JP2014204898A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of returning a performance state after power supply to a performance state at the time of power cutoff while simplifying a configuration of hardware.SOLUTION: A game machine includes movable accessories capable of maintaining a drive stop position, and has a plurality of performance states having different performance modes. The game machine is provided with a stop position corresponding to each of the plurality of performance states as the drive stop position of the movable accessories. The game machine includes: stop position specification means specifying the drive stop position of the movable accessories at the time of power cutoff before power activation on the basis of the power activation; and performance state setting means setting a performance state corresponding to the drive stop position specified by the stop position specification means as a performance state based on the power activation. The stop position specification means can specify the drive stop position at the time of power cutoff on the basis of a drive amount when the movable accessories are positioned at initial positions in initialization processing based on the power activation.

Description

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

  The gaming machine includes a main control unit that controls the basic progress of the game, and a sub control unit that performs a game effect control. Then, the main control unit performs a lottery to determine whether or not to play a specific game (such as a big hit game or a bonus game) advantageous to the player based on the establishment of a predetermined lottery execution condition. The result is notified to the player using a display device or the like. In addition, such gaming machines are provided with effect means (effect display device, speaker, movable effect device) whose drive is controlled by the sub-control unit, and various games according to the effect state (effect mode) at that time. There are some which produce the production by this production means.

  For this type of gaming machine, a backup function provided in the sub-control unit is used as a technology to restore the effect state after power-on to the effect state when power supply is stopped (when the power is turned off). A technique of using and returning the same is disclosed (see Patent Document 1, hereinafter referred to as “conventional example”).

JP 2003-180966 A

  However, according to the above-described conventional example, since it is necessary to provide a backup function (backup power supply, capacitor, etc.) in the sub-control unit (sub-control board), the hardware mounted on the sub-control unit (sub-control board) There is a problem that the configuration becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to simplify the hardware configuration and to change the effect state after power-on to the effect state when the power is turned off. It is to provide a game machine that can be returned to the game.

The gaming machine of the present invention is
A gaming machine having a movable accessory capable of maintaining a drive stop position and having a plurality of production states with different production modes,
As the drive stop position of the movable accessory, a stop position corresponding to each of the plurality of effect states is provided,
Stop position specifying means for specifying the drive stop position of the movable accessory when the power is turned off before turning on the power,
An effect state setting means for setting an effect state corresponding to the drive stop position specified by the stop position specifying means as an effect state based on power-on,
It is characterized by providing.

  In the present invention, as the driving stop position of the movable accessory, those corresponding to each of a plurality of effect states are provided in advance. Then, by measuring and detecting the “actual driving stop position of the movable movable object” when the power supply to the gaming machine is started (when the power is turned on), the movable combination when the power is turned off before the power is turned on is detected. The drive stop position of the object is specified, and the effect state corresponding to the specified drive stop position is set as the effect state when the power is turned on.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to provide a backup function for the control unit (control board) for controlling the game effects, the hardware mounted on the sub control unit (sub control board) The structure of the wear can be simplified. In addition, according to the present invention, even when a backup unit is not provided in a control unit (control board) for controlling a game effect, when power is turned on between a plurality of the same models (when pachinko halls start operating) Etc.) can also be varied.

In the gaming machine of the present invention,
The stop position specifying means may specify a drive stop position when the power is turned off based on a drive amount when the movable accessory is positioned at an initial position in an initialization process based on power-on.

  In this case, the drive stop position of the movable accessory when the power is turned off can be reliably specified using the movement amount of the movable accessory based on the initialization process.

In the gaming machine of the present invention,
When a predetermined period elapses while the movable accessory is stopped driving, the drive stop position of the movable accessory may be a position corresponding to the effect state when the predetermined period elapses.

  In this case, instead of changing the drive stop position of the movable accessory every time the effect state is changed, the drive stop position of the movable accessory is set on condition that the drive stop state of the movable accessory continues for a predetermined period. change. In other words, in situations where the possibility of power interruption is low, such as when a player is playing a game normally, the drive stop position of the movable accessory is not changed, and the drive stop state of the movable accessory is not changed. The drive stop position of the movable accessory is changed when the situation continues for a predetermined period of time and there is a high possibility of power interruption. Thereby, “a process of changing the driving stop position of the movable accessory” is frequently executed, and it is possible to avoid the complicated control of the gaming machine.

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

  Further, in this specification, a game ball entering (accepting) a variety of winning holes provided on the game board surface may be referred to as “winning” or “entering”. Of these, “winning” means that a game ball enters a winning opening, which is a premise for paying out a winning ball, and that a gaming ball enters (accepts) a winning opening. Substantially synonymous with “entering ball”. Furthermore, in a winning device that can change between a state where a winning is impossible (or difficult to win) and a state where a winning is possible (or easy to win), such as a large winning device and a second start winning device described later, Alternatively, a state where it is difficult to win a prize may be referred to as a first state, and a state where a prize is possible (or easy to win) may be referred to as a second state.

  As described above, according to the invention of each claim, it is possible to obtain a gaming machine capable of returning the effect state after power-on to the effect state when the power is turned off, while simplifying the hardware configuration.

It is a perspective view which shows the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the game board of the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (equivalent to 1-1 sectional drawing of FIG. 2) of the game board of the game machine which concerns on each Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows roughly the display screen of the effect display apparatus of the game machine which concerns on each Example. (A) is a front view schematically showing a lower display device of a gaming machine according to each embodiment, and (b) is a special symbol variable display mode executed by the lower display device of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. (C) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of a production | presentation symbol (stop symbol). It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view (equivalent to 2-2 sectional drawing of FIG. 2) of a movable accessory apparatus. It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a movable accessory apparatus. (A) is a front view which shows a to-be-detected body, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows a to-be-detected body and a sensor. It is a schematic front view of a movable accessory apparatus (a movable accessory is a basic drive stop position). It is a schematic front view of a movable accessory apparatus (a movable accessory is a drive limit position). It is a schematic front view of a movable accessory apparatus (a movable accessory is a 1st special drive stop position). It is a schematic front view of a movable accessory apparatus (a movable accessory is a 2nd special drive stop position). It is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example of this invention. (A) is a block diagram which shows the electronic control apparatus which concerns on each Example (except Example 2), (b) is a concept that a command is output from the main control part in the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing shown in figure. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows the symbol fluctuation effect etc. which are performed with an effect display apparatus. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the difference in effect mode (effect state). It is a flowchart which shows the game control process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the demonstration display process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. The It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol game process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. The It is a flowchart which shows the symbol change start process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the variation pattern table for jackpots which concerns on each Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the fluctuation pattern table for deviation concerning each Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production control processing of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the initial setting process of the game machine which concerns on each Example (except Example 3). It is a flowchart for demonstrating the demonstration effect process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production mode setting process of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production mode setting process of the gaming machine according to each embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the design fluctuation effect process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the movable accessory control process of the game machine which concerns on each Example. It is a flowchart which shows the stop position setting process of the game machine which concerns on Example 1. FIG. (A) is a block diagram showing an electronic control device according to the second embodiment, (b) is a block diagram showing an electronic control device according to the first modification. It is a flowchart which shows the stop position setting process of the game machine which concerns on Example 2. FIG. (A) is a front view which shows the to-be-detected body of Example 3, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the to-be-detected body and sensor of Example 3. FIG. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the characteristic of Example 3. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the initial setting process of the game machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the stop position setting process of the game machine which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a front view which shows the game board of the game machine which concerns on the modification 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the characteristic of the movable accessory apparatus which concerns on the modification 2. As shown in FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments showing modes for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, specific examples in which the present invention is applied to a gaming machine (pachinko machine) 1 referred to as a “seven machine” will be described.

(1) Mechanical structure a. First, the overall structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame 2 and a gaming machine main body H attached to the outer frame 2. The outer frame 2 includes an outer frame main body 2A configured by a substantially rectangular frame-shaped body, and a front plate portion 2B that covers a lower front portion of the outer frame main body 2A.

  The gaming machine main body H is rotatably mounted on the left end side of the outer frame 2 using the hinges H1 and H2 on the left end side of the outer frame 2. The gaming machine main body H is a portion of the gaming machine 1 excluding the outer frame 2, and includes a main body frame 3, a front frame 4, and a dish member integrated with the front frame 4 (an upper dish member 5 and a lower dish The members 6) 5A, the game board 10 (see FIG. 2), the back mechanism board 102, and the like are the main parts.

  The main body frame 3 is fitted into the outer frame 2 and is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. The main body frame 3 is entirely made of plastic, and is constituted by a frame-like body that can hold the game board 10. When the main body frame 3 holds the game board 10 (see FIG. 2), the “game area 11 configured on the board surface (front surface) of the game board 10” is visible from the front of the main body frame 3.

  The front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the main body frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the main body frame 3 so as to be openable and closable. The front frame 4 includes a frame body 41 having a visual window 41a provided in a state of penetrating in the front-rear direction, and a glass plate 43 fitted in the visual window 41a. The game area 11 formed in the game board 10 (a substantially circular game area 11 in front view) is positioned behind the front frame 4 when the front frame 4 is closed. It can be visually recognized from the front of the front frame 4 through 41a (glass plate 43).

  Further, in this gaming machine 1, “a plate member 5 </ b> A in which the upper plate member 5 and the lower plate member 6 are integrated” is integrated with the front frame 4, and can be opened and closed integrally with the front frame 4 with respect to the main body frame 3. Has been. However, the plate member 5 </ b> A may be mounted below the mounting portion of the front frame 4 in the main body frame 3 so that it can be opened and closed separately from the front frame 4. Further, the upper plate member 5 and the lower plate member 6 are provided separately, arranged below the mounting portion of the front frame 4 in the main body frame 3, and the upper plate member 5 arranged above is separated from the front frame 4. The lower plate member 6 arranged below can be opened and closed and cannot be opened and closed.

  Speakers SP1 and SP2 are mounted on the left and right sides of the front side of the front frame 4, and the speakers SP3 and SP4 are also built in the left and right ends of the front plate 2B. And in this game machine 1, the sound effect according to a game state and other sounds (sound) are generated using these speakers SP1-SP4. In addition, on the front surface portion of the front frame 4, a portion that constitutes the arrangement position of the upper plate member 5 is provided with a receiving port 5 b for receiving a game ball discharged from the gaming machine 1. Further, a ball rental display substrate 410 (see FIG. 13) and an effect button substrate 228 (see FIG. 13) are provided on the back side of the upper plate member 5, and an “effect button SW” is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate member 5. Has been placed.

  A lower dish member 6 is provided at a lower portion of the upper dish member 5, and a game ball discharged from the upper dish member 5 is received in a substantially container-shaped interior at the center of the lower dish member 6. The receiving port 6a is provided. A firing handle 9 is provided on the right end side of the lower plate member 6. A launcher unit 90 (see FIG. 2) is disposed on the rear side of the front surface of the main body frame 3 (inside the main body frame 3) and located on the left end side below the game board 10. The launcher unit 9 is connected to the launcher unit 90. Here, the launcher unit 90 is for launching a game ball sent out from a ball feeder (not shown) substantially vertically upward to reach the game area 11. The launch handle 9 is equipped with a touch switch (touch sensor) 9a for detecting that the player is touching, and in the vicinity thereof, the launch stop for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball is stopped. A switch 9b is attached.

b. Next, the configuration of the game board 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 10 includes a game board main body 10A configured using a substantially rectangular plywood in front view, and various board components (outer rails 12) mounted on the game board main body 10A. , Inner rail 13, main accessory device 20, etc.) are mounted. As shown in FIG. 3, the back of the game board main body 10 </ b> A is covered with a resin storage body 28, and a movable accessory device 70 is disposed inside the storage body 28. A sheet-like material on which a cell image is printed is attached to the front surface of the game board main body 10A, but the illustration is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the storage body 28 is configured in a substantially box shape, and is disposed in a state in which a substantially rectangular opening 28 </ b> K is directed forward. The game board main body 10A is disposed in a state of substantially sealing the opening 28K of the storage body 28 with the front surface portion thereof facing forward. The storage body 28 includes a back plate portion 28a that is erected while being configured as a substantially rectangular plate in a front view, and a peripheral wall portion 28b that protrudes forward from the outer peripheral edge of the back plate portion 28a. The back plate portion 28a is provided with a mounting portion 28c that is substantially rectangular in front view and penetrates the thickness direction of the back plate portion 28a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board main body 10A includes a region forming part 10B that is substantially circular in a front view, and a region outside 10C that is located around the region forming part 10B. In addition, an outer rail 12 and an inner rail 13 that are both configured using a band-shaped metal plate are disposed on the front surface of the game board main body 10A. And the front part of the area | region formation part 10B comprises the game area | region 11 being enclosed by the substantially circular surrounding wall which this outer rail 12 and the inner rail 13 form. In this area forming part 10B (site located in the game area 11), there are a main accessory device 20, a normal symbol operating gate (normal symbol operating port) 16, a start winning device 17, a big winning device 31, A lower display device 60 (design display device), two general winning devices 45 and 46, a number of obstacle nails (not shown), a windmill 19 and the like are arranged. Note that the alternate long and short dash line shown in FIG.

  The main accessory device 20 includes an attachment member (decorative plate) 21 and an effect display device 27. Among these, the attachment member 21 is comprised by the plate-shaped body with which the front part of the area | region formation part 10B is mounted | worn, and has comprised the approximate center part of the game area | region 11. FIG. The attachment member (decorative plate) 21 is provided with a substantially rectangular opening in a front-rear direction in a front view, and a display screen 27a (described later) is visually recognized from the front of the game board 10 through the opening. A display window 21e is provided to enable this.

