JP2015100524A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of improving taste of a game while setting opening timing of a winning device and a specific area similar to the conventional one.SOLUTION: When a small winning game flag is "ON", the game machine refers to a variation pattern and selects a small winning opening time in accordance with the variation pattern. The game machine determines whether or not a first time elapses from variation start timing of special symbols and, when it is determined to be the opening time, makes wing members a second state to open the winning device. Further, the game machine determines whether or not a second time elapses from variation stop timing of the special symbols and, when it is determined to be the opening time, energizes a V-area opening/closing solenoid and makes opening/closing members located above the V area open to open the V area. The game machine selects a variation time so as to create the first state where a game ball can easily pass through the V area and a second state where a game ball has difficulty to pass therethrough.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that grants a privilege by passing through a specific area.

  Conventionally, when a special symbol is variably displayed and a small hit is made, there is a gaming machine that is a big hit by opening a winning device and passing a game ball through a specific area in the winning device (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  Some of these gaming machines include an opening / closing member that opens / closes a specific area in the winning device. When a small hit is made, it is common to open the opening / closing member at the timing of starting the change of the special symbol and allow the game ball to pass through the specific area.

  However, in recent years, there is a gaming machine that allows a game ball to pass through the specific area by driving the opening and closing member and opening the specific area in response to the fact that the small hit is fixed, that is, when the special symbol fluctuates and stops. At this time, the opening timing of the specific area by the opening / closing member is required to be a certain time after the change stop timing of the special symbol.

JP 2006-116053 A

  However, even if the opening timing of the specific area by the opening and closing member is adopted as a trigger when the special symbol fluctuation stop timing is adopted, the winning device release timing is after a certain time has elapsed from the special symbol fluctuation start timing. If the variation time is constant, the opening timing of the specific area by the opening / closing member with respect to the opening timing of the winning device becomes uniform, and there is a possibility that the interest of the game is lowered in this respect.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and the object thereof is to make it possible to improve the interest of the game while setting the winning device and the opening timing of the specific area in the same manner as before. Is to provide a machine.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. Note that the reference numerals in parentheses and supplementary explanations in this column show the correspondence with the embodiments described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention at all. .

  The gaming machine (1) of the present invention has a symbol variation stop means (301, 201, 202) for changing a symbol to stop based on a predetermined condition, and a variation stop timing from a symbol variation start timing by the symbol variation stop means. Opening of a winning device that allows a game ball to enter when a first time has elapsed from the change start timing by the symbol change stop means (301, S1701 to S1703) and the symbol change stop means. A game that has entered the winning device by creating an open state of a specific area in which a game ball that has entered the winning device is allowed to pass after a second time has elapsed from the fluctuation stop timing. There are two states: a first state in which a ball can easily pass through the specific area, and a second state in which a game ball entering the winning device is difficult to pass through the specific area. An opening control means (301, 373, 374, S1006, S1007) capable of creating a state, and a privilege granting means (301, S1008) for granting a privilege to a player when the game ball passes the specific area. The release control means includes the first time based on the change time determined by the change time determination means and the opening time from the change stop timing until the winning device enters the release state. The opening time is determined in accordance with the variation time so that the time is derived (S2103, S2104).

  Further, the fluctuation start timing by the symbol fluctuation stopping means may be a fixed period (see FIG. 6).

  According to the present invention, the interest of games can be improved.

1 is a schematic front view showing a gaming machine 1. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a display device 111. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a gaming machine 1. (A) illustrates the first special symbol hit determination table, (B) illustrates the second special symbol hit determination table, and (C) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the normal symbol hit determination table. is there. (A) illustrates the symbol determination table for small hits, (B) illustrates the ratio of jackpot with time reduction, and (C) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the variation pattern table. (A) is an explanatory view showing an opening pattern in which a game ball that has entered the winning device 141 can easily pass through the V region 144, and (B) is a game ball that has entered the winning device 141 through the V region 144. It is explanatory drawing which shows the open pattern which becomes difficult. 3 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing a recovery process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing a power interruption monitoring process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 4 is a flowchart showing a switch process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 3 is a flowchart showing a first starter switch process executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a second starter switch process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 4 is a flowchart showing a gate switch process executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing special symbol processing executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 4 is a flowchart showing a small hit determination process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing a variation pattern selection process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a stop process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 3 is a flowchart showing normal symbol processing executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing an electric tulip process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a winning device opening control process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 5 is a flowchart showing a V area release control process executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a big prize device opening control process executed by a main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 7 is a flowchart showing a game state setting process executed by the main CPU 301a of the main control board 300. 10 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process executed by a sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. 10 is a flowchart showing command processing executed by a sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. 12 is a flowchart showing variation processing executed by a sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. 12 is a flowchart showing a hold-related process executed by a sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the effect display in the liquid crystal display device.

Hereinafter, a gaming machine 1 as an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
[Configuration of gaming machine 1]
A schematic configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the gaming machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 includes a gaming board 100 provided with a prize and a prize related to determination, and a frame member 101 surrounding the gaming board 100.
The frame member 101 is a so-called glass frame that supports a transparent glass plate arranged in parallel with the game board 100 at a predetermined interval, and a game area 102 in which a game ball can flow down by the glass board and the game board 100. Is formed.

  The frame member 101 has a frame lamp 103 that emits light for production or the like in the upper center. Speakers 104 are provided on both the left and right sides of the frame lamp 103. Further, the frame member 101 is configured such that the lower portion protrudes toward the player side, and has a circular effect button 105 on the upper surface of the protruding portion. An effect key 106 composed of four push buttons is provided on the left side of the effect button 105. Further, on the back side of the effect button 105, a tray 107 for guiding the game ball to a launching device (not shown) is provided. The frame member 101 has a handle 108 at the lower right side. A lever 109 is rotatably attached to the handle 108. In addition, a stop button 110 is provided for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball regardless of the rotation of the lever 109. Note that a display 111 is provided in the vicinity of the game area 102.

  On the other hand, the game board 100 that forms the game area 102 together with the glass plate has a liquid crystal display device 121 in the center thereof. In addition, a panel lamp 122 that emits light for production or the like is provided above the liquid crystal display device 121. In addition, the game board 100 includes the first starting device 123, the second starting device 124, the electric tulip 125, the gate 126, the big winning device 127, the four general winning devices 128, the winning device 141, A blade member 142 and an opening / closing member 143 are provided.

  The first starting device 123 is provided at the center of the game board 100 below the liquid crystal display device 121, and the second starting device 124 is provided below the first starting device 123. In addition, an electric tulip 125 as an ordinary electric accessory is provided in the vicinity of the second starting device 124. The gate 126 is provided on the upper right side of the game board 100, and a big prize device 127 is provided on the lower right side of the liquid crystal display device 121. Two of the four general winning devices 128 are provided in the lower left portion of the game board 100, and the remaining two are provided in the lower right portion of the game board 100. At the bottom of the game board 100, a discharge device 129 for discharging game balls that have not won a prize is provided.

  The winning device 141 is disposed so as to surround the liquid crystal display device 121, and has openings through which game balls can enter on both sides thereof. A blade member 142 is provided to close the opening. The blade member 142 is pivotally supported at the lower portion thereof and is rotatable. With this configuration, the blade member 142 is normally in a first posture that closes the opening of the winning device 141 as indicated by a solid line, and opens the opening of the winning device 141 as indicated by a two-dot chain line during a predetermined period. Thus, the second posture is turned in a direction away from the winning device 141.

  The opening / closing member 143 is provided at the lower center of the winning device 141 and has a thin plate shape. The opening / closing member 143 can be changed between a closed posture projecting into the game area 102 and an open posture retracting back. A V region 144 is provided below the opening / closing member 143. With this configuration, when the opening / closing member 143 is in the closed posture, the game ball is guided to the back discharge passage 145 without passing through the V region 144. On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 143 is in the open posture, the game ball can pass through the V region 144.

  With such a configuration, when the player grasps the handle 108 and rotates the lever 109 in the clockwise direction, the game balls stored in the tray 107 are guided to the launching device (not shown), and the rotation angle of the lever 109 is set. The game is fired into the game area 102 with a corresponding hitting force.

  The game board 100 is provided with game nails, windmills, etc. (not shown), and the launched game balls are guided to an upper position in the game area 102 and moved by contacting the game nails, windmills, etc. Falling along the game board 100 while changing the direction. As described above, the launch of the game ball is temporarily stopped when the player operates the stop button 110.

  When the player performs a so-called “left strike” in which the lever 109 of the handle 108 is rotated at a small rotation angle, the game ball is launched with a relatively weak hitting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the left area in the game area 102 as illustrated by the arrow 130. On the other hand, when the player performs a so-called “right strike” in which the lever 109 is rotated at a large rotation angle, the game ball is launched with a relatively strong hitting force. In this case, the game ball flows down the right area in the game area 102 as exemplified by the arrow 131. Therefore, “right-handed” is required to win the gate 126 and the big winning device 127. On the other hand, when entering the winning device 141, there are cases of “left-handed” and “right-handed”. In the case of “left-handed”, as illustrated by the arrow 132, when the blade member 142 is in the second posture, the game ball that has entered the winning device 141 is moved from the left to the opening / closing member 143 in the winning device 141. Guided. In the case of “right-handed”, as illustrated by the arrow 133, when the blade member 142 is in the second posture, the game ball that has entered the winning device 141 is moved from the right side to the opening / closing member 143 in the winning device 141. Guided.

  The first starter 123 is a starter that is always open, and the second starter 124 is a starter that is opened only when the electric tulip 125 is operating. In the gaming machine 1, when a game ball wins a prize through the first starter 123 or when a game ball wins a prize through the second starter 124, is a small hit game advantageous to the player executed? It is determined whether or not, and the determination result is displayed on the display 111.

  In the following description, the determination executed on the condition that the winning of the game ball that has passed the first starting device 123 is referred to as “first special symbol determination”, and the winning of the gaming ball to the second starting device 124 is determined. The determination executed as a condition is referred to as “second special symbol determination”, and these determinations are collectively referred to as “special symbol determination”.

  The big prize device 127 is opened according to the result of the special symbol determination. A plate for opening and closing the big prize device 127 is provided at the opening of the big prize device 127. The big prize device 127 is normally closed by this plate. On the other hand, when the predetermined symbol indicating that the determination result of the special symbol determination is “small hit” is stopped and displayed on the display 111, the blade member 142 is then changed to the second posture. At this time, when the game ball enters the winning device 141 and passes through the V region 144, a big hit game is executed in which the above-mentioned plate is operated to open the big winning device 127. For this reason, the player can obtain more prize balls by making a right hit during the jackpot game compared to when the jackpot game is not being played.

  The electric tulip 125 is disposed close to the second starting device 124 and has a pair of blade members. The electric tulip 125 is configured such that the pair of blade members can change the posture between a closed posture (see FIG. 1) in which the second starting device 124 is closed and an open posture (not shown) in which the second starting device 124 is opened. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second starting device 124 is normally closed by an electric tulip 125. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the gate 126, it is determined whether or not the second starter 124 is to be opened, although no prize ball is paid out. Here, when it is determined that the second starting device 124 is to be opened, the operation of returning to the closed position after the pair of blade members of the electric tulip 125 has maintained the open position for the specified time is repeated a specified number of times. As described above, the second starting device 124 is in a state where it is difficult for the game ball to pass when the electric tulip 125 is not operated, whereas the game ball is likely to pass when the electric tulip 125 is operated. Become. In the following description, the determination that is executed on condition that a game ball wins the gate 126 is referred to as “ordinary symbol determination”.

  The general winning device 128 is always open like the first starting device 123, and is a winning device having a predetermined number of winning balls by winning a game ball. Unlike the first starting device 123 and the like, even if a game ball wins the general winning device 128, no determination is made.

[Configuration of Display 111]
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the display 111 in FIG. The display 111 mainly displays information related to the special symbol determination and the normal symbol determination. As shown in FIG. 2, the first special symbol display 201, the second special symbol display 202, and the first special symbol are displayed. The symbol holding display 203, the second special symbol holding display 204, the normal symbol display 205, and the normal symbol holding display 206 are provided.

