JP2017184938A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine in which fun of game can be increased.SOLUTION: A jackpot port door 127D of a second jackpot port is provided with a height difference at the right end and the left end of an upper surface 16, and also is provided with a height difference in the longitudinal direction. Multiple surfaces 16a-16k formed in the upper surface 16 each enable one or several game balls to get thereon at the same time and are disposed in a stepwise manner so as to move to the longitudinal direction when the game ball flows down from the right end to the left end in a front view. The multiple surfaces 16a-16k are formed flatly and inclined downward so as to guide the game ball to the surface for guiding the game ball to the next surface. The surfaces 16a-16k are inclined only in one direction, and are not inclined to the other direction intersecting with one direction. The surfaces 16a-16k make the game ball flow down in the inclining direction. The surfaces 16a, 16e, 16i, 16k are inclined to the near side, and the surfaces 16c, 16 g are inclined to the far side among the surfaces 16a, 16c, 16e, 16 g, 16i, 16k inclining in the longitudinal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 30

Description

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

In a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, a winning lottery is performed when a game ball wins a prize such as a start opening. When the winning is won, the gaming machine is in a winning gaming state in which a large winning opening is opened and a number of winning balls can be obtained.
Various types of game contents have been conventionally proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the first start port is a variable start port, the other first start port and the second start port are fixed start ports, and the ball enters the first start port and the other first start port. The variation display based on and the variation display based on the ball entering the second starting port are performed at the same time, and in the non-time-short state, or the time short and high-accuracy state, the time of the variable display based on the ball entering the second start port is In 14 hours, the lottery result is not fixed, and in the non-time-saving and high-accuracy state, the time for the variable display based on the entrance to the first starting port and another first starting port is 14 hours, and the lottery result is not fixed, If a big win is won based on a ball entering the first starting port and another first starting port, a game ball always enters the probability variation area provided in the first attacker device, and enters the second starting port. If you win the jackpot based on this, there is a 50% chance that the game ball will not enter the probability variation area and will be in a low probability state Configuration in which the line is disclosed.

JP2013-233243A

  An object of this invention is to provide the gaming machine which can improve the interest property of a game.

  A gaming machine to which the present invention is applied includes an opening / closing member that opens and closes as a special game that allows a game ball to enter when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, a prize winning door 127D), and the opening / closing member that is in a closed state. (For example, surfaces 16a to 16k, 16l) for flowing a game ball from one end to the other end on the upper surface (for example, upper surface 16) of (for example, a prize winning door 127D). 16k, 16l) are a first inclined portion (for example, surfaces 16c and 16g) inclined downward in the direction toward the board surface and a second inclined portion (for example, surfaces 16a, 16e, 16i and 16k) inclined downward in the direction away from the board surface. And a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100).

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

  According to the present invention, it is possible to enhance the interest of the game.

It is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. (A) is an enlarged view showing an example of a display device arranged at the lower right of the game board, (b) is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the control unit of the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the image / sound control part and lamp | ramp control part of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game control part of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the basic process by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the process at the time of the power supply cutoff by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the main control processing of a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a customer waiting | standby setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of normal symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an electric tulip process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by this Embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot random number, (b) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot symbol random number, (c ) Is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reach random number, and (d) is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hit random number. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the variation pattern used in a variation pattern selection process, and a table. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of a game control part, (a) is a block diagram which shows the structure of a storage area, (b) is a block diagram which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a) It is. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of an effect control part, (a) is a block diagram which shows the structure of a storage area, (b) is a block which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a) FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the prior determination process. It is a figure which shows the structure of a command, (a) is a figure which shows the data structure of a command, (b) is a figure which shows the structure as a bit string of a command. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the command storage area in RAM. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the output process by an output control part. It is a block diagram explaining the ball | bowl flow in a big prize port unit. It is a schematic front view of a big prize opening unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a big prize opening unit. It is a perspective view at the time of looking down the front plate of a lower unit from back. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a front plate, a big prize opening door, and an electric chew door. It is a perspective view explaining a big prize opening door. It is a perspective view explaining a big prize opening door. It is a figure explaining the behavior of a game ball when a grand prize opening door closes. It is a figure explaining the modification of a big prize opening door.

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

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

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

In the present embodiment, as various functions related to winning and lottery, a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) is started when a game ball wins, and when a game ball passes, it is normal. A start gate (hereinafter simply referred to as a gate) 124 for starting a symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is disposed on the game board 110. Here, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 refer to a winning port that triggers the operation of one predetermined special symbol display. Specifically, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are provided with switches (a first start port switch 211 and a second start port switch 212 described later) that detect the passage of a game ball when winning a prize. It has been. And when a game ball wins the 1st starting port 121 or the 2nd starting port 122, this switch will detect the passage of a gaming ball as an opportunity to operate a special symbol display.
In FIG. 1, the gate 124 is provided only on the right side of the game area 111. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Conceivable.

The second start port 122 includes an electric tulip (opening / closing member) 123 as a normal electric accessory that is turned on while a projecting protruding plate is opened and closed by an electric solenoid. In addition, it can be considered that the electric tulip (opening / closing member) 123 is configured such that a pair of blades in the shape of tulip is opened and closed by an electric solenoid.
When the protruding plate protrudes (closed state or closed state), the electric tulip 123 is difficult for the game ball to enter the second starting port 122, while when the protruding plate retracts (open state or opened state), the second starting port. The entrance of 122 is expanded so that the game ball can easily enter the second start port 122. When the electric tulip 123 wins the normal symbol lottery, the blade opens for a specified time (for example, 0.15 to 1.8 seconds) and for a specified number of times (for example, 1 to 3 times) while lighting or blinking.

The pachinko gaming machine 100 has, as gaming states, a low probability state with a low winning probability and a high probability state with a higher winning probability than the low probability state based on the winning probability of the jackpot lottery. Then, the state is controlled to be either a low probability state or a high probability state based on a predetermined condition. In addition to the low probability state and the high probability state, it is possible to set a medium probability state in which the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is higher than the low probability state and lower than the high probability state. In this case, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is controlled to one of a low probability state, a medium probability state, and a high probability state based on a predetermined condition.
Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a short time state where there are few winning opportunities at the second start port 122 and a short state when there are more winning opportunities at the second start port 122 than in the short time state. Then, under a predetermined condition, the state is controlled to either the timeless state or the timeless state. The short-time state is, for example, any one of shortening the special symbol variation time and normal symbol variation time, extending the opening time of the electric tulip 123, and increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery. A gaming state controlled by one or more combinations.

Further, in the present embodiment, as other prizes related to winning and lottery, the first big prize opening 125 and the second big prize opening 127 as special electric actors that are opened according to the result of the special symbol lottery, The game board 110 is provided with a normal winning opening 126 that does not make a lottery even if a ball wins. The first grand prize opening 125 is provided with a grand prize opening lid or a grand prize opening door 125D (not shown) for opening and closing the first grand prize opening 125, and the second big prize opening 127 is a big prize. A grand prize pawl or a grand prize opening door 127D (not shown) for opening and closing the mouth 127 is provided. In the following description, the open / close state and the open / close operation by the special winning opening door 125D may be described as the open / closed state and the open / close operation of the first special winning opening 125 and the second special winning opening 127 for convenience. The first grand prize opening 125 and the second big prize opening 127 may be referred to as the big prize opening 125, 127 or the big prize opening 125.
In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying a lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower right position of the game board 110.

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

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

The frame member 150 also includes a stop button 154 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching the handle 151 of the launch device, and a game ball stored in the tray 153. A take-out button 155 for dropping and taking out the box (not shown).
Further, the frame member 150 includes a speaker 156 and a frame lamp 157 for notifying the gaming state and situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and performing various effects. The speaker 156 performs various effects using music, voice, and sound effects. The frame lamp 157 is composed of a light emitting body such as an LED, and performs various effects by light depending on a pattern due to lighting and blinking, a difference in emission color, and the like. In addition, about the frame lamp 157, the structural example which enables performing the effect which changes the irradiation direction of light can be considered.
The frame member 150 includes a transparent plate 118 for separating the game board 110 from the player.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2A is an enlarged view showing an example of the display unit 130 arranged at the lower right of the game board 110. FIG. 2B is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine 100.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 receives a first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to winning of the first starting port 121 and a winning of the second starting port 122. A second special symbol display 222 that operates correspondingly and a normal symbol display 223 that operates corresponding to the passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display 221 displays the lottery result by stopping and displaying the special symbol on the basis of the winning of the first start port 121 after variably displaying. The second special symbol display 222 displays the lottery result by stopping and displaying the special symbol based on the winning of the second start port 122 after variably displaying. Based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the normal symbol display unit 223 displays the lottery result by stopping and displaying the normal symbol after being variably displayed. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 are each constituted by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode. Similarly, the normal symbol display 223 is also composed of a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the normal symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode.

  In addition, the indicator 130 operates in response to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the first special symbol hold indicator 218 that operates corresponding to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222. 2 a special symbol hold indicator 219 and a normal symbol hold indicator 220 that operates in response to the hold in the normal symbol indicator 223. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 are each configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of holds is determined depending on the lighting mode. Is displayed.

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

  Furthermore, the display device 130 includes a state display device 224 that displays the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In the present embodiment, the status indicator 224 is configured by a display device in which three LEDs are arranged. One of the three LEDs notifies whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a high probability state where the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is high. The other one is to notify by lighting whether the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a short time state in which it is easy to win a prize at the second start port 122. Still another one is to notify by lighting whether or not the player is in a state advantageous to the player by making a right strike (by changing the hitting force of the game ball).

  The state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 displayed by the state display 224 is not limited to the above example, and other states can be displayed. For example, when the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is set to a medium probability state in which the winning probability is higher than the low probability state and the winning probability is lower than the high probability state, the state indicator 224 indicates whether or not the state indicator 224 is in the medium probability state. May be notified by lighting.

  In addition, the indicator 130 includes round number indicators 225 and 226 for displaying the number of rounds when the big winning holes 125 and 127 are operated in the jackpot game performed according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery. The jackpot game will be described later. The round number indicators 225 and 226 are constituted by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of operating rounds of the big winning holes 125 and 127 in the jackpot game is displayed according to the lighting state.

  The frame member 150 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, as an example of an input device, an effect button 161, an effect key 162 that is adjacent to the effect button 161 and includes a plurality of keys arranged in a substantially cross shape, Is disposed on the frame member 150. In the example shown in the figure, a case is considered where an effect of accepting an operation of selecting one image from a plurality of images is performed. In this case, for example, when the player operates an effect key 162 including four keys arranged in a cross, one of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114 is instructed, and the effect button 161 is pressed. By performing the operation, it is possible to produce an effect of selecting the instructed image. In addition to the effect buttons 161 and the effect keys 162 shown in the figure, various input forms such as levers, dials, and the like can be adopted as the input device.

[Configuration of control unit]
Next, a control unit that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the control unit of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the image / sound control unit and the lamp control unit of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit includes a game control unit 200 that determines whether a special symbol is won or the like as main control means. In addition, as the sub-control means, an effect control unit 300 that comprehensively controls the effect and a payout control unit 330 that controls payout of the payout ball are provided.

[Configuration and function of game control unit]
The game control unit 200 is used as a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when determining whether or not a special symbol is won, a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like, a working memory of the CPU 201, and the like. RAM 203 to be provided.

  The game control unit 200 controls the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 in either a high probability state or a low probability state, a time-short state or a time-short state. As a result, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is a high probability state and a short time state, a high probability short time gaming state, a low probability state and a short time state, low probability short time gaming state, a high probability state, and a short time short state. It is one of a short-probability state with no probability, a low-probability state, and a short-probability state with a low probability. Then, the game control unit 200 switches between the high probability state and the low probability state based on a predetermined condition, and switches between the short time state and the short time state. In addition, the game control unit 200 performs control such as increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery in the short time state, shortening the normal symbol variation time, and extending the opening time of the electric tulip 123 in the short time state. I do.

  The game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery when the game ball is won at the first start port 121 or the second start port 122. Then, a special game such as a jackpot game is performed according to the determination result of the special symbol lottery. In the special game, the game control unit 200 performs a round that maintains the open state until the special prize winning holes 125 and 127 that are special electric accessories satisfy a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won). Control to repeat a predetermined number of times. And the game control part 200 controls the opening / closing operation | movement space | interval at the time of the big win and the big winning openings 125 and 127 open.

In addition, the game control unit 200 performs a normal symbol lottery when the game ball passes through the gate 124. And the action | operation of an electric tulip is controlled according to the determination result of a normal symbol lottery.
In addition, the game control unit 200 holds the game ball when the game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 during the special symbol change, or the game ball passes through the gate 124 during the normal symbol change. Set the hold that occurs.
Further, the game control unit 200 accompanies the game control such as the determination result of the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery, the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state, the change information of the short time no state and the short time state, the setting information of the hold, etc. Information is sent to the production control unit 300 by a command to be described later.

Further, when the game ball is won in the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning ports 125, 127 and the normal winning port 126, the game control unit 200 has one game according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control unit 330 is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls per ball. For example, when a game ball is won at the first start port 121, three prize balls are awarded, when a game ball is won at the second start port 122, four prize balls are awarded, and when a game ball is won at the big prize ports 125, 127, 13 are awarded. When a game ball wins the prize ball and the normal winning slot 126, an instruction command (command) is sent to the payout control unit 330 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the payout control unit 330 is not instructed to pay out the prize ball in conjunction therewith.
When the payout control unit 330 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 200, the game control unit 200 acquires information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 330. As a result, the number of prize balls paid out is managed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port switch (SW)) 211 that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121, as shown in FIG. , A second start port detection unit (second start port switch (SW)) 212 that detects a winning of a game ball to the second start port 122, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213 that opens and closes the electric tulip 123, and the gate 124. A gate detection unit (gate switch (SW)) 214 for detecting the passage of the game ball is connected.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 includes a first grand prize port detection unit (large prize port switch (SW)) 215 that detects a winning of a game ball at the first grand prize port 125, and a second grand prize port 127. A second big prize opening detecting unit (large prize opening switch (SW)) 227 for detecting the winning of the game balls of the game balls is connected. In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a grand prize opening / closing portion 216 for setting the grand prize opening door 125D of the first grand prize winning opening 125 to a closed state and an open state, and a big prize opening palate for the second grand prize opening 127. Alternatively, the big prize opening door opening / closing part 228 for setting the big prize opening door 127D to the closed state and the open state, and the normal prize opening detecting part (normal prize opening switch (SW )) 217 are connected.

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

  The detection signals detected by the first start port switch 211, the second start port switch 212, the gate switch 214, the first big prize port switch 215, the second big prize port switch 227, and the normal prize port switch 217 are: It is sent to the game control unit 200. In addition, the control signal from the game control unit 200 includes an electric tulip opening / closing part 213, a first grand prize opening door opening / closing part 216, a second big winning prize opening door opening / closing part 228, a first special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special holding indicator 218. It is sent to the symbol hold indicator 219, the normal symbol hold indicator 220, the first special symbol indicator 221, the second special symbol indicator 222, the normal symbol indicator 223, and the status indicator 224. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of payout prize balls.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 350 for transmitting various information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall is connected to the game control unit 200. Then, the game control unit 200 transmits the information about the number of paid-out prize balls acquired from the payout control unit 330 and the information indicating the state of the game control unit 200 to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 350. To do.

[Configuration and function of payout control unit]
The payout control unit 330 includes a CPU 331 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling payout of payout balls, a ROM 332 that stores programs executed by the CPU 331, various data, and the like, and a RAM 333 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 331 and the like. And.
The payout control unit 330 controls payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control unit 200.
Specifically, the payout control unit 330 acquires, from the game control unit 200, a command for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won (the first start port 121 or the like). Then, the payout driving unit 334 is controlled so as to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the command. Here, the payout drive unit 334 is constituted by a drive motor that sends out the game ball from the game ball storage unit.