  The stage member 21p is attached to the lower edge of the attachment member 21 so as to protrude forward, and the decorative member 21A is attached to the other part of the peripheral edge of the attachment member 21 so as to protrude forward. ing. The decorative member 21A includes a flange portion 21H protruding from the upper edge portion of the mounting member 21, a left decorative portion 21L protruding from the left edge portion of the mounting member 21, and a right decorative portion protruding from the right edge portion of the mounting member 21. 21R.

  A game ball passage (a so-called “warp passage”) 21w is formed inside the left decorative portion 21L. That is, in the left side surface portion of the left decorative portion 21L, the entrance (not shown) of the passage 21w opens obliquely upward to the left, and the game ball flowing down the game area 11 is received at this entrance, and the stage It makes it approach on the part 21p (inside the main accessory apparatus 20). Moreover, the stage part 21p comprises the rolling surface of a game ball by the upper surface part. The rolling surface is configured as an inclined surface that descends from the left and right end portions toward the central portion, and is a raised portion that slightly protrudes upward at the central portion of the rolling surface.

  In this gaming machine 1, the game ball that has flowed down the game area 11 and reached the left end of the rolling surface through the warp passage 21w rolls to the right on the rolling surface, and further rolls to the left. To do. Then, when the momentum of the game ball has declined, the game ball is discharged out of the main accessory device 20, but most of the game balls discharged from the center of the rolling surface enter the start winning device 17. To do. Among the game balls that flow down the game area 11 and enter the start prize device 17, those that enter the start prize device 17 without entering the main prize device 20 and those that enter the start prize device 20. There is a thing that enters the start winning device 17 after rolling on the stage portion 21p. Note that a game ball entering the start winning device 17 may be referred to as a “start winning”.

  The effect display device 27 is configured by using a liquid crystal display device, and executes a symbol change effect in accordance with the special symbol change display and stop display in the lower display device 60. In the present embodiment, the lower display device 60 (special symbol display unit 62a) performs variable display (symbol variable game) using the special symbol (main symbol), and the effect display device 27 displays the effect symbol (pseudo symbol). Use it to create a design variation effect. Here, the symbol variation effect is a display effect performed in accordance with the progress of the symbol variation game (variable display of special symbol, stop display) in order to show the player the result of the symbol variation game. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the effect display device 27 is directed to the mounting portion 28c of the back plate portion 28a while the front surface portion (that is, the display screen 27a) of the liquid crystal panel 27P constituting the effect display device 27 is directed forward. It is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 can be displayed so that the player can visually recognize various symbols using the whole or a part thereof. That is, in the case of performing the symbol variation effect, a state in which a pattern indicating the background (hereinafter referred to as a background symbol), a background color (blue, red, etc.) is displayed on almost the entire display screen 27a. An effect symbol display area 27b for displaying a “three-digit effect symbol” in a state of being superimposed on the front of the background symbol or background color is provided. In the effect symbol display area 27b, three “effect symbols” are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction, and an effect display, a stop display, and the like using these “effect symbols” are performed. In addition, a pattern indicating a character (hereinafter referred to as a character pattern) may be displayed as a background pattern, or a live-action image (not shown) may be displayed. In addition, when the “effect design” is variably displayed in the effect design display area 27b, the background design and the background color can be visually recognized with the effect design display area 27b being watermarked.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a holding display area (D1, D2, D3, D4) is provided on the upper side of the display screen 27a near the one edge, and based on entering the start winning device 17 The number of holds for the “special symbol” generated is displayed with “4” as the upper limit. This holding display area (D1 to D4) has a configuration in which four display units (D1 to D4) are arranged from the bottom to the top, and has entered the start winning device 17, but has not yet been digested. Is displayed by the number of display units D1 to D4 in use (lighted display), and each time the undigested game balls are digested, the display units D1 to D4 in use are displayed. By reducing the number, the number of “undigested game balls” (reserved number) is sequentially decremented and displayed. The “undigested game ball (holding ball)” related to each special symbol is a game ball that has entered the start winning device 17 but has not been subjected to the symbol variable game associated with the special game in the special symbol display unit 62a. Point to.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the start winning device 17 is positioned substantially vertically below the center of the stage portion 21p (rolling surface), and includes an ordinary electric accessory 17d on the entrance side portion. This ordinary electric accessory 17d is a so-called tulip type and is formed so that a pair of wing pieces 17e and 17f are opened and closed on the left and right. In other words, the start winning device 17 includes a normal electric accessory solenoid 17c (see FIG. 9) for operating the pair of wing pieces 17e, 17f. In addition, a start opening ball detection switch 17s for detecting a game ball that has entered the start winning device 17 is disposed inside the start winning device 17 (see FIG. 13).

  If the normal electric accessory solenoid 17c is not energized, the pair of blade pieces 17e and 17f are set up in a standing state (see the solid line in FIG. 2). As a result, a game ball receiving opening of a size allowing passage of one game ball is provided between the pair of wing piece portions 17e and 17f, and the closing is unlikely to enter the start winning device 17 with the game ball. State (first state). On the other hand, when the normal electric accessory solenoid 17c is energized, the pair of wing pieces 17e and 17f are tilted so as to increase the interval between the upper ends with the lower end side as a fulcrum (see the broken line in FIG. 2). Reference), and an open state (second state) in which a game ball is likely to enter. Here, in the gaming machine 1, when the game mode is the open extension mode (described later), the time during which the start winning device 17 is in the open state (second state) becomes long (for example, “5 Seconds "). On the other hand, in the non-open extension mode (normal open mode), the time during which the start winning device 17 is in the open state (second state) is shortened (for example, “0.2 seconds”).

  The big winning device 31 constitutes a specific example of a variable winning device, and is arranged at a position located below the start winning device 17 as shown in FIG. The big prize winning device 31 includes a big prize opening 31a that opens at the front surface portion 10a of the game board 10, an opening / closing plate 31b for opening / closing the big winning prize opening 31a, and a large opening for driving the opening / closing plate 31b. A winning opening solenoid 31c (see FIG. 13) and a large winning opening entrance detection switch 31s (see FIG. 13) for detecting a game ball that has entered the winning apparatus 31 are provided. When the opening / closing plate 31b is in the standing posture, the opening / closing plate 31b closes the large winning opening 31a in the large winning device 31, so that it is impossible to enter the game ball into the large winning device 31. On the other hand, when the opening / closing plate 31b tilts forward with its lower end as a fulcrum and assumes a forward leaning posture, the prize winning opening 31a is opened and the rear surface portion (back surface portion) of the opening / closing plate 31b flows down the game area 11. And the guidance part which guide | induces the game ball which reached | attained the big prize apparatus 31 to the big prize opening 31a is comprised.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lower display device 60 is arranged on the left side of the big winning device 31. As shown in FIG. 5A, the lower display device 60 includes a mounting plate 61 that is attached to the front surface of the game board main body 10A. The mounting plate 61 is provided with a special symbol display portion 62a, a normal symbol display portion 63, a normal symbol hold display portion 65, and the like. The special symbol display unit 62a and the normal symbol display unit 63 are both configured using a “7-segment display”. Note that the result of the symbol variation game displayed on the special symbol display unit 62a (result of determination of success / failure) and the display result of the symbol variation effect displayed on the effect display device 27 (result of determination of success / failure) are the same. The

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the normal symbol display unit 63 is composed of a “seven-segment display body”. When the symbol variation start condition is satisfied based on the game ball passing through the normal symbol operation gate 16, the normal symbol display unit 63 Starts variable display of symbols. In this normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol display section 63 displays the arithmetic numbers from “0” to “9” in this order, and then again displays the arithmetic numbers from “0” to “9”. It consists of “circular display” that repeats the display in order. When the execution time of the normal symbol variation display elapses, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed, and the stop display is executed for a predetermined time. At this time, when the stopped normal symbol is an "odd number", the symbol corresponds to a normal symbol hit symbol, and when the stopped symbol is an "even digit", the symbol is an off-normal symbol symbol. Applicable. The lottery means for performing lottery for determining whether or not the start winning device 17 in the closed state (first state) is in the open state (second state) is configured by a main control unit 200A described later.

  The normal symbol hold display unit 65 is also configured by using two LEDs and passes through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the number of game balls still undigested (holding number) is displayed with the upper limit being four. Each time an undigested game ball is digested, the number of undigested game balls (reserved number) is sequentially decremented and displayed. Here, the “undigested game ball (holding ball)” related to the normal symbol has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 16, but the normal symbol display unit 63 displays the result of the lottery associated with the passage (stop of the normal symbol) Display) and game balls that are not preceded by a change display (in this embodiment, display using a 7-segment display). In the normal symbol hold display section 65, (a) two LEDs are turned off to indicate that the “hold number” is “zero”, and (b) one LED while turning on one LED. Is turned off to indicate that the “holding number” is “1”, (c) two LEDs are turned on to indicate that the “holding number” is “2”, and (d) one LED One LED is turned on while blinking to indicate that the “holding number” is “3”, and (e) two LEDs are blinked to indicate that the “holding number” is “4”.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the two general winning devices 45, 46 are arranged on the left and right sides of the main accessory device 20, and the general winning devices 45, 46 have a general structure for detecting the entry of a game ball. Entrance detection switches 45s and 46s (see FIG. 13) are provided. A number of obstacle nails (not shown) are arranged in the game area 11 so as to be suitable for a pachinko game in consideration of the positional balance with each board component described above. 18 is provided. Further, a back ball preventing member (not shown) is provided below the out port 18. And the game ball which returned without reaching the game area 11 is prevented from returning to the launch position again.

  Next, the movable accessory device 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the movable accessory device 70 is mounted on the back surface of the game board main body 10 </ b> A using a bracket 80. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the movable accessory device 70 includes a movable accessory 71, a motor 72 {see FIG. 14 (a)}, a drive gear 73, an intermediate gear 75, and a follower. A gear 76, a detection object 77, and a load gear 78 are provided. In addition, the bracket 80 is provided with a pair of support plates 81 and 82 that are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval. A support shaft 84 is disposed between the support plates 81 and 82 in a substantially horizontal manner with the axis centered in the front-rear direction.

  Further, since the movable accessory device 70 is disposed at a position located on the right side of the display window 21e behind the back surface of the game board main body 10A (see FIG. 2), the movable accessory device 70 stops driving. When it is in such a state, its components (movable accessory 71, motor 72, drive gear 73, intermediate gear 75, driven gear 76, detected body 77, load gear 78) are in front of the game board main body 10A. It is considered to be invisible state. When the movable accessory device 70 is driven, a part of the movable accessory 71 is made visible from the front of the game board main body 10A through the display window 21e.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the movable accessory 71 is integrated with the long accessory body 71a and the base end portion of the accessory body 71a while integrating the "modeled object 71d with a hand" into the distal end portion. Bearing portion 71b. Then, by inserting the support shaft 84 into the bearing portion 71b, it is possible to tilt (tilt right and left) about the axis of the bearing portion 71b. Further, the driven gear 76 is mounted on the rear end side of the bearing portion 71b and is rotatable integrally with the bearing portion 71b. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the detected body 77 is mounted on the front end side of the bearing portion 71b, and can rotate integrally with the bearing portion 71b. The bearing 71b moves in the front-rear direction (axial direction) between “between the front end of the bearing 71b and the support plate 81” and “between the rear end of the bearing 71b and the support plate 82”. Spacer members 85 and 86 for preventing this are provided. The front end portion of the bearing portion 71b is slidable with respect to the front spacer member 85, and the rear end portion of the bearing portion 71b is slidable with respect to the rear spacer member 86.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, the body 77 to be detected includes an insertion hole 77h into which the bearing 71b is inserted at the center while being configured in a substantially disc shape. The detected body 77 includes a first detected hole 77 a and a second detected hole 77 b so as to penetrate the front and rear of the detected body 77. The first detected hole 77a and the second detected hole 77b have different distances from the center (rotation center) P of the detected body 77. Further, the positions where the first detected hole 77a and the detected hole 77a are formed are “positionally displaced” by a predetermined angle around the central portion (rotation center) P. That is, when the object to be detected 77 is observed from the front, the formation position of the second detection hole 77b is “shifted” by a predetermined angle counterclockwise with respect to the formation position of the first detection hole 77a. ing. Further, by inserting the bearing portion 71 b into the body to be detected 77, the bearing portion 71 b can be rotated integrally (rotatable around the axis of the support shaft 84).

  Further, in the vicinity of the detected body 77, “first sensor S1” that detects the first detected hole 77a when the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is at the basic drive stop position (described later). When the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 (the rotational position around the axis of the support shaft 84) is at the drive limit position (described later), “second sensor S2” that detects the second detected hole 77b. Is arranged. These sensors S1 and S2 are both transmissive photosensors (photointerrupters), and are connected to the sub-control board 220 via the decorative drive board 226 (see FIG. 14A). Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, each of the sensors S1 and S2 includes a light emitting unit (for example, a light emitting element constituted by an LED) S11 and S21 and a light receiving unit (for example, a light received by a phototransistor). Elements) S12 and S22 are arranged so as to face each other with the detection object 77 interposed therebetween. And in these sensors S1 and S2, the to-be-detected holes 77a and 77b reach between the light emitting parts S11 and S21 and the light receiving parts S12 and S22, and the light emitted from the light emitting parts S11 and S21 is When the light receiving portions S12 and S22 receive light, the CPU 220a determines that the detection target holes 77a and 77b are detected.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the motor 72 is mounted on the rear surface portion of the support plate 82 in a state where the drive shaft 72 a is inserted through the insertion hole 82 a directed to the rear support plate 82. In this embodiment, a stepping motor is used as the motor 72. The motor 72 is connected to the sub-control board 220 {see FIG. 14A} via the decorative drive board 226, and the rotation operation (rotation operation) and the stop operation are output from the sub-control board 220. It is controlled using a control signal.

