JP2010279468A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of increasing excitement and enjoyment of the play by executing "ball-dispensing presentation display" in an impressive mode. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes: a winning/missing lottery means; a display control means for executing the display of symbol variation presentation in a presentation display device; and a put-out device for putting out game balls. If game balls are put out based on the dispensing operation while specific symbol variation presentation display is executed and if a specific condition is established, the display control means executes a fast-forwarding display process of switching the specific symbol variation presentation display to fast-forwarding display and a ball-dispensing presentation display process of displaying ball dispensing presentation on a display screen by temporarily stopping the specific symbol variation presentation display to make the display invisible. Then, after executing these processes, the display control means restarts the specific symbol variation display. The part of the specific symbol variation presentation display in an undisplayed period which cannot be displayed because of the execution of the ball-dispensing presentation display is displayed in advance by the fast-forwarding display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and is applied to a so-called seven machine, a ball-type gaming machine such as a winged article, a right thing, or an arrangement ball, and a revolving type gaming machine called a slot machine (or pachislot). be able to

  For example, some ball-type gaming machines (pachinko machines) are arranged adjacent to a prepaid card unit (sometimes referred to as a card processing unit, hereinafter referred to as “CR unit”). is there. In this type of gaming machine, a required amount balance information in a state where a specified amount of banknotes (which may be a specified amount of coins) is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 1 of the CR unit, or in the card slot of the CR unit. When a lending button (lending operation unit) provided on the gaming machine is operated in a state where a card (a prepaid card) in which is stored is inserted, a payout device is driven and a predetermined number of game balls (game media) Is lent out (paid out) to the upper plate. Then, the game is started by the player firing this game ball into the game area provided on the game board.

  In addition, the game area of the ball-type game machine is usually provided with a start winning device (start winning port), an effect display device (for example, a liquid crystal display device), and a big winning device. A determination is made as to whether or not a big hit will be generated due to the game ball that has been launched and flowing down to the start winning device (that is, a lottery determination). Then, on the display screen of the effect display device, after the effect display (design variation effect display) using special symbols, background symbols, character symbols, etc. is performed for a predetermined time, the effect display (design variation effect display) is completed. Then, a stop symbol indicating the result of the success / failure lottery is confirmed and displayed.

  When a stop symbol (big win symbol) indicating that the result of the winning / failing lottery is “winning (big hit)” is stopped and displayed on the effect display device, the gaming machine starts a big hit game (special game) and constitutes a big winning device The opening / closing member is opened to change the closed prize-winning device to the open state. As a result, it is possible or easy to win a game ball in the big prize opening that constitutes the big prize winning device, and the “big hit effect (effect indicating that the big hit game is being played, the number of rounds, etc.)” is produced. It is executed in the display device. Thereafter, when a predetermined number of game balls are won in the grand prize winning opening or a predetermined time elapses, the opening / closing member is temporarily closed to close the grand winning device and applied to the opening / closing member. Complete one unit drive. When this “unit driving of the opening / closing member” is repeated a predetermined number of times (so-called “round number”), the gaming machine ends the big hit game.

  As such a gaming machine, when an effective operation (used to mean an operation for driving the payout device) is performed on the lending button in the middle of the symbol variation effect display (effect display), the gaming state of the gaming machine (internal probability) A state performing an effect suggesting (state) is disclosed. In other words, if a valid operation is performed on the lending button while the symbol variation effect display is in progress, the clothing color of the “character displayed on the display screen” changes to red, and the “current game state (internal probability state) ) Is a high-probability state ”(see [0082] to [0086] of Patent Document 1, hereinafter referred to as“ conventional example ”). When the gaming state of the gaming machine is a high probability state, the probability that the result of the winning / losing lottery is won varies from the normal probability to the high probability.

JP 2008-136500 A

  In the gaming machine according to this conventional example, “the effect realized with the validity of the lending button” is conventional in view of the technical level at the time of filing this application, and “the player whose daily demands are advanced” In order to improve the interest of the future, it is desirable to perform a more elaborate production. In other words, when a valid operation is performed on the lending button while the symbol variation effect display is in progress, the level of “additionally displaying or suggesting information on the gaming state while the symbol variation effect display is in progress” is displayed. Therefore, it must be said that the production is not interesting. In other words, in view of the technical level at the time of filing of the present application, “the form of the effect generated based on the button operation (including the operation applied to the button dedicated to the effect)” has become uniform and is based on the new effect form. Improvement of interest is desired.

  In addition, in the gaming machine according to this conventional example, in order to perform an “effect accompanied by an effective operation to the lending button (an effect that suggests information related to the gaming state)” while the symbol variation effect display is continued, This effect may be buried in the symbol variation effect display. In other words, “the production accompanying the effective operation on the lending button (hereinafter, this kind of production is collectively referred to as“ ball rental production display ”) is buried in the symbol variation production display, and this ball rental There is a possibility that the effect display cannot be performed in an impactful manner.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a “ball rental effect display” in an impactful manner and to improve the gaming interests. It is to provide a gaming machine that can be used.

The gaming machine according to claim 1,
A lottery means for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player with the winning of a game ball to the start winning device;
When the winning / losing lottery is performed, the symbol variation effect display is started on the display screen of the effect display device, and when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation effect display, the symbol variation effect display is completed and the display is completed. Display control means for confirming and displaying a stop symbol indicating the result of the success / failure lottery on the screen;
A payout device for paying out game balls based on a lending operation performed on the lending operation unit;
A gaming machine comprising
The display control means, when a game ball is paid out based on the lending operation during execution of a specific symbol variation effect display and a predetermined condition is satisfied,
A fast-forward display process in which the specific symbol variation effect display being executed is switched to a fast-forward display over a specific period;
After the fast-forward display is finished, the specific symbol variation effect display is paused to make the specific symbol variation effect display invisible, and a ball rental effect display is displayed on the display screen instead of the specific symbol variation effect display. Ball rental effect display processing to be performed,
After the ball lending effect display process, the specific symbol variation effect display suspended in the invisible state is made visible, and the specific symbol variation effect display is resumed from the time of the pause, and the predetermined time As the process progresses, a specific display process for completing the specific symbol variation effect display and finalizing the stop symbol;
Display process including
Of the specific symbol variation effect display, an effect for an undisplayed period that cannot be displayed by executing the ball rental effect display is displayed in advance by the fast-forward display.

  In the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the ball rental effect display is executed, this “contents of the symbol variation effect display that becomes invisible due to the execution of the ball rental effect display” is displayed in a fast-forward manner in advance. That is, the effect for the non-display period that cannot be displayed by executing the ball rental effect display is displayed in advance by fast-forward display. For this reason, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the contents of the “symbol changing effect display” that cannot be viewed by the player by executing the subsequent ball lending effect display before the start of the “ball lending effect display”. Can be shown to the player in advance.

  Then, after the fast-forward display is completed, the ongoing symbol variation effect display is temporarily stopped to be invisible, and the ball rental effect display is started instead of the symbol variation effect display. In other words, in order to start the ball rental effect display in a state where the symbol variation effect display is excluded from the display screen, this “ball loan effect display” can be performed in an aspect having an impact comparable to the “symbol variation effect display”. it can. In other words, the display screen can be switched from the symbol variation effect display to the ball rental effect display, and the ball rental effect display in an aspect with an impact can be executed.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine of the first aspect of the present invention, new “unprecedented” such as “fast forward reproduction of symbol variation effect display” and “ball lending effect display” are generated based on the lending operation (lending button operation). It is possible to realize a simple production form. In other words, the collaborative production of the “ball rental production display” and the “symbol fluctuation production display” can realize an unprecedented production of impact, and as a result, it eliminates the recreation of the game production and improves the game entertainment. be able to.

  Here, the “fast-forward display” in claim 1 is to display the symbol variation effect display at a fast display speed (a display speed faster than the symbol variation display executed when the predetermined condition is not satisfied). "Production for the non-display period" + "Production for the period required for fast-forward display") is displayed in fast-forward.

  The gaming machine according to the invention of each claim is provided with a fluctuation pattern selection means for selecting a fluctuation pattern (effect pattern) when the winning / failing lottery is performed. (Execution period of symbol variation effect display) "is specified. In the gaming machine according to each of the claims, "game control means (which is a main control unit, which will be described later)" that controls the basic progress of the game in the gaming machine functions as a success / failure lottery means and a variation pattern selection means. .

  Generally, the game control means determines a display mode (at least “stop symbol” and “variation time”) of a symbol called “main symbol”, and the display control unit displays a special symbol (effect symbol) for the effect. (At least “stop pattern” and “variation mode”) are determined. In addition, the variation time of this symbol and the special symbol for production is the same, and is specified by the variation pattern described above. Further, the special symbol for the effect is displayed on the display screen of the effect display device, but the “main symbol” may be displayed on a display device different from the effect display device, or the same effect display device (for example, It may be displayed at the corners of the display screen.

  Here, in the gaming machine according to the invention of each claim, the “execution period (predetermined time) of the specific symbol variation effect display” is determined in advance by the variation pattern that is selected every time the winning / failing lottery is performed. Even if the ball rental effect display is performed on the effect display device instead of the specific symbol variation effect display, the execution period of the specific symbol variation effect display does not change (the specific symbol is also displayed during the execution of the ball loan effect display). The execution period of the variable effect display elapses). The execution period of the ball rental effect display is also predetermined. Therefore, based on the operation of the lending operation unit (lending button) during execution of the specific symbol variation effect display, the symbol variation effect display is fast-forwarded in advance by an amount corresponding to the execution period of the ball lending effect display. Along with the fast-forward display, instead of the specific symbol variation effect display, the ball rental effect display is started, and after the end of the ball rental effect display, the specific symbol variation effect display is ended at the end of the fast-forward display end. Resume from Thereby, even if the ball rental effect display interrupts the specific symbol variation effect display, the specific symbol variation effect display can be shown according to the predetermined execution period.

  The “invisible state” of the invention of each claim is to make the symbol variation effect display displayed on the display screen invisible, for example, to white out or black out the display screen, etc. It is realized with.

  The “display control means” of the invention of each claim executes execution of “payout of game balls based on lending operation”, and “game control means (main control unit) when payout of game balls based on lending operation is started” It is detected by receiving the “signal transmitted from”. For example, it can be detected by receiving a signal indicating that the payout of the game ball has started (a ball lending command, which will be described later), a signal indicating that the payout of the game ball has been completed, and the like. .

  The “specific symbol variation effect display” of the invention of each claim includes (a) a special mode that is triggered by a so-called “small hit (to be described later)” or “two-round probability variable big hit (to be described later)”. (B) a symbol variation effect display according to a specific variation pattern (for example, a variation pattern having a long variation time), (c) a symbol variation effect display accompanied by a notice effect or a specific reach effect, and the like. In addition, as the “ball rental effect display” of the invention of each claim, a state suggestion effect display (refer to the invention of claim 4) that suggests a probability state (whether or not it is a probable change) or a current symbol variation effect display A notice effect display indicating the result can be exemplified.

  The “predetermined condition” of the invention of each claim is a condition for determining whether or not to execute the ball lending effect display. For example, the “specific condition that remains when the game ball is paid out based on the lending operation” The execution time of the symbol variation effect display (hereinafter referred to as “remaining time”) exceeds the time (hereinafter referred to as “total time”) of “the time required for fast-forward display” and “the execution time of the ball rental effect display”. The condition of the effect can be illustrated. In this case, the “execution time of the ball lending effect display” may be fixed, or may be determined from a plurality of candidates through random lottery. In the latter case, the success or failure of the “predetermined condition” is determined based on the relationship between the “execution time determined by random number lottery or the like” and the “execution time of the remaining specific symbol variation effect display”.

  In the invention of each claim, other conditions can be added to the “predetermined condition”. For example, the “predetermined condition” may be satisfied only during the first “payout of game balls based on the lending operation” during “one time symbol variation effect display”. In other words, when “game ball payout based on lending operation” is performed a plurality of times during “single symbol variation effect display”, when “game ball payout based on lending operation” is performed for the first time As long as the “predetermined condition” is satisfied. In addition, the “predetermined condition” can be established in accordance with the result of the lottery that is caused by the “specific symbol variation effect display”. For example, the “predetermined condition” can be satisfied only when the result of the lottery determination is “big hit”.

  Furthermore, the “predetermined condition” can be established according to the variation mode of the “specific symbol variation effect display”. For example, the “predetermined condition” can be established only when the “specific symbol variation effect display” is accompanied by a reach effect. In this case, the “ball rental effect display” indicates that “the effect that suggests the probability of the jackpot occurrence (so-called jackpot reliability) (after confirming that the specific symbol variation display is complete, the result of the success / failure lottery is a win. An effect that suggests a probability that the stop symbol to be displayed is confirmed and displayed) may be performed.

  The “reach effect (display)” is a state in which a symbol other than the display symbol that is the final stop symbol displayed on the effect display device matches a specific stop symbol pattern that is a winning symbol (big hit) Refers to display that is performed in a state in which the display symbol is continuously stopped for a predetermined period of time, oscillated, enlarged, reduced, or deformed, multiple display symbols are fluctuating in synchronization with the same symbol, or the positions of the display symbols are switched. . For example, in the case where the display screen of the effect display device arranges the display areas in a line shape, the display of the end symbol variably displayed in the display area at one end (for example, the left side) and the display at the other end (for example, the right side) If the symbols stop in the order of the end symbol that is displayed variably in the area and the “middle symbol” that is variably displayed in the middle (for example, the middle) display region, and all these displayed symbols are aligned in the same design, It is assumed that a stop symbol indicating a big hit (a big hit symbol) is obtained. At this time, the display indicates that the symbols other than the “middle symbol” which is the final stop symbol are to be stopped with the same symbol. When this reach display is started, the variable display pattern of “middle symbol” is changed to a variable display pattern different from the normal state, or the screen is flashed at the same time, or some sign or character appears. Generally, the display mode is adopted.

  As “the other conditions of the predetermined condition”, it can be exemplified that “the cumulative number of payouts of game balls performed without causing a big hit” has reached a predetermined number of times (for example, 50 times or 100 times). . In other words, if a player rents more than a certain amount of game balls without generating a big hit, it will be difficult to maintain the game interest. It is intended to keep the person in play.

The gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
The display control means completes the symbol variation effect display executed only by the normal reproduction by performing the normal reproduction in which the frame images are continuously displayed at a predetermined frame rate for the predetermined time, and displays the fast-forward display. , By executing fast-forward playback of the frame image,
The frame image during fast-forward playback is displayed in the symbol variation effect display that is executed only by the normal playback at a time that precedes the total time elapsed after the start of the fast-forward playback and the scheduled execution time of the ball rental effect display. Determination means for determining whether or not it matches the frame image to be reproduced,
If the determination means makes an affirmative determination, the fast-forward display is terminated.

  The invention of claim 2 exemplifies a more specific aspect of the invention of claim 1. In other words, in the gaming machine of the invention of claim 2, it is determined whether or not the fast-forward playback (fast-forward display) precedes the symbol variation effect display executed only by the normal playback (normal display) by a necessary time. When the affirmative determination is made, the fast-forward reproduction is terminated and the ball rental effect display process is started. In the gaming machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to smoothly perform an effect of shifting from “normal reproduction” to “ball rental effect display” and returning to “normal reproduction” again. The “frame rate” is the number of frame images (pictures) displayed per unit time (for example, 1 second). For normal playback (normal display), for example, 24 frames per second. (24 fps) or 30 (30 fps), and in the case of fast-forward playback (fast-forward display), the frame rate can be higher than that in the case of normal playback (normal display). However, in the case of fast-forward playback (fast-forward display), not all frame images (pictures) displayed in normal playback (normal display) can be displayed while appropriately performing “frame drop”.

The gaming machine of the invention of claim 3 is the gaming machine of claim 1 or 2,
The display control unit includes a determination unit that determines whether the predetermined condition is successful.

  In the gaming machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to smoothly control the effect using the effect display device by the action of the determining means.

