JP2013135810A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pinball game machine capable of suppressing to impart misunderstanding, an incongruity sense, or an insecure feeling to a player by performing proper reset processing according to a situation.SOLUTION: In the reset processing at powering-on, a pinball game machine erases data related to a performance stored in a RAM in a performance control means, makes a performance display means display a preparation image notifying an effect that the game machine is in the preparation of the variable display of performance symbols, and executes the processing of making a decoration drive means perform confirmation drive to confirm that a decoration can be driven from a basic state to a special state. In the reset processing at the occurrence of an abnormality in the performance control means, the pinball game machine erases the data related to the performance stored in the RAM, makes the performance display means continue the variable display of the performance symbols, and executes the processing of making the decoration wait in the basic state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine that plays a game by firing a game ball on a game board on which a game area is formed.

  A special symbol variation game is executed in which a special symbol is variably displayed when a game ball enters a start opening provided in the game board, and the special symbol is struck and displayed in a special symbol or a special symbol that comes off. There is known a ball game machine that executes a winning game advantageous to the player when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the special symbol variable game. In such a ball game machine, as an effect suggesting the result of a special symbol variation game, a “display effect” for outputting a predetermined image and a “decoration drive effect” for driving an ornament are performed while the special symbol variation game is in progress. It is known to perform. Further, in such a ball game machine, processing for executing the special symbol variation game is performed in the main control unit, and processing related to various effects is performed in the effect control unit.

  In such a ball game machine, when the power is turned on or when some abnormality occurs in the production execution process (for example, an illegal command or a CPU address error), the production control unit executes a reset process. The “reset process in the effect control unit” is a process that initializes the data related to the effect stored in the work area (RAM) in the effect control unit and allows the effect control unit to normally execute the process related to the effect. . In the reset process in the effect control unit, it is common to display an image indicating that initialization is in progress or to execute a process of driving a decorative object for operation confirmation (Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-4894 A

  However, conventionally, the same reset process as when the power is turned on is also executed at the time of “something abnormal in the performance execution process”, so that the initial control despite the progress of the special symbol variation game by the main control unit. In some cases, an image indicating that the image is being converted is displayed, or an ornament for confirming the operation is driven. As a result, it is not only possible to execute an effect that suggests the result of the special symbol variation game, but the player is misunderstood by driving the decoration accompanying the reset process (the misunderstanding of the ornament drive effect indicating the result of the special symbol variation game). Etc.), or a sense of discomfort or anxiety.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and suppresses giving a player misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety by performing an appropriate reset process according to the situation. An object is to provide a ball game machine that can be used.

In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, the bullet ball game machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
Triggered when a game ball enters the starting port provided on the game board, a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner on a predetermined symbol display device, and the special symbol is displayed in a special pattern or a special symbol that comes off and stops. Main control means for executing the symbol variation game;
When the main control means executes the special symbol variation game, the main control means receives information on the result of the special symbol variation game from the main control means, and the winning special symbol is displayed based on the information. Production control means for determining an execution pattern of production display suggesting the possibility, and a driving pattern of a decoration suggesting the possibility that the special symbol is displayed.
By directing execution of the effect display based on a predetermined execution pattern from the effect control means, an effect of executing the effect display on a predetermined effect display device during execution of the effect display based on the execution pattern Display means;
A ball game including decoration driving means for driving the decoration object from the basic state to the special state based on the drive pattern when instructed to drive the decoration object based on a predetermined drive pattern from the effect control means In the machine
The production control means includes
The first reset process is executed when the power to the ball game machine is turned on, and the execution of the effect display and the driving of the decoration are instructed in the state in which the power is turned on to the ball game machine Having a reset process execution means for executing the second reset process when a predetermined abnormality occurrence is identified after
The reset process execution means includes
As said 1st reset process, the execution pattern of the said effect display which the said effect control means instruct | indicated and the data regarding the drive pattern of the said ornament are erased, and execution of the preparation display which shows that the said effect display is being prepared Instructing the effect display means, and executing processing for instructing the decoration drive means to execute confirmation driving for confirming that the decoration can be driven from the basic state to the special state,
As the second reset process, the data related to the execution pattern of the effect display and the driving pattern of the decorations instructed by the effect control means are deleted, and the preparation display is executed without instructing the effect display means. It is characterized in that a process for instructing the decoration drive means to continue the display of the effect and to make the decoration stand by in the basic state is performed.

  In such a ball game machine, when an abnormality occurs during the execution of an effect, instead of the first reset process when the power is turned on, “the effect that cannot cause a failure in notification of the success / failure result” is continued, A new resetting process (second resetting process) for stopping the “drafting operation that may cause a problem with the notification of the result of the success / failure” is executed. Thus, even if an abnormality occurs during the performance execution, the effect display means continues the effect display based on the execution pattern instructed from the effect control means prior to the occurrence of the abnormality, and the effect display is interrupted. Can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the ornament from giving a misunderstanding to the player by performing “unexpected driving (confirmation driving)” during execution of the effect display. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs during the performance display, it is possible to prevent the performance display means and the decoration drive means from performing inappropriate processing, and to suppress misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety to the player. It becomes possible.

  In addition, as "when a predetermined abnormality occurrence is specified after instructing execution of the effect display and driving of the decoration object in a state in which power is supplied to the ball game machine", the process of the effect control means The data stored in a volatile storage area (for example, RAM) in the effect control means (commands transmitted from the effect control means, calculation results in the effect control means, etc.) are stored in advance. Examples include abnormal data that is not defined, and cases where data in a storage area (address) that is not defined in advance is attempted to be read into the CPU in the effect control means. In addition, since “confirmation driving” is for confirming whether or not the ornament is normally driven during the progression of the production, it is the same as “the drive pattern of the ornament designated by the production control means”. It is preferable to include a drive including the following operations.

In addition, the above-mentioned ball game machine is
The ornament is a movable accessory that is movable between a position corresponding to the basic state and a position corresponding to the special state,
When executing the second reset process, the reset process executing means moves the movable accessory to a position corresponding to the basic state if the movable accessory is not in a position corresponding to the basic state. It is also possible to execute the processing instructed to

  According to such a ball game machine, even when an abnormality occurs when the movable accessory is not in the basic state (the process in which the movable accessory is moving during the display of the variation of the production symbol), Inappropriate operation (such as stopping at the position when an abnormality occurs) can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to appropriately deal with the situation when an abnormality occurs in the effect control means, and it is possible to more effectively suppress giving the player misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a ball game machine that can suppress giving a player misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety by performing an appropriate reset process according to the situation.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 (bullet ball game machine) of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of the game board of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the symbol display apparatus of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen structure of the presentation display apparatus of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the starting port unit of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit in the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the display mode of the normal symbol display part of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the kind of symbol stopped and displayed as a special symbol of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the one aspect | mode of the effect performed with the effect display apparatus of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special figure reservation related process of a present Example. It is the flowchart which showed the special symbol game process of a present Example. It is the flowchart which showed the special symbol game process of a present Example. It is the flowchart which showed the special figure fluctuation display process of a present Example. It is the flowchart which showed the special figure fluctuation display process of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the jackpot determination table of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the big hit symbol determination table of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the big hit game process of a present Example. 10 is a flowchart showing an effect control process executed by a CPU 221 of a sub control board 220. It is a flowchart which shows the image voice command extraction process of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the command corresponding table of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the movable accessory and lamp drive process of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the sub control reset process of a present Example.

  In order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a type of pachinko machine called a “seven machine” or “digipachi” will be described.

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

  The front frame 4 is formed of a plastic material, and a circular window portion 4a is formed at a substantially central portion. A transparent plate such as a glass plate is fitted in the window portion 4a so that the board surface of the game board 10 disposed on the back side can be visually recognized. Further, the front frame 4 is provided with various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f for enhancing the gaming effect. An upper plate part 5 is provided below the front frame 4, and a lower plate part 6 is provided below the upper plate part 5. A locking device 9 is provided on the right side of the front frame 4, and a prepaid card type ball lending device 13 (CR unit) is provided on the left side of the front frame 4.

  The upper dish portion 5 is provided with a dish-shaped recess and a dish outer edge portion 5a formed so as to surround the recess. The game ball is thrown into a recess formed in the upper plate part 5 and supplied to the launcher unit 12 (see FIG. 6). The dish outer edge 5a is provided with various buttons such as a game ball lending switch 5b, a return switch 5c, and a discharge button for discharging the inserted game ball. A speaker 5 y is provided on the left side of the upper plate part 5. An effect button BT is provided on the front side of the upper plate 5. The player can intervene in the progress of the game effect such as selecting an item related to the game effect by pressing the effect button BT.

  The lower plate part 6 is provided with a discharge port 6 a for discharging game balls from the inside of the pachinko machine 1, and the discharged game balls are stored in the lower plate part 6. A firing handle 8 is provided at the right end of the lower plate portion 6. The firing handle 8 is provided with a touch switch 8a for detecting that the player is touching the handle. The rotation axis of the launching handle 8 is connected to a launching device unit 12 (not shown) mounted on the back side of the lower pan 6, and when the player rotates the firing handle 8, the movement of the launching handle 8 is caused to the launching device unit 12. Then, a launch motor (not shown) built in the unit rotates, and a game ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle. On the left side surface of the launch handle 8, a launch stop switch 8b that is operated by the player to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball is disposed.

A-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 10. As described above, the game board 10 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 11 surrounded by an outer rail 14 and an inner rail 15 is formed at the center of the game board 10. The game ball fired from the launching device unit 12 described above passes between the outer rail 14 and the inner rail 15 and is released to the game area 11, and flows down from above the game area 11.

  A central device 26 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 11, a variable prize device 18 is provided in a lower portion of the game area 11, and a start unit 17 is provided between the central device 26 and the variable prize device 18. It has been. As will be described later, the start port unit 17 is configured by combining two start ports vertically, and the upper start port 17a provided on the upper side is a size of a game ball receiving opening that allows a game ball to enter. Is fixed (fixed) and is a fixed type entrance where game balls can always enter, and the lower start port 17b provided on the lower side can open and close a pair of wing pieces. It is a so-called tulip type entrance. The detailed configuration of the start port unit 17 will be described later with reference to another drawing.

  An effect display device 27 is provided substantially in the center of the central device 26. The effect display device 27 is composed of a liquid crystal display, and on the display screen, various effect images such as effect symbols and background images can be displayed. Various effect images displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 27 will be described later. In addition, a movable accessory 40 is provided on the upper part of the central device 26. The movable accessory 40 is moved downward from the initial position (position shown in FIG. 2) when a predetermined effect is performed. A method for driving the movable accessory 40 will be described later.

  A symbol display device 28 is provided diagonally to the left of the effect display device 27. In the symbol display device 28, normal symbols and special symbols can be displayed in a variable stop manner. The detailed configuration of the symbol display device 28 will be described later. Hereinafter, the special symbol may be simply abbreviated as “special symbol”.

  A normal symbol operation left gate 36 and a normal symbol operation right gate 37 are provided on the left and right sides of the game area 11, and gate switches 36s and 37s for detecting the passage of the game ball are provided inside these gates. Are provided. Further, lamp wind turbines 24 and 25 are provided between the left and right normal symbol operation gates 36 and 37 and the central device 26. A number of obstacle nails 23 are provided between and around each of these gaming devices.

