JP2015084945A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that can reduce the individual difference in presentations caused by individual difference in presentation devices, while considering a production cost.SOLUTION: The content of a presentation by a movable body 20 in a movable winning assistance accessory 115 consists of the steps of: coming up (a rotating motion) by rotating around the center position; and after the rotation stops at a prescribed position, opening wing members 24 and 25 (an opening motion). In this way, a series of presentations by the movable body 20 consists of performing the opening motion after the rotating motion. Also, at a portion between the coming up position (the middle position in the drawing) and a full opening position (the lower position in the drawing), a suspended condition is present. In the suspended condition, the accessory 115 is in a condition where although a spur gear 36 is rotated by a motor 31, the movable body 20 is not rotated, and the wing members 24 and 25 are not performing opening operations.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine that displays a lottery result when a plurality of reels are stopped in a combination of symbols when a pachinko gaming machine that wins a jackpot by winning a game ball or a game medium is inserted.

  In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a big hit lottery is performed when a game ball wins a prize such as a start opening. When the jackpot is won, the gaming machine is put into a jackpot gaming state in which the jackpot is opened and many winning balls can be obtained. In the gaming machine, various effects are performed in accordance with the game of the game ball by the player.

  As a device for performing such various effects, various configurations and modes have been conventionally proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, in a pachinko gaming machine equipped with a game board and a prize opening device having a prize opening, a movable accessory fixed to a rotating shaft supported by the game board is provided on the board surface of the game board, and a prize is awarded. The mouth device includes an opening / closing member that is disposed behind the movable accessory and opens and closes the winning opening by rotation, and a common rotational drive mechanism that drives the movable accessory and the opening / closing member. , A drive motor, a gear mechanism that transmits the driving force of the drive motor to the rotating shaft, a spring member that urges the opening / closing member to rotate toward the closed position, and an opening / closing member that is mounted on the movable accessory and opens to the opening position side. A pachinko gaming machine is disclosed that includes a pushing mechanism that pivots to the right.

JP 2010-263697 A

Here, if there is a relatively large individual difference in the device performing the production, there is a risk that it will appear as a solid difference of the gaming machine in the production. In order to reduce such a phenomenon, it is conceivable to respond by increasing the accuracy of the component parts or adopting a complicated structure. It is difficult to adopt such measures.
An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing a production-related individual difference due to a production device's individual difference while considering the manufacturing cost.

A gaming machine to which the present invention is applied is a gaming machine 100 including a production body 115 that produces an effect according to a game, and the production body 115 is erected on the base 10 and rotates with respect to the base 10. A possible main body 20, a driving source 31 that generates a driving force for rotating the main body 20 with respect to the base 10, and the driving force of the driving source 31 is transmitted to rotate the main body 20. Between the first state in which the driving source 31 is not transmitted and the second state in which the rotation of the main body unit 20 is stopped. And a mechanism 23, 14, 15, 36 that has a third state in which the rotation of the main body 20 is stopped despite being transmitted.
Here, the effector 115 further includes movable members 24 and 25 that can change the first position and the second position with respect to the main body 20 in accordance with the rotation of the main body 20, and In the mechanisms 23, 14, 15, 36, the movable members 24, 25 are in the first position in the first state, and the movable members 24, 25 are in the second position in the second state. In addition, the movable members 24 and 25 can be configured to be in the first position in the third state.

  In addition, the said code | symbol in this column is attached | subjected illustratively in the description of this invention, and this invention is not reduced by this code | symbol.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce a production-related individual difference due to a production device's individual difference while considering the manufacturing cost.

It is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. (A) is an enlarged view showing an example of a display device arranged at the lower right of the game board, (b) is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the control unit of the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game control part of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the game control part of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a customer waiting | standby setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of normal symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an electric tulip process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by this Embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows the structural example of a jackpot random number, (b) is a figure which shows the structural example of a jackpot symbol random number, (c) is a reach random number FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hit random number. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an effect control part, (a) is a figure which shows a main process, (b) is a figure which shows an interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of command reception processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of a mode flag. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the production | presentation selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during the end of the fluctuation effect of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the win production | presentation selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the ending effect selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the customer waiting command reception process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of effect button processing. It is a figure explaining the game board main body with which a game board is provided. It is a figure explaining the game board main body with which a game board is provided. It is a schematic plan view explaining the positional relationship between the components of the game board. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a movable accessory. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the movable body of a movable accessory. It is a figure explaining the opening / closing operation | movement of the blade | wing member of a movable body. It is a figure explaining the production | presentation by a movable body. It is a figure explaining the production | presentation by a movable body. It is a figure explaining the production | presentation by a movable body. It is a figure explaining the production | presentation by a movable body.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Basic configuration of gaming machine]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment.
A pachinko gaming machine 100 as an example of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 is configured to pay out a prize ball when a game ball launched by an instruction operation by a player wins. The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a game board 110 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 150 surrounding the game board 110. The game board 110 is detachably attached to the frame member 150.

The game board 110 has a game area 111 for playing with a game ball on the front surface, a rail member 112 that forms a passage where a game ball launched from below rises toward the upper position of the game area 111, and a game A guide member 113 for guiding the game ball is provided on the right side of the region 111.
In the present embodiment, an image display unit 114 that displays various images for production is provided at a position of the game area 111 that is easily visible to the player. The image display unit 114 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a decorative symbol for notifying the player of a symbol lottery result (symbol variation result), for example, as the game progresses by the player. An effect image by the appearance of a character or the appearance of an item is displayed.
In addition, a movable accessory 115 and a board lamp 116 used for various effects are provided on the front surface of the game board 110. The movable accessory 115 performs various effects by operating on the game board 110, and the board lamp 116 performs various effects by emitting light.

  The game area 111 is provided with a game nail and a windmill (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game ball falls. Further, in the game area 111, various bonuses relating to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions. In addition, the game area 111 is provided with a discharge port 117 through which game balls launched into the game area 111 that have not been won in the winning area are discharged out of the game area 111.

  In the present embodiment, as various functions related to winning and lottery, a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) starts when a game ball wins, and it is normal when a game ball passes. A start gate (hereinafter simply referred to as a gate) 124 for starting a symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is disposed on the game board 110. Here, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 refer to a winning port that triggers the operation of one predetermined special symbol display. Specifically, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are provided with switches (a first start port switch 211 and a second start port switch 212 described later) that detect the passage of a game ball when winning a prize. It has been. And when a game ball wins the 1st starting port 121 or the 2nd starting port 122, this switch will detect the passage of a gaming ball as an opportunity to operate a special symbol display.

  The second start port 122 includes an electric tulip 123 as an ordinary electric accessory that is opened and closed by an electric solenoid. When the electric tulip 123 is closed, it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start port 122. On the other hand, when the electric tulip 123 is opened, the entrance of the second start port 122 is expanded so that the game ball can easily enter the second start port 122. It is configured. The electric tulip 123 is opened for a specified time (for example, 0.15 to 1.8 seconds) and for a specified number of times (for example, 1 to 3 times) while being turned on or blinking when the normal symbol lottery is won.

  It has a low probability state in which a jackpot lottery is performed with a normal probability and a high probability state in which a jackpot lottery is performed with a higher probability than the low probability state. It should be noted that the state is controlled to be either a low probability state or a high probability state under a predetermined condition. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a short time state where there are few winning opportunities at the second start port 122 and a short state when there are more winning opportunities at the second start port 122 than in the short time state. Note that, in a predetermined condition, the state is controlled to be either a timeless state or a timeless state. Here, the short-time state means, for example, any one or all of the following: increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, decreasing the normal symbol variation time, or extending the opening time of the electric tulip 123 Controlled by combination. In the short time state, the special symbol variation time of the special symbol may be shortened.

Further, in the present embodiment, a lottery is performed even if a winning ball 125 is won as a special electric prize that is opened according to the result of the special symbol lottery and other prizes related to winning and lottery. An ordinary winning opening 126 that is not present is arranged on the game board 110.
In the present embodiment, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are disposed in the game area 111, but a configuration example in which only one of them is disposed or another start port is disposed. A configuration example is also conceivable. In the present embodiment, one big prize opening 125 is arranged in the game area 111, but a configuration example in which a plurality of big prize openings 125 are arranged is also conceivable.
In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying a lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower right position of the game board 110.

  Also, on the back side of the game board 110, a game control board that determines whether or not a special symbol is won, an effect control board that comprehensively controls effects, an image control board that controls effects by images and sounds, various lamps, Various substrates (not shown) such as a lamp control substrate for controlling the effect by the movable accessory 115 are attached. In addition, a switching power supply (not shown) that converts the supplied 24V AC power source into a DC power source and outputs it to various boards and the like is disposed on the back surface of the game board 110.

When the player touches the handle 151 and rotates the lever 152 in the clockwise direction, the frame member 150 moves the game balls at a predetermined time interval (for example, 100 per minute) with the hitting force according to the operation angle And a launching device (not shown) for electrically firing. In addition, the frame member 150 includes a supply device (not shown) that sequentially supplies game balls to the launching device one by one at a timing in conjunction with the operation of the player's lever 152, and a game ball that the supply device supplies to the launching device. A plate 153 (see FIG. 2) for temporarily storing. For example, a payout ball by a payout unit is paid out to the plate 153.
In the present embodiment, the plate 153 is configured as an integrated upper and lower plate, but a configuration example in which the upper plate and the lower plate are separated is also conceivable. A configuration example in which the handle 151 of the launching device emits light under a predetermined condition is also conceivable.

The frame member 150 also includes a stop button 154 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching the handle 151 of the launch device, and a game ball stored in the tray 153. A take-out button 155 for dropping and taking out the box (not shown).
Further, the frame member 150 includes a speaker 156 and a frame lamp 157 for notifying the gaming state and situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and performing various effects. The speaker 156 performs various effects based on music, voice, and sound effects, and the frame lamp 157 performs various effects based on light depending on the pattern and light emission color caused by lighting and blinking. In addition, about the frame lamp | ramp 157, the structural example which enables it to perform the effect which changes the irradiation direction of light can be considered.
The frame member 150 also includes a transparent plate 159 for separating the game board 110 from the player.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the pachinko gaming machine 100, (a) is an enlarged view showing an example of a display 130 arranged at the lower right of the game board 110, and (b) is a pachinko game. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to winning of the first starting port 121 and a winning of the second starting port 122. The second special symbol display 222 that operates in response to the above and the normal symbol display 223 that operates in response to the passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display 221 variably displays the special symbol resulting from winning of the first start port 121 and displays the lottery result. The second special symbol display 222 variably displays special symbols resulting from winning at the second start port 122 and displays the lottery results. The normal symbol display unit 223 displays the normal symbol variably and displays the lottery result when the game ball passes through the gate 124. Each of the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, and the normal symbol display 223 is composed of an LED display device, and a symbol representing each lottery result is displayed according to its lighting mode.

  In addition, the indicator 130 operates in response to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the first special symbol hold indicator 218 that operates corresponding to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222. 2 a special symbol hold indicator 219 and a normal symbol hold indicator 220 that operates in response to the hold in the normal symbol indicator 223. Each of the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 is configured by an LED display device, and the number of holds is displayed by its lighting mode.

  Here, the hold will be described. If a game ball wins in the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 during the special symbol change display operation (while the change display for one win is being performed), the special symbol is changing. In addition, the special symbol variation display operation based on the subsequent winning cannot be started. Therefore, the number of subsequent winnings is memorized up to a specified number (for example, 4), and the right to start a special symbol for the winning game ball is until the variable display operation for the previously winning game ball ends. Deferred. For normal symbols, the same processing as for special symbols is performed. The fact that such a hold has been made and the number of hold (unchanged number) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219 and the normal symbol hold indicator 220.

  Furthermore, the display device 130 includes a state display device 224 that displays the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In the present embodiment, the status indicator 224 is configured by a display device in which two LEDs are arranged. One of the two LEDs notifies whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a high probability state in which the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is high. The other one is to notify by lighting whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a short time state in which it is easy to win the second starting port 122. In addition, the status indicator 224 is further provided with an LED, and by lighting it to the right (by changing the hitting force of the game ball), it is possible to notify by lighting whether or not the player is in an advantageous state. Good.

The frame member 150 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, as an example of an input device, an effect button 161 and an effect key 162 composed of a plurality of keys adjacent to the effect button 161 and arranged in a substantially cross shape are provided. Are disposed on the frame member 150. The production key 162 is configured such that one central key is arranged at the center, and four peripheral keys having substantially the same shape are arranged around the central key. The player can select any of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114 by operating the four peripheral keys, and can select the image by operating the effect button 161. It is possible to input an image as information.
As the form of the input device, various input forms such as a lever, a dial, and the like can be adopted in addition to the effect button 161 and the effect key 162 shown in the drawing.