  When the first special symbol determination is performed, the first special symbol display 201 displays the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the first special symbol determination after variably displaying the symbol, thereby displaying the first special symbol determination. The determination result is notified. The first special symbol display 201 stops a winning symbol indicating that the result of the first special symbol determination is “small hit” or a lost symbol indicating that the result of the first special symbol determination is lost. Is displayed.

  When the second special symbol determination is performed, the second special symbol display unit 202 displays the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the second special symbol determination after variably displaying the symbol, thereby displaying the second special symbol determination. The determination result is notified. The second special symbol display 202 has a winning symbol indicating that the determination result of the second special symbol determination is “small hit”, or a lost symbol indicating that the second special symbol determination is a loss. Stopped display.

  By the way, when a game ball is newly won in the first starting device 123, such as during a symbol variation display or a small hit game related to the special symbol determination, the first special symbol determination and symbol variation display triggered by this winning. Cannot be executed immediately. Therefore, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the right of the first special symbol determination is suspended when the first special symbol determination cannot be immediately executed even if a game ball wins the first starting device 123. It is configured. The first special symbol hold display 203 displays the number of hold of the first special symbol determination held in this way.

  Similarly, when a game ball is newly won in the second starting device 124, such as during display of variation of symbols related to special symbol determination or during a small hit game, the second special symbol determination and symbol variation triggered by this winning The display cannot be executed immediately. Therefore, the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the right of the second special symbol determination is suspended when the second special symbol determination cannot be immediately executed even if a game ball wins the second starting device 124. It is configured. The second special symbol hold indicator 204 displays the number of hold of the second special symbol determination held in this way.

  When the normal symbol determination is performed, the normal symbol display unit 205 notifies the determination result of the normal symbol determination by suspending and displaying the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the normal symbol determination after variably displaying the symbol. Note that the normal symbol determination and the symbol variation display related to the normal symbol determination cannot be immediately executed even if the game ball passes through the gate 126, for example, during the symbol variation display on the normal symbol display 205, the normal symbol is displayed. Judgment rights are withheld. The normal symbol hold display unit 206 displays the number of hold for normal symbol determination held in this way.

  In the following description, the symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202 is referred to as “special symbol”, and the symbol displayed on the normal symbol display 205 is “normal symbol”. Shall be called.

[Internal configuration of gaming machine 1]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the gaming machine 1. The gaming machine 1 includes a main control board 300, a payout control board 310, an effect control board 320, an image control board 330, a lamp control board 340, a launch control board 350, and a power supply board 360.

  The main control board 300 controls the basic operation of the gaming machine. The main control board 300 includes a one-chip microcomputer 301, and the one-chip microcomputer 301 includes a main CPU 301a, a main ROM 301b, and a main RAM 301c. The main control board 300 includes an input port and an output port (both not shown) for main control.

  The main control input port includes a general winning device detection switch 302 for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning device 128, and a gate detection switch for detecting that a game ball has entered the normal symbol gate 126. 303, a first starter detection switch 304 for detecting that a game ball has entered the first starter 123, a second starter detection switch 305 for detecting that a game ball has entered the second starter 124, A winning device detection switch 306 for detecting that a game ball has entered the winning device 127, a winning device detection switch 371 for detecting that a game ball has entered the winning device 141, and the passing of the game ball in the V region 144 Are connected to a V region passing switch 372 and a payout control board 310. Various signals are input to the main control board 300 through the main control input port.

  In addition, a starting device opening / closing solenoid 307 that opens and closes a pair of blade members of the electric tulip 125 disposed in proximity to the second starting device 124 and a plate that opens and closes the prize winning device 127 are operated on the main control output port. A large winning device opening / closing solenoid 308, a winning device opening / closing solenoid 373 for opening / closing the blade member 142 disposed on both sides of the winning device 141, a V region opening / closing solenoid 374 for operating the opening / closing member 143 disposed in the vicinity of the V region 144, Symbol displays 201, 202, 205 for displaying special symbols and normal symbols, hold indicators 203, 204, 206 for displaying the number of reserved special symbols and normal symbols, and game information output for outputting external information signals The terminal board 309, the payout control board 310, and the effect control board 320 are connected. Various signals are output from the main control output port.

  The game information output terminal board 309 is a board for outputting an external information signal generated in the main control board 300 to a hall computer or the like of the game shop. The game information output terminal board 309 is wired to the main control board 300, and the game information output terminal board 309 is provided with a connector for connecting to a hall computer of a game store.

  In the one-chip microcomputer 301 of the main control board 300, the main CPU 301a reads out the program stored in the main ROM 301b based on the input signals from the detection switches and timers, performs arithmetic processing, and directly controls each device. Alternatively, a command is transmitted to another board according to the result of the arithmetic processing.

  The main ROM 301b stores a game control program and tables necessary for various games. For example, a small hit determination table referred to in the small hit lottery, a symbol determination table for determining a special symbol stop symbol, a variation pattern table for determining a special symbol variation pattern, and the like are stored. The tables listed here are only a part, and a number of tables (not shown) are provided.

  Furthermore, the main RAM 301c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the main CPU 301a, and has a plurality of storage areas. For example, in the main RAM 301c, the number T of normal symbol determination, the normal symbol random number, the numbers U1 and U2 of special symbols, the number R of rounds, the number C of balls entered into the big winning device, the small hit game flag, the big hit game flag , A short time game flag and the like are stored. In addition to the information listed here, a lot of information is stored.

  The payout control board 310 performs game ball launch control and prize ball payout control. The payout control board 310 includes a one-chip microcomputer composed of a payout CPU, a payout ROM, and a payout RAM (not shown), and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The payout CPU reads out a program stored in the payout ROM based on an input signal from the payout ball measuring switch 311, the door opening switch 312, and the timer that detects whether or not the game ball has been paid out, and performs arithmetic processing. And corresponding data is transmitted to the main control board 300 based on the processing. Further, a payout motor 313 of a prize ball payout device for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls from a game ball storage unit to a player is connected to the output side of the payout control board 310. The payout CPU reads out a predetermined program from the payout ROM based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 300, performs arithmetic processing, and controls the payout motor 313 of the prize ball payout device to control the predetermined prize. Pay the ball to the player. At this time, the payout RAM functions as a data work area at the time of calculation processing of the payout CPU.

  The effect control board 320 mainly controls each effect such as during a game or standby. The effect control board 320 includes a sub CPU 320a, a sub ROM 320b, and a sub RAM 320c, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be communicable in one direction from the main control board 300 to the effect control board 320. . The sub CPU 320a reads out a program stored in the sub ROM 320b based on a command transmitted from the main control board 300, an effect button detection switch 321, an effect key detection switch 322, and an input signal from the timer, and performs arithmetic processing. At the same time, based on this processing, corresponding data is transmitted to the image control board 330 and the lamp control board 340. The sub RAM 320c functions as a data work area when the sub CPU 320a performs arithmetic processing.

  For example, when receiving the change start command from the main control board 300, the sub CPU 320a in the effect control board 320 executes a predetermined effect on the liquid crystal display device 121, the audio output device 331, the effect drive device 341, and the effect illumination device 342. Data to be generated is transmitted to the image control board 330 and the lamp control board 340.

The sub ROM 320b of the effect control board 320 stores a program for effect control and data and tables necessary for determining various games.
For example, an effect pattern determination table for determining an effect pattern, a decoration symbol determination table for determining a combination of decoration symbols to be stopped, and the like are stored in the sub ROM 320b. In addition, the table mentioned above only enumerates the characteristic table among the tables in this embodiment as an example, and many other tables and programs (not shown) are provided.

  The sub RAM 320c of the effect control board 320 has a plurality of storage areas. In these storage areas, a game state, an effect pattern, a decorative pattern, a counting counter, firing operation information, and the like are stored. In addition to this, a lot of information is stored.

  The image control board 330 includes an image CPU, control ROM, control RAM, CGROM, VRAM, and VDP (not shown) for performing image display control of the liquid crystal display device 121, a sound CPU, a sound ROM, and a sound RAM. . The image control board 330 is connected to the effect control board 320 so that bidirectional communication is possible, and a liquid crystal display device 121 and an audio output device 331 are connected to the output side thereof.

  The image CPU performs control to display a predetermined image on the VDP based on the command received from the effect control board 320. The control RAM functions as a data work area at the time of calculation processing of the image CPU, and temporarily stores data read from the control ROM. The control ROM stores a control processing program of the image CPU, an animation pattern for displaying an animation of the effect pattern, animation scene information, and the like.

  The CGROM stores a large number of image data such as decorative symbols and backgrounds displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121. The image CPU reads a predetermined program based on a command transmitted from the effect control board 320, and the CGROM. The predetermined image data stored in the VRAM is expanded in the VRAM, and the image data expanded in the VRAM is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121.

  The audio ROM stores a large amount of audio data to be output from the audio output device 331, and the audio CPU reads out a predetermined program based on the command transmitted from the effect control board 320, and the audio ROM Audio output control is performed in the output device 331.

  The lamp control board 340 controls lighting of the board lamp 122 provided on the game board 100 and controls the frame lamp 103 provided on the frame member 101. In addition, energization control is performed on a drive source such as a solenoid or a motor that operates the effect driving device 341. The lamp control board 340 is connected to the effect control board 320, and performs each control described above based on data transmitted from the effect control board 320.

  The firing control board 350 inputs a touch signal from the touch sensor 351 and performs energization control on the firing solenoid 353 and the ball feed solenoid 354 based on the voltage supplied from the firing volume 352.

  The touch sensor 351 includes a capacitive proximity switch that uses a change in capacitance caused by the player touching the handle 108. When the touch sensor 351 detects that the player touches the handle 108, the launch control board is detected. A touch signal that permits energization of the firing solenoid 353 is output to 350.

  The firing volume 352 includes a variable resistor, and a constant voltage (for example, 5 V) applied to the firing volume 352 is divided by the variable resistor, and the divided voltage is supplied to the firing control board 350.

  Here, the rotational speed of the firing solenoid 353 is set to about 99.9 (times / minute) based on the frequency based on the output period of the crystal oscillator provided on the firing control board 350. As a result, the number of game balls fired per minute is about 99.9 (pieces / minute) because one ball is fired every time the firing solenoid rotates. That is, one game ball is fired about every 0.6 seconds.

  Note that the touch signal from the touch sensor 351 and the voltage signal from the firing volume 352 are input to the effect control board 320. Thereby, it is possible to detect the launch of the game ball on the effect control board 320.

  The power supply board 360 includes a backup power supply including a capacitor, and supplies a power supply voltage to the gaming machine 1. Specifically, the power supply voltage is supplied to the main control board 300, the payout control board 310, the effect control board 320, and the launch control board 350. Further, the power supply voltage supplied to the gaming machine 1 is monitored, and when the power supply voltage becomes a predetermined value or less, the power interruption detection signal is output to the main control board 300. More specifically, when the power interruption detection signal becomes high level, the main CPU 301a becomes operable, and when the power interruption detection signal becomes low level, the main CPU 301a becomes inactive state. The backup power source is not limited to a capacitor, and may be a battery, for example, or a capacitor and a battery may be used in combination.

[Various tables]
Details of various tables stored in the main ROM 301b will be described with reference to FIGS.

  4A and 4B show a small hit determination table used for the “small hit determination”. FIG. 4A is a small hit determination table for the first special symbol, and FIG. 4B is a small hit determination table for the second special symbol.

  The small hit determination table is for determining “small hit” or “losing” based on the acquired small random number. The small hit random number is acquired as a numerical value of “0” to “199” when entering the first starting device 123 or the second starting device 124.

  According to the first special symbol small hit determination table shown in FIG. 4A, when the acquired small hit random number is “0” to “198”, it is determined as “small hit”. On the other hand, when the acquired small hit random number is “199”, it is determined as “lost”. Since the range of the small hit random number is “0” to “199”, as a ratio, the small hit is (198/199).

  The same applies to the small hit determination table for the second special symbol shown in FIG. That is, when the obtained small hit random number is “0” to “198”, it is determined as “small hit”. On the other hand, when the acquired small hit random number is “199”, it is determined as “lost”. Since the range of the small hit random number is “0” to “199”, as a ratio, the small hit is (198/199).