  In the variable winning device 18 provided below the central device 26, a large winning device 31 is provided substantially in the center. The big winning device 31 is composed of a big winning opening 31d that opens largely in a substantially rectangular shape, an opening / closing member 31e for opening / closing the big winning opening 31d, a big winning opening solenoid 31m (see FIG. 6) for operating the opening / closing member 31e, and the like. Has been. When a predetermined condition, which will be described later, is satisfied, the special winning device 31 starts operating, the special winning opening solenoid 31m opens the opening / closing member 31e, and the special winning opening 31d is opened. As a result, the game ball enters the big winning opening 31d with a high probability, and a big hit game advantageous to the player is started. Also, a big prize opening switch 31s is provided inside the big prize opening 31d, and it is possible to detect a game ball won in the big prize opening 31d. An out port 48 is provided below the game board 10, and a back ball preventing member 58 is provided below the out port 48. The back ball prevention member 58 has a function of preventing a game ball that has returned without reaching the game area 11 from returning to the launch position.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the symbol display device mounted on the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the symbol display device 28 of this embodiment is configured by incorporating 12 small light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a substantially rectangular area. Of these 12 LEDs, 3 LEDs normally constitute the symbol display unit 29, and the remaining 9 LEDs constitute the special symbol display unit 30. Furthermore, the normal symbol display unit 29 has one LED for displaying a normal symbol (hereinafter referred to as a normal symbol LED 29a) and two LEDs for displaying the number of reserved normal symbols (hereinafter, a normal symbol). Called hold display LED 29b). The special symbol display unit 30 includes seven LEDs for displaying special symbols (hereinafter referred to as special symbol LEDs 30a) and two LEDs for displaying the number of special symbols held (hereinafter referred to as special symbols). Called hold display LED 30b). In the following, special symbol hold may be referred to as “special drawing hold”.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen configuration of the effect display device 27 mounted on the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As described above, the effect display device 27 is configured by using a liquid crystal display, and on the display screen, three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c and a background image 27d of the background are displayed. . The three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c start to display in synchronization with the start timing of the special symbol variation display in the special symbol display unit 30, and thereafter, in various modes until the variation time of the special symbol elapses. Display fluctuation. Then, the variable display of the three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c ends in synchronization with the end timing of the special symbol variable display (special symbol stop display). The effect symbol game is realized by the variable display and stop display of these three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the start port unit 17 mounted on the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment. As described above, the start port unit 17 is provided with the upper start port 17a and the lower start port 17b. The upper start opening 17a provided on the upper side is configured as a fixed (pocket type) entrance (fixed start opening) with a fixed size of the game ball receiving opening, and the lower start opening 17b provided on the lower side. Is configured as an open / close (tulip-type) entrance (variable start port) having a pair of wing pieces 17w. The pair of wing pieces 17w can take two states, a substantially upright closed state (see FIG. 5A) and an open state rotated outward (see FIG. 5B). . As shown in FIG. 5A, in the closed state of the lower starter port 17b in which the pair of wing pieces 17w are almost upright, the game ball cannot enter the lower starter port 17b, and only enters the upper starter port 17a. It is a state to enter. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, the open state of the lower start port 17b in which the pair of wing pieces 17w are opened outward is a state in which a game ball can enter the lower start port 17b. . In addition, when not distinguishing especially the upper start opening 17a and the lower start opening 17b, it only describes with the "start opening 17". In addition, the state where the lower start port 17b is opened is also referred to as “the start port 17 is opened”.

  A game ball that has entered the upper start port 17a or the lower start port 17b is guided to the back side of the game board 10 through a passage provided therein. A starting port switch 17s is provided in the middle of the internal passage, and a game ball that has entered the upper starting port 17a or the lower starting port 17b is detected by the starting port switch 17s.

A-3. Control circuit configuration:
Next, the configuration of the control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 1 is composed of a number of control boards, various boards, relay terminal boards, and so on. The main control board 200 that controls the success / failure involved, the sub-control board 220 that controls the effect of the game using the design symbols, lamps and sound effects, and the display and sound of images under the control of the sub-control board 220 The audio / video control board 230 that outputs the image, the stepping motor 40m under the control of the sub-control board 220, the decorative drive board 226 that drives the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f, and the operation of paying out the rental balls and prize balls The payout control board 240 that controls the control of the game ball, the launch control board 260 that controls the game ball, and the like. These control boards include various types of CPUs, such as a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, a ROM that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU, and a RAM that stores temporary data when the program is executed. Peripheral LSIs are connected to each other via a bus.

  In addition, when the main control board 200 receives a detection signal of a game ball from the start port switch 17s, the big prize port switch 31s, the gate switches 36s and 37s, etc., the main control board 200 corresponds to the switch to which the detection signal is input. Commands for instructing various defined operations are transmitted to the sub-control board 220, the dispensing control board 240, the launch control board 260, and the like. The main control board 200 has a start opening solenoid 17m for opening and closing a pair of blade pieces 17w provided in the lower start opening 17b, a large winning opening solenoid 31m for opening and closing a large winning opening 31d, and The symbol display device 28 and the like are connected via a relay terminal board (not shown), and these various solenoids 17m, 31m and the control signals are transmitted to the symbol display device 28 to control these operations. Also do.

  In addition to the CPU 221, ROM 222, and RAM 223, the sub control board 220 includes a watch dog timer (WDT) 224 that monitors the runaway of the CPU 221. The watchdog timer 224 is an IC that monitors the runaway of the CPU 221. Specifically, the watchdog timer 224 is reset every time a reset signal periodically transmitted from the CPU 221 is received. If the reset signal from the CPU 221 cannot be received and the reset has not been performed for a predetermined time, the CPU 221 determines that an abnormality has occurred, erases the stored contents of the RAM 223, and later transmits a command transmitted from the main control board 200. To resume normal operation. In addition, the audio / video control board 230, the decoration drive board 226, the effect button board 228, and the movable accessory position sensor 40s are connected to the sub control board 220. When the sub-control board 220 receives various commands from the main control board 200, the sub-control board 220 analyzes the contents of the command and produces a game according to the result. That is, a command for designating display contents and sound contents is transmitted to the image / sound control board 230, or the decoration drive board 226 that drives the stepping motor 40m (movable accessory 40), various LEDs, and lamps 4b to 4f is driven. A game is produced by transmitting a signal. Further, when the sub-control board 220 detects a player's operation on the effect button BT via the effect button board 228, the sub-control board 220 performs a game effect reflecting the operation.

  The image / audio control board 230 includes a VDP 234, an image ROM 235, and an audio ROM 236 in addition to the CPU 231, ROM 232, and RAM 233. When receiving the command from the sub control board 220, the CPU 231 of the image / sound control board 230 instructs the VDP 234 to display an image corresponding to the received command. The VDP 234 reads out data (for example, sprite data or moving image data for displaying an effect design or a character image) used to display the instructed image from the image ROM 235 to generate an image, and Output to the display screen. When the CPU 231 receives a command from the sub-control board 220, the CPU 231 reads out voice data corresponding to the received command from the voice ROM 236 and outputs a voice based on the voice data from the speaker 5 y via the amplifier board 224. To do.

  The payout control board 240 is responsible for various controls relating to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when the player operates the ball lending switch 5b or the return switch 5c provided in the above-described upper plate part 5, this signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 242 via a relay terminal board (not shown). Is transmitted to the device 13. The ball lending device 13 pays out a ball while communicating data with the payout control board 240. When the main control board 200 transmits a prize ball payout command, the payout control board 240 receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m, whereby the prize ball is paid out.

B. Overview of the game:
In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, a game is performed as follows. First, when a player throws a game ball into the recess of the upper plate portion 5 and rotates the launch handle 8, the game balls thrown into the upper plate portion 5 are supplied to the launcher unit 12 one by one, The game area 11 is fired as described above with reference to FIG. The strength at which the game ball is launched can be adjusted by the rotation angle of the launching handle 8, and the player can aim the game ball by changing the rotation angle of the launching handle 8.

  When the launched game ball passes through either the normal symbol operation left gate 36 or the normal symbol operation right gate 37 provided on the left and right of the game area 11, the symbol display device 28 provided on the lower left side of the effect display device 27. Normal pattern variation display is started at. As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the symbol display unit 28 is provided with the normal symbol display unit 29, and the normal symbol display unit 29 is mounted with the normal symbol LED 29a and the universal symbol hold display LED 29b. Of these, the normal symbol LED 29a is used to display the variation of the normal symbol.

  FIG. 7 (a) is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing how ordinary symbols are variably displayed. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the normal symbol LED 29a is repeatedly blinked to display the variation of the normal symbol. In FIG. 7, the state in which the normal symbol LED 29a is lit is represented by a radial solid line, and the state in which the normal symbol LED 29a is lit is represented by a broken line. Then, after repeating blinking for a predetermined time, when the normal symbol LED 29a stops in a lit state, it becomes a hit of the normal symbol, and the lower start port 17b (start port 17) remains for a predetermined opening time. It becomes an open state. On the other hand, when stopped in the light-off state, it is usually out of the design and the lower start port 17b is not opened. Further, when the game ball passes the normal symbol operation left gate 36 or the normal symbol operation right gate 37 during the normal symbol variation display, the passage of the game ball is stored in the RAM 203 as the normal symbol hold (normal figure hold). After the current normal symbol variation display is completed, the variation display is performed based on the ordinary diagram suspension. Up to four common figure holds can be stored, and the number of stored normal symbols (the number of common figure holds) is displayed by the common figure hold display LED 29b.

  FIG. 7B is an explanatory view showing a state in which the number of universal symbols on hold is displayed by the universal symbol hold display LED 29 b provided on the symbol display device 28. When there is no general map hold (that is, when there is no general map hold), both of the two general map hold display LEDs 29b are turned off. When there is one common map hold, the left general map hold display LED 29b is turned off and the right general map hold display LED 29b is lit. When there are two common map holds, the left general map hold LED 29b lights in addition to the right general map hold LED 29b. Next, when there are three common map holds, the right general map hold display LED 29b blinks and the left general map hold display LED 29b lights. Further, when the number of normal map hold increases to the upper limit of four, the left and right general map hold display LEDs 29b blink. As described above, the normal symbol display unit 29 can display the number of 0 to 4 universal symbols on hold by turning on, off, or blinking the two common symbol hold display LEDs 29b.

  Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the symbol display device 28 is provided with the special symbol display unit 30 so that the special symbols can be displayed in a variable manner. The special symbol starts to be displayed when a game ball enters the upper start port 17a or the lower start port 17b (start port 17).

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the types of symbols to be stopped and displayed as special symbols. As shown in FIG. 8, there are 101 types of symbols to be stopped and displayed as special symbols, a total of 100 types of jackpot symbols (“1” to “100”) and one type of off symbol (“101”). The design of is provided. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the special symbol display unit 30 includes seven LEDs, and each jackpot symbol and off symbol are set with different combinations of LEDs to be lit. In the symbol display device 28, the special symbol variation display is performed by blinking seven LEDs (special symbol LED 30a) over a predetermined variation time, and when the variation time has elapsed, a predetermined combination of LEDs is turned on. Any jackpot symbol or off symbol is stopped and displayed. When any one of the jackpot symbols “1” to “100” is stopped and displayed, the jackpot game in which the jackpot 31d is opened (a jackpot is generated). The 100 types of jackpot symbols differ only in the combination of the LEDs that are lit on each other, making it difficult for the player to determine the type of jackpot symbol that is stopped and displayed.

