JP2010252910A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a player from taking off a hand from a handle operation part during a ready-to-win state performance and to improve the operation rate of a game machine during the ready-to-win state performance. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine 1 includes: a hitting part 165 for hitting a game ball to a game area 13; an operation handle 4 for making a game ball hitting operation be performed when operated by a player; a jackpot drawing part 201 for executing jackpot drawing under a prescribed condition; and a performance control board 130 for starting the variable display of decorative patterns at an image display device 8 corresponding to the result of the jackpot drawing and shifting the variable display of the decorative patterns to the ready-to-win state performance under a prescribed condition. In the case that a jackpot is drawn as the result of the jackpot drawing, when detecting that it is a hitting operation state that the operation handle 4 is operated by the player in a prescribed period after starting the variable display of the decorative patterns by the image display device 8, a jackpot establishment performance is generated with the detection as a trigger. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine that performs a lottery lottery on the condition that a gaming ball has entered a starting port.

  A gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine is configured to launch a game ball on a game board surface by a player turning a handle lever. In such a gaming machine, when a game ball launched on the game board surface enters the start port, an image display provided on the game board surface operates to move, for example, three rows of decorative symbols from top to bottom. In this way, when the display is variably displayed and stopped in a state in which three rows of decorative symbols are aligned, a big hit is made and the game is shifted to a big win game state, and the big winning opening is opened.

  Before a big hit occurs in the gaming machine as described above, two rows of decorative symbols out of the three rows of decorative symbols are in a state where various reach effects are performed. However, when a reach effect is performed on a gaming machine, a big hit is not always generated, and there is a case where the remaining one row of decorative symbols stops and loses in a state where the other two rows of decorative symbols are not aligned. is there. For this reason, the player expects a big hit when the decorative symbol change display shifts to the reach effect, and pays attention to the reach effect.

  Also, conventionally, when a handle is provided on the handle portion operated by the player, and when winning a jackpot in the jackpot lottery in the gaming machine, by performing an effect of lighting the lamp at the time of the reach effect before the jackpot starts, There is known a gaming machine that further enhances the excitement of the player during the reach performance and improves the fun of the game (for example, Patent Document 1). In this case, the effect of lighting the lamp is an effect of notifying the player that the player has won the jackpot at an earlier stage than usual during the reach effect. Therefore, the player expects most that the effect that the lamp is lit is performed during the reach effect.

JP 2008-228799 A

  By the way, when the change display of the decorative symbol shifts to the reach effect in the conventional gaming machine, the player often releases his hand from the handle operation part because he / she pays attention to the reach effect in anticipation of a big win. . Therefore, there is a problem that during the reach production, the game ball is not launched on the game board surface, and the operating rate of the game machine is lowered. In particular, game machines in recent years tend to produce effects that display relatively long moving images, etc., on the image display as a super reach production, etc., so the occupancy rate drop during the reach production is the profit side of the hall (store) The impact on is not small.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-described problems, and it is possible to suppress the player from releasing his / her hand from the handle operating unit during the reach production, and to improve the operating rate of the gaming machine. It is intended to provide a gaming machine that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a gaming machine comprising: a launching means for launching a game ball to a game area of a game board; and a launching means when operated by a player. A launch operation unit for performing a game ball launch operation, a jackpot lottery means for performing a jackpot lottery on condition that the game ball launched into the game area has entered a predetermined start port, and the jackpot lottery An image display that displays a decorative pattern according to the result, and a decorative display of the decorative pattern on the image display according to the result of the jackpot lottery start is started, and the variable display of the decorative pattern is made reachable under a predetermined condition. And an effect control means for shifting, and when the result of the jackpot lottery wins, the effect control means starts displaying the variation display of the decorative symbols on the image display The firing operation unit in a predetermined period when it is detected that a firing operation state of being operated by a player, is characterized in that to trigger the jackpot confirm directing the detection as a trigger for.

  In this case, the launch operation state is a state in which, for example, the launch operation unit is operated by the player so that the launch means can perform the launch operation of the game ball. It does not matter whether or not the game area is being fired.

  According to this invention, the jackpot confirmation effect that is activated when the jackpot is won in the jackpot lottery, the firing operation unit is operated by the player in a predetermined period after the display of the decorative symbols on the image display is started. When it is detected that it is in the launch operation state, it is triggered by the detection. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the player from releasing his / her hand from the handle operation unit after the display of the decorative symbols on the image display is started, thereby improving the operating rate of the gaming machine. It becomes possible.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the predetermined period is set as a period after the change display of the decorative symbol shifts to the reach effect, and the effect control means It is characterized by activating a jackpot finalizing effect at an arbitrary timing during the performance.

  According to this invention, it becomes possible to prevent the player from releasing his / her hand from the handle operating unit even after the decorative symbol change display shifts to reach production, and the operating rate of the gaming machine can be reduced. It becomes possible to improve.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, when the effect control means detects that the firing operation state is equal to or longer than a predetermined time in the predetermined period, the jackpot confirmed effect It is characterized by activating.

  According to this invention, the jackpot finalizing effect that is activated when the jackpot is won is activated on condition that the game ball is fired for a predetermined time or more, so the operating rate of the gaming machine is further improved. It becomes possible to make it.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, the effect control means turns on or blinks a predetermined light emitting means in the jackpot finalizing effect.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, the light emitting means is provided inside the firing operation section, and is lit or blinked only in the jackpot finalizing effect.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, when the jackpot lottery result is won, the firing operation unit is operated by the player for a predetermined period after the display of the decorative symbols on the image display is started. When it is detected that the fired operation state has been made, the jackpot finalizing effect is triggered by the detection. Since the jackpot finalizing effect is the most expected effect of the player, the player can perform the launch operation even after the decorative symbol variation display is started or after the decorative symbol variation display shifts to the reach representation. The game can be continued without removing the hand from the department, and the operating rate of the gaming machine can be improved.

It is a front view which shows the example of 1 structure of a gaming machine. It is a front view which shows one structural example of a game board. It is a figure which expands and shows the indicator provided in the game board. It is a figure which expands and shows the handle for operation. It is a figure which shows the operation mechanism of a handle lever and an operation angle sensor. It is a figure which shows the operation mechanism of a handle lever, a firing stop button, and a firing stop switch. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows one structural example of the handle lamp provided in the handle for operation. It is a block diagram which shows the control mechanism of the game machine attached to the back side of a game board. It is the block diagram which showed in detail the example of the main control mechanism of the game machine in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement performed by CPU of a main control board. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a 1st start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a 2nd start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a normal symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an electric tulip process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of an output process. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement performed by CPU of an effect control board. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a fluctuation start command reception process. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process during production execution in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a timing chart in case the jackpot finalizing effect is activated in the gaming machine of the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the timing chart in case the jackpot finalizing effect is not activated in the gaming machine of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process during production execution in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a timing chart in case the jackpot finalizing effect is activated in the gaming machine of the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members that are common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof are omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment. The gaming machine 1 is configured to pay out a prize ball when a game ball launched by an instruction operation by a player enters various winning holes. The gaming machine 1 includes a frame member 3 having a window portion 2 in which a transparent glass plate 2 a is fitted, and a game board 10 that is detachably attached to the back side of the window portion 2 of the frame member 3.

  The frame member 3 includes an operation handle 4 operated by a player on the lower right side of the window portion 2. The operation handle 4 is a launch operation unit for launching a game ball, and includes a handle lever 49. When the player rotates the handle lever 49 in the clockwise direction, the game ball is launched on the surface of the game board 10 at a predetermined time interval with a hitting force corresponding to the operation angle. The frame member 3 includes speakers 5 provided on both the left and right sides of the upper portion of the window portion 2 and frame lamps 6 provided at the centers of the upper portion and the lower portion of the window portion 2, respectively. The frame lamp 6 is configured to perform various effects depending on the lighting / flashing pattern or the difference in the light emission color.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the game board 10 in the present embodiment. The game board 10 has a game area 13 surrounded by an outer rail 11 and an inner rail 12 on a game board surface 10 a corresponding to the front side, and a game that is launched when a player operates a handle lever 49. The ball is launched from between the outer rail 11 and the inner rail 12 to the upper left portion of the game area 13.

  Inside the game area 13, there is provided an image display 8 composed of a liquid crystal display device or the like so as to be positioned substantially in the center of the game board 10. A decorative frame body 14 is also provided. The image display 8 is for displaying various images for production. As the game progresses, for example, the lottery result of the jackpot lottery is displayed by a plurality of decorative symbols with numbers such as 1-9. Informs and displays a notice effect by the appearance of a character or an item. The decorative frame body 14 defines a screen frame of the image display 8. The decorative frame body 14 is provided with stage effects 32 such as various lamps and movable objects. A game ball warp passage 31 is provided on the left side of the decorative frame body 14, and a stage 30 on which the game ball can roll is provided at the lower center of the decorative frame body 14. At the upper end of the warp passage 31 is formed an inflow port 31a that opens toward the upper left side of the game area 13, and at the lower end is formed an outflow port 31b for guiding the game ball onto the stage 30.

  Around the decorative frame body 14 in the game area 13, there are a large number of nails 15, through gates 16, windmills 17, normal winning openings 18, first starting openings 19, electric tulips 20, second starting openings 21, and large winning openings 22. Well-known members such as an accessory 23 for opening and closing the grand prize winning port 22 and an out port 24 are arranged. Further, on the outside of the game area 13, a special symbol is displayed on the lower right portion of the game board surface 10 a to display a special symbol corresponding to the jackpot lottery result, or the first start port 19 and the second start port. 21 is provided with a display 60 for displaying the number of holds due to the game ball entering.

  In the illustrated example, the through gate 16 is provided on the left side of the game area 13. The through gate 16 is a gate which is a condition for performing the normal symbol lottery in the gaming machine 1, and when the game ball passes through the gate, the normal symbol lottery is started. Here, the normal symbol lottery is a lottery for determining whether or not to open the electric tulip 20. In addition, the normal winning opening 18 is provided at a plurality of locations below the game area 13. The normal winning opening 18 is a winning opening for paying out a predetermined number of winning balls when a game ball enters.

  The first starting port 19 is provided below the center of the decorative frame body 14, and the electric tulip 20 and the second starting port 21 are provided further below the first starting port 19. The electric tulip 20 includes a blade member that opens and closes to the left and right. If the electric tulip 20 is opened to the left and right, the game ball can easily enter the second start port 21. When the electric tulip 20 wins the normal symbol lottery performed when the game ball passes through the through gate 16, the left and right blade members are opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times. Each of the first starting port 19 and the second starting port 21 is a winning port for paying out a predetermined number of winning balls, and a winning condition that is a condition for the big win lottery (special symbol lottery) to be performed in the gaming machine 1 The mouth. Therefore, when a game ball enters the start ports 19 and 21, a big win lottery is performed in the gaming machine 1, and a special symbol variation display is started on the display device 60, and a decorative symbol variation on the image display device 8. Display starts. The image display 8 also displays various notice effects such as the appearance of various characters as well as the decorative pattern change display.

