively. The initial symbol is displayed at.

  As is clear from the above description, in the gaming machine 1, the main control unit 140 performs predetermined processing and outputs various commands. Upon receiving these commands, the voice / lamp control unit 170 and the symbol control unit 160 The game proceeds by performing predetermined processing such as the payout control unit 150. In other words, the main control unit 140 and other various control units control the operation of the gaming machine 1 while sharing the processing with each other. Therefore, for convenience of understanding, the processing performed in the main control unit 140 is hereinafter referred to as “job”, and the processing performed in the voice / lamp control unit 170, the symbol control unit 160, and the like is “routine”. I will call it a distinction.

  After completing the initialization job as described above, the main control unit 140 returns to the main control unit main job shown in FIG. 30 and starts a demonstration display job this time (S30). Here, the demonstration display refers to an effect display specially performed with a normal symbol or a special symbol in order to attract the player's attention when the gaming machine 1 is in a so-called customer waiting state.

  In the main control unit main job, when the series of processes as described above are completed, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gates 36 and 37 (S80). When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gates 36 and 37, it is determined whether or not the number of normal symbols held exceeds a predetermined number (the upper limit is “4” in this embodiment). (S83). If the number of normal symbol hold (number of unstarted times) exceeds a predetermined number (“4” in this embodiment), the “normal symbol start passing” becomes invalid and the process skips to S100. Further, if the number of reservations is within the predetermined number (the number of unstarted times), in S85, the number of normal symbol reservations (not shown, but provided in the RAM 481) stored in the normal symbol reservation number memory (not shown). (Unstarted count) is incremented by 1.

  In this way, when the number of normal symbol hold (unstarted number) is incremented by 1, in step S90, a winning lottery random number (random number used in the “winning lottery”) used for a winning lottery regarding the normal symbol is generated (even if generated by a program). In this case, the read lottery random number value is stored in a normal symbol win / fail lottery random number memory (not shown, but provided in the RAM 481), and then in S100. Transition to processing. In addition, when the game ball does not pass through the normal symbol variation gates 36 and 37, but there is a reserved memory regarding the normal symbol (S95: YES), the process proceeds to S100.

  In the process of S100, a job for controlling the effect on the normal symbol display device 32 (ordinary symbol control job) is performed. Further, in the process of S200, a job for controlling the driving of the ordinary electric accessory 171 ( Normal electric accessory drive control job).

  Next, the main control unit 140 determines whether or not a game ball has entered any of a plurality of winning holes provided in the gaming machine (S300). As described above, a switch for detecting the passing of a winning ball is provided inside each winning opening, and a signal detected by the switch is transmitted to the main control board 340 by a signal cable. Then, the main control unit 140 can easily detect the winning opening where the ball has been entered based on which signal cable is transmitted from which signal.

  Further, the main control unit 140 outputs a prize ball command for paying out a predetermined number of game balls according to the entrance where the ball entered (S310). The prize ball command is output from the main control unit 140 toward the payout control unit 150, and the payout control unit 150 controls the prize ball payout device 109 according to the command to pay out a predetermined number of game balls. Of course, it is also possible to output a command from the main control unit 140 to the sound / lamp control unit 170 to perform a predetermined effect associated with the prize ball.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 140 determines whether or not the winning opening into which the game ball has entered is the starting opening 17, that is, whether or not a starting winning has occurred (S315). And when it is not the starting port 17 (S315; NO), it skips to S350. On the other hand, when the winning opening that has entered the ball is the start opening 17 (S315: YES), in S320, whether the number of special symbol reservation exceeds a specific number (the upper limit number, which is “4” in this embodiment) It is determined whether or not. If this special symbol hold number (the number of unstarted times) exceeds a specific number (“4” in this embodiment), the start winning is invalid, and the process skips to S500. If the number of special symbol reservations within the specific number (unstarted number), the special symbol reservation number (unstarted number) stored in the special symbol reservation number memory 481b (see FIG. 9) is incremented by 1 in S325. To do.

  Thus, when the number of special symbol hold (unstarted number) is incremented by 1, in S330, a special symbol success / failure determination random number (hereinafter also referred to as a failure random number or determination random number) is generated (even if generated by a program, A predetermined random number generation circuit may be used. The read determination random number value is stored in a special symbol success / failure determination random number memory 481a (see FIG. 9: hereinafter also referred to as a determination random number memory) in S330, and then S500. Move on to processing. The memory 481a stores the read determination random number value in the time series of special symbol start winnings in a shift memory format.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the special symbol appropriateness determination random number memory 481a includes four storage areas “area 0”, “area 1”, “area 2”, and “area 3”. The determination random number values can be stored in the order of “area 0”, “area 1”, “area 2”, and “area 3”. That is, the determination random number value stored at the oldest timing is stored in “area 0”. In addition, the number of determination random number values (that is, the specific number) that can be simultaneously stored in the special symbol appropriateness determination random number memory 481a is limited to the number of regions. Furthermore, when the number of determination random number values currently occurring is less than the specific number, there is an empty area where no determination random number value is stored. Then, each time “special symbol variation display” corresponding to each determination random value is executed, the storage data of “area 0” (the determination random value and the oldest one) is cleared, and “ Data stored in each of the “area 1”, “area 2”, and “area 3” (only when they exist and when they exist in all of the areas 1 to 3, and when they exist in the areas 1 and 2) , There is a case where it exists only in the region 1 and a case where it does not exist in all of the region 1 to the region 3).

  In the process of S500, a job (special symbol control job) for controlling the effect in the liquid crystal display device 27 is performed. Then, after the processing subsequent to the processing in S500 is performed in the gaming state control job (S900), the predetermined “one series of symbol display games with one start winning” is ended. The contents of the special symbol control job S500 will be described later. If it is determined in S350 that there is no special symbol hold number (unstarted number), the special symbol control job S500 and the gaming state control job (S900) are not performed.

  When the above processing is performed, it is determined whether or not the power of the gaming machine 1 is turned off (S980). If it is determined that the power is on (S980: NO), the processing of S30 is again performed. Return to the demo display job and continue the series of processes On the other hand, if it is determined that the power of the pachinko machine 1 has been turned off (S980: YES), the main control unit main job is terminated. Then, when the main control unit main job is finished, the progress of the game is stopped and the gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 is finished.

b. Description of Main Job Next, the special symbol control job (S500) and the gaming state control job (S900) will be described. FIG. 32A is a flowchart showing the flow of the special symbol control job (S500). In the special symbol control job (S500), when the job is started, a special symbol success / failure determination job (S600) and a “special symbol display control command setting job (S700)” are performed.

  In the special symbol success / failure determination job (S600), a process of determining “success / failure determination” and determining “a symbol to be finalized after the change of the special symbol (definite symbol)” is performed. This special symbol success / failure determination job (S500) is performed as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 33, in S605, the oldest special symbol determination random number value at the head stored in the special symbol determination random number memory 481a (see FIG. 9) is read, and the process proceeds to S610. Next, in S610, the big hit number (winning judgment value) is read from the big hit number memory 482a in the ROM 482 shown in FIG. 16, and compared with the special symbol success / failure determination random number value (S620 or S625). If it does, it will be a big hit determination, and a big hit process (S650) will be performed. On the other hand, if they do not coincide with each other, it is determined that there is a detachment, and detachment processing (processing after S680) is performed.

  However, prior to determining whether or not the game machine 1 is in a high probability state, whether or not the probability change transition flag is set, that is, whether or not the game mode of the game machine 1 is the probability variation mode. If it is determined (S615) and it is not in a high probability state (when the probability variation transition flag is not set) (S615; NO), this determination is made using the “data table at low probability” (S615). S620). On the other hand, when the gaming machine 1 is in a high probability state (when the probability variation transition flag is set) (S615; YES), this determination is made using the “data table at the time of high probability” ( S625).

  In the big hit process (S650), as shown in FIG. 34, first, the process proceeds to S652, where the winning symbol (the first symbol for indicating the winning and the second symbol, both of which are the same symbol). Is determined) is read, and the read random number value is stored in the corresponding symbol number memory 481e (see FIG. 9) (S654). Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the winning design determination random number read in S605 and the winning number for determining the probability variation (hereinafter referred to as “probable changing winning number”) match (S660). If the two do not match (S660; NO), the selection is lost (normal winning), and the process directly proceeds to S668.

  On the other hand, if the two match (S660; YES), the winning (probable hit) is determined, and after the “probable hit flag” is set (S665), the process proceeds to S664. The process of S664 is a process of determining whether or not the winning (probable change) determined in the process of S660 is "per chance". If it is not “per chance” (per stand probability fluctuation) (S664; NO), the process proceeds to S668 as it is. On the other hand, if it is “per chance” (S664; YES), after a chance chance flag is set (S666), the process proceeds to S668. The “per chance chance” is a flag indicating that a chance per chance has occurred.

