JP2018029730A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of enhancing correctness of information which is managed or displayed on an external device.SOLUTION: The external device determines whether or not a game machine is in a specific state by receiving a specific state signal which is output from the game machine. Some external devices determine finish of the specific state when a situation in which the specific state signal is not output is continued for a prescribed time, so as not to determine soon, finish of the specific state when the specific state signal is stopped temporarily by occurrence of a noise, regardless of being in the specific state. However, the external devices possibly make determination error in which it is determined that the specific states are a same specific state when jackpot states are successively generated in a short time in the game machine. Therefore, a time interval between the specific state signals is set to become a prescribed time or longer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 28

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that uses a gaming value to play a game.

  The gaming machine includes a gaming machine (for example, a pachinko machine or a slot machine) that plays a game using a gaming value (for example, a game ball or a medal). In such a gaming machine, generally, such information is output to the outside of the gaming machine so that information relating to the result of the gaming machine can be managed by an external device. Furthermore, a gaming machine that generates a specific state (for example, a big hit state or a bonus state) that is advantageous to the player is in a specific state during the specific state so that information in the specific state can be distinguished and managed. It is common to output a specific state signal indicating this. For example, there is a gaming machine that outputs a specific state signal at a LOW level in a state other than the specific state, and outputs at a HI level during the specific state, and an external device that receives this specific state signal switches from the LOW level to the HI level. By confirming that the specific state has started, it can be determined that the specific state has ended by confirming that the specific state has been switched from the HI level to the LOW level.

  However, even during the specific state, the specific state signal may be output at the LOW level due to noise or the like. If it is immediately determined that the specific state has ended, the specific state section is erroneously determined. As a result, the management information regarding the specific state becomes inaccurate. Therefore, there is also proposed a technique for determining that the specific state has ended when a predetermined time has elapsed while switching to the LOW level, instead of immediately determining that the specific state signal has been switched to the LOW level (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-119571 A

  However, in the conventional technology described above, if the next specific state occurs in a short time after the specific state ends, it may be regarded as the same specific state, and the information related to the specific state is shifted from the actual information. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of improving the accuracy of information managed or displayed by an external device.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
A gaming machine that uses a gaming value to play a game,
A game value giving means for giving the game value when a game value giving condition is established by the game;
A game value signal output means for outputting a game value signal indicating the magnitude of the given game value to the outside;
Specific state shifting means for shifting to a specific state advantageous to the player;
A specific state signal output means for outputting a specific state signal indicating that the specific state is present to the outside;
Delay means for delaying the output start timing of the specific state signal so that the time interval between the specific state signals is equal to or greater than a predetermined time.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, since a gaming value signal indicating the magnitude of the gaming value given by the game is output to the outside of the gaming machine, the device outside the gaming machine has the gaming value given. The size can be managed. In addition, since the game machine outputs a specific state signal indicating that it is in the specific state during the specific state, the external device must separately manage the magnitude of the game value given during the specific state. Can do. Further, the output start timing of the specific state signal output from the gaming machine is delayed so that the time interval between the specific state signals is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. For this reason, even if the external device is a device that determines that the specific state has ended when the state where the specific state signal is interrupted continues for a predetermined time, the specific state can be accurately distinguished. It becomes possible to improve the accuracy of information to be managed. Similarly, the accuracy of information displayed on an external device can be improved.

In the gaming machine of the present invention described above,
The delay means may delay the output start timing until the predetermined time elapses after the transition to the specific state when the transition is made to the specific state.

  In this way, the time interval between the specific state signals can be set longer than the predetermined time regardless of the output end timing of the previous specific state signal. Therefore, since it is not necessary to determine whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the last output of the specific state signal, the processing can be simplified as compared with the case of determining this. .

Or
An interval period determining means for determining whether or not the interval period corresponding to the predetermined time after the output of the specific state signal ends,
The delay means may delay the output start timing of the specific state signal until the interval period elapses when the specific state is shifted to during the interval period.

  In this way, when the specific state is started after the interval period elapses, the output of the specific state signal can be started without delay, and when the specific state is started during the interval period. However, when the interval period elapses, the output of the specific state signal can be started. For this reason, it becomes possible not only to improve the accuracy of the information managed by the external device, but also to suppress the delay time of the output start timing of the specific state signal.

In the gaming machine of the present invention described above,
If the delay means has reached the output timing of the game value signal while delaying the output start timing of the specific state signal, the delay means sets the output timing of the game value signal after the start of output of the specific state signal. It may be delayed until.

  If it carries out like this, the magnitude | size of the game value provided after the specific state was started until the output of the said specific state signal will be output as information in a specific state. For this reason, it becomes possible to further improve the accuracy of information managed by an external device.

In the gaming machine of the present invention described above,
When a predetermined operation unit is operated, setting means for setting the predetermined time according to the operation may be provided.

  In an external device that determines that the specific state has ended when the specific state signal has been interrupted for a predetermined hold time, the game hall manager can set the hold time so that the hold time can be set. Some devices have a time setting function. In a game hall where such a device is installed, the holding time depends on the setting of the manager, etc., but according to the present invention, the game hall manager or the like operates the operation unit to perform the operation. Since the predetermined time corresponding to the above can be set, it is possible to set the predetermined time suitable for the operating state of each game hall.

  In this specification, “front” and “front” indicate “side closer to the player (front side when viewed from the player)”, and “rear” and “back” indicate “from the player of the gaming machine”. The side to be separated (the back side as viewed from the player). “Up” means “up” as viewed from the player, “down” means “down” as seen from the player, and “left” means from the player “Left” indicates “right”, and “right” indicates “right” as viewed from the player.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of information managed or displayed by an external device.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the network structure of the game hall of a present Example. It is a front view of the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the board surface structure of the game board of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the display content of the effect display apparatus of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit in the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the signal transmitted toward the data display machine or hall computer from the pachinko machine side of a present Example. It is a front view of the data display machine of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit with which the data display of a present Example is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the display control process performed with the data display machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the first half part of the display side jackpot signal corresponding | compatible process performed with the data display of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the second half part of the display side jackpot signal corresponding | compatible process performed with the data display of a present Example. It is a timing chart which shows a mode that the data display of a present Example switches a display side big hit flag based on the big hit signal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display content displayed with the data display machine of a present Example. It is a front view of the hall computer of a present Example. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the control circuit with which the hall computer of a present Example is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the management control process performed with the hall computer of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the first half part of the management side jackpot signal corresponding | compatible process performed with the hall computer of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the latter half part of the management side jackpot signal corresponding | compatible process performed with the hall computer of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display content displayed with the hall computer of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process performed with the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special operation process performed with the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol standby process performed with the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special figure change process performed with the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol confirmation process performed with the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the special electric accessory process performed with the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flowchart which shows the output process performed with the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flowchart which shows the payout signal output process performed with the pachinko machine of a present Example. It is the timing chart which showed an example of the output timing of the jackpot signal output corresponding to the jackpot state, and the output timing of the payout signal in the pachinko machine of the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flowchart which shows the first half part of the output process performed with the pachinko machine of this modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flowchart which shows the second half part of the output process performed with the pachinko machine of this modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flowchart which shows the payout signal output process performed with the pachinko machine of this modification. It is the timing chart which showed an example of the output timing of the big hit signal output corresponding to the big hit state with the pachinko machine of this modification. It is the timing chart which showed another example of the output timing of the big hit signal output corresponding to the big hit state with the pachinko machine of this modification.

The embodiment of the present invention described above will be described. The following examples are described according to the following order.
A. Amusement hall network configuration:
B. Pachinko machine configuration:
B-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
B-2. Game board configuration:
B-3. Configuration of control circuit:
B-4. External signal output:
C. Data display configuration:
C-1. Device configuration:
C-2. Display control processing:
C-3. Display example Hall computer configuration:
D-1. Device configuration:
D-2. Management control processing:
D-3. Display example Pachinko machine game control processing:
F. Variations:

A. Amusement hall network configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the network configuration of the game hall of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pachinko machines 1 are installed in the game hall. In the plurality of pachinko machines 1, a game using game balls is performed.

  On the side of each pachinko machine 1 (on the left side in the present embodiment), a card unit 60 for managing the player's balance information is provided. The card unit 60 is communicably connected to the pachinko machine 1, and when a lending operation for lending game balls is performed with the pachinko machine 1, the balance information is confirmed by the card unit 60, and the balance is predetermined. If the amount is greater than or equal to the amount, the pachinko machine 1 executes a process of lending a predetermined number of game balls. The card unit 60 of the present embodiment has a bill insertion slot that accepts bill insertion, and stores money amount information when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot. Then, based on this amount information, game balls are lent out. Further, the card unit 60 has a touch panel type operation panel and a card insertion slot for accepting and returning a prepaid card. When a return operation is performed by the operation panel, the balance is added to the prepaid card stocked in advance. Record the information and return the prepaid card from the card slot.

  Above each pachinko machine 1, there is provided a data display device 70 for displaying information related to the game of the pachinko machine 1 (hereinafter also referred to as game information) to the player. The data display device 70 is communicably connected to the pachinko machine 1 and the card unit 60 via the relay device 90. The data display device 70 displays game information based on information acquired from the pachinko machine 1 and the card unit 60. Is done.

  The pachinko machine 1, the card unit 60, the data display 70, and the like are connected to the hall computer 100 via the relay device 90, and various information management and setting changes are performed by the hall computer 100. In the hall computer 100, game information is managed based on information acquired from the pachinko machine 1 and the card unit 60, and this managed information is displayed to a manager of the game hall.

B. Pachinko machine configuration:
B-1. Configuration on the front side of the device:
FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko machine 1 described above. As shown in FIG. 2, a front frame 4 is provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 1. A window portion 4a is formed at a substantially central portion of the front frame 4, and a synthetic resin transparent plate 4b is fitted into the window portion 4a. The player can visually recognize the game area of the game board 20 (see FIG. 3) arranged on the back side through the window portion 4a (transparent plate 4b). Further, a small window portion 4c is formed at the lower right of the window portion 4a in the front frame 4, and a transparent plate 4d such as a synthetic resin plate is fitted into the small window portion 4c. The player can visually recognize the segment display portion 50 (see FIG. 3) of the game board 20 disposed on the back side through the small window portion 4c (transparent plate 4d). As will be described in detail later, the segment display unit 50 is a display unit that displays information related to a game by a combination of a plurality of LEDs.

  An upper lamp 5a is provided above the window 4a in the front frame 4, a right side lamp 5b is provided on the right side of the peripheral edge of the window 4a, and a left side is provided on the left side of the peripheral edge of the window 4a. A lamp 5c is provided. Also, an upper speaker 6a is provided at the upper left and right of the window portion 4a that is largely opened in the center of the front frame 4, and the lower front surface of the main body frame (the lowest position of the pachinko machine 1 as viewed from the player). Is provided with a lower speaker 6b. The upper lamp 5a, the right side lamp 5b, the left side lamp 5c, the upper speaker 6a, and the lower speaker 6b are driven in order to enhance a game effect.

  An upper plate part 7 is provided below the window part 4 a in the front frame 4. The upper plate portion 7 stores game balls lent out based on the balance information of the card unit 60 provided corresponding to the pachinko machine 1 and game balls paid out as prize balls from the pachinko machine 1. In addition, a lower tray portion 8 is provided below the upper tray portion 7, and a game ball lent out beyond the capacity of the upper tray portion 7 or a game paid out exceeding the capacity of the upper tray portion 7. The ball is stored.

  A firing handle 9 is provided on the right side of the lower plate portion 8 in the front frame 4. The rotation axis of the firing handle 9 is connected to a launching device unit 261 (see FIG. 5) mounted on the back side of the firing handle 9. The launcher unit 261 is supplied with a game ball stored in the upper plate part 7. When the player rotates the launching handle 9, the rotation is transmitted to the launching device unit, and the launching motor 262 (see FIG. 5) built in the launching device unit 261 rotates, with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle. A game ball is fired.

  An inner frame and a main body frame are provided on the back side of the front frame 4. One end (the left side in FIG. 2) of the front frame 4 and the middle frame is pivotally supported with respect to the main body frame, and the front frame 4 is supported so as to be rotatable forward with respect to the middle frame and the main body frame. The frame is supported so as to be pivotable forward with respect to the main body frame. The main body frame is a substantially rectangular frame formed by assembling wooden plate-like members, and the pachinko machine 1 is installed in the game hall by attaching the main body frame to the island facility. A game board 20 is detachably attached to the front side of the middle frame, and the game board 20 is exposed when the front frame 4 is rotated (opened) to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 with respect to the middle frame. It becomes a state.

B-2. Game board configuration:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a board surface configuration of the game board 20. As shown in FIG. 3, a substantially circular game area 21 is formed at the center of the game board 20. Around the game area 21, a guide passage for guiding the game ball launched from the launching device unit 261 (see FIG. 5) to the game area 21 is formed by the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 23. A game ball launched from the launcher unit 261 passes through this guide passage and is released to the game area 21.

  The game balls released to the game area 21 flow downward from the upper part of the game area 21. Since the game area 21 is visually recognized by the player through the window portion 4a of the front frame 4, the state of the game ball flowing down the game area 21 is naturally recognized by the player through the window portion 4a.

  A central device 40 is provided in the approximate center of the game area 21, and an effect display device 41 is provided in the approximate center of the central device 40. The effect display device 41 has a liquid crystal display, and various images for effects can be displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display.

  Below the central device 40 (effect display device 41) in the game area 21, there is provided a first start port 24 which is a start port in which the size of the opening is unchanged (constant) and a game ball can always enter. ing. The game ball that has entered the first start port 24 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through a passage provided therein. A first start port sensor 24s (see FIG. 5) is provided in the passage inside the first start port 24, and a game ball that has entered the first start port 24 can be detected.

  Further, below the first start opening 24 in the game area 21, there is provided a second start opening 25 that is a entrance (starting opening) where the possibility of entering a game ball changes. The second start opening 25 includes an opening / closing door 26 that can be rotated in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 1, and the opening / closing door 26 is substantially upright so that a game ball cannot enter (or difficult to enter). The open / close door 26 can be rotated to the front side of the pachinko machine 1 to change to an open state in which a game ball can enter (or can easily enter). The game ball that has entered the second start opening 25 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through a passage provided inside. A second start port sensor 25 s (see FIG. 5) is provided in the passage inside the second start port 25, and it is possible to detect a game ball that has entered the second start port 25.