[Configuration of control unit]
Next, a control unit that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the control unit. As shown in the figure, the control unit is provided with a game control unit 200 that determines whether or not a special symbol has been won as main control means. Further, as sub-control means, an effect control unit 300 that comprehensively controls effects, an image / sound control unit 310 that controls effects using images and sound, and effects using various lamps and movable accessories 115 A ramp control unit 320 for controlling the payout, and a payout control unit 400 for performing payout control of the payout ball.

  As described above, the game control unit 200, the effect control unit 300, the image / sound control unit 310, the lamp control unit 320, and the payout control unit 400 are each a game as a main board disposed on the rear surface of the game board 110. The control board, the effect control board as the sub board, the image control board, the lamp control board, and the payout control board are individually configured.

[Configuration and function of game control unit]
The game control unit 200 is used as a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when determining whether or not a special symbol is won, a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like, a working memory of the CPU 201, and the like. RAM 203 to be provided.
When the game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, the game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery and sends the lottery result to the effect control unit 300. In addition, the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state and the change information of the short time state and the short time state are sent to the effect control unit 300.
Further, the game control unit 200 performs control to increase the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, shorten the normal symbol variation time, or extend the opening time of the electric tulip 123. In addition, the game control unit 200 holds up to the limit number (for example, four) of the unchangeable amount when the game ball continuously wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122, or the game ball continues. Thus, the suspension is set up to the limit number (for example, 4) of the unchangeable amount when passing through the gate 124.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 opens until the special winning opening 125, which is a special electric accessory, satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) according to the result of the special symbol lottery. Control is performed so that the round in which the state is maintained is repeated a predetermined number of times. Furthermore, the opening / closing operation interval when the special winning opening 125 is opened is controlled.

Further, when the game ball is won in the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126, the game control unit 200 per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control unit 400 is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning opening 126, an instruction command (command) is sent to the payout control unit 400 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the payout control unit 400 is not instructed to pay out the prize ball in conjunction therewith.
When the payout control unit 400 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 200, the game control unit 200 acquires information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 400. As a result, the number of prize balls paid out is managed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port switch (SW)) 211 that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121, as shown in FIG. , A second start port detection unit (second start port switch (SW)) 212 that detects a winning of a game ball to the second start port 122, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213 that opens and closes the electric tulip 123, and the gate 124. A gate detection unit (gate switch (SW)) 214 for detecting the passage of the game ball is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 has a large winning port detecting unit (large winning port switch (SW)) 215 for detecting a winning of a game ball to the large winning port 125, and the large winning port 125 is inclined to be in a closed state. A large winning opening / closing unit 216 set to the open state and a normal winning opening detecting unit (normal winning opening switch (SW)) 217 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning opening 126 are connected.

In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol hold indicator 218 that displays the number of unreserved reserves that have been won to the first start port 121 during the change of the special symbol within a limit number (for example, four). , A second special symbol hold indicator 219 that displays within the limit the number of non-changed reserves won to the second starting port 122 during the change of the special symbol, and the non-changed display that has passed through the gate 124 during the change of the normal symbol A normal symbol hold indicator 220 for displaying the fluctuation hold amount within the limit number is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol display 221 for displaying a special symbol variation display and a special symbol lottery result performed by winning a game ball in the first starting port 121, and a second starting port. The second special symbol display 222 that displays the result of the special symbol variation display and special symbol lottery performed by winning the game ball to 122, and the normal symbol display that displays the normal symbol variation display and the normal symbol lottery result A device 223 and a state indicator 224 for displaying the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 are connected.

  Then, detection signals detected by the first start port switch 211, the second start port switch 212, the gate switch 214, the big winning port switch 215 and the normal winning port switch 217 are sent to the game control unit 200. In addition, the control signal from the game control unit 200 includes an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213, a prize winning opening / closing unit 216, a first special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219, a normal symbol hold indicator 220, It is sent to the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, the normal symbol display 223, and the status display 224. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of payout prize balls.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 250 that transmits various kinds of information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall is connected to the game control unit 200. Then, the game control unit 200 transmits information about the number of paid-out prize balls, information indicating the state of the game control unit 200, and the like acquired from the payout control unit 400 to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 250. To do.

[Configuration and function of production control unit]
The effect control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs calculation processing when controlling the effect, a ROM 302 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301 and various data, a RAM 303 that is used as a work memory of the CPU 301, and the like. And a real-time clock (RTC) 304 for measuring.
The effect control unit 300 sets the contents of the effect, for example, based on the determination result of whether or not the winning in the special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 200 and the variation pattern. At that time, in response to an operation input from the user using the effect button 161 or the effect key 162, the effect content corresponding to the operation input may be set. In this case, for example, a signal (operation signal) corresponding to an operation is received from a controller (not shown) such as the effect button 161, and the operation content identified by the operation signal is reflected in the setting of the effect.
In addition, when the game is interrupted for a predetermined period, the effect control unit 300 instructs the setting of the screen display for waiting for a customer as one of the effects.
Furthermore, the production control unit 300 sets the production content based on the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state received from the game control unit 200, and the change information of the short time state and the short time state.
In addition, the effect control unit 300 sends a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320.

[Configuration / Function of Image / Sound Control Unit]
The image / sound control unit 310 is a CPU 311 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling the image and sound representing the content of the effect, a ROM 312 that stores programs executed by the CPU 311, various data, and the like. And a RAM 313 used as a memory or the like.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 114 and the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300.
Specifically, in the ROM 312 of the image / sound control unit 310, a symbol image or background image displayed during the game on the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, and a notice effect for the player Image data such as a character or item for displaying is stored.
The ROM 312 further stores various types of acoustic data such as music and sound output from the speaker 156 in synchronization with the image data or independently of the image data, and sound effects such as jingles. The CPU 311 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300 from the image data and the sound data stored in the ROM 312. Furthermore, image processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, etc., and voice processing using the read acoustic data are performed using the read image data.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls screen display on the image display unit 114 based on the image data subjected to image processing. Further, the sound output from the speaker 156 is controlled by the sound data subjected to the sound processing.

[Configuration and function of lamp control unit]
The lamp control unit 320 stores a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs executed by the CPU 321 and various data. A ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.
The lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, the emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Further, the operation of the movable accessory 115 is controlled.
Specifically, the ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (emission pattern) for the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 300. Data) is stored. The CPU 321 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 322 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300. The lamp controller 320 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the read light emission pattern data.
The ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 115 corresponding to the production content set by the production control unit 300. The CPU 321 controls the operation of the movable accessory 115 based on the read operation pattern data.

[Configuration and function of payout control unit]
The payout control unit 400 includes a CPU 401 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling payout of the payout ball, a ROM 402 that stores programs executed by the CPU 401, various data, and the like, and a RAM 403 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 401. And.
The payout control unit 400 controls payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control unit 200.
Specifically, the payout control unit 400 acquires from the game control unit 200 a command for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won (such as the first start port 121). Then, the payout driving unit 411 is controlled so as to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the command. Here, the payout drive unit 411 includes a drive motor that sends out the game ball from the storage unit of the game ball.

The payout control unit 400 also includes a payout ball detection unit 412 that detects the number of prize balls actually paid out from the game ball storage unit by the payout drive unit 411, and a game ball in the storage unit (not shown). Sphere detection unit 413 for detecting whether or not there is a storage, and whether or not the plate 153 in which a game ball used when a player plays a game or a prized ball to be held is full is detected. A full tank detection unit 414 is connected. Then, the payout control unit 400 receives detection signals detected by the payout ball detection unit 412, the ball presence detection unit 413, and the full tank detection unit 414, and performs predetermined processing according to these detection signals.
Further, the payout control unit 400 is connected to a frame external information terminal board 450 that transmits various types of information to a host computer installed in the hall. Then, the payout control unit 400, for example, information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout driving unit 411, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 412, etc. Is transmitted to the host computer via the frame external information terminal board 450. Also, similar information is transmitted to the game control unit 200.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in the figure, the game control unit 200 includes a random number acquisition unit 231, a normal symbol determination unit 232, a special symbol variation control unit 233, and a special symbol determination unit 234 as functional units that execute various lottery processes. And a normal symbol fluctuation control unit 237.
In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 as a functional unit that executes a process associated with special symbol variation.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 is a function unit that executes operation control of various types of objects and data processing related to a prize ball, etc., as a function unit for a prize winning opening operation control unit 238, an electric tulip operation control unit 239, and a prize ball processing unit 240. And an output control unit 241 and a random number control unit 242.

The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number related to a special symbol when a game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122. Specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from a predetermined range of numerical values and used for determination by the special symbol determination unit 234.
The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number related to a normal symbol when a game ball passes through the gate 124. Specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from a predetermined range of numerical values, and used for determination by the normal symbol determination unit 232.
When a special symbol lottery is performed, the special symbol variation control unit 233 controls the variation of the special symbol according to the lottery result.

  The special symbol determination unit 234 uses a random number table as shown in FIG. 17 at the start of the variation of the special symbol, and the lottery result is “whether it is a big hit”, “a type of big hit when winning a big win”, “ It is determined whether or not the jackpot is lost or not when the jackpot is not won. That is, the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number value related to a special symbol when the first starting port switch 211 or the second starting port switch 212 serving as a detection unit detects passage of a game ball, and determines a special symbol. The unit 234 determines based on the acquired random number value whether or not to play a special game (such as a big hit game) advantageous to the player. The special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) described above refers to processing in the random number acquisition unit 231 and the special symbol determination unit 234.

  Here, the “hit” is divided into a plurality of types according to the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Specifically, the type of jackpot is determined depending on the combination of the short-time state or the short-time state and the high-probability state or the low-probability state. That is, as a type of jackpot, after the jackpot game is finished, it is a jackpot, a short probability state and a low probability state state that has both a short probability state and a high probability state state that has both a short state state and a high probability state state. A jackpot that becomes a gaming state, a state that has both a short-time state and a high-probability state, and a jackpot that becomes a high-probability state that has both a short-time state and a low-probability state. There can be a jackpot. Each of these jackpots is associated with an individual special symbol, and the type of jackpot is determined according to the type of special symbol won in the special symbol lottery.

  In addition, the “bonanza” may be divided into a jackpot that can be expected to pay out a large amount of gaming balls for a long time, and a jackpot that can hardly be expected to pay out gaming balls because the jackpot game time is short. The former is called “long hit” and the latter is called “short hit”. For example, in “long win”, a round that is maintained until the open state of the big winning opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) is repeated, for example, 15 times. In the “short win”, a round in which the special winning opening 125 is opened for a certain time (for example, 0.1 second) is repeated, for example, 15 times.

In addition, in the case of “small winning” when the big winning is not won, for example, a small winning game is performed in which the big winning opening 125 is opened for 15 seconds for 15 times. At the time of winning the small hit, the game state before the small win is continued even after the small hit game is completed. That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the high probability short game state, the high probability short time gaming state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the gaming state does not shift. Similarly, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the low probability short-time non-game state, the low-probability short short no-game state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the game state does not shift.
Further, “small hit” is a kind of “out of game”, and none of the above gaming states that are advantageous to the player is set.

The variation pattern selection unit 235 selects a variation pattern (variation time) of a special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. Here, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern based on the determination result whether or not to play the jackpot game, the determination result whether or not to reach, and the like. Then, based on the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection unit 235, the special symbol variation control unit 233 controls the variation of the special symbol. Details of operations of the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 and the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 will be described later.
Here, “reach” is an effect for causing a player to expect a big hit in a decorative pattern to be described later.

When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether the normal symbol lottery result is “winning or not”.
The normal symbol fluctuation control unit 237 controls the fluctuation of the normal symbol according to the lottery result of the normal symbol.
The electric tulip operation control unit 239 releases the electric tulip 123 for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when it is determined as “winning” by the normal symbol lottery, so that the game ball can be easily won at the second start port 122. Generate a state. Further, when it is determined as “displacement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 is not generated.

The special winning opening operation control unit 238 controls the opening operation of the special winning opening 125.
The prize ball processing unit 240 sets a command for controlling the number of prizes to be received for various types of winnings and lotteries, and a command for controlling the payout of prize balls according to the prize.
The output control unit 241 controls the output of control commands from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 400.
The random number control unit 242 controls updating of various random values used in processing by the main control unit.

[Basic operation of gaming machine]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 configured as described above will be described.
The basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is performed by a game control unit 200 that is a main control means. Then, under the control of the game control unit 200, the effect control unit 300, which is a sub-control means, controls the game effect, and the payout control unit 400 controls the payout of the prize ball.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main operations of the game control unit 200.
The game control unit 200 repeatedly executes each process shown in FIG. 5 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) in a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. Referring to the figure, random number update processing, switch processing, symbol processing, electric accessory processing, prize ball processing, and output processing are sequentially executed (steps 501 to 506).