  In the decorative symbol variation display, for example, three rows of decorative symbols are displayed in such a manner as to move from top to bottom. Then, the three rows of decorative symbols stop one by one in sequence, and when two of the three rows of decorative symbols stop, if the symbols on the predetermined line (effective line) are ready, transition to reach production. In the gaming machine 1, various reach effects are performed. At this time, the image display 8 is switched from, for example, a decorative symbol variation display to a reach effect moving image display and the like, and an effect that further enhances the excitement of the player during the reach effect is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first start port 19 and the second start port 21 are located immediately below the center of the stage 30 of the decorative frame body 14, and the game ball that has flowed into the stage 30 is almost at the center of the stage 30. When falling from the bottom, the ball easily enters the first start port 19 or the second start port 21.

  The special winning opening 22 and the accessory 23 are provided further below the electric tulip 20. The accessory 23 is an accessory that opens and closes the special winning opening 22 and is normally in a state where the special winning opening 22 is closed. And if a big hit or a small win is won in the big win lottery (special symbol lottery) performed on the condition that the game ball has entered the first start port 19 or the second start port 21, a big win according to the type of the win In the mouth-opening game, the game is configured to rotate around a substantially horizontal rotation axis arranged along the lower edge of the big prize opening 22 to open the big prize opening 22.

  Here, an example of the winning type won in the big hit lottery in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, there are two types of hits in the jackpot lottery: “big hit” and “small hit”. Regardless of whether the winning of “big win” or “small win” is won, the gaming machine 1 shifts to a big prize opening game (special game state) in which the big prize opening 22 is opened. However, the number of times the grand prize opening 22 is opened and closed (number of rounds) and the opening time of the big prize opening 22 are different depending on the type of winning. In other words, the big prize opening game includes a jackpot game when winning a jackpot and a jackpot game when winning a jackpot.

  In the case of “big hit”, in the big prize opening game, the opening time per one time that the accessory 23 opens the big prize opening 22 is set to a relatively long time (for example, 30 seconds). And in the “big hit” big opening opening game, if the set opening time per time has elapsed or a predetermined number of balls (for example, nine) are counted during the opening, the big winning opening 22 is closed. The round to be repeated is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds). Therefore, in this “big hit” big prize opening opening game, there is a high possibility that a game ball will enter the big prize opening 22 while the role 23 is opening the big prize opening 22, which is often for the player. It becomes a gaming state that can win the prize ball of. And in the case of a jackpot, as the gaming state after the big winning opening game, a probability variation mode (probability variation gaming state (high probability state)) in which the winning probability in the subsequent jackpot lottery varies with a higher probability than the normal probability Any one of the normal mode (normal gaming state (normal probability state)) in which the jackpot winning probability remains the normal probability is set. In addition, in the game state after the big winning opening release game in the case of “hit”, “time-short game” in which the display time of the change of the normal symbol is shortened as compared with the normal game state is given. At this time, in the case of a short game, the time for the electric tulip 20 to be opened becomes longer than in the case of a non-time-short game, and the game ball enters the second start port 21 more easily. The short-time game is normally continued until a special symbol change display is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times).

  On the other hand, in the case of “small hit”, in the big prize opening game, the opening time per time when the accessory 23 opens the big prize opening 22 is relatively short (for example, 0.1 second). Is set. In the “small hit” big opening opening game, if the set opening time per time has elapsed or a predetermined number of balls (for example, nine) are counted during the opening, the big winning opening 22 is opened. The closing round is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds). In this “small hit” big opening opening game, the opening time for the game 23 to open the big winning opening 22 is set to a short time during which it is difficult for the game ball to enter, so the big winning opening 22 is opened. During this time, there is a low possibility that the game ball will enter the big winning opening 22, and it becomes difficult for the player to obtain many prize balls. Also, in the case of a small win, unlike the above-mentioned “big hit”, the winning probability of the big win in the big win lottery does not change before and after the “small hit”. Also, other game states do not change.

  As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment performs a jackpot lottery on the condition that a game ball has entered the start ports 19 and 21 provided in the game board 10 and wins a “big hit” or “small hit”. In such a case, the special winning opening 22 provided in the game board 10 is opened according to the winning type.

  When the lottery result in the jackpot lottery is “hit”, the variation display of the decorative symbols performed on the image display 8 is stopped in a state where the two of the three rows of decorative symbols are aligned, and shifts to the reach effect. In the reach production in this case, after the moving image display for reach production is performed for a predetermined time, the last three rows of decorative symbols are stopped with the other two rows of symbols aligned, and all three rows are displayed. It will be in the state where the decorative design of. Normally, the player knows that he has won the jackpot only after this state. Then, the gaming machine 1 shifts to a “big hit” big prize opening game. In addition, when the lottery result in the big hit lottery is “small hit”, the reach effect is not always performed. Further, even when the lottery result in the jackpot lottery is “losing”, a reach effect may be performed.

  Next, the indicator 60 provided in the lower right part of the game board surface 10a outside the game area 13 is composed of an LED display unit, a 7-segment display and the like. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the display device 60. The display 60 includes a normal symbol display 61 that operates when a game ball passes through the through gate 16, a normal symbol hold display 62 that displays the number of hold of the normal symbol lottery, and the game ball is connected to the first start port 19. The first special symbol display 63 that displays the variation of the special symbol due to entering the ball, the first special symbol hold indicator 64 that displays the number of held balls that have entered the first start port 19, and the game ball is the first (2) A second special symbol display 65 for displaying a variation of the special symbol due to entering the starting port 21 and a second special symbol holding indicator 66 for displaying the number of holdings that have entered the second starting port 21. I have.

  The normal symbol display 61 displays a lottery result of a normal symbol that is performed when a game ball passes through the through gate 16, and when winning, a winning symbol (for example, a symbol of ○) is displayed and lost. In the case of, a lost symbol (for example, a symbol of x) is displayed. When the normal symbol lottery is performed in the gaming machine 1, the normal symbol display 61 performs a variable display in which the winning symbol and the lost symbol are alternately turned on and displayed for a predetermined time, and then according to the lottery result of the normal symbol. Either the winning symbol or the lost symbol is lit. When a normal symbol lottery is won, the normal symbol display 61 stops in a state where the winning symbol is displayed, and the electric tulip 20 is released for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times according to the gaming state. For example, in the case of “short time game”, the fluctuation display time of the normal symbol is about 3 seconds, and the opening time of the electric tulip 20 when winning the normal symbol lottery is about 3.5 seconds. On the other hand, in the case of “non-short-time game”, the normal symbol variation display time is about 29 seconds, and when the normal symbol lottery is won, the opening time of the electric tulip 20 is about 0.2 seconds.

  When the game ball passes through the through gate 16 during the normal symbol fluctuation display, the normal symbol hold display unit 62 holds the next fluctuation display until the previous fluctuation display is completed, and displays the number of holds. Is. In the illustrated example, the normal symbol hold indicator 62 includes four hold lamps having LED display portions arranged in a row, and can display a maximum of four hold numbers.

  The first special symbol display 63 displays a lottery result of a jackpot lottery (special symbol lottery) performed when a game ball enters the first starting port 19, and is composed of, for example, a seven-segment display. The The first special symbol display 63 displays the variation of the special symbol for a predetermined period of time when the jackpot lottery for entering the first starting port 19 is performed, and then displays the result of the jackpot lottery in various modes. indicate. For example, if the winner is selected as a result of the lottery lottery, the first special symbol display 63 stops after displaying the special symbol corresponding to the change after the special symbol change display, and the gaming machine 1 Transition to a prize opening game. In the big prize opening game, the round in which the accessory 23 opens the big prize opening 22 is repeated a predetermined number of rounds according to the winning type.

  The second special symbol display 65 displays a lottery result of a jackpot lottery (special symbol lottery) performed when a game ball enters the second starting port 21, and is composed of, for example, a seven-segment display. The When the jackpot lottery for entering the second starting port 21 is performed, the second special symbol display unit 65 displays the variation of the special symbol for a predetermined time, and then displays the results of the jackpot lottery in various modes. indicate. For example, if the winner is selected as a result of the jackpot lottery, the second special symbol display 65 stops in a state where the special symbol corresponding to the bonus symbol is displayed after the change of the special symbol is displayed. Transition to a prize opening game. In the big prize opening game, the round in which the accessory 23 opens the big prize opening 22 is repeated a predetermined number of rounds according to the winning type.

  The variation display of the special symbol on the first and second special symbol indicators 63 and 65 is alternatively performed in either one. Various effects are performed in the gaming machine 1 during the special symbol variation display by one of the first and second special symbol indicators 63 and 65. In particular, the image display 8 displays three rows of decorative symbols in a variable manner, and performs a reach effect or a notice effect. And, when the big hit lottery is won, after the reach effect is performed, the three rows of decorative symbols are stopped at symbols such as “111” and “777”.

  When the first special symbol hold indicator 64 is displaying the variation of the special symbol in any one of the first and second special symbol indicators 63 and 65, when the game ball enters the first start port 19, Since the change display of the special symbol accompanying the entry is put on hold, the number of the hold is displayed. The first special symbol hold indicator 64 includes four hold lamps having LED display portions arranged in a line, and holds and displays up to four game balls entering the first start port 19. Be able to.

  When the special symbol hold display 66 is displaying the variation of the special symbol in any one of the first and second special symbol indicators 63 and 65, when the game ball enters the second starting port 21, Since the change display of the special symbol accompanying the entry is put on hold, the number of the hold is displayed. The second special symbol hold indicator 66 also includes four hold lamps having LED display portions arranged in a line, and holds and displays up to four game balls entering the second start port 21. Can be done.

  It should be noted that not only the display device 60 but also the image display device 8 is held at the first start port 19 and held, and the held number at the second start port 21 and held. And may be displayed separately.

  Next, the details of the operation handle 4 operated by the player will be described. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the operation handle 4, and some parts provided on the inner side are indicated by broken lines. The operation handle 4 is in a state where the front side is covered with a handle cover 41 and a handle lever 49. The handle lever 49 can be rotated clockwise with respect to the handle cover 41. On the right side of the operation handle 4 is provided a firing stop button 51 that is operated to stop the firing of the game ball while the player is rotating the handle lever 49.

  As shown in FIG. 4, inside the handle cover 41 and the handle lever 49, a launch stop switch 52 that operates in conjunction with the launch stop button 51, and detects that the player is touching the handle lever 49. A touch sensor 53 and an operation angle sensor 54 for detecting the rotation angle of the handle lever 49 are provided.