The payout control unit 330 includes a payout ball detection unit 335 that detects the number of prize balls actually paid out from the game ball storage unit by the payout driving unit 334, and a game ball in the storage unit (not shown). Detecting unit 336 for detecting presence / absence of storage of the game, and detecting whether or not the plate 153 for holding the game ball used when the player plays the game or the paid-out prize ball is full. A full tank detection unit 337 is connected. The payout control unit 330 receives the detection signals detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, the ball presence detection unit 336, and the full tank detection unit 337, and performs predetermined processing according to these detection signals.
Further, the payout control unit 330 is connected to a frame external information terminal board 340 that transmits various types of information to a host computer installed in the hall. Then, the payout control unit 330, for example, information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout driving unit 334, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, etc. Is transmitted to the host computer via the frame external information terminal board 340. Also, similar information is transmitted to the game control unit 200.

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

  Furthermore, the effect control unit 300 is connected to an image / sound control unit 310 that controls an effect using an image and sound, and a lamp control unit 320 that controls an effect using various lamps and the movable accessory 115. Has been.

[Configuration / Function of Image / Sound Control Unit]
As shown in FIG. 4, the image / sound control unit 310 stores an image that expresses the contents of presentation and a CPU 311 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling sound, a program executed by the CPU 311, various data, and the like. A ROM 312, a RAM 313 used as a working memory for the CPU 311, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 314, a CGROM 315, and an SNDROM 316 are provided.

Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 114 and the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300.
Specifically, the CGROM 315 has a symbol image or background image displayed during the game on the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, a character for displaying a notice effect to the player, Image data such as items is stored. The SND ROM 316 stores various types of acoustic data such as music and sound output from the speaker 156 in synchronization with the image data or independently of the image data, and sound effects such as jingles.
Based on the hold number command or the change start command sent from the effect control unit 300, the CPU 311 performs analysis of the animation pattern, creation of a display list in which commands related to drawing are created, transmission of the display list to the VDP 314, and the like. .

Based on the display list received from the CPU 311, the VDP 314 reads image data and acoustic data stored in the CGROM 315 and SNDROM 316, respectively. Furthermore, the VDP 314 performs drawing processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, and the like, and audio processing using the read acoustic data, using the read image data. . The VDP 314 controls screen display on the image display unit 114 based on the image data subjected to the drawing process. The VDP 314 controls the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the sound data that has been subjected to sound processing.
In the present embodiment, the VDP 314 is configured to perform audio processing in addition to the drawing processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a processor that performs dedicated audio processing may be provided separately.

[Configuration and function of lamp control unit]
The lamp control unit 320 stores a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs executed by the CPU 321 and various data. A ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.
The lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, the emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Further, the operation of the movable accessory 115 is controlled.

Specifically, the ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (emission pattern) for the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 300. Data) is stored. The CPU 321 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 322 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300. The lamp controller 320 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the read light emission pattern data.
The ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 115 corresponding to the production content set by the production control unit 300. The CPU 321 controls the operation of the movable accessory 115 based on the read operation pattern data.

  In the present embodiment, game control unit 200, effect control unit 300, image / sound control unit 310, lamp control unit 320, and payout control unit 330 are each a main board disposed on the rear surface of game board 110. The game control board, the effect control board as the sub board, the image control board, the lamp control board, and the payout control board are individually configured.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in FIG. 5, the game control unit 200 includes a random number acquisition unit 231, a normal symbol determination unit 232, a special symbol variation control unit 233, and a special symbol determination unit 234 as functional units that execute various lottery processes. And a normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236.
In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 as a functional unit that executes a process associated with special symbol variation.
In addition, the game control unit 200 is a function unit that executes operation control of various types of objects and data processing related to a prize ball, etc. As a function unit, a prize winning opening operation control unit 237, an electric tulip operation control unit 238, and a prize ball processing unit 239 are provided. And an output control unit 240 and a random number control unit 241.

The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number value used for the special symbol lottery and a random value used for the normal symbol lottery. In the case of a random number value used for the special symbol lottery, specifically, on the condition that a game ball has won a prize at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122, a numerical value in a predetermined range is obtained for each type of random number. One numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from the inside. The acquired random number value is used for determination by the special symbol determination unit 234. As will be described in detail later, the random numbers used in the special symbol lottery include a jackpot random number indicating whether or not the jackpot, a symbol random number indicating the type of jackpot, a variation pattern random number, a reach random number, and the like.
Further, in the case of a random number value used for the normal symbol lottery, specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (acquired) from a predetermined range of values on condition that the game ball has passed through the gate 124. ) The acquired random number value is used for determination by the normal symbol determination unit 232. In addition, as a random number used for the normal symbol lottery, a symbol random number indicating a winning type, a variation pattern random number, or the like may be set in addition to a winning random number indicating whether or not the winning is made.
When the special symbol lottery is performed, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 controls the fluctuation of the special symbol in the first special symbol indicator 221 or the second special symbol indicator 222 according to the lottery result.

  The special symbol determination unit 234 uses a random number table as shown in FIG. 20 at the start of the variation of the special symbol, and determines whether the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is “hit or not”, "," Whether it is a small hit or not when a big win is not won "is determined. That is, the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number value related to a special symbol when the first starting port switch 211 or the second starting port switch 212 serving as a detection unit detects passage of a game ball, and determines a special symbol. The unit 234 determines based on the acquired random number value whether or not to play a special game (such as a big hit game) advantageous to the player. The special symbol lottery (big hit lottery) described above refers to processing in the random number acquisition unit 231 and the special symbol determination unit 234.

  Here, the “hit” is divided into a plurality of types according to the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Specifically, the type of jackpot is determined depending on the combination of the short-time state or the short-time state and the high-probability state or the low-probability state. That is, the types of jackpots based on the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game are the jackpots that become the short game state with a high probability after the jackpot game ends (hereinafter, the jackpot of the short game state with a high probability), the short game state with a low probability Jackpot to become a jackpot (hereinafter referred to as a jackpot of a low probability short game state), a jackpot to be a high probability short gameless state (hereinafter a jackpot of a high probability short gameless state), a jackpot to become a low probability short gameless state (hereinafter low) There is a possibility of a jackpot of probable short gameless state). Each of these jackpots is associated with an individual special symbol, and the type of jackpot is determined according to the type of special symbol won in the special symbol lottery.

  In addition, the “bonanza” may be divided into a jackpot that can be expected to pay out a large amount of gaming balls for a long time, and a jackpot that can hardly be expected to pay out gaming balls because the jackpot game time is short. The former is called “long hit” and the latter is called “short hit”. For example, in “long win”, a round that is maintained until the open state of the first grand prize opening 125 or the second big prize opening 127 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won). Is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). In the “short win”, a round in which the first big prize opening 125 or the second big prize opening 127 is opened for a certain time (for example, 0.1 second) is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times).

In addition, in the case of “small winning” in the case where the big winning is not won, for example, a small winning game is performed in which the big winning openings 125 and 127 are opened for a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times) for 0.1 seconds. . At the time of winning the small hit, the game state before the small win is continued even after the small hit game is completed. That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the high probability short game state, the high probability short time gaming state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the gaming state does not shift. Similarly, when the gaming state at the time of winning the small hit is the low probability short non-game state, the low probability short non-game state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the gaming state does not shift.
Further, “small hit” is a kind of “out of game”, and none of the above gaming states that are advantageous to the player is set.

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

The normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether or not the lottery result of the normal symbol is “winning” using a random number table as shown in FIG. That is, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether or not to perform an auxiliary game that opens and closes the electric tulip 123 based on the random number value for normal symbol lottery acquired by the random number acquisition unit 231. When a plurality of types of winning are set in the normal symbol lottery, the normal symbol determining unit 232 determines “winning type” when the determination result is winning. The normal symbol lottery is a process performed by the random number acquisition unit 231 and the normal symbol determination unit 232.
When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 controls the fluctuation of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display unit 223 according to the lottery result.
The electric tulip movement control unit 238 opens the electric tulip 123 for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines “winning” in the normal symbol lottery, and a game ball is placed at the second start port 122. Generate a state that makes it easy to win. Further, when it is determined as “displacement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 is not generated.

When the special symbol determination unit 234 determines “big hit” in the special symbol lottery, the big prize opening operation control unit 237 is the first big game with an operation pattern that is specified based on the type of the big hit that has been won. The opening operation of the winning opening 125 or the second large winning opening 127 is controlled. In addition, the special winning opening operation control unit 237, when the special symbol determining unit 234 determines “small hit” in the special symbol lottery, as the small winning game, the special winning ports 125 and 127 are provided for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times. Open.
The prize ball processing unit 239 sets commands for controlling the number of prizes received for various types of winning-related items and lottery, and for controlling the payout of prize balls according to the prizes.
The output control unit 240 controls the output of control commands from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 330.
The random number control unit 241 updates various random number values that the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires at a predetermined timing.

[Basic operation of gaming machine]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
When the power is turned on, the game control unit 200 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs initialization and initial setting of various devices as a basic process at the time of activation. And after performing a basic process, the game control part 200 repeatedly performs the main control process which is a series of processes regarding progress of a game. In addition, when the power is shut off, the game control unit 200 executes a series of power-off processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the basic processing performed by the game control unit 200.
When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is turned on, the game control unit 200 first permits access to the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) (step (hereinafter, “step” will be referred to as “S”) 601). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not a RAM clear switch for clearing the RAM 203 is ON (S602).
When the RAM clear switch is OFF (No in S602), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the backup flag related to the operation at the time of power-off is ON (S603).
If the backup flag is ON (Yes in S603), the game control unit 200 next determines whether the checksum created when the power is turned off is normal (S604).
If the checksum is normal (Yes in S604), the game control unit 200 next executes a return process (S605). In this return process, the game control unit 200 performs setting of the sub-control means such as the effect control unit 300 accompanying the return from the state where the power is cut off. Specifically, the game control unit 200 determines the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is cut off (whether it is a big hit game, either a high probability state or a low probability state, a short time state and a short time state) The command for setting the sub-control means is output to the effect control unit 300 so that any one of them is reflected. In this return process, the game control unit 200 turns off the backup flag.

  On the other hand, if the RAM clear switch is ON (Yes in S602), the backup flag is OFF (No in S603), and the checksum is abnormal (No in S604), then the game control unit 200 is initialized. As processing, the stored contents of the RAM 203 are cleared (S606), and the work area of the RAM 203 is set (S607). Then, the game control unit 200 outputs a command for setting (initializing) the sub control means to the effect control unit 300, and sets the sub board (sub control means) (S608). The setting of the sub board includes clearing the RAM 303, RAM 313, and RAM 323 mounted on each sub board.

After the return process (see S605) is completed or after the setting of the sub-board (see S608) is completed, the game control unit 200 sets various counters and timers used for game control (S609). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the interrupt permission (S610), the interrupt prohibition (S611), the symbol random number control process (S612), the initial value random number update process (S613), and the power cutoff flag are ON. (S614) is repeatedly executed as a loop process.
Here, interrupt enable (S610) and interrupt disable (S611) are provided to enable execution of interrupt processing during execution of the loop processing (S610 to S614). In the present embodiment, main control processing in game control is executed by this interrupt processing. Details of the main control process will be described later.
In the symbol random number control process (S612), the game control unit 200 updates the variation pattern random number used in the special symbol lottery.
In the initial value random number update process (S613), the game control unit 200 updates initial values of various random values used in the game control.
In the determination of the power cut-off flag, if the power cut-off flag is OFF (No in S614), the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not cut off, and the game control unit 200 performs main control by interruption together with the loop processing (S610 to S614). Repeat the process. On the other hand, when the power shut-off flag is ON (Yes in S614), the game control unit 200 starts a process for shutting off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (power shut-off process).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of power-off processing performed by the game control unit 200.
In the power-off process, the game control unit 200 first clears the setting of the output port for performing various outputs (S701). Next, the game control unit 200 creates a checksum and stores it in the RAM 203 (S702). Next, the game control unit 200 turns on the backup flag (S703), prohibits access to the RAM 203 (S704), and shifts to an infinite loop.

[Main control processing of gaming machines]
Next, main control processing of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
In the main control process, the game control unit 200 controls the game in the pachinko gaming machine 100, instructs the effect control unit 300, which is a sub-control means, to control the effect, and gives the payout control unit 330 a prize ball Instructs payout control.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing main control processing of the game control unit 200.
The main control process includes a series of processes in game control, and is repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, 4 milliseconds). In the present embodiment, the game control unit 200 generates an interrupt every predetermined time set in advance, and when the interrupt is permitted in the loop process shown in FIG. 6 (see S610), the main control is performed as the interrupt process. Execute the process. As shown in FIG. 8, in the main control process, a random number update process, a switch process, a symbol process, an electric accessory process, a prize ball process, and an output process are sequentially executed (S801 to S806).

  In the random number update process (S801), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the random number control unit 241, and updates various random number values used in the game control by the game control unit 200. Details of the setting of the random number and the update of the random value will be described later.

As the switch process (S802), a start port switch process and a gate switch process are performed.
In the start port switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the random number acquisition unit 231, monitors the states of the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212 in FIG. If this happens, a special symbol lottery process is executed. In addition, as will be described in detail later, when pre-determination processing is performed in the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212, each function (subroutine) of the special symbol determination unit 234 and the variation pattern selection unit 235 is called, Execute processing for pre-determination.
In the gate switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the random number acquisition unit 231 and monitors the state of the gate switch 214 in FIG. 3. Execute the process.
The detailed contents of these switch processes will be described later.

As the symbol processing (S803), special symbol processing and normal symbol processing are performed.
In the special symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls the functions (subroutines) of the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol determination unit 234, and the variation pattern selection unit 235, and executes the special symbol variation and the process associated with this symbol variation. To do.
In the normal symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls the functions (subroutines) of the normal symbol determination unit 232 and the normal symbol variation control unit 236, and executes the normal symbol variation and the process associated with this symbol variation.
The detailed contents of these symbol processes will be described later.

As the electric accessory process (S804), a big prize opening process and an electric tulip process are performed.
In the special prize opening process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the special prize opening operation control unit 237 and controls the opening operation of the special prize winning holes 125 and 127 that are special electric accessories based on a predetermined condition. To do.
In the electric tulip process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the electric tulip operation control unit 238 and controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123 that is a normal electric accessory based on a predetermined condition.
Detailed contents of these electric accessory processing will be described later.

  In the prize ball processing (S805), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the prize ball processing unit 239, and sets a command for controlling the number of winning prizes and a control for paying out prize balls according to the winning prize.

  In the output process (S806), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the output control unit 240, outputs a command for effect control to the effect control unit 300, and sends a command for payout control to the payout control unit 330. Output. The effect control command is generated in each process from S802 to S804, and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. The payout control command is generated in the processing of S805 and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. A storage area is set in the RAM 203 for each type of control command.

  The output control unit 240 sequentially checks the storage area of each control command in the RAM 203, and if the control command is stored in each storage area (that is, the control command is generated in the processing of S802 to S805). The control command is read out and output to the output destination (the effect control unit 300 or the payout control unit 330).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, output processing is performed at the end of a series of main control processing. That is, the command generated in each process of S802 to S805 by the above functions as the first processing means is stored in a corresponding storage area of the RAM 203 in each process. After these processes, the output control unit 240 as a second processing unit collectively outputs the commands generated in each process accumulated in the storage area of the RAM 203. In other words, in this embodiment, when the main control process is executed for one cycle, the command generated in the execution of the one cycle is output after the last command generation in the execution of the one cycle is performed.

[Modified example of basic operation of gaming machine]
In the operation example described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the interrupt is permitted in the loop process portion of the basic process, and the main control process including a series of processes is executed as the interrupt process. However, the main control process only needs to be configured to be repeatedly executed at regular intervals, and the specific implementation means (execution procedure) is not limited to the examples illustrated in FIGS. For example, the main control process may be incorporated in a series of operations of the basic process, the elapsed time may be measured at a predetermined timing, and the process may return to the main control process every certain time (for example, 4 milliseconds). If the main control process is incorporated into the series of operations of the basic process, an interrupt is generated at regular intervals as in the operation described with reference to FIGS. It may be configured to return to the main control process incorporated in the basic process.

  When a command generated by basic processing is output, in principle, every time a command is generated, the command is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 203, and the function of the output control unit 240 as the second processing means is called. Output. Unlike the main control process related to the progress of the game, the basic process is a special process such as an initial operation performed only when the power is turned on. In addition, since the processing procedure may vary depending on the branching based on conditions such as the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is turned on, the generated command is promptly output so that there is no omission in the output processing. It is processing. In addition, when a command is continuously generated by a plurality of related processes, a process procedure for storing a plurality of commands in the command storage area of the RAM 203 and outputting them in response to a specific process request is adopted. May be.