A gaming machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects,
When the opening condition is satisfied, a variable start winning device that changes over a predetermined opening time from a closed state in which a game ball is difficult to win to an open state in which winning is easy is provided as the start winning device.
After executing the special game, probability changing means for changing the probability that the result of the success / failure lottery is won from a normal probability to a high probability;
An end of executing the special game, an opening extension means for extending the opening time in the start winning device,
With
A general probability fluctuation state in which the probability fluctuation means and the release extension means are in an operating state, a latent probability fluctuation state in which the probability fluctuation means is in an operation state without operating the release extension means, and the probability fluctuation means is in operation A normal probability state not to be controlled and one of the probability states, and
An effect suggesting the probability state is executed by the ball rental effect display.

  In the gaming machine according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the effect suggesting the probability state (ball rental effect display) is started, the ongoing symbol variation effect display is temporarily stopped to be invisible. For this reason, this “effect suggesting a probability state” can be performed in a manner having an impact comparable to that of the “design variation effect display”. Particularly, in the gaming machine of the invention of claim 4, when it is difficult to determine whether the current internal probability state is a normal probability or a high probability, the probability state is displayed by executing the “ball rental effect display”. The player will confirm the current internal probability (when the internal probability state is reported in the ball rental effect display) or predict the internal probability (in the ball rental effect display, the internal The probability state can be reported).

  In the invention of each claim, the mode of the ball rental effect display is not particularly limited, and for example, it can be performed using a “battle effect”. Here, the “battle effect” is, for example, an effect performed by causing a “friend character” and an “enemy character” to duel (perform a battle) on the display screen of the effect display device. In this case, at the end of the duel (at the end of the battle), a predetermined notification (notification of the end or continuation of the high probability mode) can be performed. In other words, it is possible to notify that “it is a high probability mode” through an effect that “a ally character wins the battle” and to indicate that “it is not a high probability mode” through an effect that “the enemy character wins the battle”. Can be notified.

  Here, in this specification, “front” and “front” indicate “front with respect to the gaming machine (that is, a direction close to the player)”, and “rear” and “back” indicate gaming machines. "Rear (that is, a direction away from the player)". Further, “left” indicates “left” as viewed from the player, and “right” indicates “right as viewed from the player”. Further, in “a member that can be opened and closed like a door (hereinafter referred to as a“ door type member ”)” such as a main body frame, a front frame, an upper plate member, a lower plate member, etc., “left”, “right” “Front”, “Rear” and the like are based on the case where these door-type members are in use, that is, in the closed state.

  As described above, according to the invention of each claim, it is possible to obtain a gaming machine capable of performing “ball rental effect display” in an impactful manner and improving the interests of the game.

It is a perspective view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a front view showing a gaming machine (game machine system) according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic explanatory view for explaining a main body frame and the like in the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view which shows a game board in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) is a schematic front view of a lower left display apparatus, (b) is a schematic front view of a lower right display apparatus. It is a back view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) is a schematic front view which shows a special symbol display part in each Example of this invention, (b) is a schematic front view which shows the display screen of an effect display apparatus in each Example of this invention. is there. (A)-(f) is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the aspect of the stop symbol of this symbol, and the stop symbol of a pseudo symbol in the gaming machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect display performed by the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol change effect display performed by the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol change effect display performed by the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol change effect display performed by the game machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the data for ball rental effects, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating total time. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which showed notably the mode that a command was output from the main control part in the gaming machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline of a rental process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a time chart for demonstrating the outline of a lending process in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows a game control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the payout control process in the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a ball lending control process in the gaming machine which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a normal symbol game start judgment process. It is a flowchart which shows a normal symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows a normal symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows a normal electric accessory game process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game start judgment process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol game process. It is a flowchart which shows a special figure related process. It is a flowchart which shows a success / failure lottery process. It is explanatory drawing of the data table used in a success / failure lottery process. It is explanatory drawing the data table used in a pseudo-hit lottery process. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the fluctuation | variation pattern table which concerns on an Example. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the fluctuation | variation pattern table which concerns on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows a big hit game process. It is a flow figure showing big hit game end processing. It is a flowchart which shows a pseudo jackpot game end process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the design fluctuation effect related process in the gaming machine according to each embodiment of the present invention (excluding the embodiment 2). It is a flowchart for demonstrating a ball rental effect process in the game machine which concerns on each Example (except Example 3) of this invention. It is a time chart for demonstrating the symbol fluctuation effect display (normal effect, special effect) performed in each Example of this invention. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 1, (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining symbol variation effect related processing in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment. (A) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the ball rental effect display performed in the gaming machine which concerns on Example 2 and Example 3, (b) is the ball rental effect display performed in the gaming machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating. It is a flowchart for demonstrating ball rental effect processing in the gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modification example 5;

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

(1) Mechanical structure a. First, the overall structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a gaming machine main body H attached to the outer frame 2. The gaming machine 1 is a so-called “CR machine” referred to as a “card type ball game machine”, and constitutes a gaming machine system S together with a CR unit 80 disposed on the left end side thereof. .

  The outer frame 2 is used to support the gaming machine main body H while being fixed to an installation site provided in the island facility of the pachinko hall. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame main body 21 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) configured by a substantially rectangular frame-like body, and a front plate portion 22 that covers the lower front portion of the outer frame main body 21.

  The gaming machine main body H is rotatably attached to the left end side of the outer frame 2 using upper and lower hinges H1 and H2 (see FIG. 1) on the left end side of the outer frame 2. The gaming machine main body H is a portion of the gaming machine 1 excluding the outer frame 2, and as shown in FIG. 1, the main body frame 3, the front frame 4, the upper dish member 5, and the lower dish member 6. The game board 10 (see FIG. 4) and the back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 6) are the main parts. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body frame 3 is fitted into the outer frame 2 and is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. A locking device 7 is mounted on the right end side of the main body frame 3.

  The main body frame 3 is entirely made of plastic, and is constituted by a frame-like body as shown in FIG. The main body frame 3 includes a frame main body portion 3b including a window portion 3M in an upper half portion, and a protruding portion 3c protruding in a substantially rectangular frame shape from the back surface portion of the frame main body portion 3b. And the main body frame 3 comprises the holding | maintenance part for hold | maintaining the game board 10 using this protrusion part 3c. That is, the holding tool 3f is mounted on the protruding end surface of the projecting portion 3c in a state where the holding tool 3f can rotate on the left and right sides of the window 3M and the right and left sides of the window 3M. The game board 10 is held by the main body frame 3 by bringing the protruding end of the game board 10 into contact with the rear surface of the game board 10.

  When the main body frame 3 holds the game board 10, the “game area 11 configured on the front surface portion 10 a of the game board 10” can be viewed from the front of the main body frame 3 through the window 3 </ b> M. Further, a back mechanism board 102 (see FIG. 6) is mounted on the back surface portion of the game board 10 so as to cover the back surface portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the main body frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the main body frame 3 so as to be openable and closable. The front frame 4 has a visual recognition window 41a at the center thereof. This viewing window 41a is provided in a state of penetrating the front and rear of the front frame 4, and is opened in a substantially circumferential shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the game area 11 (see FIG. 4) formed on the board surface of the game board 10. When the front frame 4 is closed, the game area 11 disposed behind the front frame 4 can be viewed from the front through the viewing window 41a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the front frame 4 includes a frame main body 41, a glass plate 43 attached to the frame main body 41, and a holder (not shown) for holding the glass plate 43 on the frame main body 41. Is provided. Speakers SP1 and SP2 (see FIG. 9) are built in on the left and right sides of the upper end portion of the front frame 4, respectively. In the gaming machine 1, speakers SP3 and SP4 (see FIG. 9) are also incorporated in the left and right ends of the front plate portion 22. In the gaming machine 1, sound effects and other sounds (sounds) corresponding to the gaming state are generated using the speakers SP1 to SP4.

  An upper plate member 5 and a lower plate member 6 are provided in a portion below the front frame 4 in the front portion of the gaming machine main body H. In other words, the upper plate member 5 is disposed below the front frame 4 and includes a receiving port 5b for receiving a game ball discharged from the gaming machine 1 inside the container. A ball rental display board 410 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) and an effect button board 228 (see FIG. 9) are provided on the back side of the upper plate member 5, and “ball rental” is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate member 5. A panel 5p ”and an“ effect button SW ”are arranged (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ball lending panel 5p is provided with a lending button 5c and a return button 5q, and a balance display portion 5r. Here, the “lending button 5c” constitutes a specific example of the lending operation unit. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, a game ball payout device 109 that constitutes a specific example of the “payout device” is arranged in the back pack 102 as will be described later. The payout motor 109m (see FIGS. 7 and 8) constitutes a drive source of the game ball payout device 109.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower plate member 6 is disposed below the upper plate member 5. At the approximate center of the lower plate member 6, a receiving port 6 a for receiving a game ball discharged from the upper plate member 5 is provided in the inside of the substantially container shape. An ashtray 6 b is provided at the left end of the lower plate member 6, and a firing handle 9 is provided at the right end of the lower plate member 6.

  The firing handle 9 is connected to a launcher unit (not shown). A touch switch 9a for detecting that the player is touching the handle is attached to the launch handle 9, and in the vicinity thereof, a launch stop switch 9b for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is provided. It is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the CR unit (card processing unit) 80 is disposed on the left end side of the gaming machine 1 and is installed at an installation site provided in the island facility of the pachinko hall. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the CR unit 80 is electrically connected to the gaming machine 1 and is in a state where transmission / reception with the gaming machine 1 is possible. This CR unit 80 is configured to be long in the vertical direction, and has a bill insertion slot 81 and a card slot 84 opened to the front side. Here, when at least one of insertion of a bill into the bill insertion slot 81 and insertion of a card (however, a card storing frequency balance information) into the card slot 84 is performed, the CR unit The value balance (valuable balance) inserted (inserted) in 80 is displayed on the balance display portion 5r (see FIG. 1). At this time, the balance display section 5r displays the value balance (valuable balance) as a maximum of 3 digits.

  When the necessary balance is displayed on the balance display section 5r, when the “lending button 5c” is pressed, the number of effective frequencies (for example, 5 degrees) (for example, 5 degrees) by one operation (that is, the lending operation) (for example, 125, which is five times the reference number for one degree). Each time the rental of the reference number of game balls is completed, the frequency balance stored in the CR unit 80 (card storing frequency balance information) is rewritten according to the number of loans (1 time). The frequency balance is rewritten), and the frequency balance is displayed on the balance display portion 5r. However, when the return button 5q is pressed in a state where the frequency balance is displayed on the balance display portion 5r, the card (a card storing the frequency balance information) is ejected from the card entrance / exit 84. In this gaming machine system S, when the power balance is “zero”, the card is not discharged, but may be discharged.

b. Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 10 includes a game board main body 10A configured using a substantially rectangular plywood in front view, and various board components (the outer rail 12, the inner rail 13, and the main accessory attached to the game board main body 10A. Device 20 etc.) is mounted.

  The game board main body 10A includes a region forming portion 10B that is substantially circular in a front view, and a region outside 10C that is positioned around the region forming portion 10B. In addition, an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 that are both configured using a band-shaped metal plate are disposed on the front surface of the game board main body 10A. And the front surface part of the area | region formation part 10B comprises the game area | region 11, being enclosed by the substantially circular surrounding wall which this outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 form.

  In this area forming part 10B (that is, a part located in the game area 11 in the game board 10), a main accessory device 20, a normal symbol operating gate (normal symbol operating port) 16, a start winning device 17, A lower device 30, a lower left display device 50, a lower right display device 60, four general winning devices 40, 41, 43, 44, a number of obstacle nails (not shown), a windmill 19 and the like are arranged. Has been.

  The main accessory device 20 includes an attachment member (decorative plate) 21 and an effect display device 27. Among these, the attachment member 21 is comprised by the plate-shaped body with which the front part of the area | region formation part 10B is mounted | worn, and comprises the site | part except the left end side among the upper half parts of the game area | region 11. The attachment member (decorative plate) 21 is provided with a window portion forming hole 21d, and the window portion forming hole 21d constitutes a substantially rectangular display window 21e in front view.

  The part extending from the top of the mounting member 21 to the lower end of the right edge is close to the outer rail 12, and the part extending from the top to the upper end of the left edge is mounted so that the upper decorative member 21n protrudes forward. Yes. Further, the left decorative member 21q is mounted on the left edge of the mounting member 21 so as to protrude forward, and the stage member 21p is mounted on the lower edge of the mounting member 21 so as to protrude forward. . Furthermore, the left decorative member 21q includes a model 21r in which a game ball passage (not shown) is formed. The entrance of the game ball passage is opened obliquely upward to the left, and the game ball flowing down the game area 11 is received at the entrance and enters the main accessory device 20.

  The stage member 21p constitutes a rolling surface of the game ball by its upper surface portion, and this rolling surface is an inclined surface that descends from the left and right end portions toward the central portion. However, the central portion of the rolling surface is a raised portion that slightly rises upward. The stage member 21p is provided with a discharge passage for discharging the game ball on the rolling surface to the outside of the main accessory device 20. The outlet 21u of the discharge passage opens at a position continuous with the central portion behind the central portion of the rolling surface, and the outlet 21v of the discharge passage opens at a position below the central portion. ing.

  In the present embodiment, the game ball that has flowed down the game area 11 and entered the main accessory device 20 reaches the left end of the rolling surface, rolls right on the rolling surface, Roll in the direction. When the momentum of the game ball has declined, the game ball passes through the discharge passage and is discharged out of the main accessory device 20 or from the front edge portion of the rolling surface. To be discharged. Note that a start winning device 17 described later is located immediately below the exit portion 21v.

  The effect display device 27 is configured by a liquid crystal display device, and performs a special symbol variation display and a stop display as in the lower right display device 60 described later. However, in the effect display device 27, effect display (symbol change effect display) is performed in conjunction with the special symbol variation display and stop display in the lower right display device 60. In this embodiment, the lower right display device 60 constitutes a display device for displaying the present symbol (a specific example of a special symbol), and the effect display device 27 is a pseudo symbol (other than the special symbol). A specific example is shown.) Is displayed.

  The display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 can display various symbols using the whole or a part thereof. In this display screen 27a, as shown in FIG. 11B, three pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d and a background screen display portion 27h composed of other portions may appear. In this case, the three pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction on the display screen 27a. In each of the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d that appear in this manner, an effect display (fluctuation display) using “pseudo symbols”, a stop display, and the like are performed. Further, when the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d are displayed on the display screen 27a, the background screen display portion 27h is displayed by the other part of the display screen 27a. The background screen display unit 27h can display a symbol indicating a background (hereinafter referred to as a background symbol) or a symbol indicating a character (hereinafter referred to as a character symbol) together with the background symbol. . These “pseudo symbols”, “background symbols”, and “character symbols” indicate specific examples of “effect symbols” displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27. These “pseudo symbols” and “ The “design variation effect display” is realized by the “background design” and the “character design”.

  The normal symbol operating gate (ordinary symbol operating port) 16 is disposed in a portion located on the left side of the main accessory device 20 in the game area 11. Further, a normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s (see FIG. 7) is disposed in the normal symbol operation gate 16. When the “normal symbol variation start condition (normal symbol lottery execution condition)” is established on the assumption that the game ball is detected by the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, the lower left display device 50 (described later). The normal symbol variation display (specifically, the blinking display of the lamp device for the normal symbol) is started. Then, when a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed after the start of normal symbol fluctuation, the normal symbol is confirmed (lit or extinguished). When the normal symbol hit display (lighted display) is performed, the normal electric accessory 17 (described later) is driven open for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds).

  The start winning device 17 is disposed at a position located directly below the discharge path of the stage portion 21d. The first start winning portion 17a and the second start winning portion 17b are arranged vertically. Among these, the first start winning portion 17a is provided with a pocket shape with an opening, that is, a first start opening opened upward. Since the first start port is located directly below the outlet portion 21v of the discharge passage, the probability that the game ball that has passed through the discharge passage will win the start winning device 17 through the first start port is increased. Yes.

  The second start winning portion 17b is located substantially directly below the first start winning portion 17a and includes an ordinary electric accessory at the entrance side portion. This ordinary electric accessory is a so-called tulip type and is formed so that a pair of wing pieces are opened and closed on the left and right. That is, the second start winning portion 17b includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 17c (see FIG. 7) for operating the pair of blade pieces. When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the game ball is likely to enter the open state, and the pair of wing pieces are erected so that the game ball is less likely to enter. It becomes.