  In the random number update process (step 501), the random number control unit 242 of the game control unit 200 updates various random number values used in the process by the main control unit. Details of the setting of the random number and the update of the random value will be described later.

As the switch process (step 502), a start port switch process and a gate switch process are performed.
In the start port switch process, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 monitors the state of the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212 in FIG. A lottery process is executed.
In the gate switch process, the normal symbol determination unit 232 of the game control unit 200 monitors the state of the gate switch 214 of FIG. 3 and executes a process for normal symbol lottery when the switch is turned on.
The detailed contents of these switch processes will be described later.

As the symbol processing (step 503), special symbol processing and normal symbol processing are performed.
In the special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol determination unit 234, and the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 perform the special symbol variation and processing associated with this symbol variation.
In the normal symbol process, the normal symbol variation control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 performs a normal symbol variation and a process associated with the symbol variation.
The detailed contents of these symbol processes will be described later.

As the electric accessory process (step 504), a big prize opening process and an electric tulip process are performed.
In the special prize opening process, the special prize opening operation controller 238 of the game control unit 200 controls the opening operation of the special prize opening 125 based on a predetermined condition.
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 of the game control unit 200 controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123 based on a predetermined condition.
The detailed contents of these electric accessory processing will be described later.

In the winning ball process (step 505), the winning ball processing unit 240 of the game control unit 200 sets a command for controlling the number of winnings and a control for paying out a winning ball according to winning.
In the output process (step 506), the output control unit 241 of the game control unit 200 outputs a control command to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 400. The control command is generated in each process up to step 505, set in the RAM 203, and output in this output process.

[Start-up switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port switch process in the switch process shown in step 502 of FIG.
In the start port switch process, a process for winning at the first start port 121 and a process for winning at the second start port 122 are sequentially performed. Referring to FIG. 6, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a game ball has won the first start port 121 and the first start port switch 211 is turned on (step 601). If the first start port switch 211 is turned ON, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U1 in the winning of the first start port 121 is less than the upper limit value (step 602). ). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U1 has reached the upper limit (No in step 602), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, so the process for winning at the first start port 121 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the hold number U1 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in step 602), the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the hold number U1 (step 603). And the random number acquisition part 231 of the game control part 200 acquires the random value for the lottery by this time winning, and stores it in RAM203 (step 604). Here, since the first starting port 121 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery is acquired. The random value acquired at this time is the value updated by the random number update process in step 501. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value. Random values here include jackpot random numbers that determine jackpot, jackpot or loss, jackpot type (short or short state after jackpot game, short or short state, high probability state or low probability state, long hit, short Symbol random number value that determines the winning pattern, jackpot symbol random number value, fluctuation pattern random number value for specifying the variation pattern in symbol variation, reach random number value that determines whether or not to perform with reach in the event of a loss, etc. Is included.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (Step 605). In this pre-determination process, the lottery result is determined not at the start of symbol variation but at the start opening prize (that is, at step 605). In addition, in the gaming machine that does not perform the notice effect based on the advance determination, the advance determination process may be omitted.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number U1 increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U1 in step 603 in the RAM 203 (step 606). The process ends. When the preliminary determination process in step 605 is performed, the information on the determination result of the preliminary determination obtained in step 605 is included in the pending number U1 increase command.

  Next, a process for winning in the second start port 122 is performed. Referring to FIG. 6, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 122 and the second start port switch 212 is turned on (step 607). If the second start port switch 212 is turned ON, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U2 in the winning of the second start port 122 is less than the upper limit value (step 608). ). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U2 has reached the upper limit (No in step 608), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, so the processing for winning at the second start port 122 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the holding number U2 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in Step 608), the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number U2 (Step 609). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random number value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in the RAM 203 (step 610). Here, since the winning of the second starting port 122, as in the above step 604, random numbers for special symbol lottery (big hit random number value, big hit symbol random value), reach random number value, variation pattern random value, etc.) To be acquired. The random value acquired at this time is the value updated by the random number update process in step 501. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (Step 611). The contents of this preliminary determination process are the same as in step 605 above. This prior determination process may also be omitted in the pachinko gaming machine 100 that does not perform the advance notice based on the prior determination.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number U2 increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U2 in step 609 in the RAM 203 (step 612), and the game control unit 200 responds to the winning at the second start port 122. The process ends. When the preliminary determination process in step 611 is performed, the information on the determination result of the preliminary determination obtained in step 611 is included in the pending number U2 increase command.

[Gate switch processing in game control unit]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate switch process when a game ball passes through the gate 124.
In this gate switch process, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball has passed through the gate 124 and the gate switch 214 is turned on (step 701). If the gate switch 214 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged holding number G is less than the upper limit value (step 702). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reserves G has reached the upper limit (No in step 702), no more unchanging winnings can be reserved, and the gate switch processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of held G is less than the upper limit value (Yes in Step 702), the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the number of held G (Step 703). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in the RAM 203 (step 704). Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number value) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

  After the random value is acquired in step 704, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number G increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number G in step 703 in the RAM 203 (step 705). The process for winning in the gate 124 is terminated.

[Special symbol processing in game control unit]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol processing of the symbol processing shown in step 503 of FIG.
In this special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the setting of a flag set in the RAM 203 (hereinafter, flag setting) ( Step 801). Here, the winning game flag is a flag that is set to identify that the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit. Either the long winning game flag or the short winning game flag is set according to the type of winning. In the present embodiment, these are collectively called a winning game flag.

  When the winning game flag is ON, since the pachinko gaming machine 100 is already in a big hit, the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation (Yes in Step 801). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is OFF (No in Step 801), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the special symbol variation (Step 802). . If the special symbol is not changing (No in step 802), then the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 performs processing related to the number U1 and U2 (see FIG. 6) of the special symbols that have not been changed (steps 803 to 806). . In the present embodiment, the number of holds U1 related to winning of the first start port 121 and the number of holds U2 related to winning of the second start port 122 are distinguished, so this processing is also performed for each corresponding start port. .

  Specifically, the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines whether or not the number of holds U2 related to winning in the second start port 122 is 1 or more (step 803). When the number of reservations U2 is 1 or more (Yes in Step 803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U2 (Step 804). On the other hand, if the hold number U2 = 0 (No in step 803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether the hold number U1 related to winning in the first start port 121 is 1 or more (step 805). . When the number of reservations U1 is 1 or more (Yes in Step 805), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U1 (Step 806). On the other hand, if the number of holdings U1 = 0 (No in step 805), it means that there is no winning for starting the special symbol lottery, so the special symbol change is not started, and the waiting for a different routine is set. The process is executed and the process is terminated (step 816).

  After subtracting the holding number U1 or the holding number U2 in step 804 or step 806, the special symbol variation control unit 233 turns off the customer waiting flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 807). The customer waiting flag is a flag for identifying that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the customer waiting state, and is set in the customer waiting setting process (step 816, see FIG. 12).

  Next, the special symbol variation control unit 233 executes jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing by separate routines (steps 808 and 809). As will be described in detail later, by the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process, setting information for variation of the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a variation pattern, etc.) is determined. Is done. These pieces of information are included in a change start command sent to the effect control unit 300.

  Thereafter, the special symbol variation control unit 233 is displayed by the first special symbol display unit 221 and the second special symbol display unit 222 shown in FIG. 2 based on the setting contents determined in the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process. The special symbol change is started (step 810). Then, a change start command including setting information indicating the setting contents (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a change pattern, etc.) is generated and set in the RAM 203 (step 811). The variation start command set in step 811 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

  If it is determined in step 802 that the special symbol is changing (Yes in step 802), or after the change start command is set in step 811, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 determines whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed. (Step 812). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time since the start of the variation of the special symbol at step 810 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process at step 809. If the variation time has not elapsed (No in step 812), the special symbol variation is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has elapsed (Yes in step 812), the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines the special symbol variation in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 as a big hit in step 808. Stop at the symbol determined in the determination process (step 813). A change stop command for stopping a decorative design to be described later is set in the RAM 203 (step 814). Then, a stop routine process of another routine is executed (step 815). The contents of the stop process will be described later. The change stop command set in step 814 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Big hit judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (step 808 in FIG. 8).
In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number value in the current special symbol lottery (step 901), and determines whether or not the jackpot or small hit ( Steps 902, 905). The value of the jackpot random number acquired at step 604 or step 610 in FIG. 6 matches the value set as the winning value of the jackpot or the value set as the winning value of the jackpot. It is determined by judging whether or not (see FIG. 17A).

  If the result of the random number determination in step 901 is a big hit (Yes in step 902), then the special symbol determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random value (step 903). Depending on the result of this determination, the type of jackpot (high or low probability state, short or short state, short or short state, long or short hit) is determined. Which jackpot is determined is determined by whether the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in step 604 or 610 in FIG. 6 matches one of the preset values for each jackpot type (FIG. 17). (See (b)).

  After the above determination, the special symbol determination unit 234 sets the symbol representing the type of jackpot determined by the determination of the jackpot symbol random number (the jackpot symbol) as setting information in the RAM 203 (step 904).

  If the result of the random number determination in step 901 is a small hit (No in step 902, Yes in step 905), then the special symbol determination unit 234 displays a symbol indicating that it is a small hit (hereinafter referred to as a small hit symbol). The setting information is set in the RAM 203 (step 906).

  If the result of the random number determination in step 901 is neither big win nor small win (No in step 902 and step 905), then the special symbol determination unit 234 sets a symbol indicating that the lottery has shifted (hereinafter referred to as a loss symbol). Information is set in the RAM 203 (step 907).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (step 809 in FIG. 8).
In this variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery using the determination result of step 902 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). (Step 1001). If it is a big hit (Yes in Step 1001), the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 reads the big hit fluctuation pattern table from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (Step 1002).

On the other hand, if the jackpot has not been won (No in step 1001), the variation pattern selection unit 235 then determines a random number value to determine whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a jackpot. Perform (step 1003). Whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value acquired in step 604 or step 610 in FIG. 6 matches a preset value (FIG. 17C). reference).
As a result of the determination using the random number value, when the reach effect is performed (Yes in Step 1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for reach from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (Step 1005). When the reach effect is not performed (No in Step 1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (Step 1006).
Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with values of variation pattern random numbers.

  Next, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern random value using the variation pattern random value acquired in Step 604 or Step 610 of FIG. 6 and the variation pattern table set in Steps 1002, 1005, and 1006. Perform (step 1007). That is, the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 refers to the fluctuation pattern table set in the RAM 203 and selects a fluctuation pattern corresponding to the random value of the fluctuation pattern random number. Therefore, even if the same random number value is acquired, the variation referred to depending on the state difference such as whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit or not and whether or not a reach effect is performed if it is not a big hit Since the pattern table is different, the determined variation pattern is different.

  Thereafter, the variation pattern selection unit 235 sets the variation pattern selected in Step 1007 in the RAM 203 as setting information (Step 1008). The variation pattern setting information set in step 1008 is included in the variation start command set in step 811 of FIG. 8, and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Processing during stop by game control unit]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the stop process (step 815 in FIG. 8).
In this stop process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not a flag indicating that the time is short (hereinafter referred to as a short time flag) is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1101). If the time reduction flag is ON (Yes in step 1101), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the time reduction state (step 1102), and whether the number of lotteries J has become 0. Whether or not is checked (step 1103). If the number of lotteries J = 0 (Yes in Step 1103), the time reduction flag is turned OFF (Step 1104). It should be noted that the operation for turning on the hourly flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number J are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special winning opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the time reduction flag is OFF (No in Step 1101), or after the time reduction flag is turned OFF in Step 1104, or if the value of the lottery count J is not 0 (No in Step 1103), the game control unit 200 next In the flag setting of the RAM 203, it is checked whether or not a flag indicating a high probability state (hereinafter, probability variation flag) is ON (step 1105). When both the probability variation flag and the previous time-short flag are ON, the high-probability short-time gaming state is established, and when the probability variation flag is ON and the time-short flag is OFF, the high-probability time-short no-game state.

  When the probability variation flag is ON (Yes in Step 1105), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of variations) X in the high probability state (Step 1106), and the number of lotteries X becomes 0. It is checked whether or not (step 1107). If the number of times of lottery X = 0 (Yes in Step 1107), the probability variation flag is turned OFF (Step 1108). Note that the operation for turning on the probability change flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number X are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the probability change flag is OFF (No in step 1105), or after the probability change flag is turned OFF in step 1108, or if the value of the lottery count X is not 0 (No in step 1107), the game control unit 200 next Then, it is determined whether or not the special symbol lottery has been won (step 1109). If it is a big hit (Yes in step 1109), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the big hit type is a long win (step 1110).