[Random number update processing by game control unit]
A random number value as determination information used for various types of lotteries in game control such as special symbol lottery is counted by a counter, and a random number update process (S801) of the main control process shown in FIG. 8 starts from a predetermined initial value. Each time it is done, it is incremented by one. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start opening switch process (FIG. 9) and the gate switch process (FIG. 10), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 11) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 16). The This random number counter is an infinite loop counter, and after the counted random number value reaches the set random number maximum value (for example, 299 for the jackpot random number shown in FIG. 20A described later) Return to the initial value again. In addition, since the random number update process is performed at regular intervals, if the initial value of each random number is specified, the winning value may be estimated based on the update interval and the initial value information. Therefore, after returning from the main control process to the basic process shown in FIG. 6, in the initial value random number update process of S613, the initial value of each random number is randomly changed.

[Start-up switch processing by game control unit]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port switch process in the switch process shown in S802 of FIG.
In the start port switch process, a process for winning at the first start port 121 and a process for winning at the second start port 122 are sequentially performed. Referring to FIG. 9, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a game ball is won at the first start port 121 and the first start port switch 211 is turned on (S901). If the first start port switch 211 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U1 in the winning of the first start port 121 is less than the upper limit value (S902). . In the example shown in FIG. 9, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U1 has reached the upper limit value (No in S902), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, so the process for winning at the first start port 121 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the pending number U1 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S902), the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random value for determination by the current winning and stores it in the RAM 203 (S903). . Here, since the first starting port 121 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery is acquired. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of S801. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value. Random numbers here include jackpot random numbers that determine jackpot, jackpot or loss, jackpot type (short or short state after the end of jackpot game, short or short state, high probability state and low probability state, long hit, short Symbol random number value to determine the winning), variation pattern random value to identify the variation pattern in the symbol variation, reach random number value to determine whether or not to have the effect with reach described later , Etc. are included.

  Next, the game control unit 200 performs a prior determination process (S904). The pre-determination process means that a random number is obtained by a special symbol process for a winning ball (holding ball) for which a random number has already been acquired by a winning at the starting opening but a random symbol has not yet been determined by a special symbol process to be described later. This is a process of determining the random number before the determination (preliminary determination).

  And the production | generation control part 300 of this Embodiment determines a random number by the special symbol process based on the determination result (predetermined result) of the random number determined by the prior determination process, and notifies the determination result. Before that, it is possible to perform a notice effect that suggests the determination result. For example, in response to the occurrence of a winning ball (holding ball) for which random number acquisition has already been performed by winning a prize at the start opening but random number determination has not yet been performed by special symbol processing, the image display unit This is performed using a hold display effect (described later) displayed on 114. The notice effect based on this advance determination suggests to the player the determination result when the random number is determined by special symbol processing for the reserved ball corresponding to the advance determination related to the advance effect. Thereby, the player can play a game while expecting the reserved ball. Details of the notice effect based on the prior determination will be described later.

Then, the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number U1 (S905).
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a pre-determination result command including the pre-determination information by the pre-determination process in S904 in the RAM 203 in order to notify the effect control unit 300 of the pre-determination result (S906).
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of an increase in the hold number U1 in S905 (S907), and ends the process for winning in the first start port 121. .

  Next, a process for winning in the second start port 122 is performed. Referring to FIG. 9, next, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 122 and the second start port switch 212 is turned on (S908). If the second start port switch 212 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the number of unreserved hold numbers U2 in the winning of the second start port 122 is less than the upper limit value (S909). ). In the example shown in FIG. 9, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U2 has reached the upper limit (No in S909), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, and the process for winning at the second start port 122 is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the pending number U2 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S909), the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random number value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in the RAM 203 (S910). . Here, since the winning of the second starting port 122 is won, random numbers for special symbol lottery (big hit random number value, big hit symbol random number value, reach random number value, fluctuation pattern random number value, etc.) are acquired as in S903 above. Is done. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of S801. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a prior determination process (S911). The content of this pre-determination process is the same as that of said S904.
Then, the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number U2 (S912).
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a pre-determination result command including pre-determination information obtained by the pre-determination process of S911 in the RAM 203 in order to notify the effect control unit 300 of the pre-determination result (S913).
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U2 in S912 in the RAM 203 (S914), and ends the process for winning at the second start port 122. .

[Gate switch processing by game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate switch process when a game ball passes through the gate 124.
In this gate switch process, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball has passed through the gate 124 and the gate switch 214 is turned on (S1001). If the gate switch 214 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged holding number G is less than the upper limit value (S1002). In the example shown in FIG. 10, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reserves G has reached the upper limit (No in S1002), no more unchanging winnings can be reserved, and the gate switch processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number G of holding is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S1002), the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in the RAM 203 (S1003). . Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number value) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

Next, the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number G (S1004).
After the value of the holding number G is added in S1004, the game control unit 200 sets a holding number G increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the holding number G in S1004 in the RAM 203 (S1005). The process for winning in the gate 124 is terminated.

[Special symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S803 of FIG.
In this special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the jackpot game flag is ON in the setting of a flag set in the RAM 203 (hereinafter, flag setting) ( S1101). Here, the jackpot game flag is a flag that is set to identify that the result of the special symbol lottery is a jackpot. Depending on the type of jackpot, either a long hit game flag or a short hit game flag is set. In the present embodiment, these are collectively referred to as a jackpot game flag.

  When the jackpot game flag is ON, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is already in the jackpot, so the special symbol processing is terminated without starting the special symbol variation (Yes in S1101). On the other hand, if the jackpot game flag is OFF (No in S1101), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the special symbol variation (S1102). If the special symbol is not changing (No in S1102), then the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 performs processing related to the number U1 and U2 (see FIG. 9) of the special symbols that have not been changed (S1103 to S1106). In the present embodiment, the number of holds U1 related to winning of the first start port 121 and the number of holds U2 related to winning of the second start port 122 are distinguished, so this processing is also performed for each corresponding start port. .

Specifically, the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines whether or not the number of holds U2 related to winning in the second start port 122 is 1 or more (S1103). When the number of reservations U2 is 1 or more (Yes in S1103), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U2 (S1104). On the other hand, if the hold number U2 = 0 (No in S1103), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether the hold number U1 related to winning in the first start port 121 is 1 or more (S1105). When the number of reservations U1 is 1 or more (Yes in S1105), the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U1 (S1106). On the other hand, if the holding number U1 = 0 (No in S1105), it means that there is no winning for starting the special symbol lottery, so the special symbol change is not started, and the waiting process for waiting for customers set in another routine To finish the process (S1116).
In the present embodiment, priority is given to the processing related to the holding number U2 related to winning in the second start port 122. That is, when the number of holds U2 is 1 or more, the process related to the number of holds U2 is performed, and when the number of holds U2 = 0, the process related to the number of holds U1 is performed (see S803 to S806). On the other hand, regardless of whether the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 is won, it is also possible to perform control such that the hold numbers U1 and U2 are subtracted in the order of winning.

  After subtracting the holding number U1 or the holding number U2 in S1104 or S1106, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 turns off the customer waiting flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1107). The customer waiting flag is a flag for identifying that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the customer waiting state, and is set in the customer waiting setting process (S1116, see FIG. 15).

  Next, the special symbol variation control unit 233 executes jackpot determination processing and variation pattern selection processing by separate routines (S1108, S1109). Although details will be described later, the setting information for changing the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 by the jackpot determination processing and the variation pattern selection processing (the jackpot symbol, game State, variation pattern, etc.) are determined. These pieces of information are included in a change start command sent to the effect control unit 300.

  Thereafter, the special symbol variation control unit 233 is displayed by the first special symbol display unit 221 and the second special symbol display unit 222 shown in FIG. 2 based on the setting contents determined in the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process. The special symbol change is started (S1110). Then, a change start command including setting information (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a change pattern, etc.) indicating the setting contents is generated and set in the RAM 203 (S1111). The variation start command set in S1111 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S806 of FIG.

  When it is determined in S1102 that the special symbol is changing (Yes in S1102), or after the change start command is set in S1111, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 determines whether or not the fluctuation time has elapsed (S1112). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of the variation of the special symbol in S1110 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process in S1109. If the variation time has not passed (No in S1112), the special symbol variation is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has elapsed (Yes in S1112), the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines the variation of the special symbol in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 as a big hit determination process in S1108. It stops at the symbol determined in (S1113). A change stop command for stopping a decorative design to be described later is set in the RAM 203 (S1114). Then, a stop routine process of another routine is executed (S1115). The contents of the stop process will be described later. The change stop command set in S1114 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S806 of FIG.

[Big hit judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (S1108 in FIG. 11).
In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number value in the current special symbol lottery (S1201), and determines whether or not the jackpot or small hit is made (S1202). , S1205). Whether the jackpot or the jackpot is determined is whether the jackpot random number obtained in S903 or S910 in FIG. 9 matches the value set as the jackpot winning value or the value set as the jackpot winning value It is determined by judging whether (refer Fig.20 (a)).

  If the result of the random number determination in S1201 is a big hit (Yes in S1202), then the special symbol determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random number value (S1203). Depending on the result of this determination, the type of jackpot (high or low probability state, short or short state, short or short state, long or short hit) is determined. Which jackpot is determined is determined by whether the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in S903 or S910 in FIG. 9 matches one of preset values for each jackpot type (FIG. 20 ( b)).

  After the above determination, the special symbol determination unit 234 sets the symbol representing the jackpot type determined by the determination of the jackpot symbol random number (the jackpot symbol) in the RAM 203 as setting information (S1204).

  If the result of the random number determination in S1201 is a small hit (No in S1202, Yes in S1205), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses a symbol indicating that it is a small hit (hereinafter referred to as a small hit symbol) as setting information. It is set in the RAM 203 (S1206).

  If the result of the random number determination in S1201 is neither big win nor small win (No in S1202 and S1205), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses the symbol indicating that the lottery is lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) as setting information in the RAM 203. (S1207).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (S1109 in FIG. 11).
In this variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 first refers to the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (whether it is a short time state or a short time state, and a high probability state or a low probability state). (S1301). Then, using the determination result of S1202 of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 12), it is determined whether or not the jackpot was won in this special symbol lottery (S1302). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1302), the fluctuation pattern selecting unit 235 reads the big hit fluctuation pattern table from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1303).

On the other hand, if the jackpot is not hit (No in S1302), the variation pattern selection unit 235 then determines a random number value for determining whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a jackpot. (S1304). Whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value acquired in S903 or S910 in FIG. 9 matches a preset value (see FIG. 20C). .
As a result of the determination using the random number value, when the reach effect is performed (Yes in S1305), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for reach from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1306). When the reach effect is not performed (No in S1305), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 202 and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1307).
Here, the fluctuation pattern table includes a plurality of fluctuation patterns prepared in advance (fluctuation time 3 seconds, 7 seconds, 13 seconds, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) and values of fluctuation pattern random numbers. Is a table in which

  Next, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern random value using the variation pattern random value acquired in S903 or S910 of FIG. 9 and the variation pattern table set in S1303, S1306, and S1307 (S1308). ). That is, the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 refers to the fluctuation pattern table set in the RAM 203 and selects a fluctuation pattern corresponding to the random value of the fluctuation pattern random number. Therefore, even if the same random number value is acquired, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (whether it is a short-time state or no-short-time state, and a high-probability state or a low-probability state), the result of a special symbol lottery (whether or not it is a big hit The variation pattern table to be referred to differs depending on the difference in whether or not the reach effect is performed when the jackpot is not hit.

  Thereafter, the variation pattern selection unit 235 sets the variation pattern selected in S1308 as setting information in the RAM 203 (S1309). The variation pattern setting information set in S1309 is included in the variation start command set in S1111 of FIG. 11, and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S806 of FIG. Details of the variation pattern selected in this embodiment and its setting will be described later.

[Processing during stop by game control unit]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the suspension process (S1115 in FIG. 11).
In this stop process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not a flag indicating that the time is short (hereinafter, a time short flag) is turned on in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1401). When the time reduction flag is ON (Yes in S1401), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the time reduction state (S1402), and whether or not the number of lotteries J has become zero. (S1403). If the number of lotteries J = 0 (Yes in S1403), the time reduction flag is turned OFF (S1404). It should be noted that the operation for turning on the hourly flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery count J are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 18) in a special winning opening process (FIG. 17) described later.

  If the time reduction flag is OFF (No in S1401), or after the time reduction flag is turned OFF in S1404, or if the value of the lottery count J after subtraction in S1402 is not 0 (No in S1403), then game control The unit 200 checks whether or not a flag indicating a high probability state (hereinafter, probability variation flag) is set to ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1405). When both the probability variation flag and the previous time-short flag are ON, the high-probability short-time gaming state is established, and when the probability variation flag is ON and the time-short flag is OFF, the high-probability time-short no-game state.

  When the probability variation flag is ON (Yes in S1405), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of variations) X in the high probability state (S1406), and whether or not the number of lotteries X has become 0. This is checked (S1407). If the number of lotteries X = 0 (Yes in S1407), the probability variation flag is turned OFF (S1408). Note that the operation for turning on the probability change flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number X are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 18) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 17) described later.

  If the probability change flag is OFF (No in S1405), or after the probability change flag is turned OFF in S1408, or if the value of the number of lotteries X after subtraction in S1406 is not 0 (No in S1407), then game control The unit 200 determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery (S1409). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1409), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the type of the big win is a long win (S1410).

  Here, the determination of whether or not the jackpot is possible can be made based on the determination result of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 12). For example, if any of the symbols shown in the diagram of FIG. 20B to be described later is set, Yes is obtained in S1409. If a lost symbol or a small bonus symbol is set in the RAM 203 by the big hit determination process, No in S1409.

  If the jackpot type is a long win (Yes in S1410), the game control unit 200 turns on the long win game flag (S1411). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a jackpot gaming state (long winning gaming state) in which the jackpot type is long winning. In addition, here, in the long hit, it is not distinguished whether it is a high probability state or a low probability state. Whether the state is a high probability state or a low probability state is specified by turning on a corresponding flag in a game state setting process (FIG. 18) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 17) described later.

  If the jackpot type is not long hit (No in S1410), the game control unit 200 turns on the short hit game flag (S1412). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a big hit gaming state (short winning gaming state) in which the big hit type is short hit. Similar to the case of long hit, the case of short hit does not distinguish between a high probability state and a low probability state.

  After turning on the jackpot game flag in S1411 or S1412, the game control unit 200 initializes the values of the lottery times J and X (S1413). Further, the game control unit 200 turns off the time reduction flag when the time reduction flag is ON in S1401 and the lottery count J is not 0 in S1403 (S1414). Similarly, when the probability variation flag is ON in S1405 and the number of lotteries X is not 0 in S1407, the probability variation flag is turned OFF (S1414).

After initializing the values of the lottery times J and X in S1413, the game control unit 200 starts an opening operation (S1417). Here, the content of the opening operation differs depending on whether the winning game flag is turned ON in S1411 or S1412. That is, depending on the state of the big hit game flag, one of the opening operations set in each of the long win games and the short win game state is performed.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets an opening command for performing an effect in the opening operation according to the jackpot game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (S1418), and ends the in-stop process. This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S806 of FIG.

On the other hand, when the result of the special symbol lottery this time is not a big hit (No in S1409), the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery this time is a big hit (S1415). ). If it is not a small hit (No in S1415), the in-stop process is terminated.
On the other hand, when it is a small hit (Yes in S1415), the game control unit 200 starts a small hit game (S1416). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state. In the small hit game, as described above, the special winning openings 125 and 127 are opened and closed a predetermined number of times, and are ended after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[Customer waiting setting process by game control unit]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting setting process (S1116 in FIG. 11).
In this customer waiting setting process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the customer waiting flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1501). Here, the customer waiting flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state.