  In S668, the “big hit flag (flag indicating that the big hit determination result is a win)” is set in the special symbol determination result memory 481i (see FIG. 9). In this embodiment, S660 processing, that is, a lottery (probability variation lottery) related to “probability variation (probability variation)” is determined as a random number for determining “big hit symbol (first big hit symbol, second big hit symbol)”. The determination relating to the probability variation may be performed using a random number used for the jackpot determination, or may be performed using a random number dedicated to the probability variation relating to the probability variation. Similarly, the lottery for determining the mode of jackpot (whether it is the first jackpot or the second jackpot) is also determined as “hit symbol (first jackpot symbol, second jackpot symbol)” However, the lottery may be performed using a random number used for the jackpot determination or a dedicated random number related to the lottery.

  On the other hand, in the detachment process, as shown in FIG. 33, the detachment first symbol is removed in S680 and determined in the same manner by the deciding random number of the symbol, and the determined random number value is deviated from the first symbol number memory 481f (see FIG. 9). (S682). Similarly, in step S684, the second symbol is removed and the same symbol determined random number is determined, and the determined random number value is removed and stored in the second symbol number memory 481g (see FIG. 9) (S686). Then, in S690, a “off flag (a flag indicating that the result of jackpot determination is out)” is set in the special symbol determination result memory 481i (see FIG. 9).

  In the special symbol control job (S500), as shown in FIG. 32A, the “special symbol display control command setting job (S700)” is executed after the “special symbol success / failure determination job (S600)”. Is done. In this display control command setting job (S700), a process of setting “main symbol designation command (a command for specifying a fixed symbol to be displayed in the main symbol display units 272 and 273)” A process of selecting and setting a symbol variation pattern designation command (a command for specifying the variation time of the symbol to be variably displayed in the symbol display units 272 and 273) is executed.

  Here, the “special symbol display control commands” are various commands output from the main control board 340 for special symbol control, and are stored in advance in the built-in ROM 482 of the main circuit unit 400 shown in FIG. Yes. In this embodiment, the special symbol is composed of the main symbol and the pseudo symbol, but the special symbol may be composed only of the main symbol. In addition, a background symbol for making the pseudo symbol stand out is displayed on the background of the pseudo symbol. However, this background symbol may constitute a special symbol together with the pseudo symbol, or this background symbol may constitute a pseudo symbol or a part of the present symbol.

  In addition, in the “special symbol display control command”, in addition to the “real symbol designation command” and the “real symbol variation pattern designation command”, the “real symbol stop command” for controlling the fixed display of the symbol. Is included {FIG. 32 (b)}. In this embodiment, as the “design symbol designation command”, the “design symbol designation command” (hereinafter referred to as “first symbol designation command”) for specifying the symbol to be confirmed (stopped) displayed on the first symbol display unit 272 is displayed. The symbol designation command or the present symbol designation command 1 ”may be indicated.)” And the “design symbol designation command (in order to stop display) the second symbol display portion 273 is specified. In the following, “the second symbol designation command or this symbol designation command 2” may be indicated.

  Furthermore, the “special symbol display control command” includes a “hit-related” that is output when the result of the determination is “hit (may be the first big hit or the second big hit)” (S840; YES). A display command (S841) "is also included. The “hit-related display command (S841)” includes a command for controlling a transitional effect until the special game starts after the final display of the big-hit symbol (hit-hit display) ”. However, in addition to these commands, other commands may be set. In the present embodiment, the variation time of all symbols (including background symbols in addition to the special symbols composed of the main symbol and the pseudo symbol) is specified by the “variation pattern designation command”. Further, the fixed display of the changing symbol is controlled by the “main symbol stop command”. For example, if all the symbols continue to fluctuate until the end of the variation time specified by the “variation pattern designation command”, the final display of all symbols is controlled by the “main symbol stop command”. On the other hand, if a part of all symbols are displayed by the end of the variation time specified by the “variation pattern designation command” and the remaining portion of all symbols continues to fluctuate, The remaining symbol confirmation display is controlled by the symbol stop command.

  In the special symbol display control command setting job (S700), when the result of the success / failure determination (S620, S625) is a big hit, a process of setting a “real symbol designation command” related to “a big symbol indicating a big hit” is performed. Done. That is, a process of setting “main symbol designating command 1” and “main symbol designating command 2” corresponding to the “random number stored in the big hit main symbol number memory 481e” is performed. Then, processing for selecting and setting “variation pattern designation command (variation pattern)” for “big hit” is performed.

  Also, in the special symbol display control command setting job (S700), when the result of the jackpot determination (S620, S625) is out of place, a process of setting the “main symbol designation command” relating to “main symbol indicating loss” Is done. In other words, it is set to “main designating command 1” corresponding to the above-mentioned “random number value stored in the first out-of-first symbol number memory 481f”, and the random number stored in the above-mentioned “out-of-second main symbol number memory 481g”. A process of setting “design symbol designation command 2” corresponding to “numerical value” is performed. Furthermore, a process of selecting and setting a “variation pattern designation command” for “off” is performed.

  Next, the gaming state control job (S900) will be described with reference to FIGS. This game state control job (S900) is executed after the determination result symbol is confirmed and displayed in the above-mentioned “special symbol display game”. In this gaming state control job (S900), it is determined whether or not the “hit flag” is set in the special symbol determination result memory 481i (that is, whether or not the determination result is a big hit) (S902). . If it is determined in S902 that the “big hit flag” is set (S902; YES), the “big hit flag” is canceled, and the process proceeds to S921 and subsequent steps.

  If it is determined in the processing of S902 that the “big hit flag” has not been set (S902; NO), as shown in FIG. 37, the “off flag (S690) is canceled (S906). Next, the probability variation transition flag is set. (S904: NO) If not set (S904; NO), a gaming state control job (S911; NO) is used on condition that a negative determination is made (S911; NO). Thus, the “one symbol display game” started with one “start winning” is completed. Note that the contents of the process executed in S911 and the contents of the process executed after that in the case where a positive determination is made in the process of S911 (S911; YES) will be described later.

  If it is determined in the processing of S904 that the probability variation transition flag is set (S904; YES), processing for incrementing the value of the “probability variation counter” by “+1” is performed (S905). As will be described later (S997), the “probability change flag” is a flag indicating that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is in the probability change mode (probability change mode). The first big hit state per standard probability fluctuation or the second big hit state per chance) ”is set. In addition, the “probability change counter” does not display the determination result pattern of “big hit (first big hit, second big hit)” after the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the probability fluctuation mode (probability change mode). The number of symbol displays performed (that is, the cumulative number of times the determination of losing is performed in the determination of success or failure) is shown. That is, after the game mode of the gaming machine 1 has shifted to the probability variation mode (probability variation mode), the “variable display of symbols by the liquid crystal display device 27” performed without obtaining the “big hit” determination result in the “win / fail determination”. Indicates the cumulative execution count of. Note that the symbol variation display (that is, the effect display) by the liquid crystal display device 27 is “one time” from the start of the variation display until the confirmed symbol (the symbol indicating the determination result) is confirmed.

  In S905, after performing the process of incrementing the value of “probability variation counter” by “+1”, it is determined whether or not the value of “probability variation counter” has reached “50” (S906). If “50” has not been reached (S906; NO), it is determined whether or not the time-shift flag is set (S911). However, the short-time transition flag is set on the assumption that an affirmative determination is made in step S906, as will be described later. For this reason, when the value of the “probability change counter” is 1 to 49 (S906; NO), a negative determination is made in S911, and the gaming state control job (S900) is ended as it is. In this case, the game mode of the gaming machine 1 is maintained in the probability variation mode.

  Here, the “short-time transition flag” is a flag indicating that the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is in the short-time mode, as will be described later (S910). This “short-time transition flag” is a probability variation mode (probability variation mode), and a predetermined upper limit number of times (in this embodiment, 50 times) is determined to be successful, and the probability variation mode (probability variation mode) is canceled. Set later.

  If it is determined in the processing of S906 that the value of the “probability change counter” has reached “50” (S906; YES), the “probability change counter” is cleared (set to “zero”) (S907), and the change of probability change is performed. After canceling the flag (S908), a short time transition flag is set (S910). Then, following this S910 process, the process of S911 is executed. In this case, an affirmative determination is made in the process of S911 (since the process of S910 has been performed immediately before the process of S911), the process proceeds to the process of S920.

  In the process of S920, a process of incrementing the value of the “time reduction counter” by “+1” is performed (S920). This “hour / short counter” indicates the number of symbol displays performed without displaying the determination result symbol of “big hit (first big hit, second big hit)” after the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 has shifted to the short time mode. (That is, the cumulative number of times that the determination of losing was made in the determination of success or failure). In other words, after the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 has shifted to the short-time mode, the cumulative number of executions of the “variable display of symbols by the liquid crystal display device 27” performed without obtaining the “big hit” determination result in the “win / fail determination”. Show. Also, in the process of 904, it is determined that the probability variation transition flag is not set (S904; NO), and when an affirmative determination is made in the process of S911, the process also proceeds to S920.

  In the process of S920, after performing the process of “+1” the value of the “hour / time counter”, it is determined whether or not the value of the “hour / time counter” has reached “100” (S913). If it has not reached “100” (S913; NO), the gaming state control job (S900) is terminated. In this case, the game mode of the gaming machine 1 is maintained in the time reduction mode.

  If it is determined in the process of S913 that the value of the “hour / time counter” has reached “100” (S913; YES), the “hour / time counter” is cleared (set to “zero”) (S915), and the time-shift is made. After releasing the flag (S917), the gaming state control job (S900) is terminated. In this case, the game mode of the gaming machine 1 is returned to the normal mode.