In other words, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the special symbol determination based on entering the first starting device 123 and the second starting device 124 is almost “small hit”.
Then, when the “small hit” is reached, as described above, the blade member 142 of the winning device 141 changes to the second posture for a predetermined period of time, and the game ball can enter the winning device 141. Then, when the game ball passes through the V region 144, it becomes a “hit”.

  In the “hit”, the round game in which the grand prize winning device 127 is opened is played 15 times in total, 8 times in total, or 4 times in total. The maximum opening time of the grand prize winning device 127 in each round game is set to a maximum of 29.5 seconds, and if a specified number (9) of game balls enter the big prize winning device 127 during this time, one round game is played. Ends. The “big hit” allows a large amount of prize balls to be obtained because a game ball enters the grand prize winning device 127 and a player can obtain a prize ball corresponding to the winning ball. Also, since the big prize device 127 is provided at the lower right side of the game board 100, when “big hit”, the lever 109 of the handle 108 is rotated greatly, so that the game is played by the so-called “right-handed”. Become.

FIG. 4C is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hit determination table used for “normal symbol hit determination”.
The winning determination table is for determining “winning” or “losing” based on the gaming state and the acquired normal symbol random number. The normal symbol random number is acquired as a numerical value of “0” to “65535” when passing through the gate 126.

Here, a description will be given of the gaming state shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, there are a “non-short game state” and a “short-time game state” as states relating to the electric tulip 125 arranged in proximity to the second starting device 124. Note that the gaming state when the game is started, that is, the initial gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is set to the “non-short-time gaming state”.

  In this embodiment, “non-short game state” means that in the normal symbol hit determination performed on the condition that the game ball has passed through the gate 126, the variation time of the normal symbol corresponding to the determination result is 12 seconds. This is a gaming state in which the opening control time of the second starting device 124 is set to be as short as 0.2 seconds when it is set to be long and wins. In other words, when the game ball passes through the gate 126, the normal symbol is drawn, and the normal symbol display unit 205 displays the variation of the normal symbol, but the normal symbol stops 12 seconds after the variation display is started. indicate. If the lottery result is a win, the second starter 124 is opened for about 0.2 seconds by the movement of the electric tulip 125 after the normal symbol is stopped.

  On the other hand, the “short-time gaming state” means that in the normal symbol hit determination performed on the condition that the game ball has passed through the gate 126, the variation time of the normal symbol corresponding to the determination result is 3 seconds. A gaming state that is set shorter than the “non-short gaming state” and that the opening control time of the second starter 124 when winning in the win is 3.5 seconds, which is set longer than the “non-short gaming state” Say. Further, in the “non-short game state”, the probability of winning in the normal symbol hit determination is set to 1/65536, and in the “short time game state”, the probability of winning in the normal symbol hit determination is 65535 / 65536 is set. At this time, the short-time game flag, which will be described later, is set to “ON” in the short game state, and the short-time game flag is “OFF” in the non-short-time game state.

  Therefore, in the “short time gaming state”, the second starting device 124 is more easily controlled to the open state as long as the game ball passes through the gate 126 than in the “non-short time gaming state”. Thereby, in the “short-time gaming state”, the consumption of the game ball is suppressed in the progress of the game.

  Further, since the gate 126 is provided on the right side of the game board 100, in the “short-time gaming state”, the game is played by so-called “right-handed” in which the lever 109 of the handle 108 is greatly rotated.

It should be noted that the probability of winning in the normal symbol hit determination may be set so that it does not change in any of the “non-short game state” and the “short-time game state”.
According to the hit determination table shown in FIG. 4 (C), in the non-time-saving gaming state, it is determined that the normal symbol random number is “0”. On the other hand, in the short-time gaming state, it is determined that the normal symbol random number is any one of “0” to “65534”. If the random number is other than the above, it is determined as “lost”.

  Since the range of normal symbol random numbers is “0” to “65535”, the probability of being determined to be hit in the non-short game state is 1/65536, and the probability of being determined to be win in the time-short game state is 65535 / 65536 = 1 / 1.00002.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a symbol determination table for determining a special symbol stop symbol.
FIG. 5 (A) is a symbol determination table for determining a stop symbol at the time of a small hit, FIG. 5 (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the probability of a jackpot with a short time, FIG. 5 (C) Is a variation pattern table for determining a variation pattern.

  In FIG. 5A, the type of “special symbol” (whether the game ball has entered the first starter 123 or the second starter 124) and the first starter 123 or the second starter 124 Based on the “variation pattern random number” and “symbol random number” acquired when the game ball enters, the “type” and “stop symbol data” of the jackpot when the game ball passes through the V region 144 are determined. The The range of the variation pattern random number is set to “0” to “199”. The range of the design random number is set to “0” to “99”.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the first special symbol is a small hit, the fluctuation pattern random number is any one of “0” to “4”, and the symbol random number is any one of “0” to “49”. If it is, it will be “4R jackpot with time reduction”, and if the design random number is any of “50” to “99”, it will be “8R jackpot without time saving”. At this time, the stop symbol data is “01” and “02”, respectively.

  Further, if the variation pattern random number is any one of “5” to “199” and the symbol random number is any one of “0” to “49”, “4R jackpot with time reduction” is obtained, and the symbol random number is “50”. If it is any one of “99”, it becomes “8R big hit without time reduction”. At this time, the stop symbol data becomes “03” and “04”, respectively.

  As will be described later, when the variation pattern random number is any one of “5” to “199”, a second state in which it is difficult for the game ball to pass through the V region 144 is created. However, since the game ball may pass through the V region 144, the type of jackpot is determined in the same manner as when the variation pattern random number is any one of “0” to “4”.

  On the other hand, if the second special symbol is a small hit, if the fluctuation pattern random number is any one of “0” to “4” and the symbol random number is any one of “0” to “74”, “15R with time reduction” If the design random number is any one of “75” to “99”, it becomes “8R jackpot without time reduction”. At this time, the stop symbol data is “05” and “06”, respectively.

  Further, if the variation pattern random number is any one of “5” to “199” and the symbol random number is any one of “0” to “74”, it becomes “15R jackpot with time reduction”, and the symbol random number is “75”. If it is any one of “99”, it becomes “8R big hit without time reduction”. At this time, the stop symbol data becomes “07” and “08”, respectively.

  As will be described later, when the variation pattern random number is any one of “5” to “199”, a second state in which it is difficult for the game ball to pass through the V region 144 is created. However, since the game ball may pass through the V region 144, the type of jackpot is determined in the same manner as when the variation pattern random number is any one of “0” to “4”.

  As shown in Fig. 5 (B), the percentage of jackpots with time reduction was 50% when the first special symbol was used as a trigger, whereas it was a jackpot with the second special symbol as a trigger. In this case, it is 75%.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, in the variation pattern table, when the variation pattern random number is “0” to “4”, the variation pattern 1 is selected. On the other hand, when the fluctuation pattern random number is “5” to “199”, the fluctuation pattern 2 is selected. The variation times are “2 seconds” and “6 seconds”, respectively.

[Explanation of opening timing]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the variation time of the special symbol, the small hit period, the opening period of the winning device 141, and the opening period of the V region 144. Here, FIG. 6A shows a first state in which the game ball easily passes through the V region 144, and FIG. 6B shows a second state in which the game ball hardly passes through the V region 144. Yes.

  The variation time of the special symbol is different between the first state and the second state. FIG. 6A corresponds to the variation pattern 1 shown in FIG. 5C, and FIG. 6B corresponds to the variation pattern 2. That is, when the fluctuation pattern random number is “0” to “4”, the fluctuation pattern 1 is selected, so the first state shown in FIG. 6A is created. On the other hand, when the fluctuation pattern random numbers are “5” to “199”, the fluctuation pattern 2 is selected, so the second state shown in FIG. 6B is created.

  6 (A) and 6 (B), the opening timing of the winning device 141 is the special symbol variation start timing, and the first time is constant. Further, the opening timing of the V region 144 is a small hit generation timing, that is, a special symbol fluctuation stop timing, and the second time is constant. Therefore, by making the variation time of the special symbol different, the opening timing of the V region 144 can be moved back and forth in time.

  Specifically, in FIG. 6A, the times t0 to t1 are variable times. Then, the small hit game is started from time t1, which is the timing for stopping the variation of the special symbol. In the small hit game, the winning device 141 is released from time t2. Time t2 is the time when the first time has elapsed from the change start timing (time t0) of the special symbol. In addition, after the winning device 141 is released, the V region 144 is opened at time t3. Time t3 is a point in time when the second time has elapsed from the change stop timing (time t1) of the special symbol. At this time, after the winning device 141 is opened, the V region 144 is opened about 1 second later. Therefore, in consideration of the time during which the game ball that has entered the winning device 141 is guided to the V region 144 through the winning device 141, a first state in which the game ball can easily pass through the V region 144 is created.

  Specifically, in FIG. 6B, the times t0 to t5 are variable times. Then, the small hit game is started from time t5 which is the timing for stopping the variation of the special symbol. In the small hit game, the winning device 141 is released from time t2. Time t2 is the time when the first time has elapsed from the change start timing (time t0) of the special symbol. In addition, after the winning device 141 is released, the V region 144 is opened at time t6. Time t6 is the time when the second time has elapsed from the special symbol fluctuation stop timing (time t5). At this time, after the winning device 141 is opened, the V region 144 is opened immediately before the winning device 141 is closed. Therefore, in consideration of the time during which the game ball that has entered the winning device 141 is guided to the V region 144 through the winning device 141, a second state is created in which it is difficult for the game ball to pass through the V region 144.

[Main control board main processing]
A main process executed in the main control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the main process executed in the main control board 300. The main control board 300 executes this main process when the power is turned on. The main process of the main control board 300 is executed by the main CPU 301a based on a program stored in the main ROM 301b.

  In the first S701, access to the main RAM 301c is permitted. This process is performed, for example, after waiting for a sufficient time (for example, 1000 ms) for the sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320 to start after power-on.

  In S702, it is determined whether or not the RAM clear switch is “ON”. If it is determined that the RAM clear switch is “ON” (S702: YES), the process proceeds to S711. On the other hand, when it is determined that the RAM clear switch is not “ON” (S702: NO), that is, when the RAM clear switch is “OFF”, the process proceeds to S703.

  In S703, it is determined whether or not the backup flag is “ON”. The backup flag is stored in the main RAM 301c, and is set to “ON” when the power to the gaming machine 1 is cut off. If it is determined that the backup flag is “ON” (S703: YES), the process proceeds to S704. On the other hand, when it is determined that the backup flag is not “ON” (S703: NO), that is, when the backup flag is “OFF”, the process proceeds to S711.

  In S704, it is determined whether or not the checksum is normal. The checksum is created for the backup information, and is intended to determine the validity of the backup information when the data addition values match. If it is determined that the checksum is normal (S704: YES), the process proceeds to S705. On the other hand, when it is determined that the checksum is not normal (S704: NO), the process proceeds to S711.

In S705, a recovery process is executed. Details of the recovery process will be described later.
In S706, the CTC cycle is set. This process sets the cycle of the CTC that is a built-in timer counter. For example, it is set to 4 ms. As a result, the main CPU 301a executes a timer interrupt process to be described later at a CTC cycle.

In S707, a power interruption monitoring process is executed. Details of the power interruption monitoring process will be described later.
In S708, interrupt prohibition setting is performed. This process prohibits the timer interrupt process by the main CPU 301a.

  In S709, random number update processing is performed. This process is to update various random numbers such as a small hit random number, a variation pattern random number, a design random number, and a normal design random number. These random numbers are incremented by “1” every time this process is performed. Each random value is returned to “0” after reaching a preset maximum value.

  In S710, an interrupt permission setting is performed. This process permits timer interrupt processing by the main CPU 301a. Then, after the processing of S710 is completed, the processing from S707 is repeated.

  The process proceeds to S711 when an affirmative determination is made in S702, a negative determination is made in S703, and a negative determination is made in S704. In S711, the RAM is cleared. The RAM clear is to initialize various flags and count values set by the main control board 300. For example, the various flags include a short-time game flag. Examples of the count value include the number of short-time fluctuations W.