  In the game area 21, a normal symbol operating gate 27 is provided on the right side of the central device 40 (effect display device 41). Inside the normal symbol operating gate 27 is a gate for detecting the passage of a game ball. A sensor 27s (see FIG. 5) is provided. When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 27, the normal symbol hit determination is performed. If the result of the normal map hit is that the normal map hit, the above-described open / close door 26 is opened.

  In addition, a large winning opening 28 (variable pitch opening) that is largely opened in a substantially rectangular shape is provided to the right of the first start opening 24 in the game area 21. The grand prize winning opening 28 is provided with an opening / closing door 29 that can be rotated in the front-rear direction of the pachinko machine 1. It is possible to change to an open state in which a game ball can be entered by rotating to the front side of 1. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the special winning opening 28 is in an open state. The game ball that has entered the big prize opening 28 is guided to the back side of the game board 20 through a passage provided inside. A prize winning opening sensor 28s (see FIG. 5) is provided in the passage inside the prize winning opening 28, and it is possible to detect a game ball that has entered the prize winning opening 28. When a game ball enters the first start port 24 or the second start port 25 described above, a big hit determination is performed, and when the result of the big hit determination is a big hit, the game shifts to a big hit state that is advantageous to the player. And if it shifts to a big hit state, the big winning opening 28 will be in an open state.

  In addition, in the vicinity of each gaming device described above, there is a general entrance (not shown) through which a game ball can enter, a windmill wheel that affects the flow path of the game ball, and a number of obstacle nails (not shown). Is provided.

  When a game ball enters one of the first start port 24, the second start port 25, and the general entrance port, three game balls are paid out to the player, and the game ball is placed in the grand prize port 28. When the ball enters, 13 game balls are paid out to the player. A payout detection sensor 249 (see FIG. 5) is provided in the passage through which the game balls to be paid out pass, and can detect the game balls that have been paid out.

  An out port 33 is provided at the lowermost part of the game area 21 and below the second start port 25. The first start port 24, the second start port 25, the big winning port 28, and the general entry described above. The game balls that have not entered any of the mouths are discharged from the out port 33 to the back side of the game board 20.

  The game balls discharged to the back side of the game board 20 from the first start port 24, the second start port 25, the big winning port 28, the general winning port 28, and the out port 33 are discharged ball counter 49 (see FIG. 6). Is counted. The discharge ball counter 49 is provided with a discharge mechanism that rotates once when ten game balls are discharged, and an out-ball detection sensor that detects that the discharge mechanism rotates once. It is possible to detect the discharged balls in units of 10 by the detection sensor.

  On the lower right side of the game area 21 on the game board 20, a segment display unit 50 for displaying information related to the game by a combination of LEDs is provided. The segment display part 50 is visually recognized by the player through the small window part 4c (see FIG. 2) provided in the front frame 4.

  The segment display unit 50 is provided with a universal map display unit that displays the result of the above-described universal map hit determination. When a game ball passes through the normal symbol operation gate 27 and the game ball is detected by the gate sensor 27s, a predetermined determination random number (a determination random number per figure to be described later) is acquired, and based on the determination random number A per-figure determination is performed to determine whether the figure is per unit or out of range. Then, based on the result of the normal symbol hit determination, the normal symbol as identification information is variably displayed on the universal symbol display unit and then stopped and displayed. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, two LEDs are arranged in the general-purpose display unit, and the normal symbol is variably displayed by switching one of these two LEDs to be lit. The display is stopped by turning on a predetermined LED among the LEDs. In addition, as a normal symbol, two types of symbols can be stopped and displayed: a symbol per symbol in which the left LED is lit out of two LEDs, and an off-normal symbol symbol in which the right LED is lit. When the result of the per-common symbol judgment is per ordinary symbol, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a symbol per ordinary symbol, and when the result of per-general judgment is out of the normal symbol, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a non-standard symbol. Is done. In this way, when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a normal winning symbol or a normal off symbol, a display (confirmation display) is performed that maintains the state in which the symbol is stopped and displayed until a predetermined time has passed in order to determine the symbol that has been stopped and displayed . Then, when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as the symbol per symbol, a symbol symbol state that is closed after the second start port 25 is in the open state is set.

  When the normal hit state is set in this way, the above-described opening / closing door 26 is opened, and it is possible to enter the second start opening 25 (or to easily enter the ball). In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the non-electric support state in which the game ball enters the second start port 25 is low and the electric support state in which the game ball enters the second start port 25 has a high frequency. Can be selectively set. The method of changing the frequency of game balls entering the second starting port 25 is to change the normal symbol variation time, to change the winning probability in the normal symbol determination, or to the normal symbol. Any one method or a combination of a plurality of methods can be adopted among a method of changing the opening time for the open state and a method of changing the number of times of opening the open state when the normal time is reached.

  The segment display unit 50 is provided with a universal figure hold display unit for displaying the stored number of determination random numbers (normal figure hold) acquired with the passing of the game ball to the normal symbol operation gate 27. The determination of the usual figure and the change display are not performed immediately after the acquisition of the determination random number (after the game ball has passed the normal symbol operation gate 27), but the acquired determination random number is temporarily stored as the general figure hold. When a predetermined condition is established, the base symbol determination and the normal symbol variation display are performed based on the stored general symbol hold. Such an ordinary map hold is stored with an upper limit of four. The number of general map hold (the number of general map hold) stored in this way is displayed on the general map hold display section. For example, there are two LEDs arranged in the general map hold display section. In this general map hold display section, one of the two LEDs is lit to turn on one general map hold number. It indicates that there are two pending orders by lighting two LEDs, and that there are three pending orders by blinking one LED. By blinking the number of LEDs, it is shown that the number of reserved drawings is four. In addition, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, in the case where the normal figure hold is stored, the normal symbol change display, the normal symbol fixed display, and the normal symbol hit state are not performed first. The stored per-map hold determination and the normal symbol variation display are performed.

  The segment display unit 50 is provided with a first special figure display unit that displays the result of the jackpot determination performed in association with the ball entering the first start port 24. When a game ball enters the first start port 24 and is detected by the first start port sensor 24s, a predetermined determination random number (a big hit determination random number, a variation pattern selection random number, etc. described later) is acquired, and the determination random number A big hit determination is made based on the above to determine whether it is a big hit or not. Then, after the first special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as “first special figure”) as the identification information is variably displayed on the first special figure display unit, the first special figure corresponding to the result of the big hit determination is stopped and displayed. Let The variation display of the first special figure will be described in detail in “Special Symbol Variation Display” described later.

  The segment display section 50 is provided with a first special figure hold display section that displays the stored number of determination random numbers (first special figure hold) acquired when the game ball enters the first start port 24. ing. When a game ball enters the first start opening 24, the big hit determination and the fluctuation display are performed as described above. However, the big hit determination and the fluctuation display are performed immediately after the game ball enters the first start opening 24. Instead, the acquired determination random number is temporarily stored as the first special figure hold. When a predetermined condition is established, the big hit determination and the fluctuation display of the first special figure are performed based on the stored first special figure hold. Such first special figure hold is stored with an upper limit of four. The number of the first special figure hold (the first special figure hold number) stored in this way is displayed on the first special figure hold display section. For example, two LEDs are arranged in the first special figure hold display section, and in the first special figure hold display section, one of the two LEDs is lit to turn on the first special figure. Indicates that the number of holds is 1, indicates that the number of the first special figure hold is 2 by turning on two LEDs, and blinks one LED to indicate the number of the first special figure hold Indicates that the number of the first special figure hold is four by blinking the two LEDs.

  The segment display unit 50 is provided with a second special figure display unit that displays a result of the jackpot determination executed in association with the ball entering the second start opening 25. When a game ball enters the second start port 25 and is detected by the second start port sensor 25s, a predetermined determination random number (a jackpot determination random number, a variation pattern selection random number, etc., which will be described later) is acquired, and the determination random number A big hit determination is made based on the above to determine whether it is a big hit or not. Then, after the second special symbol (hereinafter also referred to as “second special symbol”) as the identification information is variably displayed on the second special symbol display unit, the second special symbol corresponding to the result of the big hit determination is stopped and displayed. Let The variation display of the second special figure will be described in detail in “Special Symbol Variation Display” described later.

  The segment display section 50 is provided with a second special figure hold display section that displays the stored number of determination random numbers (second special figure hold) acquired when the game ball enters the second start port 25. ing. When a game ball enters the second start opening 25, the big hit determination and the fluctuation display are performed as described above. However, the big hit determination and the fluctuation display are performed immediately after the game ball enters the second start opening 25. Instead, the acquired determination random number is temporarily stored as the second special figure hold. When a predetermined condition is established, the big hit determination and the fluctuation display of the second special figure are performed based on the stored second special figure hold. Such second special figure hold is stored with an upper limit of four. The stored number of second special figure hold (second special figure hold number) is displayed on the second special figure hold display section. For example, two LEDs are arranged in the second special figure hold display section, and in the second special figure hold display section, one of the two LEDs is turned on to turn on the second special figure. Indicates that the number of holds is 1, indicates that the number of the second special figure hold is 2 by turning on two LEDs, and indicates that the number of the second special figure is held by blinking one LED Indicates that the number of second special figure hold is four by blinking two LEDs.

<Fluctuation display of special symbols>
As described above, when a game ball enters the first start opening 24, the first special view is displayed in a variable manner on the first special view display section, and when a game ball enters the second start opening 25, the second special view is displayed. The second special figure is variably displayed on the figure display section. Eight LEDs are respectively arranged in the first special figure display part and the second special figure display part. The first special figure and the second special figure (hereinafter referred to collectively as “special symbols” unless they are particularly distinguished from each other) are obtained by switching the lighted LEDs among the eight LEDs on each display unit. Fluctuated display.

  The variation pattern of the special symbol is selected with reference to a variation pattern selection table stored in advance. Here, the fluctuation pattern is the time (fluctuation time) from when the special symbol (the first special figure or the second special figure) starts the variable display until the special symbol (the first special figure or the second special figure) is displayed.

  When the selected variation time elapses after the special symbol variation display is started, the special symbol is stopped and displayed. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the special symbol is stopped and displayed by turning on a predetermined LED among the eight LEDs. As the first special figure, 101 kinds of symbols such as the jackpot symbols 1 to 100 and the off symbol 101 can be stopped and displayed, and as the second special figure, the 101 types of symbols of the jackpot symbols 201 to 300 and the off symbol 301 can be displayed. Stop display is possible. Moreover, these types of symbols can be identified by the difference in the combination of LEDs to be lit. If the result of the jackpot determination based on the game ball entering the first starting port 24 (hereinafter also referred to as “big hit determination for the first special figure”) is a big hit, the first special figure is the big hit symbol 1 If the result of the jackpot determination for the first special figure is out of place, the first special figure is out and displayed as a stop with the symbol 101. In addition, when the result of the jackpot determination based on the game ball entering the second start opening 25 (hereinafter also referred to as “big hit determination for the second special figure”) is a big hit, the second special figure is the big hit symbol When the result of the big hit determination for the second special figure is out of place, the second special figure is out and is stopped and displayed with the symbol 301. Thus, when the special symbol (the first special symbol or the second special symbol) is stopped and displayed as the big hit symbol or the off symbol, the state in which the symbol is stopped and displayed is determined until a predetermined time elapses in order to confirm the stopped symbol. A display to be maintained (hereinafter also referred to as “definite display”) is performed. In the following, a game from when the special symbol starts to display the variation until the predetermined variation time has elapsed and until the special symbol is confirmed and displayed as a jackpot symbol or out-of-sequence symbol, that is, one game The game until the result of the fluctuation display is obtained is expressed as “symbol fluctuation game”.

  In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the first special figure hold and the second special figure hold are stored during the display of any special symbol variation, during the fixed display of any special symbol, or during the big hit state. Even if it is done, the symbol change game concerning these holdings is not performed. In addition, when only the first special figure hold is stored in the first special figure hold and the second special figure hold, the symbol variation game related to the first special figure hold stored first is performed. When 2 special figure hold is memorized, regardless of whether the 1st special figure hold is memorized, the symbol variation game which relates to the 2nd special figure hold which is remembered first is done. That is, the second special figure is variably displayed in preference to the first special figure (having a so-called second special figure priority fluctuation function).

  When the first special chart or the second special chart is stopped and displayed (determined display) with any one of the big win symbols, the game shifts to a big hit state where a round game in which the big winning opening 28 is opened is performed a plurality of times. The big hit state corresponds to the “specific state” of the present invention.

  The segment display unit 50 is provided with a round display unit for displaying the type of the big hit state. In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of types of big hit states having different degrees of advantage for the player can be executed, and during the big hit state, the type of the big hit state being executed is displayed on the round display unit. The In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of types of jackpot states with different round game execution counts can be executed as a plurality of types of jackpot states. As an example, four rounds in which four round games are performed are performed. Three types of jackpot states are possible: a jackpot state, an eight-round jackpot state in which eight round games are performed, and a sixteen-round jackpot state in which 16 round games are performed. Then, three LEDs are arranged in the round display section, and in this round display section, the left LED of the three LEDs is lit to indicate that the four rounds are in a big hit state. Illuminating the LED indicates that the 8-round big hit state is in effect, and lighting the right LED indicates that the 16-round big hit state is in effect.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the type of the big hit state to be executed, that is, the number of round games executed in one big hit state, differs depending on the type of the big hit symbol that is stopped and displayed. For example, if the first special figure is stopped and displayed with the jackpot symbol 1 to 50 (if the first special figure is stopped and displayed with the big jackpot symbol, there is a 50% probability) When one special figure is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbol 51 to 90 (when the first special figure is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbol, there is a 40% probability), the state shifts to the eight round big hit state. Is displayed with a big hit symbol 91 to 100 (when the first special figure is stopped and displayed with a big hit symbol, there is a 10% probability), the game shifts to a 16 round big hit state. In addition, when the second special figure is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbols 201 to 225 (when the second special figure is stopped and displayed with the big hit symbol, there is a probability of 25%), the state shifts to the fourth round big hit state. If the special figure is stopped and displayed on the jackpot symbol 226 to 250 (if the second special chart is stopped and displayed on the big jackpot symbol, there is a 25% probability), the game will move to the eight rounds big hit state, and the second special figure will hit the jackpot symbol When the symbols 251 to 300 are stopped and displayed (if the second special symbol is stopped and displayed as a big hit symbol, there is a probability of 50%), the state shifts to a 16 round big hit state.