  The handle lever 49 is, for example, chrome-plated on the entire front and back surfaces to ensure conductivity. The touch sensor 53 is, for example, a capacitance type sensor, and is connected to the back side of the handle lever 49 via a lead wire. When the player touches the handle lever 49, the player himself acts as a ground and the capacitance changes, so the touch sensor 53 detects it.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing an operation mechanism of the handle lever 49 and the operation angle sensor 54. The handle lever 49 includes a rotation shaft 49a inside the operation handle 4, and a first gear 49b is provided at a predetermined position around the rotation shaft 49a. The operation angle sensor 54 is composed of, for example, a rotary volume sensor, and is provided in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 49a. The operation angle sensor 54 is provided with a second gear 54 b, which meshes with a first gear 49 b provided on the rotation shaft 49 a of the handle lever 49. Therefore, when the handle lever 49 is rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 5A, the operation angle sensor 54 rotates in conjunction with the rotation shaft 49a of the handle lever 49, and the rotation angle of the handle lever 49 is adjusted. Detect. The hitting force of the game ball launched on the game board 10 is adjusted based on the rotation angle detected by the operation angle sensor 54. Note that the rotation angle of the handle lever 49 is restricted within a predetermined angle range, and the player can rotate the handle lever 49 within the predetermined angle range.

  A return spring 49 c is attached to the rotation shaft 49 a of the handle lever 49. Further, a return spring 54 c is also attached to the operation angle sensor 54. Therefore, when the player releases his / her hand to operate the handle lever 49, the handle lever 49 and the operation angle sensor 54 are returned to their original initial positions as shown in FIG. 5B by the urging force of the return springs 49c and 54c. Return to.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation mechanism of the handle lever 49, the firing stop button 51, and the firing stop switch 52. Inside the handle lever 49, a pressing member 49d that presses the engaging portion 51a of the firing stop button 51 and turns on the firing stop switch 52 in a state where the handle lever 49 is in the initial position is provided. The firing stop switch 52 is configured to perform an on / off switching operation in conjunction with the operation of the firing stop button 51, and outputs a firing stop signal when in an on state.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the player rotates the handle lever 49 in the R1 direction, the pressing member 49d moves in the R2 direction as the handle lever 49 rotates, and the firing stop button 51 Since it is separated from the engaging portion 51a, the firing stop button 51 moves in the R3 direction and is raised to the side of the operation handle 4. Along with this, the launch stop switch 52 moves in the R4 direction and is turned off, and the launch of the game ball is permitted. In this state, game balls are continuously launched into the game board 10 at predetermined time intervals.

  When the player wants to stop the firing of game balls that are continuously launched against the game board 10, the player stops the firing of the game ball by pushing the firing stop button 51 while the handle lever 49 is rotated. be able to. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the player pushes the firing stop button 51 in the R5 direction while rotating the handle lever 49, the firing stop switch 52 moves in the R6 direction and turns on. It becomes a state and outputs a fire stop signal.

  The game ball can also be stopped by returning the handle lever 49 to the original initial position. For example, as shown in FIG. 6C, the player moves the handle lever 49 in the R7 direction from the state in which the handle lever 49 is rotated and returns it to the original initial position, so that the pressing member 49d moves in the R8 direction. Since the engaging portion 51a is pressed, the firing stop button 51 is pushed in the R9 direction. Along with this, the firing stop switch 52 moves in the R10 direction and is turned on, and outputs a firing stop signal.

  As described above, the operation handle 4 is provided with the firing stop switch 52, the touch sensor 53, and the operation angle sensor 54. In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the launch stop signal is not output from the launch stop switch 52, it is detected by the touch sensor 53 that the player is touching the handle lever 49, and the operation is stopped. A state in which the angle sensor 54 detects a rotation angle equal to or larger than a predetermined angle is set as a firing operation state. In this firing operation state, the game ball can be launched, and the game ball is continuously launched at predetermined time intervals with a striking force corresponding to the operation angle of the handle lever 49. However, the firing operation state does not necessarily require the game ball to be actually launched into the game area 13, and the state in which the game ball is idled is also included in the launch operation state.

  The operation handle 4 is a handle lamp (light emitting means) 59 that emits light under a predetermined condition in order to perform a special effect (a jackpot finalizing effect) for causing the player to expect a big hit in the middle of the reach effect. It has. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration related to the handle lamp 59 of the operation handle 4. In FIG. 7, the firing stop switch 52, the touch sensor 53, and the operation angle sensor 54 described above are not shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the operation handle 4 includes a base member 50 that supports a handle lever 49. The base member 50 has a substantially cylindrical shape whose front side is enlarged in diameter, and is attached in a state of being inserted into the frame member 3. The handle lever 49 is attached in a state where it abuts against the enlarged diameter portion of the base member 50, and is rotatable around the same axis as the axis of the base member 50 relative to the base member 50. Yes.

  The handle cover 41 is attached while being inserted inside the handle lever 49, and covers the front side of the operation handle 4 to form a space for accommodating the handle lamp 59 together with the base member 50 and the handle lever 49. In this space, a motor base 48, a flash motor 47, a white LED substrate 46, a support member 45, a high-intensity LED substrate 44, a fixed reflector 43, and a rotating reflector 42 are provided.

  The motor base 48 is attached to the inside of the enlarged diameter portion of the base member 50. The flash motor 47 is fixed to a motor base 48 attached to the inside of the base member 50. The flash motor 47 rotates around the same axis as the axis of the base member 50 to rotate a drive shaft (rotary shaft) 47a extending in the front side (forward direction).

  The white LED board 46 has a hollow disk shape (a donut shape) that avoids the drive shaft 47 a of the flash motor 47. On the white LED substrate 46, a plurality of LEDs 46a arranged at substantially equal intervals around the drive shaft 47a are mounted. The LED 46a mounted on the white LED substrate 46 emits white light, for example.

  For example, an LED 44 a that emits red light is mounted on the high-brightness LED substrate 44. The high-intensity LED substrate 44 is fixed to the white LED substrate 46 at a right angle by the support member 45 so as not to contact the drive shaft 47 a of the flash motor 47. The high-intensity LED board 44 passes through a hole provided in the center of the fixed reflector 43 so that the LED 44a is positioned closer to the handle cover 41 than the white LED board 46, and extends from the fixed reflector 43 to the inside of the handle cover 41. Is supported in a protruding state. The LED 44a always emits light in a certain direction substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft 47a.

  The fixed reflector 43 is composed of a multi-faceted reflecting member in which a plurality of reflecting surfaces are arranged radially around the drive shaft 47a, and reflects incident light to the handle cover 41 side. Each reflecting surface is spaced apart from the player at the center, and protrudes toward the player toward the outer periphery. The fixed reflector 43 has a plurality of holes 43a at positions corresponding to the plurality of LEDs 46a provided on the white LED board 46, and the LED 46a is more handle handle 41 than the fixed reflector 43 through the holes 43a. Emits white light while facing the side.

  The drive shaft 47a of the flash motor 47 protrudes toward the handle cover 41 via the white LED substrate 46, the support member 45, and the fixed reflector 43, and the rotary reflector 42 is attached to the tip thereof. The rotary reflector 42 is coupled to the drive shaft 47a so as to be rotatable about the axis of the drive shaft 47a.

  The rotating reflector 42 has a hood-like shape that covers the LEDs 44a provided on the high-intensity LED substrate 44. The inner and outer surfaces of the rotating reflector 42 are mirror-finished so that the light emitted from the LEDs 44a is substantially orthogonal to the drive shaft 47a. An opening 42a that emits in the direction is provided. Therefore, the light emitted from the LED 44a is reflected inside the rotary reflector 42 and emitted to the outside of the rotary reflector 42 through the opening 42a. When the flash motor 47 is driven to rotate and the drive shaft 47a rotates, the opening 42a of the rotary reflector 42 rotates around the drive shaft 47a, so that the light emitted from the rotary reflector 42 is driven inside the handle cover 41. It rotates around the shaft 47a.

  At least a part of the handle cover 41 is a lens portion 41 a that transmits light inside the handle cover 41. Therefore, when the LED 46a provided on the white LED substrate 46 emits light, the handle cover 41 appears to emit white light. Further, when the LED 44a provided on the high-intensity LED substrate 44 emits light and the flash motor 47 rotates the rotary reflector 42, the handle cover 41 appears to rotate, for example, red light.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the handle lamp 59 provided on the operation handle 4 as described above is lit or blinked in the middle of the reach effect under a predetermined condition, so that the reach effect ends normally. However, the player is configured to perform a special effect (a jackpot finalizing effect) for notifying that the player has won the jackpot at an early stage. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the case where an LED is employed as the light source that emits light from the handle lamp 59 is illustrated, but the light source is not limited to the LED, and a general light bulb or the like may be employed as the light source. .

  Next, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the gaming machine 1 attached to the back side of the game board 10. On the back side of the gaming board 10, a main control board 100 that controls main operations of the gaming machine 1 and a sub control board 200 that controls each part based on signals and commands output from the main control board 100 are provided. ing. The sub control board 200 includes a payout control board 120, an effect control board 130, an image control board 140, a lamp control board 150, a launch control board 160, and the like.

  The main control board 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, and a RAM 103. The main control board 100 has a first start port switch 81 for detecting that a game ball has entered the first start port 19, and a second start for detecting that the game ball has entered the second start port 21. A mouth switch 82, an electric Chu solenoid 91 for opening and closing the electric tulip 20, a gate switch 92 for detecting that the game ball has passed through the through gate 16, and a normal winning port for detecting that the game ball has entered the normal winning port 18. A switch 93, a big prize opening switch 94 for detecting that a game ball has entered the big prize opening 22, a big prize opening solenoid 95 for opening and closing the accessory 23, a normal symbol display 61, a normal symbol hold display 62, A first special symbol display 63, a first special symbol hold indicator 64, a second special symbol indicator 65, and a second special symbol hold indicator 66 are connected.

  When each of the first start port switch 81, the second start port switch 82, the normal winning port switch 93, and the big winning port switch 94 detects the entry of a game ball, the main control board 100 detects whether the game ball has entered the payout control board 120. In response, a prize ball command is sent. The payout control board 120 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, and a RAM 123, and is configured to control a payout motor 124 provided on the back side of the game board 10. When a prize ball command is input from the main control board 100, A predetermined number of balls are paid out in accordance with the winning entrance.

  The main control board 100 is configured to perform the above-mentioned jackpot lottery or normal symbol lottery. For example, when a game ball passes through the through gate 16, a normal symbol lottery for opening and closing the electric tulip 20 is performed. When it is detected that a game ball has entered the first starting port 19 or the second starting port 21, the above-mentioned jackpot lottery is performed, and the special symbol variation display is started, and the lottery result is determined. In order to produce an effect, a signal or command is sent to the effect control board 130. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1, along with the special symbol variation display on the first special symbol display 63 or the second special symbol display 65, the decorative symbol variation display is started on the image display device 8. Various effects such as reach effects are executed. Further, when it is detected that a game ball has entered the first start port 19 or the second start port 21 and the special symbol variation display is in progress, the main control board 100 displays the special symbol variation display accompanying the entry. Hold on. In addition, when the big winning lottery is won, the main control board 100 displays a special symbol corresponding to the winning type after displaying the variation of the special symbol, and controls each part of the sub-control board 200 according to the winning type, thereby playing the game The machine 1 is shifted to the big prize opening game.

  The effect control board 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and a real time clock (RTC) 134, determines specific contents of the effect based on signals and commands from the main control board 100, and the image control board 140. And the lamp control board 150 are controlled. The real-time clock (RTC) 134 is a clock circuit (timer) that counts the current time in real time regardless of whether the power is turned on.