  The drive gear 73 is disposed in a state of being integrally rotatable with respect to the drive shaft 72 a of the motor 72 in front of the rear support plate 82. The intermediate gear 75 is a front surface portion of the rear support plate 82 and is rotatable with respect to the support shaft 82J protruding from the intermediate portion between the disposition position of the drive gear 73 and the disposition position of the support shaft 84. It is supported in the state. Since the intermediate gear 75 meshes with the drive gear 73 located on the right side thereof and the driven gear 76 located on the left side thereof, the rotational force applied from the drive shaft 72a to the drive gear 73 is intermediate gear 75. Is transmitted to the driven gear 76.

  The load gear 78 is supported on the front surface portion of the rear support plate 82 so as to be rotatable with respect to the support shaft 82K protruding from the left side of the position where the driven gear 76 is disposed. The load gear 78 meshes with the driven gear 76 located on the right side of the load gear 78 and loads the driven gear 76 with rotational resistance (weight when rotating the driven gear 76). However, unlike the present embodiment, the load gear 78 may be eliminated from the movable accessory device 70.

  In this embodiment, when the movable accessory device 70 is not operated, as shown in FIG. 9, the movable accessory 71 stops its basic driving at its rotational position (rotational position around the axis of the support shaft 84). The position is kept stopped. Specifically, the movable accessory 71 is in a state where its rotation is stopped while the axis is tilted to the right. Further, since the first sensor S1 detects the detected hole 77a when the movable accessory 71 is at the basic drive stop position, the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 has the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 at the basic drive stop position. It will be judged that there is. At this time, as described above, the components of the movable accessory device 70 (the movable accessory 71, the motor 72, the drive gear 73, the intermediate gear 75, the driven gear 76, the detected body 77, and the load gear 78) are the game board. The main body 10A is not visible from the front.

  Further, when the movable accessory device 70 is operated, as shown in FIG. 10, the movable accessory 71 rotates counterclockwise around the axis of the support shaft 84, and the axis of the movable accessory 71 moves to the left. It will be tilted in the direction. Specifically, with reference to the case where the movable accessory 71 is at the basic drive stop position, the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 is moved in a counterclockwise direction (hereinafter referred to as “forward rotation direction”) for M steps (for example, 6 steps), the axis of the movable accessory 71 tilts to the left, and the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 (the rotational position around the axis of the support shaft 84) becomes the drive limit position. Thereby, the modeled object 71d at the tip of the movable accessory 71 is made visible from the front of the game board main body 10A through the display window 21e.

  When the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 reaches the drive limit position, the second sensor S2 detects the detected hole 77b. Therefore, the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 determines that the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 is the drive limit position. It will be judged that it reached. When the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 is at the drive limit position, the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 is rotated by M steps (for example, 6 steps) in the clockwise direction (hereinafter referred to as “reverse rotation direction”). When the axis of the movable accessory 71 is tilted to the right, the movable accessory 71 becomes the basic drive stop position.

  Further, when the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 (the rotational position around the axis of the support shaft 84) is at the basic drive stop position, the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 is moved forward by m steps (for example, two steps). ) By rotating, the movable accessory 71 shifts to a rotation stop position (hereinafter referred to as “first special drive stop position”) whose axis is substantially vertical. When the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 (the rotational position around the axis of the support shaft 84) is at the basic drive stop position, the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 is moved in the forward direction by 2 m steps (for example, 4 steps). ) By rotating, the movable accessory 71 shifts to a rotation stop position (hereinafter referred to as “second special drive stop position”) whose axis is slightly inclined leftward.

  As described above, the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 selects the number of drive pulses supplied to the motor 72 when the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 is at the basic drive stop position, thereby stopping the drive of the movable accessory 71. The position can be changed as appropriate. In this embodiment, when the drive stop position (rotation position) of the movable accessory 71 is at the “first special drive stop position” and at the “second special drive stop position”, the movable accessory device 70 The components (movable accessory 71, motor 72, drive gear 73, intermediate gear 75, driven gear 76, detected body 77, and load gear 78) are not visible from the front of the game board main body 10A.

(2) Configuration of Control Circuit Next, the configuration of the control circuit of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14A. The control circuit of the gaming machine 1 includes a main control unit 200A and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 222A, 240A, 260A). That is, the main control unit 200A that is configured using the main control board 200 and that controls the basic progress of the game and whether or not the prize ball is involved, and a plurality of sub-control units (220A, 222A, 240A, 260A). And. In addition, the sub-control unit is configured using (a) the sub-control board 220, the sub-control unit 220 </ b> A that controls the game effects, and (b) the effect display control board 222. In addition, an effect display control unit 222A that controls the effect display device 27, and (c) a payout control unit 240A that is configured using the payout control board 240 and controls the operation of paying out a rented or winning ball. (D) A launch control unit 260A configured using the launch control board 260 and controlling the launch of the game ball is provided.

  The control boards (200, 220, 222, 240, 260) constituting these control units (200A, 220A, 222A, 240A, 260A) are executed by a CPU that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, and the CPU. ROM in which various programs and data are stored, RAM in which the CPU stores temporary data when the program is executed, a peripheral device interface (PIO) for exchanging data with peripheral devices, and the CPU performs calculations Various peripheral LSIs such as an oscillator that outputs a clock of the above and a watchdog timer that monitors the runaway of the CPU are connected to each other via a bus. Note that the direction of the arrows in FIGS. 13 and 14A represents the direction in which data or signals are input and output. In addition, the CPU 201, RAM 202, and ROM 203 mounted on the main control board 200 are illustrated, and the CPU 220a, RAM 220b, and ROM 220c mounted on the sub control board 220 are illustrated, and CPUs mounted on other control boards. Further, illustration of RAM, ROM, etc. is omitted. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a backup power source for supplying power to the sub-control board 220 when the power is cut off is not provided, information stored in the RAM 220b (a normal effect flag, a first special effect flag, a second effect flag, which will be described later) is stored. The special effect flag or the like is deleted when the power is cut off.

  The main control unit 200A receives game ball detection signals from the normal symbol operation gate passage detection switch 16s, the start entrance ball detection switch 17s, the general ball detection switches 45s, 46s, etc., and the basic progress and awards of the game. After determining whether or not the ball is relevant, various signals (commands) to be described later are output to the sub-control unit 220A, the payout control unit 240A, the launch control unit 260A, and the like. The main control unit 200A (main control board 200) is also connected to a count switch 8s that detects a game ball fired from the launcher unit. Further, the main control unit 200A directly controls these operations by outputting signals to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 17c, the big prize opening solenoid 31c, and the lower display device 60. Further, predetermined signals (commands) determined by the CPU 201 constituting the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) are transmitted to the sub control board 220 and the payout control board 240, respectively.

  When the sub-control unit 220A receives various signals (commands) from the main control unit 200A, the sub-control unit 220A analyzes the contents of the signals (commands) and produces a game according to the result. That is, the sub control unit 220A is responsible for controlling the effect of the game based on the control signal from the main control unit 200A. As shown in FIG. 14A, an effect display control unit 222A, an amplifier board 224, a decoration drive board 226, and an effect button SW (see FIG. 1) are connected to the sub control unit 220A. The button substrate 228 is electrically connected to each other. Further, the above-described motor 72, the first sensor S1, and the second sensor S2 are connected to the decorative driving board 226.

  The CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 receives each control signal from the main control board 200 and controls each board such as the effect display control board 222, the amplifier board 224, the decoration drive board 226, and the effect button board 228. The ROM 220c stores data (especially information related to game decoration) necessary for controlling each board. The CPU 220a receives a display control command (display control signal) sent from the main control unit 200A and analyzes the received display control command according to a program stored in the ROM 220c. Then, the CPU 220a uses the display control command newly generated based on the display control command transmitted from the main control unit 200A or the display control command transmitted from the main control unit 200A as a symbol control command to the effect display control unit 222A. Send to.

  Speakers SP1 to SP4 that output predetermined sound effects are electrically connected to the amplifier board 224 (see FIG. 1). Further, the decoration driving board 226 is connected to various LED boards on which various decoration LEDs (lamps) provided on the front frame 4 and the game board 10 are mounted. The decoration driving board 226 receives a signal from the sub-control board 220 and performs control related to game decoration.

  To the payout control unit 240A, a relay terminal board, a launch control unit 260A, a lower pan full switch 6s, and the like are connected. The payout controller 240A has a payout motor 109m constituting a game ball payout device (not shown) disposed on the back side (the back mechanism board 102 side) of the main body frame 3 via a relay terminal plate, and a front payout. The switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b are connected. Further, the main control unit 200A is connected to the payout control unit 240A so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The payout control unit 240A is responsible for various types of control related to so-called ball rental and prize ball payout. For example, when a player operates a lending button or a return button, the operation signal is transmitted from the ball lending display board 410 to the payout control board 240 via the relay terminal board, and the payout motor 109m is driven based on the operation signal. A drive signal for transmitting the signal is transmitted to the payout motor 109m of the game ball payout device.

  When the main control unit 200A outputs a prize ball payout command, the payout control part 240A receives this command and outputs a drive signal to the payout motor 109m to pay out the prize ball. The game balls to be paid out are detected by two payout switches (the front payout switch 109a and the rear payout switch 109b) and are input to the payout control unit 240A. Further, the number of prize balls paid out is also detected by the count switch and counted by the main control unit 200A.

(3) Game Flow by the Gaming Machine 1 As described above, in the gaming machine 1, a symbol stop display (confirmation display) indicating the result of the determination of success / failure performed based on the start winning, and the previous stage of the stop display The two kinds of symbol display devices of the lower display device 60 and the effect display device 27 are executed. Here, when executing “variable display and stop display of special symbol in lower display device 60”, that is, “symbol variable game”, the main control unit 200A performs “stop symbol” and “variation time (variation pattern)” of the special symbol. Is determined.

  On the other hand, “effect design” is displayed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, and the variation mode and the stop design are controlled by the “sub control unit 220A” that controls the game effect under the control of the main control unit 200A. Is determined. Then, with the execution of “symbol variation game”, the symbol display effect is executed on the effect display device 27. Here, normally, the fluctuation display of the “design symbol” is executed for the same time as the “main symbol”, and the display contents (big hit, miss, etc.) when the “design symbol” is stopped and displayed are the special symbol display part 62a. It is assumed that there is no contradiction with the display content (big hit, miss, etc.) of “this symbol” in. The outlines of “symbol changing game” and “symbol changing effect display” will be described below.

a. Symbol Floating Game “Symbol Floating Game” is composed of a variation display and a stop display of a special symbol (this symbol). As shown in FIG. 5B, this variable display is an incomplete symbol (hereinafter referred to as an incomplete symbol) in which an arithmetical number cannot be constituted by a 7-segment display constituting the special symbol display unit 62a. The content is to perform “circulation display”, and the result of the determination of success / failure based on the start winning (the big hit symbol, the off symbol) is displayed and the process ends. When the probability mode of the gaming machine 1 is the low probability mode (normal probability mode), the probability that the determination result indicating the big hit is derived is about “1/400” even in the determination of success / failure. When the probability mode of 1 is the high probability mode, in the determination of success / failure, the probability that the determination result indicating the big hit is derived is about “1/40”. When the determination result indicating the big hit is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display portion 62a, a “hit” is generated, and the big hit game is executed. Further, in this embodiment, when the result of the determination of success / failure is a big hit, the big hit symbol to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 62a is determined by random number lottery.

  When the big hit game is started, the main control unit 200A drives and stops the big prize opening solenoid 31c, so that the “opening / closing operation for opening and closing the big prize opening 31a” is executed. Here, “opening the grand prize winning device 31” drives the big prize opening solenoid 31c to bring the open / close plate 31b in the standing posture into the forward tilted posture and to change the big winning mouth 31a to the open state (second state). The “close the prize winning device 31” is to stop the driving of the prize winning solenoid 31c, return the open / close plate 31b to the standing posture, and return the prize winning opening 31a to the closed state (first state). It is realized by. In each round game during the big hit game, an open / close operation is performed on the big prize device 31 to change the big prize opening 31a to the open state (second state) only once. When a specified number (10) of game balls enter the winning prize opening 31a or when the opening time of the winning prize opening 31a reaches the opening limit time (30 seconds), the round end condition is satisfied. , End the running round game (big hit round). When the opening / closing operation of the big winning device 31 is repeated a plurality of times with a predetermined interval in between, the big hit game is finished.

  In the gaming machine 1, when the gaming state shifts to the big hit gaming state (special gaming state), a “round game” is executed for a predetermined number of times (8 rounds or 16 rounds). When the final “round game” is finished, the big hit game is finished. In the present embodiment, the contents of the jackpot game (round game) to be executed and the gaming machine 1 after the jackpot game is ended according to the mode of the jackpot symbol stopped and displayed (determined display) on the special symbol display unit 62a. The gaming state of will be different. In addition, when a “16R probable big hit” or “8R probable big hit” occurs, after executing the corresponding big hit game, the probability that the result of the determination is a big hit will be high, and the corresponding big hit game was executed. Thereafter, a game mode in which the opening extension means and the variable time shortening means operate, that is, the “open extension mode” is set. This open extension mode substantially continues until the next big hit occurs.