  If it is determined that the probability variation transition flag is not set in the processing of 904 (S904; NO) and it is determined that the probability variation transition flag is not set in the processing of S911 (S911), The gaming state control job (S900) is terminated. In this case, the game mode of the gaming machine 1 is maintained in the normal mode.

  Returning to FIG. 35, an affirmative determination is made in S902, and after executing the process of S920, it is determined whether or not the “probability change flag” or the “short time shift flag” is set (S921). If not (S921; NO), the process proceeds to S923 as it is. On the other hand, if the “probability change flag” is set (S921; YES), the probability change counter is cleared and the “probability change flag” is canceled (S922), and then the process proceeds to S923. If the “short time shift flag” is set (S921: YES), the time counter is cleared and the “short time shift flag” is canceled (S922), and then the process proceeds to S923.

  In the processing of S923, it is determined whether or not the chance-per-chance flag (S666) is set. Then, if the chance-hit flag (S666) is not set (S923; NO), that is, if the standard-hit, the first big hit gaming state is started (S924). On the other hand, when the chance hit flag (S666) is set (S923; YES), after releasing the chance hit flag (S666) (S1924), the second big hit game state is started (S1925).

  When the first big hit gaming state is started (S924), first, the first continuous counter is initialized (for example, set to “1”) (S925). The value of the “first continuous counter” corresponds to the “number of rounds” in the “first jackpot gaming state”. After the process of S925, the opening / closing plate 312 is operated in the opening direction to open the big winning opening (first winning portion) 311 (S927), so that the game ball can easily win the big winning opening 311. A round prize ball game related to one round (that is, first unit driving) is started.

Open a predetermined time winning opening 311 (e.g., 29 seconds) when the elapsed T (S930; YES), or when the winning number is arrives a predetermined number _{n 1;} in (S935 YES), "Stop Conditions Is established. Then, the open / close door 750 is operated in the closing direction, and the special winning opening 311 is closed (S940), and the round prize ball game (that is, the first unit driving) related to one round is finished. Note that no predetermined time elapses T (S930; NO), moreover, when the winning number has not reached the predetermined number _{n 1} (S935; NO), i.e., when the "stop condition" is not satisfied The open state of the special winning opening 311 is maintained. Further, “whether or not the number of winnings has reached a predetermined number n ₁ ” is determined based on whether or not a predetermined number n ₁ (for example, 10) winnings are detected by the winning ball detection switch 318 (see FIG. 7). be able to.

  After a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the winning prize opening 311 (opening / closing plate 312) was closed in S930, the value of the first continuous counter is incremented by 1 (S950) It is determined whether or not the end condition for the big hit gaming state is satisfied (S955). For example, it is determined whether or not the value of the first continuous counter has reached a predetermined number N (that is, the first number, for example, 15) (S955), and reaches the predetermined number N. Then (S955; YES), the end condition for the first jackpot gaming state is established. In this case, the first jackpot gaming state is terminated (S960), and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 becomes the “normal gaming state”.

  On the other hand, when the end condition of the first big hit gaming state is not satisfied, that is, when the predetermined number N is not reached (S955; NO), the big winning opening 311 (opening / closing door 750) is opened again and the variable winning is achieved. The device 31 is set in a game ball receiving state and starts a round prize ball game (first unit drive) related to one round. It should be noted that the “game ball accepting state” in which one round is “until the end condition for the round” is continued until the final round (15 rounds in this embodiment). In this embodiment, when the “end condition for each round” is established (S935), whether or not the “continuation condition” is satisfied is not determined. Therefore, once the first jackpot game is started, the “first” Execution up to the final round of the “hit game state” is guaranteed. Note that it may be determined whether or not the “continuation condition” is successful between the process of S950 and the process of S955.

  In S960, after the first jackpot gaming state is finished, it is determined whether or not the probability variation hit flag (S665) is set (S995). That is, it is determined whether or not the finished “first big hit gaming state” is based on the probability variation (per standard probability variation) (S995). Then, when the probability variation flag (S665) is set (S995; YES), after executing the processing for canceling the probability variation flag (S996) and the processing for setting the probability variation transition flag (S997), The gaming state control job (S900) is terminated. In addition, the process of S997 comprises the specific example of a game mode change means. On the other hand, if “NO” is determined in S995, the gaming state control job (S900) is terminated without executing the processes of S996 and S997.

  In S997, when the probability variation transition flag is set and the gaming machine 1 transitions to the “probability variation state”, the probability of success / failure determination (hit probability) until the special symbol variation is performed 50 times after the special gaming state ends. ) Is improved to about 4 to 10 times the normal value.

  When the second big hit gaming state is started (S1925), first, the second continuous counter is initialized (for example, set to “1”) (S1926). The value of the “second continuous counter” corresponds to the “number of rounds” in the “second jackpot gaming state”. After the processing of S1926, the opening / closing plate 312 is operated in the opening direction, the special winning opening 311 is opened (S1927), and a round prize ball game (that is, second unit driving) related to one round is started.

Open a predetermined time winning opening 311 (e.g., 0.2 seconds) when the elapsed t (S 1930; YES), or when the winning number is arrives a predetermined number _{n 1;} in (S1935 YES), " The “stop condition” is satisfied, the opening / closing plate 312 is operated in the closing direction, and the special winning opening 311 is closed (S940), and the round prize ball game (that is, the second unit driving) related to one round is finished. To do.

The predetermined time t has not elapsed (S1930; NO), moreover, when the winning number has not reached the predetermined number _{n 1} (S1935; NO), i.e., when the "stop condition" is not satisfied The open state of the special winning opening 311 is maintained. Further, “whether or not the number of winnings has reached a predetermined number n ₁ ” is determined by whether or not a predetermined number n ₁ (for example, ten) winnings are detected by the winning ball detection switch 1318 (see FIG. 7). be able to.

  After a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the special winning opening 311 (opening / closing plate 312) was closed in S1930, the value of the second continuous counter is incremented by "+1" (S1950), It is determined whether or not the end condition for the big hit gaming state is satisfied (S1955). For example, it is determined whether or not the value of the second continuous counter has reached a predetermined number of times M (that is, the second number of times, for example, two times) (S1955). Then (S1955; YES), the end condition for the second jackpot gaming state is satisfied. In this case, the second jackpot gaming state is terminated (S1960), and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 becomes the “normal gaming state”.

  On the other hand, when the condition for ending the second jackpot gaming state is not satisfied, that is, when the predetermined number of times N is not reached (S1955; NO), the big prize opening 311 (opening / closing door 85) is opened again, and one A round prize ball game (second unit drive) related to the round is started. Note that the “unit drive” in which one round is “until the end condition of the round” is continued until the final round (two rounds in this embodiment). In this embodiment, when the “end condition for each round” is satisfied (S1935), the success / failure condition is not judged. Therefore, once the second jackpot game is started, the “second jackpot” Execution until the final round of the “game state” is guaranteed. However, in the “second big hit gaming state”, each “second unit driving” is performed in a short time (0.2 seconds), and the number of rounds to be executed is small (2 rounds). During the execution of the second jackpot gaming state, winning in the second variable winning device 80 is considered difficult.

  Note that the processing from S1925 to S1960 constitutes a specific example of the second driving means (in other words, the second big hit gaming state execution means). In addition, it may be determined whether or not the “continuation condition” is successful between the process of S1950 and the process of S1955. In this case, the probability of ending the “second big hit gaming state” is increased when the “second unit driving” is executed only once.

  In S1960, it is determined whether or not the probability variation hit flag (S665) is set even after the second jackpot gaming state is ended (S995). However, since the “second big hit gaming state” that has ended is always a probable hit (per chance), a positive determination is always made in the process of S995. Therefore, after executing the process of canceling the probability change flag (S996) and the process of setting the probability change transition flag (S997), the gaming state control job (S900) is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, the “second jackpot symbol” is exemplified by only the “second modified symbol”. However, the “second jackpot symbol” is referred to as the “second modified symbol”. , “Second normal symbol” may be used. In this case, a negative determination is made in the process of S995 if the “second big hit symbol” constituting the cause of occurrence of the second big hit gaming state is the “second normal symbol”.

(6) Command Transmission / Reception Command transmission / reception between the main control unit 140 and the sub-control units (170, 160) will be described with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39, in steps S810, S820, S830, etc., the special symbol display control command is sent from the main control unit 140 (main control board 340) to the voice / lamp control unit 170 (voice / lamp control board 370). Are output, operation signals are output to the main controller 140 (main control board 340), and the voice / lamp control section 170 (voice / lamp control board) from the main control section 140 (main control board 340). 370) is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which the effect operation signal is outputted. Note that the transmission / reception of the display control command for the normal symbol is almost the same as the transmission / reception of the display control command for the special symbol, so the description thereof is omitted here.

  In the special symbol control job {FIG. 32 (a)}, when the process of step S810 is executed for the first time, a “variation pattern designation command” is output as shown in FIG. This “variation pattern designation command” is not only a command for starting the variation of the main symbols (first to second main symbols), but also a command for starting the variation of the pseudo symbol that constitutes a special symbol together with these main symbols. is there. Further, it is a command for designating the variation time of the variation of the present symbol and a command for designating the variation time of the pseudo symbol.