  In addition, a game ball entering the start port 17 is stored in the storage area of the RAM 203 (special figure hold) as special symbol hold (special figure hold) until the special symbol variable display triggered by the pitch is started. Storage area). Up to four special figure holds can be stored, and the number of special figure holds (number of special figure holds) is displayed on the special figure hold display LED 30b. The manner in which the number of special symbols on the special symbol hold display LED 30b is displayed is the same as that on the normal symbol hold display LED 29b shown in FIG.

  In accordance with the special symbol change display and stop display (special symbol game), the effect display device 27 performs various effect displays (effect symbol games) using the effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an aspect of the effect performed by the effect display device 27. On the liquid crystal display screen constituting the effect display device 27, three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are displayed. When the variation display of the special symbol is started on the symbol display device 28, the three effect symbols 27a, 27b and 27c also start the variation display at the same time on the effect display device 27. In the present embodiment, a design in which nine numbers from “1” to “9” are designed as design symbols is prepared.

  FIG. 9A conceptually shows a state in which the three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed at the same time. When the predetermined time elapses after the variable display is started, the left effect symbol 27a is first stopped and displayed in any one of “1” to “9”, and then the right effect symbol 27c is stopped and displayed. The medium effect symbol 27b is stopped and displayed. The combination of the three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c that are stopped and displayed on the effect display device 27 is configured to be linked to the stop display mode of the special symbols that are stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 described above. For example, when the special symbol is “big hit symbol” and is stopped and displayed, the three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c of the effect display device 27 are stopped and displayed in the symbol combination (double eye) that has the same symbol. Further, when the special symbol is stopped at the “off symbol”, the three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in a symbol combination (separated pattern) that is not aligned with the same symbol.

  In this way, the special symbols displayed on the symbol display device 28 and the three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c displayed on the effect display device 27 correspond to each other, and the special display during the variable display is performed. When the symbols are stopped and displayed, the three effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are also stopped and displayed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the effect display device 27 is provided at a position that is more easily noticeable than the symbol display device 28, and the display screen is large and the display content is easy to understand. It is normal to play a game while watching 27 screens. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the left effect symbol 27a that is first stopped and displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 27 and the right effect symbol 27c that is subsequently stopped and displayed are the same symbol. In this case, the middle effect symbol 27b that is stopped and displayed lastly also stops at the same symbol, and the player pays attention to the variation display of the effect symbol (the effect symbol game) that the so-called jackpot game is started. It will be. In this way, the effect performed in a state where the two effect symbols are stopped with the same symbol (a mode that can be a big hit symbol) and the last effect symbol is variably displayed is called “reach effect”. It is possible to enhance the entertainment interest of the game by generating.

  In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the movable accessory 40 may be moved from when the effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are variably displayed to when they are stopped. That is, as shown in FIG. 9C, the movable accessory 40 may be moved from a position above the effect display device 27 (initial position) to a position ahead of the effect display device 27 (effect position). In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed as “big hit symbol” (when the effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed with a doublet), the special symbol is “out of symbol”. ”Is displayed with a higher probability than when the effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c are stopped and displayed in a discrete manner. Is set to move to. Therefore, if the movable accessory 40 is moved to the effect position, the movable accessory 40 will suddenly appear in front of the player who is gazing at the effect display device 27. In addition, it is possible to increase the player's expectation for the stop display of the “hit symbol”. As a result, it is possible to enhance the gaming interest. The position of the movable accessory 40 is detected by the movable accessory position sensor 40s.

C. Game machine control contents:
C-1. Game control processing:
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of a game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 to control the progress of the game. As shown in FIG. 10, in the game control process, a “main control reset process” is performed when the power is turned on and when an abnormality occurs, and thereafter, “award ball related process”, “normal symbol game process”, “start opening return process” Each process such as “special figure hold related process”, “special symbol game process”, and “big hit game process” is repeatedly executed. The CPU 201 is configured to perform the processing of S50 to S400 shown in FIG. 10 based on a timer interrupt that occurs every predetermined period. In this embodiment, a timer interrupt is generated every 4 msec. That is, the processing of S50 to S400 shown in FIG. 10 is executed as timer interrupt processing every 4 msec in the CPU 201. During the game control process, various commands are transmitted from the main control board 200 to the various control boards including the sub control board 220. By doing so, the game of the entire pachinko machine 1 proceeds, and the sub-control board 220 controls the production in accordance with the progress of the game. The game control process performed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 will be described below according to the flowchart.

  The CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 starts the game control process when the pachinko machine 1 is powered on, and when the reset button (not shown) is operated to receive a reset button signal (S15). ), A main control reset process is executed (S10). In the main control reset process, first, the interrupt is not accepted. That is, the main control reset process is a process that is performed as a preparation for the CPU 201 to start the operation, and the CPU 201 cannot appropriately cope with an interrupt even if the preparation is completed. Therefore, the interrupt is not accepted until the main control reset process is completed. Subsequently, after erasing the contents of the RAM 203, an initial command is transmitted to various control boards including the sub-control board 220. Finally, the CPU 201 sets the interrupt setting from the interrupt prohibited state to the interrupt permitted state. As a result, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 has completed preparations for starting the processing after the prize ball related processing (S50) shown in FIG.

  In the prize ball-related processing (S50), among the various switches connected to the main control board 200, the game balls are entered for the switches related to the prize winning of the game balls (such as the start opening switch 17s and the big prize opening switch 31s). Detect whether or not. When a game ball is detected, the number of prize balls to be paid out is calculated, and then a prize ball number designation command is transmitted to the payout control board 240. When the payout control board 240 receives the prize ball number designation command transmitted from the main control board 200, the payout control board 240 interprets the content of the command, and according to the result, a drive signal is sent to the payout motor 109m mounted on the payout device (not shown). Is sent out to actually pay out a prize ball.

  The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether or not to perform the normal symbol game process following the prize ball related process (S50) (S100). This determination is made by detecting whether or not the lower start port 17b (start port 17) is open. If the start port 17 is not open (if it is not open), it is determined that the normal symbol game process is performed (S100: yes), and if the start port 17 is open, the normal symbol game process is not performed. (S100: no). When it is determined that the normal symbol game process is to be performed (S100: yes), the normal symbol game process described below is performed (S150). On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol game process is not performed (S100: no), the normal symbol game process (S150) is omitted.

  In the normal symbol game process (S150), the following processes are mainly performed. First, it is determined whether or not a normal symbol hold (ordinary symbol hold) exists (whether or not it is “0”). If a general symbol hold exists, a normal symbol hit determination is performed. Here, the universal figure hold is for storing a random number per universal figure obtained when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gates 36 and 37, and in this embodiment, an upper limit value of the reserved number is set. “4”. Based on the result of the normal symbol hit determination, it is determined whether the normal symbol is to be stopped and displayed with the winning symbol (see FIG. 7A) or stopped with the off symbol. Subsequently, after setting the normal symbol variation display time, the normal symbol variation display is started. After that, when the variation display time elapses, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed with the determined symbol. At this time, when the symbol of the normal symbol is stopped and displayed, the start port solenoid 18m is operated to rotate the wing piece 17w provided at the lower start port 17b to both sides, thereby lowering the lower start port 17b. Is opened (see FIG. 5B).

  When the normal symbol game process is completed as described above, it is determined whether or not the lower start port 17b (start port 17) is in an open state (S190). And when it is an open state (S190: yes), the process (starting port return process) for making the starting port 17 into a non-opening state from an open state is performed (S200). On the other hand, when the start port 17 is not in an open state (S190: no), it is not necessary to perform the start port return process, and the description is omitted.

  In the starting port return process (S200), when any of the following conditions is satisfied, that is, the opening time of the lower starting port 17b has elapsed, or a specified number of game balls have entered the lower starting port 17b. It is determined whether any of the above conditions is satisfied, and when any of the conditions (starting port opening end condition) is satisfied, a process of setting the starting port 17b under the open state to the non-opening state is performed. . On the other hand, when the opening time of the lower start port 17b has not elapsed and the number of balls entering the lower start port 17b has not reached the specified number (when the start port opening end condition is not satisfied), the lower start port 17b is started. The start port return process (S200) is terminated while the mouth 17b is left open.

  Here, the gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment can be broadly divided into the setting situation of the probability that the result of the big hit determination is a big hit (big hit probability), and the opening time when the start port 17 is in the open state. It is determined based on the setting status. Among these, the game state based on the setting state of the opening time of the start port 17 is set to either “open extended state” or “non-open extended state”. Compared to the “non-open extended state”, the “open extended state” has a higher probability that the result of the above-mentioned normal symbol hit determination will be “hit” (probability per ordinary figure), and the normal symbol fluctuation display time (normal figure fluctuation) (Time) is short and the opening time of the lower start port 17b is set long. Therefore, in the open extended state, the start opening 17 is frequently opened and the period in which the start opening 17 is in the open state is longer than in the non-open extended state. Becomes higher. Although details will be described later, in order to realize such a configuration, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the gaming state is set to “open extended state”, “open extended flag” and “variable shortened flag” Is set to ON and the game state is set to “non-open extended state”, these flags are set to OFF. Then, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets the probability per base map to a high probability (for example, “99/100”) and sets the base map change time to a short time (for example, “99/100”). For example, “1 second” is set, and based on the fact that the “open extension flag” is set to ON, the opening time of the lower start port 17b is long (for example, “1.5 seconds × 3 times open = 4”). .5 seconds "). On the other hand, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 sets the probability per base drawing to a low probability (for example, “2/100”) and sets the base map variation time to a long time (for example, “ 20 seconds "), and based on the fact that the release extension flag is set to OFF, the opening time of the lower start port 17b is set to a short time (for example," 0.1 seconds × 3 times opening = 0.3 seconds "). ). Since the fluctuation shortening flag and the release extension flag are set to ON or OFF at the same timing, only one of the flags may be set and the one flag may be used in place of the other flag. Good.

C-2. Special figure hold related processing:
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing special figure hold related processing. In the special figure hold related process (S250), first, it is determined whether or not a game ball has entered the start port 17 (S252). As a result, when a game ball enters the start port 17 (S252: yes), whether or not the number of reserved special symbols (the number of reserved special symbols) has reached the upper limit ("4" in this embodiment). Is determined (S254). If the special figure hold number has not reached the upper limit (S254: no), a determination random number is acquired (S256). Here, as the determination random number, a jackpot determination random number used for performing a jackpot determination, which will be described later, or a jackpot symbol determination random number used for determining a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 (a jackpot symbol determination random number, missed) Symbol determination random number), a variation pattern determination random number used to determine a variation pattern until the symbol is stopped and displayed, a reach determination random number used to determine whether or not to perform a reach effect on the effect display device 27, etc. Get a random number. Subsequently, the acquired determination random number is stored as a special figure hold in the RAM 203 (special figure hold storage area) mounted on the main control board 200 (S258).