  On the other hand, if a “16R normal big hit” or “8R normal big hit” occurs, the probability that the result of the determination will be a big hit is reduced (normal probability) after executing the corresponding big hit game, and the corresponding big hit After the game is executed, a game mode in which the release extension means and the fluctuation time shortening means operate, that is, the “open extension mode” is set. The release extension mode is continued until the cumulative number of special pattern variation games that are executed without causing a big hit after the corresponding big hit game ends is “100”.

b. Symbol Fluctuation Production This gaming machine 1 is provided with a production display device 27, a movable accessory device 70, and the like as production means for performing symbol variation production. Then, the design variation effect is started based on the start prize using these effect means. In this symbol variation effect, as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, an effect symbol display area 27 b appears at a predetermined part of the display screen 27 a of the effect display device 27, and the effect symbol variation display (effect symbol) The symbol variation effect using) is started. Then, when the execution time (variation time) of the change display of the effect symbol elapses, the stop display of the effect symbol is executed for a certain time (about 0.6 seconds). This stop display of the effect symbol is to display the result of the determination as to whether or not it is the same as the stop display by the lower display device 60 (special symbol display unit 62a) described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (c), on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, while the effect symbol display area 27b displays three (three digits) effect symbols, the change display and stop of the effect symbols. Display is made. This variation of the effect design is to display the arithmetic numbers from “1” to “9” in this order, and then display the arithmetic numbers from “1” to “9” in this order again. It consists of repeated “circular display (scroll fluctuation display)”.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the stop symbols of the effect symbols include “a stop symbol indicating a big hit (big hit symbol)” and “a stop symbol indicating a loss (out of symbol)”. Among them, the “big hit symbol indicating a promising big hit” is configured by arranging three “identical odd numbers” in the effect symbol display area 27b, and the “big hit symbol indicating a normal big hit” is “the same even number” in the effect symbol display area 27b. Are arranged side by side. In addition, the “off symbol” is configured with at least one of the three effect symbols stopped and displayed in the effect symbol display area 27b as a numerical symbol different from the others. As shown in FIG. 15 (c), when the “big hit symbol” is displayed on the effect display device 27, the reach display is performed in the middle of the fluctuating display, which is the premise, but when the “off symbol” is displayed, As shown in FIG. 15 (b), when reach display is performed in the middle of the presumed variation display, and reach display is not performed during the premise variation display as shown in FIG. 15 (a). There is a case.

  When the variation pattern determined at the start of the symbol variation game (design variation effect) is a specific variation pattern (described later), the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 moves the movable accessory device 70 during the symbol variation effect. Drive. That is, before the operation start timing of the movable accessory device 70, the rotational position (drive stop position) of the movable accessory 71 is maintained at the basic drive stop position. When the operation start timing of the movable accessory device 70 is reached, the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (forward rotation direction), and the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 is set as the drive limit position. Thereafter, when the operation end timing of the movable accessory device 70 is reached, the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 is rotated in the clockwise direction (reverse direction), and the rotational position (drive stop position) of the movable accessory 71 is changed to the basic drive stop position. Returning to is done.

  In the gaming machine 1, when a symbol variation effect accompanying driving of the movable accessory device 70 (hereinafter referred to as “drive type symbol variation effect”) is started, the rotational position (drive stop position) of the movable accessory 71 is started. ) Is not at the basic drive stop position but at the first special drive stop position or the second special drive stop position (details will be described later). For this reason, when the rotational position (drive stop position) of the movable accessory 71 at the start of the drive-type symbol variation effect is at the first special drive stop position, when the operation start timing of the movable accessory device 70 comes, the CPU 220a By rotating the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 in the forward rotation direction by (M−m) steps, the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 becomes the drive limit position. In addition, when the rotational position (driving stop position) of the movable accessory 71 at the time of starting the drive-type symbol variation effect is at the second special drive stop position, the CPU 220a performs a motor operation at the operation start timing of the movable accessory device 70. The rotational position of the movable accessory 71 becomes the drive limit position by rotating the drive shaft 72a of 72 in the forward rotation direction by (M-2m) steps.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the background symbol displayed on the display screen 27 a of the effect display device 27 when performing the symbol variation effect indicates whether or not the symbol variation effect is accompanied by driving of the movable accessory device 70. Regardless, it is set to the one corresponding to the production state (production mode) at that time. For example, when the production state (production mode) at that time is “normal production state (normal production mode)”, as shown in FIG. 16A, “background design with city” is displayed on the display screen 27a. Is displayed, and when the effect state at that time is “first special effect state (first special effect mode)”, as illustrated in FIG. The “design” is displayed. Further, when the effect state at that time is “second special effect state (second special effect mode)”, as shown in FIG. 16C, “background design with air” on the display screen 27 a. Is displayed. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, in this game machine 1, the sound effect corresponding to the production state (production mode) at that time is output from the speakers SP1-SP4. Furthermore, the lighting device (refer to LED boards 4b to 4h and 4j to 4r in FIG. 14A) mounted on the gaming machine 1 has a light emission effect in a mode corresponding to the effect state (effect mode) at that time. Execute.

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

  The main control unit 200A and the sub control unit 220A are connected by a 9-bit width parallel signal cable. Of these, one bit is allocated for outputting a strobe signal, and the remaining eight bits are allocated for command output. When a command is output from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A, first, command data for 8 bits is output to an 8-bit signal cable assigned for command output, and then A 1-bit strobe signal is output. Further, the sub control unit 220A can reliably read the command transmitted from the main control unit 200A by reading the command data at the rising timing of the strobe signal. Here, examples of commands output from the main control unit 200A to the sub-control unit 220A include (A) a variation pattern designation command and (B) a special symbol stop information designation command. The variation pattern designation command is a command for designating a variation pattern.

(6) Outline of Game Control by Main Control Unit 200A FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of game control processing executed by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. In this game control process, a demo display process (S50), a prize ball payout process (S80), a normal symbol game process (S100), a normal electric game game process (S200), a special symbol game process (S300), and a big hit game process Each process such as (S600) is repeatedly executed. Note that the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 of this embodiment is configured to execute the processing of S50 to S600 in FIG. 17 every time a timer interrupt with a period of 4 msec occurs after the power is turned on. That is, the processing of S50 to S600 in FIG. 17 is repeatedly executed every 4 msec.

  In this embodiment, among the processes constituting the game control process shown in FIG. 17, the demo display process (S50) will be described with reference to FIG. 18, and the special symbol game process (S300) will be described with reference to FIGS. It explains using. The award ball payout process (S80) is a process related to award ball payout when a game ball wins a winning device (17, 31, 45, 46). The normal symbol game process (S100) is a normal symbol display section. This is a process for performing a normal symbol variation display and a normal symbol stop display (a stop symbol display of a winning symbol or a missed symbol) at 63. Further, the ordinary electric accessory game process (S200) is a process related to the opening / closing of the start winning device 17, and the big hit game process is a process for executing the big hit game. Furthermore, the demonstration display (demonstration display) is a display that is performed when the gaming machine 1 is in a so-called customer waiting state (that is, during non-game).

a. Demo display process (S50)
When starting the demonstration display process (S50), the CPU 201 first determines whether or not the symbol variation of the special symbol is being stopped (S52). If the execution is stopped, there is a possibility of waiting for a customer. Therefore, the elapsed time after the symbol variation of the special symbol is stopped is measured (S54), and it is determined whether or not the execution stop time has reached a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) (S56). ).

  If the elapsed time has not reached the predetermined time (S56; NO), it is determined that the customer is not in a waiting state, the demonstration display process (S50) is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the predetermined time has been reached (S56; YES), after performing the process of outputting the demonstration effect command to the sub-control unit 220A and the process of setting the demonstration effect flag (set to ON) ( S58), the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the symbol variation is not suspended (S52), it is determined that the customer is not waiting (S60). In this case, if the demonstration effect flag is released (set to OFF) (S60; YES), the demonstration display process (S50) is immediately terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the demonstration effect flag is set (ON setting) (S60; NO), that is, immediately after the start of the special symbol variation (S60; NO), to the sub-control unit 220A. After performing the process of outputting the demonstration effect stop command and the process of releasing (setting OFF) the demonstration effect flag (S62), the demonstration display process (S50) is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. To do.

b. Special design game processing (S300)
When the special symbol game process (S300) is started, as shown in FIG. 19, first, it is determined whether or not a start win has occurred (whether or not the start opening ball detection switch 17s has detected a game ball) ( S302). If a negative determination is made in the process of S302 (S302; NO), the process proceeds to S308 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, when it is determined that a start winning has occurred (S302; YES), it is determined whether or not the “number of special symbols held” is less than the upper limit (less than 4 in this embodiment) (S304). If it is determined in the process of S304 that the number is less than the upper limit (S304; YES), a random number value for determination (lottery random value) related to the start winning is obtained, and this random number value for determination is mounted on the main control board 200. Is stored in a predetermined address of the RAM 202 (hereinafter referred to as “determination random value memory”), and the “special symbol hold count” is incremented by “+1” (S306). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S308 and subsequent steps.

  Here, the “random number value memory for determination” stores the random number value for determination in “shift memory format in time series of start winnings”. In addition, as the determination random number value acquired in the process of S306, (a) random number value for lottery (hereinafter referred to as “hit lottery random number value”) used in the big hit lottery executed based on the start winning, (b) ) Random value for determination for determining the jackpot symbol stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 62a (hereinafter referred to as “hit symbol determination random number value”), (c) This is executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27. There is a reach random number value or the like for determining whether or not to perform reach display (reach effect) in the change display (design change effect) of the effect symbol. In the present embodiment, when the reach display (reach effect) is performed, the possibility that the symbol change effect accompanying the driving of the movable accessory device 70 is increased.

  In the process of S308, it is determined whether or not the “big hit game flag” is set (set to ON). The “big hit game flag” indicates whether or not the “special game execution means (a control program stored in the ROM 203)” is in operation, and the special game execution means is in operation (the big hit game). In the case of (medium), the big hit game flag is turned ON. When the CPU 201 makes a positive determination in the process of S308 (S308; YES), the special symbol game process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in the process of S308 (S308; NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (S310). If the special symbol is not changing (S310; NO), It is considered that either the special symbol has not yet changed, or the stop symbol has been stopped and displayed after the change display.

  Therefore, it is determined whether or not it is during the stop display time for displaying the stop symbol of the special symbol (in this embodiment, this stop display time is 0.6 seconds) (S312). If the special symbol is not variably displayed (S310; NO), and if it is not during the stop display time during which the special symbol is stopped (S312; NO), the “special symbol hold count” is It is determined whether it is “zero” (S314).

  If the “special symbol hold count” is “zero” (S314; YES), the special symbol variation process cannot be started, so the special symbol game process is terminated and the game control process of FIG. Return to. On the other hand, when “the number of special symbols on hold” is not “zero” (S314; NO), the “condition for starting the variable symbol display of variation” is established. In this case, the oldest determination random number value or the like is read from the above-described determination random number memory (S316), and whether or not the special symbol is determined (S320), the process proceeds to the symbol variation start process (S500). Here, in the success / failure determination processing (S320), processing related to the big hit lottery is performed. When the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the high probability mode, the “high probability data table” and “S316 processing” are read. When a “hit lottery lottery result is derived (whether or not is determined)” using the “hit lottery random value” and the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is the low probability mode (normal probability mode), the “low probability data table” ”And“ Decision of the jackpot lottery result (whether or not) ”is performed using“ the jackpot lottery random number value read out in the process of S316 ”.

  In the present embodiment, in the high probability mode, the fluctuation shortening function for shortening the fluctuation time of the special symbol and the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is operated as compared with the normal time, and the time for opening the normal electric accessory 17d is set. It is possible to provide a case where the function of extending (that is, the opening extension function) is activated, but the fluctuation shortening function and the operation extending function are not activated. Further, the “probability change flag” is a flag indicating that the gaming mode (gaming state) of the gaming machine 1 is in a high probability mode (high probability state), and a “variation shortening flag” described later is a gaming mode ( This is a flag indicating that the gaming state is in the variation shortening mode (variation shortening state). Further, an “open extension flag” to be described later is a flag indicating that the gaming mode (game state) of the gaming machine 1 is in the open extension mode (open extended state).

  When the symbol variation start process (S500) is started, as shown in FIG. 21, it is determined whether or not the result of the success / failure determination (S320) is “big hit”, and if it is determined that it is “big hit” (S502). YES), the process proceeds to S510, and the “big hit fluctuation setting process” is performed. In the big hit variation setting process (S510), the special symbol display unit 62a is stopped and displayed based on the result of the determination (symbol determination) using the symbol determination random number value included in the determination random value read in the above-described processing of S316. To determine (select) the symbol (hit symbol) to be determined, and then to determine the variation pattern of the special symbol based on the determined mode of the jackpot symbol and the gaming state (game mode) of the gaming machine 1 Select the variation pattern table. Then, using the selected variation pattern table, processing for setting (determining) the variation pattern by random number lottery is performed.

  Here, in determining (selecting) the variation pattern, in a gaming state where the probability of hitting is low and normal variation is performed, the variation pattern table for the “low probability normal variation mode” shown in FIG. In a gaming state with a low probability and a short variation, a variation pattern table (not shown) for “low probability short variation mode” is used, and in a gaming state where the big hit probability is a high probability and a short variation is performed , A variation pattern table (not shown) for the “high probability shortening variation mode” is used.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of S502 that the result of the determination is not “big hit” (S502; NO), the process proceeds to S540 and “outgoing fluctuation setting process” is performed. In this outlier variation setting process (S540), the variation pattern is determined by random lottery using “a variation pattern table selected in consideration of the gaming state (gaming mode) of the gaming machine 1 and whether or not the reach effect is performed”. The process of setting (determining) is performed. Thereafter, a symbol determination random number value is acquired, and processing for setting a stop symbol is performed. Whether or not the reach effect is executed is determined based on the reach random value obtained by reading the reach random value obtained in the process of S306.

