JP2007252483A5 - - Google Patents

Description

Game machine

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, an arrangement ball gaming machine, a slot machine, a revolving type gaming machine, and the like. The present invention relates to a gaming machine with a limiter function in which a limit is imposed on the number of times a so-called consecutive resort is generated in a short time.

Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, when a big hit is made with a specific symbol such as “3”, “5”, “7”, etc., after the jackpot game, the winning probability of the jackpot is, for example, 10 times the normal probability The number of limiters that can continue to win the jackpot with this high probability is set corresponding to the jackpot symbol. In other words, if the jackpot symbol is “3”, the number of limiters is set to 3 times, if it is “5”, 4 times, and if it is “7”, the number of limiters is set continuously. When it reaches, the high probability is forcibly returned to the normal probability, and the euphoria is moderately suppressed.
JP-A-10-179860

  Although the interest in the jackpot symbol is higher for the ones described in the above references, if the jackpot is “3”, the jackpot is set to 3 times or less, then the jackpot is set to “5” and the jackpot is set to 4 times or less. If you win a big hit with the symbol “7” after linking the game, it will return to a low normal probability after losing the jackpot five times or less. There is a problem that the range of enjoying the game will be narrowed, and the rate of customer congestion will deteriorate for the amusement store.

  In the present invention, the game stoppage is not noticeable, the player's psychology is skillfully applied, and an attractiveness that allows the game to continue for a longer time is provided, the game is more interesting, and the rate of customer delay is improved. It is an object to provide a gaming machine that can be used.

The invention of claim 1, as illustrated in the drawing, defines the number of limiters that can be elected for a special role with a higher probability than the normal probability, and when the limiter number is reached, the winning probability for the special role is determined. In a gaming machine equipped with a control device CN for returning from a high probability to a normal probability, the control device CN is configured to perform the prescribed number of limiters based on a trigger for transition that changes the winning probability of the special role from a normal probability to a high probability Is set in the limiter remaining count storage area as an initial value of the remaining limiter count (step S4 in FIG. 4), and the remaining limiter count in the limiter remaining count storage area is reduced based on the winning of the special role. a limiter remaining number updating means Y for updating the limiter remaining number of present time Te, based on the update of the limiter remaining count of present time, not exceeding the limiter remaining count of present time Select notice frequency of the emitter remaining count, with specific matters including the notification effect means Z to inform the player by a corresponding notification effect the selected broadcast times.

  The invention according to claim 2 has a specific matter in which the number of notifications is specified such that a smaller number than a larger number is selected at a high rate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the notification effect has a specific matter including a hidden effect (for example, the notification effect pattern 1 in FIG. 3 or 5) that the current limiter remaining count is unknown.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the notification effecting means Z has a specific matter in which the notification effect is provided by a moving image that implies the number of notifications.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control device CN includes the time efficiency improvement means W1 for increasing the time efficiency of the special combination lottery and the time limit according to the limiter remaining count including a case where there is no limiter remaining count. It has specific items including high-efficiency game number determination means W2 for determining the number of high-efficiency games in which the special role is drawn under the operating conditions of the efficiency improvement means W1.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the controller CN determines limiter count determination means X (step in FIG. 4) for determining the limiter count to be set as an initial value in the limiter remaining count storage area from among a plurality of candidates. It has specific items including S3).