  If the customer waiting flag is ON, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state, and thus the processing is terminated as it is (Yes in S1501). On the other hand, when the customer waiting flag is OFF, the game control unit 200 generates a customer waiting command and sets it in the RAM 203 (S1502), and turns on the customer waiting flag (S1503). The customer waiting command set in S1502 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S806 of FIG. The customer waiting flag is set in a state where there is no suspension with the special symbol change stopped.

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the normal symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S803 of FIG.
In this normal symbol process, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1601). Here, the auxiliary game flag is a flag that is set when a normal symbol lottery is won. The state in which the auxiliary game flag is set is a state in which the electric tulip 123 is opened in accordance with the electric tulip process (FIG. 19) described later and it is easy to win the second start port 122 (auxiliary game state).

  When the auxiliary game flag is ON, since the auxiliary game state has already been reached and the normal symbol is stopped, the normal symbol process is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation (Yes in S1601). On the other hand, if the auxiliary game flag is OFF (No in S1601), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the normal symbol variation (S1602). If the normal symbol is not changing (No in S1602), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether the number G of the normal symbols remaining unchanged (see FIG. 10) is 1 or more (S1603). If the holding number G = 0 (No in S1603), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is 1 or more (Yes in S1603), the normal symbol variation control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the reserved number G (S1604). Then, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines a winning random number in the current normal symbol lottery to determine whether or not the normal symbol lottery has been won (S1605). Whether or not the winner has been won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in S1003 in FIG. 10 matches the value set as the winning value in the table shown in FIG. It is determined.

  Next, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 sets the normal symbol according to the result of the normal symbol lottery (S1606). That is, when a normal symbol lottery is won, a symbol representing the winning (hereinafter referred to as a winning symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a symbol indicating that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) is set in the RAM 203 as setting information.

  Next, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 sets the variation time of the normal symbol (S1607). This variation time is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processes of S1404 and S1414 in FIG. 14, and S1804 and S1807 in FIG. That is, when the time reduction flag is ON in the setting in S1607, it is set to a short time (for example, 1.5 seconds), and when the time reduction flag is OFF, it is set to a long time (for example, 4.0 seconds). Is done. After this setting, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 starts normal symbol fluctuations in the normal symbol display 223 shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 based on the setting contents of S1607 (S1608). In addition, the fluctuation pattern of a normal symbol can also be determined by lottery. In this case, for example, when the game ball passes through the gate 124, the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires the normal pattern variation pattern random value, and in S1607, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 generates the normal symbol variation pattern random value. By determining, the variation time is set.

  After starting the change of the normal symbol in S1608 or when it is determined that the normal symbol is changing in S1602 (Yes in S1602), the normal symbol change control unit 236 determines whether or not the change time has passed (S1609). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of fluctuation of the normal symbol in S1608 has reached the fluctuation time set in S1607. If the variation time has not passed (No in S1609), the normal symbol variation is continued, and the normal symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time is over (Yes in S1609), the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 stops the fluctuation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display 223 (S1610). Then, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the determination result in S1605 is a win (S1611). If it is a win (Yes in S1611), the auxiliary game flag is turned ON (S1612). On the other hand, if the lottery is off (No in S1611), the normal symbol processing is terminated without turning on the auxiliary game flag.

[Large winning mouth processing by game control unit]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special prize opening process in the electric accessory process shown in S804 of FIG.
In this big prize opening process, the big prize opening operation control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the big hit game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1701). When the jackpot game flag is OFF, there is no winning in the big winning mouths 125 and 127, so the big winning mouth processing is terminated (No in S1701). On the other hand, when the jackpot game flag is ON (Yes in S1701), the big prize opening operation control unit 237 opens in the operation control at the time of jackpot that is started in the pachinko gaming machine 100 being stopped (FIG. 14) It is determined whether or not the operation is in progress (S1702).

  If the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in S1702), the next prize opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not a predetermined time (opening time) for performing the opening operation has elapsed. (S1703). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation at the special winning openings 125 and 127 is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1703). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1703), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 performs the operation setting of the special winning openings 125 and 127 (S1704), and initializes the winning number C (C = 0) (S1705), 1 is added to the value of the number of rounds R of the operation of the winning prize openings 125, 127 from the current value (S1706), and the operation of the winning prize openings 125, 127 is started (opened) (S1707). .

  In the operation setting of S1704, the operation pattern of the special winning openings 125 and 127 and the number of rounds (operation round number) operated by the operation pattern are set. The cases where the big prize winning openings 125 and 127 are operated include a case where the special symbol lottery is a big win per long or short, and a case where a small win is made. The operation pattern and the number of rounds are variously set according to the hit type. In the jackpot game, it is stipulated that the prize winning openings 125 and 127 are continuously operated a plurality of times (a plurality of rounds). As an example, in the case of a long hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and 29.5 seconds are released once in one round. In the case of a short hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and one round is performed once for 0.1 seconds. In the case of a small hit, for example, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.1 second is released 15 times in this round. Here, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared in the above examples, both 0.1 seconds of opening is performed 15 times. That is, the operations of the big winning holes 125 and 127 that can be seen by the player are the same in the case of the short win and the small win, and only the operation of the big winning ports 125 and 127 on the game board 110 is the short win and small. It is not possible to distinguish between winning.

  As another example, 15 rounds (15R) are activated per long, 29.5 seconds are released once per round, 2 rounds (2R) are activated per short, and 0 are rounded per round. .9 seconds are opened twice, and with a small hit, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.9 seconds is opened twice in this round. In this case as well, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared, both 0.9 seconds are opened twice, and the actions of the big winning holes 125 and 127 visible to the player are short hits. It is the same for the case of and the case of small hits.

  It should be noted that the law stipulates that in the case of a small win, the cumulative opening time of the special winning openings 125 and 127 must be set within 1.8 seconds. On the other hand, in the case of a big win (long win or short win), the big winning holes 125 and 127 must be continuously opened a plurality of times. Therefore, when trying to make it difficult to visually distinguish the operation with a small hit and the operation with a short hit as described above, within the range that satisfies the cumulative open time within 1.8 seconds in one operation, An operation mode is set in which the big winning openings 125 and 127 are opened two or more times, and in the short win, the same number of rounds as the number of small hits is set.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the opening time in the operation pattern set in S1704 has elapsed (S1708). When the open state at the big prize opening 125, 127 has not passed the opening time (No in S1708), the big prize opening operation control unit 237 then determines the number C of winning prizes to the big prize opening 125, 127. It is determined whether or not the number is more than 9 (for example, 9) (S1709). When the opening time has not elapsed and the winning number C is less than the prescribed number, the operating state (open state) of the large winning ports 125 and 127 is continued, and thus the large winning port process is terminated (S1709). No). On the other hand, if the opening time has passed (Yes in S1708) or the winning number C has reached the specified number (Yes in S1709), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 terminates the operation of the special winning openings 125, 127 ( (S1710).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the number R of rounds of operation of the special winning openings 125 and 127 has reached the maximum value set in S1704 (S1711). If the maximum value has not been reached, the remaining operations are performed, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1711).

If the number R of rounds of operation of the big prize openings 125 and 127 reaches the maximum value (Yes in S1711), the big prize opening action control unit 237 then starts the ending operation (S1712). Here, the content of the ending operation corresponds to the state of the big hit game flag among the ending operations set in the long win game and the short win game.
Thereafter, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 sets an ending command for performing an effect in the ending operation according to the big hit game flag in the effect control unit 300 in the RAM 203 (S1713). This ending command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S806 of FIG.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 resets the round number R of the operation of the special winning openings 125 and 127 to 0 (S1714), and then performs an ending operation with a preset elapsed time from the start of the ending operation. It is determined whether or not the time to be performed (ending time) has elapsed (S1717). If the ending time has not elapsed, the ending operation is continued, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in S1717). On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1717), next, the big prize opening operation control unit 237 goes through the game state setting process by the game control unit 200 (S1718), and then turns off the big hit game flag, The big prize opening process is terminated (S1719). The contents of the game state setting process will be described later.

  If it is determined in S1702 that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not opening (No in S1702), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not it is ending (S1715). If the ending is in progress (Yes in S1715), the operations after S1717 are executed.

On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not ending (No in S1715), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 next determines whether or not the special winning openings 125 and 127 are operating (opening) (S1716). . If it is not in operation (No in S1716), the operation after S1705 is executed. If it is in operation (Yes in S1716), the operation after S1708 is executed.
The effect performed in the small hit game described above is the same as the effect performed in the short hit game, and it is not possible to distinguish short hit and small hit from the effect.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 18 shows the content of the game state setting process (S1718) performed by the game control unit 200 when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1717).
When the game state setting process is performed, the jackpot game flag is set to ON in S1701 of FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, the game control unit 200 first determines the type of jackpot (S1801, S1802, S1803, S1806). These determinations can be made based on, for example, the type of symbol set as setting information in the RAM 203 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 12). Since these determinations are substantially the same as S1202, S1203, and S1205 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 12), the determination results of S1202, S1203, and S1205 may be used.

If it is a small hit (Yes in S1801), the gaming state is not changed, so the gaming state setting process is terminated.
When the type of jackpot is a jackpot in the low probability short game state (No in S1801, Yes in S1802 and S1803), the game control unit 200 turns on the short flag (S1804). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the low gaming state when the probability is low. In addition, the game control unit 200 sets an initial value of the lottery count J (S1805) and ends the game state setting process. The initial value of the lottery number J is 100 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery in the low probability short game state is performed 100 times, the low probability short game state is ended and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the type of jackpot is a jackpot of the low probability short-time non-game state (No in S1801, Yes in 1802, No in S1803), the game control unit 200 ends the process without turning on both the time-short flag and the probability change flag. To do. Therefore, the setting of the game state of the RAM 203 for the game after the jackpot becomes a low probability short time no game state.

  When the type of jackpot is a jackpot of the short probability gaming state with high probability (No in S1801, S1802, Yes in S1806), the game control unit 200 sets the hour flag to ON (S1807) and sets the initial value of the number of lottery times J. (S1808). In this case, the initial value of the number of times of lottery J is 10,000 in the illustrated example. Further, the game control unit 200 turns on the probability change flag (S1809), and sets the initial value of the number of lotteries X (S1810). The initial value of the number of times of lottery X is 10,000 in the illustrated example. As a result, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability and short gaming state. If the lottery in the high probability short game state is performed 10,000 times, the high probability short game state is terminated and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the type of jackpot is a jackpot of the high probability short-time non-game state (No in S1801, S1802, and S1806), the game control unit 200 turns on only the probability variation flag (S1809), and the initial value ( 10000 times) is set (S1810). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability short time no gaming state. Then, if the lottery in the high probability short-time non-game state is performed 10,000 times, the high-probability short-time non-game state is finished and the low-probability short-time non-game state is entered.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the contents of the electric tulip process in the electric accessory process shown in S804 of FIG.
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1901). When the auxiliary game flag is OFF, the electric tulip 123 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1901). On the other hand, when the auxiliary game flag is ON (Yes in S1901), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 determines whether or not the electric tulip 123 is operating (S1902).

  When the electric tulip 123 is not in operation (No in S1902), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the operation pattern of the electric tulip 123 (S1903), and operates the electric tulip 123 with the set operation pattern (S1904). . Here, the operation pattern is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processes of S1404 and S1414 in FIG. 14, S1804 and S1807 in FIG. For example, when the time reduction flag is OFF at the time of setting in S1903, an operation pattern that opens once with an opening time of 0.15 seconds is set, and when the time reduction flag is ON, the opening time of 1.80 seconds is set. An operating pattern that opens three times in time is set. Thus, normally, when the time reduction flag is ON (when it is in the time reduction state), the electric tulip 123 is opened a plurality of times for a long time, and the winning support that makes it easy to win the second start port 122 (electricity chewing support). Is done. A plurality of operation patterns (types of auxiliary games) of the electric tulip 123 when the time flag is ON or OFF are prepared, and the operation is performed according to the type determined in the normal symbol processing (see FIG. 16). You may comprise so that a pattern may be set.

  When it is determined in S1902 that the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Yes in S1902), or after the electric tulip 123 is operated in S1904, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 passes the open time in the set operation pattern. It is determined whether or not it has been done (S1905). If the opening time has not elapsed, the operation state (open state) of the electric tulip 123 is continued, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1905). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1905), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the auxiliary game flag to OFF and ends the electric tulip process (S1906).

[Random number judgment method]
Here, a determination method using random numbers performed in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 12), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 13), the normal symbol process (FIG. 16), and the like will be described in detail.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a random number (determination table) used in the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery in the present embodiment.
FIG. 20 (a) shows a configuration example of jackpot random numbers used in the special symbol lottery, FIG. 20 (b) shows a configuration example of jackpot symbol random numbers used in the special symbol lottery, and FIG. 20 (c) shows a special symbol lottery. A configuration example of reach random numbers used, and a configuration example of hit random numbers used in normal symbol lottery are shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 20 (a), as the jackpot random number determination value, the jackpot when the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 at the time of jackpot determination is a low probability state and the jackpot when the game state at the jackpot determination is a high probability state 2 types and small hits are set. The range of values of random numbers (big hit random numbers) is 300 from 0 to 299 in all cases. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a low probability state (a jackpot lottery), only one winning value is set, and the winning probability is 1/300. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a high probability state, 10 winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). That is, in the example shown in the figure, if the winning symbols 121 and 122 are won in the high probability state and the special symbol lottery is performed, the winning probability is 10 times that in the case where the special symbol lottery is performed in the low probability state. Further, three winning values are set regardless of the low probability state or the high probability state, and the winning probability is 3/300 (= 1/100).

  Referring to FIG. 20B, five types of jackpot symbols are prepared: low probability symbol A, low probability symbol B, high probability symbol A, high probability symbol B, and latent symbol symbol. Here, the low-probability symbol A and the low-probability symbol B are symbols indicating that the low-probability state is a big hit. Of these, the low-probability symbol A is a long win (low-probability short-time gaming state), and the low-probability symbol B is Represents each short hit (low probability, short no-game state). The high-probability symbol A and the high-probability symbol B are symbols representing a jackpot of a high-probability state. Among these symbols, the high-probability symbol A is a long win (high-probability short-time gaming state) and the high-probability symbol B is a short-win ( High probability short-time non-game state). The latent symbol is a symbol representing that it is a big hit in a high probability short-time no-game state. Therefore, the high probability symbol B and the latent probability symbol have the same gaming state after the jackpot game, but the latent probability symbol is a condition for performing a latent effect that does not clearly notify the player that the probability state is high. Therefore, it is provided separately from the high probability symbol B. The range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249. In addition, in the jackpot symbol random number, a winning value is set for each of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 that trigger the special symbol lottery.

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

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

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

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

  As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 20B, the jackpot when winning the first starting port 121 has a probability of becoming a jackpot (high probability symbol B, latent probability symbol) of the high probability short-time non-game state. The probability that the jackpot when winning the second start port 122 is high is a jackpot (high probability symbol A) in the short game state with high probability is high. In this way, by making the winning probabilities of the jackpot types different when winning at the first start port 121 and when winning at the second start port 122, various game characteristics can be provided. Further, the arrangement of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 on the game board 110 is devised so that it is easy to aim at either the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 in a specific state (mode). By configuring the above, it is possible to encourage the player to participate in more aggressive games.

Next, the determination of reach random numbers will be described.
Referring to FIG. 20C, the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, and 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and the reach effect is not performed. 228 random numbers are assigned to the result (no reach). In other words, in the illustrated example, when a special symbol lottery is not won, a reach effect is performed with a probability of 22/250 (= 11/125). Here, the reach effect is an effect performed in the image display unit 114 when the special symbol changes. Hereinafter, the effect at the time of the special symbol change that does not perform the reach effect is referred to as an effect without reach, and the reach effect is also referred to as an effect with reach.

  In many cases, when the special symbol changes, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 (hereinafter referred to as the special symbol display units 221 and 222 if they are not distinguished) are linked with display control. In the image display unit 114, an effect using a decorative design is performed. The decorative design is configured, for example, by displaying three rows of symbols composed of a number sequence in which numbers 1 to 9 are continuously written in the vertical direction. Then, at the same time when the special symbol display on the special symbol indicators 221 and 222 is started, the decorative symbol displayed on the image display unit 114 starts scrolling. Also, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the special symbol variation display (decorative symbol scroll start), the special symbol is stopped and displayed at the same time. Generally, when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, three identical numbers are arranged on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally in the stop display of the decorative symbol. An effect using a decorative symbol performed in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol is referred to as a variation effect.