  Inside the start winning device 17, a start winning detection switch 17s (see FIG. 7) for detecting the passage of the game ball through the first start winning portion 17a or the second start winning portion 17b is arranged. . That is, the game ball won in the first start winning portion 17a and the game ball won in the second start winning portion 17b pass through the same passage (not shown) in the start winning device 17, and this passage This is detected by the start winning detection switch 17s arranged in the middle of the route.

  The lower device 30 is arranged below the start winning device 17 and is constituted by a variable winning device (large winning device) 31. The variable winning device 31 includes an attachment plate portion 31k attached to the front surface portion of the game board 10. The mounting plate portion 31k is provided with an opening having a substantially band shape in a substantially central portion in a state of passing through the front and back, and the opening constitutes a big prize opening 31a. The rear end portion of the grand prize winning port 31a is in communication with “a grand prize winning prize winning passage (a passage through which a game ball to be won from the big prize winning opening 31a passes, not shown)”. . The variable winning device 31 includes an opening / closing plate 31b for opening / closing the large winning opening 31a, a large winning opening solenoid 31c (see FIG. 7) for driving the opening / closing plate 31b, and a large winning opening winning. A winning ball detection switch 31s (see FIG. 7) provided in the middle of the path of the passage or in the path terminal portion. In the variable winning device 31, when the opening / closing plate 31b is in the standing posture, the opening / closing plate 31b closes the large winning opening 31a, so that it is impossible to win a game ball in the variable winning device 31. On the other hand, when the opening / closing plate 31b is tilted forward with the lower end thereof as a fulcrum and assumes a forward leaning posture, the prize winning opening 31a is opened and the rear surface portion (back surface portion) of the opening / closing plate 31b flows down the game area 11. And the guidance part which guides the game ball which reached | attained the variable winning apparatus 31 to the big winning opening 31a is comprised.

  The lower left display device 50 is arranged on the left side of the variable winning device (large winning device) 31. As shown in FIG. 5A, the lower left display device 50 is configured in a substantially arc shape and includes a mounting plate 51 that is attached to the front portion of the game board 10. The mounting plate 51 is provided with a normal symbol hold display unit 52, a special symbol hold display unit 53, a game state display unit 55, and a normal symbol display unit 56.

  The normal symbol hold display unit 52 is configured by using two LEDs, and displays a so-called “number of hold for a normal symbol” with an upper limit of four. In other words, “the number of game balls that have passed through the normal symbol operation gate (normal symbol operation port) 16 but have not yet been digested (ie, the number of reserved balls)” is displayed as the upper limit number of four and undigested games. Each time a ball is digested, the “number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves)” is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, the holding ball)” relating to the normal symbol has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the normal symbol display unit 56, which will be described later, shows the result of the lottery result associated with the passage. This indicates a game ball in which neither display nor change display preceding this (in this embodiment, blinking display using an LED) is made.

  The special symbol hold display section 53 is also configured by using two LEDs, and displays a so-called “number of hold for a special symbol” with an upper limit of four. That is, “the number of game balls that have been won in the start winning device 17 but are still undigested (ie, the number of reserves)” is displayed as the upper limit number of 4 and every time an undigested game ball is digested "The number of undigested game balls (that is, the number of reserves)" is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (that is, the holding ball)” related to the special symbol wins the start winning device 17, but in the special symbol display unit 62 described later, whether or not the lottery is determined (whether or not) This indicates a game ball in which the result display and the change display preceding the result are not made.

  In the normal symbol hold display unit 52 and the special symbol hold display unit 53, the number of holds is displayed in the same manner. That is, (a) two LEDs are turned off and “holding number” is “zero”, (b) one LED is turned on, one LED is turned off and “holding number” is It is “1”, (c) two LEDs are turned on and “holding number” is “2”, (d) one LED is blinked and one LED is turned on. The “hold number” is “3”, and (e) two LEDs are blinked to indicate that the “hold number” is “4”.

  The gaming state display unit 55 is composed of one LED, and is used to display a gaming state (game mode) when the gaming machine 1 is turned on (when the gaming machine 1 is activated). Specifically, turning off the LED indicates that “the gaming state is the normal gaming state (normal mode)”, and turning on the LED indicates that “the gaming state is the probability variation gaming state (high probability mode)”. Is displayed. In other words, the LED of the game state display unit 55 is lit only when the game mode is in the high probability mode when the power is turned on (when activated). In this case, when “hit” is obtained as a result of the special symbol win / reject determination (hit lottery), the LED of the gaming state display unit 55 is turned off thereafter. And even if the gaming state is in the probability changing mode until the gaming machine 1 is turned off (while the gaming machine 1 is operating), the LED of the gaming state display unit 55 is not lit. Here, in the present embodiment, when the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the “normal mode” to the “high probability mode”, the probability changing means (means for setting a high probability of making a big hit determination in the determination of success or failure) ) And time-shortening means (means for setting the special symbol or normal symbol fluctuation time short) and opening extension means (means for increasing the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory or setting the number of times of opening many times) . When the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the “high probability mode” to the “time reduction mode”, the time reduction means and the opening extension means continue to operate, and only the probability changing means stops operating. Further, when the game mode of the gaming machine 1 is returned from the “time reduction mode” to the “normal mode”, the operation of the time reduction means and the opening extension means stops.

  The lower right display device 60 is arranged on the right side of the variable winning device (large winning device) 31. As shown in FIG. 5B, the lower right display device 60 is configured in a substantially arc shape, and includes a mounting plate 61 that is attached to the front surface portion of the game board 10. The mounting plate 61 is provided with a special symbol display unit 62 and a big hit mode display unit 63.

  The special symbol display unit 62 is configured by using “seven LEDs 62a to 62g” arranged in a substantially oval shape, and “game ball winning to the start winning device 17 (hereinafter referred to as“ start winning ”). ) Display of the result of the lottery determination (determination for success / failure determination) ”is performed through the variable display (in the present embodiment, lighting display using a plurality of LEDs). In other words, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the execution time of the “variable display preceding the display of the result relating to the result of lottery determination” comes, “seven LEDs 62a to 62g” are sequentially turned on. Then, this variable display (hereinafter referred to as “circular display using the LEDs 62b to 62g”) is executed, and when the execution time of “display of the result related to the special symbol winning lottery (winning determination)” comes, the special symbol display is displayed. In part 62, a special symbol stop display (determined display) is executed.

  The big hit mode display unit 63 is configured by using two LEDs 63a and 63b. Mainly, “if the result of the special symbol winning lottery (winning determination) is a win (big hit), the big hit generated based on it Used to display "type". In other words, when the big symbol display is not performed in the special symbol display unit 62, the two LEDs 63a and 63b are turned off. When the special symbol display unit 62 performs a big hit display, any of the LEDs 63a and 63b is turned on to display the type of the big hit.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the two general winning devices 40 and 41 are integrated with the mounting plate 51 constituting the lower left display device 50, and the remaining two pieces as shown in FIG. 5 (b). The general winning devices 43 and 44 are integrated with a mounting plate 61 constituting the lower right display device 60. In each of the general winning devices 40, 41, 43, and 44, winning detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, and 44s (see FIG. 7) for detecting the winning of the game ball are arranged.

  Returning to FIG. 4, a number of obstacle nails (not shown) are arranged in the game area 11 so as to be suitable for a pachinko game in consideration of the positional balance with each board component described above, and below the game board 10. Is provided with an outlet 18. Further, a back ball preventing member (not shown) is provided below the out port 18. And the game ball which returned without reaching the game area 11 is prevented from returning to the launch position again. On the other hand, the foul ball preventing member 15 is attached to the tip of the inner rail 13.

c. Next, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. That is, the back surface structure of the gaming machine 1 is a structure in which various devices are mounted on the large back pack 102, and the back pack 102 is pivotally supported by the pair of hinges 103 so as to be opened and closed. Yes.

  The back pack 102 stores a game ball tank 105 in which game balls are stored, a game ball payout device 109 for paying out game balls as prize balls or rental balls, and a main control board 200 constituting the main control unit 200A. A main control board case, a launcher control board case 130 storing a launch control board 260 for controlling the launcher unit, and a payout control board case storing a payout control board 240 for controlling the game ball payout device 109. 118, a relay terminal board for relaying the main control board 200 and various switches, and the like are mounted.

  In addition, the game ball tank 105 is provided with a tank switch at the bottom, and can detect a broken ball. The game ball tank 105 and the game ball payout device 109 are connected by a tank rail 106. Further, in FIG. 6, a ball removal lever is provided on the right side of the tank rail 106, and a refilling ball breakage detection switch is provided on the downstream side of the tank rail 106.

(2) Configuration of Control Circuit Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The control circuit of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control unit 200A and a plurality of sub control units (220A, 240A, 260A). That is, the main control unit 200A that is configured using the main control board 200 and controls the basic progress of the game and whether or not the prize ball is involved, and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 240A, 260A) I have.

  The sub-control unit is composed of (a) the sub-control board 220 and “sub control that controls various effects of the game using symbol display, lamp emission, sound effects, movement of moving objects, etc.” The control unit 220A and the (b) effect display control board 222 are used, and “the effect of controlling various effects of the game using the symbol display, the light emission of the lamp, the sound effect, the operation of the movable object, etc. It is configured using a control unit 222A, (c) a payout control unit 240A that controls the operation of paying out a rented or winning ball, and (d) a launch control board 260. And a launch control unit 260A for controlling the launch of the game ball, which includes a primary sub-control unit (220A, 240A) directly connected to the main control unit 140, Main control via primary sub-control section Second sub-control unit which is connected to the 200A and the (260A) exists.

  The control board (200, 220, 240, 260) constituting these control units (200A, 220A, 240A, 260A) is a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, and various programs and data executed by the CPU. ROM in which the CPU is stored, the RAM in which the CPU stores temporary data when the program is executed, the peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with the peripheral device, and the clock for the CPU to perform operations are output Various peripheral LSIs are connected to each other via a bus, such as an oscillator that performs CPU, a watchdog timer that monitors CPU runaway, and a CTC (counter timer circuit) that periodically generates an interrupt signal. Note that the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 7 to 10 represents the direction in which data or signals are input and output. In FIG. 7, only the CPU 201, the RAM 202, and the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 are shown. The PIO mounted on the main control board 200 and further the CPU mounted on another control board. Further, illustration of RAM, ROM, etc. is omitted.

  The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) receives game ball detection signals from the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, the start winning detection switch 17s, the winning ball detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, 44s, etc. Sub-control unit 200A (sub-control board 220), payout control part 240A (payout control board 240), launch control part 260A (launch control board 260), etc. Toward this, various signals (commands) described later are output. The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) is also connected to a count switch 8s that detects a game ball fired from the launcher unit.

  Further, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) performs these operations by outputting signals to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the special winning opening solenoid 31c, the lower left display device 50, and the lower right display device 60. Direct control. That is, the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) functions as a success / failure lottery means and a big hit game execution means. Further, predetermined signals (commands) determined by the CPU 201 constituting the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) are transmitted to the sub control board 220 and the payout control board 240, respectively.

  When the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) receives various signals (commands) from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200), it analyzes the contents of the signals (commands) and plays games according to the results. The production of. That is, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) controls the game effects based on the control signal from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200).

  As shown in FIG. 9, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) includes an effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), an amplifier board 224, a decoration drive board 226, and an effect button board 228. And are electrically connected to each other. The sub control board 220 includes a CPU 220a, a ROM 220b, and a RAM 220c.

  The CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 receives each control signal from the main control board 200 and controls each board such as the effect display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. The ROM 220b stores data (especially information related to game decoration) necessary for controlling each board. The CPU 220a receives a display control command (that is, a display control signal) sent from the main controller 200A (main control board 200) and analyzes it according to a program stored in the ROM 220b.

  Then, the CPU 220a configuring the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) can display a predetermined display control command determined by the CPU 220a or a display control command that has been transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200). Is transmitted to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the effect display control board 222 includes a CPU 222a, a control ROM 222b, a control RAM 222c, a VDP (video display processor) 222d, a work RAM 222e, a display ROM (character ROM) 222g, and a video. A RAM 222h is mounted. In addition, an effect display device 27 is electrically connected to the VDP 222d. The sub control board 220 functions as “display control means” in cooperation with the effect display control board 222.

  The CPU 222a receives various display control signals (commands) transmitted from the sub-control board 220 and analyzes the received signals (commands) according to a program stored in the control ROM 222b. Then, the CPU 222a transmits the analysis result to the VDP 222d. The control ROM 222b stores various image display control programs according to the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, and the control RAM 222c is provided with a storage area, a work area, and the like for temporarily storing various data. ing. Further, the display ROM 222g stores data related to display of various effect symbols displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 (eg, pseudo symbol data that is variably displayed).

  The VDP 222d reads the data stored in the effect display ROM 222g based on the “analysis result” by the CPU 222a, generates image data in the work RAM 222e based on the read data, and temporarily stores it in the video RAM 222h. Thereafter, the image data stored in the video RAM 222h is loaded on the signal (RGB image signal) from the transmission unit 222k and transmitted to the effect display device 27.

  Speakers SP1 to SP4 that output predetermined sound effects are electrically connected to the amplifier board 224. Further, the decoration driving board 226 is connected to various LED boards on which various decoration LEDs (lamps) provided on the front frame 4 and the game board 10 are mounted. The decoration drive board 226 receives signals from the sub-control board 220A and performs control related to game decoration.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the effect button SW is connected to the sub control board 220 via the effect button board 228, and thus the signal output from the effect button SW is sent to the sub control board 220 via the effect button board 228. Sent to.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the payout control unit 240A includes relay terminal plates 240B and 240C (however, illustration of the relay terminal plate 240B is omitted in FIG. 8), a firing control unit 260A, and a lower pan full switch 6s. Etc. are connected. Further, a payout motor 109m, a front payout switch 109a, and a rear payout switch 109b constituting a game ball payout device (payout device) 109 are connected to the payout control unit 240A via a relay terminal plate 240B. . In addition, the CR control unit 80 is connected to the payout control unit 240A via the relay terminal plate 240C so that bidirectional communication is possible, and the rental button 5c is connected via the relay terminal plate 240C and the ball rental display substrate 410. Are connected to the return button 5q. Further, the main control unit 200A is connected to the payout control unit 240A so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.

  The payout control unit 240A is responsible for various types of control related to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when the player operates the lending button 5c or the return button 5q, the operation signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 410 to the payout control board 240 via the relay terminal board 240C, and the payout motor is based on the operation signal. A drive signal for driving 109m is transmitted to game ball payout device (payout device) 109 (payout motor 109m).

  When the main control unit 200A outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control part 240A receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m, whereby the prize ball is paid out. The game balls to be paid out are detected by two payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b) and are input to the payout control unit 240A. Further, the number of prize balls paid out is also detected by the count switch 109c and counted by the main controller 200A. Further, the payout control unit 240A outputs a signal for allowing the game ball to be launched (a launch permission signal) toward the launch control unit 260A under the control of the main control unit 200A. The launch control unit 260A performs various controls for launching the game ball in response to the launch permission signal.

  Next, the input / output relationship of signals or commands to the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) will be described. As described above, the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) is connected to the effect display control board 222 and various boards such as the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. Further, as described above, when the sub-control unit 220A receives various effect commands from the main control unit 200A, the sub-control unit 220A interprets the content of the command and (a) specific display contents on the effect display device 27 (B) Sound effects output from the speakers SP1 to SP4, and (c) specific modes of lighting or blinking of various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f are determined. Next, the drive signal (various symbol control commands) of the effect display device 27 is output to the effect display control unit 222A, and the effect symbols (pseudo symbols, background symbols, character symbols, etc.) are displayed in a variable manner and stopped. At this time, with respect to some data such as the character symbols and background symbols to be displayed, the data stored in the effect display device 27 or the display ROM 222g (see FIG. 10) built in the effect display control board 222 is used. use.

  Sound effects are output from the speakers SP <b> 1 to SP <b> 4 by outputting sound signals to the amplifier substrate 224 in accordance with the pseudo symbol variation display and stop display. In addition, by supplying signals to the decorative drive board 226 and outputting drive signals for the various LED lamps 4b to 4h and 4G from the decorative drive board 226, various lamps (LEDs 4b to 4h, 4G, etc.) are turned on.・ Control blinking operation. Further, when the player operates the effect button SW provided on the front side of the upper plate member 5, this operation signal is supplied to the sub-control unit 220A. The sub-control unit 220 </ b> A is configured to reflect the operation result on various effects including the effect display device 27 based on the supplied operation signal.