  The variation pattern table used in the process of S540 is selected as follows. That is, when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is the “low probability normal variation mode” and the reach effect is not performed, among the change pattern tables indicated as “no reach effect” in FIG. When the variation pattern table corresponding to the number of reservations is set and the reach effect is performed, the change pattern table labeled “With reach effect” in FIG. 23 is set. In addition, although not shown in the drawing, even when the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is “low probability shortening variation mode” or “high probability shortening variation mode”, “reach production presence / absence”, “number of suspensions at the start of variation” A variation pattern table in consideration of the above is set.

  Here, in the variation pattern table set in the processing of S510 or S540, as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, “specific variation pattern (added triangle mark in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23)” and “first 1 special variation pattern (added single circle in FIGS. 22 and 23) ”,“ second special variation pattern (added double circle in FIGS. 22 and 23) ”and other variation patterns are stored. ing. The “specific variation pattern” can secure a sufficient variation time (for example, 25 seconds or more) for performing a movable effect using the movable accessory device 70, and the “specific variation pattern” is selected. The movable effect of the movable accessory device 70 is executed. When the “first special variation pattern” is selected, the first special effect mode is started, and when the “second special variation pattern” is selected, the second special effect mode is started. Even when any variation pattern table is set, the probability that the “first special variation pattern” is selected and the probability that the “second special variation pattern” is selected are both low (for example, 1 / 150). In addition, when “a variation pattern table for jackpot” or “a variation pattern table for outage with reach effect” is set, the probability that the “specific variation pattern” is selected is “1/5”, and “reach” When “outside variation pattern table without effect” is set, the probability that “specific variation pattern” is selected is “1/100”.

  Of the variation patterns determined in S510 or S540, the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when the variation shortening function is operating is selected when the variation shortening function is not operating. There is a high possibility of being shortened compared to the variation time specified by the variation pattern. In addition, when the result of the determination is “out”, the length of the variation time is determined in consideration of the number of holds for the special symbol and the presence or absence of the reach effect, and is selected when it is determined that the reach effect is not performed. The variation time specified by the variation pattern is shorter than the variation time specified by the variation pattern selected when it is determined that the reach effect is to be performed. In addition, when the number of reserved special symbols is small, a variation pattern that specifies a longer variation time is selected, and when the number of reservations is large, a variation pattern that identifies a shorter variation time is selected.

  When the CPU 201 performs the “big hit variation setting process (S510)” or the “offset variation setting process (S540)” as described above, the special symbol display unit 62a starts the variation of the special symbol (S590). Thereafter, the CPU 201 transmits a predetermined command (design variation start command) indicating the start of the special symbol variation display to the sub-control unit 220A (sub-control board 220) (S592). That is, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits a “variation pattern designation command (command for designating a fluctuation pattern)”, a “special symbol stop information designation command”, and the like to the sub control board 220. Then, after the process of S592, the CPU 201 subtracts “1” from the “special symbol hold count”, and a process of transmitting a command for specifying the hold count after the subtraction to the sub-control board 220. (S595), the special symbol variation start process (S500) is terminated, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated, and the game control process of FIG. 17 is resumed.

  Here, the variation pattern designation command and the special symbol stop information designation command are output toward the sub-control board 220 together with the strobe signal as shown in FIG. This strobe signal is connected to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 220a mounted on the sub-control board 220. When the strobe signal is input, the CPU 220a on the sub-control board 220 receives each designation signal immediately and receives the designation signal. Analyze the contents. Although detailed explanation is omitted, the variation pattern is determined in consideration of various conditions such as whether or not the reach effect is performed, and whether or not the symbol for stopping and displaying the special symbol is a jackpot symbol. If the pattern is known, it is possible to determine the time during which the special symbol is variably displayed. Also, if the special symbol stop information designation command is analyzed, whether the special symbol stops at the big hit symbol or the off symbol, and when it stops at the big hit symbol, the big hit symbol is "normal big hit symbol", "probable change" It is possible to know which is a “hit symbol”.

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

  Returning to FIG. 19, if it is determined that the special symbol is changing (S310; YES), the special symbol variation pattern and the stop symbol have already been determined, and the special symbol variation display has started. Become.

  If it is determined that the special symbol is fluctuating (S310; YES), the special symbol variation pattern and the stop symbol have already been determined, and the special symbol variation has started. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time has elapsed (S341). That is, since the variation time of the special symbol is determined in advance according to the variation pattern, it is determined whether a predetermined variation time has elapsed by setting a timer at the same time as the variation of the special symbol is started. If the variation time has not yet elapsed (S341; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S341; YES), the changing special symbol is stopped (S344), the stop symbol is displayed, and a symbol stop command is sent to the sub-control board 220. (S346). Then, after setting the stop display time for stopping and displaying the special symbol (S348), it is determined whether or not the set stop display time has elapsed (S350).

  If it is determined in the process of S350 that the special symbol stop display time has not elapsed (S350; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. On the other hand, when the special symbol stop display time has elapsed (S350; YES), it is determined whether or not the stop display mode is a mode that represents a big hit (big hit symbol) (S352 in FIG. 20).

  If an affirmative determination is made in the processing of S352 in FIG. 20, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 stores the current game progress in a buffer (a specific area of the RAM 202) for reference at the end of a “big hit game” to be described later. Information indicating the situation is set (stored) (S354). Specifically, “type of big hit” and “game state flag state” are set (stored) (S354). Here, the “gaming state flag” is a flag indicating “the gaming state of the gaming machine 1”, that is, “probability change flag”, “fluctuation shortening flag”, “open extension flag”, and the like. In the process of S354, Data indicating whether these flags are set to “ON” or “OFF”, that is, data indicating the current gaming state (gaming mode) is set.

  Subsequent to the process of S354, a process of setting an opening / closing pattern of the big winning device 31 according to the generated big hit mode is performed (S370). In other words, when “8R normal big hit” or “8R probability big hit” occurs, an open / close pattern for performing the above-mentioned round game “8 rounds” is set, and “16R normal big hit” or “16R positive big hit” occurs. In this case, an opening / closing pattern for performing “16 rounds” of the round game described above is set.

  Subsequent to the process of S370, a process of setting a big hit game flag (set to ON) is performed (S378). By setting the “big hit game flag”, the big hit game execution means starts operating, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “big hit gaming state”. Then, the process proceeds to S380 and subsequent processes following S378. Here, when the “hit game flag” is set in the process of S378, the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 shifts to the “hit game state”, but in this gaming machine 1, the “hit game flag” is being set ( While the big hit game execution means is in operation), the probability changing function, the time-shortening function, and the opening extension function do not work. For this reason, after performing a series of processes after S380 as follows, the special symbol game process (S300) is terminated.

  That is, in the process of S380, it is determined whether or not the probability variation flag is set (set to ON) (S380). If it is not set (S380; NO), the process proceeds to S384 as it is and is set. If yes (S380; YES), after canceling the probability variation flag (set to OFF) (S382), the process proceeds to S384. Then, in the process of S384, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON). If it is not set (S384; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited. Returning to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S384 that the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S384; YES), after the fluctuation shortening flag and the open extension flag are canceled (set to OFF) ( S386, S387), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited, and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In any case, when the process returns to the game control process of FIG. 17, the big hit game process is started and the big hit game is executed.

  When the jackpot game is ended, the type of jackpot symbol that is the premise of the current jackpot game is determined by referring to the “reference buffer at the time of jackpot game end” (see S354 in FIG. 20). Information relating to the jackpot symbol, the probability variation jackpot symbol) is acquired, and based on this information, processing for setting a game mode after the jackpot game is completed is performed. That is, when the big hit symbol is a “normal big hit symbol”, a process of setting “100” to the fluctuation reduction counter, a process of setting the fluctuation reduction flag, and a process of setting the release extension flag are performed. . As a result, after the big hit game related to “normal jackpot” is finished, the open extension function and the variable time reduction function until the special symbol fluctuation count becomes “100” (until the fluctuation shortening counter value becomes zero). Is activated. However, when the next big hit is generated, the opening extension function and the fluctuation time shortening function stop operating.

  Further, when the big hit symbol is “probable variation big hit symbol”, the processing for setting the probability variation flag (set to ON), the processing for setting “10,000” in the variation shortening counter, and the variation shortening flag are set. The process and the process of setting the release extension flag are performed. That is, when a “probable big hit” occurs, the probability that the result of the determination is a big hit is high after the big hit game related to the big hit is completed until the next big hit is generated. In addition, after the big hit game related to the big hit, the opening extension function and the variable time reduction function are in an operating state until the number of fluctuations of the special symbol becomes “10,000 times” (until the value of the fluctuation shortening counter becomes zero). It becomes. However, when the next big hit is generated, the opening extension function and the fluctuation time shortening function stop operating.

  Next, a process when a negative determination is made in the process of S352 of FIG. 20 will be described. That is, when the special symbol stopped and displayed in the special symbol display unit 62a is “out of symbol” (S352; NO), it is determined whether or not the fluctuation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S398). ). If the fluctuation shortening flag is not set (set to OFF) (S398; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the variation shortening flag is set (set to ON) (S398; YES), that is, when the game mode at the time of the occurrence of the deviation is “low probability shortening variation mode” or “high probability shortening variation mode”. After the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is set to “−1” (S400), it is determined whether or not the value of the fluctuation shortening counter is “zero” (S404). If it is not “zero” (S404; NO), the special symbol game process (S300) is directly exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. Here, the “variation shortening counter” indicates the upper limit number of variations of the special symbol executed while shortening the variation, and when the value becomes “zero”, the shortening variation is not performed in the next variation of the special symbol. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the fluctuation shortening counter has become “zero” in the process of S404 (S404; YES), the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 is changed from the low probability shortening fluctuation mode to the low probability normal fluctuation. It will switch to the mode. For this reason, the process of canceling the fluctuation shortening flag (set to OFF) (S410), the process of canceling the release extension flag (setting to OFF) (S416), and the process of transmitting the mode designation command to the sub control board 220 (S416). After performing S430), the special symbol game process (S300) is exited and the process returns to the game control process of FIG. In the process of S430, a “mode designation command” that designates the low-probability normal variation mode is transmitted to the sub-control board 220.

(6) Production control process (S900)
Next, referring to FIG. 24, the “control control process (A CPU 220a of the sub control board 220)” performed in cooperation with the effect display control part 222A (the CPU not shown of the effect display control board 222). The outline of “S900)” will be described. FIG. 24 shows only main processes among the processes constituting the effect control process.

  In this effect control process (S900), when the gaming machine 1 is turned on or the reset switch is pressed (910; YES), first, initial setting is performed (S920). Thereafter, until the power is turned off, the demonstration effect process (S980), the game mode setting process (S1000), the symbol variation effect process (S1100), the movable accessory control process (S1200), and the stop position setting process (S1500). ), Main processing such as jackpot game effect processing (S1800) is repeatedly executed. Note that the time required for one round of processing in FIG. 24 is approximately 2 msec, and therefore these processes are executed about every 2 msec.

  Hereinafter, the effect control process (S900) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, in the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24, the description of the jackpot game effect process is omitted. The initial setting process (S920) constitutes a specific example of “initialization process”.

a. Initial setting process (S920)
The initial setting process (S920) is a process of setting (setting) an effect mode (effect state) when the power is turned on. That is, in the initial setting process (S920), by measuring the “actual rotation position (driving stop position) of the movable accessory 71” at the time of power-on, the movable accessory at the time of power-off before the current power-on is measured. The drive stop position is specified, and the effect state corresponding to the specified drive stop position is set as the effect state when the power is turned on. Hereinafter, the initial setting process (S920) will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  When starting the initial setting process (S920), the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 determines whether or not the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 at the time of power-on is the basic drive stop position (S925). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the first sensor S1 detects the first detected hole 77a. When the first sensor S1 detects the first detected hole 77a, the CPU 220a determines that the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 when the power is turned on is the basic drive stop position (S925; YES). Then, the normal effect flag is set (set to ON) (S930). Thereby, the effect mode (effect state) at the beginning of power-on is set to the normal effect mode. Thereafter, the initial setting process (S920) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG.

  Further, when the CPU 220a determines that the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 at the time of turning on the power is not the basic drive stop position (S925; NO), the return processing for returning the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 to the basic drive stop position. Then, after performing an actual measurement process (measurement process) for actually measuring the number of step pulses (number of steps) supplied to the motor 72 during the return process (S935), the process proceeds to S940.

  Here, the “return process” is a process of rotating the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 in the “reverse direction” until the first sensor S1 detects the first detected hole 77a. This is a process of counting the number of step pulses (number of steps) supplied to the motor 72 until the sensor S1 detects the first detected hole 77a. Then, when the CPU 220a performs the “return process” and the “actual measurement process”, based on the count value obtained by the “actual measurement process”, the “driving of the movable accessory 71 when the power is turned on (when the power is turned off before the power is turned on)” The “stop position” is specified. Specifically, in the “return process”, when it is necessary to rotate the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 in the reverse direction by “m” steps, when the power is turned on (when the power is turned off before the power is turned on) The drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 at “1” is the “first special drive stop position”. Further, in the “return process”, when it is necessary to rotate the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 in the reverse direction by “2 m” steps, the movable role at the time of turning on the power (when the power is turned off before the power is turned on). The drive stop position of the object 71 is the “second special drive stop position”.