  Here, the determination of whether or not the jackpot is possible can be made based on the determination result of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). For example, if any of the symbols shown in the diagram of FIG. 17B described later is set, “Yes” is determined in step 1109. If a lost symbol or a small bonus symbol is set in the RAM 203 by the big hit determination process, No in step 1109.

  When the jackpot type is a long hit (Yes in Step 1110), the game control unit 200 turns on the long hit game flag (Step 1111). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a jackpot gaming state (long winning gaming state) in which the jackpot type is long winning. In addition, here, in the long hit, it is not distinguished whether it is a high probability state or a low probability state. Whether the state is a high probability state or a low probability state is specified by turning on a corresponding flag in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  When the big hit type is not long hit (No in Step 1110), the game control unit 200 turns on the short hit game flag (Step 1112). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a big hit gaming state (short winning gaming state) in which the big hit type is short hit. Similar to the case of long hit, the case of short hit does not distinguish between a high probability state and a low probability state.

  After turning on the winning game flag in step 1111 or step 1112, the game control unit 200 initializes the values of the lottery times J and X (step 1113). Further, the game control unit 200 turns off the time reduction flag when the time reduction flag is ON in step 1101 and the lottery count J is not 0 in step 1103 (step 1114). Similarly, if the probability variation flag is ON in step 1105 and the lottery count X is not 0 in step 1107, the probability variation flag is turned OFF (step 1114).

On the other hand, when the result of the special symbol lottery this time is not a big win (No in Step 1109), the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery this time is a big hit (Step 1115). ). If it is not a small hit (No in step 1115), the in-stop process is terminated.
On the other hand, if it is a small hit (Yes in step 1115), the game control unit 200 starts a small hit game (step 1116). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state. In the small hit game, as described above, the special winning opening 125 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times, and is ended after a predetermined time has elapsed.

After initializing the values of the lottery times J and X in step 1113, the game control unit 200 starts an opening operation (step 1117). Here, the contents of the opening operation differ depending on which of steps 1111 and 1112 the winning game flag is turned on. That is, according to the state of the winning game flag, one of the opening operations set in each gaming state of the long winning game and the short winning game is performed.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets an opening command for performing an effect in the opening operation according to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 (step 1118), and ends the in-stop process. This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

[Customer waiting setting process by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting setting process (step 816 in FIG. 8).
In this customer waiting setting process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the customer waiting flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1201). Here, the customer waiting flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state.

  When the customer waiting flag is ON, since the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the customer waiting state, the processing is ended as it is (Yes in step 1201). On the other hand, when the customer waiting flag is OFF, the game control unit 200 generates a customer waiting command and sets it in the RAM 203 (step 1202), and turns on the customer waiting flag (step 1203). The customer waiting command set in step 1202 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG. The customer waiting flag is set in a state where there is no suspension with the special symbol change stopped.

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the normal symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in step 503 of FIG.
In this normal symbol process, the normal symbol variation control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1301). Here, the auxiliary game flag is a flag that is set when a normal symbol lottery is won. The state in which the auxiliary game flag is set is a state in which the electric tulip 123 is opened in accordance with the electric tulip process (FIG. 16) described later and it is easy to win the second start port 122 (auxiliary game state).

  When the auxiliary game flag is ON, since the auxiliary game state has already been reached and the normal symbol is stopped, the normal symbol processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation (Yes in step 1301). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game flag is OFF (No in step 1301), the normal symbol variation control unit 237 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the normal symbol variation (step 1302). . If the normal symbol is not changing (No in step 1302), then the normal symbol change control unit 237 determines whether the number G of the normal symbols remaining unchanged (see FIG. 7) is 1 or more (step 1303). If the holding number G = 0 (No in step 1303), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is 1 or more (Yes in Step 1303), the normal symbol variation control unit 237 subtracts 1 from the value of the reserved number G (Step 1304), and the random number in the current normal symbol lottery It is determined whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won (step 1305). Whether or not the winner is won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in step 704 in FIG. 7 matches the value set as the winning value in the table shown in FIG. Determined by.

  Next, the normal symbol variation control unit 237 sets the normal symbol according to the result of the normal symbol lottery (step 1306). That is, when a normal symbol lottery is won, a symbol representing the winning (hereinafter referred to as a winning symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a symbol indicating that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information.

  Next, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 237 sets the fluctuation time of the normal symbol (step 1307). This variation time is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processing of steps 1104 and 1114 in FIG. 11 and steps 1504 and 1507 in FIG. That is, when the time reduction flag is ON in the setting in step 1307, it is set to a short time (for example, 1.5 seconds), and when the time reduction flag is OFF, it is set to a long time (for example, 4.0 seconds). Is set. After this setting, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 237 starts normal symbol fluctuations in the normal symbol display 223 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3 based on the setting contents of step 1307 (step 1308).

  After starting normal symbol variation in step 1308 or when it is determined in step 1302 that normal symbol variation is in progress (Yes in step 1302), the normal symbol variation control unit 237 determines whether or not the variation time has elapsed. (Step 1309). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of normal symbol fluctuation in step 1308 has reached the fluctuation time set in step 1307. If the fluctuation time has not elapsed (No in step 1309), the normal symbol variation is continued, and the normal symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time is over (Yes in step 1309), the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 237 stops the fluctuation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display unit 223 (step 1310). Then, the normal symbol variation control unit 237 determines whether or not the normal symbol lottery is won based on the stopped normal symbol (step 1311). If it is elected (Yes in Step 1311), the auxiliary game flag is turned ON (Step 1312). On the other hand, if the lottery is off (No in step 1311), the normal symbol process is terminated without turning on the auxiliary game flag.

[Large winning mouth processing by game control unit]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the big prize opening process in the electric accessory process shown in Step 504 of FIG.
In this special winning opening process, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1401). If the winning game flag is OFF, there is no prize winning in the big prize opening 125, so the big prize opening process is terminated (No in step 1401). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is ON (Yes in Step 1401), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 next performs the operation control at the time of the big hit started in the pachinko gaming machine 100 being stopped (FIG. 11). It is determined whether or not the opening operation is in progress (step 1402).

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in Step 1402), the next prize opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not a predetermined time for opening operation (opening time) has elapsed. Judgment is made (step 1403). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation at the special winning opening 125 is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in step 1403). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in step 1403), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 next sets the operation of the special winning opening 125 (step 1404) and initializes the winning number C (C = 0) (step 1405), the value of the number of operation rounds R of the big prize opening 125 is incremented by 1 from the current value (step 1406), and the big prize opening 125 is started (opened) (step 1407).

  In the operation setting of step 1404, the operation pattern of the special winning opening 125 and the number of rounds (operation round number) operated by the operation pattern are set. As the case where the big prize opening 125 is operated, there are a case where it is a big win per long or short in a special symbol lottery and a case where it is a small win. The operation pattern and the number of rounds are variously set according to the hit type. In the case of a long hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and 29.5 seconds are released once in one round. In the case of a short hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and one round is performed once for 0.1 seconds. In the case of a small hit, for example, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.1 second is released 15 times in this round. Here, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared in the above examples, both 0.1 seconds of opening is performed 15 times. That is, the action of the big winning opening 125 that can be seen by the player is the same for the case of short win and the case of small win, and the short win and the small win are distinguished only from the action of the big winning opening 125 on the game board 110. I can't do it.

  As another example, 15 rounds (15R) are activated per long, 29.5 seconds are released once per round, 2 rounds (2R) are activated per short, and 0 are rounded per round. .9 seconds are opened twice, and with a small hit, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.9 seconds is opened twice in this round. In this case as well, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared, both 0.9 seconds are released twice, and the action of the big prize opening 125 that can be seen by the player is in the case of short hits. It is the same in the case of small hits.

  The law stipulates that the cumulative opening time of the special winning opening 125 must be set within 1.8 seconds for a small hit. On the other hand, in the case of a big hit (long hit or short win), the big winning opening 125 must be continuously opened a plurality of times. Therefore, when trying to make it difficult to visually distinguish the operation with a small hit and the operation with a short hit as described above, within the range that satisfies the cumulative open time within 1.8 seconds in one operation, An operation mode in which the big prize opening 125 is opened two or more times is set, and in the short win, the same number of rounds as the number of small hits is set.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the opening time in the operation pattern set in Step 1404 has elapsed (Step 1408). When the open state at the big prize opening 125 has not passed the opening time (No in step 1408), the big prize opening operation control unit 238 then determines that the number C of winning prizes to the big prize opening 125 is a predetermined number (for example, It is determined whether or not (9) or more (step 1409). If the opening time has not elapsed and the number C of winning prizes is less than the prescribed number, the operating state (opening state) of the big winning opening 125 is continued, so that the big winning opening process is terminated (step 1409). No). On the other hand, if the opening time has passed (Yes in Step 1408) or the winning number C has reached the specified number (Yes in Step 1409), the special winning opening operation controller 238 ends the operation of the special winning opening 125 ( (Step 1410).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the round number R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 has reached the maximum value set in Step 1404 (Step 1411). If the maximum value has not been reached, the remaining operations are performed, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in step 1411).

If the number of rounds R of the operation of the special prize opening 125 reaches the maximum value (Yes in Step 1411), the special prize opening operation control unit 238 then starts the ending operation (Step 1412). Here, the content of the ending operation corresponds to the state of the winning game flag among the ending operations set in each gaming state of the long winning game and the short winning game.
Thereafter, the special winning opening operation control unit 238 sets an ending command for performing the effect in the ending operation according to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (step 1413). This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in step 506 of FIG.

  Next, the prize winning opening operation control unit 238 resets the round number R of the action of the prize winning opening 125 to 0 (step 1414), and then performs an ending operation in which an elapsed time from the start of the ending operation is set in advance. It is determined whether or not the time to be played (ending time) has passed (step 1417). If the ending time has not elapsed, the ending operation is continued, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in step 1417). On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (Yes in step 1417), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 then performs a game state setting process by the game control unit 200 (step 1418), and then turns off the winning game flag. Then, the special winning opening process is terminated (step 1419). The contents of the game state setting process will be described later.

  If it is determined in step 1402 that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not opening (No in step 1402), the special winning opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not ending is in progress (step 1415). If ending is in progress (Yes in step 1415), the operations after step 1417 are executed.

On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not ending (No in step 1415), the special prize opening operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the special prize opening 125 is operating (opening) (step 1416). . If it is not in operation (No in Step 1416), the operation after Step 1405 is executed. If it is in operation (Yes in Step 1416), the operation after Step 1408 is executed.
The effect performed in the small hit game described above is the same as the effect performed in the short hit game, and it is not possible to distinguish short hit and small hit from the effect.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 15 shows the contents of the game state setting process (step 1418) by the game control unit 200, which is executed when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in step 1417).
When the game state setting process is performed, the winning game flag is set to ON in step 1401 of FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the game control unit 200 first determines the type of the hit (steps 1501, 1502, 1503, 1506). These determinations can be made based on, for example, the type of symbol set as setting information in the RAM 203 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). Since these determinations are substantially the same as steps 902, 903, and 905 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the determination results of steps 902, 903, and 905 may be used.

If it is a small hit (Yes in step 1501), the gaming state (internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 100) is not changed, so the gaming state setting process is terminated.
When the winning type is a big hit in the low probability short game state (No in step 1501, Yes in steps 1502 and 1503), the game control unit 200 turns on the short time flag (step 1504). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the low gaming state when the probability is low. In addition, the game control unit 200 sets an initial value of the lottery count J (step 1505), and ends the game state setting process. The initial value of the lottery number J is 100 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery in the low probability short game state is performed 100 times, the low probability short game state is ended and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the hit type is a big hit in the low probability short-time non-game state (No in step 1501, Yes in 1502, No in step 1503), the game control unit 200 performs processing without turning on both the short-time flag and the probability variation flag. Exit. Therefore, the setting of the game state of the RAM 203 for the game after the jackpot becomes a low probability short time no game state.

  When the winning type is a big hit in the high probability short-time gaming state (No in Steps 1501 and 1502, Yes in Step 1506), the game control unit 200 turns on the short-time flag (Step 1507) and the initial value of the number of lottery J Is set (step 1508). In this case, the initial value of the number of times of lottery J is 10,000 in the illustrated example. In addition, the game control unit 200 turns on the probability variation flag (step 1509) and sets the initial value of the number of lotteries X (step 1510). The initial value of the number of times of lottery X is 10,000 in the illustrated example. As a result, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability and short gaming state. If the lottery in the high probability short game state is performed 10,000 times, the high probability short game state is terminated and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the winning type is a big hit with a high probability short-time non-game state (No in steps 1501, 1502, and step 1506), the game control unit 200 turns on only the probability change flag (step 1509), An initial value (10000 times) is set (step 1510). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability short time no gaming state. Then, if the lottery in the high probability short-time non-game state is performed 10,000 times, the high-probability short-time non-game state is finished and the low-probability short-time non-game state is entered.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the electric tulip process in the electric accessory process shown in Step 504 of FIG.
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (step 1601). When the auxiliary game flag is OFF, the electric tulip 123 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in step 1601). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game flag is ON (Yes in Step 1601), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 determines whether the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Step 1602).