(3) Special Symbol Display Mode As described above, in this gaming machine 1, a final display (stop display) indicating the result of the special symbol winning lottery (winning determination), and an effect performed before the final display. Display (fluctuation display) is performed simultaneously on two types of symbol display devices (lower right display device 60 and effect display device 27). Here, the special symbol (special symbol indicated by turning on and off the LEDs 62a to 62g) displayed on the lower right display device 60 (that is, the special symbol display unit 62) is “main symbol”. In the gaming machine 1, the display mode (at least “stop symbol” and “variation time”) is determined in the “main control unit 200A (described later)” that governs the basic progression of the game.

  On the other hand, the special symbol displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is a “pseudo symbol”, and “a sub-control unit 220A that controls a game effect under the control of the main control unit 200A (described later). ) "Determines the variation mode and the stop symbol. Usually, this “pseudo symbol” is displayed for the same amount of time as this symbol, and the “display contents (big hit, miss, etc.)” of this “pseudo symbol” stop symbol is the stop symbol of this symbol. It is assumed that there is no contradiction with “display contents (big hit, miss, etc.)”.

  Next, the display mode of these special symbols will be described. First, in the lower right display device 60, every time a special symbol variation start condition (execution condition of the right / wrong lottery) is satisfied, the “special symbol display unit 62” of the lower right display device 60 is used to change the present symbol. Start displaying. When this variable display period elapses, stop display (definite display) of this symbol is executed. And, there are the following modes for the stop display of this symbol.

i) Big hit Stop display (determined display) of this symbol is performed by turning on two LEDs as shown in the middle column of FIG. 12B, or each middle column of FIGS. 12C to 12E. As shown in FIG. 3, this is a case where three LEDs are turned on. In addition, the stop symbol that triggers the jackpot (the symbol that is displayed when 2 or 3 LEDs are lit) is called the “hit symbol” that triggers the jackpot. When a big hit occurs, the gaming state of the gaming machine becomes a special gaming state (big hit state), and a special game (big hit game) is executed.

  When entering the special gaming state, the main control unit 200A drives the large winning opening solenoid 31c, changes the standing opening and closing plate 31b to the forward leaning position, and changes the closed large winning opening 31a to the open state, Special game starts. By the way, when the winning or winning lottery is performed due to the winning of the game ball to the start winning device 17, and the lottery result indicating the winning is derived, the main control unit 200A selects “a type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol)”. It is determined by random number lottery (hereinafter referred to as “distribution lottery”). When this “distribution lottery” is performed, the type of jackpot (type of jackpot symbol) is distributed to any one of FIGS. The random number (big hit symbol determination random number) for performing the distribution lottery is acquired at the timing at which the game ball wins the start winning device 17 in the same manner as the random number for winning / losing lottery.

  In the following description, the distributed jackpot is performed by lighting two LEDs as shown in the column in FIG. 12B, or three LEDs in the form shown in the column in FIG. The case where the operation is performed by lighting up is referred to as “first big hit”. Moreover, as shown in the column in FIG. 12D, the three LEDs are turned on in a manner different from the mode shown in the column in FIG. 12C, or as shown in the column in FIG. In addition, the case where the three LEDs are turned on in a different manner from the middle column in FIG. 12C and the middle column in FIG. 12D may be referred to as “second big hit”.

  Here, the “first jackpot” indicates a jackpot that allows a large amount of prize balls to be paid out. When the “first jackpot” is started, the opening / closing operation of the prize winning device 31 has a predetermined interval. Repeated 15 times with pinching. At this time, the “predetermined time” when performing the opening / closing operation of the special winning device 31 is, for example, “25 seconds”. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the first jackpot may be referred to as “15R jackpot”. On the other hand, the “second jackpot” indicates a jackpot for which no prize ball payout is scheduled (a jackpot for the purpose of obtaining a high probability mode without substantially paying a prize ball). When the “big hit” is started, the opening / closing operation of the big winning device 31 is repeated twice with a predetermined interval in between. At this time, the “predetermined time” when performing the opening / closing operation of the special winning device 31 is, for example, “0.2 seconds”. Hereinafter, in the present specification, the second jackpot may be referred to as a “2R jackpot”.

  In this gaming machine 1, two types of “first jackpots” are planned. That is, in the “first jackpot” shown in the middle column of FIG. 12B, after the special game related to the “first jackpot” (the jackpot game) is ended, the opening extension means and the probability changing means are operated. There is no. Hereinafter, the “first big hit” shown in the middle column of FIG. 12B may be referred to as “15R normal big hit”. Further, in the “first big hit” shown in the middle column of FIG. 12C, after the special game (big hit game) related to the “first big hit” is finished, the opening extension means and the probability changing means are operated. That is, the general probability variation state is started. Hereinafter, the “first jackpot” shown in the middle column of FIG. 12C may be referred to as “15R probability variation jackpot”.

  In the gaming machine 1, two types of “second jackpots” are scheduled. That is, in the “second jackpot” shown in the middle column of FIG. 12D, after the special game (the jackpot game) related to the “first jackpot” is finished, the opening extension means and the probability changing means are operated. That is, the general probability variation state is started. Hereinafter, the “second jackpot” shown in the middle column of FIG. 12D may be referred to as “2R probability variation jackpot”. Further, in the “second jackpot” shown in the middle column of FIG. 12 (e), the probability varying means operates after the special game (bonus game) related to the “second jackpot” is ended, but the opening extension means Does not work. That is, the latent probability variation state is started. Hereinafter, the “second big hit” shown in the middle column of FIG. 12 (e) may be referred to as “latent probability variation big hit”.

ii) Disengagement This symbol stop display (determined display) is performed by turning on one LED of the “special symbol display portion 62” as shown in the middle column of FIG. The stop symbol (determined symbol) displayed when this one LED is turned on becomes a “disappearance symbol” indicating that the result of the special symbol success / failure determination is “disappearance”.

iii) Pseudo jackpot When the three LEDs are turned on in the manner shown in the column in FIG. 12 (f) for the stop display (determined display) of this symbol, a pseudo jackpot is generated. This pseudo jackpot can occur when the result of the winning / losing lottery is a loss, and when this pseudo jackpot is generated, the winning device 31 performs an opening / closing operation in the same manner as the “second jackpot”. . That is, the opening / closing operation of the special winning device 31 is repeated twice with a predetermined interval (for example, “0.2 seconds”) interposed therebetween. Hereinafter, the pseudo big hit may be referred to as “small hit” in the present specification. Moreover, even if the big winning device 31 completes the opening / closing operation based on the pseudo jackpot, the opening extension means and the probability changing means do not operate.

iV) Pseudo symbol (directing symbol)
Also in the effect display device 27, each time a special symbol variation start condition (whether or not lottery execution condition) is established, a pseudo symbol variation display (symbol variation effect display) is started on the display screen 27a. Then, when this variable display period (that is, a predetermined time) elapses, pseudo symbol stop display (determined display) is executed. At this time, the pseudo symbol stop display also displays the result of the lottery determination as in the case of the stop symbol of the main symbol.

  On the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), when the pseudo symbol variation display is started, three pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d appear, and each pseudo symbol display portion is displayed. In 27b to 27d, variable display using “pseudo symbols”, stop display, and the like are performed. This pseudo-pattern variation display shows that the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed in this order, and then the numbers from “1” to “9” are displayed again in this order. Consists of repeated “circular display”. Further, when the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d start the variable display, the background screen display unit 27h is displayed by other parts of the display screen 27a. And on this background screen display part 27h, a background design can be displayed or a character design can be displayed with this background screen.

  The confirmed symbols that are confirmed and displayed in the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d include the modes shown in the right columns of FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (f). That is, FIG. 12 (a) right column “stop symbol indicating losing”, “stop symbol indicating jackpot” shown in each right column of FIGS. 12 (b) to 12 (e), and FIG. 12 (f) right column. And a stop symbol indicating a pseudo big hit (small hit) shown in FIG. Among these, the “stop symbol indicating the first jackpot” is configured by arranging three “numbers” of “1” to “9” (the same three-digit number). However, when this “first big hit” is “15R normal big hit”, even numbers are aligned (for example, “222”), and when “15R probability variable big hit” is set, odd numbers are aligned ( For example, “777”).

  On the other hand, the “determined symbol of the pseudo symbol indicating the 2R probability variation jackpot”, the “determined symbol of the pseudo symbol indicating the latent probability variation jackpot”, and the “definite symbol of the pseudo symbol indicating the pseudo jackpot (small hit)” are all the same. It is a design. That is, these fixed symbols are configured by arranging odd numbers in ascending order from left to right. For this reason, a general player who plays a game while gazing at the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 generates a 2R probability variation big hit, a latent probability variation big hit, or a pseudo big hit (small hit). It is difficult to immediately determine. For this reason, it may be difficult for the player to recognize whether or not the current gaming state is a probability variation state.

  The “determined symbol of the pseudo symbol indicating detachment” is “a definite symbol of the pseudo symbol indicating the 2R probability variation big hit (the definite symbol of the pseudo symbol indicating the latent probability variation big hit), which is a number in the pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d. , A symbol that does not correspond to a confirmed symbol of a pseudo symbol indicating a pseudo jackpot).

(4) Outline of symbol variation effect display When symbol variation effect display is executed only by normal reproduction (hereinafter referred to as “normal effect”), fast forward reproduction (fast forward display) and ball lending effect display are performed. (Hereinafter referred to as “special effects”). Hereinafter, after describing the outline of the normal effect, the characteristic parts of the special effect will be described.

a. In the case of a normal performance When a start winning is generated and a special symbol variation start condition (winning lottery execution condition) is established, the special symbol display units 62a to 62g of the lower right display device 60 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, on the display screen 27a (pseudo symbol display portions 27b to 27d) of the effect display device 27, the symbols using the pseudo symbols are started. Start fluctuating effect display. Then, after the predetermined time has elapsed, the special symbol display symbols 62a to 62g are fixedly displayed with the stop symbol of the main symbol, and the stop symbol of the pseudo symbol is fixedly displayed on the display screen 27a.

  Note that the “out-of-display” illustrated in FIG. 13A is “out-of-range display without a reach effect (so-called“ normal out ””), and the “out-of-display” illustrated in FIG. 13B is “reach”. This is a display accompanied by an effect (so-called “outgoing reach”).

  As shown in FIG. 13 (c), a stop display (confirmation display, jackpot display) is made to the effect that “the special lottery (pseudo symbol) stop symbol” is used and the result of the winning / failing lottery is a win (hit). In this case, after the “reach display” is performed during the symbol variation effect display (variation display) of the special symbol (pseudo symbol), this fixed display is performed. When this “big hit display” is made, after executing “shift display for shifting to big hit” or the like, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the big hit state, and the big hit game is started.

b. When accompanied by special effects Next, “characteristic portions of special effects” will be described using specific examples shown in FIGS. Here, in this specific example, a special effect executed in association with a battle effect will be described. That is, in this specific example, the symbol variation effect display accompanied by the battle effect constitutes a specific example of “specific symbol variation effect display”.

  The right column of FIGS. 14 to 16 shows an outline of “battle effect (that is, special effect) with fast-forward playback and ball rental effect display”, but the left column is “fast-forward playback” for comparison. In addition, a battle effect without a ball rental effect display (that is, a normal effect) is illustrated. In addition, the right column and the left column of FIGS. 14 to 16 illustrate frame images displayed on the display screen 27a when the symbol variation effect display is performed. In the actual symbol variation effect display, “a moving image constituting the symbol variation effect display” is displayed by switching and displaying a large number of frame images on the display screen 27a. For example, in the case of normal playback, 24 frame images per second (30 may be used in the case of fast-forward playback) are continuously displayed on the display screen 27a. To play "is displayed. However, in FIGS. 14 to 16, only a few of these frame images are shown for convenience of illustration. That is, the frame images (F1 and the like) shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 are schematically displayed to show a moving image, and actually, more frame images are shown between the frame images shown in FIGS. The frame image is displayed.

  Prior to the description of the special effects, “Battle effects without fast-forward playback and ball rental effect display (hereinafter referred to as“ basic type ”)” will be briefly described. In this basic type, after reach display (E1), a “frame image indicating that an octopus character and a squid character have appeared” is displayed on the display screen 27a (F1). Then, after “a frame image indicating that the octopus character and the squid character have faced each other” is displayed (F2), a “frame image indicating that the battle (due) has started” is displayed (F3).

  Furthermore, after “frame images showing one attack and defense of the octopus character and the squid character” are successively displayed on the display screen 27a (F4 to F11), “indicating that one character has won” "Frame image" is displayed (F12), and the battle effect is terminated. Thereafter, when the variation time (T3) of the symbol variation effect display (variation display) elapses, the symbol variation effect display (variation display) is completed, and the stop symbol indicating the result of the lottery determination is stopped (J). .

  Next, an outline of “battle effect (ie, special effect) with fast-forward playback and ball rental effect display” will be described. In this special effect, after a battle effect is started, when a game ball is paid out based on a lending operation and a predetermined condition is satisfied, “a frame image is reproduced at a standard frame rate (for example, 24 fps) (ie, normal reproduction). ) Is changed over a specific time (total time t to be described later). That is, the “symbol variation effect display” is continued by reproducing a large number of frame images at high speed (that is, fast-forward reproduction) (F4 to F11).

  As shown in FIG. 14 to FIG. 17, this fast-forward playback is “the time required to display the effects (F4 to F7) for the time that cannot be displayed by normal playback due to the fast-forward playback. (T1) ”and“ time required to display the effect (F8 to F11) for the time that cannot be displayed in normal playback due to the ball rental effect (F2) by the fast-forward playback (t2) ”. For the time (total time t). This “total time t” constitutes a “specific example of a specific time” and is calculated, for example, by referring to “ball rental effect data” stored in a predetermined area of the “control ROM 222b (see FIG. 10)”. {See Fig. 17 (a)}. The “ball rental effect data” includes the data (time data 1) for specifying the time (t2) described above, and the CPU 222a constituting the effect display control board 222 uses this data (time). The total time t can be specified using the data 1) and the fast-forward playback speed (frame rate).

  By this fast-forward playback, “the effects (F4 to F7) that cannot be displayed in normal playback due to the fast-forward playback” and “the time that cannot be displayed in normal playback due to the ball rental effect (non-display period) Minute) effect (F8 to F11) "is displayed. In other words, among the battle effects, when the effects (F4 to F11) including the effects for the non-display period (F8 to F11) that cannot be displayed by executing the ball rental effect display are displayed by fast-forward playback, The frame image during fast-forward playback (“F11” in the right column of FIG. 15) is “scheduled effect display scheduled for the elapsed time (t) after the start of fast-forward playback in the symbol variation effect display executed only in normal playback” The frame time ("F11" in the left column of FIG. 16) to be reproduced at the preceding time is equal to the execution time (T3-T2).

  When the fast-forward playback is finished, as shown in FIG. 15, the battle effect is paused (for example, paused at the frame image F11), and the battle effect is made invisible (for example, whiteout is used) (G1). An effect suggesting the internal probability of the gaming machine 1 is executed (H1 to H3 in FIGS. 15 and 16). That is, the ball rental effect display is executed by continuously displaying a large number of frame images (H1 to H3, etc.). This ball rental effect display is performed by gradually expanding and displaying “display indicating the internal probability of the gaming machine 1”.

  When this ball rental effect display is finished, as shown in FIG. 16, the ball rental effect display is made invisible (for example, whiteout is used) (G2), and normal reproduction of the battle effect is resumed. This normal reproduction is resumed starting from the frame image (F11) paused at the end of the fast-forward reproduction. Here, the starting frame image (F11) is “the frame image (F3) to be reproduced when the same time (T3) has elapsed since the start of the symbol variation effect display in the battle effect executed only in normal reproduction. F11) ". When a predetermined time (T4) of the symbol variation effect display (variation display) has elapsed, the symbol variation effect display (variation display) is completed, and the stop symbol indicating the result of the lottery determination is stopped and displayed (J).