According to the first aspect of the present invention , the prescribed limiter count is set in the limiter remaining count storage area as an initial value of the remaining limiter count based on the transition trigger for changing the winning probability of the special role from the normal probability to the high probability. Based on the winning of the special role, the remaining limiter count in the limiter remaining count storage area is reduced and updated to the current limiter remaining count, and the current limiter remaining count is calculated based on the current limiter remaining count update. The number of remaining limiter notifications is selected within a range not exceeding, and the selected notification number is notified to the player by a corresponding notification effect. This notification effect corresponds to the number of notifications selected within a range that does not exceed the current limiter remaining number, so it is not possible to know definitely how many times the special role will continue with a high probability, but a small number of times suggests even as production has been, Ri mower that is internally not still reached near the limiter number of times, even if this time is suggests produce a small number of times, directing the next suggests the number of times more than this time Ru mower to be is. For this reason, the time when the game is stopped does not become prominent, the player's psychology is skillfully pushed, and there is an attractiveness that allows the game to continue for a longer time, which can increase the fun of the game and improve the rate of waiting for customers Can be planned.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, since the number of times less than the actual limiter remaining number is notified at a high rate, whether the limiter number has already been reached or has not yet reached the limiter number yet It becomes difficult to distinguish. For this reason, even if an effect that suggests the remaining number of times is made this time, it becomes a matter of concern what happens to the next effect, and the willingness to continue the game can be maintained.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since there is a hidden effect that the current limiter remaining number is unknown, it is distinguished whether the limiter remaining number has already disappeared or the limiter remaining number still exists. It becomes difficult to do. For this reason, even if a hidden performance is made this time, what happens to the next production becomes a concern, and the willingness to continue the game can be maintained.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the number of notifications is implied by a moving image, the player's ability to determine the game situation is related to winning or losing, compared to the case where the number of notifications is directly indicated, and the fun can be further enhanced.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is no limiter remaining number, and the limiter remaining number is reached even when the limiter number has already been reached and the normal probability is returned from a high probability, or when the limiter remaining number is present and still has a high probability. Accordingly, a highly efficient game in which the time efficiency of the special role lottery is improved can be played. For this reason, it becomes difficult to discriminate between a high probability and a normal probability depending on the presence or absence of a high-efficiency game, and it is possible to effectively achieve the intended purpose of not making the game stop prominent.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the number of limiters to be set as the initial value in the limiter remaining number storage area is determined by lottery from among a plurality of candidates. Combined with the randomness of the number of times, the intended purpose can be achieved more effectively.

  FIG. 1 shows a pachinko gaming machine 1 to which the present invention is applied, and a game frame 10 supports a main body 11 so that the door can be opened. A front door 14 in which a glass 13 is fitted to a round window 12 is provided at the upper front portion of the main body 11, and the game board 2 is provided inside the front door 14. At the lower part of the front door 14, an upper plate 31 for receiving a rented ball and a prize ball, a lower plate 32 for receiving a ball overflowing inward, a launching handle 4 for hitting the ball on the game board 2, sound effects, etc. Left and right speakers 51 and 52 are provided. The front door 14 includes lamps 61 to 65 used for decoration and various state displays.

The game board 2 includes the following game parts 1) to 5).
1) Center unit 7
This unit 7 has a display device 70 composed of a color liquid crystal display at the center of the decorative frame 71, a special symbol display device SD which is a 7-segment LED on the right side, and a green lamp GL and a red lamp on the top. Each is equipped with a normal symbol display device ND as defined by the RL-related laws and regulations. The display device 70 plays an effect that is consistent with the special symbol display device SD, and the jackpot internal lottery result based on the winning at the starting port 8 (hereinafter referred to as starting winning) is displayed on the left / center of the video such as a fishing scene. -It displays through the predetermined | prescribed effect which piled up the design fluctuation of the right columns L, C, and R.

  The variation symbols in each column are composed of numbers 1 to 9, for example, and when winning, any one of the 111-999 winning symbols is stopped and displayed, and when it is missed, the missing symbols that are not aligned are stopped and displayed. . The special symbol display device SD displays, for example, any number from 1 to 9 that determines the winning symbol when winning, and a bar “-” when deviating. H1 to H4 clearly indicate that the random numbers acquired up to the maximum of 4 are effectively stored and saved before the previous presentation based on the start prize is finished or when a new start prize occurs during the jackpot game. It is a reserved ball display for special symbols. Starting winnings that occur when more than four of these indicators are lit are subject to prize balls, but are excluded from the jackpot internal lottery. h <b> 1 to h <b> 4 are similar holding ball indicators for ordinary symbols triggered by the passage of a ball to a gate GT described later.