  When the electric tulip 123 is not in operation (No in Step 1602), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 sets the operation pattern of the electric tulip 123 (Step 1603), and operates the electric tulip 123 with the set operation pattern ( Step 1604). Here, the operation pattern is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processing of steps 1104 and 1114 in FIG. 11, steps 1504 and 1507 in FIG. For example, when the time reduction flag is OFF at the time of setting in step 1603, an operation pattern that opens once with a release time of 0.15 seconds is set, and when the time reduction flag is ON, 1.80 seconds are set. An operation pattern that opens three times in the opening time is set. As described above, normally, when the hourly flag is ON (when the hourly gaming state is set), the electric tulip 123 is opened a plurality of times for a long time, and the winning support that makes it easy to win the second starting port 122 (electric chewing support) ) Is performed.

  When it is determined in step 1602 that the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Yes in step 1602), or after the electric tulip 123 is operated in step 1604, the electric tulip operation control unit 239 opens in the set operation pattern. It is determined whether time has passed (step 1605). If the opening time has not elapsed, the operation state (open state) of the electric tulip 123 is continued, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in step 1605). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in step 1605), the electric tulip operation control unit 239 sets the auxiliary game flag to OFF and ends the electric tulip process (step 1606).

[Random number judgment method]
Here, a determination method using random numbers performed in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 10), the normal symbol process (FIG. 13), and the like will be described in detail.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of random number determination (determination table) used in the present embodiment.
FIG. 17A shows a configuration example of jackpot random number determination, FIG. 17B shows a configuration example of jackpot symbol random number determination, FIG. 17C shows a configuration example of reach random number determination, and FIG. ) Each show a configuration example of the hit random number determination.

  Referring to FIG. 17 (a), as the determination value of the jackpot random number, two types of gaming states of the pachinko gaming machine 100, a jackpot with a low probability state and a jackpot with a high probability state, and a jackpot are set. The range of values of random numbers (big hit random numbers) is 300 from 0 to 299. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a low probability state (a jackpot lottery), only one winning value is set, and the winning probability is 1/300. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a high probability state, 10 winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). That is, in the example shown in the figure, if the winning symbols 121 and 122 are won in the high probability state and the special symbol lottery is performed, the winning probability is 10 times that in the case where the special symbol lottery is performed in the low probability state. Further, three winning values are set regardless of the low probability state or the high probability state, and the winning probability is 3/300 (= 1/100).

  Referring to FIG. 17 (b), five types of jackpot symbols are prepared: low probability symbol A, low probability symbol B, high probability symbol A, high probability symbol B, and latent symbol symbol. Here, the low-probability symbol A and the low-probability symbol B are symbols indicating that the low-probability state is a big hit. Of these, the low-probability symbol A is a long win (low-probability short-time gaming state), and the low-probability symbol B is Represents each short hit (low probability, short no-game state). The high-probability symbol A and the high-probability symbol B are symbols representing a jackpot of a high-probability state. Among these symbols, the high-probability symbol A is a long win (high-probability short-time gaming state) and the high-probability symbol B is a short-win High probability short-time non-game state). The latent symbol is a symbol representing that it is a big hit in a high probability short-time no-game state. Therefore, the high probability symbol B and the latent probability symbol have the same gaming state after the jackpot game, but the latent probability symbol is a condition for performing a latent effect that does not clearly notify the player that the probability state is high. Therefore, it is provided separately from the high probability symbol B. The range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249. In addition, in the jackpot symbol random number, a winning value is set for each of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 that trigger the special symbol lottery.

In the low probability pattern A, 35 values are assigned as winning values in both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol A when winning a jackpot is 35/250 (= 7/50).
In the low probability symbol B, 15 values are assigned as winning values for both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, when winning the jackpot, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol B is 15/250 (= 3/50).

In the high probability symbol A, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 25/250 (= 1/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121.
On the other hand, 175 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 175/250 (= 7/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122.

In the high probability symbol B, 75 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 75/250 (= 3/10).
On the other hand, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122 is 25/250 (= 1/10).

In the latent symbol, 100 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning in the latent symbol when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 100/250 (= 2/5).
On the other hand, the winning value in the latent symbol is not assigned to the second starting port 122, and when winning in the second starting port 122, it is not won in the latent symbol.

  As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 17B, the jackpot when winning the first start port 121 has a probability of becoming a jackpot (high probability symbol B, latent probability symbol) of the high probability short-time non-game state. The probability that the jackpot when winning the second start port 122 is high is a jackpot (high probability symbol A) in the short game state with high probability is high. In this way, by making the winning probabilities of the jackpot types different when winning at the first start port 121 and when winning at the second start port 122, various game characteristics can be provided. Further, the arrangement of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 on the game board 110 is devised so that it is easy to aim at either the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 in a specific state (mode). By configuring the above, it is possible to encourage the player to participate in more aggressive games.

Next, the determination of reach random numbers will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17 (c), the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, and 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and the reach effect is not performed. 228 random numbers are assigned to the result (no reach). In other words, in the illustrated example, when a special symbol lottery is not won, a reach effect is performed with a probability of 22/250 (= 11/125).

Next, the determination of the winning random number used for the normal symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17D, the range of the random number value is 10 from 0 to 9, and one value is assigned as the winning value when the time-short flag is OFF, and as the winning value when the time-short flag is ON. Nine values are assigned. Therefore, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed in the timeless state, the player wins with a probability of 1/10. On the other hand, if the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is performed in the short-time state, the player wins with a probability of 9/10.

A random value as determination information used for various types of lottery starts from a predetermined initial value and is incremented by one each time the random number update process (step 501) shown in FIG. 5 is performed. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start opening switch process (FIG. 6) and the gate switch process (FIG. 7), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 8) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 13). The Note that this random value counter is an infinite loop counter, and returns to 0 again after reaching the maximum value of the set random number (for example, 1009 for the big hit random number). In addition, since the random number update process is performed at regular intervals, if the initial value of each random number is specified, the winning value may be estimated based on such information. Therefore, in general, a mechanism for randomly changing the initial value of each random number at an appropriate timing has been introduced.
Note that the random number range, winning value ratio, and winning value shown in the configuration example of each random number in FIG. 17 are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated values.

[Operation of production control unit]
Next, the operation of the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the effect control unit 300 when a command is received from the game control unit 200.
The operation of the effect control unit 300 includes a main process shown in FIG. 18A and an interrupt process shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 18A, the production control unit 300 first performs initial setting at the time of activation (step 1801), sets the cycle of the CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) (step 1802), and then sets the cycle. Accordingly, the interrupt process is accepted while updating the random number used in the production control (step 1803).

  The interrupt process is periodically performed according to the period set in step 1802. Referring to FIG. 18B, in this interruption process, the effect control unit 300 receives a command from the game control unit 200 and performs a command reception process (step 1811). In this command reception process, an effect pattern is selected. In addition, the effect control unit 300 performs effect button processing for accepting operations such as an effect button by the player (step 1812). Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 transmits a command including information on the selected effect pattern to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 (step 1813). As a result, effects such as image display on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 are performed.

[Command reception processing by the production control unit]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the contents of the command reception process (step 1811 in FIG. 18B).
In this command reception process, the effect control unit 300 first determines whether or not the received command is a command for increasing the number of holds (holding number increase command) (step 1901). This pending number increase command is set in the start port switch process shown in FIG. 6 in the game control unit 200 (steps 606 and 612), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (step 506) shown in FIG. Is done. If the command is a command for increasing the number of holds (Yes in step 1901), the effect control unit 300 adds 1 to the value of the number of holds held in the RAM 303 (see FIG. 3) (step 1902), and the number of holds after the addition Is set in the RAM 303 (step 1903).

When the received command is not a pending number increase command (No in step 1901), or when a command is received after setting the pending number increase command in step 1903, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is a change start command. Is determined (step 1904). This variation start command is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (step 811), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (step 506) shown in FIG.
When the received command is a change start command (Yes in Step 1904), the effect control unit 300 executes an effect selection process (Step 1905). Details of the effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not a change start command (No in Step 1901 and Step 1904), or when a command is received after the execution selection process in Step 1905 is executed, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is a change stop command. Is determined (step 1906). This variation stop command is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (step 814), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (step 506) shown in FIG.
When the received command is a variation stop command (Yes in Step 1906), the effect control unit 300 executes a process during the end of the variation effect (Step 1907). Details of the process during the end of the variation effect will be described later.

When the received command is not the change start command and the change stop command (No in Step 1901, Step 1904, and Step 1906), or when the command is received after the execution of the changing effect end process in Step 1907, the effect control unit 300 It is determined whether or not the received command is an opening command for starting the opening in the jackpot effect (step 1908). This opening command is set in the stop process shown in FIG. 11 (step 1118), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (step 506) shown in FIG.
When the received command is an opening command (Yes in Step 1908), the effect control unit 300 executes a hit effect selection process (Step 1909). Details of the winning effect selection process will be described later.

If the received command is not a change start command, change stop command, or opening command (No in step 1901, step 1904, step 1906, and step 1908), or if a command is received after the hit effect selection process in step 1909, Control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is an ending command for starting the ending in the jackpot effect (step 1910). This ending command is set in the big prize opening process shown in FIG. 14 (step 1413), and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (step 506) shown in FIG.
If the received command is an ending command (Yes in Step 1910), the effect control unit 300 executes an ending effect selection process (Step 1911). Details of the ending effect selection process will be described later.

  If the received command is not a variation start command, variation stop command, opening command, or ending command (No in step 1901, step 1904, step 1906, step 1908, and step 1910), or after the end of the ending effect selection process in step 1911 Next, the effect control unit 300 executes a customer waiting command reception process for shifting the received command to the customer waiting state (step 1912). Details of the customer waiting command reception process will be described later.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the mode flag.
When an effect is performed by the effect control unit 300, various effect patterns are selected and executed based on the set effect mode. This effect mode is determined by a mode flag set in the RAM 303. Here, the mode flag is set to any value from 0 to 4, and five types of effect modes from A mode to E mode are assigned to each mode flag. The mode flag is set according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery or the number of lotteries of the special symbol lottery.
Mode flag 1 for jackpot of high probability symbol A, mode flag 2 for jackpot of low probability symbol A, mode flag 3 for jackpot of high probability symbol B and low probability symbol B, jackpot of latent symbol symbol and A mode flag 4 is assigned to each small hit. Here, the types of these symbols are the same as those shown in FIG. No mode flag 0 is assigned to any of them. In mode flags 1 to 4, mode flag 0 is set by executing special symbol lottery a predetermined number of times.
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 20, the parameter M (M value) used in the process during the end of the changing effect is set individually for each mode except the A mode.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect selection process (step 1905) of FIG.
In this effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received variation start command (step 2101). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (step 2102), and subtracts 1 from the value of the number of holdings held in the RAM 303 (step 2103). Then, the effect control unit 300 is based on various setting information (information about jackpot type, game state after jackpot game, variation pattern, etc.) obtained from the analysis result of the change start command and the effect mode determined by the mode flag. Then, an effect pattern (fluctuation effect pattern) of the symbol variation by the image displayed on the image display unit 114 in the effect mode is selected (step 2104). Finally, the effect control unit 300 reads from the ROM 302 image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern, and sets a change effect start command instructing the start of execution of the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. Then, the effect selection process ends (step 2105).

  Although not described in detail, in the symbol variation effect pattern selection process in step 2104, the effect mode, the variation pattern, and the effect random number (one of the random numbers updated in step 1801 in FIG. The production pattern is determined based on the random number. Based on the effect pattern determined here, the decorative symbol variation display, the background effect, and the notice effect are determined. The decorative symbol variation display is an effect display performed by the image display unit 114 in accordance with the special symbol variation display performed by the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. In this variable display of decorative symbols, a reach effect or the like is executed.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the contents of the changing effect end process (step 1907) of FIG.
In the process during the end of the change effect, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received change stop command (step 2201). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (see FIG. 3) (step 2202). Then, the production control unit 300 determines whether or not the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is based on the information indicating the type of the symbol when the special symbol variation obtained from the analysis result of the variation stop command is stopped (big hit or small hit). It is determined whether or not (step 2203). If it is any hit (Yes in Step 2203), the mode flag set in the RAM 303 is changed based on the setting example shown in FIG. 20 according to the type of hit (Step 2204).