  For example, when the production control board 130 receives a change start command from the main control board 100, the production control board 130 controls the image control board 140 and the lamp control unit 150 based on the command, thereby starting the change display of the decorative symbols on the image display 8. In addition, various effects are executed. The change start command includes information indicating the result of the big hit lottery and information indicating whether or not to perform the reach effect. The production control board 130 determines specific production contents based on the change start command. For example, when the “big hit” is won in the big win lottery, or even if the “big hit” is not won, the reach production is performed. When performing, it shifts from the decoration display of the decorative pattern on the image display 8 to the reach effect, and the effect for a predetermined time instructed from the main control board 100 is executed.

  Further, the effect control board 130 shifts the decorative symbol change display to the reach effect, and then turns on or blinks the handle lamp 59 in the middle of the reach effect by satisfying a predetermined condition, thereby winning the player's jackpot A special production is performed to further enhance the sense of expectation. For example, in the present embodiment, the effect control board 130 lights or blinks the handle lamp 59 under a predetermined condition only when the “big hit” is won in the big win lottery. Therefore, the effect in which the handle lamp 59 is lit or blinking is a jackpot finalizing effect, and if the handle lamp 59 is lit or blinked in the middle of the reach effect, a jackpot is always generated in the gaming machine 1 after the reach effect. Therefore, the player expects a jackpot finalizing effect in which the handle lamp 59 is turned on or flashes when the decorative symbol variation display on the image display 8 shifts to the reach effect.

  The image control board 140 includes a CPU 141, a ROM 142, a RAM 143, and a VRAM 144, and displays a variation of the decorative symbols on the image display 8 based on an instruction from the effect control board 130 and is designated by the effect control board 130. The display image on the image display 8 is controlled such that the variable display is stopped at the selected pattern. The image control board 140 performs various effects such as a reach effect and a character appearing on the image display 8 based on the designation from the effect control board 130. The VRAM 144 is a memory for writing an image to be displayed on the image display 8. The CPU 141 executes various processes such as background image display processing, decoration symbol display processing, and character image display processing on the VRAM 144, so that a background image, decoration symbol image, character image, and the like are displayed on the image display 8. It can be displayed in a superimposed manner. Further, the image control board 140 is configured to generate a sound effect for production from the speaker 5.

  The lamp control board 150 includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152, and a RAM 153. The lamp control board 150 individually controls lighting and blinking of various lamps 97 including the handle lamp 59 described above based on an instruction from the presentation control board 130, It is configured to control the accessory driving unit 98 for driving the accessory 32 and the like.

  The launch control board 160 controls a launcher (launching means) 165 composed of a motor, a solenoid and the like for launching a game ball to the game area 13 of the game board 10. The launch control board 160 is connected to the payout control board 120 and receives a permission or non-permission signal regarding the launch of the game ball from the payout control board 120. The launch control board 160 drives the launch section 165 based on the player's handle operation with respect to the operation handle 4 in a state where the launch of the game ball is permitted from the payout control board 120, and the game is performed on the game board surface 10a. Control the ball to be launched at predetermined time intervals. Further, when the operation handle 4 is in the shooting operation state operated by the player, the firing control board 160 outputs a signal SG1 indicating the shooting operation state in which the operation handle 4 is operated to the effect control board 130. It is configured as follows.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing in detail an example of a main control mechanism of the gaming machine 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the launch control board 160 includes a launch controller 161 and a launch state detector 162. The touch sensor 53, the operation angle sensor 54, and the firing stop switch 52 described above of the operation handle 4 are connected to the firing control unit 161 of the firing control board 160. When the player is touching the handle lever 49, the touch sensor 53 outputs a signal indicating this to the launch control unit 161. The operation angle sensor 54 detects the operation angle of the handle lever 49 and outputs it to the firing control unit 161. When the firing stop switch 52 is in the on state, a firing stop signal is output to the firing control unit 161.

  The launch control unit 161 controls the launch unit 165 based on output signals from the touch sensor 53, the operation angle sensor 54, and the launch stop switch 52. In other words, when the firing stop signal is not received from the firing stop switch 52, it is detected by the touch sensor 53 that the player is touching the handle lever 49, and the handle angle 49 is detected by the operation angle sensor 54. In the launch operation state in which it is detected that the rotation is more than the angle, the game unit is fired by driving the launch unit 165 with a driving force according to the operation angle of the handle lever 49.

  The firing state detection unit 162 detects that the operation handle 4 is in the firing operation state. For example, based on output signals from the touch sensor 53, the operation angle sensor 54, and the firing stop switch 52, It is configured to detect that the handle 4 is in the firing operation state operated by the player, and to output a signal SG1 indicating that it is in the firing operation state to the effect control board 130. However, the detection mode by the firing state detection unit 162 is not necessarily limited to this. For example, when the firing control unit 161 is driving the launching unit 165, it is in the firing operation state of the operation handle 4. You may make it detect.

  On the other hand, the main control board 100 functions as a jackpot lottery unit 201, a variation pattern determination unit 202, and a variation start command transmission unit 203. The main control board 100 functions as various processing units as the game progresses, but only a part of them is shown in FIG.

  When the first start port switch 81 or the second start port switch 82 detects a game ball, the big hit lottery unit 201 acquires various random numbers including a big hit random number, a reach random number, and the like and stores them in the RAM 103. Hold. The jackpot lottery unit 201 is configured to read a jackpot random number stored in the RAM 103 and perform a jackpot determination when performing a suspended display and displaying a variation of a special symbol. The tables referred to in this jackpot determination are different tables when the gaming machine 1 is in the normal probability state and when it is in the high probability state. For example, in the normal probability state, the probability of “big jackpot” is 1/300. On the other hand, in the high probability state, the probability of “big hit” is about 10/300.

  The variation pattern determination unit 202 determines a variation display time and variation pattern according to the result of the jackpot determination in the jackpot lottery unit 201. At this time, the variation pattern determination unit 202 determines a variation pattern for performing the reach effect if the “hit” is won as a result of the jackpot lottery (hit determination). Further, even when the “big hit” is not won, when the reach random number acquired by the big hit lottery unit 201 is a predetermined value, the variation pattern for performing the reach effect is determined.

  The variation start command transmission unit 203 generates a variation start command based on the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination unit 202, and transmits the variation start command to the effect control board 130. The variation start command includes the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination unit 202, and the result of the jackpot determination by the jackpot lottery unit 201 (that is, any one of “big jackpot”, “small jackpot”, and “losing”). Information).

  The effect control board 130 functions as an effect pattern determination unit 211, a jackpot confirmed effect lottery unit 212, and a jackpot confirmed effect execution unit 213. In addition, the effect control board 130 functions as various processing units as the game progresses, but only a part of them is shown in FIG.

  The effect pattern determination unit 211 is a processing unit that determines an effect pattern at the time of decorative symbol variation display based on a variation start command received from the main control board 100. For example, when performing a reach effect, among the three rows of decorative symbols Are stopped with symbols arranged on a predetermined line, and then an effect pattern to shift to reach effect is determined. The effect control board 130 starts the effect operation of each part based on the effect pattern determined by the effect pattern determination unit 211.

  The jackpot finalizing effect lottery unit 212 is a processing unit that draws whether or not to perform a jackpot finalizing effect for turning on the handle lamp 59 in the middle of the reach effect when the “big hit” is won in the jackpot lottery. The jackpot finalizing effect lottery unit 212 sequentially updates a random number for the jackpot finalizing effect, for example, reads the value of the random number, and performs a lottery for the jackpot finalizing effect. For example, if the read random number value corresponds to a predetermined winning value, the jackpot finalizing effect flag is set.

  The jackpot confirmed effect execution unit 213 is a processing unit that activates the jackpot confirmed effect during the reach effect under a predetermined condition when the jackpot confirmed effect flag is set. A signal SG1 output from the firing state detection unit 162 is input to the jackpot determination effect execution unit 213. The jackpot decision effect execution unit 213 is configured to detect the firing operation state based on the signal SG1, and when the jackpot decision effect flag is set, the operation handle 4 is in the firing operation state. A jackpot finalizing effect is executed as a condition. That is, the jackpot finalizing effect execution unit 213 determines whether or not it is in the firing operation state during a predetermined launching state detection period during the reach effect after the change display of the decorative symbol that becomes the “hit” shifts to the reach effect. If it is detected that it is in the firing operation state, each part is controlled to activate the jackpot finalizing effect at that timing. In the case of this embodiment, the jackpot finalizing effect execution unit 213 activates the jackpot finalizing effect in the middle before the reach effect ends by turning on or blinking the handle lamp 59 via the lamp control board 150. Thereby, the player can grasp that the reach production is “big hit” at an earlier stage than usual before the reach production is finished, and the expectation for the big hit reaches a maximum.

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the jackpot lottery is won, the operation handle 4 is in the firing operation state for a predetermined period after the decorative display variation display on the image display 8 is started. When a certain thing is detected, it is comprised so that a jackpot finalization effect may be triggered by the detection. In particular, in this embodiment, when it is detected that the operation handle 4 is in the firing operation state during the reach production, the jackpot finalizing production is activated at the detected timing. For this reason, the player expects that the jackpot finalizing effect will be activated when the decorative symbol change display shifts to the reach effect. The occupancy rate of the gaming machine 1 can be prevented from decreasing during reach production. Hereinafter, the operation of the gaming machine 1 will be described in more detail.

  First, the operation in the main control board 100 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing main operations performed by the CPU 101 of the main control board 100. The CPU 101 of the main control board 100 performs the processing based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 as a timer interruption process at regular intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Repeatedly. When this process is started, the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 performs a random number update process (step S101), a first start port switch process (step S102), a second start port switch process (step S103), and a gate switch process (step S103). Step S104), various switch processing (Step S105), prize ball processing (Step S106), special symbol processing (Step S107), normal symbol processing (Step S108), big prize opening processing (Step S109), electric tulip (electric chow) ) Process (step S110) and output process (step S111) are sequentially executed, and when these series of processes are completed, the initial value random number update process (step S112) is repeatedly executed thereafter. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed and the next interruption by the timer occurs, the process after the random number update process (step S101) is executed again, and this process is repeated thereafter.