  In FIG. 38 and FIG. 39, solid arrows schematically indicate that an operation signal is supplied to the main control unit 140. In addition, the “white arrow” is (1) a case where the “effect operation signal” is schematically shown to be supplied from the main control unit 140 to the sound / lamp control unit 170 and the symbol control unit 160. (2) There are cases where the command issued by the main control unit 140 is schematically shown to be supplied to the voice / lamp control unit 170 and the symbol control unit 160. Further, “arrows with diagonal lines” schematically indicate that a command issued by the voice / lamp control unit 170 is supplied to the symbol control unit 160. The commands output from the voice / lamp control unit 170 will be described in detail later.

  As shown in FIG. 38, the voice / lamp control board 370 receives the “main symbol variation pattern designation command” and immediately transfers it to the symbol control board 360. As a result, the main symbol (first and second main symbols) and the pseudo symbol start to fluctuate. However, the variation of the pseudo symbol may be started by a command using the voice / lamp control board 370 as a transmission source. Further, the voice / lamp control unit 170 and the symbol control unit 160 start processing to be described later based on the received command.

  When the special symbol control job completes the first round of processing and the processing of S820 is executed in the second round, a command for designating the first symbol (first symbol designation command Cts1) is output. still. Since the main control unit main job takes about 4 msec to complete a series of processing, the first symbol designating command is outputted approximately 4 msec after outputting the “design symbol variation pattern designating command”. Further, when the third round process is executed after about 4 msec, a command for designating the second symbol (second symbol designating command Cts2) is output.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that two symbols cannot be displayed at the same time, but more symbols may be displayed. When the variation pattern designation command and the symbol designation command for the special symbol (this symbol) are output in this way, a command (this symbol stop command Ctstp) for stopping all symbol variation display at a predetermined timing determined according to the variation pattern. Output.

  Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the main control unit 140 transmits a “main symbol stop command (special symbol stop command)” to the sound / lamp control board 370 (see S830 and FIG. 32). Further, when the voice / lamp control board 370 receives the “main symbol stop command (special symbol stop command)”, it immediately transfers it to the symbol control board 360. Then, the voice / lamp control unit 170 and the symbol control unit 160 perform the stop display of the main symbol and the stop display of the pseudo symbol based on the command thus received. The pseudo symbol stop display may be performed by a command using the voice / lamp control board 370 as a transmission source. In addition, when the stop symbol of this symbol is a symbol indicating that the special game has been won or rejected, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the main control unit 140 displays a “big hit related display command” on the voice / lamp control board 370. (For example, jackpot display start command) "is transmitted.

  In addition, when performing a fall effect, as shown in FIG. 39, according to the timing when the fall effect member 701 appears and disappears in front of the player (according to the timing when the fall effect member K2 falls). From the voice / lamp control board 370, the “invitation command” is transmitted to the symbol control board 360. For this reason, the symbol control board 360 displays on the display screen 271 to increase the drop effect. In addition, in accordance with the timing when the drop effect member 701 is distracted from the player's eyes (in accordance with the timing when the drop effect member K2 is rolled up from the drop effect space K2 to the concealment space K1), the design from the sound / lamp control board 370 A “distraction command” is transmitted to the control board 360. For this reason, the symbol control board 360 displays on the display screen 271 to indicate the end of the drop effect.

(6) Main routines performed on the sub-board a. Outline Next, “production control (hereinafter,“ design / production control ”) performed in cooperation by the voice / lamp control section 170 and the design control section 160 will be described.

  When the voice / lamp control unit 170 receives the symbol display control command output from the main control unit 140, the voice / lamp control unit 170 starts control related to various effects. Also, the voice / lamp control unit 170 immediately transfers the received symbol display control command to the symbol control unit 160, and the symbol control unit 160 performs display control of special symbols and normal symbols according to the received symbol display control command. Start. In the present embodiment, the description will be focused on the “effect control” related to the display control of the special symbol, and the description of the “effect control” related to the display control of the normal symbol will be omitted.

  FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a flow of “symbol / effect control” related to display control of special symbols. In this process, when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed, an initialization job is executed in the main job of the main controller shown in FIG. 30, and the voice / lamp controller 170 and the symbol controller 160 are This is a process that starts automatically when initialized.

  When the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed and this routine is started for the first time, a rendering device initialization process is executed (S1002). In this effect device initialization process, the above-described “rolling process (see FIG. 19)” and the like are executed, and “whether the drop effect member 701 is wound up to the winding position (S1735)”, “alarm process ( It is determined whether or not “S1750) is necessary”, “whether the drop selection device 740 is performing a drop prohibition operation (S1748)”, or the like.

  As described above, when the rendering device initialization process is executed, the sound / lamp control unit 170 is in a state of waiting to receive a symbol display control command. When the voice / lamp control unit 170 receives the variation pattern designation command (S1005; YES), this variation pattern designation command is immediately transferred to the symbol control unit 160, and all the special symbols (that is, both the symbols and Pseudo symbol) and background symbol variation display are started (S1010). At this time, the voice / lamp control unit 170 sets a “variation time timer T1” for managing the variation times of all the special symbols (that is, both the symbols and the pseudo symbols) (S1010). Note that a predetermined sound effect is output in accordance with the start of fluctuation of the special symbol.

  Next, the voice / lamp control unit 170 receives all the main symbol designating commands (S1020; YES), and when all the main symbol designating commands are transferred to the symbol control unit 160, an effect control process is performed ( S1100).

  In this effect control process (S1100), as shown in FIG. 41, first, the symbol display control command output from the main control unit 140 based on the received “design symbol designation command” relates to jackpot determination. (S1105), and if there is something related to jackpot determination (S1105; YES), “pseudo symbol display mode (for example, pseudo symbol display) executed in the pseudo symbol display unit 275-277” "For big hit" is selected as "stop symbol mode, reach display mode, etc." (S1110).

  If “NO” is determined in S 1105, the “pseudo symbol display mode (for example, pseudo symbol stop symbol mode, out of reach display mode, which is executed in the pseudo symbol display unit 275 to 277, the mode is displayed. “For out” is selected as “etc.” (S1120) In this case, if the outreach display (outreach reach effect) is not selected in S1120 as the display mode of the pseudo symbol (S1130; NO), the reach display ( After performing the “normal type effect” that does not involve an outlier reach effect (S1335), the effect control process (S1100) is terminated and the process returns to the symbol / effect control routine.

  When the “pseudo symbol display mode” for “big hit” is selected in S1110 and the “pseudo symbol display mode” for “reach-type out-of-display” is selected in S1130, a drop occurs in S1140. It is determined whether or not an effect is executed (S1140). For example, on the premise that the “variation time of all the special symbols (that is, both symbols and pseudo symbols)” determined based on the “variation pattern designation command” received in the process of S1005 is sufficient, the voice / lamp control is performed. In part 170, a predetermined lottery is performed, and the drop effect may be executed only when the lottery result is a win. Note that “the variation time of all the special symbols (that is, both the main symbols and the pseudo symbol)” is sufficient, for example, that the “variation time” includes the “feeding process (S1150)” and the “rolling process”. (S1730) indicates that the length is sufficient to complete the process.

  If a negative determination is made in S1140 (S1140; NO), the “normal type effect” with “reach display of normal mode” is executed (S11335), and the effect control process (S1100) is terminated. Return to the symbol / effect control routine. On the other hand, when a positive determination is made in S1140 (S1140; YES), the process proceeds to S1143 and subsequent steps.

  In the process of S1143, an effect flag is set. Then, in the processing of S1145 that is executed following the processing of S1143, the “production start timer T2” is set to “at the time of reach (when the reach display is scheduled to be executed by the pseudo symbol)” (S1145). This is a means for managing the start time of the production of the “production start timer T2”. In this embodiment, the “production start timer T2” makes it possible to start the fall production at the start of “reach display”. ing.

  Subsequent to the processing of S1145, the aforementioned “feeding-out processing” is selected (S1150). However, as a premise of this “feeding-out process”, the drop selecting device 740 performs a drop prohibiting operation (see the processes in S1748 and S1002 in FIG. 40). For this reason, the through hole 263e is closed, and the drop effect member 701 moves downward in the restriction space portion 708a and contacts the upper surface portion of the open / close door 750. Then, the “slack portion 705T” of the string-like member 705 appears in the regulation space portion 708a (see FIG. 22).

  When this “feed-out process” is completed, it is determined whether or not “production start timer T2” ends (S1160). When this “production start timer T2” ends (S1160; YES), “at the start of reach display” And “at the start of the fall effect” (S1165, S1170). That is, “reach display” is executed using the pseudo symbol display units 275, 276, and 277 (S1165), and a drop process (drop allowance operation of the drop selection device 740) is performed (S1170). Then, the effect control process (S1100) is completed, and the process returns to the “symbol / effect control routine”. When this drop process (S1170) is executed, the drop effect member 701 starts the drop effect in the effect mode shown in FIG. 23, and when the movement of the drop effect member 701 converges as shown in FIG. This fall effect ends.