  When the special figure hold is stored in this way (S258), "1" is added to the special figure hold number (S260). On the other hand, when a game ball does not enter the start port 17 (S252: no), or when the number of special figure reservations reaches the upper limit (here, “4”) (S254: yes) A series of processing (S256 to S260) for obtaining the determination random number or storing the determination random number as a special figure hold is omitted.

  When the process related to the special figure hold is completed as described above, the special figure hold related process shown in FIG. 11 is ended and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. When returning from the special figure hold-related process, the game control process starts a special symbol game process (S300) described below.

C-3. Special design game processing:
12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the special symbol game process. When starting the special symbol game process, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether or not a big hit game is being played (S302). If the game is a big hit game (S302: yes), the special game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is not in the big hit game (S302: no), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is in the variable display (S304).

  If the special symbol is not being displayed variably (S304: no), it is determined whether or not it is during the time (the special symbol stop display time) in which the special symbol is displayed in the stop symbol (the symbol to be stopped) (S306). . That is, since the special symbol is provided with a stop display time as a confirmation time for the player to confirm the symbol that is stopped and displayed with the end of the variable display for a while after the variable display ends, It is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time. As a result, when it is confirmed that the special symbol is not variably displayed and the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S306: no), the process for starting the special symbol variability display (special The figure variation display process) is started (S310).

  FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are flowcharts showing the special figure fluctuation display processing of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the special figure variation display process, first, it is determined whether or not the special figure holding number is “0” (S3100). As a result, when the special figure hold number is “0”, that is, when the special figure hold is not stored (S3100: yes), the figure is not started without starting the jackpot determination and the special symbol variation display described later. 14 and 15 are terminated, and the process returns to the special symbol game process shown in FIGS.

  On the other hand, if the number of special figure hold is not “0” (number of special figure hold ≧ 1) (S3100: no), the oldest stored special figure hold is stored among the stored special figure hold. Read (S3102). In the process of S3102, various determination random numbers stored as special figure hold are read. When the special figure hold is read (S3102), it is determined whether or not the high-accuracy flag is set to ON (S3108).

  Here, the gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment is set to either the above-mentioned “open extended state” or “non-open extended state”, and the probability that the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a jackpot symbol (special feature). A “high probability state” having a high probability per figure or a big hit probability) or a “low probability state” having a lower probability than the high probability state is set. The high-accuracy flag is a flag that is set to ON when the gaming state is set to a high-probability state (a state in which the probability changing function is activated). A predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 is a high-accuracy flag. Assigned as a flag.

  The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether or not the current gaming state is a high probability state based on the setting state of the high probability flag. As a result of S3108, if the high-accuracy flag is set to ON (S3108: yes), a high-probability jackpot determination table is selected (S3120), and if the high-accuracy flag is not set to ON (S3108: no) ), A jackpot determination table for low probability is selected (S3122). The big hit determination table is a table in which a determination result of “big hit” or “out” is set in association with the value of the big hit determination random number, and is stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a jackpot determination table stored in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16A shows a jackpot determination table for low probability, and FIG. 16B shows a jackpot determination table for high probability. As shown in FIG. 16 (a), in the jackpot determination table for low probability, among the jackpot determination random numbers from “0” to “599”, “big hit” is given for the values “13” to “14”. Judgment result is set. Further, as shown in FIG. 16B, the high probability jackpot determination table includes “13” to “32” values among the values of the jackpot determination random numbers “0” to “599”. “Big hit” judgment result is set.

  As is clear from comparison between FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B, the high-probability jackpot determination table shown in FIG. 16B is the low-probability determination table shown in FIG. The determination result of “big hit” is set to more random number values than the big hit determination table. In other words, in the high probability jackpot determination table, a larger number of “random number values (big hit values) from which a jackpot determination result can be obtained” than the low probability jackpot determination table is set. Accordingly, when the big hit determination is performed using the high probability jackpot determination table of FIG. 16B, the big hit determination is performed using the low probability jackpot determination table of FIG. 16A. However, the determination result of “big hit” is obtained with high probability.

  Subsequently, in the special figure fluctuation display process shown in FIG. 15, the value of the big hit determination random number read as special figure hold is referred to the value corresponding to “big hit” with reference to the big hit determination table selected in the process of S3120 or S3122. It is determined whether or not (big hit value) (S3124). That is, it is determined whether or not the result of the current big hit determination is a big hit.

  As a result, when the result of this big hit determination is not a big hit (S3124: no), a process of selecting a deviation variation pattern is performed (S3140). In the deviation variation pattern selection process, a variation pattern (displacement variation pattern) at the time of stopping and displaying with a deviating symbol is selected from among the variation patterns from the start of the variation display of the special symbol on the symbol display device 28 to the stop display. Processing is performed. When the deviation variation pattern is selected (S3140), the symbol “101” described above with reference to FIG. 8 is stored in the storage area (stop symbol storage area) of the RAM 203 as a symbol to be stopped (stop symbol) (S3142).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the result of the jackpot determination this time is a jackpot (S3124: yes), a process for selecting a jackpot symbol is performed. In this process, first, the big hit symbol corresponding to the big hit symbol determination random number is selected (determined) using the big hit symbol determination random number among the determination random numbers read out as the special symbol hold in S3102. (S3126).

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the jackpot symbol determination table of this embodiment. The jackpot symbol determination table is a table in which a plurality of jackpot symbols are set in association with the value of the jackpot symbol determination random number, and is stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200. As described above with reference to FIG. 8, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, 100 types of big hit symbols “1” to “100” are set as the big hit symbols to be stopped when the big hit determination result is a big hit. Has been. As shown in FIG. 17, 100 jackpot symbol determination random numbers “0 to 99” are set in the jackpot symbol determination table, and the jackpot symbols “1” to “100” are associated with each jackpot symbol determination random number. Is set. In the processing of S3126, a big hit symbol corresponding to the big hit symbol determination random number is selected with reference to such a big hit symbol determination table. When the big hit symbol is selected in this way (S3126), the big hit symbol is stored as a stop symbol in the storage area (stop symbol storage area) of the RAM 203 (S3128).

  When the big hit symbol is stored in the stop symbol storage area (S3128), among the fluctuation patterns from the start of the special symbol fluctuation display on the symbol display device 28 to the stop display, the fluctuation pattern when the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed ( A process of selecting a big hit variation pattern) is performed. In this process, first, a big hit variation pattern table (not shown) is selected (S3130). The big hit variation pattern table is stored at a predetermined address in the ROM 202 of the main control board 201. The jackpot variation pattern table is a data table in which a plurality of jackpot variation patterns are stored in association with variation pattern determination random numbers acquired as determination random numbers. When the jackpot variation pattern table is selected (S3130), the jackpot variation pattern corresponding to the variation pattern determination random number obtained as the determination random number in the processing of S3102 of FIG. 14 is selected with reference to the jackpot variation pattern table (S3150).

  In this way, the symbols to be stopped are stored (S3128, S3142), and when the variation pattern is selected (S3130, S3140), the variation display of the special symbol is started on the symbol display device 28 according to the selected variation pattern (S3154). "1" is subtracted from the special figure hold number (S3156). Subsequently, a variation pattern designation command including information (variation pattern identification information) for designating the type of variation pattern of the special symbol for which variation display has been started this time, and a special symbol stop symbol that is stopped and displayed after variation display Is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 as a change start time command (S3162).

  When the CPU 221 mounted on the sub-control board 220 receives the above-described change start command, the CPU 221 selects an effect symbol to be stopped and displayed on the effect display device 27 based on a stop symbol designation command for designating a special symbol stop symbol. Then, based on the variation pattern designation command for designating the type of variation pattern, an effect pattern that defines the variation display mode of the effect symbol on the effect display device 27 is selected. That is, if the stop symbol designating command and the variation pattern designating command correspond to the big hit, after the effect symbols 27a, 27b, 27c perform the variable display in the predetermined big hit variable display mode, An effect symbol game in which 27b and 27c are stopped and displayed in a big hit mode is executed on the display screen of the effect display device 27. If the stop symbol designating command and the variation pattern designating command correspond to a detachment, the effect symbols 27a, 27b, and 27c perform the variation display in a predetermined variation display mode, and then the effect symbols 27a, 27b, 27c are displayed. An effect symbol game in which 27b and 27c are stopped and displayed in a disengaged manner is executed on the display screen of the effect display device 27.

  When the fluctuation start command (fluctuation pattern designation command and stop symbol designation command) is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 in this way (S3162), the special figure fluctuation display processing shown in FIGS. Return to the special symbol game processing of 12 and FIG.

  In the above, the processing when the special symbol game process is not being played during the big hit game (S302: no) and it is determined that the special symbol is not variably displayed (S304: no) has been described. On the other hand, although it is not in the big hit game (S302: no), if it is determined that the special symbol is in the variable display (S304: yes), the variation pattern and the stop symbol of the special symbol are already determined. This corresponds to the case where the variable symbol display is started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S312). The variation time of the special symbol is predetermined as a variation pattern, and by setting the variation time to a predetermined timer (variation time measurement timer) at the same time as starting the variation of the special symbol, whether the predetermined variation time has elapsed It can be judged (fluctuation time measuring means). As a result, if the variation time has not yet elapsed (S312: no), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S312: yes), a command (design stop command) indicating that the special symbol during the fluctuation display is to be stopped is transmitted to the sub-control board 220. (S314) The special symbol during the variable display is stopped and displayed with the symbol stored in the stopped symbol storage area in the processing of S3128 and S3142 in FIG. 15 (S316). Then, after setting a time (stop display time) for holding the special symbol displayed in a stopped state in a stopped state (S318), it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has passed (S320). As a result, if the stop display time has not elapsed (S320: no), the special symbol game process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIG.

  After returning to the game control process of FIG. 10 with the special symbol stopped and displayed, when the special symbol game process of FIGS. 12 and 13 is started again, it is determined that the special symbol is not in a variable display. (S304: no) Subsequently, since it is determined that it is during the stop display time in the determination of whether or not it is during the special symbol stop display time (S306: yes), it is determined again whether or not the stop display time has elapsed. (S320). If it is determined that the stop display time has elapsed while repeating such determination (S320: yes), the special symbol displayed in a stopped state (that is, the symbol stored in the stop symbol storage area) It is determined whether or not the symbol is “design” (S322 in FIG. 13). As a result, when the special symbol that is stopped and displayed is a “hit symbol” (S322: yes), the “hit symbol” is stored in a predetermined address (a jackpot symbol storage area) of the RAM mounted on the main control board 200. Store (S324). Subsequently, an opening pattern of the big winning opening 31d during the big hit game is set (S326). In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a big hit game is set in which a round game in which a big winning opening is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds or until 10 game balls enter) is played 15 times. In the process of S326, an opening pattern (opening count, opening time, closing time) of the big winning opening 31d of the jackpot game is set.