In the production with reach, the following operation is performed on the decorative design as a variation production. First, when the decorative symbol scrolling stops and each symbol is stopped and displayed, first, any two symbols (sequence) stop first. At this time, the same number is stopped and displayed on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. Next, the last row gradually slows down the scroll speed, giving the player a sense of expectation that three identical numbers will be aligned on a straight line. In such an effect with reach, a so-called SP (super) reach effect or SP / SP reach effect in which various characters appear or stories develop before the last one column of scrolling stops. There is a case. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, which will be described later, in this embodiment, when the variation time is longer (for example, 90 seconds or 60 seconds), the SP reach or SP / SP reach effect is set to be executed. . Note that the above-described variation effect performed together with the reach effect is also referred to as a reach variation effect.
On the other hand, in the non-reach effect, the design is stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally without producing an effect that gives the player a sense of expectation as in the effect with reach.

As described above, the reach random number is used to determine whether to perform an effect with reach or an effect without reach in the image display unit 114 when the determination result of the jackpot random number is a loss. A reachable effect appears with a probability, so that the player is appropriately expected.
In other words, when a big win is won, a reachable effect is performed, and finally the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. On the other hand, in the case of winning with a small win or loss, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on the straight line.

Next, the determination of the winning random number used for the normal symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 20 (d), the range of random number values is 10 from 0 to 9, and one value is assigned as the winning value when the time-short flag is OFF, and the winning value when the time-short flag is ON. Nine values are assigned. Therefore, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery is performed in the timeless state, it is won with a probability of 1/10. On the other hand, if the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery is performed in the short-time state, the player wins with a probability of 9/10.
In addition, although not particularly illustrated, it is possible to set a plurality of hits with different contents of the auxiliary game (open pattern of the electric tulips 123) performed when it is determined that the normal symbol lottery is won. In this case, for example, the winning symbol random number for specifying the winning type in the normal symbol lottery is set in the same manner as the jackpot symbol random number for specifying the winning symbol type in the special symbol lottery (see FIG. 17B). Then, the game control unit 200 acquires the random number value of the winning design random number together with the random number value of the winning random number in the gate switch process (see FIG. 7) by the random number acquiring unit 231, and is acquired by the normal symbol determining unit 232. The hit type is specified based on the random value.
Note that the random number range, winning value ratio, and winning value shown in the configuration example of each random number in FIG. 20 are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated values.

[Setting example of fluctuation pattern]
Next, an example of setting the variation pattern and table used in the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. 13 will be described.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a setting example of the variation pattern and table used in the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. FIG. 21 shows a setting example that is selected when a game ball is won at the first start port 121 and the gaming state is a low probability short-time non-game state or a high probability short-time non-state. .

  Although not shown in the present embodiment, as the setting of the variation pattern used for the variation pattern selection process, the variation selected when the gaming state is the low probability short gaming state or the high probability short gaming state. There are also patterns. Then, a variation pattern table for a short time state that is referred to when selecting those variation patterns is provided, and has different setting contents from the variation pattern table for a short time state. Furthermore, regarding the case where a game ball wins at the second start port 122, a table for setting a variation pattern selected in the variation pattern selection process may be provided individually, or a game ball wins at the first start port 121. In this case, the table to be referenced may be shared and referenced.

  As illustrated in FIG. 21, the variation patterns A to D are variation patterns that are selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit (Yes in S1302 in FIG. 13). The variation patterns E to H are variation patterns that are selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of order and the reach effect is performed (Yes in S1305 in FIG. 13). The variation patterns I to K are set as variation patterns that are selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of order and the reach effect is not performed (No in S1305 in FIG. 13). Since the reach effect is always performed when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, the presence or absence of the reach effect is not referred to when the variation patterns A to D are selected.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 21, four types of variation patterns A to D are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit (in the case of Yes in S1302 in FIG. 13). Also, seven types of variation patterns E to K are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of place (in the case of No in S1302 in FIG. 13). The fluctuation time is 90 seconds for fluctuation pattern A, 60 seconds for fluctuation pattern B, 30 seconds for fluctuation pattern C,
Fluctuation pattern D is 15 seconds, fluctuation pattern E is 90 seconds, fluctuation pattern F is 60 seconds, fluctuation pattern G is 30 seconds, fluctuation pattern H is 15 seconds, fluctuation pattern I is 13 seconds, fluctuation pattern J is 7 seconds, fluctuation Pattern K is set to 3 seconds.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the range of the random number (variation pattern random number) value is 250 from 0 to 249 in all cases.
When the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, 100 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern A, and a variation time of 90 seconds is set with a probability of 100/250. Also, 75 random numbers are assigned to the fluctuation pattern B, and a fluctuation time of 60 seconds is set with a probability of 75/250. Furthermore, 50 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern C, and a variation time of 30 seconds is set with a probability of 50/250. Then, 25 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern D, and a variation time of 15 seconds is set with a probability of 25/250.
That is, among the variation patterns A to D selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, the variation pattern A is selected at the highest rate, the variation pattern B is selected at the next highest rate, and the next It is possible to set so that the variation pattern C is selected at a higher rate and the variation pattern D is selected at the lowest rate. And, when winning the jackpot, it is easy to execute the variation effect over a relatively long time.

Also, when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of order and an effect with reach is performed, 25 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern E, and a variation time of 90 seconds is set with a probability of 25/250. The Further, 50 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern F, and a variation time of 60 seconds is set with a probability of 50/250. Furthermore, 75 random numbers are assigned to the fluctuation pattern G, and a fluctuation time of 30 seconds is set with a probability of 75/250. Then, 100 random numbers are assigned to the variation pattern H, and a variation time of 15 seconds is set with a probability of 100/250.
In other words, the variation pattern H is selected at the highest rate among the variation patterns E to H selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of order and the effect with reach is performed, and the variation pattern at the next highest rate. It can be set such that G is selected, the variation pattern F is selected at the next highest rate, and the variation pattern E is selected at the lowest rate. When the effect with reach and the effect with reach is performed, the variation effect over a relatively short time is easily executed.

  When the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of order and a reachless effect is performed, 250 random numbers are assigned to the variation patterns I to K. The variation pattern I is selected when the number of holdings is 0, the variation pattern J is selected when the number of holdings is 1 or 2, and the variation pattern K is selected when the number of holdings is 3 or 4. Is set as a fluctuation pattern. That is, in the case where an effect without reach and a reachless effect is performed, the average time of symbol variation is set to be shorter as the number of pending determinations in the special symbol lottery is larger.

  The game control unit 200 determines the variation pattern random number value (see S903 and S910 in FIG. 9) acquired when the game ball wins the start openings 121 and 122, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100, presence / absence of reach effect, The variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on the condition such as the number. Then, the information of the determined variation pattern of the special symbol is included in the variation start command and is sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300. As will be described later, in the effect control unit 300, an effect corresponding to a change time specified based on information of a change pattern included in the change start command (executable during the change time) as an effect when the special symbol changes Is selected and executed.

[Configuration of the RAM of the Game Control Unit and the RAM of the Effect Control Unit for Performing the Prediction Effect Based on Prior Determination]
Next, the configuration of the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 and the RAM 303 of the effect control unit 300 in the present embodiment for executing a notice effect based on prior determination will be described.
FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) of the game control unit 200 according to the present embodiment. 22A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage area 204, and FIG. 22B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each storage unit shown in FIG. 22A.

  As shown in FIG. 22A, the RAM 203 includes a storage area 204 as a special symbol holding storage area for storing the jackpot random number acquired by the jackpot random number lottery. This storage area 204 has eight storage units corresponding to the maximum number of reservations of the first start port 121 and the number of reservations of the second start port 122 (when the upper limit value of each reservation number is 4). . Specifically, the storage area 204 includes a first storage unit 204a, a second storage unit 204b, a third storage unit 204c, a fourth storage unit 204d, a fifth storage unit 204e, a sixth storage unit 204f, and a seventh storage. Part 204g and eighth storage part 204h.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.22 (b), each of these memory | storage parts 204a-204h is an area | region where the information showing the distinction of the winning start port (1st start port 121 or 2nd start port 122) is memorize | stored. And an area for storing the acquired jackpot random number, an area for storing the design random number, an area for storing the reach random number, and an area for storing the variation pattern random number. That is, the jackpot random number, the design random number, the reach random number, and the variation pattern random number are stored in each of the storage units 204a to 204h.

  Here, each random number is stored in order from the first storage unit 204a. More specifically, for example, when no random number is stored in any of the first storage unit 204a to the eighth storage unit 204h, the acquired random number is stored in the first storage unit 204a. Further, for example, when random numbers are already stored in the first storage unit 204a to the fourth storage unit 204d, the acquired random number is stored in the fifth storage unit 204e.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the RAM 303 (see FIG. 3) of the effect control unit 300 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 23A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reserved storage areas 305 and 306, and FIG. 23B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each storage unit shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 23A, the RAM 303 includes a first reserved storage area 305 and a second reserved storage area 306 as a reserved status storage area for storing a status where a reserved ball is held. The first holding storage area 305 and the second holding storage area 306 correspond to holding for winning in the first starting port 121 and holding for winning in the second starting port 122, respectively. Have. Specifically, the first reserved storage area 305 includes a first storage unit 305a, a second storage unit 305b, a third storage unit 305c, and a fourth storage unit 305d. The second reserved storage area 306 includes a first storage unit 306a, a second storage unit 306b, a third storage unit 306c, and a fourth storage unit 306d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23B, each of these storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d has a hold flag storage area for turning ON / OFF the hold flag, and a notification flag storage for turning ON / OFF the notification flag. And a region. The hold flag is a flag for identifying the presence or absence of a hold ball for each of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d. That is, for example, when the number of holds due to winning at the first start port 121 is 3, the hold flag is turned ON in the three hold flag storage areas of the first to third storage units 305a, 305b, and 305c. The notification flag is a flag for setting whether or not a notice effect is to be performed based on the result of prior determination for each reserved ball. In the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the effect control unit 300 can set whether or not to perform a notice effect based on a pre-determination result in accordance with the gaming state and the state of the effect. Therefore, the notification flag is set to ON when the notice effect is performed, and the notification flag is set to OFF when the notice effect is not performed. For example, when the notice effect is performed for the third reserved ball among the three reserved balls, the notification flag is turned ON in the notification flag storage area of the third storage unit 305c.

  That is, the RAM 203 and the RAM 303 function as a storage unit that stores hold information that is start information based on establishment of a predetermined start condition with a predetermined number as a limit in the game control unit 200 and the effect control unit 300. In addition, the game control unit 200, based on the hold information that is the start information, before the determination of the special symbol determination unit 234 triggered by the establishment of the start condition corresponding to the start information, It is a prior determination means which performs the prior determination process regarding whether to transfer to. The effect control unit 300 is an effect control unit that performs a notice effect for giving a notice (improvement) of a preliminary determination result.

  Although not particularly shown, the RAM 203 has an area for storing prior determination information (hereinafter referred to as a prior determination information storage area) separately from the configuration shown in FIG. The pre-determination information is information obtained by the pre-determination process based on each random number (see S904 and S911 in FIG. 9). The content of the prior determination information is the same as the information obtained as various determination results in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 11), and specifically, whether or not a big hit (and whether or not a big hit), a big hit If it is, the type of the jackpot and the content of the production are information for indicating whether the production is a reachable or non-reach production, or the content of the variation pattern (variation time). The pre-determination information stored in the pre-determination information storage area is unique or independent from the hold information corresponding to the winning ball (holding ball) subjected to the pre-determination process (hereinafter referred to as hold information). At the timing, it is included in the prior determination result command and sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300.

[Preliminary judgment processing]
Next, the prior determination process (see S904 and S911 in FIG. 9) will be described in detail.
In the pre-determination process in the present embodiment, the game control unit 200 makes a pre-determination using the same random number table as the random number configuration example described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21 as follows.

FIG. 24-1 is a flowchart showing the contents of the pre-determination process (S904, S911 in FIG. 9) according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 24-1, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the gaming state is a high probability state (S2401), and if it is determined that the gaming state is a high probability state (Yes in S2401), the high probability state. Is selected, and a jackpot random number and a jackpot symbol random number are pre-determined (S2402). On the other hand, if it is determined No in S2401, the table for the low probability state is selected, and the jackpot random number and the jackpot symbol random number are determined in advance (S2403).

After pre-determination of the jackpot random number and jackpot symbol random number in S2402 or S2403, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the gaming state is a short-time state (S2404), and determines that it is a short-time state (Yes in S2404), The table for the short time state is selected, and the reach random number is determined in advance (S2405). Further, the table for the short time state is selected, and the fluctuation pattern random number is preliminarily determined (S2406).
On the other hand, if it is determined No in S2404, a table for time reduction and no state is selected and a reach random number is determined in advance (S2407). Further, a table for timelessness and no-time state is selected, and a variation pattern random number is preliminarily determined (S2408).

  Thereafter, the game control unit 200 obtains the results of the jackpot random number prior determination obtained as described above, the results of the jackpot symbol random number prior determination, the reach random number prior determination result, and the variation pattern prior determination result. It is stored in the advance determination information storage area as advance determination information (S2409). Further, in order to transmit the advance determination information to the effect control unit 300, the advance determination result command including the advance determination information is set in the RAM 203 (S2410).

  Here, the above-described prior determination includes a random number value (see S903 and S910 in FIG. 9) acquired according to the winning of a game ball to the start ports 121 and 122, and a determination table used in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 20). And a determination table having the same configuration as that of the reference). That is, the determination itself after selecting the determination table to be used is the same as the determination in the jackpot determination process (see S1201 in FIG. 12). Therefore, in this embodiment, the jackpot determination processing subroutine (see S1108 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) used in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 11) is called to determine the random number in the above-described prior determination.

  With this configuration, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to prepare a processing function (subroutine) for determining a random number separately from the jackpot determination process in order to determine a random number in the prior determination process. Therefore, the number of control instructions can be reduced, and an increase in the size of the program related to the jackpot determination process and the prior determination process can be suppressed. Further, as described above, when the determination table used for the pre-determination is configured similarly to the determination table used for the jackpot determination, the determination table used for the jackpot determination may also be used for the pre-determination.

  Further, here, only the prior determination (whether or not a big win) related to the special symbol lottery has been described, but in the present embodiment, the variation pattern when the special symbol variation display and stop display are performed is also pre-read (preliminary determination). I do. The selection of the variation pattern in the special symbol lottery is performed by selecting a variation pattern selection random number (see S903 and S910 in FIG. 9) and a variation pattern table (FIG. 21) acquired in accordance with the winning of the game ball to the start ports 121 and 122. (See S1109 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13). Therefore, even in the prefetching of the variation pattern, it is selected using the random number value for variation pattern selection acquired at the time of winning and the prefetch table having the same configuration as the variation pattern table used in the variation pattern selection processing of the special symbol processing. The variation pattern can be prefetched.

  In this case, in order to prefetch the variation pattern selected in the variation pattern selection processing, the variation pattern selection processing subroutine (see S1109 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13) used in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 11) is called and used. be able to. Further, regarding the prefetch table used for prefetching of the variation pattern selection, the variation pattern table used in the variation pattern selection processing of the special symbol processing may be used. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of control instructions relating to the prefetching of the variation pattern selection and to suppress an increase in the program size.

  Note that if the pre-determination process and the jackpot determination process at the time of special symbol change are performed in the same subroutine using the same determination table group, the execution time of each process is different, so the pre-determination result and the special symbol change time There is a case where the determination result by the jackpot determination process is different. That is, it is a case where the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (high probability state or low probability state, short time state or short time state) changes after the execution of the pre-determination process until the start of the special symbol change. In this case, since different types of determination tables are used depending on the gaming state, the specific determination table used for determination differs between the execution of the pre-determination process and the execution of the jackpot determination process. . Therefore, even if the same random number value acquired at the time of winning the start openings 121 and 122 is used, the prior determination result and the determination result of the jackpot determination process may be different. In such a case, in the effect control unit 300, if the game state changes before the start of the special symbol variation after the execution of the pre-determination process, the control based on the pre-determination result is not executed (prohibition). You may do.