(5) Command transmission The gaming machine 1 of this embodiment performs various controls in order to realize the above-described “variation effect display (symbol variation effect display)” and the like. When executing this control, various commands are transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220). Next, how the command is transmitted will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

  The main control unit 200A and the sub control unit 220A are connected by a 9-bit width parallel signal cable. Of these, one bit is allocated for outputting a strobe signal, and the remaining eight bits are allocated for command output. When a command is output from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A, first, command data for 8 bits is output to an 8-bit signal cable assigned for command output, and then A 1-bit strobe signal is output. Further, the sub control unit 220A can reliably read the command transmitted from the main control unit 200A by reading the command data at the rising timing of the strobe signal. Here, examples of commands output from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220) include those illustrated in FIG. 18B. That is, (A) a fluctuation pattern designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CHP”), (B) a special symbol stop information designation command (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “CJS”), (C ) There is a ball lending command (CQR) indicating that a game ball payout (lending of a ball) based on a lending operation has started. The variation pattern designation command is a command for starting the variation of the pseudo symbol and designating the variation time of the pseudo symbol.

(6) Outline of Game Ball Lending Process Next, an outline of the game ball lending process will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. First, when the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the payout control unit 240A outputs a “PRDY signal (game machine operation signal)” to the CR unit 80 (step 2a), and the CR unit 80 receives this (step 2a). 3a). In the following description, the processing step is simply displayed as “S” (for example, “S2a”). The CR unit 80 outputs a power supply signal (VL signal) to the payout control unit 240A. The payout control unit 240A determines whether the CR unit 80 is connected or not based on the input state of the VL signal. Further, the payout control unit 240A maintains the state in which the PRDY signal is output to the CR unit 80 when “the game ball can be rented out by the game ball payout device (payout device) 109”.

  A predetermined amount of banknotes (may be a predetermined amount of coins) is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 81 of the CR unit 80, or a card (prepaid card) in which necessary frequency balance information is stored is inserted into the card slot 84. In addition, when the lending button 5c is operated, a lending operation signal (a signal indicating that the lending button 5c has been operated) is output to the CR unit 80 via the ball lending display board 410 and the relay terminal board 240C. (See FIG. 8). When the CR unit 80 receives this lending operation signal (S3b; YES), the CR unit 80 sends a CR unit REDY signal (a card unit REDY signal, hereinafter referred to as a “BRDY signal”) to the payout control unit 240A. "On information" is transmitted (S3c, S2b), and then the "on information" of the lending request signal (the terminal terminal lending request completion confirmation signal, hereinafter referred to as "BRQ signal"). Is transmitted (S3d). Here, the CR unit REDY signal (BRDY signal) is a signal for transmitting that the CR unit 80 is in the lending process, and the lending request signal (BRQ signal) is the CR unit 80 for the basic unit (25). It is a signal requesting rental of game balls.

  Upon receipt of the “on information” of the lending request signal (BRQ signal) (S2c), the payout control unit 240A has a predetermined monitoring time (an RRQ request acknowledgment ACK monitoring time, for example, 100 ms, denoted by B in FIG. A lending completion signal (the terminal terminal lending completion signal, hereinafter referred to as “EXS signal”) is started up (with the EXS signal turned on) and transmitted to the CR unit 80 (with the indicated time) ( S2d). When the CR unit 80 receives the “ON information” of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) (S3e), the CR unit 80 has a predetermined monitoring time (lending instruction monitoring time, for example, less than 251 ms, and is denoted by reference symbol C in FIG. The output state of the lending request signal (BRQ signal) is stopped after a predetermined time) (S3f, the BRQ signal is switched from on to off). When the payout control unit 240A detects the stop of the lending request signal (BRQ signal) (that is, receives the BRQ signal OFF information) (S2e), the payout motor 109m is driven and the number of units (basic unit; 25). ) Game balls are lent out (S2f). Further, when the lending of the unit number of game balls is completed, the lending information (a signal indicating that the game balls for the basic unit have been paid out) is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A (S2g). , S1a).

  When the main control unit 200A receives the lending information (S1a), is the lending information “the lending information received for the first time in the lending process associated with one operation performed on the lending button 5c”? If it is the lending information received for the first time, a process of transmitting a ball lending command (CQR) to the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) is performed. That is, in this embodiment, the gaming ball lending unit price is set to “4 yen” per gaming ball, and “500 yen” in the “lending process associated with one lending operation performed on the lending button 5c”. Since the game balls (125 game balls) are scheduled to be paid out, the payout motor 109m is driven five times in the “lending process associated with one lending operation”. For this reason, when the “lending process associated with one lending operation” is performed, the main control unit 200A receives the lending information five times. In this embodiment, the lending information received for the first time is used. A ball lending command (CQR) is transmitted based on However, unlike the present embodiment, every time the main control unit 200A receives the lending information, a “predetermined command” is transmitted to the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220), and the sub control unit Based on the “predetermined command” received first on the side of 220A (sub control board 220), “start of payout” may be detected (the first predetermined command received is treated as a ball rental command). It is good.)

  When the payout control unit 240A completes lending of the unit number of game balls, the output state of the lending completion signal (EXS signal) stops (although the EXS signal is switched from ON to OFF), but the CR unit 80 When stoppage of the output state of the signal is detected (S3g), that is, when the OFF information of the EXS signal is received (S3g), the number of times of reception is counted using a predetermined counter (S3h) and the CR unit 80 (frequency balance) The frequency balance stored in the card in which the information is stored is rewritten. At this time, the frequency LED signal is transmitted from the CR unit 80 to the ball rental display board 410 (S3i), and the value balance (valuable balance) is displayed on the balance display portion 5r (see FIGS. 2 and 8). That is, each time the game ball payout device (payout device) 109 is driven once (every 25 game balls are paid out), the display of the balance display portion 5r is updated.

  Furthermore, if there are continuous loans, the above process is repeated a predetermined number of times. Here, in the CR unit 80, the “game ball lending unit price” and “the number of times the game ball dispensing device 109 (dispensing motor 109m) is driven by one operation performed on the lending button 5c” by the game hall manager in advance. And are set. The “number of times the game ball payout device 109 (the payout motor 109m) is driven by one operation performed on the lending button 5c” is nothing but the number of times the “EXS signal OFF information” is received. For this reason, the CR unit 80 determines whether or not the “payout associated with one operation performed on the lending button 5c” has been completed based on the number of receptions counted in “S3g processing” (S3j), and ends. If not, “processing from S3d” is repeated until a positive determination is obtained in “processing of S3j”. If an affirmative determination is obtained in “processing of S3j” (S3h; YES), the CR unit 80 stops outputting the BRDY signal, and outputs OFF information of the BRDY signal to the payout control unit 240A (S3k). , “Lending (lending process) associated with one operation performed on the lending button 5c” is terminated. Accordingly, when the payout control unit 240A receives the OFF information of the BRDY signal (S2i), a payout completion signal is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A. (S2k, S1c). In the present embodiment, “operation to be performed on the lending button 5c” means an effective operation to be performed on the lending button 5c, and “performed during lending processing associated with one operation performed on the lending button 5c. “Operation (meaningless operation not linked to lending processing)” is excluded.

(7) Outline of Game Control by Main Control Unit 200A FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. In this game control process, a prize ball payout process (S10), a normal symbol game process (S120), a normal electric game game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S400), a jackpot game process (S700), and a pseudo jackpot game Each process such as the process (S800) is repeatedly executed. Since the time required for one round of processing in FIG. 21 is about 4 msec, these processes are repeatedly executed every about 4 msec.

  The above-mentioned CTC (counter / timer circuit) is set to generate an interrupt every about 2 msec. When an interrupt is generated by CTC, various random numbers are updated and various game balls are detected. For example, processing for detecting the state of the switches (normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, start winning detection switches 17s, 17t, winning ball detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s, etc.) is performed. In the game control shown in FIG. 31, the normal symbol game processing (S120), the normal electric power generation are performed while generating interrupts almost twice each time the control goes around to update various random numbers and detect the game state. An accessory game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S400), a jackpot game process (S700), a pseudo jackpot game process (S800), and the like are performed. During these processes, various signals are transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire gaming machine 1 proceeds. Hereinafter, the game control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

A. Prize ball payout processing (S10)
The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs a process of paying out game balls as prize balls (prize ball payout process) (S10). That is, the state of the start winning detection switches 17s, 17t or the winning ball detection switches 40s, 41s, 43s is detected to determine whether or not a game ball has entered. If a game ball has entered, this information is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. Based on the information stored on the RAM 202, a prize ball payout signal is output toward the payout control board 240. If the winning information for the start winning detection switch 17s or the like has already been stored on the RAM 202, an appropriate payout number including the previously stored information is specified and a payout signal is output. To do. The “processing for outputting a payout signal based on winning information to the start winning detection switch 17s” constitutes a specific example of “processing as a winning ball payout means performed by the CPU 201”.

  When outputting a payout signal from the main control unit 200A to the payout control unit 240A, first, a strobe signal is output toward the payout control unit 240A (payout control board 240), and then signal data is output. On the other hand, when the CPU mounted on the payout control board 240 constituting the payout control unit 240A receives the payout signal, the CPU interprets the content of the signal and sends a drive signal to the payout motor 109m mounted on the game ball payout device 109. Is output and award balls are paid out. The game ball payout device 109 is provided with two payout switches (front payout switch 109a and rear payout switch 109b) for detecting the payout game balls. While detecting each, a process of paying out the number of prize balls specified by the payout signal is performed.

  In relation to the prize ball payout process, the “CPU mounted on the payout control board 240 constituting the payout control unit 240A” performs the “payout control process (S5000)” shown in FIG. In this payout control process (S5000), first, it is determined whether or not a prize ball command (payout signal) has been received from the main control board 200 (S5001). Here, the prize ball command is a command output from the main control board 200 to the payout control board 240, and is a command indicating the number of game balls to be paid out as prize balls.

  When this prize ball command (payout signal) is received (S5001; YES), the number of game balls designated by this prize ball command (payout signal) is calculated (added) to the number of acquired game balls, and the payout control board is calculated. After performing the process of storing in a predetermined area of the RAM mounted on 240 (S5002), the process proceeds to S5004 and subsequent processes. Here, the number of acquired game balls (the number of game balls not paid out) is the number of game balls that have been instructed to be paid out by a prize ball command (payout signal) but have not been paid out yet. The number of acquired game balls (the number of unpaid game balls) is decremented by “1” every time one game ball is paid out as a prize ball. However, when a prize ball command (payout signal) is received, The specified number of game balls is added. On the other hand, if no prize ball command (payout signal) is received (S5001; NO), the process of calculating (adding) the number of acquired game balls (S5002) is skipped, and the process proceeds to S5004 and subsequent processes.

  After S5004, the CPU of the payout control board 240 checks whether or not an abnormality relating to the payout of the game ball has occurred (S5004, S5006, S5008, S5010, S5012). That is, whether communication abnormality has occurred between the main control board 200 and the gaming ball dispensing device 109 (dispensing motor 109m) (S5004), or abnormality has not occurred in the gaming ball dispensing device (dispensing device) 109. It is determined whether (S5006), the ball is not cut out (S5008), whether the lower tray is full (S5010), or whether the payout motor 109m is empty (S5012). If any abnormality has occurred, a process for notifying the abnormality (error) (S5016) and a process for canceling the abnormality (error) (S5018) are performed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that no abnormality relating to payout has occurred (S5004; NO, S5006; NO, S5008; NO, S5010; NO, S5012; NO), the number of acquired game balls (the number of unpaid game balls) is It is determined whether or not it remains (S5014). If it remains (S5014; YES), a prize ball control process is performed (S5020). In this prize ball control process, the payout motor 109m is rotated to pay out the game balls one by one, and the game balls are detected by the payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b), and the acquired game each time. The number of balls (unpaid game balls) is subtracted by “1”. This operation is continued until the number of acquired game balls (number of unpaid game balls) becomes “0” or a new prize ball command (payout signal) is transmitted from the main control board 200.

  No abnormality relating to payout of game balls has occurred (S5004; NO, S5006; NO, S5008; NO, S5010; NO, S5012; NO), and the number of acquired game balls (the number of game balls not paid out) remains. If it is determined (S5014; NO), the CPU of the payout control board 240 determines whether or not a “ball lending signal (consisting of BRDY ON information and BRQ ON information)” has been received from the CR unit 80. (S5025). When the CPU of the payout control board 240 determines that the “ball lending signal” has been received (S5025; YES), the ball lending control process (S5100) is performed.

  In this ball lending control process (S5100), as shown in FIG. 23, the payout motor 109m is rotated to pay out the game balls one by one (S5102). The number of game balls detected and paid out at 109b) is counted. When the number of game balls paid out reaches a specified number (25 in this embodiment), a “lending information signal (signal related to lending information)” is transmitted to the main control unit 200A (S5110). In other words, each time the payout of the unit number (basic unit: 25) of the game balls is completed, the payout information is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A.

  Then, the payout control unit 240A determines whether or not a lending completion signal (OFF information of the BRDY signal) is received from the CR unit 80 (S5112). If not received (S5112; NO), the “lending button 5c Since the lending (lending process) associated with one lending operation performed on “is not completed, the ball lending control process (S5100) is temporarily terminated and the“ payout control process (S5000) ”shown in FIG. Return. Then, after waiting for a positive determination in S5025, the ball lending control process (S5100) is executed. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S5112, a lending completion signal is transmitted from the payout control unit 240A to the main control unit 200A (S5114), and then the ball lending control process (S5100) is terminated.

B. Normal symbol game start determination process (S100)
Next, the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines whether or not to start the normal symbol game process (S120) (S100). Here, FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a process (normal symbol game start determination process) performed by the CPU 201 to determine whether or not to start the normal symbol game process. In determining whether or not to start the normal symbol game process, it is first determined whether or not the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 16 (S102). In addition, since the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s is incorporated in the normal symbol operation gate 16, the CPU 201 can detect the passage of the game ball based on the signal from the switch 16s.

  If the game ball has passed the normal symbol operation gate 16 (S102: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of normal symbols held is less than "4" (S104). Here, the data of the number of normal symbol reservations is written in a predetermined address of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. In S104, the data of the number of normal symbol reservations set in this address is read out, It is determined whether this value is less than “4”. If the number of holdings is less than “4” (S104: YES), the value of the number of holdings of normal symbols is incremented by 1 (S106), and a random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is determined is generated (generated / read). After storing the random number value at a predetermined address in the RAM 202 (S107), the process proceeds to S108.

  Although detailed description will be given later, the normal symbol success / failure determination is performed using the normal symbol success / failure random numbers stored in this way. Further, the normal symbol holding number is stored at a predetermined address in the RAM 202 as described above. Note that the random number for determining whether or not the symbol is normal may be generated in software by a program for generating random numbers, or may be generated in hardware using a dedicated IC for generating random numbers. More simply, a pseudo-random number generated by hardware by combining an oscillator and a counter may be used.

  On the other hand, if the number of reserves has reached “4” in S104 (S104: YES), S108 is not performed without performing “addition of the value of the number of normal symbols held” or “obtaining random numbers for determining whether or not normal symbols are appropriate”. Move on to processing. In other words, it is possible to store up to four random numbers for determining whether or not a normal symbol is appropriate, and corresponding to this, the normal symbol hold display unit 29c also holds up to four hold numbers. Can be displayed.

  In the process of S108, a drive signal is output so that the normal symbol hold display unit 65 of the lower display device 60 displays the number of normal symbols held. Then, when the number of the normal symbol hold is displayed on the normal symbol hold display unit 65, it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory (whether the second start winning device 17b is in the open state) is in operation (S110). ). This ordinary electric accessory is an accessory that operates as a result of performing a normal symbol game. Therefore, if the normal electric accessory is in operation (S110: YES), it is not necessary to start the normal symbol game again, so it is determined that the normal symbol game does not start (ie, S100: NO). On the other hand, when the ordinary electric accessory is not operating (S110; NO), it is determined that the normal symbol game is started (that is, S100; YES).

  In step S100 of the game control process shown in FIG. 24, whether or not to start a normal symbol game is determined as described above. When it is determined that the normal symbol game is started (S100: YES), the normal symbol game process (S120) described below is started. On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol game is not started (S100: NO), the normal symbol game process (S120) is skipped.