2) Start 8
The starting port 8 is arranged below the center unit 7 and is constituted by a normal electric accessory comprising an electric tulip 80 having a pair of left and right petals 81 and 82. According to the laws and regulations related to the management law, a character means a special device that makes it easy to win a prize, and an ordinary electric tool expands the entrance of a prize port other than the big prize port. It is a concept that is distinguished from a special electric accessory that expands. For each start winning prize, a predetermined number, for example, three prize balls are paid out, and one random number value is obtained from a random lottery for jackpot lottery that is updated at high speed within a predetermined range of, for example, 0 to 499. Stored in the RAM. In normal times, the jackpot is won when the acquired random number value is equal to, for example, 7 as the winning value, and the winning probability is 1/500. When the jackpot is won, after the jackpot game, according to a predetermined rush rate, it shifts to a probability variation game (hereinafter referred to as probability change) with a high probability of 1/50 in which the winning probability of the jackpot is increased to, for example, 10 times the normal probability.

  The number of limiters that can win the jackpot with a high probability of change is determined by the number of limiters to be reached until the end of the jackpot game based on the chance to shift to the probability change, that is, the winning of the jackpot with a normal probability of 1/500 Determined by In the limiter number lottery, for example, one random number value is obtained from a limiter number lottery random number repository that is updated at high speed within a predetermined range of 0 to 99, for example, once, twice, and three times at each distribution rate of 10%. One of 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 20 is determined. When the limiter is determined to be once, it is regarded as a single big hit that is not continuous, and it is set so as not to enter into the probability variation, and the probability variation entry rate is 90%. As another method, when winning a jackpot with a normal probability, first, a probability variation rush lottery that determines whether or not to rush into probability variation is performed, and when it is determined that probability variation rush lottery will be entered, the number of limiters will be renewed A lottery may be performed. In the probability variation entry lottery, for example, one random number value is acquired from a random variation lot for probability variation entry lottery that is separately updated at a high speed within a predetermined range at the time of starting winning, and it is determined whether or not to enter the probability variation based on the random number value. Here, the probability variation entry rate is set to 75%, for example. Of course, the probability change entry rate may be 100%.

3) Grand prize opening 9 for special electric equipment
The big winning opening 9 is arranged below the game board 2 and, during the big hit game following the big win winning display, the ball receiving member 90 covering the front entrance is opened to the front, thereby making it easy to win. A predetermined number, for example, 15 prize balls are paid out for each winning prize. For example, a maximum of, for example, 10 winnings are permitted for each round of 30 seconds. When there is one or more winnings, the big winning opening 9 is once closed at the end of one round, and is opened again after a predetermined interval of 2 to 3 seconds. In one jackpot game, the opening operation is continued up to a maximum of 15 rounds, for example.

4) Gate GT
By passing a ball to the gate GT, for example, one random number value is acquired from the random symbol lot for normal symbol that is updated at a high speed within a predetermined range of 0 to 250, for example, and stored in the RAM of the main control unit MC. The normal symbol variation by the alternate lighting of the ND green lamp GL and the red lamp RL is activated. The normal symbol winning probability is, for example, 25/251 during normal times and 250/251 during high-efficiency games (hereinafter referred to as time savings) due to time reduction, which will be described later. The fluctuation time of the normal symbol is, for example, 30 seconds in normal time and 1 second in time reduction. After a predetermined time change, the green lamp GL is turned on when the normal symbol is won, and the red lamp RL is turned off when the normal symbol is won. At the time of winning, the petals 81 and 82 of the electric tulip 80 are opened up to a maximum of 0.5 seconds or a maximum of 1 ball in a normal time, and open up to a maximum of 3 seconds or a maximum of 2 balls in a short time.

5) Others A predetermined number, for example, 10 award balls are paid out for each rail 20, a ball return prevention piece 21, a ball stopper 22, and a winning prize that divides a substantially circular game area 200 and guides a ball to be launched by the launch handle 4. General winning ports 23 to 26, left and right board side lamps 27a and 27b, four windmills 28a to 28d, and an out port 29 for discharging a ball that missed the winning are provided. Although illustration is omitted as appropriate, a large number of nails P are struck in the game area 200 according to a unique gauge.