  In S712, peripheral part initial setting is performed. In this process, an initial setting command is transmitted from the main control board 300 to the payout control board 310 and the effect control board 320. Thereby, initial setting is performed on the payout control board 310 and the effect control board 320. After the process of S712 is completed, the process proceeds to S706 described above.

[Recovery processing]
The restoration process executed in the main control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This restoration process is executed in S705 of FIG.

In the first step S801, a work area is set. In this process, the work area is an area used for the recovery process, and is set in the main RAM 301c.
In S802, a recovery command is created. This recovery command includes a command related to the gaming state. That is, a short-time game flag or the like. In addition, the count value of the counter related to the flag is included. Furthermore, hold information related to the hold display is included.

In S803, a recovery command is transmitted. In this process, the restoration command created in S802 is transmitted to the effect control board 320.
In S804, the backup flag is set to “OFF”, and then the recovery process is terminated.

[Power failure monitoring processing]
The power interruption monitoring process executed in the main control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This power interruption monitoring process is executed in S707 of FIG.

In the first S901, interrupt prohibition setting is performed. This process prohibits the timer interrupt process by the main CPU 301a.
In S902, it is determined whether or not the power supply is shut off. This process determines whether or not the power supply to the gaming machine 1 is cut off. If it is determined that the power supply has been cut off (S902: YES), the process proceeds to S903. On the other hand, if it is determined that the power is not shut off (S902: NO), the process proceeds to S906.

  In S903, backup information is created and stored. The backup information is stored in the main RAM 301c. At this time, a checksum is created and stored together with the backup information. As described above, the backup information is used to create a recovery command.

In S904, the backup flag is set to “ON”. The backup flag is stored in the main RAM 301c.
In S905, RAM access is prohibited, and then the main process (see FIG. 7) is terminated.

  The process proceeds to S906 when it is determined in S902 that the power is not shut off. In S906, interrupt permission setting is performed. This process permits the timer interrupt process of the main CPU 301a. After the processing of S906 ends, the process proceeds to S708 of FIG.

[Timer interrupt processing]
The timer interrupt process executed in the main control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of timer interrupt processing executed in the main control board 300. The main control board 300 repeatedly executes a series of processes illustrated in FIG. 10 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds) during a normal operation except for special cases such as when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. . Note that the processing of the main control board 300 described based on the flowcharts of FIG. 10 and after is executed by the main CPU 301a based on a program stored in the main ROM 301b.

  First, in S1001, random number update processing is executed. In this process, various random numbers such as a small hit random number, a fluctuation pattern random number, a design random number, and a normal design random number are updated. These random numbers are incremented by “1” every time this process is performed. Each random number is returned to “0” after reaching a preset maximum value.

In S1002, a switch process is performed. This process is executed when a detection signal from each switch is input. Details of the switch process will be described later.
In S1003, special symbol processing is performed. This process includes a process of stopping and displaying a stop symbol indicating the result of the special symbol determination after the special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202. Details of the special symbol process will be described later.

  In S1004, normal symbol processing is performed. This process includes a process of executing normal symbol determination, causing the normal symbol display 205 to display the normal symbol variably, and then stopping and displaying the normal symbol indicating the result of the normal symbol determination. Details of this normal symbol processing will be described later.

  In S1005, an electric tulip process is performed. This process activates the electric tulip 125 when it is determined that the second starting device 124 is to be released as a result of the normal symbol determination. Details of the electric tulip process will be described later.

  In S1006, a winning device opening control process is performed. This process is to open the winning device 141 by controlling the winning device opening / closing solenoid 373 when it is determined in S1003 that it is a small hit. Details of the winning device release control process will be described later.

  In step S1007, V area release control processing is performed. This process is to open the V region 144 by controlling the V region opening / closing solenoid 374 when it is determined in S1003 that it is a small hit. Details of the V area release control processing will be described later.

  In S1008, a special winning device opening control process is performed. In this process, when the big hit game flag is turned ON, the big winning device opening / closing solenoid 308 is controlled to open the big winning device 127. Details of the big prize device opening control process will be described later.

In S1009, prize ball processing is executed. This process controls the payout of prize balls according to the winning of game balls.
In S1010, transmission processing is executed. In this process, information necessary for determining various commands and production contents set (stored) in the main RAM 301c in the processing steps before S1009 is transmitted to the production control board 320.

[Switch processing]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the switch processing in S1002 of FIG.

  In the first S1101, first starter switch processing is executed. This process monitors the presence or absence of a detection signal input from the first starter detection switch 304, and for various random numbers (small hit random numbers, variation pattern random numbers, and design random numbers) that are updated as appropriate by the process of S1001. The value at the time when the detection signal from the first starter detection switch 304 is input is acquired. The first starter switch process will be further described later.

  In subsequent S1102, the second starter switch process is executed. This process monitors the presence / absence of a detection signal input from the second starter detection switch 305, and for various random numbers (small hit random numbers, variation pattern random numbers, and design random numbers) that are appropriately updated by the process of S1001. The value at the time when the detection signal from the second starter detection switch 305 is input is acquired. The second starter switch process will be further described later.

  In the next S1103, gate switch processing is executed. This process monitors the presence / absence of a detection signal input from the gate detection switch 303, and determines the value at the time when the detection signal from the gate detection switch 303 is input for the normal symbol random number that is appropriately updated by the process of S1001. To get. The gate switch process will be further described later.

[First starter switch processing]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the first starter switch process in S1101 of FIG.

  In the first step S1201, it is determined whether or not the first starter detection switch 304 is “ON”. This processing is based on whether or not a detection signal from the first starter detection switch 304 (ON signal indicating that the first starter detection switch 304 is “ON”) is input. It is determined whether or not the detection switch 304 is turned “ON”. Here, when it is determined that the first starter detection switch 304 is “ON” (S1201: YES), the process proceeds to S1202. On the other hand, when it is determined that the first starter detection switch 304 is not “ON” (S1201: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the first starter switch process is terminated.

  In S1202, it is determined whether or not the hold number U1 is less than the maximum hold number Umax1. In this process, it is determined whether or not the hold number U1 for the first special symbol determination stored in the main RAM 301c is less than the maximum hold number Umax1 ("4" in the present embodiment) stored in the main ROM 301b in advance. Judgment. If it is determined that U1 <Umax1 is satisfied (S1202: YES), the process proceeds to S1203. On the other hand, if it is determined that U1 ≧ Umax1 (S1202: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the first starter switch processing is terminated.

In S1203, the value of the holding number U1 is updated to a value obtained by adding “1”.
In S1204 to S1206, various random numbers are acquired. In this process, a small hit random number, a fluctuation pattern random number, and a symbol random number are acquired as acquisition information used for the first special symbol determination, and these random numbers are associated with each other and stored in the main RAM 301c.

  In S1207, a hold command is set. The hold command includes “starter data” for distinguishing whether the hold is related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and “hold number data” indicating the number of the hold (ie, the hold number data). Hold number U1) and the like are included.

Note that the hold command set in step S1207 is transmitted to the effect control board 320 in step S1010 of FIG.
[Second starter switch processing]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the second starter switch process in S1102 of FIG. The second starter switch process is the same as the first starter switch process described above.

  In the first S1301, it is determined whether or not the second starter detection switch 305 is turned “ON”. This process is based on whether or not a detection signal from the second starter detection switch 305 (ON signal indicating that the second starter detection switch 305 is “ON”) is input. It is determined whether or not the detection switch 305 is turned “ON”. Here, when it is determined that the second starter detection switch 305 is “ON” (S1301: YES), the process proceeds to S1302. On the other hand, when it determines with the 2nd starter detection switch 305 not being "ON" (S1301: NO), the subsequent process is not performed but a 2nd starter switch process is complete | finished.

  In S1302, it is determined whether or not the hold number U2 is less than the maximum hold number Umax2. In this process, it is determined whether or not the second special symbol hold number U2 stored in the main RAM 301c is less than the maximum hold number Umax2 ("4" in the present embodiment) stored in the main ROM 301b in advance. Is. If it is determined that U2 <Umax2 is satisfied (S1302: YES), the process proceeds to S1303. On the other hand, if it is determined that U2 ≧ Umax2 (S1302: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the second starter switch processing is terminated.

In S1303, the value of the holding number U2 is updated to a value obtained by adding “1”.
In S1304 to S1306, various random numbers are acquired. In this process, a small hit random number, a variation pattern random number, and a symbol random number are acquired as acquisition information used for the second special symbol determination, and these random numbers are associated with each other and stored in the main RAM 301c.

  In S1307, a hold command is set. The hold command includes “starter data” for distinguishing whether the hold is related to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, and “hold number data” indicating the number of the hold (ie, the hold number data). Hold number U2) and the like are included.

The hold command set in S1307 is transmitted to the effect control board 320 in S1010 of FIG.
[Gate switch processing]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the gate switch processing in S1103 of FIG.

  In the first step S1401, it is determined whether or not the gate detection switch 303 is “ON”. In this process, the gate detection switch 303 is turned “ON” based on whether or not a detection signal from the gate detection switch 303 (ON signal indicating that the gate detection switch 303 is “ON”) is input. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the gate detection switch 303 is “ON” (S1401: YES), the process proceeds to S1402. On the other hand, if it is determined that the gate detection switch 303 is not “ON” (S1401: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the gate switch processing is terminated.

  In S1402, it is determined whether the hold number T is less than the maximum hold number Tmax. In this process, whether or not the normal symbol determination hold number T stored in the main RAM 301c is less than the maximum normal symbol determination hold number Tmax ("4" in this embodiment) stored in advance in the main ROM 301b. It is a judgment. If it is determined that T <Tmax (S1402: YES), the process proceeds to S1403. On the other hand, when it is determined that T ≧ Tmax (S1402: NO), the gate switch process is terminated without executing the subsequent processes.

In S1403, the hold count T is updated to a value obtained by adding “1”. In subsequent S1404, the normal symbol random number used for the normal symbol determination is acquired and stored in the main RAM 301c.
[Special symbol processing]
Details of the special symbol processing executed by the main control board 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol process in S1003 of FIG.

  In first S1501, it is determined whether or not a winning game is being played. When the winning game is being played, the small hit game flag or the big hit game flag stored in the main RAM 301c is set to “ON”. This process is to determine whether or not the small hit game flag or the big hit game flag stored in the main RAM 301c is set to “ON”. If it is determined that the game is a winning game (S1501: YES), the subsequent symbol processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing. On the other hand, when it is determined that no winning game is being played (S1501: NO), the process proceeds to S1502.

  In S1502, it is determined whether or not a special symbol variation display is in progress. If it is determined that the special symbol variation display is not in progress (S1502: NO), the process proceeds to S1503. On the other hand, if it is determined that special symbols are being displayed (S1502: YES), the process proceeds to S1511.

  In S1503, it is determined whether one of the number of holdings U1 for the first special symbol determination or the number of holdings U2 for the second special symbol determination is greater than “0”. If it is determined that U1> 0 or U2> 0 (S1503: YES), the process proceeds to S1504. On the other hand, if it is determined that U1 = U2 = 0 (S1503: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the special symbol process is terminated.

  In S1504, if U2> 0, the hold number U2 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1”. If U2 = 0, the number of holdings U1 is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1”. That is, the reservation of the second special symbol is preferentially digested.

  In S1505, the storage area is shifted. This process executes a shift process for the storage area of the main RAM 301c. Specifically, for the first or second special symbol determination sub-random numbers, fluctuation pattern random numbers, and symbol random numbers subtracted in S1504, the first stored one in the reserved storage area (the oldest one) is used for determination. Shift to the storage area, and shift the rest to the determination storage area side.

  In S1506, a small hit determination process is executed. In this process, the small hit determination process is executed based on the random number stored in the determination storage area. By executing this small hit determination process, it is determined whether the small hit or lost, and the determination result is set in the main RAM 301c. If it is determined that the game is a small hit, the small hit game flag is “ON”. Further, at this time, a symbol (stop symbol data) indicating the type of jackpot when the jackpot is won later is determined. Details of the small hit determination process will be described later.