  After the return to the “symbol / production control routine”, when the voice / lamp control unit 170 receives this symbol stop command (S1700; YES), this symbol stop command is transferred to the symbol control unit 160 and all special symbols ( That is, the fluctuation of all symbols and pseudo symbols) and the background symbols are stopped (S1710). Note that, when the “voice / lamp control unit 170 receives the symbol stop command”, the above-described “variation time timer 1” is also ended (S1710).

  After the process of S1710, it is determined whether or not the effect flag is set (S1720). If it is not set (S1720; NO), that is, if the drop effect is not executed, the process of S1800 is continued. Transition to processing. On the other hand, when it is set (S1720; YES), that is, when the fall effect is executed, the effect flag is released (S1725), the above-described “rolling process (S1730)”, and “fall prohibition process”. (S1745) "are executed in this order, and the process proceeds to S1800. Here, the “drop prohibiting process (S1745)” is a process in which the drop selecting device 740 performs a drop prohibiting operation to close the through hole 263e. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 20, the drop effect member 701 is wound up to the winding position, and the drop selecting device 740 is in a state of closing the through hole 263e.

  In the process of S1800, it is determined whether or not a jackpot related display command has been received (S1800). If received (S1800; YES), the process proceeds to a jackpot related display (S1830). When the above processing is performed, it is confirmed that the power of the gaming machine 1 is not turned off (S1850). If the power is not turned off, the process returns to step S1005 and the following series of processing is performed. If it is determined in step S1850 that the power is OFF, the symbol / effect control main routine (S1000) is terminated.

(8) Effects of First Embodiment According to the first embodiment described above, the drop selection device 740 is caused to perform a drop prohibiting operation in a state where the drop effect member 701 is wound up to the winding position. Subsequently, after the winding device is caused to perform a feeding operation so that the string-like member 705 is slackened in the concealing space K1, the drop selection device 840 is given a timing when a predetermined “reach display” is executed. Perform drop-allowing operation. Thereby, the drop effect member 701 falls into the drop effect space K2 using its own weight. That is, the dropping is executed after the drawing-in device 830 is fed out in advance to release the tension (tension) applied to the string-like member 705 to make it loose.

  In this embodiment, the fall effect member 701 can be instantaneously appeared in the player's field of view (in the fall effect space K2) due to the fall, and this player can be greatly surprised. The appearing drop effect member 701 vibrates in various directions while being suspended by the string-like member 705. And until this vibration converges, the drop effect member 701 swings randomly. For this reason, this fall effect member 701 is novel and can execute an effect rich in surprise. Moreover, according to the present embodiment, a simple structure using the drop effect member 701, the string member 705, the entrainment device 730, the drop selection device 740, and the operation control means (sound / lamp control unit 170). Such a novel and unexpected production can be performed. That is, it is possible to produce a novel and surprising production without using complicated driving means (actuators).

B. Example 2
Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described. The gaming machine according to the second embodiment has the features of the inventions of claims 2 and 3 to 5.

  The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a “stepping motor with a brake” is used as the motor 800 and that the drop selection device 740 is not provided. Specifically, (1) the point / design control routine (S1000) is executed according to FIG. 42, (2) the effect control process is executed according to FIG. 43, and (3) the entrainment process is shown in FIG. And (4) the point that the feeding process shown in FIG. 21 is not executed and (5) the point that the dropping process is performed according to FIG. 45 are different from those in the first embodiment. Since the other points are the same as in the first embodiment, only these differences will be described in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the sound / lamp control unit 170 (see FIG. 10) constitutes a specific example of the entrainment operation control means.

  In the second embodiment, since the motor 800 is a “stepping motor with a brake”, when performing the “engagement process” in S1730, first, as shown in FIG. 44, a process for releasing the brake of the motor 800 is performed. (S1731). Thereafter, the processes from S1732 to S1745 or the processes from S1732 to S1750 are executed in the same procedure as in the first embodiment (the same procedure as the entrainment process shown in FIG. 19). However, in the second embodiment, thereafter, a process of operating the brake of the motor 800 is executed (S1751). In other words, the entrainment operation control means (sound / lamp control unit 170) reads “a process of causing the braking means to execute the rotation prohibition operation in a state where the fall effect member 701 is wound up to the winding position (continuation of energization to the motor 800). And a process for operating the brake).

  Here, when the processing of S1751 is completed, the motor 800 is in the following state. That is, even after the driving of the motor 800 is stopped in the process of S1740, the energization to the motor 800 is continued. However, in the stator of the motor 800, the excited coil is changed to any one-phase coil. The fixed magnetic pole of the rotor of the motor 800 and the excited one phase attract each other, and the rotor is braked. Moreover, in this state, the brake of the motor 800 is activated (S1751). Therefore, in the motor 800, the braking means of the invention of claim 2 is constituted by the “magnetic poles of the coil and the rotor” that constitute the motor 800 together with the brake.

  In this embodiment, since the motor 800 includes the braking means as described above, it is not necessary to execute the drop prohibition process after the entrainment process (S1730) in the symbol / effect control routine (S1000) (see FIG. 42). reference). In the second embodiment, the drop selection device 740 is not provided. For this reason, in Example 2, the space part K1 for concealment and the space part K2 for fall production will be in the state always connected.

  In the effect control process of the second embodiment, the payout process (the process of S1150 in FIG. 41) is not executed after the process of S1145. That is, after the process of S1145, the process of S1160 is executed as it is. Thereafter, the process of S1165 and the drop process (S1180) are executed. That is, the entrainment operation control means (sound / lamp control unit 170) executes “a process for causing the braking means to perform a rotation-permitting operation (a process for releasing the brake while stopping energization of the motor 800)”. .

  In this drop process (S1180), as shown in FIG. 45, the operation of the braking means of the motor 800 is released, the load from the brake to the small rotation of the motor 800 is released, and the rotor of the motor 800 is It is executed in a state in which the load due to the attractive force (magnetic force) between the stator and the stator is released (the rotor is in a state where free rotation is possible). That is, the rotation is performed by rotating the rotor of the motor 800, and thus the pulley 732, in a state where the restraint by the braking means is released.

  In the drop processing (S1180), first, “stopping energization of motor 800 (stopping excitation)” and releasing “brake” are performed (S1181). As a result, the pulley 732 rotates normally in a substantially “free state”, and the winding device 730 performs the feeding operation (S1182). That is, the string-like member 705 wound around the pulley 732 is fed out (S1182). When the rotation amount of the motor 800 in the forward rotation direction reaches a predetermined amount (S1184; YES), the “energization (excitation) to the motor 800” is resumed and the “brake” is activated (S1186). . Thereby, the rotation (free rotation) in the forward rotation direction of the motor 800 is stopped (S1188), and the dropping process (S1180) is ended.

  The “specific amount” in the process of S1184 is also the rotation amount given to the motor 800 in order to obtain the “fall effect necessary amount”. This “falling effect required amount” is a specific example of the “predetermined amount” of the invention of claim 2 and is necessary for “making the falling effect member 701 at the winding position reach the fall limit position”. This is the “feeding amount of the string-like member 705”. The processing of S1184 can also be performed by grasping the current rotation amount of the five pulleys 732 (rotating plate 733) using the above-described sensor (optical sensor) S1, the position detection board 197, and the like.

  In this drop process (S1180), the motor 800 and, consequently, the pulley 732 rotate in the forward direction (free rotation) while eliminating the influence of the braking means. For this reason, the fall effect member 701 suddenly falls into the fall effect space K2 (in front of the display screen 271) using its own weight, as in the first embodiment. In other words, this fall is also performed by applying a feeding operation to the winding device 730 in a “state in which tension (tension) caused by the weight of the drop effect member 701 is applied to the string-like member 705”. is not. That is, this drop is executed in a state where the tension (tension) applied to the string-like member 705 is released.

  Also in this embodiment, due to this fall, the drop effect member 701 can instantaneously appear in the player's field of view (in the drop effect space K2), and this player can be greatly surprised. That is, it is possible to execute a drop effect by the drop effect member 701 and give a great surprise to the player. The appearing drop effect member 701 vibrates in various directions while being suspended by the string-like member 705. Then, until the vibration converges (that is, until the fall effect member 701 hangs down and becomes stationary as shown in FIG. 18), the fall effect member 701 swings randomly. For this reason, this fall effect member 701 is capable of executing a novel and surprising effect (an effect greatly different from the effect of a conventional movable object that moves regularly).

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, such a novel effect is achieved by a simple configuration using the drop effect member 701, the string-like member 703, the entraining device 730, and the entraining operation control means (sound / lamp control unit 170). Thus, it is possible to produce a production rich in unexpectedness. That is, it is possible to produce a novel and surprising production without using complicated driving means (actuators).

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, in the drop effect device of the second embodiment, the drop selection device 740 is eliminated by using the braking means of the motor 800, so that the structure of the drop effect device is further simplified.

  In this embodiment, the brake is removed from the motor 800, and only by “the magnetic poles of the coil and the rotor” constituting the motor 800 (only by the braking action between the stator of the motor 800 and the rotor). The braking means may be configured. Also in the first embodiment, the motor 800 may be a “stepping motor with a brake”.