  In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, one round game ends when nine game balls enter (9 counts) or when 30 seconds have elapsed, so in most cases one round In the game, 117 game balls (9 counts × 13 payout balls) are paid out. Therefore, as a matter of course, in the big hit state with a large number of round games, more game balls are paid out to the player than in the big hit state with a small number of round games. For this reason, the player can be expected to set a big hit state with a relatively large number of round games.

  When the big hit state ends, the game state is set. Here, the power support state described above is set. This increases the frequency of entering the game ball into the second start opening 25. Further, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, “a low probability state where the probability of being a big hit in the big hit determination is low (a probability of 1 / 29.9)” and “a probability of being determined to be a big hit in the big hit determination” One of “high probability state (high probability of 1 / 60.0)” is settable, and a low probability state is initially set, but with the end of jackpot state A high probability state is set. That is, when the big hit state ends, a high probability state and a power support state are set. When the high probability state and the electric support state are set, the number of symbol variable games (special symbol variable display) that can be executed in the state in which these game states are set (hereinafter referred to as “high probability number”) is 90. Set to times. Thereafter, each time the symbol variation game is executed, the high probability count is subtracted by 1, and when it becomes 0, a low probability state and a non-electric support state are set. Further, even when it is determined that the big hit is made in the state where the high probability state and the electric support state are set, the high-accuracy count is reset to 90 after the big hit state ends. The state in which the low probability state and the non-electric support state are set is also referred to as a normal gaming state below.

  As a game progress mode, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game is first started from the non-electric support state. In other words, since the frequency of entering the second start port 25 is started from a low state, first, a game is performed so as to enter the first start port 24. The player can adjust the launch intensity of the game ball by adjusting the rotation angle of the launch handle 9, and can divide the center device 40 to the left and right. Since the first start port 24 allows a game ball released to the left game area 21 of the central device 40 to enter, in the non-electric support state, a left-handed strike that causes the left game area 21 to be released. Is done. A game ball enters the first start port 24 and the big hit determination is performed. As a result, when the big hit is reached, the state shifts to the big hit state. When shifting to the big hit state, the big winning opening 28 is opened. The big winning opening 28 allows a game ball released to the game area 21 on the right side of the central device 40 to enter, so that in the big hit state, a right-hand hit is made to release the game ball to the game area 21 on the right side. Is called. When the big hit state ends, a high probability state and a power support state are set. In the electric support state, since the frequency of entering the second starting port 25 is high, the second starting port 25 and the normal symbol operating gate 27 for opening the second starting port 25 are made to enter the ball. A game is performed. Since both the second start opening 25 and the normal symbol operation gate 27 can enter the game balls released to the game area 21 on the right side, the right turn is performed in the electric support state. Then, when the electric support state is completed, the non-electric support state is entered, and the left side is returned.

<Display contents of effect display device 41>
In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, an effect of displaying various images on the effect display device 41 is performed in accordance with the progress of the game as described above. For example, in the effect display device 41, various effects (hereinafter referred to as “symbol fluctuation effects”) are performed in accordance with the fluctuation display (symbol fluctuation game) of the first special figure or the second special figure. In other words, the effect display device 41 is synchronized with the start timing of the change display (symbol change game) of the special symbol (first special figure or second special figure) in the first special figure display part or the second special figure display part. In FIG. 5, the variable display of the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c is started all at once, and thereafter, the variable symbols are displayed in various manners until the variation time of the special symbol elapses. Then, the variation display of the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c is terminated in synchronization with the end timing of the special symbol variation display (the special symbol stop display). In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to display a design in which nine numbers from “1” to “9” are designed as identification symbols.

  FIG. 4A conceptually shows a state in which the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are variably displayed at the same time. When a predetermined time elapses after the variable display is started, the left identification symbol 41a is first stopped and displayed in any one of “1” to “9”, and then the right identification symbol 41c is stopped and displayed. Finally, the middle identification symbol 41b is stopped and displayed. The combination of the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c that are stopped and displayed on the effect display device 41 is a special symbol (first special symbol) that is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display unit or the second special symbol display unit described above. Or it corresponds to the 2nd special figure). For example, when the first special figure or the second special figure is stopped and displayed with the jackpot symbol, the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c of the effect display device 41 are the same symbol combination (hereinafter referred to as “zolo eyes”). Stop). In addition, when the first special figure or the second special figure is stopped and displayed as “out of symbol”, the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c are not the same symbol combination (hereinafter also referred to as “separation”). Is stopped and displayed. The identification symbols 41a, 41b, and 41c that are stopped and displayed are in a stopped display (determined display) until the special symbol fixed display time elapses.

  In this way, the display contents of the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display unit or the second special symbol display unit and the three identification symbols 41a, 41b, 41c displayed on the effect display device 41 correspond to each other. Therefore, when the special symbol during the variable display is stopped and displayed, the three identification symbols 41a, 41b and 41c are also stopped and displayed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the effect display device 41 is provided at a position that is more visible than the first special figure display unit or the second special figure display unit (segment display unit 50), and the display screen is also provided. Since the display contents are large and easy to understand, it is normal for a player to play a game while looking at the screen of the effect display device 41. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the left identification symbol 41a initially stopped and displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 41 and the right identification symbol 41c subsequently stopped and displayed are the same symbol. In this case, the middle identification symbol 41b that is stopped and displayed at the end also stops at the same symbol, and the player pays attention to the variation display of the identification symbol (design variation variation effect), saying "Maybe it will shift to the big hit state?" Will do. In this way, the effect performed in a state in which the two identification symbols are stopped at the same symbol (a mode that can be a doublet) and the last identification symbol is variably displayed is called “reach effect”. It is possible to enhance the game entertainment interest by generating.

  Further, in the lower part of the display screen of the effect display device 41, a first hold display area 41d for indicating the first special figure hold number, and a second hold display area 41e for indicating the second special figure hold number, Is set. In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the first reserved figure number is displayed by displaying the same number of “held symbols (small circular symbols in the figure)” in the first reserved display area 41d. In addition, the same number of “holding symbols” as the number of the second special figure hold is displayed in the second hold display area 41e to indicate the second special figure hold number. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, it is shown that the number of first special figure reservations and the number of second special figure reservations are both four. Of course, the number of holds indicated by the hold symbol displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 41 and the first special figure hold display unit and the second special figure hold display unit of the segment display unit 50 are shown. It matches the number of holds.

B-3. Control circuit configuration:
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the pachinko machine 1 includes a number of control boards, various boards, relay terminal boards, and the like. Specifically, the main control board 200 that controls the basic progress of the game, the sub control board 220 that controls the game effects, and the display of images and the output of sound under the control of the sub control board 220. An audio / video control board 230 that controls the above, a lamp control board 226 that controls the light emission of the lamp under the control of the sub-control board 220, a payout control board 240 that controls the lending and payout of game balls, It is composed of a launch control board 260 for controlling the game ball. These control boards include a CPU (CPU 201, 221, 241 and the like) that executes various logic operations and calculation operations, a ROM (ROM 202, 222, 242 and the like), a program storing various programs executed by the CPU, and programs. Various peripheral LSIs such as a RAM (203, 223, 243, etc.) in which the CPU stores temporary data and an input / output circuit are connected to each other via a bus.

  The main control board 200 includes a first start port sensor 24s that detects a game ball that has entered the first start port 24, a second start port sensor 25s that detects a game ball that has entered the second start port 25, A gate sensor 27 s for detecting a game ball passing through the normal symbol operating gate, a big prize port sensor 28 s for detecting a game ball that has entered the big prize port 28, and the like are connected. When the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 receives a game ball detection signal from the first start port sensor 24s, the second start port sensor 25s, the gate sensor 27s, the big prize port sensor 28s, or the like, the detection signal is input. A command corresponding to the detected sensor is output to the sub-control board 220, the payout control board 240, the launch control board 260, and the like. The main control board 200 is connected to the data display 70 and the hall computer 100 via the relay device 90, and outputs information related to the game to the data display 70 and the hall computer 100 via the relay device 90. To do. Information output to the data display 70 and the hall computer 100 will be described in detail later.

  Further, the main control board 200 has a start opening solenoid 26m for opening / closing the opening / closing door 26 provided in the second start opening 25 (for opening and closing the second start opening 25). In addition, a large winning opening solenoid 29m (for opening and closing the large winning opening 28) is connected to the open / close door 29 provided at the large winning opening 28. The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 controls these operations by transmitting drive signals to the start opening solenoid 26m, the special winning opening solenoid 29m, and the segment display section 50.

  The sub-control board 220 is connected to an image / audio control board 230, a lamp control board 226, and an effect operation board 228. When the CPU 221 of the sub control board 220 receives various commands from the main control board 200, it analyzes the contents of the command and performs a game effect according to the contents. That is, a command for designating an output image or output sound is transmitted to the image / sound control board 230, and an upper lamp 5 a, right side lamp 5 b, left side lamp 5 c (hereinafter “ The game is rendered by transmitting a command for designating the light emission pattern of the various lamps 5a to 5c.

  A launch control board 260 is connected to the payout control board 240. The launch control board 260 is a touch switch for detecting that the launch motor 262 for launching a game ball and the player touching the launch handle 9 are touched. A launcher unit 261 having 263 or the like is connected. When the launch control board 260 detects that the player is touching the launch handle 9 via the touch switch 263, the launch control board 260 drives the launch motor 262, thereby playing the game ball with strength according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 9. Fire.

  Further, on the payout control board 240, a ball lending button 245 (not shown in FIG. 2) provided on the upper plate part 7, a card unit 60 provided in parallel with the pachinko machine 1, and a payout device 247 for paying out game balls. Etc. are connected. When the ball lending button 245 is operated, this signal is transmitted to the card unit 60 via the payout control board 240. The card unit 60 lends a game ball by driving the payout motor 248 of the payout device 247 while communicating data with the payout control board 240.

  Further, the main control board 200 is connected to the payout control board 240, and the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs the first start port sensor 24s, the second start port sensor 25s, the gate sensor 27s, and the big prize port sensor 28s. When a game ball detection signal is received from, for example, a payout command for instructing the payout control board 240 to pay out the game ball is output. When the payout control board 240 receives the payout command, the payout control board 240 performs control for paying out the game ball.

  For example, the payout command output from the main control board 200 includes information indicating the number of game balls to be paid out, and the payout control board 240 that has received this payout command pays out based on the payout command. The number of game balls is specified and added to the remaining payout counter in the RAM 243 and stored. Then, the payout motor 248 of the payout device 247 is driven to pay out the game ball. The payout device 247 is provided with a payout detection sensor 249 that detects a payout game ball, and a detection signal is output to the payout control board 240 each time a payout game ball is detected. Each time the payout control board 240 receives this detection signal, it subtracts 1 from the value of the remaining payout number counter, and when the value of the remaining payout number counter becomes 0, it stops driving the payout motor 248. In this way, game balls are paid out according to the incoming ball.

  The payout control board 240 outputs a payout signal toward the main control board 200 every time a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls is paid out. For example, the payout control board 240 adds 1 to the value of the fraction counter in the RAM 243 every time a detection signal from the payout detection sensor 249 is received. When the value of the fraction counter reaches a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment), it is cleared to 0, and a payout signal is output to the main control board 200 as one pulse. When receiving the payout signal, the main control board 200 outputs the payout signal to the data display 70 and the hall computer 100 at a predetermined timing.

  The game ball corresponds to the “game value” of the present invention, the payout device for paying out the game ball corresponds to the “game value giving means” of the present invention, and has a function of outputting a payout signal to an external device. The realized main control board 200 corresponds to the “game value signal output means” of the present invention.

B-4. External signal output:
In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, information related to the game is output to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 so that information related to the game can be mainly managed outside the pachinko machine 1. In FIG. 6, signals including information related to the game are output from the pachinko machine 1 and the above-described discharge ball counter 49, and these signals are output to the data display 70 or the hall computer 100 via the relay device 90. It is explanatory drawing which showed this conceptually. Here, signals output from the pachinko machine 1 and the discharge ball counter 49 to the outside will be described.

  First, signals output from the pachinko machine 1 will be described. When a game ball is detected by the first start port sensor 24 described above, a first input signal indicating that a game ball has entered the first start port is output. The first incoming signal is output by one pulse from the first incoming signal terminal each time a game ball is detected by the first start port sensor 24. The device outside the pachinko machine 1 can recognize that a game ball has entered the first start port 24 by receiving this first incoming signal.

  When a game ball is detected by the second start port sensor 25 described above, a second input signal indicating that a game ball has entered the second start port is output. The second incoming signal is output by one pulse from the second incoming signal terminal each time a game ball is detected by the second start port sensor 25. The device outside the pachinko machine 1 can recognize that a game ball has entered the second start port 25 by receiving this second ball entry signal.

  When a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls is detected by the above-described payout detection sensor 249, a payout signal is output from the payout control board 240 to the main control board 200. Each time the main control board 200 receives the payout signal, the main control board 200 outputs one pulse of the payout signal from the payout signal terminal to the outside of the pachinko machine 1. The device outside the pachinko machine 1 can grasp the number of game balls paid out as prize balls from the pachinko machine 1 by receiving the payout signal in units of the predetermined number (10 in this embodiment).

  When the above-described special symbol confirmation display is completed, a symbol confirmation signal indicating that the symbol variation game has ended is output. The symbol confirmation signal is output by one pulse from the symbol confirmation signal terminal every time the symbol variation game ends (the special symbol confirmation display ends). The device outside the pachinko machine 1 can recognize that the symbol variation game has ended by receiving this symbol determination signal.

  During the big hit state described above, a big hit signal indicating that it is a big hit state is output. Therefore, the main control board 200 that realizes the function of outputting the jackpot signal to the outside corresponds to the “specific signal output means” of the present invention. The big hit signal is output from the big hit signal terminal, and becomes the HI level in the big hit state, and becomes the LOW level in the non-hit state (the gaming state other than the big hit state). That is, starting the output of the big hit signal means switching the output state of the big hit signal from the LOW level to the HI level, and stopping the output of the big hit signal from the HI level to the LOW level. It means switching. The output of the big hit signal means that the big hit signal is being output at the HI level, and the non-output of the big hit signal means that the big hit signal is being output at the LOW level. The device outside the pachinko machine 1 can determine whether or not it is a big hit state by receiving this big hit signal.