  FIG. 2 shows a control device CN that controls the above games. A main control unit MC including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and first and second peripheral control units SC1 and SC2 are provided. The main control unit MC is connected to the winning sensor 8s at the start port 8, the winning sensor 9s at the grand winning port 9, the ball passing sensor GTs at the gate GT, and the winning sensors at the general winning ports 23 to 26 via the I / O port IN. 23s-26s etc. are input. A command is transmitted in a one-way manner from the main control unit MC to the peripheral control units SC1 and SC2 via the relay board CB. The peripheral control units SC1 and 2 transmit and receive data bidirectionally.

  From the main control unit MC, through the driver circuit Dr0, the special symbol display device SD, the normal symbol display device ND, the special symbol display balls H1 to H4, the normal symbol reservation ball indicators h1 to h4, An opening / closing drive unit D1 by a solenoid or the like for opening / closing the petals 81 and 82 of the electric tulip 80 and an opening / closing drive unit D2 by a solenoid or the like for opening / closing the ball receiving member 90 of the special winning opening 9 are controlled. The display device 70 is controlled from the first peripheral controller SC1 via the driver circuit Dr1. The second peripheral control unit SC2 controls the speakers 51 and 52 and the lamps 61 to 65 via the driver circuit Dr2. In the main control unit MC, the progress of the production time specified by the command transmitted to the peripheral control units SC1 and SC2 is managed as a timer so that the control of the main control unit MC and the control of the peripheral control units SC1 and SC2 are consistent. I have to.

On the game program stored in the ROM of the main controller MC, the following means a) to d) are constructed.
A) Limiter count determination means X
This limiter number determination means X is one, two, three times, four times, five times, seven times, ten times, twelve times, and fifteen times by the limiter number lottery based on the timing of transition to probability change. , One of the 20 limiters is determined and stored in a predetermined address of the RAM.
B) Limiter remaining number update means Y
This limiter remaining number updating means Y updates the remaining number of limiters by minus 1 based on the winning of the big hit, until the determined limiter number is reached. The limiter remaining number storage area secured at a predetermined address in the RAM is filled with the limiter number determined as an initial value, and is decremented by 1 after the jackpot game by winning the jackpot.

C) Time efficiency improvement means W1
This time efficiency improving means W1 makes the normal symbol winning probability, the normal symbol variation time, and the operating mode of the electric tulip 80 the specifications of the above-mentioned short time at the time of its operation, and at the early stage of the symbol variation on the display device 70. For example, the high-speed fluctuation time is reduced by half. By shortening the time, etc., the processing of the holding balls is promoted in a so-called good state, and the time efficiency of the big hit lottery is increased.
D) Highly efficient game number determination means W2
The high-efficiency game number determination means W2 displays the success / failure result of the big win lottery on the display device 70 under the operating conditions of the time efficiency improvement means W1 according to the remaining limiter count including the case where the limiter remaining count is zero. The number of high-efficiency games (the so-called short-time number) to be displayed on is determined by lottery.

  On the effect program stored in the ROM of the first peripheral control unit SC1, a notification effect command command transmitted from the main control unit MC is received and selected within a range not exceeding the remaining number of times based on the current limiter remaining number. The notification effect means Z for displaying the number of notifications on the display device 70 by the corresponding notification effect is constructed. This notification effect is executed in the ending effect at the end of the jackpot game.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the number of notifications by the notification effecting means Z is selected based on the current limiter remaining number. That is, if the current limiter remaining number is, for example, 10 times or more, “limiter remaining number unknown” means that it may be 0 in a range not exceeding 10 times, “at least once after the probability change” means “at least once” ”Means“ at least 2 times after probability change ”, means“ at least 3 times after probability change ”, means“ at least 5 times after probability change ”, means at least 10 times Any one of “more than 10 times after the probability change” is selected according to a predetermined selection rate. For this selection, a random number for selection lottery defined by the first peripheral controller SC1 is used.