  In S1507, a variation pattern selection process is executed. Specifically, referring to a variation pattern table stored in advance in the main ROM 301b, a variation pattern of a special symbol is selected based on a variation pattern random number stored in the determination storage area. By performing the processing of S1507, the variation time of the special symbol is determined.

  In S1508, a change start command is set. In this process, a change start command including stop symbol data set in the process of S1506, change pattern data indicating the change pattern set in the process of S1507, game state data indicating the gaming state of the gaming machine 1, etc. is set in the main RAM 301c. To do. This variation start command is a command for instructing the start of the variation effect accompanying the variation display of the special symbol, and is transmitted to the effect control board 320 by the transmission process of S1010.

  On the other hand, the effect control board 320 analyzes the fluctuation start command received from the main control board 300, identifies the result of the special symbol determination, obtains the fluctuation time during which the special symbol is variably displayed, and The gaming state of the machine 1 is specified. From the voice output device 331, the display pattern of the decorative symbol is variably displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121 in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol on the first special symbol indicator 201 or the second special symbol indicator 202. It determines what sound is output, what light emission pattern the frame lamp 103 emits, and the like, and causes the image control board 330 and the lamp control board 340 to execute the effect of the determined content.

  In S1509, the variable display is started. This process starts the change display of the special symbol based on the data included in the change start command set in the process of S1508. The special symbol variation display is performed using the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202.

In S1510, measurement of the variation time is started. In this process, measurement of a variation time that is an elapsed time since the start of variation display is started.
In next S1511, it is determined whether or not the variation time has elapsed. In this process, it is determined whether or not the variation time corresponding to the variation pattern selected by the processing in S1507 has elapsed since the measurement of the variation time in S1510. If it is determined that the fluctuation time has not elapsed (S1511: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the special symbol process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S1511: YES), the process proceeds to S1512.

  In S1512, a symbol confirmation command is set. In this process, a symbol confirmation command for notifying that the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202 is set in the main RAM 301c. is there. The symbol confirmation command is transmitted to the effect control board 320 by the transmission process in S1010.

  In S1513, the variable display ends. This process ends the special symbol variation display started in S1509. At that time, the stop symbol data (small hit symbol or lose symbol) set in the processing of S1506 is stopped and displayed on the special symbol indicators 201 and 202 that have been variably displayed on the special symbols. Specifically, when the special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display 201, the first special symbol display 201 is caused to stop display the small hit symbol or the lost symbol, and the second special symbol display 202 is displayed. If the special symbol is variably displayed, the second special symbol display 202 stops and displays the small hit symbol or the lost symbol.

In S1514, the measured variation time is reset. This process is to reset the variation time when the measurement is started in the process of S1510.
In continuing S1515, the process during stop is performed. This process includes a process of turning the small hit game flag “ON” in the case of a small hit. Details of the stop process will be described later.

[Small hit judgment processing]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the small hit determination process in S1506 of FIG.

In the first S1601, a small hit random number is read. This process reads out the small random number stored in the determination storage area of the RAM 301c.
In S1602, a small hit determination is performed. Here, when the small hit determination relating to the winning to the first starter 123 is executed, the small special hit determination table (see FIG. 4A) stored in the main ROM 301b in advance is used. On the other hand, when the small hit determination relating to winning in the second starting device 124 is executed, the small special hit determination table (see FIG. 4B) stored in advance in the main ROM 301b is used. In this embodiment, the first special symbol small hit determination table is the same as the second special symbol small hit determination table.

  The small hit random numbers are described in the small hit determination table of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. Therefore, the small hit is determined based on whether or not the small hit random number stored in the determination storage area matches the value described in the first special symbol or second special symbol small hit determination table. If they do not match, it is determined to be lost. At this time, if the small hit random number is “0” to “198”, it is determined as “small hit”, and if it is “199”, it is determined as “lost”.

  In subsequent S1603, it is determined whether or not it is a small hit. This process is to determine whether or not a small hit is made based on the determination result of S1602. If it is determined that the game is a small hit (S1603: YES), the process proceeds to S1604. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a small hit (S1603: NO), that is, if it is a loss, a lost symbol (stop symbol data “00”) is set in S1608, and the small hit determination process is terminated.

In S1604, the fluctuation pattern random number is read. This process reads the “variation pattern random number” stored in the determination storage area of the main RAM 301c.
In S1605, a design random number is read out. This process reads the “symbol random number” stored in the determination storage area of the main RAM 301c.

  In S1606, a stop symbol is determined. In this process, the stop symbol (stop symbol data) is determined based on the “variation pattern random number” read in S1604 and the “symbol random number” read in S1605. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the jackpot type is determined based on the variation pattern random number and the design random number. The big hit game is executed when the game ball passes through the V region 144 in the small hit game.

In S1607, the stop symbol determined in S1606, that is, the small hit symbol indicating the big hit type is set.
The process proceeds to S1608 when a negative determination is made in S1603. In S1608, a lost symbol is set.

  Note that the small hit symbol set in S1607 is stopped and displayed as a stop symbol on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202, and the small hit game is executed. After the process of S1604 is completed, the small hit determination process is terminated.

[Variation pattern selection processing]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the variation pattern selection processing in S1507 of FIG.

In the first S1701, the fluctuation pattern random number is read. This process reads the “variation pattern random number” stored in the determination storage area of the main RAM 301c.
In S1702, the variation pattern table is referred to. The variation pattern table is shown in FIG.

  In S1703, a variation pattern is selected. As shown in FIG. 5C, if the fluctuation pattern random number is any one of “0” to “4”, the fluctuation pattern 1 is selected. On the other hand, if the fluctuation pattern random number is any one of “5” to “199”, the fluctuation pattern 2 is selected.

  In S1704, a variation pattern is set. In this processing, variation pattern data indicating the variation pattern selected in S1703 is set in the main RAM 301c. The variation pattern data is included in the variation start command set in the processing of S1508 in FIG. 15 together with the symbol (stop symbol data) set by the small hit determination processing, and is transmitted to the effect control board 320 by the transmission processing of S1010. Is done.

[Processing while stopped]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the stopping process in S1515 in FIG.

  In first S1801, it is determined whether or not a small hit. In this process, it is determined whether or not it is a small hit based on the determination result of S1602 of FIG. If it is determined that the game is a small hit (S1801: YES), the small hit game flag is set to “ON” in S1802, and then the process proceeds to S1807. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a small hit (S1801: NO), the process proceeds to S1803.

  In S1803, it is determined whether or not a big hit. This process is to determine whether or not the jackpot game flag stored in the main RAM 301c is “ON”. If it is determined that the game is a big hit (S1803: YES), the process proceeds to S1804. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a big hit (S1803: NO), the process proceeds to S1807.

  In S1804, it is determined whether or not the time-saving game flag is “ON”. This process is to determine whether or not the short-time game flag stored in the main RAM 301c is set to “ON”. The short-time game flag is a flag indicating whether or not the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a short-time game state, and is set to “ON” when transitioning from the normal game state to the short-time game state. It is set to “OFF” when returning to the gaming state. Here, if it is determined that the short-time game flag is set to “ON” (S1804: YES), the short-time game flag is set to “OFF” in S1805, and then the process proceeds to S1806. On the other hand, when it is determined that the short-time game flag is not set to “ON” (S1804: NO), that is, when the short-time game flag is set to “OFF”, the processing of S1805 is not executed. The process proceeds to S1806.

  In S1806, an opening command is set in the main RAM 301c. The opening refers to a period from when the jackpot game is started until the first prize-winning device 127 is first opened. The opening command is a command for notifying that the opening is started, and is transmitted to the effect control board 320 by the transmission process of S1010. In the present embodiment, in order to distinguish between the opening for the big hit and the opening for the big hit, the opening for the small hit is appropriately described as “small hit opening”.

  In S1807, it is determined whether or not the time-saving game flag is “ON”. The time saving game flag is stored in the main RAM 301c, and is set to “ON” when the time saving gaming state is set, and is set to “OFF” when the non-time saving gaming status is set. If it is determined that the time-saving game flag is “ON” (S1807: YES), the process proceeds to S1808. On the other hand, when it is determined that the short-time game flag is “OFF” (S1807: NO), the subsequent processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing.

In S 1808, “1” is subtracted from the short-time fluctuation count W, and the short-time fluctuation count W is updated. The time fluctuation number W is stored in the main RAM 301c.
In S1809, it is determined whether or not the number of short-time fluctuations W is “0”. If it is determined that W = 0 (S1809: YES), the time-short game flag is set to “OFF” in S1810, and then the in-stop process is terminated. On the other hand, if W ≠ 0 (S1809: NO), the process in S1810 is not executed and the stopped process is terminated.

[Normal pattern processing]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the normal symbol processing in S1004 of FIG.

  In the first S1901, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary game flag is “ON”. This process determines whether or not the auxiliary game flag stored in the main RAM 301c is set to “ON”. The auxiliary game flag is a flag indicating whether or not the auxiliary tulip is in the auxiliary game in which the operation of returning to the closed position after the electric tulip 125 is maintained in the open position for a specified time is set to “ON” during the auxiliary game. When it is not in the auxiliary game, “OFF” is set. If it is determined that the auxiliary game flag is set to “ON” (S1901: YES), the subsequent symbol processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing. In this case, it moves to the electric tulip process of S1005. On the other hand, when it is determined that the auxiliary game flag is not “ON” (S1901: NO), that is, when the auxiliary game flag is set to “OFF”, the process proceeds to S1902.

  In S1902, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol is changing. This process is to determine whether or not the variable display on the normal symbol display 205 is being performed. Here, when it is determined that the normal symbol is not changing (S1902: NO), the process proceeds to S1903. On the other hand, when it is determined that the normal symbol is changing (S1902: YES), the process proceeds to S1914.

  In S1903, where the normal symbol is not fluctuating, it is determined whether or not the number T of the normal symbol determination is “1” or more. If it is determined that the hold count T is “1” or more (S1903: YES), the process proceeds to S1904. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of holdings T is not “1” or more (S1903: NO), that is, when the number of holdings T is “0”, the subsequent symbol processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing. .

  In step S1904, the number of holds T is updated to a value obtained by subtracting “1”. In step S1905, a hit random number determination process is performed. In this process, whether the oldest normal symbol random number among the normal symbol random numbers stored in the main RAM 301c in S1404 in FIG. It is to determine whether or not.

  In S1906, it is determined whether or not a win. This process is to determine whether or not the determination result of the normal symbol determination is a win based on the determination result of S1905. If it is determined that it is a win (S1906: YES), a win symbol is set in the main RAM 301c in S1907, and then the process proceeds to S1909. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a hit (S1906: NO), that is, if it is a loss, the lost symbol is set in the main RAM 301c in S1908, and then the process proceeds to S1909.

  In S1909, it is determined whether or not it is a non-time saving gaming state. This process determines whether or not the current gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is a non-short-time gaming state based on whether or not the hourly gaming flag is set to “ON”. If it is determined that the game is in the non-short game state (S1909: YES), the normal symbol variation time is set to 12 seconds in S1910, and then the process proceeds to S1912. On the other hand, if it is determined that the game is not in the non-short game state (S1909: NO), that is, if the game is in the short-time game state, the normal symbol variation time is set to 3 seconds, and then the process proceeds to S1912. The normal symbol variation time is the time for the normal symbol display 205 to display the normal symbol in a variable manner. The normal symbol variation time set here is temporarily stored in the main RAM 301c.

In S1912, the normal symbol display 205 starts to change the normal symbol. In step S1913, measurement of elapsed time from the start of the variable display is started.
On the other hand, in S1914 which is shifted to when the normal symbol is changing, it is determined whether or not to end the normal symbol change. Specifically, it is determined whether or not to end the normal symbol variation display based on whether or not the elapsed time when measurement was started in S1913 has reached the normal symbol variation time set in S1910 or S1911. To do. Here, when it is determined that the variation of the normal symbol is to be ended (S1914: YES), the normal symbol variation display on the normal symbol display unit 205 is terminated in S1915, and the winning symbol or the lost symbol is stopped and displayed. The process proceeds to S1916. On the other hand, if it is determined not to end the variation of the normal symbol (S1914: NO), the normal symbol processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing.