  In the above-described high probability state, a probability variation signal indicating the high probability state is output. The probability variation signal is output from the probability variation signal terminal, and becomes a HI level during a high probability state, and becomes a LOW level during a gaming state other than the high probability state (low probability state and jackpot game). In other words, starting the output of the probability variation signal means switching the output state of the probability variation signal from the LOW level to the HI level, and stopping the output of the probability variation signal from the HI level to the LOW level. It means switching. In addition, during output of the probability variation signal means a state in which the probability variation signal is output at the HI level, and in a state in which the probability variation signal is not output means a state in which the probability variation signal is output at the LOW level. In the apparatus outside the pachinko machine 1, it is possible to determine whether or not the state is a high probability state by inputting the probability variation signal. In the present embodiment, since the electric support state always occurs simultaneously with the high probability state, it is possible to determine whether or not it is the electric support state by receiving the probability variation signal.

  Next, a signal output from the discharge ball counter 49 will be described. The discharge ball counter 49 outputs a driving signal indicating that a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of game balls have been discharged when the rotation of the discharge mechanism is detected by the discharge detection sensor. The driving signal is output as one pulse every time the discharge detection sensor detects the rotation of the discharge mechanism. The device outside the pachinko machine 1 can grasp the number of game balls discharged by receiving this driving signal in units of a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment).

  The data display device 70 or the hall computer 100 can display the game information of the pachinko machine 1 by receiving these signals.

C. Data display configuration:
C-1. Device configuration :
FIG. 7 is a front view of the data display device 70 described above. As shown in FIG. 7, a liquid crystal display unit 71 is provided in the approximate center of the data display 70. In the liquid crystal display unit 71, various types of information relating to games in the pachinko machine 1 are displayed. Around the liquid crystal display unit 71, a lamp 72 that indicates the gaming state of the pachinko machine 1 and the like is provided across the upper left and right. Below the liquid crystal display unit 71, a call button 73 is provided for calling an employee of the game hall. Further, an operation button 74 for switching display contents of the liquid crystal display unit 71 is provided on the right side of the call button 73.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the data display 70 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the control circuit of the data display 70 is provided with a control board 80 that performs various controls. The control board 80 includes a CPU 81 that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, a ROM 82 that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU 81, a RAM 83 that stores temporary data when the program is executed, and the like. Is installed.

  The control circuit of the data display 70 is provided with an input / output port 84 for inputting and outputting signals. The input / output port 84 is connected to the relay device 90 described above, and the control board 80 outputs a first incoming signal, a second incoming signal, a payout signal output from the pachinko machine 1 through the input / output port 84. It is possible to receive a symbol determination signal, a jackpot signal, a probability variation signal, and a driving signal output from the ball counter 49 (hereinafter, a part or all of these signals are collectively referred to as a “game signal”). It has become. The control board 80 can identify game information in the pachinko machine 1 by receiving the game signal.

  The liquid crystal display 71 and the lamp 72 described above are connected to the control board 80. On the control board 80, control for displaying game information of the pachinko machine 1 on the liquid crystal display unit 71 and control for changing the lighting mode of the lamp 72 according to the game state of the pachinko machine 1 are performed. In addition, a call button 73 is connected to the control board 80. When the call button 73 is operated, a call signal is output to the income of the employee in the game hall, and the lamp 72 is lit in red. Further, an operation button 74 is connected to the control board 80, and the control board 80 performs control to change the display content of the liquid crystal display unit 71 in accordance with the operation of the operation button 74.

C-2. Display control processing:
In the data display 70, the CPU 81 executes display control processing for controlling the display content of the liquid crystal display unit 71 and the lighting mode of the lamp 72. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the display control process.

<Display side first incoming signal response processing>
In the display control process, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the display side first incoming signal response process (S1100) is executed. In the display side first incoming signal corresponding processing (S1100), when the first incoming signal is received, 1 is added to the display side first special figure holding number counter of the RAM 83 indicating the first special figure holding number. Further, the value of the display side first special figure holding number counter is decremented by 1 when the symbol variation game according to the first special figure is executed. As described above, since the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment has the priority variation function of the second special figure, the value of the display-side first special figure holding number counter is the RAM 83 indicating the second special figure holding number. When the symbol determination signal is received when the value of the display side second special figure holding number counter is 0, it is determined that the symbol variation game according to the first special figure has been executed, and 1 is subtracted. In this way, the data display device 70 manages the number of first special figure reservations in the pachinko machine 1.

<Display side second incoming signal response processing>
Subsequently, in the display control process, a display side second incoming signal response process (S1200) is executed. In the display side second incoming signal response processing (S1200), when the second incoming signal is received, 1 is added to the value of the display side second special figure holding number counter described above. The value of the display side second special figure holding number counter is subtracted by 1 when the symbol variation game according to the second special figure is executed. Therefore, when the symbol determination signal is received in a state of 1 or more, the value of the display side second special figure holding number counter is determined to be that the symbol variation game according to the second special figure has been executed, and 1 is subtracted. . In this way, the data display device 70 manages the number of second special figure reservations in the pachinko machine 1.

<Display-side payout signal handling processing>
Subsequently, in the display control process, a display-side payout signal response process (S1300) is executed. In the display-side payout signal handling process (S1300), the number of game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 1 is specified based on reception of the payout signal. In this embodiment, every time a predetermined number of game balls are paid out, a one-pulse payout signal is output. Therefore, by multiplying the number of payout signal receptions by this predetermined number (10 in this embodiment), a pachinko machine The number of game balls paid out in 1 is specified. Further, out of the number of game balls paid out, the number of game balls paid out during the big hit state is identified and identified. As a method for specifying the number of game balls paid out during the big hit state, the number of payout signals received when the display side big hit flag of the RAM 83 indicating that the big hit state is set to 1 is used. There is a method of specifying by multiplying the predetermined number by the above. The number of payout balls in the big hit state specified in this way is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 71.

<Display-side symbol confirmation signal processing>
Subsequently, in the display control process, a display side symbol determination signal corresponding process (S1400) is executed. In the display-side symbol determination signal corresponding process (S1400), the number of times that the symbol variation game is executed is updated based on the reception status of the symbol determination signal. As described above, since the symbol confirmation signal indicates that the symbol variation game has ended, the number of times that the symbol variation game has been executed can be recognized based on the number of times the symbol variation signal has been received. In the present embodiment, the number of times the symbol variation game is executed after the most recent big hit state is finished is counted and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 71.

<Display big hit signal handling processing>
Subsequently, in the display control process, a display-side big hit signal response process (S1500) is executed. In the display-side jackpot signal handling process (S1500), it is determined whether or not the jackpot state is in effect based on the reception status of the jackpot signal. Further, based on the determination result, the number of occurrences of the big hit state, the number of payout balls during the big hit state, and the like are specified and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 71. The display side big hit signal handling process will be described in detail later.

<Display-side probability variation signal handling processing>
Subsequently, in the display control process, a display side probability variation signal handling process (S1600) is executed. In the display-side probability variation signal handling process (S1600), it is determined whether or not a high probability state is in effect based on the reception status of the probability variation signal. As described above, the probability variation signal becomes the HI level during the high probability state and becomes the LOW level during the gaming state other than the high probability state (the low probability state and the jackpot game). A high probability state is determined, and a low probability state is determined when the state is the LOW level. Thereby, the display content of the liquid crystal display part 71 can be made into the display content according to a high probability state. In addition, since it is possible to distinguish between a high-probability state and a low-probability state (normal game state), the number of times of winning (the number of occurrences per first) is counted in the big hit determination in the low-probability state (normal game state) And displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 71.

<Display-side signal processing>
Subsequently, in the display control process, a display side driving signal response process (S1700) is executed. In the display side shot signal handling process (S1700), the number of game balls discharged from the game board 20, that is, the number of game balls shot from the launcher unit 261 is specified based on the reception status of the shot signal. Is done. As described above, the driving signal is output by one pulse every time a predetermined number (10) of the game balls are ejected from the game board 20, so that the number of driving signals received is multiplied by the predetermined number. The number of game balls that have been discharged (the number of game balls that have been fired) can be identified.

<Display side input operation support processing>
Subsequently, in the display control process, a display-side input operation handling process (S1800) is executed. In the display-side input operation handling process (S1800), when various buttons (call button 73, operation button 74) provided on the data display device 70 are operated, a process corresponding to the operation is executed. For example, when the call button 73 is operated, as described above, a signal for calling an employee of the game hall is output to the outside, and the lamp 72 is lit in red. Further, when the operation button 74 is operated, control for changing the display content of the liquid crystal display unit 71 is performed.

<Display big hit signal handling processing>
In the display side jackpot signal handling process (S1500) described above, a process of determining whether or not the jackpot state is in effect based on the jackpot signal received from the pachinko machine 1 is executed. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts showing the display side jackpot signal handling processing (S1500). In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, first, in order to determine whether or not the pachinko machine 1 has shifted to the big hit state, it is determined whether or not the big hit signal being received has switched from the LOW level to the HI level (S1501). ). When the LOW level is switched to the HI level (S1501: yes), the display-side noise timer of the RAM 83 is activated to determine whether or not the current switching is a temporary switching due to the occurrence of noise or the like. It is determined whether it is in the middle.

  Here, the display-side noise timer is caused by the end of the big hit state when the big hit signal being received is switched from the HI level to the LOW level, or is temporarily changed due to the occurrence of noise or the like. It is a timer for determining whether or not. Even during the big hit state, the LOW level may be temporarily switched due to the generation of noise. However, in such a case, since the level immediately returns to the HI level, when the level returns to the HI level in a short time, it can be determined that the big hit state is continuing. Therefore, in this embodiment, the CPU 81 starts timing when the received jackpot signal is switched from the HI level to the LOW level, and a predetermined display-side specified holding time Thh (3 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed. If it returns to the HI level before the determination, it is determined that the big hit state continues. On the other hand, when the display-side specified hold time Thh has passed with the LOW level, it is determined that the big hit state has ended. That is, during the operation of the display-side noise timer, the received big hit signal is switched from the HI level to the LOW level to determine whether or not the big hit state is finished (hereinafter, the big hit state is being judged. ).

  The display-side noise timer is stopped in the initial setting. When the display-side noise timer is stopped (S1502: no), the display-side big hit flag of the RAM 83 indicating that the big hit state is being set is set to 1. (S1503). Thereafter, 1 is added to the big hit number counter of the RAM 83 indicating the number of occurrences of the big hit state, and the number of occurrences of the big hit state displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 71 is updated (S1504). Thereafter, the display-side big hit signal handling process (S1500) in FIGS. 10 and 11 is terminated.

  When the big hit signal being received has not been switched from the LOW level to the HI level (S1501: no), it is determined whether or not the big hit state has ended. In the example shown in FIG. 11, in order to determine whether or not the big hit state has ended, it is determined whether or not the HI level has been switched to the LOW level (S1506 in FIG. 11). When the HI level is switched to the LOW level (S1506: yes), the above-described display-side noise timer is set to the initial value in order to determine whether or not the switching is temporary due to the occurrence of noise. The operation is started after resetting (S1507). Thereafter, the display-side big hit signal handling process (S1500) in FIGS. 10 and 11 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the jackpot signal being received is not switched from the LOW level to the HI level (S1501: no), and the jackpot signal being received is not switched from the HI level to the LOW level (S1506: no). ) In order to determine whether or not the big hit state is being determined, it is determined whether or not the display-side noise timer is operating (S1508). As a result, the display-side noise timer is operating. If there is (S1508: yes), it is determined whether or not the display-side specified hold time Thh has passed (S1509). If the display-side specified hold time Thh has passed (S1509: yes), it is determined that the big hit state has ended, the operation of the display-side noise timer is stopped (S1510), and the display-side big hit flag is set. It is set to 0 (S1511). Thereafter, the display-side big hit signal handling process (S1500) in FIGS. 10 and 11 is terminated. On the other hand, if the display-side specified hold time Thh has not elapsed (S1509: no), the display-side big hit signal handling process (S1500) in FIGS. 10 and 11 is terminated.

  That is, when the received big hit signal returns from the LOW level to the HI level before the display-side specified hold time Thh elapses (S1501: yes and S1502: yes), temporary switching due to the occurrence of noise, etc. Therefore, the operation of the display-side noise timer is stopped (S1505). On the other hand, when the display-side specified hold time Thh has passed while the received big hit signal is at the LOW level (S1501: no, S1506: no, S1508: yes, S1509: yes), the big hit state ends. The display side big hit state flag is set to 0.

  The big hit signal being received is not switched from the LOW level to the HI level (S1501: no), not switched from the HI level to the LOW level (S1506: no), and the display-side noise timer is activated. If not (S1508: no), the display-side big hit signal handling process (S1500) in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 is terminated.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing how to determine whether or not the big hit state is in effect based on the big hit signal. FIG. 12 shows how the display-side noise timer and the display-side big hit flag change based on changes in the output level of the big hit signal. In FIG. 12, it starts from the state of receiving a LOW level jackpot signal in the non-hit state. In this state, the display-side noise timer is inactive, and the display-side jackpot flag is set to 0. (Timing ta0).

  Thereafter, when the level of the big hit signal switches from the LOW level to the HI level (timing ta1), the display side big hit flag is set to 1. Thereafter, when the jackpot signal is switched to the LOW level due to the generation of noise (timing ta2), the display-side noise timer starts operating. However, since the operation time of the display-side noise timer has returned to the HI level before the display-side specified hold time Thh has elapsed (timing ta3), the big hit signal is displayed with the big hit flag maintained at 1. Stop the side noise timer.

  Thereafter, when the big hit signal is switched to the LOW level due to the end of the big hit state (timing ta4), the display-side noise timer starts operating. When the operating time of the display-side noise timer reaches the above-mentioned display-side specified holding time Thh (timing ta5), it is determined that the big hit state has ended, and the display-side big hit flag is set to zero.