  This selection is divided into “limiter remaining count unknown” and “more than once after probability change” rather than “more than 3 times after probability change”, “more than 5 times after probability change”, “more than 10 times after probability change”, etc. The number of times such as etc. is selected at a high rate. The notification effect associated with the number of notifications may be such that the selected number of notifications is directly displayed on the display device 70 using characters or the like, but the animations of the notification effect patterns 1 to 6 that imply the number of notifications are displayed on the display device 70. It is supposed to be displayed. The notification effect includes a hidden effect of the notification effect pattern 1 in which “unknown limiter remaining count” is selected as the notification count and the actual limiter remaining count is hidden.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the jackpot-related game process in the main control unit MC, when the winning of the jackpot based on the start winning is determined (S1), it is determined whether or not the current limiter remaining count is 0 (S2). If 0, the limiter count determining means X determines the limiter count by lottery as described above (S3), and sets the determined limiter count as the limiter remaining count (S4). Subsequent to this, or following the determination that the current limiter remaining count is not 0 in step S2, the jackpot game is started, and the big winning opening 9 is opened in a predetermined manner (S5). Then, after the jackpot game is over (S6), the limiter remaining number update means Y updates the remaining limiter number by minus 1 (S7), and the high efficiency game number determination means W2 determines the number of times that are the high efficiency game number. (S8).

  As in Example 1, when the remaining limiter count is 0, the shortest number of times is 30 or 50, and the smaller number of times is selected at a high rate, and the more advantageous number of times that continues until the next big hit win is low. Selected. When the limiter remaining number is not 0, conversely, as the number of time reductions, an advantageous number that continues until the next big hit win is selected at a high rate, and a relatively small number of 30 times or 50 times is selected at a low rate. This makes it difficult to discriminate whether or not there is a probable change depending on whether or not there is a shortage of time without giving an extra benefit than necessary until the limiter remaining count is 0 and the normal probability is restored.

  As in Example 2, the number of remaining limiters is divided into 0, 1, 2 to 3, 4 or more, and in this case, if the number of remaining times is large, the selection rate of the shortest number of times 200 is increased. It is also possible to make it more difficult to discriminate whether or not there is a certain change due to the short-time continuation number without making a significant difference in the selection rate of 100 times or 100 times.

  After step S8, a notification effect based on the current limiter remaining count is executed by transmitting a command command to the first peripheral controller SC1 (S9). Upon receiving this command command, the first peripheral control unit SC1 selects the notification effect patterns 1 to 6 by lottery and develops a moving image on the display device 70. After step S9, it is determined whether or not the current limiter remaining count is 0 (S10). If it is 0, the jackpot winning probability is set back to 1/500 of the normal probability (S11). If it is not 0, the jackpot winning probability is increased. The process is finished after being promoted or maintained to 1/50 of the probability (S12).

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the notification effect pattern 1, a moving image that suggests “unknown number of remaining limiters” is developed. The fisherman throws the device into the sea and hits the fish, but the raised fish cuts the thread. Due to this unlucky video, it is easy to receive an impression that there is no limit remaining number and there is a high possibility that the normal probability has been restored. However, there are cases where this is the case, and there are cases where the limiter remaining number is not actually zero and the probability change has continued, and such a moving image may appear in the case. The player is expected to continue his game by connecting his expectations to the next jackpot.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the notification effect pattern 2, a moving image that suggests “at least once after the probability change” is developed. The angler throws the device into the sea and picks up the fish that hit. This lucky video gives the impression that the limit remaining count is not zero and that the probability change continues at least once. However, I don't know the specific remaining number of times. From the impression that the odds have continued at least once, the game is expected to continue until at least one more hit.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the notification effect pattern 3, a moving image that suggests “two or more times after the probability change” is developed. The angler throws the device into the sea, and the striped fish hits and catches it. From the impression that it is a high-class fish than the fish of Pattern 2, it is expected that the benefits will be greater and that the probability will continue at least twice more. For this reason, it is expected that the game will continue until at least two more jackpots.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the notification effect pattern 4, a moving image that suggests “three or more times after the probability change” is developed. Birds fly before putting in the device and get the impression that there is a plus alpha benefit. Moreover, since the fish caught are striped, the benefits are even greater than pattern 3, and it is predicted that the odds will continue at least three more times. The player expects to win at least 3 more times and is expected to continue playing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the notification effect pattern 5, a moving image that suggests “more than 5 times after probability change” is developed. In the right-handed fishing scene, which appears rarely due to the low selection rate, birds fly, and the fish caught is a striped pattern, so it can be expected to be a privilege even greater than pattern 4. When the actual number of remaining limiters is four, pattern 5 is not selected as shown in FIG. 3, and therefore, it is expected that the probability change will continue at least five more times by stacking many games. The game is not expected to stop for the time being.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the notification effect pattern 6, a moving image that suggests “10 or more times after certain change” is developed. This pattern 6 is a premier effect selected with an extremely low selection rate only when the actual number of remaining limiters is 10 or more. In addition to pattern 5, it ends with a scene where five kinds of high quality fish with different patterns finally appear. A player who has experienced this pattern 6 at least once looks back and realizes that the production has continued to change more than 10 times. Even a player who contacts the pattern 6 for the first time without noticing the privilege of 10 times or more is expected to continue the game for the time being.