In S1916, the elapsed time is reset. This process resets the elapsed time when the measurement was started in the process of S1913.
In S1917, as in S1906, it is determined whether or not the determination result of the normal symbol determination is correct. If it is determined that it is a win (S1917: YES), the auxiliary game flag is set to “ON” in S1918, and then the normal symbol process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a hit (S1917: NO), the process of S1918 is not executed, and the normal symbol process is terminated.

[Electric tulip treatment]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of the electric tulip process in S1005 of FIG.

  In the first S2001, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary game flag is “ON”. If it is determined that the auxiliary game flag is “ON” (S2001: YES), the process proceeds to S2002. On the other hand, when it is determined that the auxiliary game flag is not “ON” (S2001: NO), that is, when the auxiliary game flag is “OFF”, the subsequent processing is not executed and the electric tulip is executed. The process ends.

  In S2002, it is determined whether or not the electric tulip is operating. If it is determined that the electric tulip is operating (S2002: YES), the process proceeds to S2007. On the other hand, when it is determined that the electric tulip is not operating (S2002: NO), the process proceeds to S2003.

  In S2003, it is determined whether or not the non-time-saving gaming state. This process is the same as S1909 in FIG. If it is determined that the game is in the non-short game state (S2003: YES), an operation pattern is set in S2004, and then the process proceeds to S2006. In S2004, as an operation pattern of the electric tulip 125, an operation pattern for performing the operation of opening the second starting device 124 for 0.1 second twice is set in the main RAM 301c. Thereby, the opening for a total of 0.2 seconds is realized. On the other hand, if it is determined that the game is not in the non-short-time gaming state (S2003: NO), that is, if it is in the time-short gaming state, the operation pattern is set in S2005, and then the process proceeds to S2006. In S2005, as the operation pattern of the electric tulip 125, an operation pattern for performing the operation of opening the second starting device 124 for 0.5 seconds seven times is set in the main RAM 301c. Thereby, the opening for a total of 3.5 seconds is realized.

  In S2006, the operation of the electric tulip 125 is started. This process starts the operation of the electric tulip 125 with the operation pattern set in S2004 or S2005.

  In S2007, it is determined whether or not the operation is completed. If it is determined that the operation of the electric tulip 125 is completed (S2007: YES), the auxiliary game flag is set to “OFF” in S2008, and then the electric tulip process is terminated. Thereby, an auxiliary game is complete | finished. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation of the electric tulip 125 is not completed (S2007: NO), the process of S2008 is not executed and the electric tulip process is terminated.

[Winning device opening control process]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the winning device opening control process in S1006 of FIG.

  In first S2101, it is determined whether or not the small hit game flag is set to “ON”. If it is determined that the small hit game flag is set to “ON” (S2101: YES), the process proceeds to S2102. On the other hand, if it is determined that the small hit game flag is not set to “ON” (S2101: NO), that is, if the small hit game flag is set to “OFF”, the subsequent processing is executed. First, the winning device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2102, it is determined whether or not the winning device 141 is open. In this process, it is determined whether the blade member 142 of the winning device 141 is driven and the left and right openings of the winning device 141 are opened. If it is determined that the winning device 141 is being opened (S2102: YES), the process proceeds to S2108. On the other hand, when it is determined that the winning device 141 is closed (S2102: NO), the process proceeds to S2103.

In S2103, the fluctuation pattern is referred to. This process reads the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern random number.
In S2104, a small hitting opening time is selected. In this process, the small hitting opening time is selected based on the fluctuation pattern read in S2103. Specifically, when the variation pattern 1 is selected, the variation time is 2 seconds (see FIG. 5C). At this time, the small hitting opening time is selected so that the first time is derived from the fluctuation time and the small hitting opening time (see FIG. 6A). When the variation pattern 2 is selected, the variation time is 6 seconds (see FIG. 5C). At this time, the small hitting opening time is selected so that the first time is derived from the fluctuation time and the small hitting opening time (see FIG. 6B). Therefore, for example, the small hit opening time is set to 5 seconds and 1 second in accordance with the fluctuation time of 2 seconds and 6 seconds, and when the fluctuation time is 2 seconds (when the fluctuation pattern is 1), the opening time Is selected as 5 seconds, and when the variation time is 6 seconds (when the variation pattern is 2), the small hit opening time is selected as 1 second. Thereby, in any case, the first time is 7 seconds.

  In S2105, it is determined whether it is an open time. This process determines whether or not the opening time of the winning device 141 has come, that is, whether or not the opening time selected in S2104 has elapsed since the special symbol fluctuation stop timing. If it is determined that it is the opening time (S2105: YES), the process proceeds to S2106. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not the opening time (S2105: NO), the processing of S2106 and S2107 is not executed, and the process proceeds to S2108.

  In S2106, the winning device 141 is opened. In this process, the winning device opening / closing solenoid 373 is energized, and the blade members 142 on both sides of the winning device 141 are set in the second posture. Thereby, the game ball enters the winning device 141.

In S2107, a timer is started. In this process, a timer for determining the closing time of the winning device 141 is reset to “0”.
In S2108, it is determined whether it is a closing time. This process determines whether it is the closing time of the winning device 141 based on the timer started in S2107. For example, 6 seconds after opening is set as the closing time. If it is determined that it is the closing time (S2108: YES), the process proceeds to S2109. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not the closing time (S2108: NO), the process of S2109 is not executed and the winning device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2109, the winning device 141 is closed. In this process, the energization to the winning device opening / closing solenoid 373 is stopped, and the blade members 142 on both sides of the winning device 141 are set to the first posture. Note that the game ball entering the winning device 141 is detected by the winning device detection switch 371 or the V region passing switch 372. In either case, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out.

[V area release control processing]
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing details of the V region release control process executed in S1007 of FIG.

  In S2201, it is determined whether or not the small hit game flag is “ON”. The small hit game flag is set in S1802 based on the result of the small hit determination process. If it is determined that the small hit game flag is “ON” (S2201: YES), the subsequent process is not executed and the V area release control process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the small hit game flag is not “ON” (S2201: NO), that is, if the small hit game flag is “OFF”, the process proceeds to S2202.

  In S2202, it is determined whether or not the V region 144 is being opened. In this process, it is determined whether the opening / closing member 143 of the V region 144 is driven and the V region 144 is opened. If it is determined that the V region 144 is open (S2202: YES), the process proceeds to S2206. On the other hand, if it is determined that the V region 144 is not open (S2202: NO), the process proceeds to S2203.

  In S2203, it is determined whether it is an open time. In this process, it is determined whether or not the second time has elapsed from the change stop timing of the special symbol (see FIG. 6). If it is determined that it is the opening time (S2203: YES), the process proceeds to S2204. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not the opening time (S2203: NO), the processing of S2204 and S2205 is not executed, and the process proceeds to S2206.

  In S2204, the V area 144 is released. In this process, power is supplied to the V region opening / closing solenoid 374 and the opening / closing member 143 located above the V region 144 is set in an open posture. As a result, a game ball enters the V region 144. However, as described above, there are patterns that are easy to enter and patterns that are difficult to enter.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the variation pattern 1 is selected (when the variation time is 2 seconds), the elapse of the second time is determined from the time t1, and therefore at the time t3. The V region 144 is released. In this case, it is one second after the winning device 141 is opened, and a state in which the game ball can easily pass through the V region 144 is created. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the variation pattern 2 is selected (when the variation time is 6 seconds), the elapse of the second time is determined from the time t5. The V region 144 is released. In this case, it is one second before closing the winning device 141, and a state in which it is difficult for the V region 144 to pass the game ball is created. However, in any case, a big hit is generated when the game ball passes through the V region 144.

In S2205, a timer is started. In this process, a timer for determining the closing time of the V area 144 is reset to “0”.
In S2206, it is determined whether or not the V region 144 has been passed. This process is for determining whether or not the game ball passes through the V region 144 based on a signal from the V region passage switch 372. If it is determined that the vehicle has passed the V area 144 (S2206: YES), the jackpot game flag is set to “ON” in S2207, and then the process proceeds to S2208. On the other hand, when it is determined that it has not passed through the V region 144 (S2206: NO), the processing of S2207 is not executed, and the processing proceeds to S2208.

  In S2208, it is determined whether it is a closing time. This process determines whether it is the closing time of the V area 144 based on the timer started in S2205. For example, 2 seconds after opening is set as the closing time. If it is determined that it is the closing time (S2208: YES), the process proceeds to S2209. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not the closing time (S2208: NO), the processing of S2209 is not executed and the V region opening control processing is ended.

In S2209, the V region 144 is closed. In this process, the energization of the V region opening / closing solenoid 374 is stopped, and the opening / closing member 143 above the V region 144 is set in the closed posture.
[Large winning device opening control processing]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of the big winning device opening control process in S1008 of FIG.

  In the first S2301, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game flag is set to “ON”. If it is determined that the jackpot game flag is set to “ON” (S2301: YES), the process proceeds to S2302. On the other hand, when it is determined that the jackpot game flag is not set to “ON” (S2301: NO), that is, when the jackpot game flag is set to “OFF”, the subsequent processing is not executed. The big prize device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2302, it is determined whether or not opening is in progress. For example, it is determined whether or not the jackpot game is being opened based on whether or not the elapsed time after setting the opening command related to the jackpot game by the processing of S1806 has reached a predetermined opening time. is there. If it is determined that the opening is being performed (S2302: YES), the process proceeds to S2303. On the other hand, if it is determined that the opening is not in progress (S2302: NO), the process proceeds to S2311.

  In S2303, it is determined whether or not the opening time has elapsed. If it is determined that the opening time has elapsed (S2303: YES), the process proceeds to S2304. On the other hand, when it is determined that the opening time has not elapsed (S2303: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the large winning device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2304, an operation pattern is set. In this process, the round upper limit number Rmax (“15”, “8” or “4”) and the operation pattern are determined and stored in the main RAM 301c. By the processing of S2304, various times related to the jackpot game such as the interval time between rounds and the next round, and the ending time after the end of the final round are also set.

  In S2305, the winning number Y of game balls to the big winning device 127 is reset to “0”. In subsequent S2306, the number R of big hits R stored in the main RAM 301c is updated to a value obtained by adding “1”. The round number R is set to “0” before the jackpot start, and is incremented by “1” every time the process of S2306 is executed.

  In S2307, the opening control of the big prize device 127 is started. In subsequent S2308, measurement of an opening time that is an elapsed time since the opening control in S2307 is started is started. In next S2309, a round start command is set. In this process, a round start command for notifying that a round game has started is set in the main RAM 301c. After the process of S2309 is completed, the process proceeds to S2316.

  In S2311 which is shifted when it is determined that the opening is not being performed, it is determined whether or not the ending is being performed. This process determines, for example, whether the ending immediately after the end of the final round is in progress based on information indicating when the current state stored in the main RAM 301c is in the jackpot game. If it is determined that the ending is in progress (S2311: YES), the process proceeds to S2324. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ending is not in progress (S2311: NO), the process proceeds to S2312.

  In S2312, it is determined whether it is during the interval. In this process, for example, whether or not the current state stored in the main RAM 301c is in the interval (between the rounds) is determined based on the information indicating the time point in the jackpot game. To do. If it is determined that it is during the interval (S2312: YES), the process proceeds to S2313. On the other hand, if it is determined that the interval is not in progress (S2312: NO), the process proceeds to S2314.

  In S2313, it is determined whether or not the interval time has elapsed. This process is to determine whether or not the interval time set by the process of S2304 has elapsed since the big winning device 127 was closed at the end of the previous round. If it is determined that the interval time has elapsed (S2313: YES), the process proceeds to S2304 because it is time to start the next round. On the other hand, when it is determined that the interval time has not elapsed (S2313: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the large winning device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2314, it is determined whether or not the special winning device detection switch 306 is turned “ON”. The big winning device detection switch 306 is a switch for detecting a winning of a game ball to the big winning device. This process is to determine whether or not the big winning device detection switch 306 is turned “ON” based on the presence / absence of the detection signal input from the big winning device detection switch 306 during the round. If it is determined that the big winning device detection switch 306 has been turned “ON” (S2314: YES), it is determined that one gaming ball has won the big winning device 127, and a winning game ball is won in S2315. The number Y is updated to a value obtained by adding “1”, and then the process proceeds to S2316. On the other hand, when it is determined that the special winning device detection switch 306 is not “ON” (S2314: NO), the processing of S2315 is not executed, and the processing proceeds to S2316.