  In the random number update process (step S101), the values of various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers and reach random numbers stored in the RAM 103 are updated. In the first start port switch process (step S102), the state of the first start port switch 81 is monitored, and when the first start port switch 81 is turned on, various random numbers such as a big hit random number are acquired. Execute. In the second start port switch process (step S103), the state of the second start port switch 82 is monitored, and when the second start port switch 82 is turned on, various random numbers such as a big hit random number are acquired. Execute. In the gate switch process (step S104), the CPU 101 monitors the state of the gate switch 92, and executes a process for drawing a normal symbol when the gate switch 92 is turned on. Further, in various switch processes (step S105), input processes from all other switches (for example, a normal prize opening switch, a prize opening switch, etc.) are performed. In the prize ball process (step S106), the number of prizes received in various prize openings is counted, and a prize ball command is set based on the counted value. In the special symbol process (step S107), a special symbol change and a process associated with the symbol change are performed. In the normal symbol processing (step S108), normal symbol variation and processing associated with the symbol variation are performed. In the special prize opening process (step S109), the operation of the accessory 23 to open and close the special prize opening 22 is controlled. In the electric tulip process (step S110), the opening / closing operation of the electric tulip 20 is controlled based on a predetermined condition. In the output process (step S111), various commands and data are output from the main control board 100 to the sub control board 200 such as the payout control board 120 and the effect control board 130. Since the commands and data to be output to each substrate are generated in each process from step S102 to S110 and are set in the RAM 103 in advance, in this output process, the commands and data set in the RAM 103 are read and output. In the initial value random number update process (step S112), initial values of various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers and reach random numbers are updated. For the remaining time in program execution, the initial value of various random numbers can be updated each time by repeatedly executing this initial value random number update process (step S112). Since the remaining time of the program varies depending on the state of the gaming machine 1, the update of the initial values of various random numbers becomes irregular. For this reason, even if an attempt is made to generate a jackpot illegally, the initial value of the jackpot random number is unknown, so it is not possible to know the timing at which the jackpot random number becomes a winning value, thereby preventing fraud.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the first start port switch process (step S102 in FIG. 10). In this process, it is determined whether or not a game ball enters the first start port 19 and the first start port switch 81 is turned on (step S201). If the first start port switch 81 is not turned on, the first start port switch process is terminated. If the first start port switch 81 is turned on, it is determined whether or not the number of holds U1 due to entering the first start port 19 is less than the upper limit value (step S202). In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holdings U1 has reached the upper limit (NO in step S202), the number of holdings cannot be increased any more, and the first start port switch process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the hold number U1 is less than the upper limit value (YES in step S202), the value of the hold number U1 is incremented by 1 (step S203). Then, various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers and reach random numbers for jackpot lottery due to entering the first starting port 19 are acquired, and these random number values are stored in a predetermined storage area provided in the RAM 103 (step S204). . At this time, whether or not it is a “hit” is determined by the value of the big hit random number read out. When the value of the big hit random number is “losing”, it is determined whether or not the reach effect is performed based on the read reach random number value. Note that when the value of the jackpot random number is “big jackpot”, the reach effect is always performed, so the value of the reach random number is ignored.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the second start port switch process (step S103 in FIG. 10). In this process, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the second start port 21 and the second start port switch 82 is turned on (step S301). If the second start port switch 82 is not turned on, the second start port switch process is terminated. If the second start port switch 82 is on, it is determined whether or not the number of holds U2 due to entering the second start port 21 is less than the upper limit value (step S302). In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holdings U2 has reached the upper limit (NO in step S302), the number of holdings cannot be increased any more, so the second start port switch process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the hold number U2 is less than the upper limit value (YES in step S302), 1 is added to the value of the hold number U2 (step S303). Then, various random numbers such as jackpot random numbers and reach random numbers for jackpot lottery due to entering the second starting port 21 are acquired, and these random number values are stored in a predetermined storage area provided in the RAM 103 (step S304). . At this time, whether or not it is a “hit” is determined by the value of the big hit random number read out. When the value of the big hit random number is “losing”, it is determined whether or not the reach effect is performed based on the read reach random number value. If the value of the jackpot random number is “big jackpot”, the reach effect is always performed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the gate switch process (step S104 in FIG. 10). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the through gate 16 and the gate switch 92 is turned on (step S401). Here, if the gate switch 92 is not turned on, the gate switch process is terminated. If the gate switch 92 is on, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery holding number G is less than the upper limit value (step S402). In the example shown in the figure, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reservations G has reached the upper limit (NO in step S402), the number of reservations cannot be increased any more, and the gate switch process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is less than the upper limit value (YES in step S402), 1 is added to the value of the reserved number G (step S403). Then, a random number for the lottery of the normal symbol when the game ball passes through the through gate 16 is acquired, and the random number value is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 103 (step S404). The random symbol value read at this time determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery due to the game ball passing through the through gate 16 is successful.

  Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol process (step S107 in FIG. 10). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is in the big prize opening opening game after winning the “big hit” or “small win” (step S501). If the special winning opening game is in progress, a special symbol representing some “big hit” or “small bonus” has already been selected and stopped, so the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation ( YES in step S501). On the other hand, if it is not in the big prize opening opening game (NO in step S501), it is next determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is displaying the variation of the special symbol (step S502). When the special symbol variation display is not in progress (NO in step S502), it is determined whether or not the number of holdings U2 is 1 or more (step S503). Here, when the holding number U2 is 1 or more (YES in step S503), it is a value of various random numbers that are held when the game ball enters the second starting port 21, and is the next variable display target. The value of various random numbers stored in the storage area is read out, and 1 is subtracted from the value of the holding number U2 (step S504). Then, another reserved storage area is shifted (step S505).

  On the other hand, if the hold number U2 is 0 (NO in step S503), it is next determined whether or not the hold number U1 is 1 or more (step S506). Here, when the holding number U1 is 1 or more (YES in step S506), it is a value of various random numbers held when the game ball enters the first starting port 19, and is the next variable display target. The value of various random numbers stored in the storage area is read and 1 is subtracted from the value of the hold number U1 (step S507). Then, another reserved storage area is shifted (step S508).

  In addition, when the number of holdings U1 is 0 (NO in step S506), the entry of the game ball into the first starting port 19 or the second starting port 21 which is a condition for the big hit lottery (special symbol lottery) is held. This means that no special symbol variation display is started, and the process ends.

  When the value of various random numbers held in either step S504 or step S507 is read, the jackpot determination process (step S509) and the variation pattern selection process (step S510) are executed in order. With these jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing, setting information (such as whether or not the jackpot lottery has been won, symbol, gaming state, variation pattern, etc.) included in the variation start command to be output to the effect control board 130 is determined. Is done. The details of the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process will be described later.

  Then, a variation start command including the setting information determined in the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process is generated and set in the RAM 103 (step S511). Based on this setting information, the variable display of the special symbol on either the first special symbol display 63 or the second special symbol display 65 is started (step S512). At this time, in the case of the variable display based on the hold put in the second starting port 21, the special symbol variable display on the second special symbol display 65 is started. Further, in the case of the variable display based on the hold that has entered the first start port 19, the special symbol variable display on the first special symbol display 63 is started. Then, measurement of the variation time is started in order to continue the variation display of the special symbol for the time set by the variation pattern (step S513). The change start command set in the RAM 103 in step S511 is output to the effect control board 130 in the output process (step S111) in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S502 that the special symbol variation display is being performed (YES in step S502), the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 determines whether or not the variation time has ended (step S514). Here, it is determined whether or not the variation time at which measurement started in step S513 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process in step S510 when the special symbol variation display is started. If the variation time has not ended (NO in step S514), since the special symbol variation display is continued, the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time is over (YES in step S514), a variation stop command is set in the RAM 103. The change stop command set here is output to the effect control board 130 in the output process (step S111) of FIG. Then, the variation display of the special symbol on the first special symbol display 63 or the second special symbol display 65 is stopped at a preset stop symbol (step S516), and the measured variation time is reset (step S517). Then, the stop process (step S518) is executed. The details of the stop process will be described later.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the jackpot determination process (step S509 in FIG. 14). In this process, it is first determined whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability state (step S531). If the gaming state is a high probability state, a random number determination at a high probability is performed as a table for determining a jackpot random number. A table is selected (step S532). On the other hand, if the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is not a high probability state, a random number determination table at the normal probability is selected (step S533).

  The CPU 101 of the main control board 100 determines the jackpot random number read from the reserved storage area based on the selected table (step S534), and determines whether or not the jackpot is won (step S535). That is, it is determined whether or not the value of the jackpot random number corresponds to the winning value set in the random number determination table.

  If the jackpot is won (YES in step S535), the design random number is subsequently determined (step S536). The design random number is a random number for determining whether the gaming state after the big prize opening opening game when winning the jackpot is a high probability state or a normal probability state. Acquired together with the jackpot random number or the reach random number as the ball enters the second starting port 21. When the symbol random number is determined, the symbol random number to be determined is a random number acquired by entering the first start port 19 and a random number acquired by entering the second start port 21 The table to be referenced differs depending on the case. Then, by determining the design random number, the game state after the big prize opening game is determined as either “high probability state” or “normal probability state”, and further, “time-short game” and “non-time-short game” "Is determined. Then, the CPU 101 sets a special symbol corresponding to the jackpot as a stop symbol to be stopped after the special symbol variation display (step S537).

  On the other hand, if the jackpot is not won (NO in step S535), it is determined whether or not the jackpot is won (step S538). If the bonus is won (YES in step S538), the design random number is subsequently determined (step S539), and a special symbol corresponding to the bonus is set as a stop symbol to be stopped after the special symbol variation display ( Step S540).

  If the winning combination is not won (NO in step S538), a lost symbol corresponding to the lost symbol is set as a stop symbol to be stopped after the special symbol change display (step S541).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the variation pattern selection process (step S510 in FIG. 14). In this process, the variation pattern for various effects including the variation display of the decorative design on the image display 8 is determined. For this purpose, first, the CPU 101 acquires a random number (not shown) for determining the variation pattern and stores it in the RAM 103 (step S561). Next, it is determined whether or not the jackpot is won (step S562). In this determination, determination similar to step S535 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 15) may be performed, or determination may be made by referring to the determination result of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 15). If it is a big hit (YES in step S562), the CPU 101 reads the big hit variation pattern table from the ROM 102 and sets it in the RAM 103 (step S564).

  On the other hand, if it is not a big win (NO in step S562), it is further determined whether or not a small win is won (step S566). If it is a small hit (YES in step S566), the CPU 101 reads the variation pattern table for small hits from the ROM 102 and sets it in the RAM 103 (step S567). If it is not a small hit (NO in step S566), the CPU 101 determines a reach random number for determining whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a big hit (step S568). Whether or not a reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the value of the reach random number read from the reserved storage area matches a preset value. As a result of the reach random number determination, when a reach effect is performed (YES in step S569), the CPU 101 reads a variation pattern table for reach effect from the ROM 102 and sets it in the RAM 103 (step S570). When the reach effect is not performed (NO in step S569), the CPU 101 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 102 and sets it in the RAM 103 (step S571). Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with values of variation pattern random numbers.

  Then, the CPU 101 determines a variation pattern random number using the variation pattern table set in step S564, S567, S570 or S571 (step S572). Here, referring to the variation pattern table set in the RAM 103, a variation pattern corresponding to the value of the variation pattern random number acquired in step S561 is selected. Therefore, even if the value of the random number of the variation pattern is the same value, whether or not the jackpot is won, whether or not the jackpot is won, whether or not the reach effect is performed if the jackpot or the jackpot is not won Since the variation pattern table to be referred to differs depending on the state difference, the determined variation pattern may be different. Thereafter, the CPU 101 sets the variation pattern selected in step S572 as setting information in the RAM 103 (step S573). The variation pattern setting information set here is included in the variation start command set in step S511 of the special symbol process (FIG. 14).