[Command structure and transmission method]
Here, the configuration and transmission method of commands (effect control commands and setting commands) output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 24-2 is a diagram illustrating a command configuration. FIG. 24-2 (a) shows the data structure of the command, and FIG. 24-2 (b) shows the structure of the command as a bit string.

  As shown in FIG. 24-2 (a), the command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is composed of 2 bytes. This command is composed of a 1-byte “code” as the first data portion and a 1-byte “data” as the second data portion. “Code” indicates the type of command, and “Data” indicates the value of the command. This command is transmitted from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 using asynchronous synchronization by one serial signal. More generally, the “code” that is the first data part has a size of a bit (a is an integer of 2 or more), and the value of the leading 1 bit is specified as either 1 or 0. The “data” as the second data part has a size of n × a bits (n is an integer of 1 or more), and the value of the first 1 bit is different from the value of the first 1 bit of the first data part. Specific to the value.

  Since start-stop synchronization is used, a start bit (bit indicated as “S” in the figure) is provided at the head of each of “code” and “data” constituting the command, and 1 at the end. End bits of bits (bits indicated as “E” in the figure) are provided. Each of the “code” and “data” constituting the command is provided with one parity bit (bit indicated as “P” in the figure).

  As shown in FIG. 24-2 (a), both the “code” and “data” constituting the command have a data size of 1 byte (8 bits). When transmitted, the “code” and “data” are provided with a start bit, an end bit, and a parity bit, respectively. For this reason, it is not easy for the presentation control unit 300 that receives a command to identify whether the received data string is a “code” or “data” of the command from the outline of the data string. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a flag for identifying “code” and “data” is set. Specifically, the value of the specific portion of the 8-bit value constituting the “code” is made different from the value of the portion corresponding to the specific portion of the “code” among the 8-bit values constituting the “data”. .

  In the example shown in FIG. 24-2 (b), the first 1 bit of each of “code” and “data” is used as a flag. That is, in the 8-bit value constituting the “code”, the first 1-bit value is “1”, and in the 8-bit value constituting the “data”, the first 1-bit value is “0”. . Thereby, the effect control unit 300 can identify whether the data string is “code” or “data” by examining the value of the first 1 bit following the start bit of the received data string. The specific value of the flag is merely an example, and a value different from the above value may be used as long as “code” and “data” can be identified.

  Here, since the value of the first bit of “code” is specified as “1”, the range of values that can be taken by “code” is 128 from 10000000B (= 80H) to 11111111B (= FFH). It is. Note that the letter “B” attached to each value indicates binary notation, and the letter “H” indicates hexadecimal notation. In addition, since the value of the first 1 bit of “data” is specified as “0”, the range of values that “data” can take is 128 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 01111111B (= 7FH). is there. That is, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 24-2 (a) and (b), it is possible to set 128 types of commands, each of which can take 128 types of values.

  By the way, in the pachinko gaming machine 100, many types of effects are executed according to the gaming state, the determination result of the special symbol lottery, and the like. Therefore, a large number of commands are prepared for the commands for effect control. In particular, the “data” that is the value indicating the specific content of the command may be insufficient with the above 128. On the other hand, the “code” indicating the type of command is usually smaller than the above 128. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a part of the bit string of “code” to describe the value of “data”.

  For example, consider the case where the last 1 bit of “code” is used to describe the value of “data”. Hereinafter, each bit in the 8-bit bit string constituting “code” and “data” is referred to as first to eighth bits. Separately from the bit string that makes up the “code”, the “code” value that actually indicates the type of command is called the “code value”, and separately from the bit string that makes up the “data”, the actual command value is The value of “data” shown is called “data value”. Then, the code value is described using the first to seventh bits in the “code” bit string, and the data value is all of the “data” bit string (from the first bit to the eighth bit). , And the 8th bit of “code”.

  With this configuration, the possible range of the code value is that the value of the first bit is specified as “1” and the total size is 7 bits, so that the range from 1000000B (= 40H) to 1111111B (= 7FH) ) Up to 64). The possible range of the data value is 128 values represented by 8 bits of “data” in which the value of the first bit is specified as “0”, and values “0” and “8” of the 8th bit of “code”. 1 ”is 256. Therefore, it is possible to set a command having 256 kinds of values as data values.

  Note that the above configuration in the case where a data value is described using a part of the “code” is merely an example, and the specific number of bits and value are not limited to the above configuration example. For example, the data value may be described using the seventh bit and the eighth bit of the “code”. More generally, a predetermined type of data (data value) using a predetermined bit constituting “code” as the first data portion and a bit constituting “data” as the second data portion. Is recorded. Then, by using the remaining bits excluding the predetermined bits in the “code” which is the first data portion, other types of data (code values) different from the predetermined types of data (data values) are recorded. The In other words, a bit constituting “data” as the second data part and b bit (b is smaller than a−1 and an integer of 1 or more) constituting “code” as the first data part. In use, a data value having a size of (a + b) bits is recorded.

  Further, as a means for increasing the number of data values that can be handled, it is conceivable to increase the bit string of “data” describing the data values. For example, it is conceivable to prepare “first data” and “second data” as bit strings describing data values. In this case, if each bit string is 8 bits, a data value can be described by a bit string of 16 bits in total. In order to distinguish between “first data” and “second data”, if the second bit of the 8-bit bit string is used as a flag, for example, the first bit and the second bit of “first data” Can be “00B”, and the first and second bits of “second data” can be “01B”. The first bit has a value “0” as a flag for identifying “code”. That is, the “data” that is the second data portion is a bit string (“first data”, “second data”,...) That represents each data value every 8 bits (more generally, For each a bit), the same value as the value of the first 1 bit is set.

  With this configuration, the range of values that the “first data” can take is 64 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 00111111B (= 3FH), and the range of values that the “second data” can take is Since there are 64 from 01000000B (= 40H) to 01111111B (= 7FH), the total is 4096 (= 64 × 64). Here, the first bit is used as a flag for identifying “code” and “data” (“first data” and “second data”), and “first data” and “second data” Although the second bit is used as a flag for identifying the first and second bits, a flag for identifying four types of bit strings may be set using the first and second bits. For example, “code” may have the value of the first and second bits “11B”, and “data” may have the value of the first and second bits “00B”, “01B”, and “10B”. Conceivable.

[Configuration Example for Command Output in RAM of Game Control Unit]
FIG. 24C is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a command storage area in the RAM 203.
As shown in FIG. 24-3, the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 has a command storage area (storage area) to which individual commands generated by various processes such as the main control process shown in FIG. 8 are assigned. . In the example illustrated in FIG. 24C, 31 command storage areas from the area r1 to the area r31 are set in the RAM 203. Here, the command allocation to each command storage area does not necessarily have a one-to-one correspondence. For example, a plurality of commands that are not generated at the same time can be assigned to the same command storage area. In the example shown in FIG. 24-3, a plurality of commands are assigned to the region r1, the region r9, the region r12, the region r19, the region r20, the region r21, the region r22, the region r23, and the region r30. One command is assigned to each storage area.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 24-3, a command related to power-on is assigned to the region r1. Commands relating to power-on include a command for controlling power-on at the time of RAM clear and a command for controlling power-on at the time of recovery. Since these commands are generated in different scenes, they are not generated at the same time and are all assigned to the region r1.

  In the areas r2 to r4, three commands related to winning at the first starting port 121 (indicated as “starting port 1 winning” in the figure) are assigned. One of the commands related to winning at the first starting port 121 is a command (in the figure, "Special Fig. 1") showing a determination (pre-reading) result in a prior determination based on winning at the first starting port 121 (see S904 in FIG. 9). "Design pre-read"), and is assigned to the region r2. The other one is a command (described as “special figure 1 variation pattern prefetch” in the drawing) indicating a variation pattern prefetching (preliminary determination) result specified together with the determination result, and is assigned to the region r3. Another one is a command ("Special figure 1 hold (+1)" in the figure) indicating that the number of special symbol lottery reservations has been updated (in this case, the value is increased by 1) based on the winning at the first starting port 121. And assigned to the region r4.

  In the areas r5 to r7, three commands (referred to as “starter 2 winning” in the figure) related to winning at the second starter 122 are assigned. One of the commands related to winning at the second starting port 122 is a command ("special figure 2 pattern look-ahead" in the figure) indicating the determination result in the prior determination based on winning at the second starting port 122 (see S911 in FIG. 9). And assigned to the region r5. The other one is a command (denoted as “special figure 2 variation pattern prefetch” in the figure) indicating the prefetch result of the variation pattern specified together with the determination result, and is assigned to the region r6. Another one is a command ("Special figure 2 hold (+1)" in the figure) indicating that the number of special symbol lottery reservations has been updated (in this case, the value is increased by 1) based on the winning at the second starting port 122. And assigned to the region r7.

  In the areas r8 to r10, five commands related to the normal symbol lottery (in the figure, “Popular map hold”, “Popular map type”, “Plot map fixed”, “Plot map open / close”, and “Plot map hold” are described. ) Is assigned. Of the normal symbol lottery commands, one of the “general symbol hold” commands indicates that the number of normal symbol lotteries has been updated (in this case, the value is increased by 1) based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the gate 124. A command (denoted as “general map hold (+1)” in the figure) and assigned to the area r8. The “ordinary symbol type” command designates a normal symbol representing the determination result in the normal symbol lottery, and indicates that the variable symbol display on the normal symbol indicator 223 is started (denoted as “normal symbol variation start” in the diagram). And is assigned to the region r9. The “general symbol confirmation” command is a command that indicates that the normal symbol display 223 is stopped and displayed in the normal symbol lottery and the normal symbol representing the determination result of the normal symbol lottery is fixed (“normal symbol confirmation” in the figure). And assigned to the region r9. The “open / close map” command is a command indicating that the electric tulip 123, which is a normal electric accessory, is operated based on the result of the normal symbol lottery (auxiliary game) (denoted as “open / closed general electric” in the figure). Yes, assigned to area r9. Another one of the “pending custom map” commands is a command indicating that the number of holdings has been updated (in this case, the value is decreased by 1) due to the normal symbol lottery process (in the figure, “pending general drawing (- 1) ”and assigned to the region r10.

  Here, in the normal symbol lottery process, the normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol stop display, and the operation of the electric tulip 123 by the auxiliary game are sequentially executed as a series of operations. Then, the normal symbol variation display based on the fact that another game ball has passed through the gate 124 during the operation of the electric tulip 123 is not started (see FIG. 16). For this reason, the above three types of commands “general map type”, “general map confirmation”, and “general power open / close” are not generated at the same time. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 24-3, these three types of commands are assigned to the same command storage area (area r9).

  Nine commands related to special symbol lottery (in the figure, “special drawing variation” and “special drawing special electricity”) are assigned to the areas r11 to r14. Of the commands related to the special symbol lottery, one of the “special diagram change” commands is a command (indicating whether the current gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (high probability state or low probability state, short time state or short time state). In the figure, it is described as “gaming state”) and is assigned to the region r11. Another one of the “special symbol change” commands is to designate a special symbol representing the determination result of the special symbol lottery in the special symbol lottery, and display the fluctuation on the first special symbol indicator 221 and the second special symbol indicator 222. Is a command (denoted as “special drawing designation” in the figure) indicating that it has started, and is assigned to the region r12. Still another of the “special pattern change” commands is a command (described as “variation pattern” in the figure) for specifying a change pattern of special symbol change performed in the special symbol lottery, and is assigned to the region r13. Still another of the “special figure change” commands is a command (in the figure, “special figure hold (in the figure) indicating that the number of holds has been updated (here, the value is decreased by 1) due to the special symbol lottery process being performed. -1) ") and assigned to the region r14.

  On the other hand, one of the “special drawing special electric power” commands is a command indicating that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state (denoted as “customer waiting” in the figure), and is assigned to the area r12. Another one of the “Special Figure Special Electric” commands is a command (in the figure,) that indicates that the special winnings 125, 127, which are special electric accessories, are operated (special game, jackpot game) based on the determination result of the special symbol lottery. And is assigned to the area r12. Still another special command special command is a command (denoted as “big jack OP” in the figure) indicating that the opening operation of the jackpot game has started, and is assigned to the region r12. Still another special command special command is a command (denoted as “big jack ED” in the figure) indicating that a big hit game ending operation has started, and is assigned to the region r12. Yet another one of the “Special Figure Special Electric” commands is that the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 are stopped and displayed, and the special symbol representing the determination result of the special symbol lottery is confirmed. Command (denoted as “special drawing confirmation” in the figure) and assigned to the region r12.

  Here, in the special symbol lottery process, the special symbol change display, the special symbol stop display, and the operation of the first grand prize winning port 125 or the second big winning prize port 127 by special game are sequentially executed as a series of operations. . Then, during the execution of the special game, the special symbol variation display based on the winning of another game ball is not started (see FIG. 11). Further, in the jackpot game, the opening operation, the operation of the grand prize winning holes 125 and 127, and the ending operation are sequentially executed as a series of operations. Therefore, the “special drawing designation” command and the five types of “special drawing special electricity” commands in the above “special figure change” command are not generated at the same time. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 24-3, these six types of commands are assigned to the same command storage area (area r12).

  In the areas r15 to r18, four commands related to switch detection (described as “switch passing” in the figure) are assigned. One of the commands related to the switch detection is a command indicating that the game ball has passed through the gate 124L on the left side of the game area 111 (described as “pass left gate” in the figure), and is assigned to the area r15. Another command related to the switch detection is a command indicating that the game ball has passed through the right gate 124R of the game area 111 (denoted as “right gate passage” in the figure), and is assigned to the area r16. . Still another one of the commands related to the switch detection is a command (denoted as “passing through the start port SW2 (electric chew)” in the figure) indicating that a game ball has won the second start port 122, and is assigned to the region r17. It has been. Still another command related to the switch detection is a command (denoted as “big prize winning prize” in the figure) indicating that a game ball has won at the big winning openings 125 and 127, and is assigned to the region r18. .

  Commands relating to errors (denoted as “error” in the figure) are assigned to the areas r19 to r30. As an error detected by the game control unit 200 of the pachinko gaming machine 100, for example, a full error indicating that the payout ball is full in the tray 153 (see FIGS. 1 and 2B), the front surface of the frame member 150 A door opening error indicating that the frame is open, a payout error indicating that the payout unit can no longer pay out game balls, and various detection switches such as the gate switch 214 and the start port switches 211 and 212 have not been detected. There is a switch disconnection error indicating that the connection is established. In the example shown in FIG. 24-3, these errors are assigned to the areas r19 to r23, respectively. In addition, for each error, a command indicating that each error has occurred (described as “˜error start” in the figure) and a command indicating that each error has been resolved (described as “˜error end” in the figure). Are assigned to the same command storage area.

  In addition, various control items and error items are set in accordance with the specifications and functions of the pachinko gaming machine 100, and the error is resolved depending on the command according to the control item, the command indicating that an error has occurred, and the type of error. A command or the like indicating that may be generated. These commands can be appropriately assigned to the command storage area. In the example shown in FIG. 24-3, commands relating to various errors are individually assigned to the areas r24 to r30. In addition, a command (denoted as “winning notification designation” in the figure) for detecting and notifying a specific winning is assigned to the area r31.

As described above, in the command storage area provided in the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200, one or more types of commands are associated with one command storage area. Then, in the main control process shown in FIG. 8, the game control unit 200 stores the generated command in a command storage area associated with the command.
Here, in the main control process, not every command is necessarily generated every time one cycle of the process is executed. For example, when there is no winning at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122, the above-mentioned commands relating to winning at the starting ports 121 and 122 and the “special figure change” command are not generated. Of the commands related to the normal symbol lottery, the “open / close map” command and the “special drawing special electricity” command are not generated unless it is time to operate these electric accessories. In addition, a command related to the occurrence of an error is not generated unless an error has occurred.
Therefore, when the output process of the main control process (see S806 in FIG. 8) is performed, commands are usually stored in some command storage areas among the command storage areas provided in the RAM 203. Commands are not stored in other command storage areas.

[Command output operation]
FIG. 24-4 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of output processing by the output control unit 240.
In the present embodiment, the output control unit 240 pays attention to the command storage areas of the RAM 203 shown in FIG. 24-3 in order (in order of area numbers), and outputs the commands stored in the command storage areas. .