  On the other hand, when the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is not successful (No in Step 2203), the effect control unit 300 next checks whether or not the value of the mode flag is 0 (Step 2205). When the mode flag is not 0 (No in Step 2205), the effect control unit 300 subtracts 1 from the parameter M (Step 2206), and checks whether the value of M has become 0 (Step 2207). If the value of M becomes 0 (Yes in Step 2207), the effect control unit 300 sets the mode flag to 0 (Step 2208).

  If the mode flag is 0 in Step 2205 (Yes in Step 2205), if the value of the parameter M is not 0 in Step 2207 (No in Step 2207), or the mode flag is set to 0 in Step 2208 After or after changing the mode flag in step 2204, the effect control unit 300 sets a change effect end command for instructing the end of the effect of symbol change in the RAM 303, and ends the process during the end of the change effect ( Step 2209). Here, referring to FIG. 20, when the mode flag is changed in step 2204, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is an effect mode corresponding to the winning type. When the mode flag is 0 in step 2205 and when the mode flag is set to 0 in step 2208, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is the A mode. If the value of the parameter M does not become 0 in step 2207, the previous production mode is continued.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the contents of the hit effect selection process (step 1909) of FIG.
In the winning effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received opening command (step 2301) and selects an effect pattern (winning effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (step 2301). 2302). Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets a hit effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (step 2303). As a result, the performance during the big hit is determined.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the contents of the ending effect selection process (step 1911) of FIG.
In this ending effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received ending command (step 2401), and selects an effect pattern (ending effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (step 2401). 2402). Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets an ending effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (step 2403).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting command reception process (step 1912) of FIG.
The production control unit 300 determines whether or not a customer waiting command for shifting to the customer waiting state has been received (step 2501). When the customer waiting command is received (Yes in step 2501), the effect control unit 300 starts measuring the elapsed time (step 2502) and turns on the measurement flag in the RAM 303 (step 2503). On the other hand, when the received command is not a customer waiting command (No in Step 2501), the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 is ON (Step 2504). If the measurement flag is OFF (No in step 2504), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated.

  When the measurement flag is ON (Yes in step 2504 or after being turned ON in step 2503), the effect control unit 300 next determines whether or not the measurement time has reached a predetermined time-up time ( Step 2505). If the time is not up (No in step 2505), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, when the time is up (Yes in Step 2505), the effect control unit 300 turns off the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 (Step 2506), and sets a customer waiting effect command for performing the customer waiting effect in the RAM 303. Then, the customer waiting command reception process ends (step 2507).

  When the customer waiting command reception process is completed as described above, the RAM 303 is set with any one of a variation effect start command, a variation effect end command, a winning effect start command, an ending effect start command, and a customer wait effect command. .

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect button process (step 1812 in FIG. 18B).
In the process during the end of the variation effect, the effect control unit 300 first determines whether or not an effect button or the like by the player has been operated (step 2601). Here, the operation of the effect button or the like includes turning on the effect button 161 and turning it on when the center key or the surrounding key of the effect key 162 is pressed. In addition, when an operation device other than the effect button 161 and the effect key 162 such as a touch panel is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 100, this includes detecting the operation of the device. The effect control unit 300 receives an operation signal from the controller of these devices and detects that an operation has been performed.

  If an effect button or the like is operated (Yes in step 2601), the effect control unit 300 sets an effect button command including information indicating the operation content of the effect button or the like in the RAM 303 (see FIG. 3), and effects button processing is performed. Is finished (step 2602).

  Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs the command transmission process (step 1813) of FIG. 18B, and the command set in the RAM 303 by the above-described command reception process and effect button process is transmitted to the image / sound control unit 310 and Transmit to the lamp controller 320. Then, the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 display an image on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the received command. Is controlled to execute the set effect.

[About the game board main body B of the game board 110]
The game board 110 according to the present embodiment has a game board main body B. The game board main body B according to the present embodiment is not a veneer (plywood, wood) but a resin-made plate member that transmits light, and is a transparent game board. More specifically, the game board main body B is formed integrally with a concavo-convex shape or a notch shape by molding, and is made of polycarbonate (PC). That is, the game board main body B according to the present embodiment can omit the step of cutting the concavo-convex shape or the notch shape. Not formed.

It can be considered that the game board main body B according to the present embodiment is also applied to the case where an uneven plate shape or a cutout shape is formed by cutting an acrylic plate material as a material. In this case, the concavo-convex shape or the notch-shaped end surface is formed in a polished glass shape.
It is also conceivable to apply the game board main body B according to the present embodiment to a case where the resin members are bonded to each other with an adhesive.

Here, as a point that the acrylic board is superior to the case where the game board main body B is made of veneer, first, the degree of freedom of the composition of the accessory is improved. That is, in the case of an acrylic product, it is possible to arrange and show an accessory or an electric decoration on the back side of the gauge portion, and it becomes possible to further make a game board. Moreover, it is excellent in the impact of appearance and a high-class feeling.
In other words, as a matter of concern when adopting acrylic, compared to the case of veneer, there are cost increase, mass productivity decline, game nail breakage, and rigidity decline. A supplementary explanation of the decrease in rigidity is as follows. The thickness of acrylic is 10 mm, which is thinner than the case of veneer having a thickness of 19 mm, and is easily bent.

In addition, the fact that polycarbonate is superior to the case where the game board body B is made of acrylic is that the cost is low. More specifically, the cost reduction is caused by a difference in NC processing man-hours due to a difference in molding method, a difference in management after molding, and a difference in unit price and usage amount of the material itself.
That is, in the case of acrylic, NC processing is performed in the order of outer shape processing, processing of large-diameter holes and small-diameter holes, router processing, pilot hole processing of game nails, and external chamfering. On the other hand, in the case of polycarbonate, after molding by injection molding, NC machining is performed in the order of small-diameter hole machining, gate cut processing, and game nail pilot hole machining. For this reason, the difference in the NC processing man-hour due to the difference in the molding method is remarkable.
Also, since acrylic is deformed by absorbing water, it requires management of the temperature and humidity of the outside air. On the other hand, polycarbonate hardly undergoes deformation after molding, and it is not necessary to manage the temperature and humidity of the outside air more strictly than in the case of acrylic. For this reason, the difference in management after molding is significant.
Further, in the case of acrylic, it is an expensive extruded material in which a rubber component is contained in acrylic, and it is difficult to reduce wasteful material costs for router processing. On the other hand, in the case of polycarbonate, the material is less expensive than in the case of acrylic, and there is little NC processing after injection molding, so there is almost no wasteful material cost. For this reason, the difference between the unit price of the material itself and the amount of use thereof is remarkable.

In addition, other excellent points are that it is good for the environment, that the game board itself has a shape, that it is excellent in mass production, that the game nail is difficult to break, that it is easy to manage, and that the weight is light. And the like.
In addition, when adopting polycarbonate, there are concerns that compared to the case of acrylic, the chemical resistance is weak, the shape change is difficult, the scratch resistance is weak, etc. It is done.

Next, the configuration of the game board main body B will be described.
27 and 28 are diagrams illustrating the game board main body B provided in the game board 110. 27A is a plan view, FIG. 27B is a front view, FIG. 27C is a left side view, FIG. 27D is a right side view, and FIG. 27E is a bottom view. 28A is a rear view, and FIG. 28B is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the resin-made game board body B has a cutout shape for attaching various kinds of accessories. For example, the game board main body B has an opening 101 for attaching a center ornament (not shown), an opening 102 for attaching the first start port 121 and the second start port 122, and an opening for attaching the grand prize winning port 125. 103 and the like are formed. These openings 101, 102, and 103 penetrate from the front surface Ba to the rear surface Bb of the game board main body B. The opening 101 has a region 101a for attaching the gate 124.

The front surface Ba of the game board main body B forms the game area 111 of the game board 110, and is formed substantially flat (see FIG. 27). On the other hand, the rear surface Bb of the game board main body B is formed in an uneven shape (see FIG. 28).
More specifically, the game board main body B includes edge ribs 104 extending along the entire periphery along the edge. The edge rib 104 is formed so as to stand rearward from the front surface Ba. In other words, the edge rib 104 protrudes in the thickness direction of the game board main body B. By adopting such a structure including the edge ribs 104, it is possible to improve workability by using the edge ribs 104 when attaching parts such as various kinds of accessories to the game board main body B. In addition, when attaching the game board 110 to the game board holding frame, it is possible for the operator to improve workability by placing a finger on the edge rib 104.

Thus, the thickness T of the game board main body B is ensured by forming the resin game board main body B. The thickness T here refers to a separation distance between the front surface Ba and the rear surface Bb of the game board main body B. More specifically, the rear surface Bb of the game board main body B is defined by the end surface of the edge rib 104 described above.
The thickness T of the resin game board main body B is the same as the thickness of the veneer game board and is 19 mm.

Further, in the resin game board main body B, the rear surface Bb side is hollowed out so that the portion 105 of the rear surface Bb corresponding to the game area 111 (see FIG. 1) has a plate thickness t1, and the other rear surface Bb. The portion 106 is set to a plate thickness t2 (t2 <t1 <T). That is, the edge rib 104 is formed at the edge of the game board main body B, and the thickness of the portion surrounded by the edge rib 104 is reduced by denting the rear surface Bb side of the portion surrounded by the edge rib 104. Yes. For this reason, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the weight of the game board main body B while ensuring the necessary strength of the game board main body B.
Further, by providing the portion 105 of the game board main body B formed in the plate thickness t1, various kinds of accessories attached to the game board main body B are positioned as close to the front surface Ba as possible. For this reason, it is possible to secure a wider space on the rear surface Bb of the game board main body B, and it is possible to relax design conditions for various mechanical components and the like.
The portion 105 of the rear surface Bb employs a thickness t1 that is thicker than the thickness t2 of the portion of the rear surface Bb other than that in order to secure a thickness necessary for attaching the game nail.

[Position of movable accessory 115 on game board 110]
Next, the position of the movable accessory 115 on the game board 110 will be described.
FIG. 29 is a schematic plan view illustrating the positional relationship between the components of the game board 110.
As shown in the figure, in the game board 110, the movable accessory 115 is located between the game board main body B and the image display unit 114. That is, the game board 110 includes an image display unit 114 having a display surface 114a for displaying an image, and a game board body B positioned in front of the display surface 114a of the image display unit 114. The movable accessory 115 is located between the game board main body B and the image display unit 114.

  More specifically, on the side farther from the side closer to the transparent plate 159 that covers the game board 110, the game board main body B, the movable accessory 115, and the image display unit 114 are arranged in this order. More specifically, the movable accessory 115 is farther from the transparent plate 159 than the rear surface Bb of the game board main body B, and closer to the transparent plate 159 than the display surface 114a of the image display unit 114.

For this reason, the movable accessory 115 performs a motion effect in front of the display surface 114 a of the image display unit 114. Therefore, it is possible to execute an effect accompanying the game by relating the movement of the movable accessory 115 to the image on the display surface 114a.
In addition, the movable accessory 115 is disposed on the rear surface Bb side which is the surface opposite to the front surface Ba of the game board main body B forming the game area 111. Therefore, it is possible to perform an effect by movement in a larger range without being restricted by the movement range caused by the game area 111.

[Composition of movable accessory 115]
Next, the configuration of the movable accessory 115 will be described.
FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the movable accessory 115.
As shown in the figure, the movable accessory 115 includes a plate-like fixing member 10 fixed to the game board main body B (see FIG. 27 or FIG. 28), a movable body 20 movable with respect to the fixing member 10, And a drive mechanism 30 that drives the movable body 20.

[Components of movable body 20]
As shown in FIG. 30, the movable body 20 of the movable accessory 115 is formed in a longitudinal shape, and is positioned on one end (base end) to which the driving force of the drive mechanism 30 is input, and on the side opposite to the one end. The lower base member 21 has an other end portion (tip portion) that has a housing space formed therein.
The movable body 20 is engaged with one end portion of the lower base member 21 and used for attachment to the fixed member 10, a slide plate 23 disposed in the accommodation space of the lower base member 21, It has. In addition, the movable body 20 includes blade members 24 and 25 as exterior parts that open and close as the slide plate 23 slides. The blade members 24 and 25 can also be referred to as a pair of plate-like members.

The movable body 20 also includes an upper base member 29 (see FIG. 31A or FIG. 36) that forms the outer surface of the movable body 20 together with the lower base member 21. That is, the slide plate 23 is slidably accommodated in an internal space defined by the lower base member 21 and the upper base member 29.
Moreover, the movable body 20 is also provided with a light emitting unit such as a light source (not shown) or a lens member (not shown) that performs a light emission effect.