  C. Example 3

  Next, a gaming machine according to the third embodiment will be described. The gaming machine of the third embodiment is different from the gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment in that a movable effect device is used as a so-called “continuous notice” means.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 46 and 47 (a), in “1)“ Main control unit main job (see FIG. 30) ”,“ preliminary related processing (S340) ”is added. (2) As a process executed by the sound / lamp control unit 170, as shown in FIG. 47 (b), a process corresponding to the “notice related process” is added, and (2) an effect control process. 48 is different from the first embodiment in that the process is performed according to FIG. Since the other points are the same as in the first embodiment, only these differences will be described in the present embodiment.

  First, the “notice related process (S340)” will be described with reference to FIG. In this “preliminary notice related process”, first, a preliminary determination of whether or not to make a preliminary announcement is made with respect to the determination random value stored in the special symbol determination random number memory 481a {FIG. 9A} in the process of S330 immediately before this process. (S341). That is, the latest stored data (determination random value) among the storage data (determination random value) stored in each area (0 to 3) of the “special symbol success / failure determination random number memory 481a” shown in FIG. Whether or not for advance notice is determined (S341).

  If the result of the determination as to whether or not the notice is successful is a big hit (S343; YES), a lottery is performed as to whether or not to execute the notice process (for big hit) (S344). This lottery is performed using a predetermined random number. When the lottery is won and the decision to execute the advance notice is made (S345; YES), the advance notice decision signal (for jackpot) and the “special symbol reservation number memory 481b {FIG. )} Is stored (hereinafter, referred to as “the number N of on-determination N”), and the process of outputting the data is specified (S346).

  Further, when the result of the determination as to whether or not the notice is appropriate (S343; NO), a notice process (a process for false notice and may be referred to as “gase notice process” hereinafter) is executed. Whether or not to draw is determined (S347). This lottery is also performed using a predetermined random number, but the probability that the lottery result is won is set lower than the lottery in S344 described above. When it is determined that the lottery in S347 is won and the advance notice is executed (S348; YES), the advance notice decision signal (gase) is displayed and the special symbol reservation number memory 481b {FIG. 9 (a) at the time of this decision. }, Data for specifying “the number of holds (N)” stored in} is performed (S349).

  Corresponding to the processing of S346 or S349, the voice / lamp control unit 170 executes “determination signal reception processing” shown in FIG. In other words, when a notice determination signal (for big hit or frustration) is received (S3000; YES), it is determined whether or not the value of the notice effect counter E is “0” (S3010). If the value of the notice effect counter E is not “0” (if any one of 1 to 4), the “determination signal reception process” is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if the value of the notice effect counter E is “0”, the “number of pending times N when determined” transmitted to the sound / lamp control unit 170 is set in the notice effect counter E in the process of S346 or S349. The notice effect counter E is a counter that indicates that the notice is currently being decided, and is “zero” when the notice is not being decided (when the notice effect is not performed). In addition, if the advance notice is already determined when the decision signal is received, the decision signal reception is ignored in the processing of S3010, so that it is possible to prevent the continuous notice effect from being executed without restriction.

  Also in the third embodiment, the “symbol / effect control routine (S1000)” is executed according to FIG. However, in the third embodiment, the “effect control process (S1100)” executed in the “symbol / effect control routine (S1000)” is performed according to FIG.

  In the “effect control process (S1100)” of the third embodiment, it is first determined whether or not the value of the “notice effect counter E” is “zero” (S1106). When the value of the “notice effect counter E” is “zero” (S1106; YES), the “pseudo symbol display mode (for example, pseudo symbol stop symbol) executed in the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 is executed. Mode (reach display mode, etc.) (“Big hit” or “Out”) is selected (S1120).

  When the display mode selected in S1120 is a display mode with reach display (display mode for jackpot or display mode for outreach) (S1125; YES), “ After performing an effect accompanied by a reach display at a “predetermined timing” (normal effect without a drop effect) (S1136), the effect control process (S1100) is terminated and the process returns to the “design / effect control routine (FIG. 40)”. To do. In addition, when the display mode selected in S1120 is a display mode that does not involve reach display (normally off display mode) (S1125; NO), an effect that does not involve reach display (a normal effect without a drop effect). ) Is executed (S1138), the effect control process (S1100) is terminated, and the process returns to the “design / effect control routine (FIG. 40)”.

  On the other hand, when the value of the “notice effect counter E” is not “zero” (S1106; NO), the value of the “notice effect counter E” is decremented by “1” (S1108) and then executed in the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277. "Pseudo symbol display mode" is selected (S1111). However, the “display mode” selected in S1111 is always selected to execute “reach display for notice” in the middle of the variation of the pseudo symbol. In other words, even if the “result of determination of success / failure” that is the basis of the performance being executed is “disappear”, the “disappearance reach” is always selected as the “display mode”. The “notice reach display” will be described later.

  After selecting “pseudo symbol display mode” in S1111, the effect flag is set (S1143), and “effect start timer T2” is set to “reach time (when reach by the pseudo symbol is scheduled to be executed)” ( S1145). This “production start timer T2” is also a means for managing the start time of the production by the fall production member 701, similarly to the “production start timer T2” of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the fall effect can be started at the start of the “notice reach display” by the function of the “effect start timer T2”.

  Subsequent to the process of S1143, the “feed-out process (S1150)” similar to that in the first embodiment is executed. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the “production start timer T2” ends (S1160). Then, when this “production start timer T2” ends (S160; YES), the start time of “notice reach display” and the start time of “fall effect” have arrived, and “notice reach display” , “Fall effect” is executed (S1165, S1170). Note that the dropping process in S1170 is the same process as in the first embodiment.

  Next, a specific example of the “notice effect” executed in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 49 and 50. For example, as shown in FIG. 49, “determination random number value R0, which has already been determined to be“ off ”in“ notice determination ”in S341, in“ area 0 to 2 ”of“ special success / failure determination random number memory 481a ”. Assume that R1, R2 "are stored. Then, in this state, it is assumed that “determination random number value R3” that is determined as “big hit” in “notice determination” is stored in “area 3” of “special success determination random number memory 481a”. The following description will be given.

  In the main control unit 140, after “determination random value R3” is stored in “region 3”, the processing of S344, S345, and S346 shown in FIG. In this specific example, “determination to execute notice (for big hit)” is performed in the processes of S344 and S345. Then, in the process of S346, it is assumed that a notice determination signal and data indicating the number of on-decision hold (N = 4) are output from the main control unit 140 to the sound / lamp control unit 170. In this specific example, since the value of the “notice effect counter E” is set to “4” in the process of S3030 shown in FIG. 47 (b), four consecutive “special symbol fluctuation displays” are displayed. The accompanying fall effect, that is, “continuous notice” is executed in the manner shown in FIG. 50, for example.

  First, in the “special symbol display game” executed based on the oldest hold information, that is, “determination random value R0”, the “left pseudo symbol” is displayed in the middle of the variable symbol display of the special symbol (the main symbol and the pseudo symbol). The “number symbol” indicating “number 8” is stopped in the “display unit 275” and the “right pseudo symbol display unit 277”, and the “reach display for notice (first reach display)” is performed. At this time, a fall effect is executed. After that, by stopping the “numeric symbol” indicating “number 2” in the “medium pseudo symbol display section 276”, the pseudo symbol variation display is stopped, and the “pseudo symbol indicating that it has come off is displayed (first time display). Confirmation display ”is executed.

  In the “special symbol display game” executed based on the next oldest hold information, that is, “determination random value R1”, the “left pseudo symbol” is displayed in the middle of the variable symbol display of the special symbol (the main symbol and the pseudo symbol). The “number symbol” indicating “number 8” is stopped on the display unit 275 ”and the“ right pseudo symbol display unit 277 ”, and the“ reach display for the advance notice (second reach display) ”is performed. Also at this time, the fall effect is executed. After that, by stopping the “numeric symbol” indicating “number 4” in the “medium pseudo symbol display unit 276”, the pseudo symbol variation display is stopped, and the “pseudo symbol indicating that it is out of place” (second display) Confirmation display ”is executed.

  Even in the “special symbol display game” executed based on the previous hold information, that is, the “determination random value R2”, the “left pseudo” is displayed during the variable display of the special symbol (the main symbol and the pseudo symbol). Stop the “numeric symbol” indicating “number 8” in the “symbol display unit 275” and the “right pseudo symbol display unit 277”, and perform “predictive reach display (third reach display)”. . Also at this time, the fall effect is executed. Thereafter, by stopping the “numeric symbol” indicating “number 6” in the “medium pseudo symbol display unit 276”, the pseudo symbol variation display is stopped, and the “determining pseudo symbol indicating the outage (third time display). Confirmation display ”is executed.

  Even in the “special symbol display game” executed based on the latest hold information, that is, the “determination random value R3”, the “left pseudo symbol display” is displayed in the middle of the variable symbol display of the special symbol (the main symbol and the pseudo symbol). The “number symbol” indicating “number 8” is stopped in the “part 275” and the “right pseudo symbol display portion 277”, and the “predictive reach display (fourth reach display)” is performed. After that, by stopping the “numeric symbol” indicating “number 8” in the “medium pseudo symbol display unit 276”, the pseudo symbol variation display is stopped, and “the pseudo symbol indicating the big hit is confirmed (fourth display). Confirmation display ”is executed.