  As shown in FIG. 24-4, the output control unit 240 of the game control unit 200 firstly has a command storage area at the head of the command storage areas provided in the RAM 203 (area r1 in the example shown in FIG. 24-3). (S2411), it is checked whether a command is stored (S2412). If the command is stored (Yes in S2412), the output control unit 240 reads out the stored command and outputs it to the effect control unit 300 (S2413).

  When the command is not stored in the focused command storage area (initially the area r1) (No in S2412), or after outputting the command stored in the command storage area in S2413, the output control unit 240 It is checked whether there is a command storage area of the next area number (S2414). When there is a next command storage area (Yes in S2414), the output control unit 240 pays attention to the command storage area (S2415), returns to S2412, confirms the presence / absence of a command (S2412), and outputs (S2413). repeat. If the last command storage area (area r31 in the example shown in FIG. 24-3) is processed, there is no command storage area of the next area number (No in S2414), and the output process is terminated. To do.

[Set command output order]
In the main control process, when a command is generated in each process described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 19, the generated command is usually stored in a corresponding command storage area of the RAM 203. That is, commands are generally stored in the command storage area in the order in which the commands are generated.
On the other hand, as described with reference to FIG. 24-4, in the output processing by the output control unit 240, the command storage areas are stored in a fixed order (in the order of area numbers in the above example). Output the command. In other words, the commands are output in a predetermined specific order regardless of the order in which the commands are generated. This is because it may be desirable to transmit specific commands to the effect control unit 300 in a specific order in order to prevent confusion in the effect control of the effect control unit 300 based on the command. That is, since the effect control unit 300 performs effect control based on commands in the order received from the game control unit 200, confusion such as inconsistency in effect control may occur due to a difference in the order of receiving commands. Need to prevent this.

[Description of Grand Prize Unit 1]
Next, the big prize opening unit 1 located in the lower right of the game board 110 when viewed from the front will be described. As will be described later, the special winning opening unit 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with two special winning openings, that is, a first special winning opening 125 and a second large winning opening 127. Furthermore, the special winning opening unit 1 includes a second start port 122, an electric tulip 123, and a gate 124. In addition, the structure of the winning a prize opening etc. with which the big winning a prize opening unit 1 is provided is not limited to this, and the structure provided with only a part thereof is conceivable.
In addition, when the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, which of the first big prize opening 125 and the second big prize opening 127 is operated is determined according to the type of the big prize. In such a case, a jackpot game in which only the first big prize opening 125 operates, or a big hit game in which only the second big prize opening 127 operates can be considered. In addition, one of the first grand prize opening 125 and the second big prize opening 127 is activated in a predetermined number of rounds and several rounds from the predetermined number of times, and the other is activated in other rounds. A jackpot game is also possible. Similarly, when the result of the special symbol lottery is a small winning game, a small winning game in which one of the first large winning port 125 and the second large winning port 127 operates can be considered.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram for explaining the ball flow in the special prize opening unit 1.
As shown in the figure, the game balls that have entered from the entrance 1aa of the grand prize winning unit 1 are divided into a route passing through the gate 124 at the branching portion 1b or a route toward the exit 1ab as it is. When passing through the gate 124, the gate SW 214 detects it, and the signal is transmitted to the game control unit 200 (see FIG. 3).
In the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the game ball that exits from the exit 1ab is discharged from the discharge port 117 (see also FIG. 1). Some examples are also possible.

When the game ball flows down the route passing through the gate 124 at the branching portion 1b, it is possible to enter the first grand prize opening 125 when the big prize opening door 125D of the first big prize opening 125 is open. When a ball is entered into the first grand prize opening 125, a signal is transmitted to the game control unit 200 by the first big prize opening SW215 that has detected it (see FIG. 3).
The game ball that has entered the first grand prize opening 125 proceeds to one of the two openings inside the first big prize opening 125. That is, two different routes are set in the branching unit 1c. One route goes to the first opening on the left side in the front view in the first big prize opening 125, and the other route goes to the second opening on the right side in the front view. The game state after the big hit game differs depending on whether the game ball that has entered the first grand prize opening 125 proceeds to the first opening or the second opening.
In the present embodiment, when a game ball enters the second opening, the game becomes a promiscuous state after the big hit game, and when the game ball enters the first opening, the normal state is obtained after the big hit game. Whether the ball enters the first opening or the second opening depends on a switching lid (not shown) that operates according to the result of the special symbol lottery.

  A game ball that has passed through the gate 124 but does not enter the first grand prize opening 125 goes to the electric tulip 123. As described above, when the electric tulip 123 is in the open state, the game ball can enter the second start port 122. In addition, a signal is transmitted to the game control unit 200 by the second start port SW212 that detects the entry of the second start port 122 (see FIG. 3).

The game balls that do not enter either the first grand prize opening 125 or the second start opening 122 then flow down toward the second big prize opening 127. When the second prize winning opening 127 is opened, the second prize winning opening 127 can enter the second prize winning opening 127D. When the player enters the ball, the signal is controlled by the second prize winning opening SW227. Is transmitted to the unit 200 (see FIG. 3).
A game ball that does not enter the second big prize opening 127 exits from another outlet 1ac different from the outlet 1ab, and is discharged from, for example, the outlet 117 (see also FIG. 1).

A route that passes when the gate 124 is not passed is formed with a speed reducing portion that reduces the speed of the game ball and flows down at a substantially constant speed. In addition, a deceleration portion is also formed in a route along which the game ball that has passed through the gate 124 passes.
Such a deceleration unit is used, for example, to reduce the momentum of the game ball and prevent the ball passage member from being damaged, or to allow the game ball to stay in a predetermined area so that the number of winnings at the winning opening is increased. It is used for.

[Description of Grand Prize Unit 1]
Next, the specific structure of the special prize opening unit 1 will be described.
FIG. 26 is a schematic front view of the special prize opening unit 1, and FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view thereof.
As shown in FIG. 26, the special prize opening unit 1 includes an upper unit 11 located on the upper side and a lower unit 12 located below the upper unit 11. More specifically, the upper unit 11 includes a gate 124, that is, a gate SW 214, and a first big prize opening 125 to a first big prize opening SW 215, and the lower unit 12 has a second big prize opening 127 to a second big prize. At least a winning opening SW227 is provided. The lower unit 12 includes at least a second starting port 122, that is, a second starting port SW212, and an electric tulip 123 or an electric chew door 123D. In this way, the big prize opening unit 1 is configured in two stages, ie, an upper unit 11 and a lower unit 12.
If the game ball entering and flowing down from the entrance 1aa of the upper unit 11 does not enter the first big prize opening 125, the game ball exits from the exit 1da of the upper unit 11 and enters from the entrance 1db of the lower unit 12. When a plurality of game balls are arranged between the exit 1da and the entrance 1db, and the flow direction of the game balls is changed by the plurality of game nails, the case where the game balls flow in the direction of the electric tulip 123 and the case where the game balls do not flow down Is configured to have. In addition, the example which arrange | positions the channel | path formed with a resin molded product instead of a some game nail can be considered.

As shown in FIG. 26 or FIG. 27, the upper unit 11 is attached to the main body 11a as the main body of the upper unit 11, a front plate 11b (see FIG. 26) that hides the front side of the main body 11a, and the main body 11a. And at least a solenoid SOL1 for driving the big prize opening door 125D of the first big prize opening 125. Further, the upper unit 11 includes the above-described gate SW 214 and the first grand prize opening SW 215 that are attached to the main body portion 11a.
The spherical passage in the upper unit 11 is formed by a combination of a front surface shape portion of the main body portion 11a and a back surface shape portion of the front plate 11b. In addition, when the speed reduction part (refer FIG. 25) mentioned above is formed in the upper unit 11, the some cross section formed in the main-body part 11a and / or the front board 11b so that the cross-sectional area of a ball path may be reduced partially. Consists of convex parts. Further, when formed in the lower unit 12 described later, it is constituted by a plurality of convex portions formed on the main body portion 12a and / or the front plate 12b so that the cross-sectional area of the spherical passage is partially reduced.

The lower unit 12 includes a main body portion 12a as a main body of the lower unit 12, and a front plate 12b that hides the front side of the main body portion 12a. The lower unit 12 is attached to the main body portion 12a, and is attached to the main body portion 12a and the solenoid SOL2 for driving the big prize opening lid or the big prize opening door 127D of the second big prize opening 127. And a solenoid SOL3 for driving the electric chew lid or electric chew door 123D.
Further, the lower unit 12 includes the above-described second start port SW212 and second grand prize port SW227 attached to the main body 11a.

Furthermore, the lower unit 12 includes a slope member 12c that is attached to the main body 12a and forms a spherical passage, and a frame member 12d that is L-shaped in rear view and is attached to the main body 12a. The slope member 12c includes a partition wall 17 that extends downward toward the prize winning door 127D. The partition wall 17 will be described later.
In addition to the slope member 12c described above, the spherical passage in the lower unit 12 is formed by a combination of a shape portion on the front surface of the main body portion 11a and a shape portion on the back surface of the front plate 11b. More specifically, the grand prize opening door 127D constitutes a part of the ball passage when it is in the protruding state, and the electric chew door 123D constitutes a part of the ball passage when it is in the protruding state. .

[Front plate 12b of lower unit 12]
The front plate 12b of the lower unit 12 located on the right side of the game area 111 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 28 is a perspective view when the front plate 12b of the lower unit 12 is looked down from the rear, and shows the front plate 12b alone. FIGS. 29A and 29B are diagrams showing the relationship between the front plate 12b, the special prize opening door 127D, and the electric chew door 123D. FIG. 29A is a perspective view, and FIG. 29B is a rear view. FIG. 29 illustrates a case where the special prize opening door 127D and the electric chew door 123D are in a protruding state constituting a part of the passage.
In both figures, since the front plate 12b is viewed from the back, the game ball flows down from the left to the right.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the front plate 12b has a shape portion constituting a part of the spherical passage on the back surface. That is, the front plate 12b includes a receiving portion 13a that receives a game ball that has entered the entrance 1db (see FIG. 26) of the lower unit 12, and a rolling portion 13b that is positioned on the flow side of the receiving portion 13a and has a surface on which the game ball rolls. Are provided on the back. Further, the front plate 12b includes an inclined portion 13c located on the downstream side of the rolling portion 13b and inclined downward toward the board surface (the front side of the drawing) of the game board 110 on the back surface.

Further, the front plate 12b has a guide ball 14a that guides a game ball that has entered the second starting port 122 to the second starting port SW212 (see FIG. 27) and a second grand prize port 127. And a guide unit 15a that guides the game ball to the second grand prize opening SW227.
Between the guide part 14a and the guide part 15a, the above-mentioned rolling part 13b and the inclined part 13c are located. Moreover, the guide part 15a is located below the guide part 14a.

And as shown to (a) of FIG. 29, in the front plate 12b, the electric chew door 123D is arrange | positioned in the position corresponding to the guide part 14a, and the big prize opening door 127D is provided in the position corresponding to the guide part 15a. Is disposed.
More specifically, the protruding electric chew door 123D is located between the receiving portion 13a and the rolling portion 13b of the front plate 12b and constitutes a part of a spherical passage. In addition, the projecting prize winning door 127D is positioned below the inclined portion 13c so that the game ball from the inclined portion 13c falls on the upper surface 16 of the prize winning entrance door 127D, thereby part of the ball passage. Configure.
More specifically, when the game ball from the inclined portion 13c falls on the upstream end (one end) of the big prize opening door 127D, it goes toward the downstream end (the other end) of the big prize opening door 127D.

[About the prize winning door 127D]
FIGS. 30 and 31 are perspective views illustrating the prize winning door 127D. FIG. 30 shows a state of looking down from the upstream side of the ball path of the prize winning door 127D. FIG. The state which looked down from the spherical channel downstream side which is a side is shown. The big prize opening door 127D is an example of an opening / closing member that opens and closes as a special game.
Here, the special prize opening door 127D is disposed in the second big prize opening 127, and can also be referred to as a cover member or a lid member that covers the guide portion 15a (see FIG. 29). The grand prize winning door 127D is configured to be switchable between a protruding state and a retracted state. That is, when the big prize opening door 127D is in the protruding state, the second big prize opening 127 is closed, and when the big prize opening door 127D is in the retracted state, the second big prize opening 127 is in the open state. When the grand prize opening door 127D is in the protruding state, the game ball flows down the upper surface 16 of the big prize opening door 127D, while when the big prize opening door 127D is in the retracted state, It falls to 15a (see FIG. 29).

  As shown in FIG. 30 or FIG. 31, the special prize opening door 127D has a difference in height between the right end and the left end of the upper surface 16, and the front-rear direction (from the transparent plate 118 side to the board side of the game board 110). (Direction) also has a height difference. As a result, a spherical flow from the right side to the left side when viewed from the front is formed on the upper surface 16 of the prize winning door 127D, and a spherical flow is also formed in the front-rear direction. Such a spherical flow can be realized, for example, by a winding downhill (downhill slope) with a continuous curve, and also by a downstairs that changes the direction when going down. In the present embodiment, the latter is adopted as will be described later.

  More specifically, the upper surface 16 of the special prize opening door 127D according to the present embodiment has a plurality of surfaces 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f, on which one or several game balls can be placed simultaneously. It has 16g, 16h, 16i, 16j, and 16k. And several surface 16a-16k is arrange | positioned at step shape so that a movement in the front-back direction may be accompanied when a game ball flows down from the front end right end to the left end. In other words, the upper surface 16 of the special prize opening door 127D is formed so that the game ball flowing down from the right to the left moves in the front-rear direction. Thus, on the upper surface 16, the game balls flow down in the order of the plurality of surfaces 16a to 16k.

More specifically, the plurality of surfaces 16a to 16k shown in FIG. 30 or FIG. 31 are formed flat and are inclined downward so as to guide the game ball to the surface that guides the next surface. For example, the most upstream surface 16a is inclined in the direction of the next surface 16b. The surface 16b is inclined in the direction of the next surface 16c, the surface 16c is inclined in the direction of the surface 16d, and the surface 16d is inclined in the direction of the surface 16e. Further, the surface 16e is inclined in the direction of the surface 16f, the surface 16f is inclined in the direction of the surface 16g, the surface 16g is inclined in the direction of the surface 16h, and the surface 16h is inclined in the direction of the surface 16i.
The surface 16i and the surface 16k are inclined in the direction of the adjacent surface 16j. The surface 16j is inclined to the left side.

  More specifically, the surfaces 16a to 16k shown in FIG. 30 or FIG. 31 are inclined only in one direction, and are not inclined in other directions intersecting with one direction. For example, the surface 16a is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, but not inclined in the left-right direction. Similarly, the surface 16b is inclined in the left-right direction but not in the front-rear direction. That is, among the surfaces 16a to 16k, the surfaces 16a, 16c, 16e, 16g, 16i, and 16k are inclined only in the front-rear direction, and the surfaces 16b, 16d, 16f, 16h, and 16j are inclined only on the left side.

  Here, the surfaces 16a to 16k of the upper surface 16 cause the game ball to flow down in a tilting direction. Of the surfaces 16a, 16c, 16e, 16g, 16i, and 16k inclined in the front-rear direction, the surfaces 16a, 16e, 16i, and 16k are inclined only toward the front side, and the surfaces 16c and 16g are inclined only toward the back side. Accordingly, the surfaces 16a to 16k are an example of flow-down means for causing the game ball to flow down from one end (right end in front view) to the other end (left end in front view) on the upper surface 16 of the prize winning door 127D. The surfaces 16c and 16g referred to here are examples of a first inclined portion that is inclined downward in the direction toward the board surface, and the surfaces 16a, 16e, 16i, and 16k are second inclinations that are inclined downward in the direction away from the board surface. It is an example of an inclined part.

When the plurality of surfaces 16a to 16k are viewed in another way, for example, when the surfaces 16a to 16d are combined into one set, the game ball on the surface 16a moves from the back side to the near side and then moves to the left side and then moves to the back side. A return movement is performed such that the movement reaches the surface 16d. The game ball on the surface 16d moves to the left and rides on the most upstream surface 16e among the surfaces 16e to 16h constituting the next set.
As described above, the top face 16 of the special prize opening door 127D is formed so that one cycle of movement toward the front, movement toward the left side, movement toward the back side, and movement toward the left side is performed a plurality of times.
The game ball on the surface 16a on the upper surface 16 is dropped from a position near the board surface by the inclined portion 13c (see FIG. 29) formed on the front plate 12b of the lower unit 12.