C. Normal symbol game processing (S120)
25 and 26 are flowcharts showing the flow of the normal symbol game process (S120). When the normal symbol game process (S120) is started, it is first determined whether or not the normal symbol display unit 63 is executing the normal symbol variation display (S125). If it is determined that the variable display is not performed in the process of S125 (S125; NO), it is determined whether or not the normal symbol display unit 63 is executing the normal symbol stop display (during the stop display time). Whether or not there is) is determined (S130). When it is determined that the normal symbol stop display is being executed (S130; YES), it is determined whether or not the "normal symbol stop display time (for example, 0.5 seconds)" has elapsed ( S180 in FIG. 26). If an affirmative determination is made in S180 (S180; YES), the process proceeds to S185. If a negative determination is made in S180 (S180; NO), the normal symbol game process is terminated and the game control of FIG. Return to processing.

  If it is determined that the normal symbol display unit 63 is not executing the normal symbol variation display (S125; NO) and the normal symbol stop display is not being executed (S130; NO), the normal symbol is suspended. It is determined whether or not the number is “0” (S135). If it is determined that the number of holds is “0” (S135; YES), the normal symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of holds is not “0” (S135; NO), the random number stored in the process of S107 in FIG. After performing the process of decrementing the number by “−1” (S145), the process proceeds to the processes after S150.

  In the process of S150, it is determined whether or not a function for shortening the “normal symbol fluctuation display time” (hereinafter referred to as “fluctuation time shortening function”) is activated, and is determined to be activated. (S150; YES), after setting the fluctuation display time of the normal symbol for “variation time shortening function operation” (S155), the normal symbol fluctuation display is started (S160). On the other hand, if it is determined that the variation time shortening function is not activated (S150; NO), after setting the variation display time of the normal symbol of “when the variation time shortening function is not activated” (S156), The fluctuation display is started (S160). Then, in both cases where an affirmative determination is made in the process of S150 and a negative determination is made, the normal symbol game process is terminated after the process of S160, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Note that the processing from S155 to S160, S165, and S170 constitutes a specific example of processing as “variable display shortening means”.

  When the normal symbol change display is being executed in the normal symbol display unit 63 (S125; YES), it is determined whether or not the normal symbol change time has elapsed (S165 in FIG. 26), and the normal symbol change time has not elapsed. (S165; NO), the normal symbol game process is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the fluctuation time of the normal symbol elapses (S165; YES), after the normal symbol fluctuation display is stopped (S170), the display time (stop display time) of the normal symbol stop symbol is set (S5). . Thereafter, when the “ordinary symbol stop display time” has elapsed (S180; YES), the process proceeds to S185.

  In the process of S185, it is determined whether or not the symbol stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display unit 63 is a symbol that activates the ordinary electric accessory 17d (winning symbol), and if it is not a symbol that activates (S185; NO). Then, the normal symbol game process is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the symbol is to be actuated (S185; YES), it is determined whether or not the normal electric accessory opening and extending function is operating, that is, whether or not the opening extending means is operating (S188). Note that the processing from S190 to S192 and S200 constitutes a specific example of processing as “open extension means”.

  When the opening extension means is in operation (S188; YES), the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (the time during which the second start winning portion 17b is opened) is set to “opening time when the opening extension function is operated (for example, The above-mentioned 5 seconds) is set (S190), the ordinary electric accessory 17d is operated (S194), and the second start winning portion 17b is opened. Then, the normal symbol game process is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the opening extension means is not in operation (S188; NO), after setting the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d to "opening time when the opening extension function is not operated (for example, 0.5 seconds as described above)" (S192), the ordinary electric accessory 17d is operated (S194), and the second start winning portion 17b is opened. Then, the normal symbol game process is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

D. Normal electric game processing (S200)
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an outline of the ordinary electric accessory game process. When the ordinary symbol game process is activated while the CPU 201 performs the game control process of FIG. 21, the ordinary electric accessory 17d is in operation. Is determined (whether the second start winning portion 17b is in the open state). If it is determined that the second start winning portion 17b is in an open state (S201; YES), the operation time of the ordinary electric accessory 17d (the second start winning portion 17b is maintained in an open state). It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (5 seconds in the open extension mode and 0.5 seconds in the normal release mode) (S202). When it is determined that the operation time has passed the predetermined time (S202; YES), the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is stopped to bring the second start winning portion 17b in the open state into a closed state (S206), The ordinary electric game game process is terminated. However, when the CPU 201 determines that a predetermined number (for example, eight) of game balls have entered the second start winning portion 17b while the ordinary electric accessory 17d (second start winning portion 17b) is open. Even when the aforementioned operating time (opening time) has not reached the predetermined time, the operation of the ordinary electric accessory 17d is stopped (S206), and the ordinary electric accessory game process is terminated.

E. Special symbol game start determination process (S300)
The special symbol game start determination process is a process for determining whether or not to perform the special symbol game process (S300). This special symbol game start determination process will be described with reference to FIG. Even when it is determined whether or not to start the special symbol game process, first, processing related to the number of special symbols held is performed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the start winning device 17 (S302). That is, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether “the start winning detection switch 17s has detected the passage of the game ball” or not, thereby performing the process of S302.

  When a winning to the start winning device 17 has occurred (S302; YES), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved special symbols is less than 4 (S304). Here, data of the number of special symbol reservations is written in a predetermined address of the RAM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. In S304, the data of the number of special symbol reservations set in this address is read out, It is determined whether or not the number of special symbols held is less than four. If the number of reserved special symbols is less than 4 (S304; YES), the number of reserved special symbols is incremented by one (S305), a random number for lottery is acquired, and this random number for lottery is sent to the main control board 200. The information is stored in a predetermined address of the mounted RAM 202 (S307). Here, as the random numbers for lottery acquired in the process of S307, (a) random numbers for winning / losing lottery, (b) when the result of winning / losing lottery is a big hit (winning), the special symbol display unit 62a is stopped and displayed. Jackpot symbol determination random number for determining the jackpot symbol, (c) reach random number for performing lottery of whether or not to perform reach display in the pseudo symbol variation display executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 ) Etc. Note that these random numbers for lottery are stored in a predetermined memory address in the RAM 202 in a shift memory format in a time series of start winnings.

  In the process of S304, if it is determined that the number of special symbols held has reached 4 (S304; NO), the process proceeds to S320 without performing the process of S305 or S307.

  When the processing related to the special symbol hold is completed in this way, it is determined whether or not the “big hit flag” is set (whether or not it is set to ON) (S320). In other words, whether or not “big hit game execution means” (CPU 201 that executes control processing according to the control program related to execution of big hit game stored in ROM 203) is in operation, in other words, “big hit game” is executed. It is determined whether it is in progress (see S484 in FIG. 30).

  If the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 determines in the process of S320 that the “big hit flag” is set (set to ON) (S310; YES), the special game (that is, YES) In order to avoid starting the jackpot game), it is determined that the special symbol game is not started (that is, S300; YES). On the other hand, when the “hit flag” is not set (not set to ON) (S320; NO), it is determined that the special symbol game is started (S300; YES).

  In step S300 of the game control process shown in FIG. 21, whether or not to start a special symbol game is determined as described above. If it is determined that the special symbol game is to be started (S300; YES), the special symbol game process (S400) described below is started.

F. Special design game processing (S400)
29 and 30 are flowcharts showing the flow of the special symbol game process (S400). When the special symbol game process (S400) is started, first, it is determined whether any special symbol (this symbol) is changing (S404). If any special symbol is not changing (S404; NO), it is considered that either the special symbol has not changed yet, or has been stopped and displayed as a stop symbol after the change display. Therefore, it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the stop symbol of the special symbol (in this embodiment, this stop display time is set to 0.6 seconds) (S410). If the special symbol is not variably displayed (S404; NO), and if it is not during the stop display time during which the special symbol is stopped (S410; NO), whether or not the variable display can be started. Is determined (S415).

  The “condition for starting the variable display of the special symbol (execution condition of the success / failure lottery)” is that “the number of holds regarding the special symbol” is not “zero”. If the number of special symbols on hold is “zero” (S415; YES), the special symbol game process is terminated and the game control process of FIG. 21 is resumed because the special symbol variation display cannot be started. . On the other hand, when the number of reserved special symbols is not “zero” (S415; NO), the oldest “random number for winning / losing lottery” stored from a predetermined address in the RAM 202 is read out, and the big hit symbol determining random number is read out (S418), The “special drawing related process (S430)” shown in FIG. 31 is executed.

  In the special figure-related process (S430), as shown in FIG. 31, first, a success / failure lottery process (big hit lottery process) is performed (S440). In this winning / losing lottery process, as shown in FIG. 32, it is determined whether or not the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is a high probability mode (whether or not the probability variation flag is set to ON) (S444). When the probability mode is selected (S444; YES), this winning / losing lottery is performed using the “high probability data table” (S446, S450). On the other hand, when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the low probability mode (the normal probability mode and the probability variation flag is set to OFF) (S444; NO), the “low probability data table” is stored. This lottery is performed (S448, S450). It should be noted that the winning probability when the “winning lottery” is performed using the “high probability data table” is about “10” as the winning probability when the “winning lottery” is performed using the “low rate data table”. Double ".

  Subsequent to the process of S450, a process of determining “a stop symbol (definite symbol) to be confirmed and displayed after the special symbol is changed” is performed. In other words, when the result of the winning / losing lottery is winning (big hit) (S450; YES), the big hit symbol (main symbol) is randomly selected (big hit symbol determination) using the “data table for determining big hit symbol” shown in FIG. A process of determination by lottery based on random numbers is performed (S452). By this processing, the type of jackpot that the jackpot is generated is assigned to one of “15R normal jackpot”, “15R probability variation jackpot”, “2R probability variation jackpot”, and “latency probability variation jackpot”. .

  On the other hand, when the result of the winning / failing lottery is a loss (disappearance) (S450; NO), a pseudo-hit lottery is performed with reference to the pseudo-hit lottery table shown in FIG. 34 (S451), and in the case of a loss (S453; NO) Then, a process of determining the main symbol by using random lottery is performed (S458). On the other hand, when the result of the pseudo jackpot lottery is a win (S453; YES), after setting the pseudo jackpot flag (set to ON) (S455), a process of determining the “pseudo jackpot symbol” is performed (S457). That is, when the result of the winning / losing lottery is a loss (S450; NO), a process of determining a general “out symbol” through a pseudo big hit lottery (S451) or “pseudo” as a special mode of the out symbol A process of determining the “hit symbol” is performed.

  As described above, when the success / failure lottery process (S440) is performed, as shown in FIG. 31, a process of setting a variation pattern of a special symbol is performed (S460). In this process (S460), the variation pattern of the special symbol is determined by random lottery, and the variation time of the special symbol is specified. In the process of S460, the result of the “winning lottery” performed in S446 or S448 in FIG. 32 and whether or not the current game mode is the short-time mode are determined, and the variation pattern table used for the random lottery. Select. In other words, if the result of the winning / losing lottery is winning and the time-saving mode is selected, the “variation pattern table used when the result of winning / failing lottery is a big win and the time-saving mode (variation pattern table for winning / shortening time)” is set {FIG. 35 (b)}, if the result of the winning / losing lottery is winning and not in the time-saving mode, “If the result of the winning / not-winning lottery is a big hit and not in the time-saving mode, the fluctuation pattern table (the fluctuation pattern for winning / non-time-shortening) Table) "is set {see FIG. 35 (a)}.

  On the other hand, if the result of the winning / losing lottery is a loss and the time-saving mode is set, a “variation pattern table used when the result of the winning / failing lottery is a loss and the time-saving mode (fluctuation pattern table for loss / shortening)” is set {FIG. 36 (b)}, if the result of the lottery is a loss and the mode is not the time-saving mode, the change pattern table used when the result of the lottery is a loss and not the time-saving mode (the variation pattern for loss / non-time reduction) Table) "is set {see FIG. 36 (a)}. Here, the “short time mode” refers to a state in which the variable time shortening function (short time function) is in operation, and is a game mode in which the opening extension means operates. Therefore, in the following description of the present embodiment, “time reduction mode” can be read as “open extension mode”. Each “variation pattern table” is preset in the ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200.

  In the process of S460, when the “outgoing / shortening variation pattern table” is used, the “outgoing / non-shortening variation pattern table” is used, or when the “win / shortening variation pattern table” is used, “ There is a tendency that “a variation pattern having a long variation time” is set in the order in which the “variation pattern table for hit / non-time reduction” is used. In any case, the “variation pattern having a long variation time” tends to be set as the “number of reservations regarding special symbols” decreases. In FIG. 35 and FIG. 36, the fluctuation pattern (pattern 4, 5, 15, 27) that specifies the fluctuation time exceeding 100 seconds is the specific fluctuation pattern. In this case, the above-described “battle effect” is executed. Is done. That is, a specific example of “specific symbol variation effect display” is configured by the symbol variation effect display executed according to these variation patterns (patterns 4, 5, 15, and 27). Note that the process of S460 constitutes a specific example of a process executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 as a variation pattern determination unit.

  Returning to FIG. 31, further description will be made following the process of S460, the process of starting the change of the special symbol in the special symbol display unit 62 (S462), and the process of subtracting “1” from the “number of special symbols held” (S464) And a process of outputting a special symbol variation pattern designation command (set in the process of S460) to the sub-control board 220 (S466) and a process of outputting a special symbol stop information designation command to the sub-control board 220 (S468). After the completion, the special symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  Here, the variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command are output toward the sub-control board 220 together with the strobe signal as shown in FIG. This strobe signal is connected to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220. When the strobe signal is input, the CPU 220a on the sub control board 220 receives each designation command and receives the designation command. Analyze the contents. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the variation pattern is determined in consideration of various conditions such as the probability variation design, whether or not the reach effect is performed, and the symbol (stop symbol of this symbol) that stops and displays the special symbol If the variation pattern is known, it is possible to determine the time for which the special symbol is variably displayed. Also, by analyzing the special symbol stop information designation command, the type of stop symbol of the special symbol (this symbol) can be known.

  The CPU 220a mounted on the sub-control board 220 determines an effect mode in the effect display device 27 based on the information, and then sends a display control signal (display control command) of a pseudo symbol to the display control board 222. Output and display pseudo-pattern fluctuation / stop display. Further, based on the variation time (variation pattern designation command) of the special symbol, it is also determined whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect on the effect display device 27, and what kind of reach effect is to be used. Then, the sub-control board 220 controls the display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the like according to the contents of the effect thus determined, thereby performing the effect of the determined contents.

  Returning to FIG. 29, when it is determined that the special symbol is changing in the “processing of S404” immediately after the special symbol game processing (S400) is started (S404; YES), the change pattern of the special symbol has already been made. And the stop symbol are determined, and it is considered that the variation of the special symbol has started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S470).

  That is, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether a predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting a timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S470; NO), the special symbol game process (S400) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the variation time has elapsed (S470; YES), a pseudo symbol stop designation command variably displayed on the effect display device 27 is output toward the sub-control board 220. Along with (S472), the special symbol that is variably displayed in the special symbol display unit 62 is stopped and displayed (S474). The symbol stop designation command is transferred to the effect display control board 222 via the sub control board 220. Then, after setting the display time for stopping and displaying the special symbol on the central display device 27 (S476), it is determined whether or not the set display time has passed (S478).

  If it is determined in S478 that the special symbol stop display time has not elapsed (S478; NO), the special symbol game process (S400) is terminated as it is, and the game control process shown in FIG. 21 is resumed. . On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S478; YES), it is determined whether or not the stop display is a display indicating a big hit (that is, a big hit symbol) (S480 in FIG. 30).

  If a positive determination is made in the process of S480, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a process of setting the number of rounds and the opening time in the big hit game (S482). Here, in the process of S482, in the case of the first big hit, “15” is set as the number of rounds, and “first opening time (25 seconds)” is set as the opening time for each round. In the case of the second big hit, “2” is set as the number of rounds, and “second opening time (0.2 seconds)” is set as the opening time for each round.

  After the process of S482, the “big hit flag” is set (set to ON) (S484), and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. Thus, by setting the “hit flag” (that is, when the big hit game execution means starts operating), when the special symbol game process (S400) is exited and the game control process shown in FIG. S700) is started, and the big hit gaming state is started.