[Components of Drive Mechanism 30]
As shown in FIG. 30, the drive mechanism 30 of the movable accessory 115 has a drive shaft 31a that generates a drive force, a motor 31 that can rotate forward and backward, and a hole 32a through which the drive shaft 31a of the motor 31 passes. And an attachment plate 32 for attaching the motor 31 to the fixing member 10. The drive mechanism 30 includes a joint 33 attached to the drive shaft 31 a of the motor 31 and a spur gear 34 connected to the drive shaft 31 a of the motor 31 via the joint 33. The motor 31, the mounting plate 32, the joint 33, and the spur gear 34 are located on the rear surface (the rear surface in the figure) side of the fixing member 10.
The drive mechanism 30 includes a spur gear 35 that meshes with the portion of the spur gear 34 exposed from the cover portion 11 and transmits the driving force of the motor 31, and a spur gear 36 that meshes with the spur gear 35. It is configured.
The drive mechanism 30 includes a straight pin 37 attached to the end face of the spur gear 36. The pin 37 stands up toward the lower base member 21.

[Configuration of Fixing Member 10]
The fixed member 10 of the movable accessory 115 includes a cover portion 11 that is formed on the front surface of the fixed member 10 (the front surface in the drawing) and covers a part of the spur gear 34 of the drive mechanism 30. In addition, the fixing member 10 includes a holding shaft 12 that is erected on the front surface of the fixing member 10 (the front surface in the figure). The spur gear 35 is rotatably supported by the holding shaft 12.
Furthermore, the fixing member 10 includes a through hole 13 formed in a portion corresponding to the spur gear 36 and penetrating in the plate thickness direction. Further, the fixing member 10 includes a stopper 14 and a stopper 15 which are located in the vicinity of the through hole 13 and project from the front surface (front surface in the figure) of the fixing member 10. A photo sensor 16 (see FIGS. 31A to 31C) that optically detects an object is attached to a position near the stopper 15 of the fixing member 10.

[Attaching the movable body 20 to the fixed member 10]
Here, a configuration for attaching the lower base member 21 of the movable body 20 to the fixed member 10 using the pressing member 22 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 30, the lower base member 21 of the movable body 20 is located on the front surface (front surface in FIG. 30) side of the fixed member 10, and the pressing member 22 of the movable body 20 is the rear surface of the fixed member 10. It is located on the (the back surface in the figure) side. Then, one end portion (upper end portion in the figure) of the lower base member 21 and the pressing member 22 are connected to each other through the through hole 13 of the fixing member 10 so as to sandwich the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 13 of the fixing member 10. Is done.
Thus, the lower base member 21 is attached to the fixing member 10.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 30, the spur gear 36 of the drive mechanism 30 is located on the front surface (front surface in FIG. 30) of the fixing member 10. The spur gear 36 includes a through hole 36a penetrating in the tooth width direction. The through hole 36a is formed at a substantially central portion of the spur gear 36 so as to pass through arc protrusions 21c and 21d (see (c) of FIG. 31), which will be described later, provided in the lower base member 21. Through the through hole 36 a of the spur gear 36, the lower base member 21 and the pressing member 22 of the movable body 20 can be engaged with each other.
With such a configuration, the spur gear 36 is interposed between the lower base member 21 and the pressing member 22 of the movable body 20 in the assembled state. In other words, the lower base member 21 is attached to the fixing member 10 with the spur gear 36 of the driving mechanism 30 and the fixing member 10 sandwiched between the lower base member 21 and the pressing member 22.

  In addition, the spur gear 36 contacts the fixing member 10 and engages with the lower base member 21 in the assembled state. That is, the spur gear 36 can rotate with respect to the fixed member 10 and also with respect to the lower base member 21. The fixing member 10, the lower base member 21, the pressing member 22, and the spur gear 36 are all made of resin.

[Detailed configuration and operation of parts of movable body 20]
Next, a more detailed configuration and operation of parts included in the movable body 20 will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 30, the lower base member 21 of the movable body 20 includes an arcuate arc hole 21a formed so that the pin 37 of the spur gear 36 passes at one end (the upper end in the figure). Yes. The pin 37 of the spur gear 36 is engaged with the slide plate 23 of the movable body 20.

  More specifically, the slide plate 23 includes a substantially elliptical guide hole 23a formed at one end (the upper end in the figure). The guide hole 23 a of the slide plate 23 is for allowing a pin 37 extending through the arc hole 21 a of the lower base member 21 from the spur gear 36 to pass through the slide plate 23. Moreover, it can be said that the guide hole 23a has an odd-shaped long hole shape with one end portion having a larger diameter than the other end portion.

Further, the lower base member 21 includes a protruding portion 21b that protrudes outward at one end portion (upper end portion in the figure) (see also FIG. 31). The protrusion 21 b contacts the stopper 14 of the fixing member 10 and contacts the stopper 15 as the fixing member 10 rotates. That is, when the lower base member 21 rotates by the driving force of the motor 31 via the spur gear 36, the rotation of the lower base member 21 is limited by the protrusions 21 b coming into contact with the stoppers 14 and 15.
As described above, the lower base member 21 rotates integrally with the pressing member 22 with respect to the fixing member 10.

  FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the movable body 20 of the movable accessory 115, and each of (a) to (c) in the same figure is a perspective view of the movable body 20 as viewed from below. For convenience, the photo sensor 16 attached to the fixing member 10 and the spur gear 36 of the drive mechanism 30 are also illustrated. That is, (a) of the figure shows the entire movable body 20, and (b) shows the state in which the pressing member 22 is removed from the state of (a) with a part omitted, In (c), the state where the spur gear 36 is removed from the state (b) is partially omitted. Moreover, (d) of the figure is a figure for demonstrating the recessed part 21h formed in the lower base member 21. FIG.

As shown in (b) or (c) of FIG. 31, the lower base member 21 of the movable body 20 is formed on the rear surface side of one end portion by projecting a circular arc portion at two locations in the circumferential direction. Parts 21c and 21d, and a protrusion 21e formed on the end face of the arcuate protrusion 21d. The arc projection 21c and the arc projection 21d are formed on the lower base member 21 so as to face each other in the circumferential direction.
The lower base member 21 includes bosses 21f and 21g that are formed in portions where the arc protruding portions 21c and 21d are not formed (notched portions) and have attachment holes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 30 or 31 (a), the pressing member 22 has recesses 22a and 22b having attachment holes and formed corresponding to the bosses 21f and 21g of the lower base member 21. Yes. In addition, the hollow parts 22a and 22b of the pressing member 22 are formed in a boss shape when viewed from the back side (see FIG. 30).
Further, the holding member 22 includes an opening 22c formed corresponding to the protrusion 21e of the lower base member 21, as shown in FIG.

When the pressing member 22 is engaged with the lower base member 21 from the through hole 13 (see FIG. 30) of the fixing member 10, the arc protruding portions 21 c and 21 d of the lower base member 21 become the recessed portions 22 a and the recessed portions of the pressing member 22. The protrusion 21e of the lower base member 21 enters the opening 22c of the pressing member 22 (see FIG. 31A). Thereby, alignment with the lower base member 21 and the pressing member 22 is performed.
Then, in such an alignment state, a screw member (not shown) is inserted into the recessed portions 22a and 22b from the rear surface side (back side in FIG. 30) of the fixing member 10, and screwed with a tool (not shown). Thereby, the lower base member 21 is attached in a state where the fixing member 10 is sandwiched via the pressing member 22.

  As shown in FIG. 31 (c) or (d), the lower base member 21 of the movable body 20 faces the spur gear 36 with a substantially fan-shaped recess 21h formed in the vicinity of the arcuate protrusions 21c and 21d. Provided on a substantially circular end face. In addition, in the edge part of the lower base member 21, the recessed part 21h is located on the opposite side to the circular arc hole 21a.

More specifically, the recess 21h is for engaging with the spur gear 36. That is, the spur gear 36 includes one small protrusion 36b formed on the end surface facing the lower base member 21, as shown in FIG. And the small protrusion part 36b of the spur gear 36 is located in the recessed part 21h of the lower base member 21 in an assembly state. And it contacts the edge part of the recessed part 21h by both relative rotation.
That is, as the spur gear 36 rotates, the small protrusion 36 b of the spur gear 36 presses the end of the recess 21 h of the lower base member 21, so that the lower base member 21 rotates with the spur gear 36. However, when the small protrusion 36b of the spur gear 36 moves in the recess 21h, the lower base member 21 does not rotate despite the spur gear 36 rotating in one direction. This is a so-called rotation stop state of the lower base member 21.
Thus, the concave portion 21h of the lower base member 21 is for restricting a region in which the small protrusion portion 36b of the spur gear 36 can move.

  In other words, as shown in FIG. 30, the spur gear 36 includes a protruding piece 36c protruding outward in the radial direction. Such a protruding piece 36c of the spur gear 36 is detected by the photosensor 16 of the fixed member 10 as shown in FIG. 31 (a) or (b). 300 is output to the CPU 301 (see FIG. 3) and used to control the motor 31 (see FIG. 30).

[About opening and closing of the blade members 24 and 25 of the movable body 20]
Next, opening and closing of the blade members 24 and 25 of the movable body 20 will be described. First, after describing the configuration that bears the opening and closing mechanism, the operation of the configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 30, pins 26 and 27 are attached to the lower base member 21 of the movable body 20 at positions separated from each other. The slide plate 23 is formed with small pin portions 23b and 23c formed in a cylindrical shape at the other end portion (lower end portion in the figure).
The blade member 24 receives and holds the pin 26 of the lower base member 21, and the engaging portion formed on the peripheral surface of the holding portion 24 a and engageable with the small pin portion 23 b of the slide plate 23. 24b. Similarly, the blade member 25 has a holding portion 25a that receives and holds the pin 27 of the lower base member 21, and an engagement portion that is formed on the peripheral surface of the holding portion 25a and can be engaged with the small pin portion 23c of the slide plate 23. 25b.

The engagement portion 24b is formed in a shape that can be attached to and detached from the small pin portion 23b of the slide plate 23, and the engagement portion 25b is formed in a shape that can be attached to and detached from the small pin portion 23c of the slide plate 23. Is formed.
The holding portions 24a and 25a and the engaging portions 24b and 25b are formed at one end portions (lower end portions in the figure) of the blade members 24 and 25. That is, the blade members 24 and 25 open and close with one end portion as a base portion.

In the thus configured lower base member 21, slide plate 23, and blade members 24, 25, the operation when the blade members 24, 25 are attached to the lower base member 21 and slide plate 23 will be described.
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating the opening / closing operation of the blade members 24 and 25 of the movable body 20. (A) of the figure shows the closed state (closed state) of the blade members 24 and 25, and (b) shows the open state (open state) of the blade members 24 and 25.
As already described, the blade member 24 is attached by inserting the pin 26 into the holding portion 24a of the blade member 24 and engaging the small pin portion 23b of the slide plate 23 with the engaging portion 24b. Is done. The blade member 25 is attached by inserting the pin 27 into the holding portion 25a of the blade member 25 and engaging the small pin portion 23c with the engaging portion 25b.

  As shown in FIG. 32A, the pin 26 is inserted into the holding portion 24a (see FIG. 30) of the blade member 24, and the small pin portion 23b of the slide plate 23 is engaged with the engaging portion 24b. . Further, the pin 27 is inserted into the holding portion 25a (see FIG. 30) of the blade member 25, and the small pin portion 23c is engaged with the engaging portion 25b (closed state).

  When the slide plate 23 slides in one direction with respect to the lower base member 21 (leftward in FIG. 32A or FIG. 32B) as shown in FIG. Since 21 does not move, the pins 26 and 27 of the lower base member 21 do not move, and the positions of the pins 26 and 27 are the same as in the closed state shown in FIG. On the other hand, the small pin portions 23b and 23c of the slide plate 23 move, and the positions of the small pin portions 23b and 23c with respect to the pins 26 and 27 are deviated as compared with the closed state shown in FIG.

Due to such a shift in the relative position between the pin 26 and the small pin portion 23b, the blade member 24 shifts from the closed state to the open state. Similarly, the vane member 25 shifts from the closed state to the open state due to a shift in the relative position between the pin 27 and the small pin portion 23c.
The positions of the small pin portion 23 b and the small pin portion 23 c of the slide plate 23 change by the same distance in the same direction as the slide plate 23 moves. That is, the small pin portion 23 b and the small pin portion 23 c are moved together with the slide plate 23. For this reason, if the blade member 24 is in the closed state, the blade member 25 is also in the closed state, and if the blade member 24 is in the open state, the blade member 25 is also in the open state. In other words, the blade member 24 and the blade member 25 are configured to open and close together in conjunction with each other, and only one of them does not open and close alone.

  More specifically, referring to FIG. 32 (a), the pin 37 passing through the arc hole 21a of the lower base member 21 is located at the right end of the guide hole 23a of the slide plate 23, and also refer to FIG. 32 (b). Then, the pin 37 is located at the left end in the guide hole 23a.