Such one cycle is surely performed by the step shape of the surfaces 16a to 16k. That is, three steps are formed by one set of the surfaces 16a to 16d, and the most downstream surface 16d of the set 16a to 16d and the most upstream surface 16e of the next set 16e to 16h. One step is formed between the two.
By providing such a step, it is possible to flow down the upper surface 16 of the special winning opening door 127D in an aligned state while maintaining the order of the game balls flowing in sequence.

In the present embodiment, each of the downward inclination angles of the surfaces 16a to 16k is 5 degrees. That is, for example, the surface 16a has a 5 degree downward slope on the front side, the surface 16b has a 5 degree downward slope on the left side, the surface 16c has a 5 degree downward slope on the rear side, and the surface 16d has a 5 degree downward slope on the left side. It is a slope. When a ball game ball rolls on the step surfaces 16a to 16k on the upper surface 16 of the grand prize winning door 127D, the inclination angle is always 5 degrees and is constant. For this reason, it is possible to make a plurality of game balls flow down at a slow and uniform speed on the upper surface 16 of the prize winning door 127D. That is, the staying time on the upper surface 16 of the special prize opening door 127D becomes longer, and many game balls can stay on the upper surface 16.
When the second big prize opening 127 is operated with such a large number of game balls staying on the upper surface 16, it becomes possible to reliably win the upper limit number per round, and generation of useless balls is prevented. It is possible to prevent the player's enjoyment at the time of the big hit from being halved from the suppression. Further, it becomes possible to shorten the time required to reach the prescribed number of winnings in the round, and it is possible to improve the fun of the game. Further, it is possible to increase the number of winning balls to the second big winning opening 127 not only in the case of a big win but also in the case of a small win.
Note that such an inclination angle is an example, and other angles may be adopted. Further, in addition to setting the angle to the same value, a modification in which the angle is changed according to the position is also conceivable.

  Here, a structure different from that of the present embodiment, for example, a structure in which the downward slope is set to 5 degrees, such as a slide, and obstacles are provided in the left and right positions in the middle to flow down in a zigzag manner. In such a structure, the actual inclination angle when the game ball rolls in an oblique direction is less than 5 degrees, and it is difficult to ensure a smooth flow. In addition, it is conceivable to increase the downward slope of the slide, but although it rolls vigorously, it is decelerated by hitting an obstacle, and when it changes direction, it starts to roll again and the movement speed changes greatly. End up. When such a speed change is large, it causes a ball stop, which is not preferable.

Next, the movement that the special winning opening door 125D gives to the game ball when the special winning opening door 125D is closed will be described.
FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining the behavior of the game ball when the special winning opening door 125D is closed. That is, FIG. 32 is a view when the upstream side is viewed from the downstream side of the game ball in the flow down direction, and the relationship between the game ball flowing down and the grand prize opening door 125D that is closed is sequentially shown in (a), (b), and (C) shows in time series.
As shown in FIG. 32 (a), the game ball falling from the inclined portion 13c of the front plate 12b located above the grand prize opening door 125D is closer to the board side (left side in the figure) as described above. To position.
As shown in FIG. 32 (b), when the game ball falls from the inclined portion 13c when the grand prize opening door 125D is closed, for example, it hits the big prize opening door 125D or the tip of the big prize opening door 125D. For example, it may be pushed in the direction of the front plate 12b. Such a behavior of the game ball leads to a situation where the game ball is caught between the front end of the prize winning door 125D and the front plate 12b.
However, a relatively wide space is formed between the front plate 12b and the position where the game ball falls in the front-rear direction (left-right direction on the paper surface). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 32 (c), the game ball flows down below the prize winning door 125D when the tip of the prize winning door 125D reaches the front plate 12b. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of the above-described ball biting.

[Modification of Grand Prize Door 127D]
Next, a modified example of the special prize opening door 127D will be described.
FIG. 33 is a view for explaining a modification of the grand prize winning door 127D, (a) is a plan view thereof, and (b) is a schematic right side view showing the relationship between the transparent plate 118 side and the game board 110. FIG. Note that in the modification, the prize winning door 127D has the same configuration and function as in the above-described embodiment, and therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the common configurations, and the common configurations are used.・ Description and illustration of functions may be omitted.
As shown to (a) of FIG. 33, the ball | bowl flow from the front view left to the right is formed in the upper surface 16 of the big winning opening door 127D. That is, the upper surface 16 has a plurality of surfaces 16a to 16k and a surface 16l. The surface 16a is located on the most upstream side, and the surface 16l is located on the most downstream side.

  A partition wall 17a is formed between the surface 16a and the surface 16d. Similarly, a partition wall 17c is formed between the surface 16c and the surface 16f, and a partition wall 17e is formed between the surface 16e and the surface 16h. Further, partition walls 17g and 17i are formed between the surface 16g and the surface 16j and between the surface 16i and the surface 16l, respectively. A partition wall 17k is formed on the surface 16k.

The partition walls 17a, 17c, 17e, 17g, 17i, and 17k form a trigger for receiving the game ball and starting movement in the front-rear direction when the flowing game ball moves to the right when viewed from the front. Further, for example, it is possible to prevent the movement from the surface 16a to the surface 16d without passing through the surfaces 16b and 16c.
In addition to the case where all or part of the partition walls 17a, 17c, 17e, 17g, 17i, and 17k are formed integrally with the grand prize opening door 127D, part or all of the partition walls 17a, 17c, 17e, 17g, 17i, and 17k are formed integrally with the second grand prize opening 127. It may be provided on the side (see reference numeral 17 in FIG. 27). That is, in the former case, the partition wall 17a and the like move together when the grand prize opening door 127D is retracted, but in the latter case, it does not move.

Then, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), the special prize opening door 127 </ b> D is located between the board surface of the game board 110 and the transparent plate 118. When the prize winning door 127D protrudes with respect to the board surface (see the solid line), it forms a part of the ball path, and when it is retracted or pulled back (see the broken line), it does not form a part of the ball path. .
That is, as described above, when many game balls are staying on the upper surface 16 of the big prize opening door 127D, when the second big prize opening 127 is operated, the staying game balls fall into the guide portion 15a all at once. , You will be able to win a lot of winnings. For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the interest of the game at the time of jackpot.

In the embodiment and the modification described above, when the result of the special symbol lottery is a small hit or a big win, the image display unit 114 or the like notifies the player of the right strike (launch of the game ball toward the right game area). Then, when a predetermined time has passed after that, the solenoids SOL1 and SOL2 are operated, and the special winning opening doors 125D and 127D are retracted from the protruding state. As a result, since the grand prize opening doors 125D and 127D that previously constituted a part of the ball passage are buried in the board surface, there is no ball passage and the game balls staying in the big prize opening doors 125D and 127D, etc. Wins the first grand prize opening 125 or the second big prize opening 127.
As described above, since a predetermined time has elapsed since the right-hand hit is notified, the big prize opening door 125D in which the speed reduction portion is formed in the ball passage, the surfaces 16a to 16k (see FIGS. 30 and 31), or the surface A plurality of game balls (for example, four balls) roll on the second big prize opening door 127D in which 16a to 16l (see FIG. 33) are formed on the upper surface 16. These game balls are awarded together in the first big prize opening 125 or the second big prize opening 127 when the big prize opening doors 125D and 127D are buried.
It can be expected that the number of such winnings is greater in the second grand prize opening 127 than in the first big prize opening 125. For this reason, it is possible to increase the number of winnings to the second big winning opening 127 in the small win, to reduce the number of useless balls that are not won in the case of the big winning, and to shorten the time to reach the prescribed number of winnings.

In the present embodiment, in the main control process of the game control unit 200, the operation of finally outputting the commands generated in each process of the main control process to the effect control unit 300 has been described (see FIG. 8). .
In the present embodiment, in the basic process that is initially executed by the game control unit 200 when the power is restored, the main control process is performed in order to output a command or the like for instructing the initialization to the effect control unit 300. The function (subroutine) of the output control unit 240 used in the above is called and executed (see FIG. 6).
In this embodiment, the command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is composed of a “code unit” and a “data unit”, and an identification flag is provided for each head bit. This has been explained (see FIG. 24-2).
Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a part of a “code part” of a command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is used to describe a data value.

[Technical features of the present embodiment]
As described above, in this embodiment, in the main control process repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals by the game control unit 200 in order to reduce the increase in the control command for controlling the operation of the game control means, one cycle At the end of the main control process, the commands generated by the execution of the one cycle are collected and output to the effect control unit 300. In other words, a gaming machine that achieves the above-described purpose is a gaming machine that produces an effect according to the progress of the game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and performs a main control process that is a series of processes related to the progress of the game. A game control means (for example, a game control unit 200) that repeatedly executes according to conditions and generates data including information on a game obtained by executing the main control process, and executes a series of the main control processes in one cycle Output means (for example, the output control unit 240) for outputting the data generated by the execution of the one cycle after the last data is generated in the execution of the one cycle, and the output means (For example, an effect control unit 300) that receives data output from the output control unit 240 and performs an effect based on the received data. Equipped with a.
In this way, since it is not necessary to perform output processing for each generated data, control instructions for performing output processing can be reduced, and an increase in program size can be suppressed. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform output processing every time data is generated, the time required for the entire output processing can be shortened.
More specifically, in the above gaming machine, storage means (for example, RAM 203) for storing the data generated by the main control processing in a storage area (for example, command storage area) set for each data is provided. The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) further stores the data generated in the main control process in the storage area (for example, command storage area) associated with the generated data, The output means (for example, the output control unit 240) checks whether data is stored in each storage area of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and obtains data from the storage area where the data is stored. Read and output.
In this way, each time the output process is performed, each storage area is checked and the stored data is output, so that leakage of data output can be prevented.

Another game machine that achieves the above object is a game machine (for example, pachinko game machine 100) that produces an effect according to the progress of the game, and is a series of processes related to the progress of the game. Is repeatedly executed according to a predetermined condition, and a game control means (for example, a game control unit 200) for executing a special process different from the main control process according to a condition different from the main control process, and the game control means ( For example, it includes an effect control unit (for example, an effect control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control unit 200) and performs a process related to the effect based on the data, and the game control unit in the main control process The process (for example, the game control unit 200) performs a process based on the progress of the game and generates data including information obtained by executing the process 1 Or the part which calls and executes a plurality of first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) and the data generated by the execution of the first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) are the effect control. A second processing means (for example, the output control section 240) that outputs to the means (for example, the effect control section 300), and executes the game control means (for example, the game control section) in the special processing. 200) includes a part for executing a setting process for setting a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and data generated in the setting process as the second processing means in the main control process ( For example, the output control unit 240) can be called and output to the effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300).
In this way, there is no need to prepare individual control instructions for the output processing of data generated by special processing, so control instructions for output processing are reduced and the increase in program size is suppressed. can do.
More specifically, the above gaming machine further comprises storage means (for example, a RAM 203) for storing the data generated in the main control process in a storage area set for each data, and the main control process The first processing means (for example, the game control unit 200) in the table sequentially stores the data generated by executing the process in the storage area (for example, command storage area) associated with the generated data, The second processing means (for example, the output control unit 240) in the main control process checks whether data is stored in each storage area of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and stores the data. The data is read out from the storage area that is being output and output, and in the setting process in the special process, the data generated in the setting process is憶 means (e.g., RAM 203) is stored in a predetermined said memory area in.
In this way, each time the output process is performed, each storage area is checked and the stored data is output, so that leakage of data output can be prevented.

Also, in this embodiment, in order to improve the accuracy of data transmission from the game control means to the effect control means, a predetermined bit of “code” as the first data portion and “data” as the second data portion A predetermined bit of “is used as a flag for identifying“ code ”and“ data ”. In other words, a gaming machine that achieves the above-described purpose is a gaming machine that produces an effect in accordance with the progress of the game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and executes main control processing related to the progress of the game, The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates and outputs data including information relating to the game obtained by executing the game, and the data output from the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) And an effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300) that performs processing related to the effect based on the received data, and the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) includes: a A first data portion (for example, “code”) having a size of bits (a is an integer of 2 or more) and the value of the first 1 bit specified as either 1 or 0, and n × a The first 1-bit value is specified to be different from the first 1-bit value of the first data portion (for example, “code”). 2 data portions (for example, “data”).
In this way, since the first data portion and the second data portion can be clearly distinguished by recognizing the value of the leading 1 bit, data transmission from the game control means to the effect control means Accuracy can be improved.
More preferably, in the gaming machine, the second data portion (for example, “data”) of the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) is a bit from the beginning. Is set to the same value as the value of the first one bit.
In this way, even when the size of the second data portion is large, it is easy to identify each of the second data portions by dividing each specific size.

In the present embodiment, the data sent from the game control means to the effect control means even when it is necessary to send large-size data, such as when a command specifying a variation pattern to be executed is sent. In order to suppress an increase in the overall size, a predetermined bit of “code” that is the first data portion is used to describe the data value, and a part of “code” and “data” that is the second data portion In this paper, we proposed a method for describing data values. In other words, a gaming machine that achieves the above-described purpose is a gaming machine that produces an effect in accordance with the progress of the game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100), and executes a main control process related to the progress of the game, The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates and outputs data including information relating to the game obtained by executing the game, and the data output from the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) And an effect control means (for example, the effect control unit 300) that receives and processes the effect based on the data, and the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) is a bit A first data portion (for example, “code”) having a size of (a is an integer of 3 or more) and the value of the first 1 bit specified as either 1 or 0, and n × a bits n is an integer greater than or equal to 1), and the first 1-bit value is specified to be different from the first 1-bit value of the first data portion (for example, “code”). (For example, “data”), and a predetermined bit constituting the first data part (eg “code”) and a bit constituting the second data part (eg “data”) The data of a predetermined type is recorded, and other types different from the data of the predetermined type are used by using the remaining bits except the predetermined bit in the first data portion (for example, “code”). The data can be recorded.
Another gaming machine according to the present invention that achieves the above object is a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 100) that produces an effect in accordance with the progress of the game, and executes main control processing relating to the progress of the game. From the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) that generates and outputs data including information related to the game obtained by executing the main control process, and the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives the output data and performs processing related to production based on the data, and is generated by the game control unit (for example, game control unit 200). The data has a size of a bit (a is an integer of 3 or more), and the first data portion (for example, “code”) in which the value of the first 1 bit is specified as either 1 or 0, A second data portion (eg, “data”) having a bit size and a value of the leading 1 bit different from a value of the leading 1 bit of the first data portion (eg, “code”) ), And b bits (b is smaller than a-1 and an integer greater than or equal to 1) constituting the first data portion (for example, “code”) and the second data portion (for example, “data”) )) And data having a size of (a + b) bits can be recorded.
With the above configuration, the size of data to be recorded in the second data portion can be increased without changing the total size of the first data portion and the second data portion. When large data is sent from the game control means to the effect control means, an increase in the size of the entire transmitted data can be suppressed.

  The pachinko gaming machine 100 (see FIG. 1) is an example of a gaming machine. The game control unit 200 (see FIG. 3) is an example of a game control unit. The production control unit 300 (see FIG. 3) is an example of production control means. The output control unit 240 (see FIG. 5) is an example of an output unit. The RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) is an example of a storage unit. The command storage area is an example of a storage area.

16 ... upper surface (example of upper surface)
16a, 16e, 16i, 16k ... plane (an example of the flow down means, an example of the second inclined portion)
16c, 16g... Surface (an example of the flow down means, an example of the first inclined portion)
100 ... Pachinko machine (an example of a game machine)
127D ... Grand prize door (an example of an opening / closing member)

Claims (1)

An opening and closing member that opens and closes as a special game that allows a game ball to enter when a predetermined condition is established;
A flow-down means for flowing the game ball from one end to the other end on the upper surface of the open / close member in a closed state;
With
The flow down means includes a first inclined portion that is inclined downward in a direction toward the board surface, and a second inclined portion that is inclined downward in a direction away from the board surface.

Images