  Thus, when the opening pattern of the big winning opening 31d is set, the big hit flag is set to ON in order to start the big hit game (S328). The jackpot flag is a flag indicating that a jackpot game is being executed (during a jackpot game), and a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 is secured as a storage area for the jackpot flag. . The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 grasps whether or not the big hit game is being executed according to the set state of the big hit flag. As will be described in detail later, when the big hit flag is set to ON and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. 10, the big hit game is started.

  In addition, if flags related to various gaming states (open extension flag, fluctuation reduction flag, high-accuracy flag) are set to ON at the start of the big hit game, the flag is set to OFF (S330). These flags are set again when the game state is set at the end of the big hit game. When the flag setting process for starting the big hit game is completed (S328 and S330), a command (big hit game start command) indicating that the big hit game is started is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S332). When receiving the jackpot game start command, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executes a display effect corresponding to the jackpot game on the liquid crystal screen of the effect display device 27. When the big hit game start command is transmitted (S332), the special symbol game process shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  The above describes the processing when the special symbol stopped and displayed on the symbol display device 28 is a big hit symbol (S322: yes). On the other hand, when the special symbol stopped and displayed is not a big hit symbol (S322: no), the following processing relating to the progress of the open extended state and the high probability state is performed. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the big hit game is finished, a “high probability open period” in which the special symbol game proceeds in the open extended state and the high probability state is started. The high probability release period ends when the number of times of special symbol variation display (the number of times of execution of the special symbol game) after the jackpot game ends reaches a predetermined number (100 in this embodiment). Therefore, in the process of S340, first, it is determined whether or not the open extension flag and the fluctuation reduction flag indicating the occurrence of the open extension state are set to ON (S340). In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the open extended state occurs together with the high probability state, and therefore it is possible to determine whether or not it is a highly accurate open period by the determination process in S340. If it is determined that the release extension flag and the fluctuation shortening flag are set to ON and it is a highly reliable release period (S340: yes), “1” is subtracted from the value of the fluctuation shortening counter (S342). The fluctuation shortening counter is a counter in which the number of remaining fluctuation displays of the special symbol until the end of the highly accurate release period is set, and “1” is subtracted every time the fluctuation display of the special symbol is stopped. When the value of the fluctuation shortening counter after subtracting “1” by the processing of S342 is “0”, that is, the remaining fluctuation display count of the special symbol in the highly accurate release period is “0” (S344: yes) In order to end the high-accuracy release period, the release extension flag and the fluctuation reduction flag are set to OFF (S346), and the high-accuracy flag is set to OFF (S347). When the process for ending the high probability release period is thus performed (S346, S347), a gaming state designation command indicating that the non-open extension state and the low probability state are entered is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S349).

  When the gaming state designation command is transmitted (S349), or when it is determined in the process of S344 that the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is not “0” (S344: no), the special symbol game process is terminated, and FIG. Return to the game control process shown. If it is determined that the special symbol game this time is not in the high probability release period (S340: no), processing related to the setting of the fluctuation shortening counter, the fluctuation shortening flag, the release extension flag, and the high probability flag is performed. Then, the special symbol game process is ended, and the game control process shown in FIG. 10 is resumed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the game control process, when returning from the special symbol game process, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag is set to ON (S350). As described above, the big hit flag is a flag indicating whether or not the big hit game is being executed. Therefore, when the big hit flag is set to ON (S350: yes), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 starts the big hit game process described below (S400).

C-4. Jackpot game processing:
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the big hit game process. By executing this jackpot game process, a jackpot game is performed. Hereinafter, the big hit game process will be described with reference to FIG.

  When starting the big hit game process (S400), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether or not the special winning opening 31d is open (S402). The big winning opening 31d is closed unless the big hit game is started, and is closed immediately after the big hit game is started. If it is determined that the special winning opening 31d is not open (S402: no), it is determined whether or not the number of rounds has reached a predetermined number (S404). As described above, during the big hit game, the big winning opening 31d is opened and a predetermined number of round games are repeated. Corresponding to this, when the special winning opening 31d is closed (S402: no), the number of opening (round number) of the special winning opening 31d is a predetermined number of times (the opening pattern set in S326 in FIG. 13). It is determined whether or not (the number of times of opening) has been reached (S404).

  Immediately after the big hit game is started, since the number of rounds has not reached the predetermined number (S404: no), it is determined whether or not the closing time of the big winning opening 31d has passed (S406). The closing time of the special winning opening 31d is an interval time during which the special winning opening 31d is in a closed state between rounds. In the present embodiment, the closing time of the special winning opening 31d is set to 1 second. Immediately after the big hit game is started, the big prize opening 31d is in a closed state, so it is naturally determined that the closing time of the big prize opening 31d has passed (S406: yes), and the big prize opening 31d is opened. The game is released and a new round game is started (S408). Then, after transmitting a round start command indicating the start of the round game (S410), the jackpot game process shown in FIG. 18 is temporarily terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 returns to the game control process, as shown in FIG. 10, after performing a series of various processes after the prize ball related process (S50), the big hit game process (S400) is started again. . In this embodiment, the time required for the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 to execute the game control process (S50 to S400) shown in FIG. 10 is “4 msec”, so the jackpot game process shown in FIG. It is executed every 4 msec. Then, when the special game is started and the big hit game process of FIG. 18 is executed for the first time, the big winning opening 31d is opened in S408 as described above, and the process is ended as it is, but after 4 msec, 2 When performing the process of the round, it is determined in S402 that the special winning opening 31d is open (S402: yes).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the opening time of the special winning opening 31d has reached a predetermined opening time (opening time (for example, 0.1 second or 30 seconds) in the opening pattern set in S326 of FIG. 13). (S412) As described above, in the big hit game, the opening time set based on the opening pattern of the big winning opening 31d elapses or a predetermined number (here, 10) is set in the big winning opening 31d. In response to this, in S412, whether or not a predetermined opening time has elapsed since the grand prize opening 31d was opened is closed. Then, if the opening time has elapsed (S412: yes), after closing the big prize opening 31d (S416), the big hit game process shown in FIG. Return to processing On the other hand, if the predetermined opening time has not elapsed (S412: no), it is determined whether or not the number of game balls that have entered the special winning opening 31d has reached a specified number (S414). When the specified number has been reached (S414: yes), the special winning opening 31d is closed (S416), whereas when the predetermined number has not been reached (S414: no), the special winning opening 31d is opened. Since the predetermined opening time has not yet elapsed and the number of game balls that have entered the grand prize opening 31d has not reached the specified number, the grand prize opening 31d is left open as shown in FIG. After exiting the big hit game process, the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  While the game control process of FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed, a predetermined opening time elapses after the grand prize opening 31d is opened (S412: yes), or a prescribed number of game balls are placed in the big prize opening 31d. When entering the ball (S414: yes), the special winning opening 31d is closed (S416).

  Thus, one round game is completed. Then, when the big hit game process is executed in the game control process due to the next timer interruption, it is determined in S402 that the big winning opening 31d is closed (S402: no), and a predetermined number of round games (this implementation) It is determined whether or not (15 times in the example) has ended (S404). As a result of the determination process of S404, if all the round games have not ended (S404: no), after confirming that the closing time of the big prize opening has reached a predetermined time (S406: yes), the big prize opening again 31d is opened and a new round game is started (S408), and a round start command is transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 (S410). On the other hand, if it is determined in S404 that the predetermined number of round games have ended (S404: yes), the jackpot flag is set to OFF to end the jackpot game (S418), and a command indicating the end of the jackpot game. (Big hit game end command) is transmitted toward the sub-control board 220 (S420). Then, in order to start the high-accuracy release period, the fluctuation shortening flag, the release extension flag, and the high-accuracy flag are set to ON (S422, S424), and the special symbol game is executed 100 times during the high-accuracy release period. In step S426, the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is set to “100”. Thereafter, the big hit game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the big hit game is ended, a highly reliable release period that continues until the special symbol game is executed 100 times is started.

  As described above, on the main control board 200, a special symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display device 28 (predetermined symbol display device) when the game ball enters the start opening provided in the game board. The special symbol variation game is executed in which the special symbol is stopped and displayed as a big hit symbol (winning special symbol) or a loss symbol (loss special symbol). Therefore, the main control board 200 corresponds to the “main control means” in the present invention.

D. Production control process:
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an effect control process executed by the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220. As shown in FIG. 19, in the effect control process, a “sub-control reset process” is performed when the power is turned on and when an abnormality occurs (S600), and thereafter, based on a command or the like transmitted from the main control board 200, Processing for transmitting a command for outputting an image or sound to the image / sound control board 230 ”or“ stepping motor 40m (movable accessory 40), various LEDs, and lamps 4b to 4f are driven via the decoration drive board 226. “Process” and “Process for determining abnormality of CPU 221” are repeatedly executed. The CPU 221 is configured to perform the processing of S602 to S612, which will be described later, based on a timer interrupt that occurs every predetermined cycle. In this embodiment, a timer interrupt is generated every 4 msec.

  When the CPU 221 mounted on the sub control board 220 starts the effect control process after the power is turned on, the CPU 221 executes the sub control reset process (S600). As will be described in detail later, in the sub-control reset process, preparation (process) for the CPU 221 to start operation normally is performed. As a result, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 can normally perform the processing of S602 to S612 shown in FIG.

  In the audio / video command extraction process (S602), a process of extracting and storing a command (hereinafter also referred to as “audio / video command”) to be transmitted to the audio / video control board 230 is performed.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the image / voice command extraction processing of the present embodiment. When the image / sound command extraction process is started, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 performs a process of extracting a picture / sound command corresponding to the command transmitted from the main control board 200. In this process, first, it is determined whether any command is received from the main control board 200 (S700). As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the “variation start command”, “round start command”, “big hit game start command”, and the like are transmitted from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 220. In the process of S700, it is determined whether or not any of these commands has been received. As a result, if it is determined that any command has been received (S700: yes), an image / audio command corresponding to the received command is extracted, and the extracted image / audio command is stored in a predetermined address (for transmission) in the RAM 223. Command storage area) (S702).

  FIG. 21 illustrates a “command” in which “audio / video command”, “movable accessory driving pattern”, and “lamp driving pattern” are set in association with a command transmitted from the main control board 200 (hereinafter also referred to as “main control command”). It is explanatory drawing which shows a "correspondence table" notionally. The command correspondence table is stored at a predetermined address in the ROM 222. The “movable accessory driving pattern” and the “lamp driving pattern” will be described later.

  In the process of S702, referring to the command correspondence table as shown in FIG. 21, the image / audio command corresponding to the main control command determined to be received in the process of S700 is extracted, and the extracted image / audio command is extracted. Is stored in the “transmission command storage area” of the RAM 223. For example, if “variation start command 01” is received as the main control command, “VA-1” is extracted and stored as the image / audio command. The audio / video command corresponding to the change start command is “change time (variation pattern) or stop symbol (big hit determination result) that is stopped” that is determined when the main control board 200 transmits the change start command. Is a command for instructing the image / sound control board 230 to output an image or sound corresponding to (an effect corresponding to a special symbol variation display). Also, the image / sound command corresponding to the jackpot game start command is a command for instructing the image / sound control board 230 to output an image or sound (for example, fanfare) when starting the jackpot game. The image / audio command corresponding to the round start command is a command for instructing the image / audio control board 230 to output an image or sound (for example, round display) when starting a round game.