  Next, FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the suspension process (step S518 in FIG. 14). In this process, after the special symbol variation display is stopped, the game state of the gaming machine 1 is shifted to the jackpot game or the jackpot game according to the result of the jackpot lottery. Also, a process for returning the short-time game to the normal game state is performed. When the stop process starts, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the jackpot is won (step S581). If it is a big hit (YES in step S581), the gaming state corresponding to the big win is set (step S583). At this time, a big winning opening opening game corresponding to the big winning is set as the big winning game, and the gaming state after the big winning opening release game is finished (for example, one of a high probability state and a normal probability state, or a short-time game) Either or not) is also set. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a short-time game (step S583), and if the short-time game is set, 100 is set in the short-time fluctuation count J for counting the number of times the special symbol is changed by the short-time game (step S584). In this example, the number of short-time fluctuations is set to 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. On the other hand, if the short-time game is not set, the short-time variation number is not set.

  Then, the CPU 101 sets a jackpot start command in the RAM 103 (step S585) and starts the jackpot operation control (step S586). As a result, the gaming machine 1 becomes a big hit and shifts to a big prize opening game, and after a predetermined opening, the winning combination 23 is set based on an opening pattern corresponding to the big hit set in the RAM 103. The mouth 22 is opened and closed by a predetermined number of rounds.

  On the other hand, if it is not a big win (NO in step S581), the CPU 101 determines whether or not a small win is won (step S587). If it is a small hit (YES in step S587), the CPU 101 sets a small hit start command in the RAM 103 (step S588) and starts operation control for the small hit (step S589). As a result, the gaming machine 1 becomes a small hit, moves to the big prize opening game, and after a predetermined opening is performed, based on the release pattern corresponding to the small hit in which the accessory 23 is set in the RAM 103. The special winning opening 22 is opened and closed by a predetermined number of rounds.

  If it is not a small hit (NO in step S587), the CPU 101 checks whether or not the number of hourly fluctuations J is 0 (step S590). If the number of short-time fluctuations J is 0 (YES in step S590), the in-stop process is terminated. If the time fluctuation number J is not 0 (NO in step S590), the CPU 101 subtracts 1 from the value of the time fluctuation number J (step S591) and checks again whether the time fluctuation number J is 0 (step S592). If the short-time variation count J is not 0 (NO in step S592), the short-time game continues, and thus the in-stop process is terminated. Also, if the time variation number J is 0 (YES in step S592), the time-short game is completed, and therefore the CPU 101 sets the normal game state in the RAM 103 in order to shift the gaming machine 1 to the normal game (step S593).

  Next, FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the normal symbol processing (step S108 in FIG. 10). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is an auxiliary game (step S601). “In auxiliary game” means that the normal symbol lottery is won and the electric tulip 20 is being opened. If the auxiliary game is in progress (YES in step S601), the normal symbol process is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation. If it is not in an auxiliary game (NO in step S601), it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is displaying a normal symbol variation (step S602). If the normal symbol is not variably displayed (NO in step S602), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery holding number G is 1 or more (step S603). If the holding number G is 0 (NO in step S603), it means that there is no winning to the through gate 16 for starting the normal symbol lottery, so that the normal symbol variation display is not started. Normal symbol processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the holding number G is 1 or more (YES in step S603), the CPU 101 subtracts 1 from the value of the holding number G (step S604), determines the random number in the current normal symbol lottery, It is determined whether or not the symbol lottery is won (step S605). This determination is made by determining whether or not the random number value acquired in step S404 of the gate switch process (FIG. 13) matches a preset winning value. When the normal symbol lottery is won (YES in step S605), the CPU 101 sets a symbol (winning symbol) indicating that it is won in the RAM 103 (step S606). If the normal symbol lottery is not won (NO in step S605), the CPU 101 sets a symbol (losing symbol) indicating that the normal symbol lottery is lost in the RAM 103 (step S607).

  Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a normal gaming state (step S608). In this determination, if the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability state or a short-time game, NO is determined, and if it is a normal probability state other than those, YES is determined. If the normal gaming state is determined (YES in step S608), the normal symbol variation time is set to a long time (29 seconds in the example) (step S609). If it is determined that the game state is not in the normal game state (NO in step S608), the normal symbol change time is set to a short time (3 seconds in the example shown) (step S610). Then, the CPU 101 starts the fluctuation display of the normal symbol display 61 based on the content set in step S606 or S607 (step S611), and performs the fluctuation display of the normal symbol for the time set in step S609 or S610. The measurement of the variation time is started (step S612).

  If the normal symbol variation display is in progress (YES in step S602), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the regular symbol variation time has ended (step S613). That is, it is determined whether or not the variation time started in step S612 has reached the variation time set in step S609 or S610. If the variation time has not ended (NO in step S613), the normal symbol variation is continued, and the normal symbol processing is terminated as it is. If the fluctuation time has ended (YES in step S613), the CPU 101 stops the normal symbol fluctuation display and displays the symbol set in step S606 or S607 (step S614). Thereafter, the measured variation time is reset (step S615). Then, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery has been won (step S616). If it has been won (YES in step S616), operation control of an auxiliary game such as opening the electric tulip 20 is started (step S617). . As a result, the gaming state is in an auxiliary game. On the other hand, if the normal symbol lottery is not won (NO in step S616), the normal symbol processing is terminated while the current state of the gaming machine 1 is maintained.

  Next, FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are flowcharts showing details of the special prize opening process (step S109 in FIG. 10). In this process, the big winning opening opening game in the case of a big win or a small win is controlled. The CPU 101 determines whether the current state of the gaming machine 1 is a big hit or a small hit (step S701). If it is not a big hit or a small hit (NO in step S701), the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 22 is not performed, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated. On the other hand, when the big hit or the small hit is being made (YES in step S701), the CPU 101 performs the opening operation in the operation control at the time of the big hit or the small hit started by the gaming machine 1 in the stop process (FIG. 17). It is determined whether or not the process is in progress (step S702).

  When the gaming machine 1 is opening (YES in step S702), the CPU 101 determines whether or not a preset time for opening operation (opening time) has elapsed (step S703). If the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S703), the opening operation is continued, and the big prize opening process is terminated. If the opening time has elapsed (YES in step S703), the CPU 101 adds 1 to the current value of the round number R that opens the special winning opening 22 (step S704). Then, the accessory 23 is driven to open the special winning opening 22 (step S705). The opening pattern of the special winning opening 22 is set in the RAM 103 in advance according to the winning type.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 22 by the accessory 23 has passed the time (opening time) preset by the opening pattern set in the RAM 103 (step S706). When the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S706), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the number C of winning prizes to the opened big winning opening 22 is 9 or more (step S707). If the opening time has not elapsed and the number C of winning prizes is less than 9 (NO in step S707), the state of opening the big prize opening 22 is continued, and the big prize opening process is terminated. On the other hand, when the opening time of the big winning opening 22 by the accessory 23 has passed a preset time (YES in step S706), or when the number of winning C has reached nine (YES in step S707), The CPU 101 drives the accessory 23 to close the special winning opening 22 (step S708).

  Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the number of rounds R for opening the special winning opening 22 has reached a preset maximum value (step S709). In the present embodiment, the maximum number of rounds R is set to 15 rounds. If the maximum value has not been reached (NO in step S709), since the operation control at the time of the big hit is continued, the big prize opening process is terminated. On the other hand, when the round number R reaches the maximum value (YES in step S709), the CPU 101 resets the round number R to 0 (step S710), and performs the ending operation in the operation control for the big hit or the small hit. Start (step S711).

  Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time for ending operation (ending time) has elapsed (step S712). If the ending time has not elapsed (NO in step S712), the ending operation is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated. When the ending time has elapsed (YES in step S712), the CPU 101 ends the jackpot operation control or the jackpot operation control to end the jackpot opening game associated with the jackpot or the jackpot and ends the jackpot. The process ends (step S713).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S702 that the gaming machine 1 is not opening (NO in step S702), the process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. 20 to determine whether or not the CPU 101 and the special winning opening 22 are open ( Step S721). If it is open (YES in step S721), the processing from step S706 described above is executed. If not open (NO in step S721), it is determined whether or not the gaming machine 1 is ending (step S722). If the process is ending (YES in step S722), the processes in and after step S712 are executed. If the ending is not in progress (NO in step S722), whether or not the elapsed time after the accessory 23 has closed the special winning opening 22 has passed the opening round execution interval (interval time) set in advance by the opening pattern. Is determined (step S723). If the interval time has not elapsed (NO in step S723), it is not the timing for carrying out the next round yet, so the big prize opening process is terminated. On the other hand, when the interval time has elapsed (YES in step S723), the processing after step S704 described above is executed to perform the next round and open the special winning opening 22.

  With the above-described big prize opening process, a round in which the accessory 23 opens the big prize opening 22 is performed a predetermined number of times in the big prize opening opening game in which the big win or the small win is started in the gaming machine 1.

  Next, FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the electric tulip process (step S110 (electricity Chu process) in FIG. 10). In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the current state of the gaming machine 1 is an auxiliary game (step S801). If the auxiliary game is not being performed (NO in step S801), the electric tulip 20 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated. On the other hand, when the auxiliary game is being performed (YES in step S801), it is determined whether or not the opening operation is being performed in the operation control during the auxiliary game (step S802). If the gaming machine 1 is opening (YES in step S802), it is determined whether or not a preset time (opening time) for performing the opening operation has elapsed (step S803). If the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S803), the opening operation is continued, and the electric tulip process is terminated. In contrast, if the opening time has elapsed (YES in step S803), it is determined whether or not the current operating state of the gaming machine 1 is a normal gaming state (step S804). The determination here is the same as in step S608 of the normal symbol processing (FIG. 18). If the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a high-probability state or a short-time game, it is NO, and if it is any other normal gaming state Yes. If it is determined that the game state is normal (YES in step S804), the CPU 101 sets the opening time of the electric tulip 20 to a short time (0.2 seconds in the illustrated example) (step S805). If it is determined that the game state is not the normal game state (NO in step S804), the CPU 101 sets the opening time of the electric tulip 20 to a long time (3.5 seconds in the example shown) (step S806). Then, the CPU 101 opens the electric tulip 20 (step S807) and starts measuring the elapsed time after opening (step S808). Then, it is determined whether or not the opening time set in step S805 or S806 has passed (step S809). If the opening time has not elapsed (NO in step S809), since the opening of the electric tulip 20 is continued, the electric tulip process is terminated. If the opening time has elapsed (YES in step S809), the CPU 101 closes the electric tulip 20 (step S810), ends the operation control during the auxiliary game, and ends the electric tulip process (step S811).

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing details of the output process (step S111 in FIG. 10). In this process, various data and commands are output from the main control board 100 to the sub control board 200. First, if the variation start command is set, the CPU 101 transmits it to the effect control board 130 to start the variation display of the decorative symbol on the image display 8 and perform various effect operations associated with the variation display of the special symbol. The start is instructed (step S901). This variation start command includes information indicating the jackpot lottery result and information indicating whether or not a reach effect is to be performed. If the change start command is not set, the transmission process in step S901 is not performed.