  As described above, in the data display device 70 according to the present embodiment, as a method of determining that the big hit state has ended, it is immediately determined that the big hit state has ended when the big hit signal is switched from the HI level to the LOW level. Instead, a method is adopted in which it is determined that the big hit state has ended when the display-side specified holding time Thh has passed while switching to the LOW level. For this reason, when the level of the big hit signal temporarily falls to the LOW level due to the occurrence of noise or the like, erroneous determination that the big hit state has ended is suppressed. Various game information is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 71 of the data display 70 using the information of the big hit state determined in this way.

C-3. Display example:
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view exemplarily showing that game information is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 71 of the data display device 70. FIG. 13A is an explanatory view exemplarily showing that game information is displayed in a non-hit state. As shown in FIG. 13A, in the non-hit state, the number of occurrences of the big hit state of the day (big win), the number of occurrences of the first hit of the day (first win), the highest record of the big hit state that occurred in the day ( The number of symbol variable games executed since the end of the previous big hit state (start), the number of symbol variable games executed on that day (cumulative start), etc. are displayed.

FIG. 13B is an explanatory view exemplarily showing a state in which game information is displayed in a big hit state. As shown in FIG. 13B, in the big hit state, the number of occurrences of the big hit state of the day (big win), the first occurrence number of the day (first win), the highest record of the big hit state that occurred in the day (past Display that indicates that the game is in a big hit state (letter “Large hit”), the number of game balls that are paid out during the big hit state being executed (the number of acquired balls in the big hit), etc. Is done.
The

  As described above, the data display device 70 provides various game information to the player. Apart from this, game information confirmed by a game hall manager or the like is managed by the hall computer 100.

D. Hall computer configuration:
D-1. Device configuration :
FIG. 14 is a front view of the hall computer 100. As shown in FIG. 14, the hall computer 100 includes a main body 110 having a control board 111 (see FIG. 15), an input operation unit 120 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 130 including a display, and the like.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the hall computer 100. The control board 111 of the main body 110 has a CPU 112 that executes various logical operations and calculation operations, a ROM 113 that stores various programs and data executed by the CPU 81, and the CPU 112 stores temporary data when the programs are executed. RAM 114 and the like are mounted.

  The main body 110 is provided with an input / output port 115 for inputting and outputting signals. The input / output port 115 is connected to the relay device 90 described above, and the control board 111 can receive a game signal output from the pachinko machine 1 via the input / output port 115. The control board 111 can specify game information in the pachinko machine 1 by inputting a game signal.

  An input operation unit 120 and a display unit 130 are connected to the input / output port 115 of the main body 110, and the control board 111 of the main body 110 receives an input signal from the input operation unit 120 via the input / output port 115. It can be received, and predetermined information can be displayed on the display unit 130. For example, when an operation for displaying game information for each gaming machine is performed by the input operation unit 120, game information for each gaming machine is displayed and output on the display unit 130.

D-2. Management control processing:
Based on the game signal received from the pachinko machine 1, the CPU 112 of the hall computer 100 performs management control processing for calculating game information necessary for management of the game hall and displaying the calculated game information on the display unit 130. Executed. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of management control processing executed by the hall computer 100.

<Management side first incoming signal response processing>
In the management control process, as shown in FIG. 16, first, the management side first incoming signal response process (S2100) is executed. In the management side first incoming signal corresponding process (S2100), when the first incoming signal is received, 1 is added to the value of the management side first special figure reservation number counter of the RAM 114 indicating the first special figure reservation number. In addition, the value of the management-side first special figure holding number counter is decremented by 1 when the symbol variation game according to the first special figure is executed. As described above, since the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment has the priority variation function of the second special figure, the value of the management-side first special figure reservation number counter is the RAM 114 indicating the second special figure reservation number. When the symbol determination signal is received when the value of the management-side second special figure holding number counter is 0, it is determined that the symbol variation game according to the first special figure has been executed, and 1 is subtracted. In this way, the hall computer 100 manages the number of first special figure reservations in the pachinko machine 1.

<Management side second incoming signal response processing>
Subsequently, in the management control process, a management-side second incoming signal response process (S2200) is executed. In the management-side second incoming signal response process (S2200), when the second incoming signal is received, 1 is added to the value of the above-mentioned management-side second special figure holding number counter. In addition, the value of the management-side second special figure holding number counter is decremented by 1 when the symbol variation game according to the second special figure is executed. Therefore, when the symbol determination signal is received in a state of 1 or more, the value of the counter on the management side second special figure holding is determined to be that the symbol variable game according to the second special figure has been executed, and 1 is subtracted. . In this way, the hall computer 100 manages the number of second special figure reservations in the pachinko machine 1.

<Management-side payout signal response processing>
Subsequently, in the management control process, a management-side payout signal response process (S2300) is executed. In the management-side payout signal handling process (S2300), the number of game balls paid out from the pachinko machine 1 is specified based on the reception of the payout signal. In this embodiment, each time a predetermined number of game balls are paid out, a one-pulse payout signal is output. Therefore, the pachinko machine 1 is obtained by multiplying the number of payout signals received by this predetermined number (10 in this embodiment). The number of game balls paid out in is identified. Further, the number of game balls paid out during the big hit state, the payout rate, and the like are specified using the information on the number of payout balls.

<Management-side symbol confirmation signal processing>
Subsequently, in the management control process, a management-side symbol determination signal corresponding process (S2400) is executed. In the management-side symbol determination signal handling process (S2400), the number of times the symbol variation game is executed is updated based on the reception status of the symbol determination signal. As described above, since the symbol confirmation signal indicates that the symbol variation game has ended, the hall computer 100 can recognize the number of times the symbol variation game has been executed based on the number of times the symbol variation signal has been received. . In the present embodiment, the number of times the symbol variation game is executed after the most recent big hit state is finished is counted and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 71.

<Management jackpot signal handling processing>
Subsequently, in the management control process, a management side jackpot signal response process (S2500) is executed. In the management side jackpot signal handling process (S2500), it is determined whether or not the jackpot state is in effect based on the reception status of the jackpot signal. Further, based on the determination result, the number of occurrences of the big hit state, the number of payout balls in the big hit state, and the like are specified and displayed on the display unit 130. The management side jackpot signal handling processing will be described in detail later.

<Management-side certain signal processing>
Subsequently, in the management control process, a management side probability variation signal handling process (S2600) is executed. In the management-side probability variation signal handling process (S2600), it is determined whether or not a high probability state is in effect based on the reception status of the probability variation signal. As described above, the probability variation signal becomes the HI level during the high probability state and becomes the LOW level during the gaming state other than the high probability state (the low probability state and the jackpot game). A high probability state is determined, and a low probability state is determined when the state is the LOW level. Thereby, the display content of the liquid crystal display part 71 can be made into the display content according to a high probability state. In addition, since it is possible to distinguish between a high-probability state and a low-probability state (normal game state), the number of times of winning (the number of occurrences per first) is counted in the big hit determination in the low-probability state (normal game state) And displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 71.

<Management side response signal processing>
Subsequently, in the management control process, a management side driving signal handling process (S2700) is executed. In the management side shot signal response processing (S2700), the number of game balls discharged from the game board 20, that is, the number of game balls shot from the launching device unit 261 is specified based on the reception status of the shot signal. Is done. As described above, the driving signal is output by one pulse every time a predetermined number (10) of the game balls are ejected from the game board 20, so that the number of driving signals received is multiplied by the predetermined number. The number of game balls that have been discharged (the number of game balls that have been fired) can be identified.

<Management side input operation support processing>
Subsequently, in the management control process, a management-side input operation handling process (S2800) is executed. In the management side input operation handling process (S2800), when the input operation unit 120 is operated, a process corresponding to the operation is executed. For example, display items such as game information for each gaming machine and game information for each model are displayed on the display unit 130 as selection buttons, and when any display item is selected with the mouse, the display item is displayed. Processing for displaying the corresponding game information on the display unit 130 is executed.

<Management jackpot signal handling processing>
In the management side jackpot signal handling process (S2500) described above, a process of determining whether or not the jackpot state is in effect based on the jackpot signal received from the pachinko machine 1 is executed. FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are flowcharts showing the management side jackpot signal response processing (S2500). In the example shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, first, in order to determine whether or not the pachinko machine 1 has shifted to the big hit state, it is determined whether or not the big hit signal being received has been switched from the LOW level to the HI level (S2501). ). When switching from the LOW level to the HI level (S2501: yes), in order to determine whether the current switching is due to the transition to the big hit state or a temporary switching due to the occurrence of noise or the like. Then, it is determined whether the management-side noise timer of the RAM 114 is operating.

  Here, the management-side noise timer is the same as the display-side noise timer described above, when the big hit signal being received is switched from the HI level to the LOW level, or due to the end of the big hit state, It is a timer for determining whether it has been temporarily switched due to occurrence or the like. Therefore, the CPU 112 starts counting by the management-side noise timer when the received jackpot signal is switched from the HI level to the LOW level, and the predetermined management-side specified holding time Thk (3 seconds in this embodiment) is reached. If it returns to the HI level before the time elapses, it is determined that the big hit state continues. On the other hand, when the management-side specified hold time Thk has passed with the LOW level, it is determined that the big hit state has ended.

  The management-side noise timer is stopped by default, and when the management-side noise timer is stopped (S2502: no), the management-side big hit flag of the RAM 114 indicating that the big hit state is being set is 1. (S2503). Thereafter, the management information related to the big hit state is updated (S2504). For example, 1 is added to the management side big hit number counter of the RAM 114 indicating the number of occurrences of the big hit state, and the number of occurrences of the big hit state displayed on the display unit 130 is updated. Thereafter, the management side jackpot signal handling process (S2500) shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is terminated.

  When the jackpot signal being received has not been switched from the LOW level to the HI level (S2501: no), it is determined whether or not the jackpot state has ended. In the example shown in FIG. 18, in order to determine whether or not the big hit state has ended, it is determined whether or not the HI level has been switched to the LOW level (S2506). When the HI level is switched to the LOW level (S2506: yes), the above-described management-side noise timer is set to the initial value in order to determine whether or not the switching is temporary due to the occurrence of noise. The operation is started after resetting (S2507). Thereafter, the management side jackpot signal handling process (S2500) of FIGS. 17 and 18 is terminated.

  When the big hit signal being received is not switched from the LOW level to the HI level (S2501: no), and the big hit signal being received is not switched from the HI level to the LOW level (S2506: no), In order to determine whether or not the end determination is being performed, it is determined whether or not the management-side noise timer is operating (S2508). If the management-side noise timer is not in operation (S2508: no), since the end of the big hit state is not being determined, the management-side big hit signal corresponding processing (S2500) in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 is ended as it is.

  If the management-side noise timer is operating (S2508: yes), it is determined whether or not the management-side specified hold time Thk has elapsed (S2509). When the management-side specified hold time Thk has elapsed (S2509: yes), it is determined that the big hit state has ended, the operation of the management-side noise timer is stopped (S2510), and the management-side big hit flag is set. It is set to 0 (S2511). Thereafter, the management side jackpot signal handling process (S2500) of FIGS. 17 and 18 is terminated. On the other hand, if the management-side specified hold time Thk has not elapsed (S2509: no), the management-side big hit signal response processing (S2500) in FIG. 17 and FIG.

  That is, when the received big hit signal returns from the LOW level to the HI level before the display-side specified hold time Thk elapses (S2501: yes and S2502: yes), temporary switching due to the occurrence of noise or the like. Therefore, the operation of the management-side noise timer is stopped (S2505). On the other hand, when the management-side specified hold time Thk elapses while the received big hit signal is at the LOW level (S2501: no, S2506: no, S2508: yes, S2509: yes), the big hit state ends. The management side big hit flag is set to 0.

D-3. Display example:
Using the jackpot state information determined in this way, the hall computer 100 manages various game information and displays them on the display unit 130. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram exemplarily showing game information displayed on the display unit 130 of the hall computer 100. FIG. 19A is an explanatory diagram exemplarily showing game information for each gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 19A, the following game information and the like are displayed as game information for each gaming machine.
“Game machine No.”: reference number of each game machine set in the hall computer 100.
“Number of big hits”: Number of occurrences of big hit status on the day. Every time it is determined that the gaming state has shifted to the big hit state, 1 is added to the value of the management side big hit number counter of the RAM 114, thereby specifying the value of the management side big hit number counter as the number of occurrences of the big hit state.
“Number of first hits”: Number of times of transition from the low probability state (normal gaming state) to the big hit state on the day. Every time it is determined that the management side high probability state flag of the RAM 114 indicating the high probability state is set to 0 and the state has shifted to the big hit state, 1 is added to the value of the management side first hit number counter of the RAM 114 By doing so, the value of the management side first hit counter is specified as the first hit count.
“Total number of start times”: Number of times the symbol variation game is executed on the day. Each time a symbol determination signal is received, 1 is added to the management-side cumulative start counter of the RAM 114, thereby specifying the value of the management-side cumulative start counter as the cumulative start number.
“Big hit probability”: Number of occurrences of the big hit status on the day. The value obtained by dividing "cumulative start count" by "big hit count".

  The game information for each gaming machine is stored for a predetermined period (for the past 14 days in this embodiment), and the game information for each past day can be browsed by switching the display screen.

FIG. 19B is an explanatory view exemplarily showing that game information for each group of gaming machines (models in this embodiment) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 19B, the following game information is displayed as game information for each model.
“Model name”: Model name set in the hall computer 100. By associating each gaming machine and model name with the hall computer 100, the gaming machines are classified by model.
“Number of hit balls during big hit per hit”: A value obtained by averaging the number of game balls shot per hit per hit within a predetermined period (the past 14 days in this embodiment). It is calculated by dividing the number of hit balls in the big hit state in the predetermined period by the number of occurrences of the big hit state.
“Number of balls to be paid out per jackpot per game”: An average value of the number of game balls paid out per jackpot state within a predetermined period (the past 14 days in this embodiment). It is calculated by dividing the number of payout balls in the big hit state in the predetermined period by the number of occurrences of the big hit state.
“Number of balls with a big hit per jackpot” is a value obtained by averaging the number of balls with a big hit state (the number of balls to be thrown-the number of balls to be hit) within a predetermined period (the past 14 days in this embodiment). The number of difference balls in the big hit state in the predetermined period is calculated by dividing by the number of occurrences of the big hit state.
“Rolling out rate”: A paying rate within a predetermined period (for the past 14 days in this embodiment) (a value obtained by dividing the number of balls to be paid out by the number of balls to be hit).
“Rounding rate during low probability state (normal gaming state)” is a value obtained by averaging the paying rate during a low probability state (during normal gaming state) within a predetermined period (the past 14 days in this embodiment).