  When the image / audio command corresponding to the main control command is stored in the “transmission command storage area” on the RAM 223 (S702), the image / audio command corresponding to the door error is now stored in the “transmission command storage area” on the RAM 223. Is stored. Here, as described above, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the front frame 4 is attached to the middle frame 3 so as to be openable (see FIG. 1). When the front frame 4 is opened with respect to the middle frame 3, a sound for notifying that the front frame 4 is opened (door error) is output by the audio / video control board 230 for the purpose of suppressing fraud. . The opening of the front frame 4 (door error) is detected by a door sensor (not shown) connected to the sub-control board 220.

  Therefore, in the process of storing the audio / video command corresponding to the door error in the “transmission command storage area” on the RAM 223, it is first determined whether or not the door error notification flag is set to ON (S704). The door error notifying flag is a flag indicating that the sound for notifying the door error is being output (during door error notifying), and is a predetermined address of the RAM 223 mounted on the sub-control board 220 (door error notifying flag). The storage area is secured in the storage area). As a result of the determination processing in S704, if it is determined that the door error notification flag is not ON, that is, it is determined that the sound for notifying the door error is not being output (S704: no), this time based on the signal from the door sensor. It is determined whether a door error is detected (S706). As a result, when a door error is detected (S706: yes), an image sound command (error sound output command) for instructing the image sound control board 230 to output a sound for notifying the door error is stored in the RAM 223 as "command command for transmission". Store in "area". Then, the image / sound command extraction process ends, and the process returns to the effect control process shown in FIG. If the door error is not being notified (S704: no), if no door error has been detected (S706: no), the image / audio command extraction process is terminated and the process returns to the effect control process shown in FIG. To do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of S704 that the door error notification flag is ON, that is, if the door error notification is being performed (S704: yes), the door error is resolved based on the signal from the door sensor. It is determined whether or not (S710). That is, it is determined whether or not the front frame 4 is closed with respect to the middle frame 3. As a result, if it is determined that the door error has been resolved (S710: yes), an image audio command (error audio stop command) for instructing the image audio control board 230 to stop the audio of the door error being output is stored in the RAM 223. Store in the “command storage area for transmission”. On the other hand, if it is determined that the door error has not yet been resolved (S710: no), the video / audio command extraction process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the effect control process shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the sub-control board 220 in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment receives the “command transmitted from the main control board 200” (main control command), the “video / audio control board corresponding to the main control command”. The “command to be transmitted to 230” (image / audio command) is extracted and stored in the “transmission command storage area” of the RAM 223. Also, when a door error is detected and when the door error is resolved, the corresponding image audio command (error audio output command, error audio stop command) is stored in the “transmission command storage area” of the RAM 223.

  When the image / audio command extraction processing is thus completed, whether or not the image / audio command is stored in the “transmission command storage area” of the RAM 223, that is, whether or not the image / audio command is stored in the current image / audio command extraction processing. Is determined (S604). As a result, when the image / audio command is stored in the “transmission command storage area” of the RAM 223 (S604: yes), the abnormal command is included in the image / audio command stored in the “transmission command storage area”. It is determined whether or not it is (S606). That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 21, normal image / audio commands are stored in the ROM 222 in advance (because they are defined in advance), and therefore commands (abnormal commands) different from these normal image / audio commands are stored in the RAM 223. It is determined whether or not it is stored in the “transmission command storage area”. Abnormal commands may be stored in the “transmission command storage area” due to power supply voltage drop or illegal radio waves, etc. Is judged.

  As a result of the determination processing in S606, when it is determined that the abnormal command is not included in the image / audio command stored in the “transmission command storage area” of the RAM 223 (S606: no), the “transmission command storage area” Is transmitted to the image / audio control board 230 (S608). Thereafter, the image / sound command stored in the “transmission command storage area” is deleted. On the other hand, the processing in the case where an abnormal command is included in the video / audio command stored in the “transmission command storage area” of the RAM 223 (S606: yes) will be described later.

  When the CPU 231 of the audio / video control board 230 receives the audio / video command transmitted from the sub-control board 220, the CPU 231 performs a process of outputting an image on the display screen of the effect display device 27 and a process of outputting audio to the speaker 5y. Run. Specifically, when the CPU 221 of the image / audio control board 230 receives an image / audio command, the type of image data corresponding to the command, the display position of the image data, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the image data, etc. (hereinafter, “drawing”). The drawing list is also transmitted to the VDP 234. When the VDP 234 receives the drawing list, the VDP 234 reads out image data from the image ROM 235 based on the drawing list, and displays the image data on the display screen of the effect display device 27 based on the position and display method based on the drawing list. Further, when receiving the image / audio command, the CPU 221 of the image / audio control board 230 determines audio data corresponding to the command and reads out the audio data from the audio ROM 236. Then, sound based on the sound data is output from the speaker 5y via the amplifier board 224. For example, when an error voice output command is received, a voice based on voice data notifying a door error is output. When receiving the error sound stop command, the CPU 221 of the image / sound control board 230 stops outputting the sound if the sound for notifying the door error is being output. As described above, after receiving the image / audio command from the sub-control board 220, the image / audio control board 230 according to the present embodiment is independent of the sub-control board 220. It is possible to perform output.

  After the processing relating to the image / audio command is thus performed (S602 to S609), the processing for driving the movable accessory 40 and the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f (movable accessory / lamp driving processing) is executed (FIG. 5). 19 S610).

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the movable accessory / lamp driving process of this embodiment. When the movable accessory / lamp driving process is started, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 first determines whether any main control command is received (S750). As a result, if it is determined that the main control command is received (S750: yes), the “movable accessory driving pattern” and the “lamp driving pattern” corresponding to the received main control command are extracted and extracted. The “movable accessory driving pattern” and the “lamp driving pattern” are stored in a predetermined address (drive pattern storage area) of the RAM 223 (S752, S754).

  As shown in FIG. 21, the “movable accessory driving pattern” and the “lamp driving pattern” are stored in association with each main control command in the same manner as the image / sound command. As the movable accessory driving pattern, the rotation amount, rotational speed, rotational direction, and the like of the stepping motor 40m reflecting the movement mode of the movable accessory 40 are set as pulse signals. Further, as the lamp driving pattern, various LEDs, lighting times and lighting times of the lamps 4b to 4f, lighting times, lighting colors, and the like are set.

  In the processes of S752 and S754, the movable accessory driving pattern and the lamp driving pattern described above are extracted based on the received main control command and stored in the “driving pattern storage area” of the RAM 223. Even when the main control command is received, one or both of the movable accessory driving pattern and the lamp driving pattern corresponding to the main control command may not be set (for example, the “variation start command shown in FIG. 21). 03 "). In this case, only the set drive pattern is stored in the “drive pattern storage area”. Of course, if neither drive pattern is set, neither drive pattern is stored. Although described in detail later, the movable accessory driving pattern stored in the “driving pattern storage area” is erased from the “driving pattern storage area” when the driving of the movable accessory 40 according to the driving pattern is completed. The lamp driving pattern stored in the “driving pattern storage area” is erased from the “driving pattern storage area” when the driving of the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f according to the driving pattern is completed.

  Thus, when the movable accessory drive pattern and the lamp drive pattern are stored in the “drive pattern storage area” of the RAM 223 (S752, S754), or when it is determined that the main control command has not been received (S750: no), It is determined whether or not the movable accessory drive pattern is stored in the “drive pattern storage area” of the RAM 223 (S756). The movable accessory driving pattern is stored in the “driving pattern storage area” of the RAM 223 because “the main control command is received in this movable accessory / lamp driving process (S750: yes)”. Is stored (S752) "or" Even if the main control command has not been received in the current movable accessory / lamp drive process (S750: no) " Receiving (S750: yes), the movable accessory driving pattern is stored (S752), and the driving of the movable accessory 40 in accordance with the movable accessory driving pattern is not completed. This is a case where the drive pattern has not yet been erased.

  When the movable accessory drive pattern is stored in the “drive pattern storage area” of the RAM 223 (S756: yes), a process of driving the movable accessory 40 (movable accessory drive process) is performed (S758). Specifically, based on the movable accessory driving pattern stored in the “drive pattern storage area”, the stepping motor 40 m is rotated via the decorative driving substrate 226 to drive the movable accessory 40. Here, as described above, the processing of S602 to S612 shown in FIG. 19 is processing performed based on a timer interrupt generated every 4 msec, and the movable accessory driving processing (S758) is also performed based on this timer interrupt. That is, each time a timer interrupt that occurs every 4 msec occurs, driving according to a part of the movable accessory driving pattern (S758: movable accessory driving process) is performed, thereby following one movable accessory driving pattern. The drive is executed intermittently from the beginning to the end.

  If the movable combination 40 is driven according to a part of the movable combination drive pattern (S758), it is determined whether or not the drive of the movable combination 40 according to the movable combination drive pattern has been executed (S760). . As a result, if driving of the movable accessory 40 according to the movable accessory driving pattern has been executed to the end (S760: yes), the movable accessory driving pattern is used in the next movable accessory driving process (S758). Since there is no need to do this, the movable accessory driving pattern is erased from the “driving pattern storage area” (S762). On the other hand, if the driving of the movable accessory 40 according to the movable accessory driving pattern has not yet been executed (S760: no), the movable accessory driving is performed in the next movable accessory driving process (S758). Since the pattern is used, the movable accessory driving pattern is stored in the “driving pattern storage area”. If it is determined in the process of S756 that the movable accessory driving pattern is not stored in the “driving pattern storage area” (S756: no), it is not necessary to drive the movable accessory 40. The processing of S758 to S762 is not performed.

  Thus, when the process for driving the movable accessory 40 (S756 to S762) is performed, the process for driving the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f is performed. In this process, first, it is determined whether or not a lamp drive pattern is stored in the “drive pattern storage area” of the RAM 223 (S766). The lamp drive pattern is stored in the “drive pattern storage area” of the RAM 223 “when the main control command is received in the current movable accessory / lamp drive process (S750: yes) and the lamp drive pattern is stored. (S754) ”or“ Even if the main control command has not been received in the current movable accessory / lamp driving process (S750: no), the main control command has been received in the previous movable accessory / lamp driving process ( S750: yes) The lamp drive pattern is stored (S754), and the various LED and lamps 4b to 4f according to the lamp drive pattern have not been driven, so the lamp drive pattern is still erased. If not.

  When the lamp drive pattern is stored in the “drive pattern storage area” of the RAM 223 (S766: yes), a process for driving the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f (lamp drive process) is performed (S768). Specifically, based on the lamp drive pattern stored in the “drive pattern storage area”, various LEDs and the lamps 4 b to 4 f are driven via the decorative drive substrate 226. Here, as described above, the processing from S602 to S612 shown in FIG. 19 is processing performed based on a timer interrupt generated every 4 msec, and the lamp driving processing (S768) is also performed based on this timer interrupt. That is, every time a timer interrupt that occurs every 4 msec occurs, driving according to a part of the lamp driving pattern (S768: lamp driving process) is performed (driving according to a part of the lamp driving pattern is intermittently performed). The driving according to one lamp driving pattern is performed intermittently from the beginning to the end.