  Next, if the change stop command is set, it transmits it to the effect control board 130, stops the change display of the decorative symbols on the image display 8, and instructs the player to notify the result of the big hit lottery. This is performed (step S902). If the change stop command is not set, the transmission process in step S902 is not performed.

  Next, if the jackpot start command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 130, and the start of the effect operation in the big prize opening game at the time of the jackpot is instructed (step S903). If the jackpot start command is not set, the transmission process in step S903 is not performed.

  Next, if the jackpot end command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 130, and the effect operation of the big win opening game at the time of the jackpot is ended (step S904). If the jackpot end command is not set, the transmission process in step S904 is not performed.

  Next, if the small hit start command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 130, and an instruction to start the effect operation in the big prize opening opening game at the time of the small hit is given (step S905). If the small hit start command is not set, the transmission process in step S905 is not performed.

  Next, if the small hit end command is set, it is transmitted to the effect control board 130, and the large winning opening release game effect operation at the time of the small hit is ended (step S906). If the small hit end command is not set, the transmission process in step S906 is not performed.

  Finally, if other various commands are set, each part is controlled by transmitting it to the effect control board 130 and the payout control board 120 (step S907). At this time, a prize ball command associated with a game ball entering a variety of prize opening is transmitted to the payout control board 120. Thus, the output process ends.

  As described above, when the game ball enters the first start port 19 or the second start port 21, the main control board 100 acquires various random numbers such as a big hit random number and a reach random number at the time when the game ball enters. Then, the jackpot determination is performed at the time of the special symbol variation display accompanying the entrance to the starting opening, and the variation start display command is transmitted to the effect control board 130, so that the decorative symbol variation display is interlocked with the special symbol variation display. It is configured to control various effects including.

  Next, an example of detailed operation in the effect control board 130 will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing main operations performed by the CPU 131 of the effect control board 130. For example, the CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 repeatedly executes processing based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 23 at regular intervals. When this process is started, the CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 determines whether or not a variation start command has been received (step S1001). When the variation start command is received (YES in step S1001), the CPU 131 executes a variation start command reception process described in detail later (step S1002). On the other hand, when the change start command is not received (NO in step S1001), the change start command reception process is not performed and the process skips.

  Next, the CPU 131 determines whether or not an effect is being executed (step S1003). “During the performance” here refers to the period from the start to the stop of the decorative display of the decorative pattern on the image display 8 until it is stopped. The period until the reach production ends is included. If the effect is being executed (YES in step S1003), the CPU 131 executes an effect executing process which will be described in detail later (step S1004). On the other hand, if the effect is not being executed (NO in step S1003), the effect executing process is skipped without being performed.

  Next, the CPU 131 determines whether another command has been received (step S1005). If another command has been received (YES in step S1005), the CPU 131 executes processing based on the received command (step S1006). This process includes, for example, a process of stopping three rows of decorative symbols at a symbol corresponding to the result of the jackpot lottery when a variable stop command is received. On the other hand, if no other command has been received (NO in step S1005), the other command reception process is not performed and the process skips. Thus, the main operation in the effect control board 130 is completed.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing details of the change start command reception process (step S1002 in FIG. 23). When the CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 receives the change start command, it analyzes the change pattern included in the command (step S1101), and determines the effect pattern accompanying the change display of the decorative design on the image display 8 (step S1102). ). At this time, when it is specified that the reach effect is performed in the variation pattern, the effect pattern in which the decorative symbol variation display shifts to the reach effect is determined.

  Then, the CPU 131 determines whether or not a reach effect is included in the determined effect pattern (step S1103). When the reach pattern includes the reach effect (YES in step S1103), the CPU 131 determines whether or not the big win lottery result is “big win” (step S1104). When the jackpot lottery result is “big jackpot” (YES in step S1104), the CPU 131 acquires a random number for the jackpot finalizing effect that is sequentially updated, and performs a lottery for the jackpot finalizing effect based on the value of the random number. (Step S1105). Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired random value for the jackpot finalizing effect is a predetermined winning value (step S1106). If it matches the winning value (YES in step S1106), the finalizing effect flag is set. (Step S1107). Then, a predetermined period from the start of the decorative symbol variation display is set as the firing state detection period (step S1108). Usually, the player often releases his / her hand from the handle lever 49 at the timing when the decorative symbol change display shifts to the reach effect. Therefore, it is more preferable to set a predetermined period after the decorative symbol variation display shifts to the reach effect as the firing state detection period. Then, the CPU 131 controls the image control board 140 and the lamp control board 150 based on the effect pattern determined in step S1102, thereby starting execution of various effects associated with the special symbol variation display in the gaming machine 1 (step S1109). ). As a result, on the image display 8, the decorative symbol variation display is started. If the reach effect is included in the effect pattern, after the decorative symbol variation display is started, the stop is performed in a state where two of the three rows of the decorative symbols are aligned, and thereafter, the reach effect is shifted to.

  On the other hand, if the reach pattern is not included in the effect pattern (NO in step S1103), or if the reach effect is included but the jackpot lottery result is not “big hit” (NO in step S1104), the jackpot finalizing effect lottery Is not performed, the process proceeds to step S1109, and execution of the effect based on the effect pattern is started (step S1109). Even if the jackpot lottery result is “hit”, if the lottery for the jackpot finalizing effect is not won (step S1106), the process proceeds to step S1109 and the execution of the effect based on the effect pattern is started (step S1109). ).

  As described above, in the variation start command reception process (step S1002), if the jackpot lottery result is won, the jackpot finalizing effect lottery is performed, and if the lottery is won, the finalizing flag is set. It becomes the state. On the other hand, when the jackpot lottery result is not “big jackpot” or when the jackpot finalizing lottery is not won, the finalizing flag is not set.

  Next, FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of the effect execution process (step S1004 in FIG. 23). In this process, it is mainly controlled whether or not the jackpot finalizing effect is executed in the middle of the reach effect. The CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 determines whether or not the confirmed effect flag is set when the effect execution process is started (step S1201). If the finalized effect flag is not set here (NO in step S1201), the process ends. On the other hand, when the confirmed effect flag is set (YES in step S1201), the CPU 131 determines whether or not the jackpot confirmed effect has already been activated (step S1202). If the jackpot finalizing effect has already been activated (YES in step S1202), this process ends.

  On the other hand, when the jackpot finalizing effect has not yet been activated (NO in step S1202), the CPU 131 determines whether or not it is the firing state detection period (step S1203). As described above, if a predetermined period after the decorative symbol change display shifts to the reach effect is set in advance as the firing state detection period, the predetermined period during the reach effect becomes the launch state detection period. Yes. If it is within the firing state detection period (YES in step S1203), the CPU 131 confirms the signal SG1 indicating the firing operation state of the operation handle 4 output from the launch control board 160 (step S1204), and the operation handle. It is determined whether 4 is in the firing operation state (step S1205). If it is a launching operation state for launching a game ball (YES in step S1205), a jackpot finalizing effect is activated at that timing (step S1206). That is, the CPU 131 controls the lamp control board 150 to turn on or blink the handle lamp 59. The jackpot finalizing effect is activated (step S1206) only once in the variation display, and when the handle lamp 59 is lit or blinking, the lighting or blinking state is the decoration symbol received by the variation stop command. Continue until the fluctuation display and reach production ends.

  On the other hand, if it is not the firing state detection period (NO in step S1203), or if the operation handle 4 is not in the firing operation state (NO in step S1205), the process of activating the jackpot finalizing effect is not performed, and this process ends. .

  As described above, in the effect execution process (step S1004), when the transition to the reach effect is performed with the confirmed effect flag set, it is confirmed whether or not the player is performing a game ball launch operation during the launch state detection period. When it is detected that the game ball is being fired, the jackpot finalizing effect is activated at the detected timing. On the other hand, even if the confirmed effect flag is set, if the game ball is not fired during the firing state detection period, the jackpot confirmed effect in the middle of the reach effect is performed. Absent.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart when the jackpot finalizing effect is activated in the gaming machine 1. As shown in FIG. 26, for example, when the player grasps the operation handle 4 at the time T1 and rotates the handle lever 49 to start the game ball launching operation, the launch control board 160 detects it. A game ball is fired. Then, the game ball launched into the game area 13 enters the first start port 19 or the second start port 21, and the decorative symbol variation display on the image display 8 starts at time T2. When the variation display is an effect that is a “big hit”, the variation display of the decorative symbol shifts to a reach effect at time T3. If the lottery for the jackpot finalizing effect is won in this variable display, as shown in FIG. 26, the firing state detection period is set as a period from time Ta to Tb after the reach effect transition.

  Here, the time Tb is set a predetermined time before the time T5 when the variable display ends. Even if the jackpot finalizing effect is activated after time Tb, the time (time Tb to T5) during which the jackpot finalizing effect is performed is shorter than the predetermined time, so that it is effective to excite the player. This is to prevent the performance from becoming impossible. The predetermined time (time Tb to T5) can be set as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 26, it is assumed that, for example, the player temporarily releases the handle lever 49 after the decorative symbol change display shifts to the reach effect. In this case, while the player releases his hand from the handle lever 49, the jackpot finalizing effect is not activated. Thereafter, if the player operates the handle lever 49 again at time T4 in the firing state detection period (time Ta to Tb) and starts the game ball launching operation, the jackpot finalizing effect is triggered at that timing. Activate at (time T4). In other words, in this example, the handle lamp 59 is turned on or blinks at time T4 in the middle of the reach effect, and the effect that informs the player that the reach effect will be a big hit at an early stage before the reach effect ends. Is done.

  Next, FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart when the jackpot finalizing effect is not activated in the gaming machine 1. In FIG. 27, times T1, T2, T3, and T5 are the same as in FIG. 26, and the firing state detection period (time Ta to Tb) is also the same as in FIG. In the example of FIG. 27, after the decorative symbol variation display shifts to reach production, before the start of the firing state detection period, the player releases his hand from the handle lever 49 and the game ball is not fired. In the firing state detection period (time Ta to Tb), since the player has released his hand from the handle lever 49 and the state where the game ball is not fired continues, the jackpot finalizing effect is not activated in this example. In other words, even if the player wins a “hit” in the jackpot lottery and wins the lottery for the jackpot finalization effect, the player can use the handle lever during the launch state detection period after the transition to the reach effect. If the hand is released from 49 and the game ball is not being fired, the jackpot finalizing effect for turning on the handle lamp 59 in the middle of the reach effect is not performed.