  As described above, in the data display device 70 and the hall computer 100 according to the present embodiment, various information related to the big hit state is displayed on the display unit (the liquid crystal display unit 71 or the display unit 130) based on the big hit signal. In the determination of the big hit state, the specified holding time Th (the display side described above is kept while the big hit signal is falling so that the end timing of the big hit state is not erroneously determined by the temporary falling of the big hit signal due to the occurrence of noise or the like. When the specified hold time Thh or the management-side specified hold time Thk) has elapsed, it is determined that the big hit state has ended.

  However, when such a determination method is employed, there are the following problems. That is, after the big hit state is finished in the pachinko machine 1, when the next big hit state occurs at an interval shorter than the specified holding time Th, the data display device 70 erroneously determines that the big hit state continues. As a result, there is a problem that information on the big hit state becomes inaccurate. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration that solves at least a part of these problems is mounted on the pachinko machine 1, and this configuration will be described below.

E. Pachinko machine game control processing:
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a rough flow of a game control process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 as control related to the progress of the game. The game control process is performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 based on a timer interrupt that occurs every predetermined period (for example, every 4 msec). Hereinafter, the game control process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 will be described according to the flowchart. In the following description, descriptions of well-known processes such as the initialization process of the CPU 201, the interrupt prohibition process, and the interrupt permission process are omitted.

<Output processing>
As shown in FIG. 20, when starting the game control process, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first performs an output process (S3100). In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, various commands to be transmitted to various control boards such as the sub control board 220 and the payout control board 240 or an external device are stored in an output buffer secured in the RAM 203 in various processes. In the output process (S3100), various commands stored in the output buffer in this way are output to various control boards and external devices. By doing so, for example, the sub control board 220 controls the production in accordance with the progress of the game, and the payout control board 240 drives the payout motor 248 to pay out the game ball. It becomes. In addition, various game information is managed and displayed by an external device.

<Random number update processing>
Subsequently, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a random number update process (S3200). In the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the big hit determination and the normal hit determination are performed based on a predetermined determination random number. Specifically, the big hit determination is performed based on the “big hit determination random number”, and the normal hit determination is performed based on the “big hit determination random number”. Further, the special symbol variation display in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is performed based on the variation pattern, and this variation pattern is selected based on the “variation pattern selection random number”. Further, in the pachinko machine 1 of this embodiment, when the big hit determination result is a big hit, one of the 100 types of big hit symbols is stopped and displayed. The type of the big hit symbol is “symbol selected random number”. "Is selected based on. In the random number update process (S3200), these random numbers are updated. These random numbers are updated not only in the random number update process (S3200) but also in the period from the end of the game control process to the start of the next game control process (next timer interrupt). Also good. Further, a dedicated circuit for updating the random number may be provided, and the random number may be updated by this dedicated circuit.

<Starting port sensor detection processing>
Subsequently, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a sensor detection process (S3300) such as a start port. In the start port sensor detection process (S3300), based on the detection signals from the first start port sensor 24s, the second start port sensor 25s, the big prize port sensor 28s, etc., the start port 24 and the second start port 25 are sent. It is determined whether or not a game ball has entered. When it is determined that a game ball has entered, a payout command including the number of game balls to be paid out in accordance with the incoming ball is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203. When the payout command is stored in the output buffer, it is output to the payout control board 240 in the next output process (S3100). The payout control board 240 that has received the payout command pays out game balls.

  In addition, in the sensor detection process (S3300) such as the start port, it is determined whether or not the game ball has passed the normal symbol operation gate 27 based on the detection signal from the gate sensor 27s. As a result, when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the normal symbol operation gate 27, it is determined whether or not the number of normal symbols has reached the upper limit of four. Then, if the number of pending drawings does not reach four, a decision random number per drawing is acquired and the decision random number per drawing is stored as a reserved drawing. The common map hold is stored in a general map hold storage area secured in the RAM 203 so that the stored order can be identified.

  Further, in the sensor detection process (S3300) such as the start port, it is determined whether or not the game ball has entered the first start port 24 based on the detection signal from the first start port sensor 24s. As a result, when it is determined that the game ball has entered the first start port 24, it is determined whether or not the first special figure reservation number has reached the upper limit of four. If the number of first special figure reservations does not reach four, a big hit determination random number, a variation pattern selection random number, and a symbol selection random number are acquired, and these random numbers are stored as the first special figure reservation. The first special figure hold is stored in a first special figure hold storage area secured in the RAM 203 so that the stored order can be identified.

  When the processing relating to the storage of the first special figure hold is thus performed, it is subsequently determined whether or not the game ball has entered the second start port 25 based on the detection signal from the second start port sensor 25s. . As a result, when a game ball enters the second start opening 25, it is determined whether or not the second special figure holding number has reached the upper limit of four. If the number of second special figure reservations does not reach four, a big hit determination random number, a variation pattern selection random number, and a symbol selection random number are acquired, and these random numbers are stored as a second special figure reservation. The second special figure hold is stored in the second special figure hold storage area secured in the RAM 203 so that the stored order can be identified.

<Normal operation processing>
Subsequently, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a normal operation process (S3400). In this normal operation process (S3400), a process of variably displaying normal symbols or shifting to a normal state is performed. In the normal operation process (S3400) of this embodiment, the normal operation status is set in four stages of 1 to 4, and the process to be executed according to the set normal operation status is selected. For example, when the normal operation status is 1, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol variation start condition is satisfied, and when it is determined that the normal symbol variation start condition is satisfied, the normal diagram variation standby process for starting the variable display is selected, and the normal operation status is selected. When the status is 2, the normal-fluctuating process is selected to stop and display the normal symbol that is being displayed in a variable display. When the normal operation status is 3, the normal symbol is confirmed and the symbol per symbol is confirmed. In the case of normal operation, the normal symbol determination process for shifting to the normal state is selected. When the normal operation status is 4, the normal electric machine process for opening and closing the door 26 with the shift to the normal state is performed. Is selected. After any selected process is executed, the normal operation process (S3400) is terminated. That is, the same process is repeated each time the normal operation process (S3400) is executed until the normal operation status is switched.

  The normal operation status is set to 1 as an initial value. For this reason, at first, a usual figure change waiting process is executed. In the general map change waiting process, it is first determined whether or not the general map hold is stored in the above-described general map hold storage area. If the usual figure hold is not stored, the ordinary figure waiting process is terminated. That is, it will be in a standby state until the usual figure hold is memorize | stored. On the other hand, when the common figure hold is stored, the stored general figure hold is read out of the stored general figure hold. Then, based on the read universal map hold (determined random number per universal map), the universal map determination is performed. As a result of the normal symbol hit determination, if it is a normal symbol hit, the symbol per symbol is stored as a symbol (stop symbol) to be stopped and displayed in the current normal symbol variation display. On the other hand, when the result of the normal symbol hit determination is out of the normal symbol, the extraordinary symbol is stored as a symbol (stop symbol) to be stopped and displayed in the current normal symbol variation display. After storing the result of the normal symbol variation display this time, the normal symbol variation time is set and the normal symbol variation display is started. Then, the general map hold that is the object of the determination for the normal map is deleted from the general map storage area. Thereafter, the normal operation status is set to 2 so that the normal change process is executed in the next normal operation process (S3400), and the normal change standby process is terminated.

  When the normal operation status is set to 2, the above-mentioned process during normal map change is executed. In this normal pattern change process, it is determined whether or not the change time of the normal symbol being changed has elapsed. As a result, when the fluctuation time has not elapsed, the process during normal figure change is terminated as it is. That is, the process during normal map change is repeated until the change time elapses. Then, when the fluctuation time has elapsed, the normal symbol being displayed in a variable manner is stopped and displayed in a previously stored manner. In other words, if the result of the universal figure judgment is that of the ordinary figure, the LED on the left of the ordinary figure display part is turned on (the symbol per ordinary figure is stopped), and the result of the ordinary figure judgment is out of place. If there is, the LED on the right side of the general symbol display portion is turned on (the off symbol is stopped and displayed). After the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in this manner, the fixed display time of the normal symbol is set, and the fixed display of the normal symbol is started. Then, the normal operation status is set to 3 so that the normal symbol determination process is executed in the next normal operation process (S3400), and the normal-fluctuation changing process ends.

  When the normal operation status is set to 3, the above-described normal symbol determination process is executed. In this normal symbol determination process, it is determined whether or not the fixed display time set in the above-described normal pattern changing process has elapsed. As a result, if the fixed display time has not elapsed, the normal symbol determination process is terminated as it is. That is, this normal symbol determination process is repeated until the fixed display time elapses. When the fixed display time elapses, it is determined whether or not the normal symbol that has been stopped (determined and displayed) this time is the normal symbol per symbol (the LED on the left of the general symbol display portion is lit). As a result, if the stopped normal symbol is out of place, the normal symbol operation status is returned to 1 so that the normal symbol variation standby processing is executed in the next normal operation processing (S3400). On the other hand, when the normal symbol displayed in a stopped state is a symbol per ordinary symbol, an opening pattern (number of times of opening, opening time, closing time, etc.) of the second starting port 25 in the state corresponding to the ordinary symbol is set. Then, shift to the normal state. Thereafter, the special operation status is set to 4 so that the normal electric accessory process is executed in the next normal operation process (S3400), and the normal symbol determination process is ended.

  When the normal operation status is set to 4, the above-described normal electric accessory processing is executed. In this ordinary electric accessory processing, the opening / closing door 26 is operated by controlling the start opening solenoid 26m so that the second start opening 25 is opened / closed in the above-described opening pattern. Then, when the control according to the release pattern is completed, the normal hit state is terminated. Thereafter, the special operation status is set to 4 so that the normal electric accessory process is executed in the next normal operation process (S3400), and the normal symbol determination process is ended.

  In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, one of the electric support state and the non-electric support state is selectively set. The electric support state and the non-electric support state are realized as follows.

  In other words, compared to the non-electric support state, the electric support state has a higher probability that the result of the per-base determination will be per normal figure (probability per base figure), and the normal symbol change time (normal figure change time) is shorter. The opening time of the second start port 25 in the normal hit state is set to be long. Therefore, in the electric support state, the second start port 25 is opened frequently and the period during which the second start port 25 is in the open state is longer than the non-electric support state. The frequency of entering the ball becomes high (high frequency state). For example, when the non-electric support state is set, the probability per ordinary figure is set to 1/100 (the random number per hundredth of the judgment random numbers per ordinary figure that can be acquired as the ordinary figure hold) The normal time fluctuation time is set to 20 seconds, and the opening time of the second start port 25 in the normal time state is set to 0.3 seconds (0.1 seconds × 3 times open). On the other hand, when the electric support state is set, the probability per ordinary map is set to a probability of 99/100. Random number is per normal map), normal map change time is set to 1 second, and the opening time of the second start port 25 in the normal map state is set to 4.5 seconds (1.5 seconds × 3 times open). .

<Special action processing>
Subsequently, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a special operation process (S3600) and ends the game control process of FIG. In the special action process (S3600), a special symbol (first special figure or second special figure) is variably displayed, or a process of shifting to the big hit state is performed. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the special operation process (S3600).

  As shown in FIG. 21, in the special operation process (S3600) of this embodiment, the special operation status is set in four stages of 1 to 4, and the process to be executed according to the set special operation status is selected. . That is, as shown in FIG. 21, when the special action status is 1 (S3601: 1), it is determined whether or not the special symbol change start condition is satisfied. When the special figure change waiting process (S3700) for starting display is selected and the special operation status is 2 (S3601: 2), the special figure change process (S3800) for stopping and displaying the special symbol being changed is selected. When the special action status is 3 (S3601: 3), the special symbol confirmation process (S3900) for confirming the special symbol is selected, and when the special action status is 4 (S3601: 4), the special figure is displayed. In response to the execution of the winning game, the special-purpose electric accessory process (S4000) for opening and closing the open / close door 29 is selected. After any selected process is executed, the special operation process (S3600) is terminated. That is, the same process is repeated each time the special operation process (S3600) is executed until the special operation status is switched.

<Special symbol waiting process>
The initial value of the special operation status is 1, and in this case (S3601: 1), the above-described special symbol standby process (S3700) is performed. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the special symbol standby process (S3700). As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the second special figure hold is preferentially digested over the first special figure hold. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22, in the special symbol standby process (S3700), it is first determined whether or not there is a second special figure hold (S3701). If there is a second special figure hold (S3701: yes), a second special figure big hit determination process (S3702) is performed. In the second special figure jackpot determination process (S3702), the first stored special jackpot determination random number stored on the second special figure (big hit determination random number, symbol selection random number, variation pattern selection random number) is read. Then, the jackpot determination is performed based on the jackpot determination random number included in the read second special figure hold.

  If there is no second special figure hold (S3701: no), it is determined whether there is a first special figure hold (S3703). When there is a first special figure hold (S3703: yes), a first special figure big hit determination process (S3704) is performed. In the first special figure jackpot determination process (S3704), the first special figure pending jackpot determination random number (big hit determination random number, symbol selection random number, variation pattern selection random number) stored first is read. Then, the jackpot determination is performed based on the jackpot determination random number included in the read first special figure hold. If there is no first special figure hold (S3703: no), the special symbol standby process (S3700) in FIG. 22 is terminated.

  Here, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the gaming state related to the probability of being determined to be a big hit in the big hit determination is “the probability of being determined to be a big hit in the big hit determination is low (1 / 29.99.9). Is a low probability state) or “a high probability state (a probability of 1/6 of the probability) that is determined to be a big hit in the big hit determination”. Such setting of the low probability state or the high probability state is realized as follows. In other words, when the low probability state is set, the random probability of 299.9 out of the jackpot determination random numbers that can be acquired as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold is set as the big hit, and the high probability state is set. If it is, the random number that is 1/6 of the big hit determination random number that can be acquired as the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold is set as a big hit.