  By the way, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the probability changing function and the variation time shortening function do not work while the “hit hitting flag” is set (that is, during the operation of the big hit game executing means). For this reason, in the process of S484, if the “big hit flag” is set (set to 0N), whether or not the current gaming mode (the gaming mode when the big hit flag is set) is the high probability mode (the probability variation flag is ON). Whether or not there is) is determined (S486). Then, in the high probability mode (S486; YES), if the probability changing function (probability changing means) and the changing time shortening function (time saving means) are operating, these functions (means) are stopped (S488, S502).

  Further, when the probability changing function (probability changing means) and the changing time shortening function (time saving means) are operating, or when the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the time saving game mode (S500; YES), the ordinary electric combination Since the extension function of the object opening time (opening extension means) is also working, the extension function (opening extension means) of the ordinary electric accessory release time is also stopped (S512), and the special symbol game processing shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. Exiting (S400), the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  Furthermore, when only the probability changing function (probability changing means) is operating (in the latent probability changing state), after stopping the probability changing function (probability changing means) (S488, S489; NO), FIG. 29 and FIG. The special symbol game process (S400) shown in FIG. 21 is exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. If the game mode when the big hit flag is set in the process of S484 is neither the high probability mode nor the short-time game mode (short time medium) (S486; NO, S500; NO), the special symbol game process (S400) is continued. The process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  If a negative determination is made in the process of S480, that is, if the special symbol stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 62 is “disconnected symbol” (S480; NO), the following process is performed. First, it is determined whether or not the current game mode is the short-time game mode (whether or not the short-time flag is ON) (S506). When a positive determination is made in the process of S506 (S506; YES), “After the gaming machine 1 shifts to the short-time game mode currently being executed, the process of S480 is executed without obtaining a positive determination. The number of special symbol fluctuations (cumulative number) "is counted (incremented) (S508). Then, when the number of changes (cumulative number) has not reached the upper limit number (100 in this embodiment) (S510; NO), it is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 while maintaining the time-saving game mode. After exiting the special symbol game process, the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the number of fluctuations (cumulative number) reaches the upper limit number (S510; YES), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 shifts the game mode of the gaming machine 1 from the time-saving game mode to the non-time-saving game mode ( S511) After stopping the function for extending the normal electric accessory release time (open extension means) (S512), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 is exited, and the game control process shown in FIG. 21 is resumed. To do.

  If it is determined in the process of S506 that the current game mode is not the time-saving game mode (S506; NO), the special symbol game process shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 is left as it is, and the game control process of FIG. Return to.

G. Big hit game processing (S700)
When the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 repeatedly performs the game control process of FIG. 21 and determines that the “big hit flag” is set (the big hit flag is set to ON) (S680; YES) ), The big hit game process is started (S700), and the so-called “big hit game (special game)” is realized.

  37 and 38 are flowcharts showing the flow of the big hit game process (S700). When the special winning opening 31a is opened, as described above, a predetermined opening time (the first opening time or the second opening time, which is set in the process of S482 in FIG. 30) elapses, or When a predetermined number of game balls enter, the ball is once closed, but when a predetermined closing time elapses, it is again opened. Here, the game (the game from the opening of the big winning opening 31a to the closing) is a “round (big hit round)” in which the closed big winning device 31 is opened and then opened again. Called. And if this round is repeated and the predetermined number of times (2 times or 15 times) is digested, the big hit game state will be complete | finished. This gaming state is realized by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performing the big hit gaming process (S700) shown in FIGS. The detailed processing contents will be described below with reference to FIGS. 37 and 38.

  When the big hit game (the first big hit game or the second big hit game) is started, it is first determined whether or not the big winning opening 31a is open (S702). Here, the big winning opening 31a is closed in the “normal gaming state which is not the big hit gaming state”, and therefore the big winning opening 31a is in a closed state immediately after the start of the big winning game. Therefore, immediately after the start of the big hit game, it is determined that the big prize opening 31a is not open (S702; NO), and the number of rounds corresponding to the set number of the big hit game (2 or 15 times, It is determined whether or not (set in step S482 of 30) has been reached (S710). However, immediately after the big hit game is started, since the number of rounds has not reached the set number, a negative determination is inevitably made in the process of S710 (S710; NO). Therefore, the process proceeds to S712, and it is determined whether or not the interval time (2 seconds) has elapsed (S712). That is, it is determined whether or not the closing time of the special winning opening 31a has elapsed (S712). Here, the closing time (interval time) of the special winning opening is the time during which the special winning opening 31a is in a closed state between rounds. Immediately after the big hit game is started, since the big prize opening 31a is in a closed state, it is inevitably determined that the closing time of the big prize opening has passed (S712; NO), and the big prize is won. After opening the mouth 31a (S714), the big hit game process shown in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 is once ended, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns to the game control process, it performs a series of various processes shown in FIG. 21, and then starts the big hit game process (S700) again. At this time, as described above, the time required for the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 to execute the game control process shown in FIG. 21 once is about 4 msec. Therefore, the big hit game process (S700) shown in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38 is also repeatedly executed about every 4 msec.

  If a positive determination is made in the processing of S702, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31a has elapsed (S704). That is, when the big hit game being executed is the “first big hit game”, it is determined whether or not the first opening time (25 seconds) has elapsed, and the big hit game being executed is “the second big hit game”. , It is determined whether or not the second opening time (0.2 seconds) has elapsed. Here, as shown in FIG. 37, the first opening time (25 seconds) is sufficient for winning a large number of game balls (8 to 10 balls, for example, 6 balls when the nail adjustment is severe). The time and the second opening time are times when it is difficult for the game ball to win.

  If the opening time (the first opening time or the second opening time) has elapsed (S704; YES), after closing the big prize opening 31a (S708), the big hit game processing shown in FIG. 37 and FIG. After exiting (S700), the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if the opening time has not elapsed (704; NO), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls won in the special winning opening 31a has reached a specified number (S706). Even when the number of winning game balls reaches the specified number (S706; YES), the special winning opening 31a is closed (S708). That is, when the number of winning game balls reaches the specified number, the special winning opening 31a is closed without waiting for the opening time to elapse.

  When the opening time (the first opening time or the second opening time) has not elapsed (S704; NO) and the number of winnings has not reached the specified number (S706; NO), the special winning opening 31a is opened. The game goes through the big hit game process of FIGS. 37 and 38 and returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a “hit game state” (when the jackpot flag is set), the big winning opening 31a is opened while the game control process of FIG. 21 is repeatedly executed. Either time elapses (S704 in FIG. 37; YES), or a predetermined number of game balls are won in the big prize opening 31a (S706; YES), and the big prize opening 31a is closed (S708). Thus, one round of game is completed.

  When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in the “big hit game state”, the big hit game process (S700) is executed again. It is determined whether or not the number of rounds ended during the “hit game” has reached the set number of times (S710). That is, it is determined whether or not “15” has been reached in the case of “big hit game related to the first jackpot”, and whether or not “2” has been reached in the case of “big hit game related to the second jackpot”. Is judged. If the set number of times has not been reached (S710; NO), it is confirmed that the interval time has passed (S712; YES), and then the grand prize opening 31a is opened again to start a new round (S714). .

  On the other hand, in the processing of S710, when it is determined that the number of rounds completed during the “big hit game” has reached the set number of times (S710; YES), the big hit flag shown in FIG. 38 is released (set to OFF). (S716) and a process of outputting a jackpot game end command to the sub-control board 220 (S718) are performed to end the jackpot game. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the ended jackpot game was executed due to a probability variation symbol (used in the meaning of a symbol that triggers the transition to the probability variation mode) (S720). Specifically, in the case of any one of “a jackpot symbol that generates a 15R probability variation jackpot”, “a jackpot symbol that generates a 2R probability variation jackpot” or “a jackpot symbol that generates a latent probability variation jackpot”, an affirmative in the processing of S720 Judgment is made. If a positive determination is made in the process of S720 (S720; YES), the probability change flag is set (set to ON), the game mode of the gaming machine 1 is shifted to the probability change mode, and the processes after S726 are performed. If a negative determination is made in the process of S720 (S720; NO), the process proceeds to S726 and subsequent steps.

  In the process of S726, it is determined whether or not the finished jackpot game was executed due to the open time extension symbol (used in the meaning of the symbol that triggers the transition to the open extension mode) (S726). ). Specifically, in the case of “a jackpot symbol that generates a 15R probability variation jackpot” or “a jackpot symbol that generates a 2R probability variation jackpot”, a positive determination is made in the processing of S726. If a positive determination is made in the process of S726 (S726; YES), the release extension flag and the hourly flag are set (set to ON) (S728, S730), and the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is set to the release extension mode. Then, the process proceeds to S732 and the subsequent processes. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in the process of S726 (S726; YES), the big hit game process is terminated as it is. In the gaming machine 1, the “open extension mode” matches the “time saving game mode”.

  In the process of S732, it is determined whether or not the opening time extension symbol is a so-called “symbol with the number of times of opening extension mode (short time)”. Specifically, in the case of “a jackpot symbol that generates a 2R probability variation jackpot”, a positive determination is made in the processing of S732. If a positive determination is made in the process of S732 (S732; YES), the number of time reductions (open extension) (100 in this embodiment) is set (S734), and the big hit game process is terminated.

H. Pseudo jackpot game processing (S800)
When the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 repeatedly performs the game control process of FIG. 21, it determines that the “pseudo big hit flag” is set (the pseudo big hit flag is set to ON) (S780). YES), the pseudo jackpot game process shown in FIG. 39 is started (S800), and a so-called “pseudo jackpot game” is realized. In this pseudo jackpot game, the big winning device 31 is driven in the same state as that of the second jackpot game although no jackpot has occurred.

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the flow of the pseudo jackpot game process (S800). When this pseudo jackpot game is started, first, it is determined whether or not the big winning opening 31a is open (S802). Here, immediately after the start of the pseudo-hit game, the big winning opening 31a is in a closed state. Therefore, immediately after the start of the big hit game, it is determined that the big winning opening 31a is not being opened (S802; NO). It is determined whether or not the number of times the winning opening 31a is opened reaches the set number (two times) (S810). However, immediately after the pseudo jackpot game is started, the number of times of opening has not reached the set number of times, so in the processing of S810, a negative determination is inevitably made (S810; NO). For this reason, it transfers to the process of S812 and it is judged whether closing time passed (S812). Immediately after the pseudo-hit game is started, the special winning opening 31a is in a closed state. Therefore, it is inevitably determined that the closing time of the special winning opening has elapsed (S812; NO). After the winning opening 31a is opened (S814), the pseudo big hit game process shown in FIG. 39 is once ended, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns to the game control process, it performs a series of various processes shown in FIG. 21, and then starts the pseudo jackpot game process (S800) again. At this time, as described above, the time required for the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 to execute the game control process shown in FIG. 21 once is about 4 msec. Therefore, the big hit game process (S800) shown in FIG. 39 is also repeatedly executed about every 4 msec.

  Then, after a positive determination is made in the processing of S802, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31a has elapsed (S804). That is, it is determined whether or not the same time as the second opening time (0.2 seconds) has elapsed. If the opening time has elapsed (S804; YES), after closing the big prize opening 31a (S808), the pseudo-hit game process (S800) shown in FIG. 39 is exited, and the game control process of FIG. Return to. On the other hand, if the opening time has not elapsed (806; NO), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls won in the special winning opening 31a has reached a specified number (S806). Even when the number of winning game balls reaches the specified number (S806; YES), the special winning opening 31a is closed (S808). However, in the pseudo jackpot game, as with the second jackpot game described above, it is practically impossible for the game ball to win the big prize opening 31a (see FIG. 34). The possibility of affirmation is very low. If the opening time (second opening time) has not elapsed (S804; NO) and the number of winnings has not reached the specified number (S806; NO), the pseudo-hit with the big winning opening 31a opened. Exiting the game process, the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the “pseudo-hit gaming state”, whether the opening time of the special winning opening 31a elapses while the game control process of FIG. 21 is repeatedly executed (see FIG. 39). (S804; YES), or a predetermined number of game balls are awarded to the big prize opening 31a (S806; YES), and the big prize opening 31a is closed (S808). Thus, the first opening operation of the special winning opening 31a is completed.

  When the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is in the “pseudo-hit game state”, the pseudo-hit-game process (S800) is executed again. NO), it is determined whether or not the number of times released during the “pseudo-hit game” has reached the set number (S810). That is, it is determined whether the number of times of opening has reached “2”. If the set number of times has not been reached (S810; NO), it is confirmed that the closing time (interval time) has elapsed (S812; YES), and then the grand prize winning opening 31a is opened again to perform a new opening operation. Start (S814). On the other hand, in the process of S810, when it is determined that the number of releases completed during the “pseudo jackpot game” has reached the set number (two times) (S810; YES), the pseudo jackpot flag is released (set to OFF). After performing the process (S816), the pseudo jackpot game process is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the probability varying means operates after the “big hit game related to the latent probability variation big hit” is finished, but after the “pseudo big hit game related to the pseudo big hit (small hit)” is finished, The probability variation means does not work. However, not only the “big hit game related to the latent probability change big hit” and the “pseudo big hit game related to the pseudo big hit (small hit)” are performed in the same manner, but also the opening extension means operates after any game is finished. do not do. Therefore, for the player, the current internal probability state during the game executed after the “big hit game related to the latent probability change big hit” or the game executed after the “pseudo big hit game related to the pseudo big hit (small hit)” It is difficult to judge.

(8) Symbol Fluctuation Effect Control Processing Next, with reference to FIGS. 40 and 41, the sub control unit 220A (the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 constituting the sub control unit 220A) is changed to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control). The “symbol variation effect control process” performed in cooperation with the substrate 222) will be described. In the symbol variation effect control process (S1000), when the sub control unit 220A receives the variation pattern designation command (CHP) and the special symbol stop information designation command (CJS) (S1005; YES), the processing of S1010 is executed. Is done.

  That is, based on the received “special symbol stop information designation command”, the sub-control unit 220A determines whether or not the result of the lottery executed in the main control unit 200A is a win (big hit). And when it is judged that it is a winning (big hit), based on the received “variation pattern designation command”, “effect display execution mode (pseudo symbol variable display mode displayed on the pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d, Reach display mode, etc.) ”and“ Big hit stop symbol (pseudo symbol mode to confirm and display big hit) ”are processed, and if it is judged that the selection is lost (out), the received“ variation pattern designation command ” ”“ Execution mode of effect display (variable display mode of pseudo symbols displayed on pseudo symbol display units 27b to 27d, presence / absence of reach display, reach display mode when executing reach display, etc.) ”and“ The process of determining “stop stop symbol (pseudo symbol mode for confirming the disconnect)” is performed (S1010).

  Further, the sub-control unit 220A transfers the received variation pattern designation command (CHP) to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), and the effect display device 27 displays effect symbols such as pseudo symbols and background symbols. The variable display is started (S1010). That is, the symbol variation effect display on the display screen 27a is started (S1010). At this time, the sub-control unit 220A sets a timer T for measuring the elapsed time from the start of the symbol variation effect display (that is, the variation time) (see S1010 and FIG. 42).

  Further, when the sub control unit 220A receives the “ball lending command (CQR)” (S1020; YES), the sub control unit 220A transfers this to the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board 222), and starts the ball lending effect process ( S1100). When the ball lending effect process (S1100) is started, as shown in FIG. 41, the sub-control unit 220A determines whether or not “specific symbol variation effect display” is currently being executed (S1105). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the symbol variation effect display based on the pattern 4, 5, 15 or 27 is being executed (S1105). If it is not being executed (S1105; NO), the ball lending effect process (S1100) is left as it is. After completing, the process returns to the symbol variation effect control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the symbol variation effect display based on the pattern 4, 5, 15 or 27 is being executed (S1105; YES), the timer T set in the process of S1010 of FIG. 40 and the process of S1005 of FIG. With reference to the change pattern designation command, it is determined whether or not “change time during which ball rental effect display can be executed” or the like is left (S1110). That is, “the remaining time (remaining time) of the symbol variation effect display started in the process of S1010” is “the time required for fast-forward playback performed before execution of the ball rental effect display (for example, 2 seconds)” and “ It is determined whether or not the time (total time, which is indicated by “t” in FIG. 17) summed with the time required for displaying the ball rental effect (for example, 10 seconds) is exceeded (S 1110). Note that the processing of S1110 constitutes a specific example of “processing performed by the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 as a determination unit”. Further, as described above, the symbol variation effect display based on the pattern 4, 5, 15 or 27 is the “effect display accompanied by the battle effect” (see FIGS. 14 to 16).