  When the various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f are driven according to a part of the lamp driving pattern (S768), it is determined whether or not the driving of the various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f according to the lamp driving pattern has been executed to the end ( S770). As a result, if the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f are driven to the end according to the lamp driving pattern (S770: yes), it is necessary to use the lamp driving pattern in the next lamp driving process (S768). Therefore, the lamp drive pattern is deleted from the “drive pattern storage area” (S772). On the other hand, if the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f are not yet driven according to the lamp driving pattern (S770: no), the lamp driving pattern is also used in the next lamp driving process (S768). Therefore, the lamp drive pattern is stored in the “drive pattern storage area”. If it is determined in the process of S766 that the lamp drive pattern is not stored in the “drive pattern storage area” (S766: no), it is not necessary to drive the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f. The processing of S768 to S772 is not performed.

  When the processing for driving the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f (S766 to S772) is thus performed, the movable accessory / lamp driving processing is ended, and the processing returns to the effect control processing shown in FIG.

  After returning to the effect control process, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 transmits a watchdog timer reset signal to the watchdog timer 224 (S612 in FIG. 19). Here, as described above, the processing of S602 to S612 is executed as timer interrupt processing every 4 msec. Therefore, as long as the processes of S602 to S612 are normally executed, the watchdog timer reset signal is transmitted from the CPU 221 to the watchdog timer 224 approximately every 4 msec (periodically). On the other hand, if the CPU 221 runs away due to a so-called illegal instruction or CPU address error, and the processing of S602 to S612 is not executed normally, the watchdog timer reset signal is periodically sent from the CPU 221 to the watchdog timer 224. Will not be sent. In such a case, when the measurement time of the watchdog timer 224 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 8 msec), the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 determines that an abnormality has occurred in itself (S618), and an abnormality flag A and an abnormality flag. After setting B to ON (S620), a sub-control reset process that is performed even when the power is turned on is executed (S600). The abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B are flags indicating that the processing of S602 to S612 is not normally executed, and are stored in a predetermined address (abnormal flag storage area) of the RAM 203 mounted on the sub control board 220. Yes. The abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B are set ON and OFF at the same timing. The reason why a plurality of such abnormality flags are stored will be described later.

  As described above, when the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 recognizes the occurrence of an abnormality (S618), the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B are set to ON (S620), but the sub control reset process is executed (S600). The same processing is performed in the case described below.

  The case where no abnormal command is stored in the “transmission command storage area” (S606: no) as a result of the above-described image / audio command extraction processing (S602) has already been described. On the other hand, if an abnormal command is stored in the “transmission command storage area” (S606: yes), the abnormal command is still stored in the “transmission command storage area”. There is a concern about the runaway of the CPU 221 or the runaway of the CPU 231 of the audio / video control board 230 due to the abnormal command being transmitted to the audio / video control board 230. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present invention, when an abnormal command is stored in the “transmission command storage area” (S606: yes), first, in addition to the abnormal command, a normal command is displayed in the “transmission command storage area”. It is determined whether an image / audio command is stored (S614). If a normal video / audio command is stored in the “transmission command storage area” (S614: yes), the abnormal command and the normal video / audio command stored in the “transmission command storage area” are normal. Only an image / audio command is transmitted to the image / audio control board 230 (S616). As described above, when receiving a normal image / audio command, the CPU 221 of the image / audio control board 230 outputs an image and sound corresponding to the image / audio command independently of the sub-control board 220.

  If a normal video / audio command is transmitted in this way (S616), or if only an abnormal command is stored in the "transmission command storage area" (S614: no), the abnormal flag A and the abnormal flag B are set to ON. Above (S620), a sub-control reset process is executed (S600).

  As described above, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 executes the sub-control reset process without setting the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B to ON when the power is turned on (S600). If an abnormality occurs in the CPU 221 (S618) and an abnormal command is stored in the “transmission command storage area” (S606: yes), the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B are set to ON (S620). ) A sub-control reset process is executed (S600). Hereinafter, a case where an abnormality occurs in the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 and a case where an abnormality command is stored in the “transmission command storage area” are collectively expressed as “when abnormality occurs”.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the sub-control reset process of this embodiment. As described above, the sub-control reset process is a process executed when “power is turned on” and “when an abnormality occurs”. When the sub-control reset process is started, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 first sets a state in which no interrupt is accepted (S800). In other words, the sub-reset process is a process performed by the CPU 221 as a preparation for starting the operation normally when “power is turned on” or “when an abnormality occurs”, and an interrupt occurs until the preparation is completed. However, the CPU 221 cannot respond appropriately. Therefore, the interrupt is not accepted until the sub-reset process is completed. Subsequently, data (ON or OFF) indicating the setting states of the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B stored in the “abnormal flag storage area” of the RAM 223 mounted on the sub control board 220 is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 223. The data is saved in the save memory area (S802). Then, the data stored in the area other than the save storage area of the RAM 223 (such as the above-mentioned “drive pattern storage area”, “transmission command storage area”, “door error notification storage area”, “abnormal flag storage area”, etc.) is deleted. To do. That is, the data in the RAM 223 which is an obstacle to the normal operation of the CPU 221 is erased. At this time, the data indicating the setting states of the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B stored in the “abnormal flag storage area” is “ It is saved in the “save storage area” so as not to be erased.

  Thus, after the data indicating the setting state of the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B is saved in the “save storage area” of the RAM 223 (S802), the data stored in the area other than the “save storage area” of the RAM 223 is erased. Then (S804), the data indicating the setting states of the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B is returned to the area (abnormal flag storage area) before saving in the RAM 223 (S806). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B are set to ON (S808). As described above with reference to FIG. 19, the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B are set to ON when an abnormality occurs. Therefore, in the processing of S808, whether the sub-control reset process being executed is started when an abnormality occurs or is executed when the power is turned on ("sub-control reset process executed when an abnormality occurs" and "executed when the power is turned on"). Any of the “sub-control reset processing to be performed”) is determined.

  Here, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when an abnormality occurs, the abnormality flag A and the abnormality flag B (plural abnormality flags) are set to ON (S620 in FIG. 19). If the flag A and the abnormality flag B (a plurality of abnormality flags) are set to ON, it is determined that the sub-control reset processing is “sub-control reset processing executed when an abnormality occurs” (S808 in FIG. 23). The reason for storing a plurality of abnormality flags in this way is as follows. In other words, there are many instability factors such as a change in power supply voltage when “power is turned on”, and the abnormality flag may be erroneously set to ON without executing processing for setting the abnormality flag to ON. . Therefore, by providing a plurality (two in this case) of abnormality flags, even if any of these abnormality flags is set to ON by mistake, all of the abnormality flags (here, both) are turned ON. If it is not set, it is determined that it is “sub-control reset processing executed at power-on”. This makes it possible to prevent the “sub-control reset process executed when an abnormality occurs” from being executed even when the power is turned on.

  If the result of the determination processing in S808 is that the current sub-control reset processing is “sub-control reset processing executed when power is turned on” (S808: no), the image / audio control board 230 is instructed to display a preparation image. An image sound command (prepared image display command) to be transmitted is transmitted (S810). When the CPU 221 of the image / sound control board 230 receives the preparation image display command, the effect display device displays an image (preparation image) for notifying that the game is being prepared after power-on (preparing for changing the display of the effect symbol). 27 on the display screen. The CPU 221 of the image / sound control board 230 keeps the preparation image displayed until the next time the image / sound command (the image / sound command transmitted in S608 or S616 in FIG. 19 after the game is started) is received.

  When the preparation image display command is transmitted (S810), a process for confirming whether or not the movable accessory 40 is normally driven (movable accessory drive confirmation process) is executed (S812). In the movable accessory drive confirmation process, the stepping motor 40m is rotated through the decorative drive substrate 226 to move the movable accessory 40 from the initial position to the effect position (see FIG. 9C), and then the initial position again. (Hereinafter, also referred to as “move the movable object 40 for confirmation”). Thereby, when the power is turned on, it is possible for the employee of the game hall to check whether or not the movable accessory 40 is normally driven. Unlike the above-described movable accessory driving process (S758 in FIG. 22), the movable accessory driving confirmation process (S812 in FIG. 23) is not a process performed based on a timer interrupt (movable accessory driving confirmation process). Since there is no restriction on the time to be applied, the movable accessory 40 is moved from the initial position to the effect position in one movable accessory driving confirmation process, and then moved again to the initial position.

  When the movable accessory drive confirmation process is completed (S812), a process (lamp drive confirmation process) for confirming whether the various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f are normally driven is executed (S814). In the lamp driving confirmation process, various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f are lit in a predetermined confirmation lighting pattern (for example, the order of red, green, and blue) via the decorative driving board 226 (hereinafter, referred to as “various LEDs and lamps 4b”). This is also referred to as “confirming operation to 4f”). Thereby, when the power is turned on, it becomes possible for the employees of the game hall to check whether or not the various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f are normally driven. Unlike the lamp driving process (S768 in FIG. 22) described above, the lamp driving confirmation process (S814 in FIG. 23) is not a process performed based on a timer interrupt (there is no time limit for the lamp driving confirmation process). Therefore, various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f are turned on in a predetermined confirmation lighting pattern (for example, the order of red, green, and blue) in one lamp driving confirmation process.

  When the lamp driving confirmation process is completed (S814), the CPU 221 interrupt setting is changed from the interrupt disabled state to the interrupt enabled state (S816), and the "sub-control reset process executed at power-on" ends. To do. As a result, the preparation for starting the processing after the image / audio command extraction processing (S602) shown in FIG. 19 is completed.

  The above is the description of the “sub control reset process executed when the power is turned on”. On the other hand, when the current sub-control reset process is “sub-control reset process executed when an abnormality occurs” (S808: yes), the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 first stops the audio output of the door error. Is transmitted to the image / audio control board 230 (S818). The reason why the error sound stop command is transmitted to the image sound control board 230 in the “sub control reset process executed when an abnormality occurs” is as follows. After sending the error voice output command from the sub control board 220 and before sending the error voice stop command, an abnormality may occur in the sub control board 220 and the sub control reset process may be performed. In this case, the setting of the door error notification flag stored in the “door error notification flag storage area” of the RAM 223 is also initialized by the sub-control reset process, and unless a door error occurs next time. The error audio stop signal will not be transmitted. In this case, once the CPU 231 of the audio / video control board 230 starts outputting the error audio, the error audio output is not stopped until the error audio stop command is received. turn into. In order to avoid such a situation, in the process of S818, an error sound stop command is transmitted just in case, and when the error sound is being output, the output is stopped. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress giving a player misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety.