  When the second special figure jackpot determination process (S3702) or the first special figure jackpot determination process (S3704) is completed, the special symbol variation display (symbol variation game) of this time is based on the result of the jackpot determination (symbol selection random number). The type of symbols to be stopped and displayed is selected (S3705). For example, if the result of the big hit determination is a big hit, based on the symbol selection random number included in the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold read this time, the special symbol change display (symbol change game) ) To select the type of jackpot symbol to be stopped. That is, as described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the jackpot symbols 1 to 100 can be stopped and displayed as the first special figure, and the jackpot symbols 201 to 300 can be stopped and displayed as the second special figure. . Therefore, when the first special figure hold is read, the symbol selection random number read as the first special figure hold is referred to by referring to the symbol selection table (not shown) in which the symbol selection random numbers are assigned to the jackpot symbols 1 to 100. The corresponding jackpot symbol is selected as the symbol to be stopped and displayed. When the second special symbol hold is read, the big hit symbol corresponding to the symbol selected random number read as the second special symbol hold is referred to the symbol selection table in which the symbol selection random numbers are assigned to the big hit symbols 201 to 300. Are selected as symbols to be stopped and displayed. The symbol selection table is stored in advance in the ROM 202 of the main control board 200.

  When the result of the big hit determination is out, when the first special figure hold is read, the off symbol 101 is selected as the symbol to be stopped and when the second special figure hold is read, the off symbol 301 is stopped and displayed. Select the symbol to be used. Note that the jackpot symbol and the off symbol selected as symbols to be stopped and displayed are stored in a stop symbol storage area secured in the RAM 203.

  When the symbol to be stopped is selected, the variation pattern of the variation display (design variation game) of the special symbol is subsequently selected (S3706). As described above, the variation pattern is the time (variation time) from when the special symbol (the first special diagram or the second special diagram) starts the variable display to the stop display (variation time). Information (variation pattern ID) for identifying the fluctuation pattern is attached. In the process of selecting the variation pattern, a variation pattern selection table (not shown) is referred to. The variation pattern selection table is a table in which variation pattern selection random numbers are assigned to a plurality of variation patterns (variation pattern ID, variation time). In the process of selecting the fluctuation pattern, in such a fluctuation pattern selection table, the fluctuation pattern corresponding to the fluctuation pattern selection random number read as the current first special figure hold or the second special figure hold is determined as the current fluctuation pattern. . Therefore, the probability that each variation pattern is selected is determined by the ratio of random numbers allocated to each variation pattern among the obtainable variation pattern selection random numbers.

  In addition, the variation pattern selection table to be referenced is not determined only by the result of the big hit determination, but the type of special symbol (first special figure or second special figure), the currently set gaming state, the big hit determination As a result, a variation pattern selection table corresponding to various game progress situations such as the number of stored first special figure hold and second special figure hold is selected. By doing so, it becomes possible to select a variation pattern corresponding to various game progress situations, and as a result, the CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 can execute a symbol variation effect with the effect patterns corresponding to the various game progress situations.

  After selecting the fluctuation pattern, after erasing the first special figure hold or the second special figure hold, which is the target of the current big hit determination, from the first special figure hold storage area or the second special figure hold storage area (S3707), special symbol variation display (symbol variation game) is started (S3708). Then, after the special action status is updated to 2 (S3709) so that the special figure changing process (S3800 in FIG. 21) is performed in the next special action process (S3600 in FIG. 21), the special symbol in FIG. The standby process (S3700) is terminated.

<Special map change processing>
When the special symbol variation display is started, the special symbol variation processing (S3800) described above with reference to FIG. 21 is performed. FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the special figure changing process (S3800). In the special figure changing process (S3800), it is determined whether or not the change end timing has come (S3801). That is, it is determined whether or not the time from the start of the special symbol variation display has reached the variation time selected in the special symbol standby process (S3700 in FIG. 22). If the change end timing has not come (S3801: no), the special symbol change process (S3800) in FIG. 23 is ended as it is in order to continue the special symbol change display. On the other hand, when it is time to end the change (S3801: yes), the symbol selected in the special symbol standby process (S3700 in FIG. 22) is stopped and displayed (S3802). For example, if the result of the big hit determination is a big hit, the big hit symbol selected in the special symbol standby process (S3700 in FIG. 22) is stopped and displayed. The off symbol selected in the symbol standby process (S3700 in FIG. 22) is stopped and displayed. Then, symbol fixed display is started (S3803), and a fixed display time for displaying the special symbol fixedly is set. Then, after the special action status is updated to 3 (S3804) so that the special symbol confirmation process (S3900 in FIG. 21) is performed in the next special action process (S3600 in FIG. 21), the special figure change in FIG. The middle process (S3800) is terminated.

<Special symbol confirmation processing>
When the special operation status is updated to 3, a special symbol confirmation process (S3900) is performed for performing a special symbol confirmation display as described above with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a flowchart of the special symbol determination process. In the special symbol confirmation process (S3900), it is determined whether or not the fixed display time set in the special figure changing process (S3800 in FIG. 23) has passed (S3901). As a result, if the fixed display time has not elapsed (S3901: no), the special symbol determination process (S3900) in FIG. 24 is terminated as it is to continue the fixed display.

  When the fixed display time has elapsed (S3901: yes), it is determined whether or not the stopped display (determined display) symbol is a jackpot symbol (S3902). If the symbol is a jackpot symbol (S3902: yes), the jackpot Processing for starting the state is performed (S3903). For example, the opening pattern (opening count, opening time, closing time, etc.) of the big winning opening 28 in the big hit state is set. Thereafter, output setting of the big hit signal is performed (S3904). In the jackpot signal output start setting (S3904), information for starting the jackpot signal output is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and then a predetermined output start condition is established in the output process (S3100 in FIG. 20). When the determination is made, the output of the big hit signal is started toward the data display 70 and the hall computer 100. The output start timing of the big hit signal will be described in detail in “output processing” described later.

  When the jackpot signal output start setting (S3904) is completed, it is determined whether or not the state is a high probability state (S3905). If the state is a high probability state (S3905: yes), the output of the probability variation signal should be stopped. Then, output stop setting of the probability variation signal is performed (S3906). In the probability variation signal output stop setting (S3906), information for stopping the probability variation signal being output is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and the output of the probability variation signal is stopped in the next output processing (S3100 in FIG. 20). The After the output change setting of the probability variation signal (S3906) is completed, or in the case of a low probability state (S3905: no), the special electric accessory process (S4000) is performed in the next special operation process (S3600 in FIG. 21). As performed, the special operation status is updated to 4 (S3907).

  Thereafter, the output setting of the symbol determination signal is performed (S3908). In the symbol determination signal output setting (S3908), information for outputting the symbol determination signal is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and the symbol determination is performed toward the data display device 70 in the next output process (S3100 in FIG. 20). A signal is output. After the symbol setting signal output setting (S3908) ends, the special symbol determination processing (S3900) in FIG. 24 ends.

  On the other hand, if the symbol that has been stopped (determined) is an out symbol (S3902: no), it is determined whether or not it is in a high probability state (S3909). If it is in the high probability state (S3909: yes), it is determined whether the termination condition for the high probability state is satisfied (S3910). That is, every time the symbol variation game is executed, 1 is subtracted from the value of the high-accuracy count counter indicating the remaining number of executions in the high-probability state, and the high-probability state ends when the value of the high-accuracy count counter becomes 0. It is determined that the condition is met. When the termination condition of the high probability state is satisfied (S3910: yes), the output change setting of the probability variation signal is set to stop the output of the probability variation signal (S3911). In the probability variation signal output stop setting (S3911), information for stopping the probability variation signal being output is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and the output of the probability variation signal is stopped in the next output processing (S3100 in FIG. 20). The After the output change setting of the probability variation signal (S3911) is completed, the normal gaming state is set (S3912). After that, or when not in the high probability state (S3909: no), or when the high probability state end condition is not satisfied (S3910: no), the special action status is set to 1 to return to the standby state of the symbol variation game. (S3913), the above-described symbol determination signal output setting is performed (S3908). Thereafter, the special symbol confirmation process (S3900) in FIG. 24 is terminated.

<Special electric equipment processing>
When the special operation status is updated to 4, as described above with reference to FIG. 21, the special electric accessory processing (S4000) for performing the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 28 in accordance with the shift to the big hit state is performed. FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the special electric accessory process (S4000). In the special electric accessory processing (S4000), it is first determined whether or not the above-described round game start condition (hereinafter also referred to as “round start condition”) is satisfied (S4001). In this embodiment, for the first round game, the start condition of the big hit is the round start condition, and for the second and subsequent round games, a predetermined time has passed since the last round game ended. Elapsed is the condition for starting the round. If this round start condition is satisfied (S4001: yes), the round game is started, and the special winning opening 28 is opened (S4002).

  Thereafter, or when the round start condition is not satisfied (S4001: no), it is determined whether or not a round game end condition (hereinafter also referred to as “round end condition”) is satisfied (S4003). As described above, the round end condition is that nine game balls have entered the big winning opening 28 (9 counts) or 30 seconds have passed. If the round end condition is not satisfied (S4003: no), the special electric accessory process (S4000) in FIG. 25 is ended as it is. On the other hand, when the round end condition is satisfied (S4003: yes), since the round game is ended, the special winning opening 28 is closed (S4004), and the round counter value indicating the remaining number of executions of the round game is determined. 1 is subtracted (S4005). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the round counter has become 0 (S4006). If the value of the round counter is not 0 (S4006: no), the special electric accessory processing (S4000) in FIG.

  When the value of the round counter is 0 (S4006: yes), since the big hit state is completed, the output stop setting of the big hit signal is performed in order to stop the big hit signal being output (S4007). In the jackpot signal output stop setting (S4007), information for stopping jackpot signal output is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and in the next output process (S3100 in FIG. 20), the jackpot signal output is stopped. . When the output stop setting for the big hit signal (S4007) is completed, the high probability state and the electric support state are set (S4008), and the output start setting for the probability variation signal is performed (S4009). In the output start setting of the probability variation signal (S4009), information for starting the output of the probability variation signal is stored in the output buffer of the RAM 203, and the probability variation toward the data display device 70 is performed in the next output processing (S3100 in FIG. 20). The signal output is started. When the output start setting of the probability variation signal (S4009) ends, the special operation status is updated to 1 to return to the standby state of the symbol variation game (S4010), and then the special electric accessory processing (S4000) of FIG. 25 is terminated. To do.

  The main control board 200 realizing the function of shifting to the big hit state corresponds to the “specific state shifting means” of the present invention.

<Output processing>
As described above, in the special operation process (S3600), when the big hit state is entered, the output start setting of the big hit signal indicating that the big hit state is set, and when the big hit state ends, the output stop setting of the big hit signal is set. Is done. In the output process (S3100) described above with reference to FIG. 20, in response to the output start setting and output stop setting of these jackpot signals, game signals such as jackpot signals are output to the outside as follows.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart of the output process (S3100). In the output process (S3100), the jackpot signal is externally output based on the output start setting of the jackpot signal. Therefore, first, in the special operation process (S3600) described above, it is determined whether or not the big hit signal output start setting has been performed (S3101). When the output setting of the big hit signal is performed (S3101: yes), the output of the big hit signal is not started immediately, but the operation of the delay timer is started (S3102). In the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, processing for delaying the output start timing of the jackpot signal by a predetermined specified delay time Tc is performed, and the time measured by the delay timer, that is, the output start setting of the jackpot signal is set. The output is started after the elapsed time from the time when the specified delay time Tc has passed.

  After starting the operation of the delay timer, it is determined whether or not the delay timer is operating in order to determine whether or not the specified delay time Tc has passed and the output start timing has come (S3103). As a result, when the delay timer is operating (S3103: yes), it is determined whether or not the specified delay time Tc has passed (S3104). When the specified delay time Tc has elapsed (S3104: yes), the delay timer is stopped (S3105) and the output of the big hit signal is started (S3106).

  After starting the output of the big hit signal, in order to determine whether the output stop timing of the big hit signal has come, it is determined whether the output stop setting of the big hit signal has been performed in the above-described special operation processing (S3600). (S3107). As a result, if the output stop setting of the big hit signal has been performed (S3107: yes), the output of the big hit signal is stopped (S3108). Thereafter, a payout signal output process (S3120) for outputting a payout signal according to the establishment of the payout signal output condition is performed, and then the output process (S3100) of the present embodiment is terminated.

  Note that if the big hit signal output start setting has not been performed between the execution of the previous output process (S3100) and the execution of the current output process (S3100) (S3101: no), a delay occurs. The process proceeds to processing for determining whether or not the timer is operating (S3103). When the delay timer is not operating (S3103: no), or when the delay timer is operating but the specified delay time Tc has not elapsed (S3103: yes, S3104: no), the output stop setting for the jackpot signal The process proceeds to a process for determining whether or not the process has been performed (S3107). When the output stop setting of the big hit signal is not performed between the execution of the previous output process (S3100) and the execution of the current output process (S3100) (S3107: no), the payout signal output After executing the process (S3120), the output process of FIG. 26 is terminated.

  Thus, in the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment, the output start timing of the big hit signal is delayed by the specified delay time Tc. For this reason, the time interval from when the output of the big hit signal is stopped until the next output is started is at least the specified delay time Tc. Therefore, even if the big hit state occurs continuously, the time interval at which the big hit signal is output is equal to or longer than the specified delay time Tc. It becomes possible to suppress misjudging that it is the same big hit state.

  In addition, in the configuration in which the output start timing in the big hit state is delayed in this way, in order for the game information generated during the delay to be recognized by the external device as the game information in the big hit state, even for other signals, It is preferable to delay until after the start of output. Therefore, in this embodiment, the payout signal is output as follows.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the above-described payout signal output process (S3120). The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 outputs a payout signal to the outside based on the receipt of the payout signal from the payout control board 240 as described above. Therefore, in the payout signal output process (S3120), it is first determined whether or not a payout signal has been received from the payout control board 240 (S3121). When the payout signal is received (S3121: yes), it is determined whether or not the delay timer is operating (S3122). If the delay timer is not in operation (S3122: no), the big hit signal is output if it is a big hit state, and the big hit signal is not output if it is a non-hit state. A payout signal is output (S3123). On the other hand, when the delay timer is in operation (S3122: yes), the pachinko machine 1 is in a big hit state and does not output a big hit signal, and the external device is in a non-hit state. Therefore, the payout signal is once stocked. In this embodiment, 1 is added to the payout signal stock counter of the RAM 203 that manages the stock number of payout signals (S3124).