  When the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 makes a negative determination in the process of S1110 (S1110; NO), the ball rental effect process (S1100) is terminated and the process returns to the symbol variation effect control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in the processing of S1110 (S1110; YES), that is, when it is determined that the “predetermined condition” is satisfied (S1110; YES), processing related to fast-forward playback and ball rental effect display (after S1115) Process).

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 42, 14 and 15, fast forward playback is started (S1115). In other words, the display mode (frame image playback mode) that has been performed by playing back a frame image at a standard frame rate (that is, normal playback) over the total time t (specific time). To fast forward display (frame images are played back at a higher frame rate than in normal playback).

  The fast-forward display (playback) can be displayed in “normal effects due to the fast-forward playback (F4 to F7) that cannot be displayed in normal playback” and “normal rental playback due to the ball rental effect. It is performed until the effect (F8 to F11) for the time (the period of not being displayed) disappears is displayed (S1120, S1125). That is, when an effect (F4 to F11) including “an effect for an undisplayed period that cannot be displayed by executing the ball rental effect display” is displayed in the “specific symbol variation effect display” (S1120; YES) ), The fast-forward playback is terminated (S1125).

  In other words, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the “frame image currently displayed by fast-forward playback (F11)” is “the progress after the start of fast-forward playback in the symbol variation effect display executed only by normal playback”. When the frame image (F11) to be displayed after the time (t) and the scheduled execution time (T3-T2) of the ball rental effect display have elapsed is reached, the fast-forward playback ends (S1125). . Note that the processing of S1120 constitutes a specific example of “processing as determination means performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220”.

  When the fast-forward playback is finished, the symbol variation effect display is temporarily stopped (S1130), the symbol variation effect display is made invisible (S1135), and as shown in FIGS. 42, 15 and 16, the display screen 27a is displayed. The ball rental effect display is started (S1140). That is, the effect (ball rental effect display) suggesting the internal probability of the gaming machine 1 is executed by continuously displaying a large number of frame images (H1 to H3). This ball rental effect display is performed by gradually enlarging and displaying “display indicating the internal probability of the gaming machine 1”. 14 to 16 exemplify the case where “the internal probability of the gaming machine 1 is in a high probability state”, but if the “internal probability of the gaming machine 1 is in a normal rate state”, That effect is displayed in the lending effect display.

  This ball rental effect display is a meaningful display during a game executed after the “big hit game related to the latent probability change big hit” or during a game executed after the “pseudo big hit game related to the pseudo big hit (small hit)”. In other words, a player who does not extend the start winning device 17 (second start winning portion 17b) and digests his ball steadily, whether the internal probability of the gaming machine 1 is in the latent probability changing state, in a normal probability state. Since it cannot be determined whether there is a game, for example, it may be unclear whether the game should be continued or ended. That is, the so-called “game stop timing determination” may be lost. However, by the ball lending effect display, “an indication indicating the internal probability of the gaming machine 1” is notified, and “the game is stopped after digesting the game ball to be paid out” (when it is not in a probable change state), It is possible to easily select “continue further games” (when the game is in a certain variation state) or the like.

  When the display time of the ball rental effect display elapses (S1145; YES) and the ball rental effect display ends (S1150), the symbol variation effect display is made visible (the ball rental effect display is made invisible), and the symbol variation effect display is made. Is resumed (S1155, S1160). Then, the process returns to the symbol variation effect control process shown in FIG. 40 (see FIGS. 42 and 16).

  Thereafter, when the sub control unit 220A receives the symbol stop designation command (CZE) (S1700 in FIG. 40; YES), the sub control unit 220A sends the received effect stop designation command (CZE) to the effect display control unit 222A. Then, the effect display device 27 stops the symbol variation effect display (S1710). That is, when the variation time of the symbol variation effect display (variation display) elapses, the symbol variation effect display (variation display) is completed and the stop symbol indicating the result of the lottery determination is stopped and displayed.

(9) Effects of the Example According to the gaming machine 1 of the present example, when the ball rental effect display is executed, this “contents of the symbol variation effect display that becomes invisible due to the execution of the ball rental effect display” is fast-forwarded in advance. Is displayed. That is, the effect for the non-display period that cannot be displayed by executing the ball rental effect display is displayed in advance by fast-forward display. For this reason, in this gaming machine 1, the contents of the “design variation effect display” that cannot be seen by the player due to the subsequent execution of the ball rental effect display are displayed in advance by the player before the start of the “ball rental effect display”. Can be shown.

  Then, after the fast-forward display is completed, the symbol variation effect display in progress is temporarily stopped to be invisible, and the ball rental effect display is started instead of the symbol variation effect display. In other words, in order to start the ball rental effect display in a state where the symbol variation effect display is excluded from the display screen 27a, this “ball loan effect display” is performed in an aspect having the same impact as the “symbol variation effect display”. Can do. In other words, the display screen 27a can be switched from the symbol variation effect display to the ball lending effect display, and the ball lending effect display in an aspect having an impact can be executed. In particular, in this embodiment, since the entire display screen 27a is suddenly replaced from the symbol variation effect display to the ball rental effect display, and the ball rental effect is performed, a sufficient impact can be given to the player.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, based on the lending operation (lending button operation), the “new design reproduction effect fast-forward playback” and the “ball lending effect display” occur that have not occurred in the past. A production form can be realized. In other words, an unprecedented impact aspect can be realized by the combined effect of the “ball rental effect display” and the “design variation effect display”. In addition, “the ball lending effect display with the same impact as the symbol variation effect display is performed due to the act of lending the game ball of the player (in exchange for the act of receiving the lending)” Realize a new form of production. As a result, according to the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the ruling of the game effect and improve the game entertainment.

  In this embodiment, the gaming unit lending unit price is “4 yen” per gaming ball, and “payout associated with one lending operation applied to the lending button 5c” is “500 yen (125 balls). The CR unit 80 is set so that the game ball “)” is paid out. When the execution time of the symbol variation effect display is sufficient and the lending button 5c is operated in a timely manner, the sub control unit 220A performs a plurality of times (considering the capacity of the upper plate member 5 in one symbol variation effect display). Then, the “ball lending command (CQR)” is received (S1020; YES), and the ball lending effect process (S1100) may be activated a plurality of times. In this case, as long as the positive determination of S1110 can be obtained, in the subsequent ball lending effect processing (S1100), the processing from S1115 to S1160 (fast forward reproduction, ball lending effect display, etc.) may be performed. The ball rental effect display with the same content may be repeated.

  On the other hand, as a modified example of the present embodiment, a modified example 1 shown in FIG. 43A and a modified example 2 shown in FIG. 43B can be exemplified. Here, in the first modification, only one “ball lending command” (denoted as the first ball lending command in the figure) received in the first time is treated as valid in one symbol variation effect display. The effect process (S1100) is activated.

  In the second modification, each time a “ball rental command (CQR)” is received, the ball rental effect processing (S1100) is started. In the ball rental effect processing (S1100), the ball rental command received first time. The content of the ball lending effect display is different between the (first ball lending command) and the ball lending command received the second time. That is, in the ball lending effect process (S1100) executed due to the first ball lending command (CQR), the first ball lending effect display is executed (S1138; YES, S1141), and the subsequent ball lending command is executed. In the ball lending effect process (S1100) executed due to (CQR), the second ball lending effect display is executed (S1138; NO, S1143). In addition, although the modification 1 and the modification 2 were demonstrated as a modification of Example 1, these modifications can also be made into the modification of Example 2 and Example 3 mentioned later.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described. The gaming machine according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment except that the symbol variation effect control process is performed in accordance with FIG. 44 and the points to which changes are made to FIGS. 14 to 16 (the contents of the ball rental effect display are changed). It is the same as the gaming machine 1.

  The “symbol fluctuation effect control process” of the second embodiment is different from the “symbol fluctuation effect control process” of the first embodiment in the following points. That is, as shown in FIG. 44, when receiving the “ball lending command (CQR)” (S1020; YES), the sub-control unit 220A performs a process of “+1” the “ball lending count counter C” (S1130). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the “ball lending number counting counter C” exceeds 50 (S1035). Here, the ball lending number counting counter C is a counter indicating “the accumulated number of lending operations executed without receiving the result of winning (hit / hit determination) in the winning / losing lottery”. The ball rental number counting counter C is initialized when power is supplied to the gaming machine (not shown), and is also initialized when the jackpot symbol is stopped and displayed (S1720; YES, S1730). .

  In the “symbol fluctuation effect control process” of the second embodiment, when the value of the ball lending count counter C exceeds 50 (S1035; YES), the ball lending effect process (S1100) is executed according to FIG. Then, in this ball lending effect process (S1100), after fast-forwarding reproduction (S1115, S1120, S1125), ball lending effect display (S1140, S1145, S1150) is performed according to FIG. That is, when it is determined that the result of the winning / losing lottery executed in the main control unit 200A based on the “special symbol stop information designation command” received in the process of S1005 is a winning (big hit), FIG. 45 (a). As shown in FIG. 45, when the effect of notifying the occurrence of the big hit is performed and it is determined that the result of the success / failure lottery is a loss (out), as shown in FIG. "Preliminary production".

  According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. For example, when the lending button 5c is operated in a state in which no big hit has been generated for a while, the player can come into contact with the “effect that suggests the result of the currently displayed symbol variation effect display”. In other words, in the second embodiment, the “other conditions of the predetermined condition” requires that the “accumulated number of game ball lending operations performed without generating a big hit” has reached a predetermined number of times. It is easy to maintain the gaming interest of a player who has borrowed more than a certain amount of game balls. Note that the ball lending effect in the first embodiment can also be performed by the notice effect as in the second embodiment.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the third embodiment will be described. The gaming machine according to the third embodiment, except that the ball lending effect process (S1100) is performed in accordance with FIG. 46 and the points to which changes are made to FIGS. This is the same as the gaming machine of the first embodiment.

  When the ball lending effect process (S1100) of the third embodiment is started and a positive determination is obtained in the process of S1105, the sub-control unit 220A determines whether or not the “big hit change” is currently being executed. Judgment is made (S1106). That is, if it is determined that the result of the lottery executed in the main control unit 200A is a win (big hit) based on the “special symbol stop information designation command” received in the process of S1005, Is determined to be in progress (S1106; YES), the process proceeds to S1110 and subsequent steps. In other words, in the gaming machine of the third embodiment, “predetermined condition” is also that “the symbol variation effect display for big hits is being displayed”.

  In the third embodiment, the ball rental effect display (S1140, S1145, S1150) is performed by the effect of informing the occurrence determination of the big hit as shown in 45 (a). And according to Example 3, in addition to the effect of Example 1, the following effects can be acquired. In other words, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to perform an effect such as “determining the occurrence of a big hit when the ball rental effect display is started”. In the present embodiment, another state may be determined in the process of S1106. For example, it is determined whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine is a high probability state, and only when an affirmative determination is made, the processing proceeds to S1110 and subsequent steps. And in the ball rental effect display, it is good also as performing the effect which alert | reports the internal probability state of a gaming machine, or the effect to suggest.

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

  That is, in each embodiment, although the mode of the ball rental effect display to be executed is always constant, the ball loan effect display is performed every time the ball rental effect processing (S1100) is started as in the fourth modification shown in FIG. The display mode may be selected by random number lottery or the like. That is, in the modified example 4, as shown in FIG. 47 (a), the ball lending effect process (S1100) is started and a specific symbol variation effect display is being executed (if corresponding to the third example, the “big hit” If it is determined that the change is being executed ") (S1105; YES), processing for selecting and setting the effect pattern of the ball rental effect is performed (S1107). That is, referring to the data table shown in FIG. 47 (b), processing for selecting and setting the effect pattern of the ball rental effect is performed (S1107). In this modified example 4, three types of production times with different production times are scheduled as production patterns for ball rental production.

  In Modification 4, since the process proceeds to S1110 after the process in S1107, the determination result of the process in S1110 may differ depending on the effect pattern selected in the process in S1107. For example, if “the remaining time of the symbol variation effect display started in the process of S1010” is “8 seconds”, the process after S1115 is performed only when “pattern 1 with a total time of 7 seconds” is selected. Will be transferred to. In addition, although this modification 4 illustrates an aspect (particularly a proportional aspect) in which the time required for fast-forward playback is increased or decreased with the magnitude of “time required for displaying the ball rental effect”, Regardless of the “time required for display”, the time required for fast-forward playback can be made constant.

  Moreover, the aspect of a ball rental effect display is not limited to what is illustrated in each Example and each modification. For example, as shown in Modification 5 in FIG. 48, the ball rental effect display can be performed by a battle effect. In addition, the contents of the ball rental effect display can target various information transmitted to the player regardless of whether or not it is profitable for the player.

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

1; gaming machine (ball game machine),
2; outer frame,
5c; Lending button (lending operation part),
17: Start winning device,
27; effect display device (effect display device),
27a; display screen,
80; CR unit (game media lending device),
109: Game ball payout device (payout device),
200; main control unit (win / fail lottery means, probability variation means, open extension means),
220A; sub-control unit (determination unit, determination unit, normal reproduction restart unit),
220A and 222A (display control means).

Claims (4)

A lottery means for determining whether or not to execute a special game advantageous to the player with the winning of a game ball to the start winning device;
When the winning / losing lottery is performed, the symbol variation effect display is started on the display screen of the effect display device, and when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation effect display, the symbol variation effect display is completed and the display is completed. Display control means for confirming and displaying a stop symbol indicating the result of the success / failure lottery on the screen;
A payout device for paying out game balls based on a lending operation performed on the lending operation unit;
A gaming machine comprising
The display control means, when a game ball is paid out based on the lending operation during execution of a specific symbol variation effect display and a predetermined condition is satisfied,
A fast-forward display process in which the specific symbol variation effect display being executed is switched to a fast-forward display over a specific period;
After the fast-forward display is finished, the specific symbol variation effect display is paused to make the specific symbol variation effect display invisible, and a ball rental effect display is displayed on the display screen instead of the specific symbol variation effect display. Ball rental effect display processing to be performed,
After the ball lending effect display process, the specific symbol variation effect display suspended in the invisible state is made visible, and the specific symbol variation effect display is resumed from the time of the pause, and the predetermined time As the process progresses, a specific display process for completing the specific symbol variation effect display and finalizing the stop symbol;
Display process including
The gaming machine characterized in that an effect for an undisplayed period that cannot be displayed by executing the ball rental effect display among the specific symbol variation effect display is displayed in advance by the fast-forward display. The display control means completes the symbol variation effect display executed only by the normal reproduction by performing the normal reproduction in which the frame images are continuously displayed at a predetermined frame rate for the predetermined time, and displays the fast-forward display. , By executing fast-forward playback of the frame image,
The frame image during fast-forward playback is displayed in the symbol variation effect display that is executed only by the normal playback at a time that precedes the total time elapsed after the start of the fast-forward playback and the scheduled execution time of the ball rental effect display. Determination means for determining whether or not it matches the frame image to be reproduced,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the fast-forward display is terminated when the determination unit makes an affirmative determination.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit includes a determination unit that determines success or failure of the predetermined condition. When the opening condition is satisfied, a variable start winning device that changes over a predetermined opening time from a closed state in which a game ball is difficult to win to an open state in which winning is easy is provided as the start winning device.
After executing the special game, probability changing means for changing the probability that the result of the success / failure lottery is won from a normal probability to a high probability;
An end of executing the special game, an opening extension means for extending the opening time in the start winning device,
With
A general probability fluctuation state in which the probability fluctuation means and the release extension means are in an operating state, a latent probability fluctuation state in which the probability fluctuation means is in an operation state without operating the release extension means, and the probability fluctuation means is in operation A normal probability state not to be controlled and one of the probability states, and
The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an effect suggesting the probability state is executed by the ball rental effect display.

Images