  In S2316, it is determined whether the specified opening time has elapsed. In this process, it is determined whether or not the specified opening time has elapsed since the opening of the special winning device 127. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the opening time at which the measurement is started by the process of S2308 has reached a specified opening time (29 seconds in the present embodiment) stored in advance in the main ROM 301b. If it is determined that the specified opening time has elapsed (S2316: YES), the process proceeds to S2318 without executing the process of S2317. On the other hand, when it is determined that the specified opening time has not elapsed (S2316: NO), the process proceeds to S2317.

  In S2317, it is determined whether or not the winning number Y has reached the winning upper limit number Ymax. In this process, the winning number Ymax of game balls in the current round stored in the main RAM 301c is the upper limit number Ymax (for example, “9”) that prescribes the closing timing of the big winning device 127 stored in the main ROM 301b in advance. ) Is determined. If it is determined that Y = Ymax (S2317: YES), the process proceeds to S2318. On the other hand, when it is determined that Y ≠ Ymax (S2317: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the large winning device opening control process is terminated.

In S2318, the opening control of the big prize device 127 is terminated. As a result, the big prize device 127 is closed.
In S2319, it is determined whether the round number R has reached the round upper limit number Rmax. If it is determined that R = Rmax (S2319: YES), the flow proceeds to S2321. On the other hand, when it is determined that R ≠ Rmax (S2319: NO), the measurement of the interval time is started in S2320, and then the special winning device opening control process is ended. The process of S2320 starts measurement of an interval time that is an elapsed time since the big winning device 127 is closed in order to control the start timing of the next round. This interval time is used for the processing of S2313.

  In S2321, the ending time measurement is started. In S2322, the round number R is reset to “0”. In step S2323, an ending command is set in the main RAM 301c. This ending command is a command for notifying that the final release of the special winning device 127 has been completed, and is transmitted to the effect control board 320 by the transmission process of S1010.

  In S2324, it is determined whether or not the ending time has elapsed. In this process, it is determined whether or not the ending time when the measurement is started by the process of S2321 has reached the set ending time set by the process of S2304. If it is determined that the ending time has elapsed (S2324: YES), the process proceeds to S2325. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ending time has not elapsed (S2324: NO), the subsequent process is not executed and the large winning device opening control process is terminated.

  In S2325, a game state setting process is executed. The game state setting process is to set the game state of the gaming machine 1 after the jackpot game ends. Details of the game state setting process will be described later.

  In S2326, the big hit game flag is turned “OFF”, and then the big winning device opening control process is ended. By setting the jackpot game flag to “OFF”, the jackpot game ends.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing details of the gaming state setting process in S2323 of FIG.

  In the first step S2401, it is determined whether or not there is a short time based on the small hit symbol (stop symbol data). This process is based on the small hit symbol set in S1607 of FIG. When it is a small hit, the type when the big hit is reached (when the game ball passes the V region 144) is determined as a small hit symbol (see FIG. 5A).

  In S2402, based on the determination result of S2401, it is determined whether or not the jackpot with a time saving. If it is determined that it is a jackpot with time saving (S2402: YES), the process proceeds to S2404. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a jackpot with time saving (S2402: NO), that is, if it is a jackpot without time saving, the process proceeds to S2403.

  In S2403, the time-saving game flag is set to “OFF”. The time saving game flag is stored in the main RAM 301c, and is set to “ON” when the time saving gaming state is set, and is set to “OFF” when the non-time saving gaming status is set. After the process of S2403 is completed, the game state setting process is terminated. After the jackpot game, when the short-time game flag is set to “OFF”, the player performs an operation of returning to the so-called “left-handed”.

  In S2404, which is shifted to when it is determined that it is a jackpot with time reduction, the time reduction game flag is set to “ON”. In S 2405, “100” is set in the number of short-time fluctuations W. Thereby, the electric tulip 125 is opened and closed with high probability by passing through the gate 126, and a game (so-called short-time game) in which the decrease of the game balls that makes it easy to enter the second starting device 124 is suppressed is given 100 times. The After the process of S2405 is completed, the game state setting process is terminated.

[Gameability in this embodiment]
Normally, the game is in a non-time-short game state, and the player starts the game by so-called “left-handed”. Then, when a game ball enters the first starting device 123, a small hit determination by the first special symbol is performed (S1506).

  At this time, the probability of winning a small hit is (199/200). Therefore, when the small hit game flag is turned “ON” (S2101: YES), the “small hit opening time” according to the variation pattern is selected (S2103, S2104).

  When the small hit opening time has elapsed (S2105: YES), the winning device 141 is opened. At this time, since the player continues “left-handed”, the game ball enters the winning device 141 from the opening on the left side of the winning device 141 as indicated by an arrow 132 in FIG.

  When the variation pattern 1 is selected, the opening / closing member 143 is opened following the opening of the winning device 141 (see FIG. 6A), so that the game ball easily passes through the V region 144. On the other hand, when the variation pattern 2 is selected, it is released immediately before the winning device 141 is closed (see FIG. 6B), so that the game ball is difficult to pass through the V region 144. These two states are created based on the variation pattern, the easy passage state is created at (1/50), and the difficult passage state is created at (49/50) (see FIG. 5C). .

  When the game ball that has entered the winning device 141 passes the V region 144, a big hit is made (S2206: YES, S2207). The type of jackpot at this time is determined in advance as a jackpot symbol (see FIG. 5A). In the case of a small hit with the first special symbol, it becomes “4R jackpot with time reduction” with a probability of 50%, and “8R jackpot without time reduction” with a probability of 50%.

  Since the big winning device 127 is released in the jackpot game, the player can acquire more game balls than usual by performing “right hit”. When the jackpot game is a jackpot with a short time, after the jackpot game is over, the player continues “right-handed”. On the other hand, when the jackpot game is a jackpot without a short time, after the jackpot game is over, the player returns to “left-handed”.

  In the short-time game, the player performs “right-handed” so that when the game ball passes through the gate 126, the electric tulip 125 is opened with high probability, and the game ball enters the second starting device 124. At this time, as indicated by an arrow 133 in FIG. 1, a game ball enters the winning device 141 from the opening on the right side of the winning device 141.

  Similarly, when the variation pattern 1 is selected, the opening / closing member 143 is opened following the opening of the winning device 141 (see FIG. 6A), so that the game ball easily passes through the V region 144. It becomes. On the other hand, when the variation pattern 2 is selected, it is released immediately before the winning device 141 is closed (see FIG. 6B), so that the game ball is difficult to pass through the V region 144. These two states are created based on the variation pattern, the easy passage state is created at (1/50), and the difficult passage state is created at (49/50) (see FIG. 5C). .

  When the game ball that has entered the winning device 141 passes the V region 144, a big hit is made (S2206: YES, S2207). The type of jackpot at this time is determined in advance as a jackpot symbol (see FIG. 5A). In the case of a small hit with the second special symbol, it becomes “15R big hit with time reduction” with a probability of 75% and “8R big hit without time reduction” with a probability of 25%. That is, by winning a bonus with time savings in a normal time, a time saving game with reduced consumption of game balls is performed, and the time saving game continues with a probability of 75%. In addition, the jackpot with a short time at this time is “15R jackpot with a short time”, which is advantageous for the player.

[Timer interrupt processing of production control board 320]
The contents of the timer interrupt process of the effect control board 320 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process performed by the sub CPU 320a of the effect control board 320. Note that this processing is performed by a reset clock pulse generation circuit (not shown) provided on the effect control board 320 during a normal operation except for special cases such as when the effect control board 320 is turned on or off. It is repeatedly executed every cycle (for example, 2 ms). In addition, the processing performed on the effect control board 320 described based on the flowchart of FIG. 25 is executed based on a program stored in the sub ROM 320b. Furthermore, processes that are not related to the present invention are omitted as appropriate.

  When the power is turned on, the sub CPU 320a executes a startup program, thereby initializing each unit such as a memory (for example, the sub RAM 320c). After initialization, the program stored in the sub ROM 320b is read into the sub RAM 320c, and the program is executed by the sub CPU 320a.

  In the first step S2501, the effect random number is updated. This process is to update various random numbers used for production. Specifically, “1” is added to various random numbers for updating, and when reaching a predetermined value, the random number is reset to “0”.

  In S2502, command processing is executed. This process is for performing effects based on various commands. The commands processed here are a change start command, a symbol determination command, an opening command, a round start command, and an ending command transmitted from the main control board 300. Details of the command processing will be described later.

  In S2503, a hold related process is executed. This process is a process related to suspension. The commands processed here are a hold command and a recovery command transmitted from the main control board 300. Details of the hold-related processing will be described later.

In S2504, transmission processing is performed. In this process, the command set in the processes up to S2503 is transmitted to the image control board 330 and the lamp control board 340.
[Command processing]
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing details of the command processing executed in S2502 of FIG.

  In first S2601, it is determined whether or not a command is received. The command transmitted from the main control board 300 is stored in the buffer area of the effect control board 320. This process determines whether a command is stored in the buffer area. If it is determined that a command has been received (S2601: YES), the flow proceeds to S2602. On the other hand, if it is determined that a command has not been received (S2601: NO), the subsequent processing is not executed and the command processing is terminated.

  In S2602, it is determined whether it is a change start command. This process determines whether or not the command determined to be received in S2601 is a change start command. The change start command is set in S1508 of FIG. If it is determined that the command is a change start command (S2602: YES), the change process is executed in S2603, and then the command process is terminated. The fluctuation process of S2603 will be described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a change start command (S2602: NO), the process proceeds to S2604.

  In S2604, it is determined whether or not it is a symbol confirmation command. This process determines whether or not the command determined to have been received in S2601 is a symbol confirmation command. The symbol confirmation command is set in S1512 of FIG. If it is determined that the command is a symbol determination command (S2604: YES), the process proceeds to S2605. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a symbol determination command (S2604: NO), the process proceeds to S2606.

  In S2605, a symbol determination process is executed. The symbol confirmation command is a command for notifying that the stop symbol indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202. Therefore, in the symbol determination process, an effect process or the like indicating the determination result of the special symbol determination is performed. After the process of S2605 ends, the command process ends.

  In step S2606, it is determined whether the command is an opening command. This process determines whether or not the command determined to be received in S2601 is an opening command. If it is determined that the command is an opening command (S2606: YES), the process proceeds to S2607. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not an opening command (S2606: NO), the process proceeds to S2608.

  In S2607, an opening process is executed. The opening refers to a period from when the jackpot game is started until the first prize-winning device 127 is first opened. The opening command is a command for notifying that the opening is started, and is set in S1806 in FIG. In the opening process, a live-action video (for example, an idle group video) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read out and transmitted to the image control board 330 together with a command to display the real-action video on the liquid crystal display device 121. The process is exemplified. Further, the voice data (for example, “congratulations”) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read and transmitted together with the command to the image control board 330, thereby performing voice output from the speaker 104 via the voice output device 331. It is exemplified. Furthermore, by transmitting control data together with a command to the lamp control board 340, the accessory is driven via the effect driving device 341, and the frame lamp 103 and the panel lamp 122 via the effect lighting device 342 are driven. The process is exemplified by lighting. After the process of S2607 ends, the command process ends.

  In step S2608, it is determined whether the command is a round start command. This process determines whether or not the command determined to have been received in S2601 is a round start command. If it is determined that the command is a round start command (S2608: YES), the flow proceeds to S2609. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a round start command (S2608: NO), the process proceeds to S2610.