  In the above specific example, an effective notice effect (continuous notice) is executed using four consecutive “special symbol display games”. That is, in the “reach display” executed in the “special symbol display game” four times in succession, “the same reach symbol (the reach symbol in which“ numeric symbol ”indicating“ number 8 ”is arranged on both ends”) In addition, in the “determined display” executed in the four consecutive “special symbol display games”, the final stop symbol gradually approaches the symbol constituting the reach symbol (“number 8”). In addition, a drop effect is executed every time a notice effect is produced, so that a player who is in contact with this continuous notice gives a “continuous reach display” effect executed in the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277 and a drop effect device. By driving, the expectation for the appearance of the big hit can be enhanced.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. In other words, since not only the liquid crystal display device 27 but also a driven object (drop effect member 701) separate from the liquid crystal display device 27 is provided as means for the notice effect, a more effective notice effect can be executed.

  D. Example 4

  Next, a gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment will be described. The gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment is different from the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that a drop effect device is used as a so-called “notification unit”.

  This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the effect control process is performed according to FIG. Since the other points are the same as in the first embodiment, only these differences will be described in the present embodiment. Also in the fourth embodiment, the “symbol / effect control routine (S1000)” is executed according to FIG. However, in the fourth embodiment, the “effect control process (S1100)” executed in the “symbol / effect control routine (S1000)” is performed as follows according to FIG.

  First, using a movable effect device, it is determined whether or not an effect is to be executed (S5500), and when it is not to be executed (S5500; NO), “Pseudo symbol display mode (for example, pseudo symbol stop symbol mode) , Reach display mode, etc.) ("Large hit" or "Exit") is selected (S5502), and after performing the effect of the normal mode without the drop effect (S5503), the effect control process (S1100) is terminated and the process returns to the “symbol / effect control routine (FIG. 40)”.

  On the other hand, when the effect is executed (S5500; YES), after the effect flag is set (S5503), the symbol display control command output from the main control unit 140 based on the received “present symbol designation command” is a big hit determination. It is determined whether or not it is related to (S5505). If there is something related to jackpot determination (S5505; YES), “for jackpot” is selected as the “pseudo symbol display mode” executed in the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 (S5507).

  After execution of the process of S5507, it is determined whether or not to execute “notification effect per 100% (a notification effect with a big hit reliability of 100%)” (determined by lottery or the like) (S5510) and execution. If yes (S5510; YES), “production start timer T2” is set to “before reach (before scheduled execution of reach by pseudo symbol)” (S5515). The “production start timer T2” is also a means for managing the start time of the drop production, as in the first embodiment and the “production start timer T2”. Then, after the process of S5515, the “feeding-out process” similar to that in the first embodiment is performed (S1525). Thereafter, when the “production start timer T2” ends (S5530; YES), the “falling process” similar to the first embodiment is executed (S5535), and the “notification production” is started. Thereafter, “reach display (S5545)” is executed, and the effect control process (S1100) is terminated.

  In the process of S5510, when it is determined that the “notification effect per 100%” is not executed (S5510; NO), that is, when the “notification effect with low reliability” is executed, the “effect start timer T2” is set. It is set to “after reach (after the scheduled execution of reach by pseudo symbol)” (S5550). Thereafter, the “feeding-out process” similar to that in the first embodiment is performed (S5560). Thereafter, when the “production start timer T2” ends (S5565; YES), “reach display (S5570)” is executed. Thereafter, the “drop process” similar to that of the first embodiment is executed (S5575), and after the “notification effect” is started, the effect control process (S1100) is ended.

  In S5505, when it is determined that the symbol display control command output from the main control unit 140 is related to the detachment determination (S5505; NO), the “pseudo” displayed in the pseudo symbol display units 275 to 277 is executed. As the “display mode of the symbol”, “the one for detachment and accompanied by the reach display (that is, for the detachment of reach)” is selected (S5581). Then, after the processing of S5581, it is determined whether or not to execute “100% false (gase) notification effect (notification effect with a big hit reliability of 0%)” (determined by lottery or the like). (S5585). And when not performing (S55850; NO), ie, when performing a "notification effect with a low reliability," an effect control process (S1100) is complete | finished through the process of S5550-S5575.

  On the other hand, when the “100% false (gase) notification effect is executed (S5585; YES), the“ effect start timer T2 ”is set to“ at the time of reach (when the reach is scheduled to be executed by the pseudo symbol) ”(S5590). ). Thereafter, the “feeding-out process” similar to that in the first embodiment is performed (S5598), and when the “production start timer T2” ends (S5600; YES), “reach display” and “notification production” are started simultaneously. (S5610). That is, when the same drop process as in the first embodiment is executed simultaneously with the start of “reach display”, the effect control process (S1100) is ended.

  Next, a specific example of “notification effect” executed in the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. That is, FIG. 52A shows “when a drop effect is executed before reach display is performed on the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277”. By this “execution of fall effect”, “notification effect per 100%” is executed, and to the player, “at the end of the variable display, the probability that the stop symbol related to the jackpot is confirmed and displayed is 100%” Is notified. That is, the “notification effect” performed before the reach display is performed, the “reliability of occurrence of jackpot” is 100%.

  FIG. 52B shows “when a fall effect is executed after reach display is performed by the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277”. By this “execution of fall effect”, “notification effect with low reliability” is executed. That is, the “notification effect” performed after the reach display is performed has low reliability (excluding zero%). Further, FIG. 50 (c) shows “a case where a fall effect is executed simultaneously with the start of reach display on the pseudo symbol display portions 275 to 277”. By this “execution of fall effect”, “100% false (gase) notification effect” is executed. That is, the reliability of the notification effect started simultaneously with the start of reach display is zero%.

  According to the third embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. That is, as a notification effect means, a movable object (fall effect member 701) separate from the liquid crystal display device 27 is provided. In addition, the movable mode (moving start time) of the movable object (falling effect device) can be selected in various ways in relation to the fluctuation display of the liquid crystal display device 27, and the notification content depends on the movable mode (moving start time). (Reliability) shall be different. Therefore, the player pays attention to the liquid crystal display device 27 and the movable object (falling effect device) by “drinking a dish”. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a more effective effect can be executed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and is not limited to the wording of each claim without departing from the scope described in each claim. Can be easily replaced by these, and improvements based on knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can be added as appropriate. That is, the modification which has the characteristics of several Example can also be illustrated.

  That is, in this embodiment, the main part of the drop selecting device 740 is configured by the above-described “opening / closing door 750”. That is, the “closed posture (the posture that blocks the concealing space portion K1 and the drop effect space portion K2)” is set to a substantially horizontal posture, and rotates around a predetermined rotation axis, so that the closed posture and the open posture ( The concealing space portion K1 and the drop effect space portion K2 are configured by an opening / closing door 750 "whose posture can be changed between the concealing space portion K1 and the drop effect space portion K2. However, the aspect of the drop selection device 740 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the modification of FIG. 53 (a), the main part of the drop selecting device 740 may be configured by using an open / close door 750 that forms a closed posture by an inclined posture around the rotation axis. Good.

  Further, as a mode of the closing posture of the open / close door 750, (1) a mode in which the “upward tilting posture” is set with respect to the rotation axis as a reference (the lower end of the concealing member 26e, as in the modified example of FIG. 53A). And an aspect in which the angle A formed by the upper portion of the opening / closing door 750 is an acute angle) and (2) an aspect in which the horizontal posture is set (an aspect in which the angle A is a right angle) as shown in the embodiment It is desirable to further enhance the effect of the fall effect. In these aspects, when the open / close door 750 is in the closed position, it is difficult for a player in front of the gaming machine 1 to recognize the presence of the open / close door 750. In this way, when the drop effect member 701 suddenly appears in front of the player in a state where the presence of the open / close door 750 is difficult to recognize, it becomes a drop effect with more intention for the player. .

  Further, the operation mode of the opening / closing member (opening / closing door 750) is not limited to rotation. For example, as in the modification shown in FIG. 53 (b), an opening / closing member that slides in the horizontal direction or the inclination direction to block the concealing space K1 and the drop effect space K2 or to release the blocking ( The door 750) can also be exemplified.

  In Example 1, although the fall effect of the several fall effect member was illustrated using the single entrainment apparatus and the single fall selection apparatus, in the invention of Claim 1, 1) The fall effects of the individual drop effect members may be executed using a dedicated entrainment device and a dedicated drop selection device, respectively (in this case, the drive control means applies to the individual drop effect members) Correspondingly, it may be provided individually, or the drop effect of a plurality of drop effect members may be controlled.) In this case, for example, for a gaming machine, “from among a plurality of drop effect members, the number of fall effect members that perform the drop effect and the specification of the drop effect members that execute the drop effect” “Selection means” may be provided. In this case, since the effect of the drop effect can be changed in the drop effect that is sequentially executed, the “effect with the player's intention” can be further executed.