  After outputting the payout signal, after stocking the payout signal, or when no payout signal is received from the payout control board 240 (S3121: no), it is determined whether the output timing of the stocked signal has come. In order to do this, it is first determined whether or not the delay timer is operating (S3125). As a result, when the delay timer is not operating (S3125: no), it is determined whether or not the value of the payout signal stock counter is 1 or more in order to determine whether or not the payout signal is stocked. (S3126). When the value of the payout signal stock counter is 1 or more (S3127: yes), one pulse of the payout signal is output to the outside (S3127), and 1 is subtracted from the payout signal stock counter (S3128). 27 payout signal output processing (S3120) is terminated. In this way, the payout signal can be output one pulse at a time until the value of the payout signal stock counter becomes 0 after the start of outputting the big hit signal. Therefore, even when the payout signal is received from the payout control board 240 during the delay, the output timing of the payout signal can be delayed after the start of the output of the big hit signal. As a result, the external device is in the big hit state. It can be recognized as game information. When the delay timer is operating (S3125: yes), or when the value of the payout signal stock counter is 0 (S3126: no), the payout signal output process (S3120) of FIG. .

  FIG. 28 is a timing chart showing an example of the output start timing of the big hit signal and the output timing of the payout signal output in accordance with the shift to the big hit state. FIG. 28 shows how the delay timer operates and how the big hit signal and the payout signal are output when the gaming state shifts from the non-hit state to the big hit state. At the first timing tb0 shown in FIG. 28, the gaming state is a non-hit state, the delay timer is inactive, the big-hit signal is LOW level, and the payout signal from the payout control board 240 is not received. The payout signal is not being output to the outside and the payout signal stock counter is 0.

  Thereafter, the main control board 200 receives a payout signal from the payout control board 240 at the timing of tb1. At this timing tb1, since the delay timer is not operating, the payout signal is immediately output to the outside at timing tb2. Thereafter, when the state shifts to the big hit state at timing tb3, the operation of the delay timer is started accordingly. During the operation of the delay timer, the payout signal is received, the value of the payout signal stock counter is updated to 1 with the first reception (timing tb4), and with the second reception (timing tb5). The value of the payout signal stock counter is updated to 2. Thereafter, when the time measured by the delay timer exceeds the specified delay time Tc (timing tb6), the operation of the delay timer is stopped, the output of the jackpot signal is started (switched to the HI level), and the stocked payout signal Are output one pulse at a time.

  The main control board 200 that realizes the function of delaying the output start timing of the jackpot signal corresponds to the “delay means” of the present invention.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the output start timing of the big hit signal is delayed by the predetermined specified delay time Tc. For this reason, the time interval from when the output of the big hit signal is stopped until the next output is started is at least the specified delay time Tc. Therefore, even if the big hit state occurs continuously, the time interval at which the big hit signal is output is equal to or longer than the specified delay time Tc. It becomes possible to suppress misjudging that it is the same big hit state. In particular, when the specified delay time Tc is longer than the specified hold time Th measured by the noise timer, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous determination caused by the noise timer.

  Further, in this embodiment, the payout signal received during the delay is not immediately output to the outside, but is delayed until the start of the output of the big hit signal. For this reason, it becomes possible to make an external device recognize the information on the number of payout balls generated during the delay as game information in the big hit state.

  The configuration for delaying the output timing of information generated during the delay until after the output of the jackpot signal is not limited to the payout signal, and another signal may be delayed. For example, the driving signal may be delayed. By doing this, it is possible to make the external device recognize the information on the number of hit balls generated during the delay as information in the big hit state. As a configuration for delaying the driving signal, for example, a sensor for detecting a released game ball (or a discharged game ball) is provided in the pachinko machine 1, and the number of shot balls is recognized by the main control board 200 or the like. By making it possible, a method of delaying in the same manner as the payout signal of this embodiment can be taken.

F. Modified example:
In the above-described embodiment, the output start timing of the jackpot signal is delayed for a predetermined time so that the time interval between the jackpot signals is equal to or longer than the predetermined time. However, the time interval between the jackpot signals is equal to or longer than the predetermined time. If so, another configuration may be adopted. For example, when the time since the last output of the big hit signal has exceeded a predetermined interval time, the output of the big hit signal is started without delay, while the above interval time is not exceeded. May be delayed. In this modification, an example will be described. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the structure which is common in the Example mentioned above, and mainly a different part is demonstrated.

In this modification, instead of the output process (S3100) of the above embodiment, an output process (S4100) is performed.
). 29 and 30 are flowcharts of the output process (S4100). As shown in FIG. 29, in the output process (S4100), first, in order to determine whether or not to stop the output of the big hit signal, it is determined whether or not the output stop setting of the big hit signal has been performed (S4101). As a result, when the output stop setting of the big hit signal is performed (S4101: yes), the output of the big hit signal is stopped (S4102), and the operation of the interval timer is started (S4103). That is, in this modification, the operation of the interval timer is started from the timing when the output of the big hit signal is stopped. The operation of this interval timer is stopped when the specified interval time Ti has elapsed.

  After starting the operation of the interval timer, or when the big hit signal output stop setting is not performed (S4101: no), it is determined whether or not the big hit signal output start setting has been performed (S4104). When the jackpot signal output start setting is performed (S4104: yes), it is determined whether or not the interval timer is operating (S4105). When the jackpot signal is not operating (S4105: no), the jackpot signal is determined. Is started (S4106). On the other hand, when the interval timer is in operation (S4105: yes), the RAM 203 indicating that the output of the big hit signal is not started immediately but the start of the output of the big hit signal is waited. Is set to 1 (S4107).

  Whether or not the specified interval time Ti has elapsed after starting the output of the big hit signal, after setting the standby flag to 1, or when the output start setting of the big hit signal has not been performed (S4104: no) First, it is determined whether or not the interval timer is operating (S4110 in FIG. 30). As a result, when the interval timer is operating (S4110: yes), it is determined whether or not the specified interval time Ti has passed (S4111). If the specified interval time Ti has elapsed (S4111: yes), whether the standby flag is set to 1 in order to determine whether or not it is waiting for the start of the output of the jackpot signal. It is determined whether or not (S4112). As a result, when the standby flag is set to 1 (S4112: yes), the output of the big hit signal is started (S4113), the standby flag is cleared to 0 (S4114), and the operation of the interval timer is stopped. (S4115). If the standby flag is 0 (S4112: no), the operation of the interval timer is stopped as it is (S4115). On the other hand, after the operation of the interval timer is stopped, or when the interval timer is not operated in the first place (S4110: no), or when the specified interval time Ti has not elapsed (S4111: no), the payout signal After executing the output process (S4120), the output process (S4100) shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 is terminated.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart of the above-described payout signal output process (S4120). The CPU 201 of the main control board 200 outputs a payout signal to the outside based on the receipt of the payout signal from the payout control board 240 as described above. Therefore, in the payout signal output process (S4120), it is first determined whether or not a payout signal has been received from the payout control board 240 (S4121). When the payout signal is received (S4121: yes), it is determined whether or not the standby flag is set to 1 (S4122). When the standby flag is set to 0 (S4122: no), the big hit signal is output if it is a big hit state, and the big hit signal is not output if it is a non-hit state. The payout signal is immediately output (S4123). On the other hand, when the standby flag is set to 1 (S4122: yes), the pachinko machine 1 is in a big hit state, but does not output a big hit signal, and the external device is in a non-hit state. Therefore, the payout signal is once stocked. In this embodiment, 1 is added to the payout signal stock counter of the RAM 203 that manages the stock number of payout signals (S4124).

  After outputting the payout signal, after stocking the payout signal, or when no payout signal is received from the payout control board 240 (S4121: no), it is determined whether the output timing of the stocked signal has come. In order to do this, it is first determined whether or not the standby flag is set to 1 (S4125). As a result, when the standby flag is set to 0 (S4125: no), whether or not the value of the payout signal stock counter is 1 or more is determined in order to determine whether or not the payout signal is stocked. Is determined (S4126). When the value of the payout signal stock counter is 1 or more (S4127: yes), one pulse of the payout signal is output to the outside (S4127), and 1 is subtracted from the payout signal stock counter (S4128). The payout signal output process 31 (S4120) is terminated. In this way, the payout signal can be output one pulse at a time until the value of the payout signal stock counter becomes 0 after the start of outputting the big hit signal. Therefore, even when the payout signal is received from the payout control board 240 during the delay, the output timing of the payout signal can be delayed after the start of the output of the big hit signal. As a result, the external device is in the big hit state. It can be recognized as game information. If the standby flag is set to 0 (S4125: yes), or if the value of the payout signal stock counter is 0 (S4126), the payout signal output process (S4120) of FIG. 31 is terminated. .

  FIG. 32 and FIG. 33 are timing charts showing an example of the output start timing of the big hit signal and the output timing of the payout signal output in accordance with the shift to the big hit state.

  FIG. 32 is a timing chart when the output start timing of the jackpot signal is delayed. At the first timing tc0 of FIG. 32, the gaming state is a big hit state, the interval timer is not operating, the big hit signal is being output, the payout signal from the payout control board 240 is not received, and the payout signal There is no external output, and the stock counter value of the payout signal is zero. As shown in FIG. 32, when the big hit state ends and becomes a non-hit state (timing tc1), the big hit signal falls to the LOW level and the operation of the interval timer is started. Thereafter, the payout signal from the payout control board 240 is received at timing tc2, and since the standby flag is 0, the payout signal is immediately output to the outside (timing tc3). After that, although it shifts to the big hit state (timing tc4), since the interval timer is in operation, the output of the big hit signal is not started immediately and the standby flag is set to 1. Thereafter, although the payout signal from the payout control board 240 is received (timing tc5), the standby flag is set to 1, so that 1 is added to the payout signal stock counter without immediately outputting the payout signal to the outside. When the specified interval time Ti elapses (timing tc6), the output of the big hit signal is started, the standby flag is cleared to 0, and the stock payout signal is output to the outside.

  FIG. 33 is a timing chart when the output start timing of the jackpot signal is not delayed. At the first timing (timing td0) in FIG. 33, the gaming state is a big hit state, the interval timer is not operating, the big hit signal is being output (HI level), and a payout signal from the payout control board 240 is received. The payout signal is not externally output, and the stock signal value of the payout signal is 0. As shown in FIG. 33, when the big hit state ends and becomes a non-hit state (timing td1), the big hit signal falls to the LOW level and the operation of the interval timer is started. After that, the payout signal from the payout control board 240 is received at timings td2 and td4, and since the standby flag is 0, the payout signal is immediately output to the outside (timing td3 and td5). Thereafter, the specified interval time Ti elapses (td6), and thereafter, the big hit state is reached (timing td6). For this reason, the output of the big hit signal is started immediately without being delayed.

  The main control board 200 that realizes the function of determining whether or not the interval timer is operating corresponds to the “interval period determining means” of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present modification, when the transition to the big hit state is made after the specified interval time Ti has elapsed since the output of the previous big hit signal was stopped, The output of the big hit signal can be started immediately. Further, even if the transition to the big hit state is made before the specified interval time Ti elapses after the output of the previous big hit signal is stopped, the output of the big hit signal may be started after the elapse of the specified interval time Ti. it can. For this reason, it is possible not only to suppress the erroneous determination of the external device by setting the time interval between the jackpot signals for a predetermined time or more, but also to suppress the delay time.

  As mentioned above, although the Example and modification of this invention were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, Unless it deviates from the range described in each claim, it is not limited to the description word of each claim, Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can also be added as appropriate to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily replace them.

  In the above embodiment, the specified delay time Tc, and in the modified example, the specified interval time Ti is a predetermined time, but these times can be set by a game hall manager or the like. Good. When the time of the noise timer can be set by the data display 70 or the hall computer 100, the jackpot state is not erroneously determined by an external device in accordance with the set time of the noise timer. In addition, the specified delay time Tc or the specified interval time Ti can be set to the minimum necessary time. As a setting method, each game machine may be set by operating an operation unit provided in each game machine, or may be set for each game machine or a plurality of games from an external device such as the hall computer 100. You may enable it to set collectively with respect to a machine.

  In the above embodiments and modifications, the big hit state is the specific state of the present invention, but it may be another gaming state. For example, the specific state may be a state from the start of the big hit state to the end of the high probability state or the power support state.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the pachinko machine 1 that gives a player a profit (game value) as a game result by paying out a game ball supplied from an island facility of a game hall as a game machine is applied. explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine of a type that provides gaming profits in a form different from “payout of gaming balls”. For example, game profits (games) are stored by storing data indicating the amount of profit (the magnitude of the game value) corresponding to the entrance of a game ball at various entrances. The present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine of a type in which a value is given to a player. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. As a pachinko machine of the type in which game profit (game value) is converted into data and given to the player, a game machine that circulates and uses a plurality of game balls built in the pachinko machine, specifically, An example is a pachinko machine (so-called encapsulated game machine) configured to return the game ball discharged to the back of the game board through various entrances or outs to the launch position and launch it again.

  In the above embodiment, the gaming machine is described as a pachinko machine, but it may be a so-called slot machine.

  The present invention can be used for a gaming machine that uses a game value to play a game.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachinko machine (game machine), 50 ... Segment display part, 200 ... Main control board, 240 ... Dispensing control board, 70 ... Data display machine, 90 ... Relay device, 100 ... Hall computer.

Claims (5)

A gaming machine that uses a gaming value to play a game,
A game value giving means for giving the game value when a game value giving condition is established by the game;
A game value signal output means for outputting a game value signal indicating the magnitude of the given game value to the outside;
Specific state shifting means for shifting to a specific state advantageous to the player;
A specific state signal output means for outputting a specific state signal indicating that the specific state is present to the outside;
A gaming machine comprising delay means for delaying the output start timing of the specific state signal so that the time interval between the specific state signals is equal to or greater than a predetermined time. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The said delay means delays the said output start timing until it passes the said specific state, and the said predetermined time passes, when it transfers to the said specific state. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
An interval period determining means for determining whether or not the interval period corresponding to the predetermined time after the output of the specific state signal ends,
The game machine characterized in that the delay means delays the output start timing of the specific state signal until the interval period elapses when the specific state is shifted during the interval period. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
If the delay means has reached the output timing of the game value signal while delaying the output start timing of the specific state signal, the delay means sets the output timing of the game value signal after the start of output of the specific state signal. A game machine characterized by being delayed until. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A gaming machine comprising: a setting unit that sets the predetermined time according to an operation of a predetermined operation unit.

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