  When the error voice stop command is transmitted (S818), a predetermined LED or lamp among the various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f is turned off via the decoration drive board 226 (S820). That is, when an abnormality occurs and the sub-control reset process is performed while driving various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f in accordance with a predetermined lamp driving pattern, the RAM 223 is initialized and the "driving pattern storage area" The lamp driving pattern stored in the memory is also erased. If it becomes like this, various LED and lamp 4b-4f will remain in the lighting state just before abnormality generate | occur | produces. In this case, there is a possibility that the LED or the lamp is in an unnatural lighting state (for example, a state where the LED or the lamp is lit for a moment during normal operation). In order to avoid such a situation, in the process of S820, a predetermined LED or lamp among the various LEDs and lamps 4b to 4f is turned off. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress giving a player misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the movable accessory 40 is in the initial position (S822). That is, when the movable accessory 40 is driven in accordance with a predetermined movable accessory driving pattern and an abnormality occurs and the sub-control reset process is performed, the RAM 223 is initialized and the “driving pattern storage area” is stored. The stored movable accessory driving pattern is also erased. If it becomes like this, the movable accessory 40 will remain in the state stopped at the position immediately before an abnormality occurs. In order to avoid such a situation, in the process of S822, it is determined whether or not the movable accessory 40 is in the initial position (S822). If it is not in the initial position (S822: no), the decorative drive board 226 and The movable accessory 40 is moved to the initial position via the stepping motor 40m. If the movable combination 40 is in the initial position (S822: yes), the movable combination 40 is not moved. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress giving a player misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety.

  Subsequently, the CPU 221 sets the interrupt setting from the interrupt disabled state to the interrupt enabled state (S816), and ends the “sub-control reset process executed when an abnormality occurs”. As a result, the preparation for normally starting the processing after the image / voice command extraction processing (S602) shown in FIG. 19 is completed.

  Here, in the “sub-control reset process executed when an abnormality occurs”, the “process for displaying the preparation image on the display screen of the effect display device 27” executed in the “sub-control reset process executed when the power is turned on” ( S610) ”is not executed. This is due to the following reason. Even if an abnormality occurs in the sub-control board 220, if the power is not shut off, the image / audio control board 230 is operating normally. That is, the image / audio control board 230 is in a state of outputting an image and sound based on a normal image / audio command received before the occurrence of the abnormality. Even in such a state, if the preparation image display command is transmitted in the same manner as the “sub-control reset processing executed when the power is turned on”, the output of the image and sound based on the normal image / audio command is terminated and the preparation is completed. An image is displayed. In order to avoid such a situation, in the “sub-control reset process executed when an abnormality occurs”, the preparation image display command is not transmitted, and the output of the image and sound based on the normal image and sound command is continued. ing. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress giving a player misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety.

  In the “sub-control reset process executed when an abnormality occurs”, the “sub-control reset process executed when the power is turned on” “the process for causing the movable accessory 40 to perform a confirmation operation (S812)”, “various LEDs” , The process of causing the lamps 4b to 4f to perform the confirmation operation (S814) "is not executed. This is due to the following reason. As described above, even if an abnormality occurs in the sub-control board 220, the image / audio control board 230 is outputting an image and sound based on a normal image / audio command received before the occurrence of the abnormality. It is. In such a state in which the output of the image and sound based on the normal image / sound command is continued, the movable accessory 40 and the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f are similar to the “sub-control reset process executed at power-on”. If the confirmation operation is performed, the confirmation operation is not interlocked with the ongoing image and sound output. In order to avoid such a situation, in the “sub-control reset process executed when an abnormality occurs”, the movable accessory 40, the various LEDs, and the lamps 4b to 4f are prevented from being confirmed. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress giving a player misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety.

  Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 19, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 determines that “abnormality” and “normal image / audio command” are stored in the “transmission command storage area” of the RAM 223. A sub-control reset process executed at the time of occurrence ”is executed, and a normal video / audio command is transmitted to the video / audio control board 230. The image / sound control board 230 outputs an image and sound based on the normal image / sound command. In this way, even when an abnormality occurs, images and sound are output by effectively using normal image / sound commands, so that it is more preferable to suppress misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety to the player. Is possible.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment is not “sub-control reset processing executed when the power is turned on” but “notifying the result of success / failure” when an abnormality occurs during the performance. A new reset process (sub-control reset process that is executed when an abnormality occurs) is executed to continue the “unobtainable effect” and stop “the effect operation that may cause a problem with the notification of the result of the success / failure”. Thereby, even if an abnormality occurs during the execution of the effect, the effect display based on the image sound command corresponding to the change start command instructed from the sub-control board 220 (effect control means) prior to the occurrence of the abnormality is displayed as the image sound. Control board 230 (effect display means) is continued, and it is possible to prevent the effect display from being interrupted. In addition, it is possible to prevent the player from misunderstanding the movable accessory 40, the various LEDs, and the lamps 4b to 4f by performing “unexpectedly scheduled driving (confirmation operation)” during execution of the effect display. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs during the execution of the effect display, the image / sound control board 230 (effect display means) and the decoration drive board 226 (decoration drive means) can be prevented from performing inappropriate processing. It is possible to suppress misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety.

  As described above, in the sub control board 220, when the main control board 200 (main control means) executes the special symbol change display (special symbol change game), the sub control board 220 changes from the main control board 200 (main control means). The start command (information related to the result of the special symbol variation game) is received, and the video / audio command corresponding to the change start command (based on the variation start command (information related to the result of the special symbol variation game)) (Execution display execution pattern that suggests the possibility of displaying special symbols) and movable accessory driving pattern corresponding to the command at the start of change (driving pattern of decorative objects that suggests the possibility of winning special symbols) And decide. Therefore, the sub control board 220 corresponds to the “production control means” in the present invention.

  In addition, as described above, in the audio / video control board 230, when an audio / video command corresponding to the change start command is received from the sub-control board 220 (production control means), execution of an effect display based on a predetermined execution pattern is instructed. Then, based on the image / sound command (the execution pattern), the effect symbol variation display (effect display) is executed on the display screen of the effect display device 27. Therefore, the audio / video control board 230 corresponds to the “effect display means” in the present invention. Further, as described above, in the decorative drive board 226, when the movable accessory drive pattern corresponding to the change start command is received from the sub-control board 220 (effect control means) (instruction to drive the decorative object based on the predetermined drive pattern). Thus, based on the movable accessory driving pattern (driving pattern), the movable accessory 40 (decoration) is driven from the initial position (basic state) to the effect position (special state) during the performance display. . Therefore, the decoration drive board 226 corresponds to “decoration drive means” in the present invention.

  Further, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 initializes the RAM 223 when the power is turned on by executing the above-described processing (execution display execution pattern stored in a predetermined storage area in the effect control means). And erase the data relating to the driving pattern of the decorative object), and display the execution of the preparation display (display of the preparation image) indicating that the preparation of the effect display is being prepared (display the instruction display means) (instruction) In addition, a movable accessory drive confirmation process (confirmation drive) for confirming that the movable accessory 40 (decorative object) can be driven from the initial position (basic state) to the effect position (special state) is a decorative drive board. Processing (first reset processing) to be performed (instructed) by 226 (decoration driving means) is executed. In addition, the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 executes the above-described process to turn on the power to the pachinko machine 1 (bullet ball game machine), and the video / audio command corresponding to the change start command and the change The RAM 223 is initialized (effect control means) when the occurrence of a predetermined abnormality is specified after transmitting the movable accessory driving pattern corresponding to the start command (after instructing the execution of the effect display and the driving of the decoration). Delete the data regarding the execution pattern of the effect display instructed by the user and the drive pattern of the decorative object), and do not instruct the image / sound control board 230 (effect display means) to execute the preparation display (display of the preparation image). When the effect display by the control board 230 (effect display means) is continued, and the movable accessory 40 (decoration) is in the initial position (basic state), the initial position (basic To wait in state), it performs an initial position (if not in the basic state) processing for instructing to move to the initial position (basic state) (second reset process). Therefore, the CPU 221 mounted on the sub-control board 220 corresponds to “reset processing execution means” in the present invention.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention 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.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the door error is notified. However, other errors (such as an error caused by a game ball stored in the lower plate 6 reaching a predetermined amount) are displayed on the image / audio control board 230. The error voice output command may be transmitted and notified, and the error voice stop command may be transmitted to stop the notification.

  In the above-described embodiment, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 directly drives the movable accessory 40, the various LEDs, and the lamps 4b to 4f via the decoration drive board 26. Instead of this, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, when the CPU is mounted on the decorative driving board 26 and the driving of the movable accessory 40 and the various LEDs and the lamps 4b to 4f is started, the movable accessory driving pattern and the decorative driving board 26 from the sub-control board 220 are displayed. A command for instructing the lamp driving pattern is transmitted. When the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 receives the command, it drives the movable accessory 40, the various LEDs, and the lamps 4b to 4f with the movable accessory driving pattern and the lamp driving pattern corresponding to the command. In this way, even if an abnormality occurs in the sub control board 220, the movable board 40 and the various LEDs, independent of the sub control board 220, based on the command received before the abnormality occurs in the drive board 26. The driving of the lamps 4b to 4f can be continued. As a result, it is possible to further suppress giving a player misunderstanding, discomfort, and anxiety.

  The present invention can be used for a ball game machine used in a game hall.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine, 17a ... Upper starting port (starting port), 17b ... Lower starting port (starting port), 28 ... Symbol display device, 31d ... Grand prize opening, 200 ... Main control board (main control means), 220 ... Sub-control board (effect control means), 221... CPU (reset processing execution means), 226... Decoration drive board (decoration drive means), 230.

Claims (2)

Triggered when a game ball enters the starting port provided on the game board, a special symbol is displayed in a variable manner on a predetermined symbol display device, and the special symbol is displayed in a special pattern or a special symbol that comes off and stops. Main control means for executing the symbol variation game;
When the main control means executes the special symbol variation game, the main control means receives information on the result of the special symbol variation game from the main control means, and the winning special symbol is displayed based on the information. Production control means for determining an execution pattern of production display suggesting the possibility, and a driving pattern of a decoration suggesting the possibility that the special symbol is displayed.
By directing execution of the effect display based on a predetermined execution pattern from the effect control means, an effect of executing the effect display on a predetermined effect display device during execution of the effect display based on the execution pattern Display means;
A ball game including decoration driving means for driving the decoration object from the basic state to the special state based on the drive pattern when instructed to drive the decoration object based on a predetermined drive pattern from the effect control means In the machine
The production control means includes
The first reset process is executed when the power to the ball game machine is turned on, and the execution of the effect display and the driving of the decoration are instructed in the state in which the power is turned on to the ball game machine Having a reset process execution means for executing the second reset process when a predetermined abnormality occurrence is identified after
The reset process execution means includes
As said 1st reset process, the execution pattern of the said effect display which the said effect control means instruct | indicated and the data regarding the drive pattern of the said ornament are erased, and execution of the preparation display which shows that it is preparing the said effect display is said Instructing the effect display means, and executing processing for instructing the decoration drive means to execute confirmation driving for confirming that the decoration can be driven from the basic state to the special state,
As the second reset process, the data related to the execution pattern of the effect display and the driving pattern of the decorations instructed by the effect control means are deleted, and the preparation display is executed without instructing the effect display means. A bullet ball game machine characterized by executing a process for instructing the decoration driving means to continue the effect display in the middle and make the decoration stand by in the basic state. In the ball game machine according to claim 1,
The ornament is a movable accessory that is movable between a position corresponding to the basic state and a position corresponding to the special state,
When executing the second reset process, the reset process executing means moves the movable accessory to a position corresponding to the basic state if the movable accessory is not in a position corresponding to the basic state. A ball game machine characterized by executing a process instructed to.

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