  In the process of S940, it is determined whether or not the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 when the power is turned on (when the power is turned off before the power is turned on) is the “first special drive stop position” (S940). When it is the “special drive stop position” (S940; YES), the CPU 220a performs a process of setting (setting ON) the first special effect flag (S945). Thereby, the effect mode (effect state) at the time of power-on is set to the first special effect mode. Thereafter, the initial setting process (S920) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG.

  When the driving stop position of the movable accessory 71 is not the “first special driving stop position” when the power is turned on (when the power is turned off before the power is turned on) (S940; NO), the driving stop position is “second”. It is determined whether or not it is the “special drive stop position” (S950). If it is the “second special drive stop position” (S950; YES), the CPU 220a sets (sets to ON) the second special effect flag. Processing is performed (S960). Thereby, the effect mode (effect state) at the time of turning on the power is set to the second special effect mode. Thereafter, the initial setting process (S920) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG. Here, “processing in S925” and “processing in S935” constitute a specific example of processing as “stop position specifying means” performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220, and “processing in S930” and “processing in S945”. "And the process of S960" constitute a specific example of the process as "effect state setting means" performed by the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220.

  The driving stop position of the movable accessory 71 when the power is turned on (when the power is turned off before the power is turned on) is “basic drive stop position”, “first special drive stop position”, and “second special drive stop position”. If it is neither of these (S925; NO, S940; NO, S950; NO), the CPU 220a uses the speakers SP1 to SP4, the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, etc., and an error (for example, the motor 72 is out of step). After notifying that it has occurred (S965), the initial setting process (S920) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG. In this case, for example, an operation for eliminating the error state is performed by a manual operation of a store clerk in the pachinko hall.

b. Demo production process (S980)
When starting the demonstration effect process (S980), the CPU 220a mounted on the sub control board 220 determines whether or not the demonstration effect is being executed as shown in FIG. 26 (S981). If the demonstration effect is not being executed (S981; NO), it is determined whether a demonstration effect command is received from the main control unit 220A (S982). When a demonstration effect command is received (S982; YES), a process of starting a demonstration effect (demonstration display) on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 (S985) and a process of setting a demonstration effect timer ( After performing S986), the demonstration effect process (S980) is terminated. Here, the demonstration effect timer is a timer for measuring the execution time of the demonstration effect, and is set every time the demonstration effect is started.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the demonstration effect is being executed in the process of S981 (S981; YES), it is determined whether or not a demonstration effect stop command is received from the main control unit 200A (S987). If the demonstration effect stop command has not been received (S987; NO), the demonstration effect process (S980) is terminated and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the demonstration effect stop command has been received (S987; YES), after performing the process of ending the demonstration effect and the process of initializing (stopping) the demonstration effect timer (S988), the demonstration effect is performed. The process (S980) ends, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG.

c. Production mode setting process (S1000)
In the effect mode setting process (S1000), as shown in FIG. 27, when the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 receives a command at the start of symbol variation (S1005; YES), the process after S1010 is executed. Here, the commands received in the processing of S1005 are a variation pattern designation command and a special symbol stop information designation command. Further, the CPU 220a can determine the result of the determination of success / failure (S320) executed in the main control unit 200A based on the received special symbol stop information designation command, and based on the received variation pattern designation command, the current symbol It is possible to specify the variation pattern selected when starting the variation game (design variation production).

  When the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 determines that the variation pattern selected when starting the current symbol variation game (design variation effect) is the first special variation pattern (S1010; YES), the first special effect flag Is set (set to ON), and the already set effect flag (normal effect flag or second special effect flag) is canceled (set to OFF) (S1015). Accordingly, the subsequent effect mode (effect state) is set to the first special effect mode. Thereafter, a process of setting “500” to the first special effect counter is performed (S1020), the effect mode setting process (S1000) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG.

  If the second special effect flag is set (set to ON) at the time of performing the process of S1015, the process of setting “0” to the second special effect counter (the second special effect) in the process of S1020. Counter initialization processing) is also performed. The value of the first special effect counter indicates the cumulative number of symbol variation effects that are executed after the effect mode (effect state) is set to the first special effect mode. That is, every time the first special effect flag is set (set to ON), the symbol variation effect in the first special effect mode is repeated up to “500 times”.

  In addition, when the CPU 220a determines that the variation pattern selected when starting the current symbol variation game (design variation effect) is the second special variation pattern (S1010; NO, S1030; YES), the second special effect is performed. The flag is set (set to ON), and the already set effect flag (the normal effect flag or the first special effect flag) is canceled (set to OFF) (S1035). Accordingly, the subsequent effect mode (effect state) is set to the second special effect mode. Thereafter, a process of setting “500” to the second special effect counter is performed (S1040), the effect mode setting process (S1000) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG.

  If the first special effect flag is set (set to ON) at the time of performing the process of S1035, the process of setting “0” to the first special effect counter (the first special effect counter) in the process of S1040. Counter initialization processing) is also performed. The value of the second special effect counter indicates the cumulative number of symbol variation effects executed after the effect mode (effect state) is set to the second special effect mode. That is, every time the second special effect flag is set (set to ON), the symbol variation effect in the second special effect mode is repeated up to “500 times”.

  Further, when the CPU 220a determines that the variation pattern selected when starting the current symbol variation game (design variation effect) is neither the first special variation pattern nor the second special variation pattern (S1010; NO, S1030; NO), it is determined whether or not the first special effect flag is set (set to ON) (S1045). That is, it is determined whether or not the first special effect mode is being executed (S1045). If it is being executed (S1045; YES), the process of setting the value of the first special effect counter to “−1” is performed. After performing (S1050), it is determined whether or not the value of the first special effect counter has become “zero” (S1055).

  When it is determined that the value of the first special effect counter is not “zero” in the process of S1055 (S1055; NO), the effect mode setting process (S1000) is ended as it is, and the effect control of FIG. The process returns to processing (S900). In this case, the first special performance mode is further continued. On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S1055 that the value of the first special effect counter has become “zero” (S1055; YES), the first special effect flag is canceled (set to OFF) and the normal effect flag is set. Is set (set to ON) (S1060), the effect mode setting process (S1000) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG. In this case, the effect mode (effect state) of the gaming machine 1 is switched from the first special effect mode to the normal effect mode.

  If the CPU 220a determines that the first special effect flag has been released (set to OFF) in the process of S1045 (S1045; NO), the second special effect flag is set (set to ON) as shown in FIG. It is determined whether it has been performed (S1070). That is, it is determined whether or not the second special effect mode is being executed (S1070). If it is being executed (S1070; YES), the process of setting the value of the second special effect counter to “−1” is performed. After that (S1075), it is determined whether or not the value of the second special effect counter has become “zero” (S1080).

  When it is determined that the value of the second special effect counter is not “zero” in the process of S1080 (S1080; NO), the effect mode setting process (S1000) is ended as it is, and the effect control of FIG. The process returns to processing (S900). In this case, the second special effect mode is further continued. On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of S1080 that the value of the second special effect counter has become “zero” (S1080; YES), the second special effect flag is canceled (set to OFF) and the normal effect flag is set. Is set (set to ON) (S1085), the effect mode setting process (S1000) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG. In this case, the effect mode (effect state) of the gaming machine 1 is switched from the second special effect mode to the normal effect mode.

  The CPU 220a does not have the first special variation pattern or the second special variation pattern selected when the current symbol variation game (design variation effect) is started, and the first special effect flag and the second When it is determined that the special effect flag is released (set to OFF) (S1010; NO, S1030; NO, S1045; NO, S1070; NO), the effect mode setting process (S1000) is terminated as it is. Then, the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG. In this case, the effect mode (effect state) of the gaming machine 1 is maintained in the normal effect mode.

  Here, also in the above-described initial setting process (S920), information (normal effect flag, first special effect flag, and second special effect flag) indicating the effect mode (effect state) is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 220b ( (Refer to the processing of S930, S945, and S960 in FIG. 25). Also, in the effect mode setting process (S1000) executed during the game, when the effect mode (effect state) is switched, information indicating the effect mode (effect state) is updated (changed), and a predetermined value in the RAM 220b is set. It is stored in the area (S1015, S1035, S1060 in FIG. 27, S1085 in FIG. 28). However, since this gaming machine 1 does not include a backup power source for supplying power to the sub-control board 220 when the power is cut off, these pieces of information are erased when the power is cut off.

d. Symbol variation effect processing (S1100)
In the symbol variation effect processing (S1100), as shown in FIG. 29, when the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 receives a command at the time of symbol variation start (S1105; YES), the processing after S1110 is executed.

  Based on the received “special symbol stop information designation command”, the CPU 220a can determine the result of the determination (S320) executed in the main control unit 200A. If the determination result is a big hit (S1110; YES), a process for distributing the effect pattern table at the time of the big hit is performed based on the received variation pattern designation command (S1115). If the result of the determination is wrong (S1110; NO), a process of distributing the effect pattern table at the time of failure is performed based on the received variation pattern designation command (S1120).

  When the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 ends the process of S1115 or S1120, the CPU 220a performs the process of S1140. In the process of S1140, a random number lottery is performed using the effect pattern table (for big hit or missed) set in the process of S1115 or S1120 to determine the effect pattern of the symbol variation effect (S1140). Here, in the process of S1140 after the process of S1115, using the effect pattern table set in the process of S1115, a specific execution mode of display effects executed on the display screen 27a, a specific mode of reach display, and the like. The display pattern from the start to the end (definite display) of the variation display of the effect symbol is determined (S1140). Further, in the process of S1140 executed after the process of S1120, the specific execution mode of the display effect executed on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27, the presence / absence of the reach display, the reach when the reach display is executed. Processing to determine a display pattern from the start to the end (definite display) of the variation display of the effect symbols such as the display mode is performed. The effect pattern of the symbol variation effect determined in the process of S1140 corresponds to the effect state (effect mode) when the symbol variation effect is performed (when the effect pattern is determined). As a result, the symbol variation effect started in the process of S1150 described later has contents corresponding to the effect state (effect mode) at that time.

  When the CPU 220a performs the process of S1140, the CPU 220a performs the process of setting the stop symbol of the effect symbol (the symbol to be confirmed and displayed) (S1145), and then proceeds to the process of S1150. Here, in the process of S1145 executed through the process of S1115 and the process of S1140, a specific mode or the like of “effect design for definite display of big hit” is selected and set as the “big hit stop symbol”, and the process of S1120 In the process of S1145 executed through the processes of S1140 and S1140, a specific mode or the like of “the effect symbol for definite display” is selected and set as the “outage stop symbol”.

  In the process of S1150, a command (effect display detail command) for designating the “effect pattern” determined in the process of S1140 and the “stop pattern of the effect design” determined in the process of S1145 is displayed on the effect display control unit 222A (effect display control board). 222), in the effect display device 27, the display of variation of the effect symbol is started (S1150). That is, the symbol variation effect on the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is started.

  Next, in the process of S1160, the CPU 220a determines whether or not a symbol stop command transmitted from the main control unit 200A (main control board 200) has been received. As a result, when it is determined that the symbol stop command has been received (S1160; YES), a command for stopping the effect display of the effect symbol and the background symbol in the effect display device 27 is transmitted to the effect display control unit 222A, and the symbol variation effect is generated. Terminate (S1165).

e. Movable accessory control process (S1200)
The movable accessory control process (S1200) is a process for controlling the driving of the movable accessory device 70, and is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the movable accessory control process (S1200), when a command at the start of symbol variation is received (S1205; YES), the processes after S1210 are executed. In the processing of S1210, the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 determines whether or not the variation pattern selected when starting the current symbol variation game (design variation effect) is the specific variation pattern (S1210).

  If it is a specific variation pattern (S1210; YES), the drive of the movable accessory device 70 is awaited (S1215; YES), and the movable accessory device 70 is driven (S1220). In the process of S1220, after the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 is rotated in the forward rotation direction and the rotational position of the movable accessory 71 is set to the drive limit position, the operation end timing of the movable accessory device 70 is reached. This process includes rotating the drive shaft 72a in the reverse direction and returning the rotation position (drive stop position) of the movable accessory 71 to the basic drive stop position.

  After the process of S1220, a process for setting a drive stop timer (a process for starting timer measurement) is performed (S1225), and the movable accessory control process (S1200) is terminated. Here, the drive stop timer is a timer for measuring the time during which the movable accessory device 70 stops driving, and is set when the game machine 1 is powered on. Thereafter, the movable accessory device 70 is driven, and the driving stop timer is set every time the driving is stopped, and the measurement of the “time during which the movable accessory device 70 stops driving” is started again. Note that the measurement of the drive stop time by the drive stop timer may be performed only when the pachinko hall is closed (for example, 22:00).

f. Stop position setting process (S1500)
In the stop position setting process (S1500), as shown in FIG. 31, the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 determines that the drive stop time of the movable accessory device 70 exceeds a predetermined time (T time, for example, 1 hour). Then (S1505; YES), the processing after S1508 is executed. Here, the drive stop time of the movable accessory device 70 can be specified with reference to the drive stop timer described above (see the process of S1225 in FIG. 30).

  In the process of S1508, the CPU 220a performs a process of resetting (initializing) the drive stop timer (S1508). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the normal performance flag is set (set to ON) (S1510), and when it is set (set to ON) (S1510; YES), the driving of the movable accessory 71 is stopped. It is determined whether or not the position is a basic drive stop position (S1515). In the process of S1515, when the first sensor S1 detects the first detected hole 77a, the CPU 220a determines that the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the basic drive stop position.