  Similarly, in the second embodiment, an example in which the drop effect of a plurality of drop effect members is executed using a single entrainment device is described. However, in the invention of claim 2, the drop effect of individual drop effect members is used. May be executed using a dedicated entrainment device (in this case, the entrainment drive control means may be provided individually corresponding to each fall effect member, or a plurality of fall effect members may be provided). The entrainment drive may be controlled.) In this case, for example, for a gaming machine, “from among a plurality of drop effect members, the number of fall effect members that perform the drop effect and the specification of the drop effect members that execute the drop effect” “Selection means” may be provided. Also in this case, since the drop effect can be changed in the sequentially executed drop effect, the “effect with the player's intention” can be further executed.

  In the embodiments and modifications described above, the mode in which the symbol control unit 160 is used under the control of the voice / lamp control unit 170 has been described. That is, an example in which the symbol control unit 160 is connected to the secondary side (downstream) of the main control unit 140 via the voice / lamp control unit 170 on the secondary side (downstream) of the main control unit 140 is illustrated. However, the symbol control unit 160 may be arranged on the primary side (upstream side) of the sound / lamp control unit 170.

  That is, as in the modification of FIG. 54, the symbol control unit 160 is connected to the secondary side (downstream) of the main control unit 140 using the predetermined transmission path 500a, and the symbol control unit 160 has a predetermined value on the secondary side. The voice / lamp control unit 170 is connected using the transmission path 500b. Then, the liquid crystal display device 27 may be connected to the secondary side (downstream) of the sound / lamp control unit 170 using a predetermined transmission path.

  Further, in each of the embodiments and modifications described above, the display control of the symbol (main symbol, pseudo symbol, background symbol, character symbol, etc.) on the liquid crystal display device 27 and the number of reserved symbols, and the normal symbol display device 32 The normal symbol display control is performed by the symbol display unit 160. Of these, the main symbol and the number-of-holds display control in the liquid crystal display device 27, and the normal symbol display control in the normal symbol display device 32 are mainly performed. It may be performed by the control unit 140 and only the display control of the effect-dedicated symbols such as the pseudo symbol, the background symbol, and the character symbol in the liquid crystal display device 27 may be performed by the symbol display unit 160.

  The present invention can be used in the field of manufacturing and selling gaming machines.

It is a front view which shows the game machine which concerns on the Example and each modification of this invention. In the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is a front view showing a game board. (A) is a schematic front view which shows the display screen of a liquid crystal display device in the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention, (b) shows the display mode of a 1st design symbol. It is explanatory drawing, (c) is explanatory drawing which shows the display mode of a 2nd book symbol. (A)-(d) is the schematic explanatory drawing which shows the aspect of the stop symbol of this symbol in the gaming machine which concerns on the Example and each modification of this invention. (A)-(d) is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the aspect of the stop symbol of a pseudo | simulation symbol in the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention. It is a back view which shows the game machine which concerns on the Example and each modification of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic controller which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the main control part which comprises the electronic control apparatus with which the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention and each modification is provided. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows representative examples, such as various memory stored in the built-in RAM of the main control part, in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and each modification, and (b) is an embodiment of the present invention. In the gaming machine according to the example and each modification, it is an explanatory diagram for explaining a random symbol memory for special symbol determination. It is explanatory drawing of the audio | voice / lamp control part which comprises the electronic controller with which the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing of the symbol control part which comprises the electronic controller with which the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the fall production apparatus with which the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the principal part of the fall production apparatus with which the game machine concerning each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the principal part of the fall production apparatus with which the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the principal part of the detection means with which the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the fall selection apparatus with which each Example (except Example 2) of this invention and the game machine which concerns on each modification are provided. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the fall selection apparatus with which each Example (except Example 2) of this invention and the game machine which concerns on each modification are provided. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the operation | movement aspect of the fall direction apparatus with which the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram for explaining the entrainment process in the drop effect device provided in each embodiment (excluding Embodiment 2) of the present invention and a gaming machine according to each modification. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the operation | movement aspect of the fall direction apparatus with which the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a payout process in the drop effect device provided in each embodiment (excluding Embodiment 2) of the present invention and a gaming machine according to each modification. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the operation | movement aspect of the fall direction apparatus with which the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the operation | movement aspect of the fall direction apparatus with which the game machine which concerns on each Example and each modification of this invention is provided. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol display game performed with the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention, and each modification. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol display game performed with the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention, and each modification. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol display game performed with the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention, and each modification. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol display game performed with the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention, and each modification. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol display game performed with the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention, and each modification. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol display game performed with the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention, and each modification. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the main control part main job which the main control part of the Example (except for Example 3) of this invention and the game machine which concerns on each modification. In the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and each modification, it is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a state in which an initial symbol designation command is output from the main control unit. (A) is a flowchart showing a special symbol control job in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and each modification, and (b) is a special diagram in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and each modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows a symbol related command. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a special symbol success / failure determination job in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and each modification. FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining a jackpot process in the special symbol success / failure determination job of FIG. 20. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a gaming state control job in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and each modification. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a gaming state control job in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and each modification. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a gaming state control job in the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and each modification. In the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention and each modified example, it is a time chart of the start of special symbol variation, during the variation. In the gaming machine according to each embodiment and each modification of the present invention, it is a time chart during special symbol change and stop display. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a symbol / effect control routine (sub-board main routine) in each embodiment of the present invention (excluding Embodiment 2) and a gaming machine according to each modification. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the effect control process in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a symbol / effect control routine (sub-board main routine) in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the effect control process in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the entrainment process in the drop effect device provided in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a drop process in the drop effect device provided in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the main control part main job which the main control part of the game machine which concerns on Example 3 performs. (A) is the flowchart which shows the notice related processing in execution example 3, (b) is the flowchart which shows the decision signal reception processing in execution example 3, In the gaming machine according to the third embodiment, it is a flow diagram for explaining the effect control processing. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the "continuous notice" performed in the game machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the "continuous notice" performed in the game machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. In the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment, it is a flow diagram for explaining the effect control processing. In the gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment, it is a flow diagram for explaining the effect control processing. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a fall selection member in the game machine which concerns on a modification. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic controller which concerns on another modification.

Explanation of symbols

1; Gaming machine 1 (bullet ball gaming machine).
170; voice / lamp control section (operation control means),
700; fall effect device,
701: fall effect member,
705; a string-like member,
730; entrainment device,
740; drop selection device,
K1; concealing space,
K2: space section for drop effect.

Claims (5)

A concealing space provided in a state invisible from the front, and a drop effect space provided in a state visible from the front while being positioned below the concealing space,
A gaming machine comprising a fall effect member that falls from the concealment space part to the fall effect space part and executes a fall effect,
A string-shaped member provided with a mounted portion on one side along the length direction, and provided with a suspended portion on which the fall effect member is suspended on the other side along the length direction;
When the fall effect member is in the fall effect space portion, the string-like member is entangled and the fall effect member is brought to a winding position in the concealment space portion. A winding operation that winds up the string-like member by a predetermined amount that allows the dropping effect member to reach the space for the falling effect when the dropping effect member is in the winding position; A feasible entraining device; and
The fall effect member located in the concealment space portion with the concealment space portion and the fall effect space portion being cut off is dropped to the fall effect space portion while being arranged below the winding position. A drop prohibiting operation that prohibits this and the blocking of the concealing space portion and the drop effect space portion are released, and the fall effect member positioned in the concealment space portion falls into the drop effect space portion. A drop selection device capable of alternatively performing a drop permissible operation,
An operation control means for controlling the operation of the entrainment device and the drop selection device,
The operation control means includes
After performing the process of causing the drop selection device to execute the drop prohibiting operation in a state where the drop effect member is wound up to the winding position, the process of causing the winding device to perform the feeding operation is performed, A gaming machine that executes a process of causing a drop selecting device to perform the drop-permitting operation. A concealing space provided in a state invisible from the front, and a drop effect space provided in a state visible from the front while being positioned below the concealing space,
A gaming machine comprising a fall effect member that falls from the concealment space part to the fall effect space part and executes a fall effect,
A string-shaped member provided with a mounted portion on one side along the length direction, and provided with a suspended portion on which the fall effect member is suspended on the other side along the length direction;
When the fall effect member is in the fall effect space, the string member is wound when the fall effect member is in the fall effect space, and the fall effect member is moved to the winding position in the concealment space. A winding operation that winds up the string-like member by a predetermined amount that allows the dropping effect member to reach the space for the falling effect when the dropping effect member is in the winding position; A feasible entraining device; and
A winding operation control means for controlling the operation of the winding device;
The entrainment device includes, as a drive source, a motor including a braking unit that can alternatively execute a rotation prohibiting operation that prohibits rotation of the rotor and a rotation allowable operation that allows rotation,
The entrainment operation control means performs a process of causing the braking means to execute a rotation permission operation after executing a process of causing the braking means to execute the rotation prohibiting operation in a state where the fall effect member is wound up to the winding position. A game machine characterized by executing A determination means for determining whether or not to shift the gaming state to the big hit gaming state when the determination execution condition is satisfied;
When a display execution condition is satisfied, a determination result pattern indicating the result of the determination is provided with a symbol display means for confirming and displaying the predetermined result display.
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drop effect space portion is provided in front of the symbol display means.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the drop effect members and the string-like members. A restricting member is disposed in the concealing space, and a plurality of restricting spaces are provided in the concealing space using the restricting member,
The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one string-like member is inserted into each restriction space portion.

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