  As described above, when the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment wins the “big hit” in the big hit lottery, the lottery of the big hit finalizing effect is performed on the effect control board 130 when the decorative symbol is displayed in a variable manner. Then, when the lottery of the jackpot finalizing effect is won, it is detected whether or not the operation handle 4 is in a firing operation state in a predetermined period after the decorative symbol change display shifts to the reach effect, and the firing operation is performed within that period. Only when the state is detected, the jackpot finalizing effect is executed at an arbitrary timing during the reach effect. When the jackpot finalizing effect is executed in the middle of the reach effect, the player can grasp that the reach effect is a “hit” with a probability of 100%. Therefore, such a jackpot finalizing effect is an effect that the player expects most to be executed in the middle of the reach effect. Since the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment executes the jackpot finalizing effect in the middle of the reach effect only when the player performs an operation for firing the game ball after the transition to the reach effect, Even after the transition to the reach production, the player continues the operation for launching the game ball without releasing his hand from the handle lever 49, so that a decrease in the operating rate of the gaming machine during the reach production is suppressed. Will be able to.

  Further, the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured to turn on or blink the handle lamp 59 in the jackpot finalizing effect. The handle lamp 59 does not light or flash in a normal performance, but only lights or flashes in a jackpot finalizing effect, so that the player's expectation is raised to the climax by lighting or flashing the handle lamp 59. It is a production that can be. Also, the jackpot finalizing effect by turning on or blinking the handle lamp 59 needs to switch the moving image effect on the image display 8 performed based on the predetermined effect pattern to another effect in the middle of the reach effect. In addition, there is an advantage that a jackpot finalizing effect can be performed in parallel with a moving image effect or the like on the image display 8. However, the jackpot finalizing effect is not necessarily limited to the effect of turning on or flashing the handle lamp 59.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment described above, if the operation handle 4 is detected once in the firing operation state during the firing state detection period, the jackpot finalizing effect is activated. Therefore, even if the player operates the handle lever 49 for only a short time of about 1 or 2 seconds during the firing state detection period, the jackpot finalizing effect may be activated. On the other hand, this embodiment demonstrates the form which activates the jackpot finalizing effect on condition that the launch state of the game ball in the launch state detection period is a predetermined time or more. In this embodiment as well, the overall configuration of the gaming machine 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and here, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  Regarding the operation in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the operation of the main control board 100 is the same as the flowchart described in the first embodiment. The main operation of the effect control board 130 is also the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. However, in the present embodiment, the detailed processing procedure of the effect execution process (step S1004) in the flowchart of FIG. 23 is different from that of the first embodiment. This will be described below.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing details of the effect execution process (step S1004 in FIG. 23) in the gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment. In this process, it is mainly controlled whether or not the jackpot expectation effect is executed during the reach effect. The CPU 131 of the effect control board 130 determines whether or not the confirmed effect flag is set when the effect execution process is started (step S1301). If the confirmed effect flag is not set (NO in step S1231), the process ends. On the other hand, when the confirmed effect flag is set (YES in step S1301), the CPU 131 determines whether or not the jackpot confirmed effect has already been activated (step S1302). If the jackpot finalizing effect has already been activated (YES in step S1302), the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the jackpot finalizing effect has not yet been activated (NO in step S1302), the CPU 131 determines whether or not it is the firing state detection period (step S1303). As described above, if the predetermined period after the decorative symbol change display shifts to the reach effect is set in advance as the firing state detection period, the predetermined period during the reach effect becomes the launch state detection period. Yes. If it is within the firing state detection period (YES in step S1303), the CPU 131 confirms the signal SG1 indicating the firing operation state of the operation handle 4 output from the firing control board 160 (step S1304), and the firing operation state. It is determined whether or not (step S1305). If it is the firing operation state (YES in step S1305), it is determined whether or not the duration of the firing operation state is being measured (step S1306). If the time is not being measured (NO in step S1306), Time measurement is started (step S1307). And after starting time measurement, this process is complete | finished.

  If time measurement has already been started (YES in step S1306), CPU 131 determines whether the time measured so far is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (step S1308). If the measurement time has already exceeded the predetermined time (YES in step S1308), the jackpot finalizing effect is activated (step S1309). That is, the CPU 131 controls the lamp control board 150 to turn on the handle lamp 59. The activation of the jackpot finalizing effect (step S1309) is performed only once in the variation display, and when the handle lamp 59 is lit or blinks, the lighting or blinking state indicates that the decoration symbol of the decoration symbol is received. Continue until the change display and reach production end.

  On the other hand, if the measurement time is still less than the predetermined time (NO in step S1308), the process is terminated without performing the process for activating the jackpot finalizing effect. If it is not the firing state detection period (NO in step S1303), or if the operation handle 4 is not in the firing operation state (NO in step S1305), this process ends.

  As described above, in the effect execution process (step S1004) in the present embodiment, when the transition to the reach effect is performed in a state where the confirmed effect flag is set, the player performs an operation for firing the game ball in the firing state detection period. When it is confirmed whether or not it has been performed for a predetermined time or more and it is detected that the firing operation state has continued for a predetermined time or more, the detection is triggered and the jackpot finalizing effect is activated at the detected timing. On the other hand, even if the confirmed effect flag is set, if the operation for firing the game ball is not continued for a predetermined time or more in the firing state detection period, the jackpot confirmed effect in the middle of the reach effect is Not done.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart when the jackpot finalizing effect is activated in the gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 29, for example, at time T1, if the player grasps the operation handle 4 and rotates the handle lever 49 to start the game ball launching operation, the launch control board 160 detects it. A game ball is fired. Then, the game ball launched into the game area 13 enters the first start port 19 or the second start port 21, and the decorative symbol variation display on the image display 8 starts at time T2. When the variation display is an effect that is a “big hit”, the variation display of the decorative symbol shifts to a reach effect at time T3. If the lottery for the jackpot finalizing effect is won in this variable display, as shown in FIG. 29, the firing state detection period is set as a period from time Ta to Tb after the reach effect transition. The point that the time Tb is set a predetermined time before the time T5 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 29, it is assumed that, for example, the player temporarily releases the handle lever 49 after the decorative symbol change display shifts to the reach effect. In this case, while the player releases his hand from the handle lever 49, the jackpot finalizing effect is not activated. Thereafter, at time T4a in the firing state detection period (time Ta to Tb), it is assumed that the player operates the handle lever 49 again to start the game ball launching operation. The gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment does not activate the jackpot finalizing effect at the time T4a, and if the game ball firing operation state is continued from the time T4a to the time T4b after a predetermined time has passed, The jackpot finalizing effect is activated at time T4b when a predetermined time elapses. In other words, in this example, the handle lamp 59 is lit at time T4b in the middle of the reach effect, and an effect is provided to inform the player that the reach effect will be a big hit at an early stage before the reach effect ends. Is called.

  As described above, when the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment wins the “big hit” in the big hit lottery, the lottery of the big hit finalizing effect is performed on the effect control board 130 when the decorative symbol is displayed in a variable manner. Then, when the lottery of the jackpot finalizing effect is won, it is detected whether or not the firing operation state of the operation handle 4 has continued for a predetermined time or more in a predetermined period after the change display of the decorative symbol shifts to the reach effect. Only when it is detected that the above-described firing operation state continues, the jackpot finalizing effect is executed at an arbitrary timing during the reach effect. When the jackpot finalizing effect is executed in the middle of the reach effect, the player can grasp at an early stage that the reach effect will be a “hit” with a probability of 100%. Therefore, such a jackpot finalizing effect is an effect that the player expects most to be executed in the middle of the reach effect. The gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, after shifting to the reach effect, only when the player has continuously performed an operation for firing a game ball for a predetermined time or longer, determines the jackpot decision effect during the reach effect. Therefore, even after the player shifts to reach production, the player continues to operate to launch the game ball without releasing the handle lever 49. A reduction in rate can be suppressed.

(Modification)
As mentioned above, although several embodiment regarding this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the content mentioned above, A various modification is applicable.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the firing state detection period is set as a predetermined period after the transition to the reach effect has been mainly illustrated, but the launch state detection period may not necessarily be after the transition to the reach effect. good. For example, the firing state detection period may be set immediately before shifting to the reach effect.

  Moreover, although the case where the effect which lights or blinks the handle lamp 59 was illustrated as a jackpot finalizing effect in the said embodiment, various effect modes other than this can be considered as a jackpot finalizing effect. For example, the display image on the image display device 8 may be switched to an image for jackpot determination effect, or the jackpot determination effect image is displayed on the front side of the reach effect image displayed on the image display device 8. Images may be displayed in a superimposed manner. Further, a movable accessory provided on the game board 10 may be operated. Moreover, it is good also as an effect which lights or blinks lamps other than the handle lamp 59 (for example, frame lamp 6 etc.) in a specific pattern. Furthermore, it is good also as an effect which produces | generates the sound for jackpot finalizing effects etc. from the speaker 5. FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the launch state detection unit 162 of the launch control board 160 is configured to output the signal SG1 indicating the launch operation state of the operation handle 4 to the effect control board 130. Then, the case where it is determined whether or not the operation handle 4 is in the firing operation state based on the signal SG1 has been exemplified. However, it is not necessarily limited to such a configuration. For example, each output signal from the touch sensor 53, the operation angle sensor 54, and the firing stop switch 52 provided on the operation handle 4 is directly input to the effect control board 130. It may be configured to determine whether or not the operation handle 4 is in the firing operation state based on each signal input from each of the sensor 53, the operation angle sensor 54, and the firing stop switch 52.

  Further, it is not necessary to refer to all signals output from the touch sensor 53, the operation angle sensor 54, and the firing stop switch 52, and the signals are output from at least one of the touch sensor 53, the operation angle sensor 54, and the firing stop switch 52. It may be configured to determine whether or not the operation handle 4 is in the firing operation state based on the signal.

1 gaming machine 4 operation handle (launch control part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game board 13 Game area 49 Handle lever 52 Launch stop switch 53 Touch sensor 54 Operation angle sensor 59 Handle lamp
100 Main control board 130 Production control board (production control means)
160 Launch Control Board 165 Launch Unit (Launching Unit)
201 jackpot lottery section 211 effect pattern determining section 212 jackpot finalizing effect lottery section 213 jackpot finalizing effect executing section

Claims (5)

Launching means for launching a game ball to the game area of the game board;
A launching operation unit that causes the launching means to launch a game ball when operated by a player;
A jackpot lottery means for performing a jackpot lottery on condition that a game ball launched into the game area has entered a predetermined starting port;
An image display for displaying a decorative pattern according to the result of the jackpot lottery;
Production control means for starting the decorative display of the decorative symbols on the image display according to the result of the jackpot lottery, and for shifting the decorative display of the decorative symbols to a reach effect under a predetermined condition;
With
When the result of the jackpot lottery wins the jackpot lottery, the firing operation unit is operated by the player in a predetermined period after the display of the decorative symbols on the image display is started. A gaming machine characterized in that, when it is detected that it is in a firing operation state, a jackpot finalizing effect is triggered by the detection. The predetermined period is set as a period after the decorative symbol variation display shifts to reach production,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the effect control means activates a jackpot finalizing effect at an arbitrary timing during the reach effect.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the effect control means activates a jackpot finalizing effect when it is detected that the firing operation state is a predetermined time or more in the predetermined period.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the effect control means turns on or blinks predetermined light emitting means in the jackpot finalizing effect.   The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the light emitting unit is provided inside the launch operation unit and lights or blinks only in the jackpot finalizing effect.

Images