  If the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the basic drive stop position (S1515; YES), the stop position setting process (S1500) is terminated as it is, and the effect control process (S900) in FIG. Return to. On the other hand, when the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is not the basic drive stop position (S1515; NO), the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is set as the basic drive stop position (S1520). Then, the stop position setting process (S1500) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S1510 that the normal effect flag has been released (set to OFF) (S1510; NO), it is determined whether the first special effect flag has been set (set to ON) (S1530). ) If set (set to ON) (S1530; YES), it is determined whether or not the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the basic drive stop position (S1535). If the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the basic drive stop position (S1535; YES), the process proceeds to S1545, and if it is not the basic drive stop position (S1535; NO), after performing the process of returning the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 to the basic drive stop position (S1540), the process proceeds to S1545.

  In the process of S1545, a process of setting the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 as the first special drive stop position is performed. Specifically, the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is made the first special drive stop position by rotating the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 in the forward rotation direction by “m steps (for example, 2 steps)”. The And if CPU220a performs the process of S1545, it will complete | finish a stop position setting process (S1500) and will return to the presentation control process (S900) of FIG.

  If the CPU 220a determines that the normal effect flag and the first special effect flag have been canceled (set to OFF) (S1510; NO, S1530; NO), the process proceeds to S1555. That is, when the second special effect flag is set (set to ON) (S1510; NO, S1530; NO), the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the basic drive stop position in the process of S1555. Whether or not (S1555). If the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the basic drive stop position (S1555; YES), the process proceeds to S1570, and if it is not the basic drive stop position (S1555; NO), after performing a process of returning the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 to the basic drive stop position (S1540), the process proceeds to S1570.

  In the process of S1570, a process of setting the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 as the second special drive stop position is performed. Specifically, the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is set to the second special drive stop position by rotating the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 in the forward rotation direction by “2 m steps (for example, 4 steps)”. The And if CPU220a performs the process of S1570, it will complete | finish a stop position setting process (S1500), and will return to the production | presentation control process (S900) of FIG.

(7) Effect of Example In this gaming machine 1, as the driving stop position of the movable accessory 71, those corresponding to each of a plurality of effect states are provided in advance. Then, by actually measuring the “actual driving stop position of the movable accessory 71” when the power to the gaming machine 1 is turned on, the movable accessory 71 of the movable accessory 71 when the power is turned off before the power is turned on is measured. A drive stop position is specified, and an effect state corresponding to the specified drive stop position is set as an “effect state at power-on”.

  Therefore, according to the gaming machine 1, since it is not necessary to provide a backup function for the control unit (sub control board 220) for controlling the game effects, the sub control unit 220A (sub control board 220). ) Can be simplified. Further, according to the present invention, even when the backup unit is not provided in the control unit (sub control board 220) for controlling the game effects, when the power is turned on between a plurality of the same models (pachinko hall business start) It is also possible to cause variations in the production state of (time). In other words, even between the same model, “the gaming machine 1 that starts the game in the normal effect mode”, “the gaming machine 1 that starts the game in the first special effect mode”, and “the game that starts the game in the second special effect mode” Machine 1 ”can be made available to players who come to the store at the start of pachinko hall operations. For example, selecting a gaming machine that is currently operating), or setting the pachinko hall business start time in a gorgeous state (a gorgeous state in accordance with the execution of various effects).

  Further, in this gaming machine 1, the driving stop position of the movable accessory 71 when the power is cut off is reliably determined using the movement amount of the movable accessory 71 based on the initialization process (the process of S935 in the initial setting process of FIG. 25). Can be specified. Further, instead of changing the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 every time the effect state is changed, the drive stop of the movable accessory 71 is performed on condition that the drive stop state of the movable accessory 71 is continued for a predetermined period. Change the position. That is, in a situation where the possibility of power interruption is low, such as when the player is playing a game normally, the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is not changed and the drive stop state of the movable accessory 71 is not performed. Is continued for a predetermined period, and the driving stop position of the movable accessory 71 is changed when the possibility of power interruption is high. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of frequent “processing for changing the driving stop position of the movable accessory 71” and complicated control.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described. The gaming machine of the second embodiment is different from the gaming machine of the first embodiment in that FIG. 32A is used instead of FIG. 14A and that FIG. 33 is used instead of FIG. Hereinafter, the gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 32A, the “time measuring means 220d” is mounted on the sub-control board 220 constituting the gaming machine of the second embodiment. This time measuring means 220d is for specifying the current date and time. When power is turned on to the gaming machine of the embodiment, the date and time at that time is set and is supplied during power supply to the gaming machine 1. It operates with a power source that operates. And this time measuring means 220d can output the information regarding a date.

  As shown in Modification 1 of FIG. 32B, “real time clock (RTC) 220e” may be used as the “timer” mounted on the sub-control board 220. In this case, a “battery” may be used as a driving power source for the real-time clock (RTC) 220e. Further, the real time clock (RTC) 220e may be operated by the supplied power while power is being supplied to the gaming machine 1, and may be operated by a backup power when no power is supplied.

  In the stop position setting process (S1500) of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 220a of the sub control board 220 reads “The current time is after 22:00 and 15 minutes have elapsed since the demonstration effect started. Is determined (S1502). Here, the “determination of whether or not the current time is after 22:00” can be performed by acquiring “information for specifying the current date and time” from the “clocking means 220 d”. The execution time of the demonstration effect can be specified by referring to the above-described demonstration effect timer (which is a timer that is set at the start of the demonstration effect, see the process of S986 in FIG. 26).

  In the stop position setting process (S1500) of the second embodiment, when the process of S1502 ends, the process proceeds to S1510 and subsequent processes. Since the processing after S1510 is the same as the stop position setting processing (S1500, see FIG. 31) of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the gaming machine of the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects shown in the first embodiment. In other words, in a situation where the time specified based on the time measurement result by the “time measuring means 220d” is close to the time when the pachinko hall is closed (the time when the power is shut off reliably) and the time when no game is played is continued. Then, a process of changing the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is performed. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably avoid the “processing for changing the driving stop position of the movable accessory 71” frequently resulting in complicated control.

  In addition, as a modification of the second embodiment, in the process of S1502 described above, “determining whether or not the current time is just before the closing time of the pachinko hall (for example, 2 minutes before)”, “game ball is launched "Determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has continued", "determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 3 hours) has elapsed since the previous setting of the drive stop position Can be exemplified. Further, “determining whether or not a predetermined switch provided on the gaming machine 1 (for example, a switch operated by a pachinko hall clerk at the end of work or just before closing) has been operated” or “provided on the gaming machine 1 In addition, a predetermined signal (for example, a signal transmitted from the hall computer of the pachinko hall at the end of work or just before the end of the game machine 1) is determined.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the third embodiment will be described. The gaming machine according to the third embodiment is different from the gaming machine according to the first embodiment in that FIG. 34 is used instead of FIG. 8, FIG. 35 is added, and FIG. 36 is used instead of FIG. Different. Hereinafter, the gaming machine of the third embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the gaming machine of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 34 (a), the detection object 77 of the third embodiment also includes an insertion hole 77h that is configured in a substantially disc shape and into which the bearing portion 71b is inserted at the center. In addition, in addition to the first detected hole 77a and the second detected hole 77b, the detected body 77 passes through the third detected hole 77c and the fourth detected hole 77d through the front and rear of the detected body 77. Prepare for. The first detected hole 77a, the third detected hole 77c, the fourth detected hole 77d, and the second detected hole 77b each have a radial distance from the center (rotation center) P of the detected body 77. Is different.

  In addition, the formation positions of the first detected hole 77a, the third detected hole 77c, the fourth detected hole 77d, and the second detected hole 77b are “position misalignment” around a central portion (rotation center) P by a predetermined angle. Is produced. That is, as shown in FIG. 34A, when the detected body 77 is observed from the front, the formation position of the third detected hole 77c is predetermined counterclockwise with respect to the formation position of the first detected hole 77a. The fourth detected hole 77d is in a “deviated state” by a predetermined angle counterclockwise with reference to the formation position of the third detected hole 77c. Further, the formation position of the second detected hole 77b is “shifted” by a predetermined angle counterclockwise with respect to the formation position of the fourth detected hole 77d.

  Further, in the vicinity of the body to be detected 77, “a first sensor S1 that detects the first detected hole 77a when the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is at the basic drive stop position”, In addition to the “second sensor S2 that detects the second detected hole 77b when the rotational position is at the drive limit position”, the third is performed when the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is at the first special drive stop position. "A third sensor S3 for detecting the detected hole 77c" and "a fourth sensor S4 for detecting the fourth detected hole 77d when the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is at the second special drive stop position" are arranged. ing. These sensors S1 to S4 are all transmissive photosensors (photointerrupters), and are connected to the sub-control board 220 via the decorative drive board 226.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 34 (b), any of the sensors S1 to S4 includes a light emitting unit (for example, a light emitting element composed of LEDs) S11, S21, S31, S41 and a light receiving unit (for example, a phototransistor). The light receiving element is composed of S12, S22, S32, and S42 that are opposed to each other with the detection object 77 interposed therebetween. In these sensors S1 to S4, the corresponding detected holes 77a, 77c, 77d, and 77b reach between the light emitting portions S11, S21, S31, and S41 and the light receiving portions S12, S22, S32, and S42, and light emission occurs. When the corresponding light receiving unit receives the light emitted from the unit, the CPU 220a determines that the detection target holes 77a, 77c, 77d, and 77b are detected.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 35A to 35D, rotation of the detected holes 77a, 77c, 77d, and 77b is caused by rotation of the detected body 77 as the movable accessory 71 tilts. The position is changed. When the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is at the basic drive stop position, the first sensor S1 detects the first detected hole 77a, and when the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is at the drive limit position. The second sensor S2 detects the second detected hole 77b. When the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is at the first special drive stop position, the third sensor S3 detects the third detected hole 77c, and the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the second special drive stop position. When in position, the fourth sensor S4 detects the fourth detected hole 77d.

  Next, the initial setting process (S920) of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the initial setting process (S920) of the third embodiment, the same steps as those of the initial setting process (S920, see FIG. 25) of the first embodiment are denoted by the same number of steps. , To simplify the description.

  Also in the initial setting process (S920) of the third embodiment, the CPU 220a of the sub-control board 220 first determines whether or not the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 when the power is turned on is the basic drive stop position (S925). ) If a positive determination result is obtained (S925; YES), the process of S930 is executed, and the initial setting process (S920) is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 at the time of turning on the power is not the basic drive stop position (S925; NO), the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the “first special drive stop position”. It is determined whether or not there is (S940). That is, in the initial setting process (S920) of the third embodiment, when the negative determination result of S925 is obtained, the process of S940 is performed without performing the “return process” and the “measurement process (measurement process)”. Do. In the “processing of S940” of the third embodiment, the driving stop position of the movable accessory 71 is “first” through determining whether the third sensor S3 is detecting the third detected hole 77c. It is determined whether or not it is the “special drive stop position” (S940).

  If it is the “first special drive stop position” (S940; YES), the CPU 220a performs the process of setting the first special effect flag (set to ON) (S945), and then driving the movable accessory 71. A return process for returning the stop position to the basic drive stop position is performed (S947). Then, the initial setting process (S920) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG.

  If it is determined that the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 at the time of power-on is not the basic drive stop position and is not the first special drive stop position (S925; NO, S940; NO), the drive stop of the movable accessory 71 is stopped. It is determined whether or not the position is the “second special drive stop position” (S950). That is, in the initial setting process (S920) of the third embodiment, the process of S950 is performed without performing the “return process” and the “measurement process (measurement process)” even when the negative determination result of S940 is obtained. Do. In the “processing of S950” in the third embodiment, the driving stop position of the movable accessory 71 is set to “second” by determining whether the fourth sensor S4 detects the fourth detected hole 77d. It is determined whether or not it is the "special drive stop position" (S950).

  If it is the “second special drive stop position” (S950; YES), the CPU 220a performs the process of setting the second special effect flag (set to ON) (S960), and then driving the movable accessory 71. A return process for returning the stop position to the basic drive stop position is performed (S962). Then, the initial setting process (S920) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG.

  The driving stop position of the movable accessory 71 when the power is turned on (when the power is turned off before the power is turned on) is “basic drive stop position”, “first special drive stop position”, and “second special drive stop position”. 24 (S925; NO, S940; NO, S950; NO), the CPU 220a notifies that an error has occurred (S965), and then ends the initial setting process (S920). The process returns to the effect control process (S900). In other words, when none of the first sensor S1, the third sensor S3, and the fourth sensor S4 detects the detection target holes 77a, 77c, and 77d (S925; NO, S940; NO, S950; NO), the CPU 220a notifies that an error has occurred (S965).

  Next, the stop position setting process (S1500) according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of the stop position setting process (S1500) of the third embodiment, the same process as the stop position setting process (S1500, see FIG. 31) of the first embodiment is described with the same number of steps. Omitted or simplified description.