Such movement of the slide plate 23 relative to the lower base member 21 is performed in accordance with the rotation of the spur gear 36 (see FIG. 30 or 31A or 31B) to which the pin 37 is attached. That is, when the spur gear 36 is rotated by driving the motor 31 (see FIG. 30), the pin 37 pushes the peripheral edge of the guide hole 23a of the slide plate 23.
As a result, the slide plate 23 slides relative to the lower base member 21. In other words, the slide plate 23 is slid by the driving force of the motor 31.

In other words, the movable body 20 includes a spring member 28 that biases the slide plate 23 (see FIG. 31A). The spring member 28 is a tension coil spring that generates a biasing force to return to its original state when pulled, and one end thereof is attached to the lower base member 21 and the other end is attached to the slide plate 23. Then, the urging force by the spring member 28 acts on the slide plate 23 in the right direction in FIG. That is, when the slide plate 23 slides leftward, the spring member 28 biases the slide plate 23 rightward.
In addition, the lower base member 21 does not slide by the driving force of the motor 31, but performs a rotational motion around one end (the upper end in the figure) as will be described later.

In addition, the blade members 24 and 25 are located when the pin 37 of the gear 36 is located at the end portion close to the small pin portions 23b and 23c in the guide hole 23a of the slide plate 23 (the right end portion of the guide hole 23a shown in FIG. 32). (See (a) of the figure), it is a closed state. Further, when the pin 37 of the gear 36 is located at the end portion (left end portion of the guide hole 23a shown in the figure) which is far from the small pin portions 23b and 23c in the guide hole 23a of the slide plate 23 (see (b) of the figure). ), The blade members 24 and 25 are in an open state.
In other words, when the pin 37 of the gear 36 is moving in the guide hole 23a of the slide plate 23, the blade members 24 and 25 are not opened and closed. Such a state where opening and closing is not performed hardly appears when the guide hole 23a is circular. In this sense, the guide hole 23a has a long hole shape to provide play.

[Production by movable body 20]
Next, the effect by the movable body 20 will be described.
33, FIG. 34, FIG. 35, and FIG. More specifically, FIG. 33 to FIG. 35 are front views of the movable body 20 and show the state of effects after the effects are started in time series. FIG. 33 shows a case where the movable body 20 is in the standby position as viewed from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 100. FIG. 34 shows a state where the movable body 20 appears (appears position), and FIG. 35 shows a state where the blade members 24 and 25 of the movable body 20 are fully opened (full open position).
FIG. 36 (a) collectively shows the movement of the movable body 20, and FIG. 36 (b) is a diagram for explaining the operation when the standby position is shifted to the fully opened position through the appearance position. .

In the standby position shown in FIG. 33, the movable body 20 is at the origin position with respect to the fixed member 10. That is, in the standby position, the protruding portion 21 b of the lower base member 21 is a position in contact with the stopper 14 of the fixing member 10, and the small protrusion 36 b of the spur gear 36 is in the recess 21 h of the lower base member 21. In the illustrated position. In the standby position, the pin 37 of the spur gear 36 is in the position shown in the guide hole 23 a of the slide plate 23.
In the standby position, the blade members 24 and 25 are closed (see FIG. 32A). Further, at the standby position, the protruding piece 36c (see FIG. 31A or 31B) of the spur gear 36 is detected by the photosensor 16.

  33, when the motor 31 (see FIG. 30) of the movable accessory 115 operates, the spur gear 36 rotates in the direction of arrow A (clockwise in FIG. 33). Since the lower base member 21 is in contact with the spur gear 36, the lower base member 21 also rotates in the direction of arrow A as the spur gear 36 rotates. That is, the protruding portion 21b of the lower base member 21 is separated from the stopper 14 of the fixed member 10, whereby the movable body 20 appears at a position where the player can see it well.

In the appearance position shown in FIG. 34, the protrusion 21b of the lower base member 21 is in contact with the stopper 15 of the fixing member 10, so that the lower base member 21 can no longer rotate in the direction of arrow A, The rotation of the lower base member 21 by the spur gear 36 is stopped.
In addition, even in the appearance position, the blade members 24 and 25 are in a closed state (see FIG. 32A).

  More specifically, the small protrusion 36b of the spur gear 36 can move within the recess 21h of the lower base member 21, and thus relative rotation between the lower base member 21 and the spur gear 36 is possible. For this reason, the spur gear 36 is rotatable until the small protrusion 36b of the spur gear 36 contacts the wall surface of the recess 21h. That is, although the rotation of the lower base member 21 is stopped, the rotation of the spur gear 36 is continued.

Thus, when the spur gear 36 continuously rotates with respect to the lower base member 21, the position of the pin 37 of the spur gear 36 in the guide hole 23a of the slide plate 23 is changed (displacement). That is, as the relative rotation of the spur gear 36 with respect to the lower base member 21 continues, the pin 37 of the spur gear 36 moves within the guide hole 23 a of the slide plate 23, and the slide plate 23 moves relative to the lower base member 21. .
In the fully open state shown in FIG. 35, the relative movement of the slide plate 23 with respect to the lower base member 21 results in an open state in which the blade members 24 and 25 are fully open (see FIG. 32B). For such relative movement of the slide plate 23, it is conceivable to set, for example, 3-4 teeth of the spur gear 36.
As already described, in such a fully opened state, the operation of the motor 31 (see FIG. 30) is stopped, the rotation of the spur gear 36 is stopped, and therefore the rotation of the movable body 20 is also stopped. doing.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 36A, the effect of the movable body 20 in the movable accessory 115 appears around the center position (rotation operation), and after the rotation stops at the predetermined position. The blade member 24, 25 is opened (opening operation). In this way, a series of effects by the movable body 20 is configured by performing an opening operation after the rotating operation.

Here, in the present embodiment, the motor 31 is operated between the rotating operation and the opening operation, but the movable body 20 is not rotating and the blade members 24 and 25 remain closed. There is something that can be called a rotation stop state or state maintenance.
Due to the presence of such state maintenance, it is possible to prevent variation in the content of the motion effect due to the individual difference of the movable accessory 115. That is, it is particularly technically significant in the case of a structure in which the production content may change if there is a large variation in the movement of the movable accessory 115 due to manufacturing tolerances or the like. If a mechanism that performs the opening operation of the movable body 20 according to the present embodiment following the rotation operation is employed, there may be a problem such as the timing of the opening operation being shifted due to variations in individual differences. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the rotation operation is shifted to the opening operation through the state maintenance, such a problem can be prevented.

Moreover, it becomes possible to reduce the precision of the parts which comprise the movable accessory 115, and it becomes possible to promote cost reduction more.
In addition, by interposing such state maintenance, the rotation operation and the opening operation are clearly distinguished, so that it is possible to select an effect. For example, it is possible to cope with the case where only the rotation operation is performed, and further to the case where the rotation operation and the opening operation are performed.

  More specifically, the rotation operation is started from the standby position (see the upper diagram in FIG. 33 or FIG. 36A), and the state is finally shifted to the state maintenance. That is, for maintaining the state, as shown in FIG. 36 (b), the fully open position (see FIG. 35 or FIG. 36 (a)) is changed from the appearance position (see the middle diagram in FIG. 34 or FIG. 36 (a)). It is a part during the transition to the lower figure). Such a state is maintained when the small protrusion 36b of the spur gear 36 moves in the recess 21h of the lower base member 21 (first relative movement), and the pin 37 of the spur gear 36 moves into the guide hole 23a of the slide plate 23. (Second relative movement).

  The movement of the lower base member 21 of the small protrusion 36 b in the recess 21 h is realized by allowing the pin 37 of the spur gear 36 to move relative to the guide hole 23 a of the slide plate 23. In this sense, it can be said that the second relative movement is performed during the first relative movement.

Note that the diagram shown in FIG. 36B is a time chart in which the horizontal axis is the time axis, but the relative time of the rotation operation, the state position, and the release operation is not strict, and an example thereof is shown. It only shows.
The figure shown in (b) of the figure shows the case of rotating in the direction of arrow A (clockwise in the figure), but in the case of rotating in the opposite direction (counterclockwise in the figure). Is in the opposite order to the direction of arrow A, but may be different. For example, after maintaining the open state of the blade members 24 and 25 at the fully open position shown in FIG. 35, the movable body 20 rotates while the blade members 24 and 25 are open, and then the blade members 24 and 25 are opened. This is a modification in which the closing operation is performed.
In addition, the blade members 24 and 25 of the movable body 20 according to the present embodiment adopt a configuration in which the opening operation is performed after the rotation operation of the movable body 20, but a motion effect different from the rotation is provided during the rotation operation. A configuration to perform is also conceivable.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, between the rotating operation in which the movable body 20 rotates by driving the motor 31 and the opening operation in which the blade members 24 and 25 of the movable body 20 are opened by driving the motor 31, Although the driving force of the motor 31 is transmitted, there is a state in which the rotation operation and the opening operation are not performed, so that even if there is a difference in individual of the movable accessory 115, the individual difference in the pachinko gaming machine 100 can be eliminated. It becomes possible.

Here, the pachinko gaming machine 100 (see FIG. 1) is an example of a gaming machine.
The movable accessory 115 (see FIG. 1, FIG. 29 to FIG. 35 or FIG. 36 (a)) is an example of a production body.
The movable body 20 (see FIG. 30 to FIG. 35 or FIG. 36A) to the lower base member 21 (see FIG. 30 to FIG. 35) is an example of the main body, and the fixed member 10 (FIG. 29, FIG. 30 or FIG. 33 to FIG. 35) is an example of a base. The motor 31 (see FIG. 29 or FIG. 30) is an example of a drive source. The slide plate 23, the stoppers 14 and 15, and the spur gear 36 (see FIG. 30) are examples of mechanisms. The blade members 24 and 25 (see FIG. 31, FIG. 32, FIG. 35, or FIG. 36A) are examples of movable members.
The rotation operation between the standby position shown in FIG. 33 and the appearance position shown in FIG. 34 is an example of the first state, and the fully open state shown in FIG. 35 is an example of the second state. The state maintenance shown in FIG. 36B is an example of the third state.
The closed state shown in FIG. 32A is an example of the first position, and is an example of the open state shown in FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fixed member, 14, 15 ... Stopper, 20 ... Movable body, 21 ... Lower base member, 21b ... Projection part, 23 ... Slide plate, 23a ... Guide hole, 24, 25 ... Blade member, 30 ... Drive mechanism, 31 ... Motor, 36 ... Spur gear, 37 ... Pin, 100 ... Pachinko machine, 115 ... Movable accessory

A gaming machine to which the present invention is applied is a gaming machine 100 including a production body 115 that produces an effect according to a game, and the production body 115 is erected on the base 10 and rotates with respect to the base 10. A main body 20, a driving source 31 that generates a driving force for rotating the main body 20 with respect to the base 10, and a rotation axis that is coaxial with the main body 20. Chi lifting a gear 36 for transmitting the force to the main body portion 20, wherein the base 10 has a blocking portion 15 for preventing rotation of the body portion 20 at a predetermined position, the main body portion engaging portion 20 has When the engaging portion 36b of the gear 36 is engaged with the gear 21h, the gear 36 rotates in one direction (arrow A) by the driving force of the driving source 31, so that the main body 20 is moved to the base 10. Rotation of the base 10 toward the blocking portion 15. When the main body portion 20 is blocked at the predetermined position by the portion 15, the engagement between the engaging portion 21 h of the main body portion 20 and the engaging portion 36 b of the gear 36 is further performed when the driving source 31 is further operated. As a result, the gear 36 is allowed to rotate in the one direction (arrow A), and the gear 36 rotates with respect to the main body 20 .
Here, the presentation element 115 includes a member 23 which engages a protrusion 37 which the gear 36 has, can be changed from a first position relative to the member 23 to the second position by the movement of the member 23 When the main body 20 rotates toward the blocking portion 15 of the base 10 by further having movable members 24 and 25 and the gear 36 rotates in the one direction (arrow A), The movable members 24, 25 are in the first position, and when the gear 36 rotates in the one direction (arrow A) with respect to the main body portion 20, the member 23 is moved by the protrusion 37 of the gear 36. it can be moved to said movable members 24 and 25, characterized in be relocated to the second position from the first position.

Claims (2)

A gaming machine comprising a director that produces a performance according to the game,
The director is
A main body standing on the base and rotatable relative to the base;
A driving source for generating a driving force for rotating the main body with respect to the base;
A first state where the driving force of the driving source is transmitted and the main body is rotating, and a second state where the driving force of the driving source is not transmitted and the rotation of the main body is stopped And a mechanism in which there is a third state in which the rotation of the main body is stopped even though the driving force of the driving source is transmitted,
A gaming machine characterized by having. The director is
Further having a movable member capable of mutual change between the first position and the second position relative to the main body according to the rotation of the main body,
The mechanism has the movable member in the first position in the first state, the movable member in the second state in the second state, and the movable member in the third state. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be in the first position.

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