  It should be noted that the video development of “unknown number of remaining limiters” is not limited to the notification effect pattern 1, and the fish that is finally raised in the notification effect patterns 2 to 6 may be cut. Alternatively, a bird suggesting a plus alpha privilege, a right-handed fishing scene, or the like may be used as a sign indicating the level of reliability of whether a fish is finally successfully picked up or a line is cut and failed. Furthermore, it is good also as the production | presentation with which prediction with few frequency | counts of notification may be large, depending on which of a plurality of types of fish with different patterns and colors is picked up.

  The application example to the normal pachinko gaming machine having the time saving function has been described above. However, the invention may be applied to a pachinko gaming machine without the time saving function, and in this case, step S8 in FIG. 4 may be omitted. In addition, it may be applied to a revolving type gaming machine having a limiter function that can continuously win a special role such as a big bonus in a certain change state. In this case, the big hit in FIG. 4 is read as a big bonus, And step S8 should just be omitted.

The front view of the pachinko gaming machine which is an example of this invention gaming machine. The block diagram of a control apparatus. A notification effect pattern selection table according to the remaining number of limiters. The jackpot related processing flowchart in the main control unit. FIG. 6 is a set of frame screens for explaining the development of the animation of the notification effect pattern 1. FIG. 5 is a set of frame screens for explaining the development of the animation of the notification effect pattern 2. FIG. 9 is a set of frame screens for explaining the development of the animation of the notification effect pattern 3. FIG. 7 is a set of frame screens for explaining the development of the animation of the notification effect pattern 4. FIG. 5 is a set of frame screens for explaining the development of a moving image of the notification effect pattern 5. FIG. 10 is a set of frame screens for explaining the development of the animation of the notification effect pattern 6.

Explanation of symbols

CN: control device, X: limiter number determination means, Y: limiter remaining number update means,
Z: notification effect means, W1; time efficiency improvement means, W2; highly efficient game frequency determination means

Claims (6)

In a gaming machine equipped with a control device that regulates the number of limiters that can be elected for a special role with a high probability higher than the normal probability, and returns the winning probability for the special role from a high probability to a normal probability when the limiter number is reached ,
Wherein the control device,
A limiter remaining number setting means for setting the specified limiter number in the limiter remaining number storage area as an initial value of the limiter remaining number based on a trigger for shifting the winning probability of the special role from a normal probability to a high probability;
Based on the winning of the special role, the limiter remaining number updating means for reducing the limiter remaining number in the limiter remaining number storage area and updating it to the current limiter remaining number ;
Based on the update of the current limiter remaining number , a notification effecting means for selecting the number of remaining limiter notifications within a range not exceeding the current limiter remaining number of times and notifying the player of the selected notification number by a corresponding notification effect. A gaming machine characterized by including and.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the number of notifications is set such that a smaller number than a larger number is selected at a high rate.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notification effect includes a hidden effect indicating that the current limiter remaining count is unknown.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification effecting unit is configured to perform the notification effect by a moving image that implys the number of notifications. The control device includes a time efficiency improving means for increasing the time efficiency of the special role lottery,
High-efficiency game number determination means for determining a high-efficiency game number for lottery of the special role under the operating conditions of the time-efficiency improvement means according to the limiter remaining number of times including the case where there is no limiter remaining number of times The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes a limiter count determining unit that determines the limiter count to be set as an initial value in the limiter remaining count storage area by lottery from a plurality of candidates. .