  In S2609, round processing is executed. The round start command is a command for notifying that a round game has started, and is set in S2312 of FIG. Therefore, in the round process, a live-action live video (for example, a live video of an idle group) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read and transmitted together with a command to the image control board 330, so that the live-action live video is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121. It is exemplified that the process is to display Also, music data (for example, music data corresponding to live video) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read out and transmitted to the image control board 330 together with the command, so that music from the speaker 104 via the audio output device 331 is obtained. It is illustrated that this is a process for performing the output. Furthermore, by transmitting control data together with a command to the lamp control board 340, the accessory is driven via the effect driving device 341, and the frame lamp 103 and the panel lamp 122 via the effect lighting device 342 are driven. The process is exemplified by lighting. After the process of S2609 ends, the command process ends.

  In S2610, it is determined whether the command is an ending command. This process determines whether or not the command determined to have been received in S2601 is an ending command. If it is determined that the command is an ending command (S2610: YES), the process proceeds to S2611. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not an ending command (S2610: NO), the process of S2611 is not executed and the command process is terminated.

  In S2611, an ending process is performed. The ending command is a command for notifying that the final release of the special winning device 127 has been completed, and is set in S2321 of FIG. Therefore, in the ending process, a message image (for example, RUSH time entry or chance time entry) stored in advance in the sub ROM 320b is read out and transmitted to the image control board 330 together with the command, whereby the message image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121. It is exemplified that the process is to display Also, audio data (for example, “short time game entry”) stored in advance in the sub-ROM 320b is read out and transmitted together with a command to the image control board 330, thereby outputting audio from the speaker 104 via the audio output device 331. The process is exemplified. Furthermore, by transmitting control data together with a command to the lamp control board 340, the accessory is driven via the effect driving device 341, and the frame lamp 103 and the panel lamp 122 via the effect lighting device 342 are driven. The process is exemplified by lighting. After the process of S2611, the command process ends.

[Variation processing]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing details of the variation process executed in S2603 of FIG.

  In the first S2701, the reserved area is shifted. The holding area is an area for storing information for holding display, and is provided in a part of the storage area of the sub RAM 320c. The reserved area has a maximum reserved number Umax1 (“4” in this embodiment) as a reserved area related to the first special symbol, and a maximum reserved number Umax2 (“4” in this embodiment) as a reserved area related to the second special symbol. It consists of a total of 8 areas. In S2701, the hold information stored in these hold areas is shifted along with hold digestion.

  In S2702, effect determination processing is executed. As described above, the variation start command received in S2601 of FIG. 26 includes “stop symbol data”, “variation pattern data”, and “game state data”. Thereby, the result of the special symbol determination is specified, the variation time during which the special symbol is variably displayed is acquired, and the gaming state of the gaming machine 1 is identified. Then, according to the variation display of the special symbol in the first special symbol display 201 or the second special symbol display 202, what kind of pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 121, what kind of sound is output from the audio output device 331 It is determined whether to output a sound, in what light emission pattern the frame lamp 103 emits light, or the like.

  In S2703, the change command is set in the sub RAM 320c. This variation command is transmitted to the image control board 330 and the lamp control board 340 together with the contents determined in S2702 in S2504 of FIG. Thereby, the production of the determined content is realized.

[Pending-related processing]
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing details of the hold-related process executed in S2503 of FIG.

  In first S2801, it is determined whether or not a command is received. This process is the same as S2601 in FIG. The command transmitted from the main control board 300 is stored in the buffer area of the effect control board 320. This process determines whether a command is stored in the buffer area. If it is determined that a command has been received (S2801: YES), the process proceeds to S2802. On the other hand, if it is determined that a command has not been received (S2801: NO), the subsequent processing is terminated without executing the subsequent processing.

  In S2802, it is determined whether the command is a hold command. This process determines whether or not the command determined to have been received in S2801 is a pending command. The hold command is set in S1207 in FIG. 12 or S1307 in FIG. If it is determined that the command is a hold command (S2802: YES), a hold process is executed in S2803, and then the hold related process is terminated. In the hold process, a hold display command for analyzing the hold command and displaying the hold is set. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a hold command (S2802: NO), the process proceeds to S2804.

  In step S2804, it is determined whether the command is a recovery command. This process determines whether or not the command determined to have been received in S2801 is a recovery command. The recovery command is transmitted in S803 in FIG. If it is determined that the command is a recovery command (S2804: YES), the process proceeds to S2805. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command is not a recovery command (S2804: NO), the processing of S2805 is not executed and the hold-related processing is terminated.

  In S2805, a hold recovery process is executed. As described above, the recovery command is transmitted when the power is cut off. Since this recovery command includes hold information, here, the hold display is returned to the state before power-off based on the hold information. After executing the process of S2805, the hold related process is terminated.

[Direction display]
A description will be given of the effect display at this time.
In the present embodiment, the decorative symbol is changed in accordance with the special symbol variable display on the first special symbol indicator 201 or the second special symbol indicator 202. However, the decorative symbol is displayed variably in, for example, the upper left of the screen, and for the most part of the screen, there is an effect that the idol character follows a balloon written with “V”, for example, which is not related to the variation of the decorative symbol. .

  FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific screen display example. As shown in FIG. 29 (A), it can be considered that the idle character starts chasing the balloon from the change start timing of the special symbol shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B). The winning device 141 is released by the small hit, and then the V area 144 is opened. At this time, when the game ball passes through the V region 144, the idol character catches a balloon with “V” written thereon as shown in FIG. 29B. On the other hand, if the game ball does not pass through the V area 144, the idol character falls down in front of the balloon on which “V” is written as shown in FIG.

  When a balloon labeled “V” is caught (when it passes through the V region 144), a jackpot opening effect is performed and a jackpot game is executed. On the other hand, when the balloon labeled “V” cannot be caught (when the balloon does not pass through the V region 144), the balloon starts to be chased again as shown in FIG.

  In the case where the balloon cannot be caught, in the present embodiment, the fluctuation period shown in FIG. 6, that is, the period from the fluctuation start timing of the special symbol to the next fluctuation start timing is the same on the premise that there is a hold. ing. Therefore, in the liquid crystal display device 121, the same effect is repeated, and it is apparent that a state where a game ball can easily pass through the V region 144 is created as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6B, it is not known whether a state in which the game ball is difficult to pass through the V region 144 is created.

[Effects of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment]
(1) In this embodiment, when the small hit game flag is “ON” (S2101), the variation pattern is referred to (S2103), and the small hit opening time is selected according to the variation pattern (S2104). That is, in order to release the winning device 141 when the first time has elapsed from the variation start timing of the special symbol, the first time is derived from the variation time determined by the variation pattern and the small hit opening time. Select the opening time. Then, it is determined whether or not the first time has elapsed from the change start timing of the special symbol (S2105). When it is determined that it is the opening time (S2105: YES), the blade member 142 is set to the second state. The winning device 141 is opened (S2106).

  On the other hand, when the small hit game flag is “ON” (S2201: YES), it is determined whether or not the second time has passed since the special symbol fluctuation stop timing (S2203), and it is the release time. If it is determined (S2203: YES), the V region opening / closing solenoid 374 is energized, and the V region 144 is opened with the open / close member 143 positioned above the V region 144 being opened (S2204).

  At this time, since the variation time changes by selecting the variation time of the special symbol, that is, by selecting the variation pattern 1 or the variation pattern 2, the difference between the opening period of the winning device 141 and the opening period of the V region 144 is changed. Thus, a first state in which the game ball easily passes through the V region 144 and a second state in which the game ball is difficult to pass through are created.

  In other words, based on a predetermined condition, the symbol variation stopping means for changing the symbol to stop, the variation time determining means for determining the variation time from the symbol variation start timing to the variation stop timing by the symbol variation stopping means, and the symbol When the first time elapses from the variation start timing by the variation stop means, an open state of the winning device that allows the game ball to enter is created, and when the second time elapses from the variation stop timing, the winning device is entered. By creating an open state of the specific area in which the ball that has passed the ball can pass, the game ball that has entered the winning device enters the first state in which it is easy to pass through the specific area, and enters the winning device An opening control means capable of creating two states of the second state in which the game ball is difficult to pass through the specific area, and the game ball passes through the specific area A bonus granting means for granting a bonus to the player, and the opening time until the winning device is in the open state from the fluctuation time determined by the fluctuation time determination means and the fluctuation stop timing. The opening time is determined in accordance with the variation time so that the first time is derived based on the above.

  Thereby, the opening timing of the winning device 141 and the V area 144 is set in the same manner as in the conventional case, and the opening timing of the winning device 141 and the opening timing of the V area 144 are not uniform, so that the interest of the game can be improved. it can.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the fluctuation period shown in FIG. 6, that is, the period from the fluctuation start timing of the special symbol to the next fluctuation start timing is the same on the premise that there is a hold. Therefore, in the liquid crystal display device 121, the same effect is repeated, and it is apparent that a state where a game ball can easily pass through the V region 144 is created as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6 (B), it is not known whether a state in which the game ball is difficult to pass through the V region 144 is created.

That is, the variation start timing by the symbol variation stopping means is set to a constant period.
Thereby, with the same appearance, it is possible to create a state where the game ball can easily pass through the V region 144 and a state where it is difficult to pass through, and it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical scope thereof.
(A) In the above embodiment, two types of states are created by the variation pattern 1 and the variation pattern 2.

  On the other hand, three or more variation patterns are provided, such as the variation patterns 1 to 6, and when the variation patterns 1 to 3 are selected, the game ball passing through the V region 144 is easy. When selected, it may be difficult for the V region 144 to pass through the game ball. Even when the number of variation patterns increases, the first time may be derived by selecting the opening time according to the variation pattern.

  (B) In the above embodiment, only the “small hit” is present in the special symbol, but the “big hit” is provided in the special symbol regardless of the game ball passing through the V region 144. Good.

1 ... gaming machine (game machine)
201 ... 1st special symbol display (design variation stop means)
202 ... 2nd special symbol display (design variation stop means)
301. One-chip microcomputer (design variation stop means, change time determination means, release control means, privilege grant means)
373 ... winning device opening / closing solenoid (opening control means)
374 ... Area opening / closing solenoid (opening control means)

The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and its object is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving interest for games.

The gaming machine (1) of the present invention has a symbol variation stop means (301, 201, 202) for changing a symbol to stop based on a predetermined condition, and a variation stop timing from a symbol variation start timing by the symbol variation stop means. Opening of a winning device that allows a game ball to enter when a first time has elapsed from the change start timing by the symbol change stop means (301, S1701 to S1703) and the symbol change stop means. A game that has entered the winning device by creating an open state of a specific area in which a game ball that has entered the winning device is allowed to pass after a second time has elapsed from the fluctuation stop timing. There are two states: a first state in which a ball can easily pass through the specific area, and a second state in which a game ball entering the winning device is difficult to pass through the specific area. An opening control means (301, 373, 374, S1006, S1007) capable of creating a state, and a privilege granting means (301, S1008) for granting a privilege to a player when the game ball passes the specific area. And the opening control means creates the opening state of the specific area when the second time has elapsed from the fluctuation stop timing specified by the fluctuation time determined by the fluctuation time determination means. As the variation time becomes longer, the opening start timing of the specific area is shifted backward in time, and the opening time is determined according to the variation time until the winning device is in an open state. The first time is set (S2103, S2104).

Claims (2)

Based on a predetermined condition, symbol variation stopping means for changing the symbol to stop,
A variation time determining means for determining a variation time from a symbol variation start timing to a variation stop timing by the symbol variation stopping means;
When the first time elapses from the variation start timing by the symbol variation stop means, an open state of the winning device that allows a game ball to enter is created, and when the second time elapses from the variation stop timing, the winning device By creating an open state of the specific area in which the game ball that has entered the ball can pass, the game ball that has entered the winning device can easily pass through the specific area and enter the winning device. An opening control means capable of creating two states of a second state in which a ball that has been balled is difficult to pass through the specific area;
When the game ball passes through the specific area, a privilege granting means for granting a privilege to the player is provided,
The release control means derives the first time based on the change time determined by the change time determination means and the opening time from the change stop timing until the winning device is in the release state. In this way, the opening time is determined according to the variation time. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the variation start timing by the symbol variation stopping means is set to a fixed period.

Images