  Also in the stop position setting process (S1500) of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 37, after the positive determination result of S1505 (S1505; YES), when the process of S1508 is performed, the normal performance flag is set (ON). Is set (S1510), and if it is set (set to ON) (S1510; YES), whether or not the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the basic drive stop position. Is determined (S1515). Here, when the first sensor S1 detects the first detected hole 77a, the CPU 220a determines that the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the basic drive stop position. If the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the basic drive stop position (S1515; YES), the stop position setting process (S1500) is terminated as it is, and the effect control process (S900) in FIG. Return to. On the other hand, when the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is not the basic drive stop position (S1515; NO), the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is set as the basic drive stop position (S1520). Then, the stop position setting process (S1500) is terminated, and the process returns to the effect control process (S900) of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S1510 that the normal effect flag has been released (set to OFF) (S1510; NO), it is determined whether or not the first special effect flag has been set (set to ON) (S1530). If it is set (set to ON) (S1530; YES), it is determined whether or not the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the first special drive stop position (S1532). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the third sensor S3 detects the third detected hole 77c (S1532).

  If the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the first special drive stop position (S1532; YES), the stop position setting process (S1500) is terminated as it is, and the first special drive stop position is reached. If not (S1532; NO), the process of setting the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 as the first special drive stop position is performed (S1545), and then the stop position setting process (S1500) is terminated. Here, the process of S1545 is a process of rotating the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 by a predetermined step in the forward rotation direction, and is completed when the third sensor S3 detects the third detected hole 77c.

  If the CPU 220a determines that the normal effect flag and the first special effect flag are released (set to OFF) (S1510; NO, S1530; NO), the driving stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the second special drive. It is determined whether or not it is a stop position (S1550). Specifically, it is determined whether the fourth sensor S4 is detecting the fourth detected hole 77d (S1550).

  If the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is the second special drive stop position (S1550; YES), the stop position setting process (S1500) is terminated as it is, and the second special drive stop position is reached. If not (S1550; NO), the process of setting the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 as the second special drive stop position is performed (S1570), and then the stop position setting process (S1500) is terminated. Here, the process of S1570 is a process of rotating the drive shaft 72a of the motor 72 by a predetermined step in the forward rotation direction, and is completed when the fourth sensor S4 detects the fourth detected hole 77d.

  According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. That is, the third embodiment includes the sensor S3 for detecting that the movable accessory 71 is in the first special drive stop position and the sensor S4 for detecting that the movable accessory 71 is in the third special drive stop position. 36. In the initial setting process (S920) of FIG. 36 and the stop position setting process (S1500) of FIG. 37, the process of returning the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 to the basic drive stop position (the process of S935 of FIG. 25, FIG. 31). Steps S1540 and S560) can be omitted. In other words, it is not necessary to set the movable accessory 71 to the initial position or to specify the drive stop position when the power is cut off based on the driving amount at that time in the initialization process when the power is turned on. The control performed by can be simplified.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is limited to the description for specifying the present invention in the scope of the claims unless departing from the scope of the present invention. However, it is possible to appropriately add an improvement based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has, and to the extent that a person skilled in the art can easily replace them.

  That is, in each embodiment, regardless of the drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 (basic drive stop position, first special drive stop position, second special drive stop position), the movable accessory 71 is removed from the player. The aspect which cannot be visually recognized was illustrated. Specifically, when the movable accessory 71 is stopped at the basic drive stop position, the first special drive stop position, or the second special drive stop position, the entire movable accessory 71 is behind the game board main body 10A. Thus, the player cannot determine (invisible) which drive stop position of the movable accessory 71 is. However, the present invention can also be applied to an aspect in which the driving stop positions of the movable actors 91L and 91R can be visually recognized, as in Modification 2 shown in FIGS. 38 and 39.

  The movable accessory device 70 of Modification 2 includes a left movable accessory 91L, a right movable accessory 91R, an upper rail 92, a lower rail member 93, a left motor 95L, and a right motor 95R. Further, the upper rail 92 and the lower rail member 93 are elongated in the left-right direction, and are arranged behind the game board main body 10A and above and below the display window 21e, respectively. Further, the left movable accessory 91L and the right movable accessory 91R are decorative bodies with “doors”, and are movable to the left and right while being supported by the upper rail 92 and the lower rail 93 behind the display window 21e. .

  The upper wheel portion 91b is pivotally supported at the upper end portions of the left movable accessory 71L and the right movable accessory 71R, and substantially pulley-shaped at two locations along the left-right direction of the lower end portion. The lower wheel portions 91c and 91d are pivotally supported in a rotatable state. Note that the upper wheel portion 91b and the lower wheel portions 91c and 91d each have a substantially pulley shape with the rotation axis oriented in the front-rear direction, and a circumferential groove on the outer peripheral portion. The left movable accessory 91L and the right movable accessory 91R are configured such that the upper rail 92 is fitted in the circumferential groove of the upper wheel portion 91b, and the lower rail 93 is fitted in the circumferential groove of the lower wheel portions 91c, 91d. And it is operable (movable) to the left and right while being guided by the lower rail 93.

  As shown in FIG. 39, racks 91r are provided on the front portion of the left movable accessory 91L and the front portion of the right movable accessory 91R, respectively. These racks 91r have a configuration in which a large number of teeth are continuously arranged in the left-right direction while being elongated in the left-right direction. A gear (pinion gear) 95b attached to the drive shaft 95a of the left motor 95L meshes with the rack 91r on the front surface of the left movable accessory 91L, and a gear (pinion gear) attached to the drive shaft 95a of the right motor 95R. 95c meshes with the rack 91r on the front surface of the right movable accessory 91R. Further, stepping motors are used as the left motor 95L and the right motor 95R, and these motors 95L, 95R are connected to the sub-control board 220 via the decorative drive board 226. The rotation operation (rotation operation) and the stop operation are controlled using a control signal output from the sub-control board 220.

  Also in the gaming machine of Modification 2, the drive control of the movable accessory device 70 is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, also in this movable example 2 in the movable accessory control process (S1200), when a positive determination result is obtained in the process of S1205 and the process of S1210 (S1200; YES, S1210; YES), Waiting for the drive start timing (S1215; YES), the movable accessory device 70 is driven (S1220).

  The process of S1220 is performed by rotating the drive shaft 72a of the left motor 95L in the counterclockwise direction and rotating the drive shaft 72a of the right motor 95R in the clockwise direction so that the right end portion of the left movable accessory 71L and the right After the interval between the left ends of the movable accessory 71R is narrowed, when the operation end timing of the movable accessory device 70 is reached, the drive shaft 72a of the left motor 95L is rotated in the clockwise direction, and the drive shaft 72a of the right motor 95R is counteracted. This process is to restore the interval between the right end of the left movable accessory 71L and the left end of the right movable accessory 71R by rotating in the clockwise direction. And also in the game machine of the modification 2, after performing the process of S1225, a movable accessory control process (S1200) is complete | finished.

  In the gaming machine 1 of Modification 2, when the movable accessory device 70 stops driving, the stop positions of the left movable accessory 71L and the right movable accessory 71R are the basic drive stop positions (reference numerals in FIG. 39). (stop positions indicated by a1, a2). Further, when the movable accessory device 70 is driven to reduce the distance between the right end of the left movable accessory 71L and the left end of the right movable accessory 71R, the drive limit position is reached (reference numerals d1, d2 in FIG. 38). Stop position indicated by

  In the stop position setting process (S1500), when it is determined that the normal effect flag is set (set to ON), the stop positions of the left movable accessory 71L and the right movable accessory 71R are the basic drive stop position. (Stop positions indicated by reference signs a1 and a2 in FIG. 39). In the stop position setting process (S1500), when it is determined that the first special effect flag is set (set to ON), the stop positions of the left movable accessory 71L and the right movable accessory 71R are the first stop positions. 1 is a special drive stop position (stop positions indicated by symbols b1 and b2 in FIG. 38). Further, in the stop position setting process (S1500), when it is determined that the second special effect flag is set (set to ON), the stop positions of the left movable accessory 71L and the right movable accessory 71R are the first stop positions. 2 Special drive stop positions (stop positions indicated by reference numerals c1 and c2 in FIG. 38).

  Here, in the second modification, when the left movable combination 71L and the right movable combination 71R are in any drive stop position (basic drive stop position, first special drive stop position, second special drive stop position). In addition, the player can visually recognize the right end portion side of the left movable accessory 71L and the left end portion side of the right movable accessory 71R through the display window 21e. However, the distance between the right end of the left movable accessory 71L and the left end of the right movable accessory 71R is at the basic drive stop position when the left movable accessory 71L and the right movable accessory 71R are at the first special drive stop position. It is slightly narrower than when it is, and when it is in the second special drive stop position, it is slightly narrower than when it is in the first special drive stop position. And when it is in the drive limit position, it is much narrower than when it is in any drive stop position (basic drive stop position, first special drive stop position, second special drive stop position). For this reason, in Modification 2, the drive stop positions (basic drive stop position, first special drive stop position, second special drive stop position) of the left movable accessory 71L and the right movable accessory 71R are changed. However, this change will be made inconspicuous.

  In the present invention, as shown in Modification 2, each drive stop position of the movable accessory 91L, 91R may be visible. In this case, as in Modification 2, the drive stop position (basic drive stop position, It is preferable that the first special drive stop position and the second special drive stop position are changed inconspicuously. In the present invention, the driving mode of the movable accessory is not limited to the rotation shown in each embodiment, and may be “movement in a predetermined direction” shown in the second modification.

  In each embodiment, the “production mode” which is not related to the gaming mode of the gaming machine 1 (“probability mode such as high probability mode, low probability mode”, “variation mode such as normal variation mode, shortened variation mode”, etc.). The mode which changes the drive stop position (a basic drive stop position, a 1st special drive stop position, a 2nd special drive stop position) of a movable accessory corresponding to was illustrated. However, when changing the “effect mode” according to the change of the game mode of the gaming machine 1, the drive stop position of the movable accessory is set corresponding to the “change of the effect mode according to the change of the game mode”. The aspect to change can also be illustrated. For example, when the probability mode is the low probability mode, the normal effect mode in which the ground color of the display screen 27a of the effect display device 27 is “white” is executed, and when the probability mode is the high probability mode, The case where the special effect mode which makes the ground color of the display screen 27a of the effect display apparatus 27 "red" is performed etc. can be illustrated.

  In each embodiment, a movable accessory, a drive means (motor, gear, crank, cam, etc.) for driving the movable accessory, an origin sensor for detecting the origin position (basic drive stop position) of the movable accessory, and driving Drive control means (sub-control means) for controlling the means, and the drive control means (sub-control means) stores volatile memory at that time (RAM 220b mounted on the sub-control board 220). An application example has been described in which the gaming machine has a configuration including “a backup power source for supplying power to the drive control means (volatile memory) when the power is turned off”. However, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine equipped with the “backup power supply”.

  As the movable accessory of the present invention, for example, a “doll” can be exemplified. Specifically, a doll whose head and arms can be rotated within a predetermined angle range is arranged on the main accessory device 20, and the rotation angle of the head and arms is set in accordance with the “production mode”. The aspect to change can be illustrated. In other words, the parts that make up the doll (figure) or the whole doll (figure) are placed in an operable state, and the entire part or doll (figure) is operated to change the drive stop position in accordance with the “production mode”. It may be possible.

In the present invention,
When a predetermined period elapses while the movable accessory is in the drive stop state, it is determined whether the drive stop position of the movable accessory matches a position corresponding to the effect state at the time of the predetermined period elapse. Position judging means to perform,
In the case where it is determined that the position determining means does not match, it is possible to provide position changing means for changing the drive stop position of the movable accessory to a position corresponding to the effect state at the time of the predetermined period.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the game balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are used as “rental balls” or “prize balls”, and various winning holes (first start) provided on the game board are used. Games that give the player a profit (game value) as a result of the game by paying out a predetermined number of prize balls in response to the entry of game balls into the mouth, the second start opening, the big prize opening, etc. Although the example in which the present invention is applied to the machine 1 has been described, the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine of a type that gives a gaming profit (game value) in a form different from “payout of prize balls”. it can. As such a type of gaming machine, when a game ball is entered into various winning openings, data indicating the amount of profit (the magnitude of the game value) corresponding to the winning ball is given to the main control unit or the payout By storing it in the RAM of the control unit, it is possible to exemplify a gaming machine that gives a game profit (game value) to a player. In this case, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. As a type of gaming machine in which gaming profit (game value) is converted into data and given to the player, a gaming machine that circulates and uses a plurality of gaming balls built in the gaming machine, specifically, Examples of the game machine (so-called enclosed game machine) configured to return the game ball discharged to the back surface of the game board through various winning holes or out holes to the launch position and launch it again. In this type of game machine (so-called enclosed game machine), for example, every time a game ball enters a winning opening, for example, data indicating a prize ball amount determined for each winning opening is stored. Thus, the game value as a result of the game can be given to the player.

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

1; gaming machine (ball game machine),
10: Game board,
11: Game area,
27; production display device;
27a; display screen,
200A; main control unit,
220A; sub-control unit (stop position specifying means, effect state setting means).

Claims (3)

A gaming machine having a movable accessory capable of maintaining a drive stop position and having a plurality of production states with different production modes,
As the drive stop position of the movable accessory, a stop position corresponding to each of the plurality of effect states is provided,
Stop position specifying means for specifying the drive stop position of the movable accessory when the power is turned off before turning on the power,
An effect state setting means for setting an effect state corresponding to the drive stop position specified by the stop position specifying means as an effect state based on power-on,
A gaming machine comprising:   The stop position specifying means specifies a drive stop position when the power is turned off based on a drive amount when the movable accessory is positioned at an initial position in an initialization process based on power-on. Item 1. A gaming machine according to Item 1.   The drive stop position of the movable accessory is a position corresponding to the effect state when the predetermined period has elapsed when a predetermined period elapses while driving of the movable accessory is stopped. The gaming machine according to 1 or 2.

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